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Suggested hosting etiquette - joining and panel allocation

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Suggested hosting etiquette - joining and panel allocation 05/02/2019 at 20:36 #115388
GeoffM
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Any host is free to run their own game as they see fit, but it may help clients if they're aware of the general principles behind the host's rules. So here is a starting point for discussion which could lead to a Wiki article, to which hosts can link their games. I believe there are other instructions during the game, but this is for the initial joining and panel allocation.

Since a few days ago, people that sign up for an upcoming game now get a sign-up date next to their name. Hosts can use this to give priority to the earliest sign-up through to the most recent sign-up.

If a signed-up user is not there at the start, a later sign-up (or someone that didn't sign up) is there at the start, and there are no immediate panels available, the absent user turns up, and then a space becomes available, who gets priority? The person there at the start, or the latecomer who was signed-up?

The host should be able to set a minimum experience level. That host might be running a difficult sim with a difficult scenario, and it's not fair to the other users if somebody joins who doesn't know what they are doing. But it is suggested this requirement is explained in the Upcoming Game. Equally, a host might like to run a training session where they only want newcomers to play. In any situation where the host sets requirements, users shouldn't feel left out - at the current rate of games, there should be something of interest for everyone!

The host may wish to be 100% voice on TeamSpeak. It can be frustrating having to switch from SimSig to a messenging application, or even SimSig's built-in text messaging, when a quick vocal conversation is much quicker and less distracting. Again, users should not be upset with a 100% voice requirement.

Games now have a comments section associated with that game (go to Game->Details). If you want to join but won't be there at the start, add a post indicating such.

While lots of games advertised is a good thing, hosting the same simulation as somebody else at an overlapping time should perhaps be avoided to avoid rivalry. By all means host something else, or at a different time.

Don't advertise a game speculatively if you have no intention of actually playing at that time. People may be altering their real life schedules to get to your game, and to have it cancelled for no good reason is not helpful.

Anyway, some discussion points for you all.

SimSig Boss
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Suggested hosting etiquette - joining and panel allocation 05/02/2019 at 21:04 #115390
Steamer
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GeoffM in post 115388 said:
So here is a starting point for discussion which could lead to a Wiki article, to which hosts can link their games.
For easy reference, the existing MP Etiquette page is here:

https://www.SimSig.co.uk/Wiki/Show?page=usertrack:ssrun:multiplayer:etiquette

"Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q)
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Suggested hosting etiquette - joining and panel allocation 05/02/2019 at 21:13 #115391
GeoffM
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Steamer in post 115390 said:
GeoffM in post 115388 said:
So here is a starting point for discussion which could lead to a Wiki article, to which hosts can link their games.
For easy reference, the existing MP Etiquette page is here:

https://www.SimSig.co.uk/Wiki/Show?page=usertrack:ssrun:multiplayer:etiquette
The above is more about when you're already playing; my intention with this thread was the advertising and setup beforehand, especially as things have changed recently.

SimSig Boss
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Suggested hosting etiquette - joining and panel allocation 05/02/2019 at 22:08 #115392
jc92
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Regarding giving priority to early sign ups, my thought is that people may sign up before they are sure they will be able to come in order to get priority and then cancel when they can't turn up/can't be bothered/choose a different game. I could for instance just sign up for three simultaneous hosts on one night just to ensure I get first place on one. The main downsides of that is that hosts might end up with less players than they had signed up resulting in cancellation of a game

It obviously remains a valid option for a host but I wouldn't make it a suggested norm or default.

I don't currently host Atm but I have always allocated based on on the day connection order. If someone disconnects other than for an error or connection, they go to the bottom of the queue. If a panel becomes free, first choice of the vacant panel goes to an existing player with a queued player taking their position. Finally I am happy to pull rank and switch players away from a panel if I feel they are making too many errors or a delayed trains needlessly. This isn't elitism, I'd rather people build their skillset up rather than needlessly struggle, but equally I don't want the whole job stopping either.

"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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Suggested hosting etiquette - joining and panel allocation 06/02/2019 at 04:01 #115401
GeoffM
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jc92 in post 115392 said:
Regarding giving priority to early sign ups, my thought is that people may sign up before they are sure they will be able to come in order to get priority and then cancel when they can't turn up/can't be bothered/choose a different game. I could for instance just sign up for three simultaneous hosts on one night just to ensure I get first place on one.
I believe I covered that when I mentioned about not being there at the start of the game (3rd para).

SimSig Boss
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Suggested hosting etiquette - joining and panel allocation 06/02/2019 at 08:59 #115407
jc92
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GeoffM in post 115401 said:
jc92 in post 115392 said:
Regarding giving priority to early sign ups, my thought is that people may sign up before they are sure they will be able to come in order to get priority and then cancel when they can't turn up/can't be bothered/choose a different game. I could for instance just sign up for three simultaneous hosts on one night just to ensure I get first place on one.
I believe I covered that when I mentioned about not being there at the start of the game (3rd para).
Not really my point is that system is open to a form of manipulation where a host suddenly looses three players at game start because they signed up "just in case" rather than actually signing up to show commitment.

"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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Suggested hosting etiquette - joining and panel allocation 06/02/2019 at 16:15 #115423
GeoffM
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jc92 in post 115407 said:
GeoffM in post 115401 said:
jc92 in post 115392 said:
Regarding giving priority to early sign ups, my thought is that people may sign up before they are sure they will be able to come in order to get priority and then cancel when they can't turn up/can't be bothered/choose a different game. I could for instance just sign up for three simultaneous hosts on one night just to ensure I get first place on one.
I believe I covered that when I mentioned about not being there at the start of the game (3rd para).
Not really my point is that system is open to a form of manipulation where a host suddenly looses three players at game start because they signed up "just in case" rather than actually signing up to show commitment.
If they don't show up at the start then naturally they have lost their place because the host will be assigning panels to those present. I then went on to ask what happens if they later show up. See 3rd paragraph.

SimSig Boss
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Suggested hosting etiquette - joining and panel allocation 06/02/2019 at 18:21 #115430
jc92
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GeoffM in post 115423 said:
jc92 in post 115407 said:
GeoffM in post 115401 said:
jc92 in post 115392 said:
Regarding giving priority to early sign ups, my thought is that people may sign up before they are sure they will be able to come in order to get priority and then cancel when they can't turn up/can't be bothered/choose a different game. I could for instance just sign up for three simultaneous hosts on one night just to ensure I get first place on one.
I believe I covered that when I mentioned about not being there at the start of the game (3rd para).
Not really my point is that system is open to a form of manipulation where a host suddenly looses three players at game start because they signed up "just in case" rather than actually signing up to show commitment.
If they don't show up at the start then naturally they have lost their place because the host will be assigning panels to those present. I then went on to ask what happens if they later show up. See 3rd paragraph.
If they later show up they've lost their place IMHO.

I'm not sure if there's some confusion on the point I'm raising.

Let's say I have an advertised host of saltley for tomorrow at 6pm.

Kevin has also put up a KGX host for 6pm.

Players AB and C all sign up immediately for both "just in case" so they can get first dibs on a sim. Player D signs up for Saltley and player E signs up for kingscross.

At 6pm ABC and D all join Saltley leaving Kev with just player E. He has one player out of the 4 he expected and has to cancel which wastes his time.

Players AB and C have all got their way but have wasted his Time by signing up without real commitment

"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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The following user said thank you: KymriskaDraken
Suggested hosting etiquette - joining and panel allocation 06/02/2019 at 18:21 #115431
Hap
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Is there a way within the realms of the sim where XP points/user experience are/is given to a user and that somehow is recorded within the users profile?

I refer to the OP of sim difficulty and scenario difficulty.

A tier level as such..

Beginner, Amateur. Semi-Pro, Pro, Advanced/Experienced...

And if also a points based system that only the user themselves can see.

In no way would these mean/be used to somewhat belittle a user, It would only be a matter of fact of their expertise of siming.

Also it wouldn't mean that a particularly difficult sim/scenario would just be open for advanced/experienced users, but it does give the host and the intended person joining and idea of experience level and also perhaps if allocating panels, users can be directed to a relevant panel for their experience.

Just an idea.

Craig

How to report an issue: www.SimSig.co.uk/Wiki/Show?page=usertrack:reportanissue
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Suggested hosting etiquette - joining and panel allocation 06/02/2019 at 19:01 #115434
GeoffM
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jc92 in post 115430 said:
If they later show up they've lost their place IMHO.
That addresses the part I was referring to.

jc92 in post 115430 said:

At 6pm ABC and D all join Saltley leaving Kev with just player E. He has one player out of the 4 he expected and has to cancel which wastes his time.
Here you seem to be referring to the bit of yours I did not quote.

SimSig Boss
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Suggested hosting etiquette - joining and panel allocation 06/02/2019 at 19:10 #115436
jc92
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GeoffM in post 115434 said:
jc92 in post 115430 said:
If they later show up they've lost their place IMHO.
That addresses the part I was referring to.

jc92 in post 115430 said:

At 6pm ABC and D all join Saltley leaving Kev with just player E. He has one player out of the 4 he expected and has to cancel which wastes his time.
Here you seem to be referring to the bit of yours I did not quote.
Makes sense now I've reread it.
Apologies

"We don't stop camborne wednesdays"
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