Remove Open Matchmaking, Replace it with something else.

@daringclarky

I do believe that the matchmaking is due to an update as it currently just throw anyone together, yet I wonder if chaotic scream rooms are the way to go. What can I say Arena lobbies can hurt my ears and is the only time I use mute others! The idea of having a meeting room is theoretical great, yet in practice I don't think that it will be a nice experience and if someone leaves it will be a hassle to fill up mid session.

I do not believe 2 ships should be a crew at any given point, they take up an additional slot of the only 6 available. If you sail with 4 you should be on a galleon. Alliances are supposed to be shakey between people out on the seas with no previous affiliation, not a fully trust bond that is unbreakable because they are your buddies.

My opinion is to have the open crew system being upgraded by adding selecting preferences:

1. Languages, not everyone speaks English and well that makes communication hard.
2. Microphone required, must have a microphone yourself to select this.
3. Activity preferences with at a minimum:
   3.1 Voyages, maybe indicate factions as well.
   3.2 Tall Tales
   3.3 Cloud events
   3.4 Pirate on Pirate action
   3.5 Roaming the seas

That way we might be grouped with others that seek to do the same activities in the game which usually is the first step for success.

Personally think that the captain update could even make it even better by having people indicate their preferred position in the crew. Naturally the roles would remain fluid and would pose no restrictions on any individual.

Galleon:

1. Helmsman/Navigator: maybe captain
2. Bildge rat/Shipwright
3. Deckhand/Cannoneer
4. Boarder/Brawler

Brigantine:

1. Helmsman/Navigator: maybe captain
2. Bildge rat/Shipwright/Deckhand
3. Boarder/Brawler/Cannoneer

Sloop:

1. Helmsman/Navigator/Bildge rat/Shipwright/Deckhand: defense
2. Boarder/Brawler/Cannoneer: offense

Just my 2 cents, as I have been doing open crews and find myself more often than not just being a tutorial which can be fun or completely confused about what my crew is doing and why... while wondering why they all ignore my communication and are doing the exact opposite without a word and me even if we win a battle just leaving in search of a new crew or back to solo.

@cotu42 After reading your post you have actually persuaded me.
Yes, i see the flaws you pointed out and i didnt realize them at the time.

I did a little chuckle when you mentioned the room as a Scream Room
Realizing what the lobby at sea dogs is like, i could see it becoming this and that would probably be worse than what we have now! haha.

Thanks for the input. I guess it just wouldnt work and i can see why now. I wouldnt want alliances to be anything but shaky too. I like the tension from them too.

@sweltering-nick

If you want an interview stage why not use the LFG system of xbox?

Personally I want the open crew system to maintain the easy and quick click and go aspect of it. Just with a bit more support in finding people who are seeking in doing the same objectives and improving the communication between the crew.

@cotu42 well sure but a game relying on a 3rd party for crew organization is a bit lazy really

@fllw3rb0y you have to realize that the xbox environment is mandatory and built in to the game already to some degree, invites for instance and that we are logged into a xbox account. I would like them to create an ingame section for it where we can read and respond to the LFG of xbox from within the game.

Yet the open crew system should not strive just to make itself a different version of a tool already offered by xbox/Microsoft and give up the click and play functionality for finding a group. I personally use the open system over the LFG system because of the interview aspect of the option. Personally I don't mind being a tutorial for new players, how many miles they sailed or what platform people use. As long as we can communicate, figure out what we are going to do and let's go. People make ridiculous demands in the LFG system.

Also I dislike the xbox party chat system a lot which many LFGs demand, always open mic. While I want push to talk option pretty much always, I have no need to share what goes on in my household the entire time or have people hear me snack. Addiotionally I dislike it because if people are on xbox no longer can hear others in the game and to be honest have no issues with hot microphones, as I think it adds depth to the interactions with others as people tend to talk to you if they notice you can talk back.

I like your suggestion and proposed something similar before some time ago. I was bombarded with replies saying no safe zones ect, which wasn’t what I proposed at all.

This Pre lobby your suggesting could also be full of interesting mini games to spend in game gold on. NOT ANCIENT coins. Like cards, knife throwing, sword fighting. The list of possibilities is endless.

I think it would be a great pre game world. Could even buy houses and store your gold in them.

@cotu42 its pretty annoying to rely on an xbox sysetm while playing on pc the party system is really lame tbh and it removes a lot from interactions i agree with that

This would just end with pirate sitting in a room together and nobody at sea.

@sweltering-nick actually it is not the same as stating use discord. Like it or not, you cannot play the game without the xbox live environment, it is part of the system and in parts beautifully integrated. Think of the friends request gesture, invites and such. It is part of the xbox play anywhere title deal.

In any case the nore important aspect is to have the open crew system be a single click to find a game in my point of view.

@sweltering-nick sorry, but the game requires a xbox live log in and it signs you in if needed when the game boots up. I am not saying the app is good, but it is mandatory to have.

Some aspects are nicely integrated, not all... is what I said.

Also, was not the main point of my post.

@sweltering-nick

This a xbox live play anywhere title, regardless of whether you use the full environment or not is on you and was not my main feedback point, yet you are harping on about it and ignoring my main feedback about the open crew system not becoming a different version of a system that the xbox live environment offers, though I would like them to integrate it into the games interface. The xbox environment is part of the games ecosystem use it or don't...

My point was that the open crew system should still provide a simple one click to find a crew and hop into the game. I just want to have it pick a more suitable crew.

This already exists, it's called Discord

@sweltering-nick said in Remove Open Matchmaking, Replace it with something else.:

@cotu42

This a xbox live play anywhere title

It's a microsoft play anywhere title, Xbox isn't really the focus, when it's a microsoft exclusive game... key word being Microsoft, not PC or Xbox... MICROSOFT, meaning both PC and Xbox. xD

Before you school me, maybe get your facts in order, it is all Microsoft's products yet we are playing: Xbox Play anywhere game title that is what it is branded as - https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/xbox-play-anywhere

We as Windows 10 users are now a part of the xbox gamer community. Microsoft wants to unite all the gamers on their products into one ecosystem under the flagship brand: Xbox.

Yes, if you play this game on xbox, you need an xbox live sub to play online games, but xbox live isn't an integral part of the game... PC players do not need xbox live, they can just play it online like they can any online game. And so the game, in of itself, isn't exclusively an Xbox Live title.

Yes, Windows 10 does not need a live subscription and I never stated they did. It is also not a xbox live exclusive, it is a xbox anywhere title. Again this is the branding that Microsoft has done to start moving the xbox gaming platform to all their products not just their consoles.

regardless of whether you use the full environment or not is on you

I do use the full environment of the game itself, i just don't like using third party software, or an entirely separate program, because, i prefer to actually play the game, to BE in-game, not to manage 2-3 different, entirely separate programs, outside the game... Because that disrupts immersion, and pace, and therefore, disrupts enjoyment.

Most platforms have launchers and applications that are part of the environment that are external. Once again you don't need to use it, but it is part of the provided service.

yet you are harping on about it and ignoring my main feedback about the open crew system not becoming a different version of a system that the xbox live environment offers

Okay, since you aren't actually understanding MY argument, how about this: Why doesn't rare, actually make that function, part of the game itself? Why does it have to be an external software, separate from the game itself? And if it HAS to be an external software... Why is it so bad?!

Because Microsoft owns Rare, because Microsoft made the investment to expand the xbox game platform and made them use it. Why is the app so bad... well I don't know, because Microsoft went for a cheap port instead of developing based on windows 10 functionality.

Also, I have stated now twice that I would like them to integrate the LFG system into the game, but in addition not as a replacement of the open system. So, I dont have to deal with the application.

Steam has this thing called "Steam overlay", meaning, whilst i am playing the game, i can push Shift+Tab, to bring up a menu (an overlay) that doesn't require that i leave the game, the steam menu simply appears... IN-GAME. Steam works with all kinds of companies and their games, and this is WHY they have to be a separate program, and yet they still make the effort to make their program user-friendly, performance optimized, and proper in-game integration via the steam overlay... Whereas the xbox companion app does none of those things...

What i am suggesting, is functionally identical to this... Instead of having the menu, be exclusively available outside the game, why not simply implement it as part of the game? How about an Xbox Companion App overlay?

I cannot agree more. I am not a fan of the xbox companion application in its current state. Steam is way better 😎

Why do you defend a program, that is horribly designed, in every way? The xbox companion app is garbage, just because you like it, or even parts of it, doesn't mean it's a good program, or that it's an acceptable solution to the problem. (._.)

I have not defended the application, but I am not in favor of development resources being spent to make their own version or have a LFG system replace the open crew one click to find crews and jump in the game functionality.

I have stated before that I would want Rare to create an ingame interface and integrate the LFG system, because they have also done some great things with the xbox functionality. Make a friend gesture, invites are pretty decent as well... it is not all bad.

If rare were to implement my suggestion, it would cause a chain reaction of positive effects on not only the companion app, but the game itself too... it would allow the game to run in true fullscreen mode, meaning performance will skyrocket due to the machine in question not having to render the game AND your desktop simultaneously. It will improve quality of life (because the game as it function for PC right now, can randomly minimize or close the game entirely, because you looked foo far up, or down, and clicked at the wrong moment, which can COMPLETELY ruin your game session), making the playerbase happy, it will improve immersion and therefore, enjoyment, making players even happier... And, it would boost the social aspect of the game too, making not just players happy, but the devs too, because they want this to be a social game.

And the xbox companion app would have become capable of using similar function for other games, meaning the program itself would become MUCH more versatile, and therefore, easier to use... user friendly programs, make for happy users.

The companion application is a Microsoft product, I would like them to give it some love. Sadly Rare has no influence on this.

You are accusing me of not wanting to use the Xbox companion app, but you are ignoring the fact that Microsoft has made it incredibly user-unfriendly... And so it makes sense that nobody wants to use the program... Because it's bad. xD

You are mistaken that I am fighting you on the xbox application being bad, but its functionality is still offered to us by Microsoft and I understand that you don't want to use it. Yet I don't think that the open system should be replaced by it, even when improved or integrated.

I still want the Open Crew system to be an option and not eliminated in the process of integrating the LFG system. I want that form of finding groups to be enhanced and made useful and less of a Russian Roulette random group.

I want to just boot up the game, select my preferences and set sail and have the game connect me with others with similar wishes. No interview, no 20 mins back and forth with xbox party chat being forced on me because that is the norm etc. No issues when people find out I am a PC player while they want opt out or refusing to invite me till I confirm I am a legend, sailed x miles etc.

That is my point.

@sweltering-nick

We are playing in the xbox environment, because that is how it is branded by the owners Microsoft. You can state it is Microsoft play anywhere, but that is not the name/brand it was given and that is reality they can call it what they want it to be, regardless of what you think it should be. Your view of xbox being only a console is no longer true. Xbox as a brand is expanding and that is the reality. They are moving to include PC, mobile and even server based services like xCloud to have their xbox gaming platform keep up with the technology developments. Call it Microsoft or xbox, the xbox companion application is a part of the gaming service that they offer and needs some work, as we both agree that it is not very good. 😋

I think we got some misconceptions about the LFG integration, as I would like it to be in the game. The topic of the thread is made to suggest a replacement for the open crew system and I would like that to stay in the game, but be improved. I have no issues with additional benefits being added.

@sweltering-nick

Dude the Microsoft game environment was branded by Microsoft as Xbox. I didn't name it... they own it it is their baby they can call it what it is.

I am done arguing about what brand name Microsoft gave their own gaming platform. No they are not turning your PC into a xbox they are turning the brand xbox to include all their gaming services and not just their console one. It is a change on Microsoft's end, to their brand. Branding is not bound by the mother company, it is how they want to distinguish between the professional services under the brand Microsoft and their gaming services under the brand Xbox. They want to have all be it xbox console, Xcloud; game streaming service and guess what x stands for, Windows 10 gaming services and mobile gaming all to be under the Xbox gaming brand.

My evidence ... their websites, logos on the games, interviews and when they talk about it? Do you follow game news? Here is head of Xbox talking about PC gaming X wire: "These are just a few of our steps in a journey to contribute to gaming on Windows 10. We know that PC gamers want to see games, so I hope you’ll join us at our annual Xbox E3"

The OP did call for a replacement. The topic is called "Remove open matchmaking, replace it with something else"... seriously

@sweltering-nick

Yeah I noticed that the link I made was not the actual source, so I updated it to the source.

Sorry for not mentioning the overlay bar earlier, the xbox services for PC is still an ongoing project and clearly in development. It is a new endeavor for them as well, since before they only focused on their console users.