Turn Based Mobile Multiplayer Game Feedback Sought
I have an upcoming multiplayer mobile strategy game I’m almost done with – and I was thinking about how I’m doing multiplayer.
Summary: Instead of a player making a move, something happening, then the next player making a move, something happens when everyone completes their move.
Effectively, everyone can connect and make their moves. Once everyone has made their move, the game turn (combat) increments.
A turn time limit can be set by the game creator – if a player doesn’t make their move within the time limit, the turn increments without them.
If a player is skipped more than two turns (or 48 hours, whichever is greater), the other players can boot them from the game.
So here’s what I’m wanting some feedback on:
How should this be seen from the player in question?
Option A: The device knows if the player has been skipped and requires the user to “sync” before they can make any moves, and all moves saved are lost.
“You did not move in time, you must sync and make your moves!”
Option B: The player is notified of any moves not submitted which are canceled due to combat activity. “Your move from ******** has been lost because it was taken by player #####!”
Votes to boot a player are really unnecessary as if they don’t move the game will continue and increment on every time out. However, if there are four players and one quits playing, the other three will have to wait for the combat until the timeout.
For booting – a player would get an alert once another player is boot eligible. This would happen when they submit their moves.
In the above scenario, let’s say players A, B, C, and D are playing. Player D just quits and stops making moves. When any of the other players make their moves and save them, the game would pop up and say “Player D has not connected in X turns!” or “Player D has not connected in two days!” “Do you wish to kick player D?
If everyone votes yes, player D is ignored and the game continues.
But what about player D?
Should they be allowed back in at any time as long as they are still alive in the game?
Option 1: “You were kicked from the game and have missed 18 turns! You need to sync!”
or
Option 2: “You were kicked from the game due to inactivity. Sorry!”
I’m really interested in your feedback – and I’ll almost certainly invite anyone who comments to be a beta tester if they want.