In my current multiplayer game players cannot walk through other players. I am worried that people will get stuck when someone leaves their computer without logging off. Any great ideas on how to handle this one so people don''t get pissed off if they get stuck (or to stop them from being stuck)? -Greg

I''m guessing you mean that you can''t or don''t want to implement the ability to walk through others? Could you log off inactive players after a reasonable time?

If you can implement walking through others, but just don''t want it to be a normal feature. Then you could allow passing through others only after someone has been imobile for too long.

Other than that you could implement some "unstick" command to attempt to unstick them if they enter the command (e.g. /unstick or CTRL-U). You could use pathfinding to make sure they really are stuck to avoid exploits (though depending on the game, giving that command could still introduce exploits). Then just pop them to a safe spot.

Maybe not great ideas - hope it helps.


Tadd
- WarbleWare

Another option would be for moving players to be able to "push" non-moving ones out of their way. May not be the best solution for players, but I''ve seen it used for NPCs.

-Odd the Hermit

All three are good ideas. I have been mulling them over for some time. I think that push in noncombat and in combat just have a timeout feature. Or maybe a push on timeout feature... so that you can only push after 5/10 seconds inactivity. I like that idea. Thanks guys.
-Greg

Do u actually want inactives to remain in the game world? If so then the "push" suggestion or "push on inactive" would be good. If not then move them to "spectator mode" after X time inactive, like in MOHAA or Counter Strike. Then if they are just afk for 5 minutes and return then can re-enter the gameworld.

Dan Marchant
Obscure Productions
Game Development & Design consultant