I'm working on a browser based strategy game (BBSG) at the moment like so many other games. Super Magic Idea: Actively encourage rivalry between players. In every strategy game like this I've played, I've always had the pleasure of attacking a faceless enemy. But the way I see it is a game is way more fun if you know who your against and your exacting revenge or something. It's like when you go to a lan party and you play CS with strangers. Sure it's still fun but it doesn't beat playing 8 player halo at home with your friends who you know. Another example is playing with regulars at the net cafe vs kids who you see once and then never again (fortunately). So i was thinking of initially keeping players in a small group of say 10 to 30 players. This way a player should get to know those around them. After all they will be attacking the player and the player will be attacking them. Then later when the player is feeling a bit more adventurous they can go kick some ass in a bigger arena. Anybody got anyidea's on where I could take this. [edited by - kertap on March 30, 2004 4:25:46 AM]

Actually this reminds me of a thing I saw here once about game theory on a site with people helping each other (I can''t find the thread). These two brothers used the site and usually every body bitched and flamed and stuff, nobody really helped anybody. Oh and there was a rating system thing.

The brothers started giving good ratings (usually they were crap) and encouraged others to do the same. The result was the general atmosphere picked up. Then they stopped and it all went pear shaped again.

Anyway I want to do this but have loads of simmering anger between players. Then they can unleash there leet naked skillz on their rivals and get some retribution stuff.

Discuss.

Actually this reminds me of a thing I saw here once about game theory on a site with people helping each other (I can''t find the thread). These two brothers used the site and usually every body bitched and flamed and stuff, nobody really helped anybody. Oh and there was a rating system thing.

The brothers started giving good ratings (usually they were crap) and encouraged others to do the same. The result was the general atmosphere picked up. Then they stopped and it all went pear shaped again.

Anyway I want to do this but have loads of simmering anger between players. Then they can unleash there leet naked skillz on their rivals and get some retribution stuff.

Discuss.

Hey Kertap... I''m building the same thing (well, not your exact game, but a BBSG). Do you use instant messenger by chance?

As AP noted, such a system is dependent upon the character of the players involved. As with a message board, a lot depends on the early days of the system. If you can get a core of serious role-players to establish a tone of good sportsmanship and honest play, then the trend has a good chance of following that example. It ill probably be worthwhile to facilitate social interaction outside of the game, perhaps via IM or a message board. I think that if the regulars here at GameDev started a gaming league, our familiarity with and opinions of one another would make it far more interesting than a competition between strangers.