dMw Template/ flow chart for incorporating games into dmw

[GhostMjr]

I will use this thread to keep track of the discussion for a dMw Template.

Initial PM sent to sections heads [Armitage, b00n, Benny, Blunt, Gandalf, Lameduck]:

Dear Section Admins,

I have been appointed with managing the Gaming development section within dmw.

 I have been asked by TL and OB to essentially for my first major project to approach you all and between us create a list to be used in a flow chart/ question answer list for each time of game or genre.

The time spent doing this could save us vital time later on when adopting games and so each game is given a fair chance and time for analysis.

In your sections you have various games or specifically one in Arm's and Benny's but "generally" the same type of game.

So why did you pick them and what made you pick them in particular.

For instance heres a starter.  

Q- MW2 does it have dedicated server support

A- No but does have peer to peer


Other support  such as does it have voicecomms is the game online etc.

Please make up a list of what you would like included for your section.

I'd prefer them in a pm or email them over in a word doc to fergusson.scott@gmail.com

Thanks for your help,



Scott

Please feel free to chip in.

Responses from section heads so far:

Benny:

Hi Scott,

Not sure I'm seeing what you are aiming for here. Looking at the sections, each gaming section generally has one game apart from the non-supported.

I could see what you meant if we had, for example, 'War-FPS', 'Zombie Games', 'Violent Bingo RPG's' etc.

Are you trying to get a list of criteria that a game must meet to be part of the supported set or are you looking for the criteria that we have each applied in our own sections to enhance and improve game support for existing games?

I think it will be very difficult to come up with a list of requirements, I can sit and say it needs;

• Inbuilt Comms
• Dedicated Server
• Expansion potential for longevity
• An active official community
• Scope for more than 2 players?

I can then blow a hole in every single one of those statements.

I know this will appear that I'm being awkward but far from it. I want to help, but want to know where you are trying to get to.

To try to answer, L4D works because it has comms, a dedicated server, it's fun, it's absolutely conducive to teamwork and finally it's funny.

Driving and CoD aren't funny so a one size fit isn't going to happen.        

Gandalf:

Well easy for me as I just manage WoW and there is nothing we can do to change the way this is run as the servers are run by Blizzard.

[OldBloke]

What Scotty is trying to produce is a 'minimum requirement' template to match candidates against. This will allow him to quickly determine if a release will suit our community or not. The templates will need to be genre specific as a "one size fits all" solution won't work.

As an example - First person shooter

• teamwork/objective based
• minimum 4v4 versus or 6 player coop
• inbuilt comms
• dedicated server

Any new FPS will be scrutinised and if it doesn't tick *all* the boxes - not a candidate to explore further. Next.

Your input as SAs is required to ensure that we cover all the bases.

Make sense?

[Armitage]

Benny's mail covered all the bases from COD corner.
 
 
But I do think we need to watch cross over. i/e I can't see the plus in 3 versions of call of duty

[OldBloke]

Benny's mail covered all the bases from COD corner

Well, not really (no offence).

Longevity would be something to consider during the trial stage - assuming the candidate got that far. An active community? Would you expect to see that at release?

[Benny]

Good point OB, (offence taken)

Arma is a good example. I think it will be a great fit but at present we aren't getting the numbers and the complications of controls, missions and the general steep curve at the beginning will put people off. That and the lack of a consistent and busy server.

How we fight that is going to be tough, but I'm thinking about it.

[Penfold]

...But I do think we need to watch cross over. i/e I can't see the plus in 3 versions of call of duty

Totally agree. We can only support one game per genre.

[TeaLeaf]

That having been said, there is nowt wrong with having a server up for a game where it 'ticks all the boxes'.  The aim of this section is only to flag up potentially suitable games.  When one is found we do our best to toss a public server out for it to spread the dMw name.  Whether or not it then gets 'supported' is much later in the equation.

[GhostMjr]

Sorry for not expanding on this sooner, been busy with graduation and finalising my first real job.

FPS done first then onto racing next, Lameduck can you draw something brief up like Benny did please?

SA's please reply and amend if necessary

Thanks for your feedback


Further expanded FPS criteria.

What have i missed?

FPS
   
  Does the game use steam to intergrate into the dMw Steam Group?
  YES/NO

  Does the multiplayer require steam to play?

  Can the game be used offline or does it need an internet connection to play?

  If the game cannot be used in offline mode is it possible to use it at a LAN?

  Can the game be used at a dMw or associated lan?

  What are the minimum system requirements?

  Does the game have dedicated servers?
YES/NO

  If the game does not have dedicated servers what type of servers are provided?

  Ã,·Peer to Peer
  Ã,·Lobby System
  Ã,·Co-op

  Can we host a game ourselves or are we reliant on a lobby system provided by the developer?
 
Does it have  voice communication?
  YES/NO

  If game does not have in game comms would Vent/ Teamspeak be a viable option
  YES/ NO

  How Many players does the game support in multiplayer?

  What would be the estimated Game following?

  How much is the game rrp or cheapest price found?

  Is there a monthly subscription?

  Does the game clash with any other similar titles?

  If so is the game an add on or replacement for a previous title?

  Is there an active official community?