How is the population?

[dje274]

[edited]

[TMarc]

Since it is still beta phase, no one can really tell how many will buy it in future,
and Nadeo will probably not give any details of the beta-sales for now.

You might ask again in a few months, or watch this forum or other game related websites for news on ShootMania

[slugish]

I play with many of the same people everyday, meaning they have already purchased the game. Don't expect the community of this game to be comparable in numbers to games such as UT, Quake, or CS, but it is already evident that it will be sizable.

[Alter-Fox]

It's the only game where I can join an empty server by myself (or with my brother) and within five minutes there's usually at least five more players. So I say the population is really good -- sometimes annoyingly so when I'm trying to just have a 1 on 1 .

[DrownedOut]

If you'd like actual numbers so you can come to your own conclusions.

As of this post (~10pm PST) there are 30 people playing in games, worldwide.


EDIT: 12 hours later:
10am PST (Calfornia time) -

4 people in USA
~100 in France
~30 in Germany
couple others scattered about

[whynotsimple]

Currently it is so that in teamgames the teams are still balanced after matchstart, which is the worst thing that can happen to a shooter (especially if it wants to be competitive). So people leave when they cannot play in the most important phase of a match (in Battlewaves to get the pole).

Then I have a really great connection but get too many dud hits (rocket doesn't register a hit), so the netcode really needs fixing too.

And I will only play regularely when this game is fixed. I could imagine more people think the same way.


EDIT:
And another thing are the bad maps out there for modes like Battlewaves. Only 3 or 4 are actually good besides the stock maps. Sometimes it seems the mapper didn't know what he does (putting an attack pole 2 meters from own base, no joke) or the map has a bad flow or layout.
Yes, it is mrore complicated to make good maps for a shooter than a track for Trackmania.

Once the server admins seperate the maps from the crap more people will play.

[zegodzila]

You find some Battlewaves servers these days ? Each i try to join one, they are all empty

[whynotsimple]

You find some Battlewaves servers these days ? Each i try to join one, they are all empty

In Europe I usually find 1 to 3 populated servers in the evenings (just left one due to the balancing-after-matchstart-bug I mentioned before).

The problem with Battlewaves is that it doesn't help players who are new to the gametype.

Don't get me wrong. I get it and love it. But as a game designer and person who plays a lot teambased gametypes I must say that there is not enough visual or audio feedback for the rules in the map itself. So I think a lot people who would play it are driven off by not getting it.

This gametype has a lot of potential, which is sadly a bit wasted.

And I think that one of the main problems of Shootmania will be the many custom gametypes that are available and will split the community.
I would love to get this game take off big time, but I will concentrate on one or maybe two gametypes. And so will most of the players (from experience with other shooters). And offering too many gametypes was always a drawback for the communities there.

[4thdesign]

@whynotsimple....

My server called Shootmania UK is up 24/7 with a lot of my custom maps for Battle on there.

You're welcome to pop in and try them out and would appreciate your feedback which you can leave on my website.

I personally am in my server almost every evening and sometimes it gets busy, sometimes not, but obviously when the game is released, things will be different then.

As far as I can see, I am the only UK server!! Unbelievably!!

Hope to see you in the server one evening (UK time)

[whynotsimple]

Added it to favorites.

I had been there a few times, already and recognize the name.