Something about new demo restrictions

[VMan2002]

Insert rules notice here by administrator who for this purpose will not have their name told. I'd prefer if they pretend the previous post didn't exist. They can decide not to if they want. It's their choice.

At Maniaplanet launch, channels will be the only way to access the free multiplayer.

As you can tell, it sounds harsh for people that haven't bought a game on ManiaPlanet.

We want that as many players as possible enjoy the TrackMania² and the Maniaplanet experience at their best level. Which means that now you have access to the following features:

45 white solo tracks

Access to the TrackMania² multi-environment title (Canyon + Valley + Stadium at the same time!)(1)

Full multiplayer experience (Nadeo and user-created gamemodes and Title Packs)

Access to all editors (Map, MediaTracker (Video), Actions & Weapons, Items)
Up to 3 user made solo & multiplayer experiences

It seems strange that anyone would put more restrictions on something after it was created, even though there was nothing wrong with the previous system.

I think that it would be good if the old demo system was brought back (not affecting channels), so people can enjoy the demo as they used to. This problem affects me too, as I can't play or edit any of the Storm, Stadium and Valley maps I created.

An explanation would be appreciated, it doesn't matter which way its sent.
This shouldn't count as a rant please
Quotes are 100% real

[VMan2002]

I forgot to say demo accounts cant chat

[HaagseSmurf]

I agree that it should be allowed for new demoplayers that they are able to communicate with other players, for any questions that they have on the game.

On all the other things:
A channel is a very good way to show all the possibilities Maniaplanet has, to give you a glimpse of what you can get if you buy the game.
It also gives you the opportunity to see if the environment is worthy to buy it.

Therefore it also shouldnt give demo-players the same things as people that already has bought the game, it just wouldnt be fair to them.
If you also love to play in other environments, just wait for example for the Steam summersales (22-06-2017).
Perhaps you can get some discounts there

Greetz,

[Thrawn46]

I agree that it should be allowed for new demoplayers that they are able to communicate with other players, for any questions that they have on the game.

100% agree here But I also agree that the map editor should be in some form accesible, seeing as it is such a central part of the TrackMania experience.
Maybe allow access to the basic editor and inform players about the complete featureset should they choose to purchase.

Out of curiosity: Did players of the old demo model have access to the Solo-campaign?

[HaagseSmurf]

100% agree here But I also agree that the map editor should be in some form accesible, seeing as it is such a central part of the TrackMania experience.
Maybe allow access to the basic editor and inform players about the complete featureset should they choose to purchase.

Out of curiosity: Did players of the old demo model have access to the Solo-campaign?

As far as i know demoplayers didnt had access to the solo-campaign but i am not 100% sure.
However i do not agree that you should allow access to the editor, perhaps solve it with demovideo's on trackbuilding.
The key is that it should be attractive for players to buy the game, instead of playing it with only a demo-account.

Greetz,

[tcq]

If you allow the access of chat for demo players, you will have two things to reconsider.
1) People asking for help as they are newcomers
2) People creating new accounts on the fly just to spam/terrorise channels while being in no fear of getting banned as they can simply create a new account.

If I compare this to populations, I will definitely go for the option to not allow chat for demo players. Because the small minority of 2) is enough to dishearten new players joining a game.

[HaagseSmurf]

If you allow the access of chat for demo players, you will have two things to reconsider.
1) People asking for help as they are newcomers
2) People creating new accounts on the fly just to spam/terrorise channels while being in no fear of getting banned as they can simply create a new account.

If I compare this to populations, I will definitely go for the option to not allow chat for demo players. Because the small minority of 2) is enough to dishearten new players joining a game.

So the good players have then to suffer from bad players .
That is imo never a good thing.

I know there will be rants and bad trolls.
But if you can help perhaps 10% of the new players, and make them so enthusiastic that they buy the game then its way better then avoiding the chat at all.
Perhaps a bad word filter would be a good thing to run on those channels and something as a report button where people can report bad behaviour.

Greetz,

[Alexey85]

[...] 2) People creating new accounts on the fly just to spam/terrorise channels while being in no fear of getting banned as they can simply create a new account.[...]

it is a possibility but is it actually that big of a threat? there are plenty of free to play games with chat open to all.

[tcq]

Just naming league of legends here as the prime example of community deterioration.

[TMarc]

It's a mixed feelings thing. On one side, newbies cannot ask for help if they can't chat.
On the other side, the chat system should prevent misuse by spammers and insulters.

The existing ingame report function is not really used, isn't it?
More often players post screenshots here and complain about bad users.
The report function does not seem to work, at least there is no clear indication.
And it can also be misused.

And if the missing chat is the first and only thing players complain about with the channels, I don't know if they have the right focus.

Perhaps a gradually chat permission could solve the issue.
Only players with some hours (in combination with gained LP) of gameplay would have the possibility to chat, at first without formatting.
Perhaps even allow formatting e.g. colored nicks only with the purchased game.
Or limit chat messages at low grades, e.g. only 5 messages per minute or 10 messages in 5 minutes, something like that.
Perhaps a server side setting?
Then very "open" servers would allow anything, while more offical or high quality servers would have more restrictions.