Indication of how many players are on

General Discussion
1

I would like to have an indication of how many players are on the server, so that I can understand if and when it is worth to playing the game.
I think the more information as small as they might be good.

What do you think about it?

2 Likes
2

Considering that the main reason HL has long queues because it has longer queues so less ppl play it so it has longer queues so less ppl play it so it has longer queues so /repeat until new season starts
Giving an indicator that tells you when the game lacks ppl might do a similar Loop of the Devil, making the game more and more unplayable outside of peak hours.

But estimated wait times is kinda that (but more).

1 Like
3

Ok so it’s bad to know how many people play the game right now,
so no one realizes it’s not the most. Ok roger that :wink:

4

But at the same time, it might give an opportunity. But only if players are able to tell they are willing to play.

Imagine being able to set a checkbox: ‘wants to play HL’. Now, obviously with such checkbox, people would be playing UR, QM or AI. But the indication might make people aware of how many there truly are.
And even if the count is too low now, if people would be made aware that within the next 15 minutes they estimate that enough players would be ready, they might wait for that. Sure, it can be 20 or 25 minutes since a round doesnt have a static time. But it can help especialy during moments you normaly wouldnt expect a game to be available.

Now lets say that there are 3 people waiting, 30 have marked to be available for ranked, and the estimate for them is that 7 of them would be ready in about 12 minutes (it wont state the 7, and prob would even be counting 12 of them, but its simply an example of stating which wait time it expects). It might be worthy to queue.

But if there are less than 10 people to begin with, it would say there arent enough people. You just continue at other modes, but others will know you are interested. And once out of your round, it will give the new estimate instantly. It might again state that there arent enough, it might say approx 30minutes, or even 5 minutes.

This clue could make people wait.

Now obviously, it will not give an ETA for a potential ranked game when there are only 15 people (even though relatively close in rank), but it will make others aware about the potential to get a game. And thats what you want.

2 Likes
5

back when D3 first came out there was something similar. it wasnt the actual number of ppl logged in though. it was some other number and ppl took it the wrong way. where it graphically said something like ‘2000’ ppl! they took it like only 2000 ppl were logged in. it was humorous because ppl were complaining about things and saying the game was dead. in reality the game had loads of ppl playing.

hence why blizz is shy about posting player numbers. if you know they you will be like ‘omg wtf game is dead!’ even if it really isnt.

1 Like
6

So you think it is a bad idea posting player numbers right?
The thing with D3 I did not know that and yes i see the problem with this thx for the post:blush: