Popular Spectator Myths

[console]

Greetings,

I've noticed certain objections tend to arise to the prospect of letting spectators view various league matches being played on the servers.

One problem is of course specs talking in mm1, but that is something that can be addressed with a mod like OpenTDM, which has the ability to prevent specs from using mm1.  So I'm not too worried about that issue in the long run, as there is a way to solve it.

mm1 issues aside, I've also heard a couple myths about spectators that seem to be causing concern among some players.  These myths include, "spectators with a high ping will lag the server or lag my game", and, "the more spectators connected, the more data the server has to send to my client, thus increasing network lag."

I ran these concerns past r1ch, and have posted his response here with his permission:

[02:18] <quadz> btw... there are some popular spectator myths floating around that i think are false, but wanted to run them by you:
[02:20] <quadz> 1. "a spectator with a high ping will lag the server and/or lag my game" <-- i assume this is just nonsense
[02:20] <R1CH> complete bs
[02:20] <quadz> 2. "the more spectators connected the more data gets sent to my client" <-- this one i suspect is not true, but wasn't sure
[02:21] <R1CH> beyond scoreboard info and other info that shows connected players, false UNLESS the mod is buggy
[02:21] <quadz> makes sense
[02:22] <R1CH> as far as im aware, no mods are buggy in that sense
[02:22] <R1CH> as long as they are based on 3.20 source

So...!  Assuming the mm1 issue is solved, and that spectators don't cause your game to lag, is there any other reason anyone can think of to not allow lots of spectators on league matches?


Regards,

[peewee_RotA]

that can be addressed with a mod like OpenTDM, which has the ability to prevent specs from using mm1.

Cool! Gutsman will be so appreciative.


Kidding asside, I've never experienced lag caused by this. It's a lot like the "female model is faster" myth. No matter how rediculous it sounds, it was once almost impossible to convince players otherwise.

[|iR|Focalor]

It's a lot like the "female model is faster" myth. No matter how rediculous it sounds, it was once almost impossible to convince players otherwise.

Nah, but they ARE thinner, which might help you to be seen by opponents less. Eh, not really though. If something is moving, chances are someones going to see it, especially if they use brightskins for the male, female, and cyborg models like I do. I've never heard that urban legend, lol. Makes no logical sense, why would ID make one model move faster than another? POPPYCOCK! 

[[BTF] Reflex]

If you replace the female model with male it's visibility is the same

As for spectators,  it can still make a difference in the mind..  psychosomatic lag if you will

[[BTF]MangyMutt]

I think alot of players are either Shy or feel Intimidated when people watch them during a match that actually counts....ESPECIALLY if they feel there's a good chance of a loss.

In my opinion ALL matches should be mandated open for viewing by spectators...there's no real reason for not doing so. Unless you fall into either the "shy" or "intimidated" category.

Quake 2 can be just as much of a spectator sport as it is for actually playing. There's not a person here on the forums or that plays ANY kind of fps game that doesn't like to sit back and watch a good match from time to time. And I personally know of several people who actually enjoy Watching far more than playing. Mandating that all matches be open for spectating, in my opinion, will also maintain and/or generate a higher level of interest in the events that occur which is good for all of us.

Thanks Quadz for debunking those 'old players tales'......

WOOF!

[jägermonsta]

Still no need for random public spectators in my opinion...

[console]

Still no need for random public spectators in my opinion...

What if you didn't know they were there? 

[Whirlingdervish]

Do connect/disconnect messages still show in opentdm if you have it set to limit mm1 chatting?

Because a connection spammer is just about as annoying as titties going on about 9/11...

[reaper]

sorry I didn't read all this but let us watch!

[console]

Do connect/disconnect messages still show in opentdm if you have it set to limit mm1 chatting?

I was wondering about that, myself... If they do show, it wouldn't seem difficult to cause them to be hidden...

[jägermonsta]

Got real-time voice chat? 

[console]

Got real-time voice chat?

Ah, the cheating angle...

OK, only allow spectators to connect who aren't cheating assholes...

[[BTF]Jehar]

Thanks for debunking those things that I always suspected of being ludicrous in the first place...

In regards to requesting no specs - I agree with mangy; Quake is a spectator sport, and many of us enjoy the spectacle. In league matches though, I see nothing wrong with one or both teams requesting it be closed to the public. It's their game, so whatever. In pickup\scrims\casual tdms and duels (ie not sanctioned by a league or tourney), asking people to leave the server just because you're playing this certain person is a little far. It's a public server - leave it open.

[peewee_RotA]

I agree with mangy; Quake is a spectator sport

I agree. I feel bad for anyone who had to listen to me describe the fighting rather than watch it. I was really taken aback by the request to remove all spectators and had to quickly justify with an old Aq2 example it to move the chat along.

[jägermonsta]

Got real-time voice chat?

Ah, the cheating angle...

OK, only allow spectators to connect who aren't cheating assholes...

Strangly the people known to hang out on real-time voice chat happen to be some of the best Quake 2 players there are now.