It's been a while since I've played, so I was absolutely thrilled to discover last week that you'd developed the multiplayer system. Amazing job, absolutely flawless as usual. I really like the revamped menu graphics also.
It is definitely a shame that opponents can be hard to find in the multiplayer. Sadly, I doubt there will ever be any significant improvement in numbers, just due to the nature of the game. I'd wager that a larger proportion of casual gamers just don't have the patience to learn to subtlety and nuance required to progress sufficiently in the game and consequently give a rewarding multiplayer experience.
For me, the only thing I'd like to see is a properly fleshed out statistics system. At the moment "levelling-up" due to raw wins accrued is somewhat meaningless look at a player's skill level.
The thing that will excite people is if they're rewarded more greatly for taking down a larger foe.
Conversely, a high ranked player would be punished for losing to a inferior player.
So, it is actually possible to drop in skill level/rank.
Instead of depicting "Wins" in the game (which also determine rank) - this could simply be changed to ahh, let's say - "Mass" (ie. Points)
"Mass" would be able to increase or decrease, and would be adjusted based on the following example equations:
EXAMPLE: Game 1
Player A 900 Mass (points)
Player B 120 Mass (points)
Player B defeats Player A
Winner divided by Loser
900/120 = 7.5
7.5 increased by factor of ten = 75
This is the bonus/punishment points based on the difference in skill level between the two players.
Player A 900-75 = 825 Mass (points)
Player B 120+75 = 195 Mass (points)
On top of the bonus/punishment points, both players should also gain/lose a single point, so that there is always a change in score after a game.
Otherwise in the event of two evenly matched players, there will be no change in score, due to zero bonus/punishment points arising.
So, after adding/deducting a single point:
Player A 824 Mass (points)
Player B 196 Mass (points)
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EXAMPLE: Game 2
Player A defeats Player B
Winner divided by Loser
196/824 = 0.2379
0.2379 increased by factor of ten and rounded = 2
Player A 824+2 = 826 Mass (points)
Player B 196-2 = 194 Mass (points)
And after adding/deducting a single point (see explanation above):
Player A 827 Mass (points)
Player B 193 Mass (points)
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It is only fair that a much lower ranked player still loses points in Game 2, as the reward is enormous if they manage to win a game (e.g. Game 1)
A players "Rank" would be determined based on the amount of Mass (eg. once you reach 250 Mass you become "Adept").
Cheers!
