Bug in arena game creation?

[Espina]

I clicked on "play now" for a turn-based arena game of PI. Apparently this created two tables, one for a game with one move per day, another for a game with three moves per day. Since I don't want to play a game with 3 moves per day, I tried to quit it, but it says that I cannot quit it from the table directly, but instead I have to do so through the arena interface. When I did so, *both* tables went away. Anybody else seeing this behavior?

[Een]

Automatic matchmaking, in arena as well as automatic mode, follows the preferences you have set for the game options (including the game speed).

It tries first the settings you have chosen as favourite, then after some time if no game has started, it tries your allright settings, then after some time it tries your least favourite settings.

Of course, it doesn't destroy the tables created for your favourite settings, in case someone arrives later with preferences matching your own (it's just expanding the search). So after a while you'll have 2 tables, and then 3.

So if you don't want to play a game with 3 moves per day, you should mark it as "never" in your game options preferences for "Game speed" so that it's not considered an appropriate way to expand the search after a while.

[sprockitz]

I often see the 3 game tables which end up as 1 per day 3 per day and 4 per day if you don’t change original settings. My question would be is it trying to match at 2 turns per day (which is set as okay)? It doesn’t seem to be at any point looking for this setup but only for 1 setup each in the other 3 categories (1st choice, prefer not, reluctant).

[sprockitz]

On a related note would there be a way to ‘apply these time settings to all games’

I’ve played 40 different games in past 2 months and it would be very nice not to have to manually change settings for every game.

[Espina]

Automatic matchmaking, in arena as well as automatic mode, follows the preferences you have set for the game options (including the game speed).

It tries first the settings you have chosen as favourite, then after some time if no game has started, it tries your allright settings, then after some time it tries your least favourite settings.

Of course, it doesn't destroy the tables created for your favourite settings, in case someone arrives later with preferences matching your own (it's just expanding the search). So after a while you'll have 2 tables, and then 3.

So if you don't want to play a game with 3 moves per day, you should mark it as "never" in your game options preferences for "Game speed" so that it's not considered an appropriate way to expand the search after a while.

Oh, this is interesting. I had seen the thing about table creation, but I guess I assumed it referred to the level of players you want to play with, not the speed. Anyway, unfortunately this brings me to another question. I don't seem to be able to find where I go to adjust these settings. In the simple mode I can see how to set the speed for a particular game, but not in general, and for Arena I don't see how to do it at all. I guess there is a guide or tutorial somewhere, but so far I haven't found it. Any help appreciated!

[Een]

I often see the 3 game tables which end up as 1 per day 3 per day and 4 per day if you don’t change original settings. My question would be is it trying to match at 2 turns per day (which is set as okay)? It doesn’t seem to be at any point looking for this setup but only for 1 setup each in the other 3 categories (1st choice, prefer not, reluctant).

Matchmaking expands the search 2 times, so there is a maximum of 3 tables.

If there are multiple values with the same preference level when expanding, the default is chosen if there is one, otherwise one of the possible values is chosen arbitrarily.

But that's just for creating a table, since the table must have only one option. If someone else creates a table with another value that you are ok with (so 2 turns per day in your example) the matchmaking will have you join it.

[Een]

On a related note would there be a way to ‘apply these time settings to all games’

I’ve played 40 different games in past 2 months and it would be very nice not to have to manually change settings for every game.

Yes, it would be nice to have this for power users.
But as in any game with limited resources, we have to prioritize
In addition to suggestions in the forums like you just did, maybe create one in the report system so that people can vote for it.

[Een]

Anyway, unfortunately this brings me to another question. I don't seem to be able to find where I go to adjust these settings. In the simple mode I can see how to set the speed for a particular game, but not in general, and for Arena I don't see how to do it at all. I guess there is a guide or tutorial somewhere, but so far I haven't found it. Any help appreciated!

There is a "gear" icon on the left of the game box in the automatic lobby allowing you to access the options preferences.

[sprockitz]

I often see the 3 game tables which end up as 1 per day 3 per day and 4 per day if you don’t change original settings. My question would be is it trying to match at 2 turns per day (which is set as okay)? It doesn’t seem to be at any point looking for this setup but only for 1 setup each in the other 3 categories (1st choice, prefer not, reluctant).

Matchmaking expands the search 2 times, so there is a maximum of 3 tables.

If there are multiple values with the same preference level when expanding, the default is chosen if there is one, otherwise one of the possible values is chosen arbitrarily.

But that's just for creating a table, since the table must have only one option. If someone else creates a table with another value that you are ok with (so 2 turns per day in your example) the matchmaking will have you join it.

True but I have a sneaking suspicion this isn’t working quite right...

With some work you can find the actual open tables and my settings have been such that I should have joined those tables (as they were listed as either first choice or okay to join). However I would start a new table instead of joining the already open one. As an example, After failing to join the open (2 turns per day) table the system instead started a new (1 turn per day) table (despite both being okay or 1st choice). I quit looking for game, change settings so only first choice is two turns per day and look for a table again and am immediately added to that table.

[dschingis27]

Maybe it's the same bug causing all the hassle with the filters in real-time Arena? Oh would that be nice if that bug were caught finally.

The wait times when applying the filters are absurd, I think many users are already convinced they MUST be bugged.