Board Game Arena

Hello
I think this has been discussed before. I would like to propose that when a player sets up a table in any game, he is not allowed to change settings if someone has joined, or at least joining players should have to confirm they agree to play with the changes.
If I joined a game, it is because of these settings.
Example : I play Tokaido without Crossroads. I joined a game, the administrator changes to Crossroads while I was waiting for others. I did not verify when I received the message of game starting.
I think this is not fair because the game is clearly different.
Thanks

Similar thing happened to me too.
Some dude proposed a rematch, and before I join he changed settings silently and just started the game without any notice immediately after I joined.

I understand your trouble.

But the constraint you mentioned as a solution got a negative impact too. Imagine multiplayer rematch game where the players in chat agreed (or even forced admin to) to change some settings (i.e. elo off/on, or adding a variant). That's quite annoying (A) to have to quit the game (all players at one time) and rejoin ONLY to let the person change one thing... and hope that noone else come in the meantime, seeing vacant seat (B) to spend time to make a new table with invited all players from the earlier game.

Ankeszu wrote:I understand your trouble.

But the constraint you mentioned as a solution got a negative impact too. Imagine multiplayer rematch game where the players in chat agreed (or even forced admin to) to change some settings (i.e. elo off/on, or adding a variant). That's quite annoying (A) to have to quit the game (all players at one time) and rejoin ONLY to let the person change one thing... and hope that noone else come in the meantime, seeing vacant seat (B) to spend time to make a new table with invited all players from the earlier game.

As soon as the table admin changes a setting, a popup should say "do you agree to this change?" to the other players. If they don't agree, then they can either tell the admin that they don't agree with it or they can leave.

I agree olly that BGA needs to implement this. I've had players request a rematch and change the settings without me knowing it.

The sneakiest thing to occur to me was a guy who switched a table from unranked to ranked just before starting.

The change of setting has already a pop up message, why do we need an extra one to ask whether players want? It is not correct that a game admin has to get approval from fellow players, and it slows down the efficiency of starting games.

And when you join a game it is your responsibility to pay attention on the details.

For the 'sneakily change of settings in rematch', as it is changed before you visit the game, players will not see the pop up. See if a message can be specifically made for rematch games if the settings are changed.

RicardoSix wrote:The change of setting has already a pop up message, why do we need an extra one to ask whether players want? It is not correct that a game admin has to get approval from fellow players,.

I think that's the whole point. Right now the table admin does not have to get approval - that's exactly what people are wanting to get changed.

I agree with changing this. It's not as simple as "paying attention." It might take a while before the game fills and most people have better things to do than stare at the table for an hour to make sure nothing changed. If it's turn-based, someone could be waiting for several tables at once. Plus the admin could change something right before the game is starting and people don't have time to react.

I think it's very unfair to change things on the table once people have joined, so I whole-heartedly approve this idea. And I do get the hassle involved in having to quit the game and restart it fresh with new settings, etc. I've wanted to make changes, so I get this. Having the popup box is a good idea and not allow a game to start until everyone has agreed to those changes, without causing everyone a lot of hassle. There are some changes that won't really matter, like if everyone has 100% rep and I decide to restrict that - it won't affect them, and basic comments shouldn't affect them. But ELO on/off, number of players, preferences and expansions - definitely those should be approved first.

I'm lucky I've never run across this problem. Yet.

I experienced the problem from the opposite site - being the one who would be annoyed with pop-ups while it is the change that everyone is waiting for or indifferent... Like because we didn't notice elo off previous game...

One thing is changing the game settings in rematch before any of the players is around the table/joins - that should be restricted. But that's not the thing you are commenting about, right?

If you are around the table / joined already (real-time), you SEE when the admin changes anything. Staying in the game without a word of complaint is the approval for changes. Clicking "yes" after the game starts is the approval even more. Don't say you don't have a time to read if everything is as you want it to be before clicking - ESPECIALLY if the change was made just before starting (newest info in chat).

Maybe if it concerns so many, let's add AN OPTION to have a sound/pop-up about any change of the settings while we joined / while we were expected in rematch? Then you would be happy (having an additional info about the change) and those like me would be happy too - not having it.

(I am not experienced how it works in turn-based games, as the game can start without us being around. Isn't it forbidden to change settings after?)

RicardoSix wrote:The change of setting has already a pop up message, why do we need an extra one to ask whether players want? It is not correct that a game admin has to get approval from fellow players, and it slows down the efficiency of starting games.

And when you join a game it is your responsibility to pay attention on the details.

For the 'sneakily change of settings in rematch', as it is changed before you visit the game, players will not see the pop up. See if a message can be specifically made for rematch games if the settings are changed.

Some games take 20+ minutes to get enough people to join. Maybe I want to go to the bathroom or get a drink of water. Why do I have to sit at my computer screen and look at the table for 20 minutes straight? The least BGA can do is add a sound that tells you when the table settings were changed, similar to how there's a sound when someone joins the table or when the game is about to start.

Ankeszu wrote: If you are around the table / joined already (real-time), you SEE when the admin changes anything. Staying in the game without a word of complaint is the approval for changes. )

Perhaps you could re-read my second paragraph from my post above, and what Shaq also just said. People aren't just sitting there staring at tables all the time.

And where do you "see" that the admin made changes? I know you don't in turn-based, and as far as I've ever been able to tell, turn-based is nothing but a real time game with a slower clock, and a notes feature. I've been able to make changes on them, but I don't know that I ever changed something like the version.

But you're right that if enough people are like you and would be annoyed over this, then an option is a good idea, assuming that isn't a hassle. (Of course, the last time I suggested something could be an option, I was told that isn't the "trend," so if that person is reading, I can only say, see, I'm not the only one. Options are good.)