A lack of undo features is extremely frustrating

[josseroo]

I am in the middle of a game of in the Year of the Dragon and I clicked on the wrong person. Since I still had to place my person in the palaces, I was still technically in the middle of my turn. How is it that I am not able to undo my choice and pick a different person? I do not understand this design decision.

[Jest Phulin]

This topic has been discussed several times before. As far as I remember, the consensus boils down to these points:

Some people want an undo because they want to see the results of their actions, and if they don't like it take it back. Some other people dislike this idea because it eliminates the requirement of forethought to one's actions. I think most people dislike having an undo for this reason.

Some people want an undo because they do not interact with the interface effectively, and click on the wrong piece/button/area. Some other people point to article 4.3 of the Laws of Chess and say that in one of the most regulated games in the world, the rule is to accept that the player touched the wrong piece. I think most people think that this site is not chess, though, and this site should have an undo for this reason.

Most agree, though, that there is no way for the computer to determine which reason the player has of wanting to have an undo, and therefore can't decide if it is for a reason that most people are for or against.

Now, as to design consideration. The code for the majority of the games was written when there was only one game play option available -- realtime. Turn-based was added fairly recently. With that, how to manage the clock and manage the information shown to other players was dictated by realtime concerns. Modifying the code to accommodate an undo is not a high priority.

Additionally, where does it end? Do you have a button "Play this card," then another "Please confirm playing that card," then a "Please confirm your confirmation"?

As for my $0.02, I'm inclined to have people slow down, think, and (if one does mis-click) realize that it's just a game.

[josseroo]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply, but I would like to see a level of undoing mistakes that is comparable to a typical casual game night, which typically means that you can undo something as long as the next player hasn't started their turn and that no new information has been added to the board. Yucata.de and boiteajeux both show how to do use undo and confirmation effectively and I have used them both in real-time-like games.

[sourisdudesert]

Hi,

In fact we're working on a undo function that would be easy to implement in existing game.

It's going to require a specific evolution for each game, although, so consequently:

• It's will appear progressively.
• It's probable that not all moves of all games will be concerned.

[Liallan]

Hi,

In fact we're working on a undo function that would be easy to implement in existing game.

It's going to require a specific evolution for each game, although, so consequently:

• It's will appear progressively.
• It's probable that not all moves of all games will be concerned.

That's good to know because I am a "for undo" person. I simply like the idea of being able to change my mind, which one can usually do in real life games, as long as it doesn't become ridiculous... and of course miss-clicks are a concern.

So I guess at this point it's just a matter of being patience and waiting for it.

[Babz]

Hi

For long on Gyges you have to confirm your action...that's great. No misclick shit.
One more reason to play Gyges, great game!!

[DoubleSpliff]

A lack of an undo option is particularly frustrating in Backgammon where you may have the opportunity to move up to 4 different counters in one turn. It has happened many times that I move the first piece but am them stuck with that move before my whole turn is actually over.

[shparks79]

An undo feature would come in handy in games like Hive, where you might accidentally click too close to the edge of the space you want and your bug gets moved to the adjacent space instead.

[jgbaxter]

undo is important, games like Through the Ages where a 3 hour game are ruined by a misclick aren't fun.

Games online should mirror how face to face games play, and unless it's a tournament I've never seen someone say no to fixing a move.

[Liallan]

Just as a note to anyone else who wants to hop on this thread without bothering to read it, it's already been stated that they are working on an undo feature.