Board Game Arena

Arena Mode appears to be only for 2 players, why is this?

As a experienced player, I think the arena mode should be 4-player.

This is a game that really seems like it needs the full 4 players to actually shine.

It's true that 4 player would be better.
But there doesn't seem to be sufficient active players to make it viable.
Currently, searching for a 2P real time arena match can still take substantial time already.

If it takes >15mins to find 1 other player, finding 3 other players would become a much bigger issue.

I actually prefer the game at 3 players, I think it plays really well at this level.

judgementd wrote: ↑06 September 2026, 10:12 It's true that 4 player would be better.
But there doesn't seem to be sufficient active players to make it viable.
Currently, searching for a 2P real time arena match can still take substantial time already.

If it takes >15mins to find 1 other player, finding 3 other players would become a much bigger issue.

Well... 2 player is a different game that completely lacks the interesting part of this game, namely cooperation and competition with different players to get an edge. Have you considered that people aren't looking for arena matches precisely because 2 player isn't an interesting game? I don't want to play 2p either, and am refusing to take part in this arena season.

Serilo wrote: ↑06 September 2026, 17:30 Well... 2 player is a different game that completely lacks the interesting part of this game, namely cooperation and competition with different players to get an edge. Have you considered that people aren't looking for arena matches precisely because 2 player isn't an interesting game? I don't want to play 2p either, and am refusing to take part in this arena season.

You might be right that people don't participate in arena, but that doesn't stop them from playing hosting regular 4p game and in my experience it's a long wait to find 4 players (without bad reputation) for a real-time hegemony game. (could be a timezone issue still)
My guess is that hegemony doesn't have sufficient player base for 4p. Atm there are only 15k games played in total.

Also state is OP 40% WR and not everybody cares to block state.

How long does this game take real time on bga? I know it will take a good while in real life, too much I want or can spend on bga. That's why I play it turn based and there it's not an issue to find players.

judgementd wrote: ↑07 September 2026, 17:32 Also state is OP 40% WR and not everybody cares to block state.

You might as well say "not everybody cares to win." People will learn.

Serilo wrote: ↑06 September 2026, 17:30

judgementd wrote: ↑06 September 2026, 10:12 It's true that 4 player would be better.
But there doesn't seem to be sufficient active players to make it viable.
Currently, searching for a 2P real time arena match can still take substantial time already.

If it takes >15mins to find 1 other player, finding 3 other players would become a much bigger issue.

Well... 2 player is a different game that completely lacks the interesting part of this game, namely cooperation and competition with different players to get an edge. Have you considered that people aren't looking for arena matches precisely because 2 player isn't an interesting game? I don't want to play 2p either, and am refusing to take part in this arena season.

That data proves nothing.