Tag Archives: Matchmaking

Hello Planet #3

(this post has been written by Hylis, Director of Nadeo)

One year ago, I was explaining the concepts of titles, stations, map types, modes and objects. We still have things to do to support these functionalities,  however it is also time to start testing new major features for ManiaPlanet.

Matchmaking

When you connect to a matchmaking server, you will be added to a list of players who are also looking to play the same mode at that time. As soon as two individuals or teams are ready, the match launches and you are transferred to a server for the match. The result of this match will be used to determine your points required to advance higher in the rankings. Some key things will be taken into account, like the level of the players you played against and scores. We also may introduce points loss in matches with higher stakes to enable good players to progress even faster. Combined with the weekly loss of points in the higher ranks, we should keep the best players at the top. The system may also evolve by taking into account the number of matches played, if it seems necessary.

Teams

In 2006, we introduced team rankings in Trackmania. Soon we will be bringing them back, with principles based on simplicity and the ability to see rankings per countries and regions. By linking with the team creation system, these teams will lso be able to see their information directly inside the game, such as their logo right into matches. The team ranking system shall give an approximation of their level, enabling easier registration in regional or intermediary level ompetitions.

Compétitions

We will have a way to make the competitions available ingame, for the players, and for those who organize them. The players or teams looking to be part of official competitions will be capable of finding a direct link to the organizing sites, and to the people that are so crucial to the video games competitions environment ecosystem.

With an architecture enabling players to create custom titles, based on custom modes, with their own rankings, matchmaking tools, teams and competitions, the goal is to open the creativity of the players even more by bringing new ingredients for designing their own experiences and vision of fun.

Items

Map makers will be able to add items easily from the map editor. They can be different types, such as sets, generators, pick ups, turrets, teleporter or even bots! The idea is to enable and add interactive elements to solo or multiplayer experiences. Pathfinding will be included, while script functions will allow you to define bot targets. Items are a new file type, that will be linked with a later version of the editor, enabling players to define their editing and interactive properties.

Actions

Actions are sequences and consequences that players and items can do. For example, it can be to trigger a specific animation at a given spot in the map, or to make a sfx, or to launch projectiles with modified properties. The tool that will link to this file type will enable players to make animations, play sounds, define particle effects and script the consequences of the actions.

On a more global example, we have made a little FPS MOBA internally, with selection of champions, with each ones having different spells. Each champion can level up, and little creatures assist you while attacking the opposite team. Once  things are done, we will release the code samples, like the one of the upcoming Shootmania Storm title: Combo, based on 2vs2, items to pick up and switchable weapons on the 1-2-3-4 keys.

It will takes months for us to implement all of these functions, and we may have to put some other question on hold during this time. We think it is very important to open Maniaplanet soon, to bring more and more creative players inside the  system. We have worked 10 years on Trackmania about map editor, replay tool, skin import, regional ranking, dedicated server, script, titles, object import. Now, we think that we are reaching a new step in the opening to players. It may take time before the best things appears, but it is a goal to make the launch of Shootmania Storm, Trackmania² Stadium and Valley the start of something great for ManiaPlanet. The goal is to bring the power from our team to the players, with our support and yours.

Thanks to all players from before, now and in the future that participate in this fun adventure with a positive spirit.

The Nadeo team.

ManiaPlanet / ShootMania Beta 2 now available!

Great news today, ShootMania Beta 2 is available!

After several months of intense work, we’re proud to release this new patch, the biggest since the launch of the Beta, which brings lots of new features inside ManiaPlanet and also in ShootMania.

Here are the major changes:

  • Partial revamp of the ManiaPlanet user interface (3D Menus, removal of the ManiaHome tablet)

  • Integration of a real time messaging system for friends

  • Addition of a team creation & official competitions system

  • Addition of a tournament system

  • TwitchTV integration (in Beta). To use it just open the ingame options -> “Broadcast” and fill in your TwitchTV credentials. Please note that this feature is in Beta, Your framerate may drop and you can experience a freeze at the disconnection.

There is also lots of changes on ShootMania Storm:

  • 60 new blocks including Castle, Wood, Aerial Power Path and Grappling Hook blocks.

  • New actions:

    • Grappling hook: it allows you to hook up on hook block and balance yourself in the air. To do it you must aim the hook block and right-click to activate it. You can’t use it from a Power Path but you can’t fire while hanging from the hook block.

    • Charge Shot: it’s an alternative fire mode of the Rocket Launcher which allows you to fire bouncing rockets (which bounce on any block type). To shot a bouncing rocket, you must stay still at least 6 seconds to load the Charge Shot. A Charge Shot bounces maximum twice.

    • Slide: only possible on the wooden blocks, it’s an action which allow you to gain more speed with right-click. If you release the button, you’ll jump.

  • New moves (like the WallJump, the progressive jump and lasers denying rockets)

  • Addition of a matchmaking system for 1vs1 (Joust mode only)

  • The Royal game mode is available as a Title Pack.

  • Addition of a Title Pack “Royal Exp” which will be used to test the next evolutions of the Royal game mode

  • The Title Pack “Elite Exp” will use the former gameplay for the current competitions

Of course many more changes have been made as well as bug fixes.

As you may have noticed above, a tournament and competition system is now in ManiaPlanet (in Beta). Thanks to this system, you’ll be able to easily create a competition with several parameters (competition open or on invitations, maps used, the rules, the number of teams, the area of the competition, etc… For more information about the competition system, please read this link.

Finally, let’s take a sneak peak on what’s coming up on ManiaPlanet before the ShootMania Storm release:

  • An Inter-ladder structure and simplified server level types (White / Green / Blue / Red and Black)

  • Simplified transactions to convert & purchase with your economical points directly

  • Improving the matchmaking system (the current one and open it for custom tools as well as doing X vs X)

  • Lan mode for ShootMania Storm and Lan mode back for TrackMania² Canyon

  • Several optimizations, polish and much more (new features for example)

ManiaPlanet & ShootMania are getting better and we hope you’ll like the new changes. If you want to read the full changelog, please go to the forums.

Have fun and see you soon!