John CANavar

My experience in multiplayer gaming strongly indicates to the fact that the only way to really enjoy (at least for me) a team-oriented game is to have a very organized team which operates based on game-compatible SOPs. And to be realistic and honest gentlemen, this requires;

a) regular group of serious/dedicated players
b) SOPs
c) practice

Organization and coordination are very difficult things to achieve and it takes a lot of effort and time. It is not as simple as launching a game and joining others. Every single player in the game should LEARN and USE the SOPs otherwise there is no point in making them.

This brings me to the subject of TG OFP group. Are there other OFP players at TG who will spend time on OFP SOP development and practice? Remember that all the things we will do can be directly used in Armed Assault and other OFP-like games in future.

If there is not, I will continue to play single player games because I dont think it is going to work otherwise.

Mirfee

I'm certainly interested, but primarily as an interim stage while awaiting ArmA.

__________________

VegaBond

Very interested

__________________

munchkin

Eagerly awaiting

__________________

Mateo

Count me in.

Bodofooko

I could go for that.

boudreux

All for it

madscientist

I'm definitely in. SOP is great in OFP. Good luck coordinating times when everyone commits to playing though....just being a realist.

__________________



BF2 Gamer Tag: vinylveng

John CANavar

It is great to see we have 8 people who want to play OFP in an organized fashion.

Now lets get into the details.

My real life and 1st MIP responsibilities limit the time and effort I can put into this project.

If we really want this thing to happen we all have to work for it gentlemen.

I suggest we make a todo list and then start working on it together. Here is a start:

- How we will play a typical coop-mission game?

> Description of gameplay. Do we all want "role playing"? (Ex. All communication is based on military standards and limited to the mission. The game is played to simulate a military operation therefore we all act as soldiers)
> Who will find and install missions on server and organize the game
> Platoon leader assignment and responsibilities
> Squad leaders and their responsibilities
> SOPs for offensive and defensive missions with infantry, armor and mechanized units
> Radio communication standards
> How new players will be trained on the standards and rules we set (Orientation officiers, written guides and procedures)

Bottom line is: To have written standards and procedures for EVERYTHING.

Now if we are still on the same page, lets set a meeting date to start this project. What about tomorrow, Thu, 2000 EST?

Mateo

No need to reinvent the wheel: leejo did alot of the legwork we need over on Ghost Recon, and we have basic OFP SOPs in place.

Let's see what we already have that can be modded for OFP, and then fill in the gaps.

John CANavar

Exactly ! In fact I was also going to bring 1st MIP SOPs. All these will make our job easier because basically it will be an adaptation.

One important thing we have to solve is:

FACT: SOPs are made but not used due to a) impracticality b) lack of serious players who do their homework and study/learn them.

Now we all have to be on the same page before starting something that will take our valuable time. This activity will require reading and learning. It will not be "jump in server and play" !

When it comes to talk it looks like we all want the same thing but in reality there is a huge gap between theory (written procedures) and practice (the way we play). Most of the time it is not because of the "impracticality" but because no one takes it serious.

For example, If I am not using standard SITREP in the game I want to be warned so that I will memorize the format and use it next time. I have no right to ruin the immersion for other players by being lazy and not learning/using the set standards.

This principle can be applied to any other game TG people play here. It is something we are trying to achieve in 1st MIP. Make SOPs / Use SOPs !

Magnum50

I'm all for general guide lines and SOP's... but I also think that a number of players/gamers go to the extreme and in doing so take the fun out of "gaming".


I know gaming, I know tactics, and I'm willing to read a page or two on certain rules and guidelines for a certain game... But my time is short, When I joined TG, I joined to play computer games... granted computer games with a bunch of tactically minded gamers, but still computer games.

I sure hope this isn't going to become bigger then it really needs to be.. basic information on mods, servers, TS behavior, and basic tactics is all thats needed to get the most out of the games we love.

UNDERSTAND: This is my opinion only, I'm not stating demands, and will game with TG when I can, as often as I can. Thats why I became a SM... but remember, it's all about the game... KISS.

After re-reading my above post... it is NOT meant to sound the way it does, but no better way to express my view/opinion. Hope no one takes it wrong.

__________________
Magnum
www.gettacticaldammit.com

Trooper

i do agree with magnum...you have to consider the people you are playing with...we all are vets of TG...some older then others...but vets none the less..and in such a small group i dont for see any problems....we know how to play TG-esk.....again tho im all for the SOPs and such becuase it gives us all a base to play and we can point the newbies to those if they have any questions.....


Im all for helping...i just orderd it

__________________
that sounds like a good idea trooper.
-Vulcan

John CANavar

Magnum, I guess I understand what you are trying to say. But there seems to be a misunderstanding I need to correct.

I am not forcing anyone else to play the game as I want to play. I am just inviting others who have the same vision, style and goal. This project is not for every OFP player.

I had a very similar invitation for BF2 and now we have a solid team called 1st MIP which is formed by very like-minded players with identical fun definitions.

I am not trying to divide the community here. I just accept a simple fact: The more like-minded we are, the more fun is the activity.

I am defining an activity here and asking "who would like to join me in this?" That simple. I only look for the ones who say "Damn it, this is exactly what I want to try"

The definition of fun may be different for you and me. My definition of fun is Organization, Preparation and Discipline. I spend a lot of time on thinking/developing procedures and guides for playing tactical games. In fact I spent more time on these than actual playing.

What I did so far:

I started a project called Tactical Gamer / Operation Flashpoint Group.

I am inviting very like-minded players to form a group with me and work on the details that will carry our vision into the gameplay.

I tried my best to explain what is the goal of this group: It is to create a very immersive military gaming simulation by developing, adapting and using SOPs.

I also stressed that this takes more than a casual gamer. You have to be very serious, dedicated and willing to study, as if it is a lecture, the procedures. Learn and use them.

==========

To all who responded this thread:

Is this too extreme for you? Do you find it boring? You like it but you dont have time to help?

Then please let me know so that no one will be disappointed later. There is no middle way for me. It is either going to be serious or not at all. Lets be honest and sincere with each other.

What are the options?

a) You guys get together and play the game in a casual way which is not very attractive for me, so I stay out.

b) If we are still on the same page, we do it together.

Bodofooko

I'm all for the SOPs and rules (thought i kinda scares me), but I wouldn't be completely against a few just jumping in and playing rounds early on. Between the thousands of megabytes of addons, connection problems and the general foolishness of many people, I have yet to successfully connect to and participate in a real OpFla multiplayer game. But if thats not what ya'll are into, I'll jump right in the fire too.

*Edit: After reading your last post (you submitted while I was writing) I can say that this does sound pretty intense. I'm not looking to play Operation Flashpoint: Deathmatch, but I'm not looking for a second job either. I appreciate your effort, but I think I'll hold out for the slightly more casual gaming sessions.