- last post: 01.01.0001 12:00 AM PDT
Yes, but the option to have a dedicated server/view mode would be nice for custom games. Suppose two players want to go head to head in a custom game. Having a third person host the game without actually being in the game (a la observer mode) would eliminate the bickering over host that takes place in these grudge matches.
Not only that, its fun to watch. I don't think it is too much to ask, since all they would need to do is make the "host" stuck perminately in observer mode, putting a high process priority on the networking portion of the game. Its just a thought. A little customization never hurt anyone, and makes players like myself happy and interested.
Bridgers and stanbyers will definately be gone. They won't really have to make any big changes for that to happen. I'd be extremely surprised to see this not be fixed. A simple conneciton test/policy that operates under the assumption that a client who can only connect to one host and only that one host is impossible and probably is up to no good.
Enough rambling.. Any bungie input on this? Optional dedicated server mode for party leader to select? As well as a selectable spectator mode that would be selectable in the same way team colors are selectable. Online tournaments would benefit big time from this..
PS: I agree, public dedicated servers would be a bad idea. It would cost money, give an advantage to the group of people closest in terms of ping/latency, and probably be exploited by desperate cheaters via DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack. Overall, bad idea.
[Edited on 5/22/2006]