AoE2:DE moved the playerbase from a lobby system into a matchmaking system, a "feature" found in most modern games. This was met with some hesitation, and a few months after release there are still issues. Obviously, there are still big problems with the DE system. Random civ picks are all but gone, we are often forced to play maps that we do not want to play, and the usability of the system itself is lacking (you can't even switch tabs!).
However, I would also argue the DE system has brought some big positives. Games are found much quicker, we can play against a wider variety of players, the servers themselves are much, much better, and there is less finnicking about with making lobbies and such. This doesn't mean DE is better by any means, but it does show that there might be a better way, which combines the positives of both.
There are also several features which neither Voobly or DE have that other modern matchmaking systems often use, such as a real 'Ranking' system akin to DOTA2, LoL, CS:GO, or automatically created tournaments like SC2 and the old WC3 ladder.
Generally, people seem happy to keep the matchmaking system as opposed to a lobby system - the issue lies with DE's implementation rather than the core idea itself. There have been many suggestion made in many places on discord, these forums, twitch, etc. - so I thought it might be nice for everyone to post their thoughts in one central place to discuss.
So, what are your ideas? What would your perfect matchmaking system look like? How would you bring the best of both worlds (DE and Voobly) together?
However, I would also argue the DE system has brought some big positives. Games are found much quicker, we can play against a wider variety of players, the servers themselves are much, much better, and there is less finnicking about with making lobbies and such. This doesn't mean DE is better by any means, but it does show that there might be a better way, which combines the positives of both.
There are also several features which neither Voobly or DE have that other modern matchmaking systems often use, such as a real 'Ranking' system akin to DOTA2, LoL, CS:GO, or automatically created tournaments like SC2 and the old WC3 ladder.
Generally, people seem happy to keep the matchmaking system as opposed to a lobby system - the issue lies with DE's implementation rather than the core idea itself. There have been many suggestion made in many places on discord, these forums, twitch, etc. - so I thought it might be nice for everyone to post their thoughts in one central place to discuss.
So, what are your ideas? What would your perfect matchmaking system look like? How would you bring the best of both worlds (DE and Voobly) together?