Categorize Maps and Allow them to be Searched

[Batmanette]

Idea to Improve "Join a Game" and "Game Finder" features

• Make the "Join a Game" and "Game Finder" features more useable by sub grouping maps by style

Specifics:

• Currently there are over 3000 waiting games, all different types of maps, different gameplay, etc.
  I have found that this makes using the "Join A Game" feature very cumbersome.
  So I have been using the "Game Finder" feature, but this too is cumbersome because I wish to not play the complex maps.
  Using "Game Finder" and selecting all of the "normal" maps one by one is as cumbersome as scrolling 3000+ games.
  Especially since I am not familiar with all of the maps to know which are "normal" maps.
  Sorry to call them "normal", I just don't know what you refer to them as.
  The list was very usable before i was promoted, when i still had "?" for my rank.

This will improve the following aspects of the site:

• Quickly find all open games of a map type, i.e. complex maps, "normal" maps, etc.

[AAFitz]

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=64678

Im guessing you dont have this yet...it wont do everything you want, but it does help

[Batmanette]

http://www.conquerclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=64678

Im guessing you dont have this yet...it wont do everything you want, but it does help

Thank you, I appreciate the response.
I read all that, but I do not think it simplifies the Join Game & Game Finder features.
Perhaps I was not being clear.

Right now the Join Game Feature lists ALL open games.
The Game Finder allows me to select certain parameters.
HOWEVER, when it comes to map selection, there is the problem.
It works GREAT if I want ONE specific map, or even just a few.
And it works GREAT if I want to see ALL maps.

What I would like to see is several more choices under maps, One that says "Normal Play" (or whatever it is best called), another that says "Complex Play" & "Special Play" (or whatever is the best way to call and group these), etc.

Hopefully this makes sense.

As a new player, it was a real shock to go from about 30 (?) games using the JOIN A GAME feature, to about 3300 games.

[AAFitz]

no, it really doesnt actually, but its fairly useful.

You definitely have a point. I think some variation of small maps, complex maps objective based maps might not be a bad idea actually. I find it hard to imagine being new here again, but I can see how it would simplify things greatly for new players.

I almost think small, medium and large might just be enough?

[Batmanette]

no, it really doesnt actually, but its fairly useful.

You definitely have a point. I think some variation of small maps, complex maps objective based maps might not be a bad idea actually. I find it hard to imagine being new here again, but I can see how it would simplify things greatly for new players.

I almost think small, medium and large might just be enough?

Yes, Size would be an excellent "filter".
But I have noticed too that there are maps I have almost joined that had extreme "special features".
(well, they seemed extreme to me because I am not familiar with them and would prefer to avoid for now)

So in addition to size, it would be nice to have another filter.
I hate to say it this way, but perhaps it's Beginner, Intermediate, Expert.
How about Blue Circle, Green Square, Black Diamond, Double Black Diamond (skiing reference)

But anything to reduce the list from 3300 games to a more scan-able number would be excellent.

[ahunda]

If you are using Firefox with Greasemonkey installed, there are some scripts, that could help you:

Games Filter - viewtopic.php?f=59&t=59119

Will allow you to sort maps on the Browse Maps page. Categories applying to game-play (simple, moderate, complex, conquest) as well as size (huge, large, standard, small).

Saved Searches - viewtopic.php?f=59&t=18815

Allows you to save search parameters on the Game Finder page, so that you can simply load them with 1 click when required.

You could use the Games Filter to sort the maps & find the ones you want to play. Then mark all the maps in the Game Finder (plus your preferred game settings, if you wish) and save those parameters for the future.