Author Topic: SOCOM: Confrontation...Thoughts? (Read 6085 times)

NWR_Lindy · « **on:** September 09, 2008, 05:55:49 PM »

I've never played any SOCOM game before, but this game intrigues me. I know the Beta is coming soon or is already going on.

I like Call of Duty 4 and first-person shooters in general. I've never played Rainbow Six: Vegas or anything like that, but I wouldn't be averse to it. SOCOM's 32-player online play sounds pretty cool.

Is this a PS3 I should be checking for?

bustin98 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 09, 2008, 06:01:11 PM »

I want to pick it up just for the cheaper-than-by-itself ear piece. Other than that I know nothing about it.

Caliban · « **Reply #2 on:** September 09, 2008, 06:02:58 PM »

I've been playing the beta here and there when I have time. It's my first time playing a SOCOM game, but I think it's fun, and possibly even better if you're playing with a bunch of people you know. It's a beta, so don't expect the game to run perfectly right now, the only annoying hiccup the game suffers is when it's loading the match (when the match is reset) and it takes a few minutes sometimes, but they're fixing as we speak it so it's all good.

Silks, pay attention to your PM box because I will send my beta promotion code that I can share with 2 other people.

NWR_Lindy · « **Reply #3 on:** September 10, 2008, 02:52:34 PM »

Oh sweet! Thanks man. I actually just got a Resistance 2 private Beta code last night, but unfortunately I can't share that. :-(

Caliban · « **Reply #4 on:** September 10, 2008, 03:59:49 PM »

I gave out that code in good faith without a need for retribution, and if anyone else wants the code just tell me.

Resistence 2 beta? Awesome.

NWR_Lindy · « **Reply #5 on:** September 10, 2008, 04:09:03 PM »

I know you didn't expect anything in return, but I'm always looking to get people into betas if they'll appreciate it.

Why can't some developers get their Betas straight? The MGS4 and SOCOM betas have been total clusters.

UltimatePartyBear · « **Reply #6 on:** September 10, 2008, 04:17:57 PM »

The whole point of betas is to suck so the developers can make the actual releases not suck.

Caliban · « **Reply #7 on:** September 11, 2008, 12:04:22 AM »

We know that UPB, but nonetheless the loading times are super horrible.

Oh, and my last code went to bustin98. I had to toss a coin, heads for bustin98 and tails for blackfootsteps, heads won.

NWR_Lindy · « **Reply #8 on:** September 11, 2008, 04:24:45 PM »

Quote from: UltimatePartyBear on September 10, 2008, 04:17:57 PM

The whole point of betas is to suck so the developers can make the actual releases not suck.

The point of a Beta is to work out bugs within the game itself, not figure out that your server setup can't handle the load of you Beta users. In order to test an online game, user have to, you know, actually be able to access the server to play the game (or not have the game flake out on you).

UltimatePartyBear · « **Reply #9 on:** September 11, 2008, 07:07:23 PM »

I'm not sure if you're grasping the concept (especially with complaints about a beta flaking out). It's a beta test for the servers, too.

NWR_Lindy · « **Reply #10 on:** September 11, 2008, 08:00:29 PM »

I know what you're saying - that it's an end-to-end test of the entire setup. What I can't understand is how they KNOW how many testers they're going to have in there ahead of time - the environment is totally controlled - but yet they still can't accurately predict the performance of their own code.

The worst was the MGS4 demo. Konami was like, "We had no idea that we would have this kind of load on the servers, so we took everything down to add more servers". WTF? So if they have 1000 users in the Beta, it didn't occur to them to simulate the activity of 1000 users before they started the Beta? It's ridiculous, sloppy, and lazy. It's like they set up their Beta server on an Apple IIe and then act surprised when it dies when more than two players connect at once.

Sorry man, I work in software QA, so I know what they can and can't do. It's a really pet peeve of mine, nothing personal.

blackfootsteps · « **Reply #11 on:** September 12, 2008, 05:36:58 AM »

Quote from: Caliban on September 11, 2008, 12:04:22 AM

We know that UPB, but nonetheless the loading times are super horrible.

Oh, and my last code went to bustin98. I had to toss a coin, heads for bustin98 and tails for blackfootsteps, heads won.

Haha, tails always fails. Thanks anyway!

NWR_Lindy · « **Reply #12 on:** October 15, 2008, 09:42:45 PM »

Anybody pick this up?

I'm trying to find an online review, but I can't find anything. I don't know if there's an embargo until the 16th (when it's up on PSN), or if magazines have waited to play the retail version online before reviewing it or what. I'd like to see the scores before buying it, since I know nothing about the series.

Caliban · « **Reply #13 on:** October 15, 2008, 10:16:38 PM »

I got the game, and I played a few matches. Thankfully it runs much better than the beta, obviously, or at least I was hoping to be like so. Installing game data (2.something GBs) onto your PS3 is optional. There's already an update (400 to 500 MBs) for the game. The included bluetooth headset works fine, and I was needing a voice communication device for the PS3 anyway. As for a recommendation, I would rather say that you should a few reviews to see if it has enough depth or features that will entice you to buy the game.

NWR_Lindy · « **Reply #14 on:** October 21, 2008, 04:05:32 PM »

I've actually seen a few reviews now, and they aren't much help because of the game's bugs and network issues.

- One smaller site (GamersPortal?) gave it an 8.9/10, and ignored its bugginess entirely. This is suspect to me.

- A couple of sites (1Up) gave it 5.0/10 due to its bugginess.

- IGN won't even review it because there are so many bugs/server issues.

Apparently its launch has been a debacle. People are saying the retail game is basically no better than a Beta build.

I'm tossing this on the Christmas List, because by then I'm sure they'll have everything patched (not only that, but they'll have added stuff like Trophies and Matchmaking, which should have been there when it shipped).

Caliban · « **Reply #15 on:** October 21, 2008, 05:24:05 PM »

Yeah if I were you I would wait until they fix whatever they have to fix.
I've been happy with my purchase, and I haven't been a victim of any apparent glitches, or at least I didn't notice anything.
The only thing that bugs me sometimes is when I want to play the game, but the servers are already overloaded and I get a "network failed" error. Apparently their servers can only handle 25 000 players all at once at peak times. When I try to play at odd hours I can play, so no big deal for me..

NWR_Lindy · « **Reply #16 on:** October 22, 2008, 12:19:32 PM »

It seems that some people have massive problems, and some people don't. They should be rolling out the first of many patches over the next week or so, so we'll see how things improve from here on out.

I've heard there's no matchmaking. What is meant by that? In other words, what can't you do right now that should be in there? Do you have to do everything manually?

Caliban · « **Reply #17 on:** October 22, 2008, 02:59:39 PM »

"Lobby System
The lobby system is making a return in SOCOM: U.S Navy SEALs Confrontation, with players being able to choose the games they want to play instead of a matchmaking system doing it for them if they so wish. Games in the lobby system are divided by Briefing Rooms. Each Briefing Room can hold a total of 256 players, and in these rooms, a server list displays all the current games running a player can join. Players can join ranked, or custom unranked games from here. Ranked games can be created by a player, but options for the game come from a pre-set playlist in order to prevent cheaters from changing gameplay options to gain a higher rank at an alarming rate. Unranked games are fully customizable.

Matchmaking System
Along with a lobby system, SOCOM: Confrontation also comes with a standard matchmaking system, where those that want to find a quick game can jump in and do so. This matchmaking system works just like any other, giving the user to choose options such as game modes, maps, etc."
Source: http://www.giantbomb.com/socom-us-navy-seals-confrontation/61-20676/

Hope that helps.
I always go to the lobby, but maybe I should try their matchmaking system and see if there's any difference.

NWR_Lindy · « **Reply #18 on:** October 22, 2008, 03:31:10 PM »

And matchmaking is currently NOT in there, correct?

It sounds like right now it's like Warhawk before they patched in the "Quickgame" option.

Caliban · « **Reply #19 on:** October 22, 2008, 07:20:13 PM »

You're right, it is not there... hmm weird, I could swear I did see it at some point, ah well.

blackfootsteps · « **Reply #20 on:** October 22, 2008, 07:21:21 PM »

So they had a beta to stress test the servers and there's still problems? Sounds like a bit of a rush job to me.

NWR_Lindy · « **Reply #21 on:** October 23, 2008, 02:51:42 AM »

Quote from: blackfootsteps on October 22, 2008, 07:21:21 PM

So they had a beta to stress test the servers and there's still problems? Sounds like a bit of a rush job to me.

Yep. In fact, I've read people saying that bugs that were in the Beta version weren't even fixed in the retail build. And there's other things too...for example, on the back on the retail box (that's on store shelves right now), it says that there's trophy support. However, that trophy support actually isn't there because it hasn't been patched in yet. Rush job of the century.

blackfootsteps · « **Reply #22 on:** October 23, 2008, 08:07:05 AM »

But why the rush? To beat Call of Duty 5 out perhaps?

NWR_Lindy · « **Reply #23 on:** October 23, 2008, 03:11:56 PM »

I bet that's it. It's really the only explanation that makes any sense.

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Author Topic: SOCOM: Confrontation...Thoughts? (Read 6085 times)