Revealed: Nintendo Planning Major Mario Kart Online Shake Up
Survey confirms expectations of re-work, cheaters targeted.
SPOnG expects a major overhaul of Mario Kart DS' online functionality in the coming months, with a survey sent out to registered users echoing internal unease at Nintendo.
Understandably naïve about online gaming given Mario Kart DS was Nintendo's first online venture, the scoring system underpinning MKDS' online play has been the source of some frustration for many users of the firm's incredible Wi-Fi service. Although the basics are rock solid – rapid matches, low lag rates etc. – gamer integrity has failed step up to this standard.
Players dropping out of games to avoid recording a loss is, without question, the lead issue. Given that your games are played against a minimum of one opponent, an average player should see a score ratio of 50:50. Factor in that games pften host four players, three of whom would record a loss if the game is completed, and at time of going to press a brief foray into Mario Kart DS online will show that the number of bogus scores far outnumbers the genuine ones.
SPOnG believes that Nintendo will initially punish those dropping from games with a loss, though a more complete overhaul is expected to be rolled out. The ability to leave some kind of feedback is likely to be implemented in a later phase of what SPOnG has learned will a be program aimed at gradually settling concerns of users. It is also thought that retrospective 'tagging' of opponents will occur, with users able to add other players after a race concludes.
On the back of this comes a survey released by Nintendo of America polling Mario Kart DS users, calling for proposals in changes to the system. From gamers using the Nintendo system at this time, we expect clan options to be a popular request, though the subject of 'snaking' – power-drifting from side to side on certain tracks – is likely to hear calls for a ban and acceptance in equal measure.
Stay tuned for news of scheduled Mario Kart online changes.
Understandably naïve about online gaming given Mario Kart DS was Nintendo's first online venture, the scoring system underpinning MKDS' online play has been the source of some frustration for many users of the firm's incredible Wi-Fi service. Although the basics are rock solid – rapid matches, low lag rates etc. – gamer integrity has failed step up to this standard.
Players dropping out of games to avoid recording a loss is, without question, the lead issue. Given that your games are played against a minimum of one opponent, an average player should see a score ratio of 50:50. Factor in that games pften host four players, three of whom would record a loss if the game is completed, and at time of going to press a brief foray into Mario Kart DS online will show that the number of bogus scores far outnumbers the genuine ones.
SPOnG believes that Nintendo will initially punish those dropping from games with a loss, though a more complete overhaul is expected to be rolled out. The ability to leave some kind of feedback is likely to be implemented in a later phase of what SPOnG has learned will a be program aimed at gradually settling concerns of users. It is also thought that retrospective 'tagging' of opponents will occur, with users able to add other players after a race concludes.
On the back of this comes a survey released by Nintendo of America polling Mario Kart DS users, calling for proposals in changes to the system. From gamers using the Nintendo system at this time, we expect clan options to be a popular request, though the subject of 'snaking' – power-drifting from side to side on certain tracks – is likely to hear calls for a ban and acceptance in equal measure.
Stay tuned for news of scheduled Mario Kart online changes.
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Comments
Crocomire 16 Dec 2005 21:45
1/10
Thank God too. I was just this half hour ago getting pissed off for the 50th time at MKDS. After playing against a top player with 3 stars by his name and 2 others who weren't as good, and winning all the races until the final one, I was pretty happy.
But what happens when we get to the final race? Oh, the 2 poor players disconnect because they know they couldn't win the match already as they didn't have the points to beat me. I was left playing this top player who had been snaking throught all the other races. I knew he was desperate to beat me and he must have been laughing at the fact that the final race track was Figure 8 Circuit.
He was snaking from the start and I hit him with a beautifully timed green shell. I drove right passed him, and what happened? "The player you are racing has disconnected", or whatever that dan message says.
I almost threw my DS in anger. The amount of times this has happened to me now is crazy, and I know I'm not alone in this. I've got a good 200+ wins with 20+ losses, so when I play a poor player, they will disconnect straight away because they know they can't win. And when I've almost beaten a great player, they can't accept the fact that they've lost and will disconnect before the victory screen too.
So how can a player like me with a good record on his hands play MKDS online anymore? Poor players will disconnect if they can't beat me, and good players will disconnect if I beat them. The only thing I'll get out of playing MKDS online is more losses because that's all the other people want - to win, win, win and accept no losses.
I personally don't mind losing. I can accept defeat. I have never ever disconnected from a race. Why can't others be this way too?
So back to the main point of this topic. I'm so glad Nintendo are going to sort this mess out. They should either give the disconnectors a loss per player they are racing. Or give the players they are playing against a win for all players that disconnect. Okay, so people will get disconnected on accident of course, but the ratio of those that disconnect before they lose to those that get disconnected by accident surely outwieghs the latter by a huge margin.
I hope something is done about this though.
Banning snaking? I admit it is very annoying when you play someone who constantly snakes but banning it altogether might be a little harsh. If we could have the option to play against snakers, that would be better (like we have Worldwide, Rivals etc). Speaking of Rivals, I think it needs a little more work. I'm usually playing people with losses that are bigger than their wins when I have a 200:20 win:loss ratio, and I know others have this problem too. Something needs to get fixed with Rivals to try make it a little fairer.
But hey, that ends my rant. If there's anyone here who would like a nice game of MKDS online with me that shares my stance, please let me know :)
My friend code is -
154679
539630
:)
But what happens when we get to the final race? Oh, the 2 poor players disconnect because they know they couldn't win the match already as they didn't have the points to beat me. I was left playing this top player who had been snaking throught all the other races. I knew he was desperate to beat me and he must have been laughing at the fact that the final race track was Figure 8 Circuit.
He was snaking from the start and I hit him with a beautifully timed green shell. I drove right passed him, and what happened? "The player you are racing has disconnected", or whatever that dan message says.
I almost threw my DS in anger. The amount of times this has happened to me now is crazy, and I know I'm not alone in this. I've got a good 200+ wins with 20+ losses, so when I play a poor player, they will disconnect straight away because they know they can't win. And when I've almost beaten a great player, they can't accept the fact that they've lost and will disconnect before the victory screen too.
So how can a player like me with a good record on his hands play MKDS online anymore? Poor players will disconnect if they can't beat me, and good players will disconnect if I beat them. The only thing I'll get out of playing MKDS online is more losses because that's all the other people want - to win, win, win and accept no losses.
I personally don't mind losing. I can accept defeat. I have never ever disconnected from a race. Why can't others be this way too?
So back to the main point of this topic. I'm so glad Nintendo are going to sort this mess out. They should either give the disconnectors a loss per player they are racing. Or give the players they are playing against a win for all players that disconnect. Okay, so people will get disconnected on accident of course, but the ratio of those that disconnect before they lose to those that get disconnected by accident surely outwieghs the latter by a huge margin.
I hope something is done about this though.
Banning snaking? I admit it is very annoying when you play someone who constantly snakes but banning it altogether might be a little harsh. If we could have the option to play against snakers, that would be better (like we have Worldwide, Rivals etc). Speaking of Rivals, I think it needs a little more work. I'm usually playing people with losses that are bigger than their wins when I have a 200:20 win:loss ratio, and I know others have this problem too. Something needs to get fixed with Rivals to try make it a little fairer.
But hey, that ends my rant. If there's anyone here who would like a nice game of MKDS online with me that shares my stance, please let me know :)
My friend code is -
154679
539630
:)
Crocomire 16 Dec 2005 21:46
2/10
.
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charming_fox 17 Dec 2005 01:17
3/10
I may be lttle bit p*ssed and s****d to play you now but rest assured i'll add you later because A) I agree with you on how much it sucks to have everyone disconnect like a coward numbnuts all the time and B) i'd like play against someone who understands the true spirit of MKDS online!
Also, don't be put off by me awful Win/Loss ratio, it's because I let a lot of people I know play my mario kart online hoping that they'll go and buy a DS and MK, i have a lovley emblem too.
Also, don't be put off by me awful Win/Loss ratio, it's because I let a lot of people I know play my mario kart online hoping that they'll go and buy a DS and MK, i have a lovley emblem too.
Whatleydude 17 Dec 2005 12:14
4/10
I'll sign you up to chap..
Crocomire 17 Dec 2005 12:42
5/10
Thanks you two. If I could just have your friend codes, and we'll be on our way :)
Greg2k 18 Dec 2005 11:36
6/10
All I want them to fix is the problems I get when playing through my home router. It's a fairly new 3com and I find it unacceptable that my game crashes 10 minutes into the game (I timed it too). I'm not that good at the game when playing online and I can't stand looking like a quitter when I'm losing or a retard when I'm winning.
So when Nintendo fixes some of those big issues, I'll be playing Mario Kart online again.
BTW, Tony Hawk works perfectly.
So when Nintendo fixes some of those big issues, I'll be playing Mario Kart online again.
BTW, Tony Hawk works perfectly.
Ditto 18 Dec 2005 12:01
7/10
Have you tried contacting 3Com?
If the router confirms to the correct and final specifications then there's no reason why it shouldn't work with the DS.
If the router confirms to the correct and final specifications then there's no reason why it shouldn't work with the DS.
majin dboy 18 Dec 2005 16:34
8/10
crocomire,i just added u,add me.
spong needs some kind of shoutbox to organise online meetings.
MKDS FC:463916 516171
spong needs some kind of shoutbox to organise online meetings.
MKDS FC:463916 516171
rascal 19 Dec 2005 11:26
9/10
Greg2k wrote:
All I want them to fix is the problems I get when playing through my home router. It's a fairly new 3com and I find it unacceptable that my game crashes 10 minutes into the game (I timed it too). I'm not that good at the game when playing online and I can't stand looking like a quitter when I'm losing or a retard when I'm winning.
So when Nintendo fixes some of those big issues, I'll be playing Mario Kart online again.
BTW, Tony Hawk works perfectly.
So when Nintendo fixes some of those big issues, I'll be playing Mario Kart online again.
BTW, Tony Hawk works perfectly.
I also have a 3com wireless router that crashes the game about 10 minutes in. It either freezes or I get a black screen with an error code, but not always the same error code. If anyone knows how to fix this, I would be a happy bunny if they could let me know. I've tried changing loads of settings but nothing makes a difference. No problems with my 4 other devices that use the same wireless router.
TCuff 3 Jan 2006 14:33
10/10
Hello,
just wanted to add my Friend code 077369 732380
Current record: W:39 L:27
no quitters wanted :)
just wanted to add my Friend code 077369 732380
Current record: W:39 L:27
no quitters wanted :)