Picking a seat

[jonze]

Can I change my seat after I pick it? I might want to move depending on who else signs up, so I can sit with a group of people

[GFiSH]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you just click on another available seat, at least it worked that way for me the other day.

[Rastaman-FB]

yeah if you lick on another space it asks you if you want to move there

[KamiKaze_PMS]

/licks all the seats =P

[QueKees]

I think this seat picker thing sucks tbh.... Wouldnt it be better if all FPS gamers sat together... i mean, my clan has like 15+ people going...now everyone has to hurry to buy a ticket then pick a seat so they can sit together :S

or am i wrong??

[andyf]

You are wrong, freedom to move around is a Good Thing. You might have, lets say, a group of FPS gamers that want to sit in the RTS or MMO section for whatever reason. This lets them do so!

[RTO]

There obviously is an incentive to get on and book tickets, however in the future we will be making it easier to larger groups of people to organise themselves by offering group bookings. As an interim measure we're looking at providing the ability to delegate your seat to a clan leader or similar, so they can move 10 or you all at once (for example). The seat picker is just one of many improvements to the systems which help us organise an i-Series.

[Predat0r]

I think this seat picker thing sucks tbh.... Wouldnt it be better if all FPS gamers sat together... i mean, my clan has like 15+ people going...now everyone has to hurry to buy a ticket then pick a seat so they can sit together :S

or am i wrong??

Partially, though it has forced a rush to obtain seats through purchase. As much as this is a good thing for MPUK so they can entertain the ones attending for tournaments, it is not good for the majority* who's wallets are fairly moth-filled to begin with.

The seat picker does contain a seat request inbox/outbox when I looked at it however, so would be interesting to see what sort of responses users of aforementioned haggling system get.

If all else fails, purchasing of goods for those trespassing on one's lawn may sway their decision somewhat. Zeppelins manned by loyal kobold servants are recommended for such transactions.

However, with a bit of tweaking, this new way of getting seats will be infinitely more win. Not necessarily easier, but possibly a lot better than leaving it to MPUK gremlins to sort out. It may also introduce the entire "I want the window seat!" form of shenanigans to such things. :v


*If anyone manages to prove that there is indeed a very small minority that can't afford this off the break, then I will point out that I AM THE MAJORITY.

[doeboy]

OK Predi, and in english my old son?

[QueKees]

Lets say a clan has about 20 people going... 10 area seated in section A and 10 area seated in section D...Would multiplay go in and re-arrange so everyone can sit together?

:P

[her0n]

Lets say a clan has about 20 people going... 10 area seated in section A and 10 area seated in section D...Would multiplay go in and re-arrange so everyone can sit together?

:P

I think the onus is now on the paying participant to submit a request to the person they wish to swap seats with.

[*Tsunami*]

You are wrong, freedom to move around is a Good Thing. You might have, lets say, a group of FPS gamers that want to sit in the RTS or MMO section for whatever reason. This lets them do so!

I dunno, I disagree with this idea.. The problem is if I sit in the "others" area I do not want to be surrounded by people who play just CS and decided to sit there becuase they didnt want to sit with other CS players. Come tournaments my area is invaded by hordes of spectators watching the people who play CS. Also I can imaging this mixing people up will make it less friendly for new people who don't know anyone to take part.

Imagine turning up with your friend, sitting in the UT section and discovering everybody around you is playing WoW 24/4. You might be too shy to go looking for other people who play UT who just happen to be sitting in the TF2 section. What is your lan experience then? to be honest you might as well stayed at home..

When I use to go to I-Series (I admit I dont currently go) I would sit in the others area and know the people around me would be up for some random games. Now if I was to attend I34, I have no real idea what the people around me would be willing to play. (Apart from my own knowledge of the people attending, without which I wouldn't have a clue). If I book early, I could be surrounded by WoW players, if I leave it too late I might have no choice than the CS section.

Unfortantly the current seat picker is a bums on seats "we dont want the hassle thanks" feature. Even booking early does not gurantee that you will be sitting in the area you want to sit in to play games and enjoy the lan with people who share the same game interests as you. To improve it I would like to see some sort of ringfencing so if you are a CS gamer, you can only choose a seat in the CS section.

[RTO]

Tsunami, the seat picker makes it much more visable than the previous manual method of showing which people are interested in which games, as the game areas are now colour-coded.

We have never forced people to sit in specific game areas. You could request to be sat in which ever section you wanted, regardless of game areas. They were just a guide. The current situation exists in the seat picker, people are drawn to the game area thanks to thecolour coding, but as with the XLS-o-doom, aren't forced to sit there. We never have, and never would force people to sit in a specific game area.

[Coolshot]

I 101% agree with cookies, its alot better when MP does the seating, There are people going solo just plonking themselves in the middle of a row, surrounded by no one. in all fairness, why should they move? They picked first etc etc, the world doesnt work the way we would hope and not everyone is as nice as cookies ;)

cc// so far have 11 people booked up, with at least another 6-7 booking in the next few weeks and more in the background, ive told the guys to lay off the seats until i called you guys, but looks like the only way we can do the seating for now to make 101% sure we sit together, is to have a chessboard effect on a gaming gene that isnt that popular and have cc// members that havent booked fill in the gaps as they book.

[*Tsunami*]

The current situation exists in the seat picker, people are drawn to the game area thanks to thecolour coding, but as with the XLS-o-doom, aren't forced to sit there. We never have, and never would force people to sit in a specific game area.

Nope, what have done is took the management aspect away from the seating, so now it's a free for all on the seats. Originally I believe the idea of seating area's was so like minded gamers sat near each other AND it would also be easier to run the tournaments. It's a dam sight easier for me to start & fill a game of midtown 2 sitting in the "others" area than sitting in the "CS / UT / MMO" section. It must be easier to visually check for cheating if the players in the tournament are sitting in the same area of the building. The color coding may still achieve this goal however as the venue fills up I expect there will arguments over the seating.

Really im not against the seat picker, I just feel it needs a bit more work/thought put into it. Why is it unreasonable to put likeminded gamers together? this is what you have done in the past. We wil see if it is better or not...

[Say_Ten]

The systems have always encouraged like-minded-gamers to sit together, they've never forced it.

[Baldrick]

Where you have 2 rows next to each other, then a little white gap:
PCs on the double-rows facing each other, with the seats in the white gap between rows? Or is everyone facing towards the front?

[GFiSH]

I'm assuming that the white gaps are the aisles and that PC's will be back to back like the usual setup at Newbury.

[ez64]

You'd think that but its mostly full of dead bodies from the other rows ^&^

its nice to think that Multiplay take this into account when planning lans :)

[Jofrak]

=O I thought they were the sleeping lanes =P

On another point my seat seems to take notions as to wether or not it's actually been booked/selected/whatever

[Elkeeed]

Yeah its all facing forwards but some rows are for midgets and others are for real fatasses! :D

[Unique]

this is going to be quite difficult, somehow im going to need to get 6 seats booked before some moron decides he wants to sit there :)

[Dav3y]

this is going to be quite difficult, somehow im going to need to get 6 seats booked before some moron decides he wants to sit there :)

Surely the moron is the one that doesn't pay in time to secure the seat they want ? :p

[Unique]

Surely the moron is the one that doesn't pay in time to secure the seat they want ? :p

well kind of :), its quite a way away i34, and my clan is seeing if they can get days off work etc :P

[Goots]

The seat picker is just one of many improvements to the systems which help us organise an i-Series.

I would replace the word "improvements" with the word "changes".

It simply takes the onus off the organisers to, er, organise.

Imho it was a lot better when Boff (or whoever) arranged the seating. This new system is going to lead to clans being split up, disgruntled punters and arguments at the event as to "why the f**k wouldn't you give your seat up so I could sit with my clan?"

A deposit system would be great where people could "secure" their seat with £10, then if they haven't paid within 8 weeks of the event announcement they lose their deposit. This isn't classed as a credit agreement afaik, and MPUK would have no problem re-selling the seat if the punter pulled out, because there would still be plenty of time before the event. In addition, the only thing the punter has lost is his deposit.

I know you can't keep everyone happy all of the time, I am a realistic person, but I can see this new system getting peoples' backs up. Half the fun of a LAN is physically sitting with your mates imho.

I also know that pre-budgeting for the events is the sensible option, but this only applies to existing punters. Complete newbies to the i-series might not know about the event until they are asked to book by their clan - or something along those lines.

[Chicane]

i wonder how dreamhack organise their seating for 5000 players...

[Goots]

The difference being that DH have had this sytem in place from the start afaik. We are used to a more personal, dare I say caring approach that is more accommodating and sympathetic to the needs of clans.

I wonder how a poll about the new system would pan out, and more to the point, would MPUK take the results to mind.

[Gumpster]

I think the only problem here (and really i like the fact you can chose your own seat) is on clans with big numbers who obviously dont pay all at one time. For example, we at Ministry of Darkness, will be taking three teams with us this event, but because of different ways of being paid at their jobs, and different times when they can get a little bit of money, has meant that some people have paid early (like myself) and some will be paying later, by that time, our seats could have been taken up around the people who have paid within our clan. So its difficult. That is my only take on the new system.

[AcidUK]

As people have already said, I think we have all been a little spoilt in the past by the old system, but with the growth of the lan, the work involved will also increase proportionally. As it was, Boff (+ others?) was probably doing this full time for the weeks leading up to i33.

This is the first time this system has been used, so its understandable that some people are going to lose out, and I'm sure improvements (such as whole clan booking with all money up front from one person) will also be availible in the future. Another point is that because this system has been put in place, people will be better prepared for subsequent events, and this too should help to reduce the number of seating conflicts.

What people have to remember is that although Multiplay have such a thriving community, this is a commercial event, and the new system will encourage and reward early bookers. It is these people who help to ensure the events are filled, as the pressure to book increases much more quickly than under the old system. Its not a bad thing that this is a business event, as it is because of Multiplay's ability to successfully fill such large events that we get the opportunity to enjoy large tournaments with high prize pools, as well as enjoying an ever increasing number and quality of exhibition stands.

[{AWOL}Assassin]

How about people stop whining and give the new system a chance… 17weeks to go anything can happen.

The new seating is a lotto, You could be sat near anyone of the other 1999 nerds.. lol

How exciting :smileshot

[3zer]

Although i think that the seat picker is great as it gives you the choice, i think it would be better if you could not choose your seat untill a month before the event. (or when the event was sold out)

[Jofrak]

Unfortunately I'd imagine that would give rise to something of the same effect.
Do you open it during the day? That rules out people at school getting their preference.
In the evening? People with jobs etc
Weekend? Close to the event That'd be July, people on hols, people with weekend jobs.

To be honest theres no realistic way of opening something like this thats going to suit 100% of the people. I don't much like it myself but lets roll with it ^.~

If we really hate it we can riot at Stonleigh =P

[Elkeeed]

Has the difficulty increased proportionally though or is it in fact easier now because it is in one big block rather than lots of little rooms?

Being able to sit with your friends is vital to most people's enjoyment of the lan whether you/they have paid early or not. I think it would be very daft to just say 'well this is the new system take it or leave it'. I'm prepared to give it a shot but if it doesn't work something needs to be done because I don't think you can overestimate the importance of it.

[Unique]

How about people stop whining and give the new system a chance… 17weeks to go anything can happen.

The new seating is a lotto, You could be sat near anyone of the other 1999 nerds.. lol

How exciting :smileshot

no1 is whining :)

i do think its a good idea, but if my clan isnt sat together, its gonna get a hammering :P

[iceshamrock]

We are in the same boat, we have 22 members paid with over 30 closer to 40 attending the event and we are having to book in the WoW section in order to keep us together. Not quite sure if this is what everyone is going to want!!

[spraduke]

start requesting thouse in small numbers move up a bit so you can get in the section you wish.

[EvilGav]

As has been said elsewhere, this is v1.0 of the seat-picker - anyone in software development will be able to tell you that v1.0, whilst functionally able to do what it's meant to do, will not feature all the bells and whistles that were on the "nice to have list", it will also shake out any possible improvements and dictate what goes from "nice to have" to "must have" features.

Roll with it, you never know, speaking to strangers might actually be fun. :p

[Dav3y]

Roll with it, you never know, speaking to strangers might actually be fun. :p

He's got a point you know ;)

We have concerns ourselves, but what would be really helpfull if those not going in clans or in groups larger than two didn't go and pick seats in a big empty space and then arse things up for the bigger clans that want to sit together. After all, they might have lots of spare seats around them when they pick, but they sure ain't going to have any spare seats next to them come the event itself. I guess it's akin to the mens toilets, you don't go and take the next basin if there is a free one furthur away ;)

I'd like to know what's happening about people having to select seats due to disability, I've seen nothing said about that yet and assume it's down to first come first served for them which really isn't good.

[Boffykins]

I'd like to know what's happening about people having to select seats due to disability, I've seen nothing said about that yet and assume it's down to first come first served for them which really isn't good.There is still the ability for us to manually move people, so if someone tells us they have accessibility needs, they can be accomodated.

[Unique]

We are in the same boat, we have 22 members paid with over 30 closer to 40 attending the event and we are having to book in the WoW section in order to keep us together. Not quite sure if this is what everyone is going to want!!

rofl, thats what no1 wants to be sat in the wow crowd, i still cant understand why anyone would want a weekend at a LAN to play wow :P

[brightside]

rofl, thats what no1 wants to be sat in the wow crowd, i still cant understand why anyone would want a weekend at a LAN to play wow :P

so they can meet their guild mates, get pissed, and play WoW? Why do you want to play CS:S at a LAN? :)

See your error there? Most of them are internets games, so by your theory, no one should bother ;)

[Regular Hero]

Well i am only booking for 10-12 players and i am already dreading the problems i am having.

I have 5-6 paid and the rest to pay soon next 2 weeks i hope.

We have players all spread about and i think we have someone who may have picked where we were hoping to go ie 2 lines of 6 players with their backs to each other.

while i can see the benefit for MPUK in pick your own seat and the fun aspect for the attendees. For the actual team leaders if frankly a nightmare.

We are told a system where you can be nomitaded as team leader and sort your clans seating is coming (surely if should have been ready before the pick your own seating was released) but we dont have a date for it yet?

with 900 already sold and more and more each day. this needs doing quickly.

Have MPUK had a thought to pause the pick you own seat after the Discount period for say 1 week so those that are pre-booked can try to have a sort out of seats etc.

I am very much looking forward to i34 but i am very apprehensive about seating this time, which is something tht has never bothered me before when mpuk sorted it. it must be a nightmare for larger multi gaming teams.

heres hoping my apprehension is unwarranted.

[Boffykins]

I'm working on the delegation system right now. It's my top priority. Should be done tomorrow.

[Regular Hero]

thanks Bof.

[QueKees]

Anyone who wants some Crack Clan Love, we are sitting in the red section seats: AB-AC.

Weeee :P


BOFF for president :D (Pro bf2 admin!!)

[{AWOL}Assassin]

Anyone who wants some Crack Clan Love, we are sitting in the red section seats: AB-AC.

Weeee :P


BOFF for president :D (Pro bf2 admin!!)Then you beter hurry and all get booked up incase others take them seats.. :)

[CK|Davros]

Assuming this all goes ok and all of my clan get to sit near each other, tikity boo. However we have a few guys who will be paying later due to money issues after just attending i33. And at the moment I cant see this being the case as the more people 20 in our case you have the harder it gets to get all the members paid up ASAP.

Will you revert back to the old system if this one ends up being a complete balls-up? IE no friends sitting near each other at LAN.

You seem to have made promises to fix the tourney mess up of i33 (not that there was one @ i32 that was amazing) and introduced this bag of worms.

I think most people attend LAN to play games and socialise if you mess either of those 2 things up you mess up peoples LAN :)

[bacardibatman]

.

[Pro-HL|CreativE]

Davros why flame?!?!

[SquireMuldoon]

We'll want to see how well this new system works before we decide on anything. On the whole however, it seems to be working nicely.

[CK|Davros]

Were already starting to get issues with space were 20+ people and were 18 signed up at the moment.

[eCK|DiCe]

edit...stupid buttons