While I know the 2.5 minute turn limit is needed, it is very hard to keep track of. I would propose a "turn clock" so that you know how long you have left to move. I would set it at 1.5 minutes with 3 extensions for 1 minute each, but I am not sure if that is practical for a web based game. But definitely a turn clock would be a welcome addition to Ranked MP and League Play.
Is there currently even a turn time limit? There is the inactivity timer (Snoozy) but you just click through that to extend your thinking time, it doesn't end your turn if you are there to click it. At least that's my current understanding, I don't take that long so I haven't seen it in a long time. Has this changed to a hard turn time limit?
Sorry I guess it is not an actual limit, just an inactivity timer. I think a turn clock would help games move since the time per side is typically not even a thought since the average game in ranked is under 20 minutes.
Matches tend to be somewhat fast (exp at high elo) mainly because of: 1) Players tend to be more experienced 2) The meta is moderately skewed in favor of very aggressive builds I honestly don't see a real use for a turn-clock, as stalling isn't really a serious issue (at least that I'm aware of). Plus offenders can be reported and put back in line. Moreover, I think it would be detrimental to a lot of player. Newer players can naturally take longer when planning out their moves, because of a lack of experience. Some players also like to be more thoughtful than others, regardless of experience. I mean, I don't think the suggestion doesn't hold some value, but I also think the PvP experience is quite stressfull already, even without the constant urge for taking a decision FAST. Being slow and mindful, when the situation requires it, is a welcome feature of the current system although it might make for slightly longer than average games in a few instances. I do see the suggestion already accounts for all of that (time limit + limited number of extensions) but, given the current state of things, I think it would be an unnecessary layer of complexity being added to the UI and flow of the game: the 20 min timer already makes you want to save time whenever possible, + you can report obvious abusers. That being said, I still feel somewhat neutral towards this idea, so whatever.
Maybe colorize the timer of whoever is (3+ minutes) behind red, so he gets a bit aware of a growing gap. Somewhat on topic, the ticking sound we get when the 20 minutes game time is depleted comes way too late. Since the game itself is on the line, a bit of stress should be legit here, but not only the last minute, but at least 2 or the 2min 30secs again.
My original thought was not so much to hurry the game along (although someone taking more than 1 minute for many turns is painful) but to give the player an idea of how long it has been since their last move. I think there is room for it on the UI and it also ties into my idea of same-time Quick Draw drafts. Instead of swapping back and forth, each player can select all of the cards for each of the characters in turn. So Player 1 and 2 each have a 2 minute clock that starts with the first 3 selections for their first character. They can keep getting choices until all 7 have been selected for that character which they then will wait for the other player. Same for each of the next 2 characters with the 2 minute clock resetting at the first set of 3 for each character. It gives the ability for much faster selections (should take about half of the time) and to put the quick into Quick Draw. This draft period wouldn't affect the game clock which could then be reduced to 15 per side and still potentially have the turn clock as described. Forgive the fact I haven't really thought this out fully. I have the habit of trying to write things down (or type them) to get them out of my head and in this arena to see if anyone else sees or thinks what I think.
I think ive read elsewhere there is no other way to realize the drafts then to swap back and forth, since its all done within the existing "turn-based" mechanics. Switiching it to simultaneous draft would ask for heavy reprogramming. The next best thing was suggested (i think it was Kalin), to give the player who waits a preview of the cards he has to choose from once it is his turn.
You are correct about what you've read elsewhere. Kalin's suggestion to preview cards on the opponent's turn was discussed internally, and we decided not to do it, I forget why but I remember there was a good reason.
Thats my trail of thought for about everything i do. A pity the preview was dismissed, would have been so much smoother.
I think the benefit of a different draft for QD is significant, but I have no programming experience beyond BASIC, so I don't understand the lengths it would take to restructure the format either as a reprogram or as a "bolt on" module. I say this because I would love to see other versions of QD and the idea of a 3 v 3 co-op quick draw (which I believe has been done in casual) would be SUPER sweet if all 6 players could draft at once leading to a less than 2 minute draft time total. But I know I am barking up the wrong tree here I just want to put some more quick into QD. I am one who thinks there are certain cards which need to be excluded from QD but there are other threads for that and I think it has been covered more than enough.
