Is Soldat Portal Necessary?

[L[0ne]R]

Only thing I dont like is the fact that you can't play online without an account.
You can no longer just download ang play the game - instead you'll have to go through all that registration and verification process. Also, if there are problems with Soldat Portal server - everyone will suffer. Are user IDs really worth it?

Soldat Portal is very promising, it gives possibilities for great new features. If only registration was optional - then I'm sure everyone would be happy.

[Illuminatus]

you'll have to go through all that registration and verification process.

How long did it take for you? 1 or 2 minutes?

Also, if there are problems with Soldat Portal server - everyone will suffer.

Almost the same with Soldat lobby.

Are user IDs really worth it?

Ya, I think so.

If only registration was optional

This would ruin the whole concept...

[SpiltCoffee]

Also, if there are problems with Soldat Portal server - everyone will suffer.

Almost the same with Soldat lobby.

Damn, that's a nice point right there, although I think it only affects public servers. Currently, if you've favourited them or are joining them directly via a link, you can still join without the lobby. The same will not be true with the Portal, although I'm sure EnEsCe has taken a few steps to make sure that if the server does go down, interruption is at a minimum.

[L[0ne]R]

you'll have to go through all that registration and verification process.

How long did it take for you? 1 or 2 minutes?

About 10 because the activation email wouldn't arrive.
I know it doesnt seem like that big of a deal to you, but trust me, sometimes simple thing like registration requires more effort than it seems. Maybe you just haven't experienced that.

Almost the same with Soldat lobby.

But at least in case of soldat lobby you can still use your favorite servers list, manually enter the IP, or use a browser-based lobby. Even if lobby is down you can still play online.

This would ruin the whole concept...

How would it ruin it? And what exactly is that concept?
The only thing that would be ruined is the ID-based ban system, because cheaters will not use online accounts and therefore won't have IDs. However BattlEye is doing a good enough job, there's not that much need for even more measures against cheaters.

Friends list, stats, nick protection, user info - all that would still work for those who choose to create an account. Those who don't want to bother with account system for whatever reasons (maybe they just want to try out the game quickly, or they feel it overcomplicates Soldat, or just dont need those features, or have technical problems with that) - they could still use simple Soldat profiles.

[Veritas]

ID-based bans will be easy to get around anyway. It's trivial to make a new account.

[L[0ne]R]

ID-based bans will be easy to get around anyway. It's trivial to make a new account.

Well, you can only register one account per e-mail. So you'd not only have to create a new account, but a new email too, which isn't a fun process.
So I'd say it IS an effective measure, it's just Soldat's doing good enough without it.

[Veritas]

ID-based bans will be easy to get around anyway. It's trivial to make a new account.

Well, you can only register one account per e-mail. So you'd not only have to create a new account, but a new email too, which isn't a fun process.
So I'd say it IS an effective measure, it's just Soldat's doing good enough without it.

...it's also trivial to make a new e-mail account.

PS: I'm agreeing with you, so 

[L[0ne]R]

ID-based bans will be easy to get around anyway. It's trivial to make a new account.

Well, you can only register one account per e-mail. So you'd not only have to create a new account, but a new email too, which isn't a fun process.
So I'd say it IS an effective measure, it's just Soldat's doing good enough without it.

...it's also trivial to make a new e-mail account.

PS: I'm agreeing with you, so 

On the second thought, creating an email account doesn't require any activations, so yeah.. It won't stop ID-banned users from rejoining.
Worse - admins might stop using IP-bans and use ID-bans instead, which will reduce ban effectiveness in general since ID bans are easier and faster to go around.

[chutem]

I would say admins would ban IP and ID.

[Illuminatus]

ID bans are easier and faster to go around.

I don't know where you live but I can change my IP in ~7 seconds. If I ever get banned I just went [ALT]+[TAB] (playing in fullscreen), changing IP, back to Soldat and -woops- I'm again in that server...I don't think I'm gonna create a new account just to rejoin that server again...

Banning in Soldat never was effective, until now. That's what MM called "professional" I think - a great benefit for clanwars, leagues and gather.

[Boots]

it's stupid and not needed for a game like soldat.

[Veritas]

ID bans are easier and faster to go around.

I don't know where you live but I can change my IP in ~7 seconds. If I ever get banned I just went [ALT]+[TAB] (playing in fullscreen), changing IP, back to Soldat and -woops- I'm again in that server...I don't think I'm gonna create a new account just to rejoin that server again...

Banning in Soldat never was effective, until now. That's what MM called "professional" I think - a great benefit for clanwars, leagues and gather.

If you had to pay to get an ID, then yes, the ban would be effective.

As is, you now have to spend 5 minutes instead of 7 seconds - hardly an effective deterrent.

[Illuminatus]

there never were many haxors...this will bring them to a minimum everybody can live with...

[Mitak]

With modernization comes fast death. Keep it simple.

[GreenMachine]

why screw around with something that was perfect from day 1 ?

It just seems like the powers that be are just complicating the game for the sake of complicating.

Money is a good motivator in some things, but not everything.

[RafiPZ]

I don't see what the problem is. I don't know about you guys, but when I first played the game I didn't just immediately jump onto online play. I actually played offline for a while and found that I really liked it. If I had to register back then, I most certainly would have because the game is so much fun. To answer the question though, no, I don't think it's absolutely NECESSARY but I can see a bunch of cool things popping up from this.

[Cyrix]

I think as long as you DONT HAVE TO register everything will be fine. Just give a great deal of incentive so that people will. But like many people have said, its inportant in gaining new players, and i know there are a lot of players who end up registering because they were able to try the game in its entirety (gosh i dont know how to spell that word) before they decided to register or not.

[SpiltCoffee]

I think, as long as the process for creating a new account is clear and concise, then there really isn't a problem with discouraging new players.

[Mitak]

When those with the power say YES and those without the power say NO, it's never for good and too late to go back

[numgun]

I think I seem to understand whats the point of portal; hackers. However, as many already said, creating a new account would be a piece of cake and continue playing within seconds and the fact that it also cancels the REGISTRATION KEY THAT YOU PAYED FOR is just ridiculous.

Not to mention this kind of a system can be easily abused by admins to make someone's soldat life a hell because they might hate them personally or simply are just bored. (get the hint?).

I dont know if it was MM that ordered this or NSC's idea, but ultimately its no good. Hackers will always persist and this portal wont stop them.