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[Throwaway_bicycling]

I apologize for the abrupt subject line. Also, I am a new user on this forum, but not new to the game.

But, to cut to the chase, there seem to be problems or issues with the current implementation that are now preventing most or all of the potential users of the service from, well, using the service. I think I know from previous traffic on this site and others that it has been something of a struggle to keep Dominion running reliably using the existing implementation and infrastructure, and, I suspect, the size of the current user base is a problem as well (briefly, I surmise it is too small to support a consistent development effort but too large, at least seasonally, to be accommodated by a bare bones implementation strategy)

So my question, as an interested observer willing to commit some additional funds to a rescue effort, has there been any serious attempt to assess what is needed and whether the community can make it happen?

[fuzzyfrap]

I would happily buy Dominion Online if having it cost money would make it actually work.

[KingZog3]

This kind of stuff has been discussed a lot. If you just let MakingFun do their work, I'm sure it'll be a good playable version of dominion.

[liopoil]

This kind of stuff has been discussed a lot. If you just let MakingFun do their work, I'm sure it'll be a good playable version of dominion.

I'm not confident that it will be playable all of the time, and am confident that it will continue to have major flaws even when it is playable.

[Beyond Awesome]

Well, the new version they have been working on claims to have scrapped the Goko code. I think they are just working out the kinks, but don't want to release an unpolished product like what happened last time with what we have currently.

[SCSN]

Goko is fine, why do people even complain about Goko. They can't all be the best online implementation ever.

[Awaclus]

Goko is fine, why do people even complain about Goko. They can't all be the best online implementation ever.

Especially Goko.

[Donald X.]

I apologize for the abrupt subject line. Also, I am a new user on this forum, but not new to the game.

But, to cut to the chase, there seem to be problems or issues with the current implementation that are now preventing most or all of the potential users of the service from, well, using the service. I think I know from previous traffic on this site and others that it has been something of a struggle to keep Dominion running reliably using the existing implementation and infrastructure, and, I suspect, the size of the current user base is a problem as well (briefly, I surmise it is too small to support a consistent development effort but too large, at least seasonally, to be accommodated by a bare bones implementation strategy)

So my question, as an interested observer willing to commit some additional funds to a rescue effort, has there been any serious attempt to assess what is needed and whether the community can make it happen?

Oh hey I recognize you from the Temporum reddit. Incidentally: for the moment, I recommend putting Temporum rules questions on BGG.

Making Fun is committed to making online Dominion a good thing that's profitable and everything. I secretly know that two (2) people started working on a completely new version in the fall (autumn). I feel like now is about the time they must have been hoping to be ready to launch it (based on them hoping to have the next Dominion expansion online at the same time as it comes out in stores). That may have caused them to hope extra hard that the current issues would go away without devoting a lot of time to them.

Anyway you don't need to do anything; yes right now it's having awful issues, and I don't know what will happen there in the very short term, but at some point, I expect in the near future, this awfulness will be replaced by whatever experience the new version provides, and then we can worry about what that version needs.

[Donald X.]

Oh hey I recognize you from the Temporum reddit. Incidentally: for the moment, I recommend putting Temporum rules questions on BGG.

Replying to Throwaway_bicycling here! I am not saying anything negative about the Temporum reddit or any such thing. Forums with a low amount of conversation may still be doing something for somebody. I don't need to judge that, the people using those forums can work it out for themselves. I will similarly have no complaints if you start up rec.games.temporum.

I was just saying, rules questions for Temporum, at this point in time when the game is young and there are things left to ask, are either going to be answered by the rulebook, or will depend on me to answer them. And if I'm the only one with the answer, well, I'm not on reddit. I will not be appearing to answer the question. Currently I'm just on BGG and here. Either place is fine for rules questions, I'm not picky.

[Throwaway_bicycling]

Oh hey I recognize you from the Temporum reddit. Incidentally: for the moment, I recommend putting Temporum rules questions on BGG.

Replying to Throwaway_bicycling here! I am not saying anything negative about the Temporum reddit or any such thing. Forums with a low amount of conversation may still be doing something for somebody. I don't need to judge that, the people using those forums can work it out for themselves. I will similarly have no complaints if you start up rec.games.temporum.

I was just saying, rules questions for Temporum, at this point in time when the game is young and there are things left to ask, are either going to be answered by the rulebook, or will depend on me to answer them. And if I'm the only one with the answer, well, I'm not on reddit. I will not be appearing to answer the question. Currently I'm just on BGG and here. Either place is fine for rules questions, I'm not picky.

Well, if we were teleported back to Golden Age of Usenet (Can't believe that's not a zone in the game, btw) I probably would have spent a lot of time and effort to get the votes for rec.games.temporum but settled for alt.temporum. :-) My severe rn addiction back in the day did not do much to speed work on my dissertation.

Good point on the place to pose rules questions, etc. I do try to limit the number of forums I follow and participate in, so I understand your position here. I may yet bite the bullet and go for a BGG account since there is, as you note, more activity over there than on reddit as present and I appear to be one of the game's biggest fans. :-/

[Throwaway_bicycling]

Making Fun is committed to making online Dominion a good thing that's profitable and everything. I secretly know that two (2) people started working on a completely new version in the fall (autumn). I feel like now is about the time they must have been hoping to be ready to launch it (based on them hoping to have the next Dominion expansion online at the same time as it comes out in stores). That may have caused them to hope extra hard that the current issues would go away without devoting a lot of time to them.

Anyway you don't need to do anything; yes right now it's having awful issues, and I don't know what will happen there in the very short term, but at some point, I expect in the near future, this awfulness will be replaced by whatever experience the new version provides, and then we can worry about what that version needs.

Thanks very much for the reply; it was very useful.

I will admit that I was a bit worried the problems were deeper, and with my Genetically Related Opponent heading back to school, I was facing the prospect of playing a lot less Dominion, hence the panic.

I am too young in the game to have known Isotropic, and, to be honest, when Making Fun came and appeared to stabilize the Dominion Online situation in Spring of 2014, so you could predictably play the game, I didn't really have too much to complain about, so I didn't.

[SwitchedFromStarcraft]

I am too young in the game to have known Isotropic, and, to be honest, when Making Fun came and appeared to stabilize the Dominion Online situation in Spring of 2014, so you could predictably play the game, I didn't really have too much to complain about, so I didn't.

If only that had continued to be the case, I suspect that many of us would not have much to complain about (relative to online Dominion).

[Witherweaver]

I apologize for the abrupt subject line. Also, I am a new user on this forum, but not new to the game.

But, to cut to the chase, there seem to be problems or issues with the current implementation that are now preventing most or all of the potential users of the service from, well, using the service. I think I know from previous traffic on this site and others that it has been something of a struggle to keep Dominion running reliably using the existing implementation and infrastructure, and, I suspect, the size of the current user base is a problem as well (briefly, I surmise it is too small to support a consistent development effort but too large, at least seasonally, to be accommodated by a bare bones implementation strategy)

So my question, as an interested observer willing to commit some additional funds to a rescue effort, has there been any serious attempt to assess what is needed and whether the community can make it happen?

Oh hey I recognize you from the Temporum reddit. Incidentally: for the moment, I recommend putting Temporum rules questions on BGG.

Making Fun is committed to making online Dominion a good thing that's profitable and everything. I secretly know that two (2) people started working on a completely new version in the fall (autumn). I feel like now is about the time they must have been hoping to be ready to launch it (based on them hoping to have the next Dominion expansion online at the same time as it comes out in stores). That may have caused them to hope extra hard that the current issues would go away without devoting a lot of time to them.

Anyway you don't need to do anything; yes right now it's having awful issues, and I don't know what will happen there in the very short term, but at some point, I expect in the near future, this awfulness will be replaced by whatever experience the new version provides, and then we can worry about what that version needs.

That sounds awesome, I can't wait for the obligatory "Goko Was Better" threads!

[GeoLib]

I apologize for the abrupt subject line. Also, I am a new user on this forum, but not new to the game.

But, to cut to the chase, there seem to be problems or issues with the current implementation that are now preventing most or all of the potential users of the service from, well, using the service. I think I know from previous traffic on this site and others that it has been something of a struggle to keep Dominion running reliably using the existing implementation and infrastructure, and, I suspect, the size of the current user base is a problem as well (briefly, I surmise it is too small to support a consistent development effort but too large, at least seasonally, to be accommodated by a bare bones implementation strategy)

So my question, as an interested observer willing to commit some additional funds to a rescue effort, has there been any serious attempt to assess what is needed and whether the community can make it happen?

Oh hey I recognize you from the Temporum reddit. Incidentally: for the moment, I recommend putting Temporum rules questions on BGG.

Making Fun is committed to making online Dominion a good thing that's profitable and everything. I secretly know that two (2) people started working on a completely new version in the fall (autumn). I feel like now is about the time they must have been hoping to be ready to launch it (based on them hoping to have the next Dominion expansion online at the same time as it comes out in stores). That may have caused them to hope extra hard that the current issues would go away without devoting a lot of time to them.

Anyway you don't need to do anything; yes right now it's having awful issues, and I don't know what will happen there in the very short term, but at some point, I expect in the near future, this awfulness will be replaced by whatever experience the new version provides, and then we can worry about what that version needs.

That sounds awesome, I can't wait for the obligatory "Goko Was Better" threads!

No they'll be "salvager was better" threads because salvager won't work with the new system :-(

[qmech]

No they'll be "salvager was better" threads because salvager won't work with the new system :-(

I'm suddenly scared.

[Kirian]

No they'll be "salvager was better" threads because salvager won't work with the new system :-(

I'm suddenly scared.

Well, all MF needs to do is make sure the new version has auto match, better log and chat support, ignore lists, etc.

[Mic Qsenoch]

No they'll be "salvager was better" threads because salvager won't work with the new system :-(

I'm suddenly scared.

Well, all MF needs to do is make sure the new version has auto match, better log and chat support, ignore lists, etc.

This is the least reassuring post I have ever seen.

[Kirian]

No they'll be "salvager was better" threads because salvager won't work with the new system :-(

I'm suddenly scared.

Well, all MF needs to do is make sure the new version has auto match, better log and chat support, ignore lists, etc.

This is the least reassuring post I have ever seen.

I do what I can, man.

[Witherweaver]

They can't all be the most reassuring post ever.

[SwitchedFromStarcraft]

No they'll be "salvager was better" threads because salvager won't work with the new system :-(

I'm suddenly scared.

Well, all MF needs to do is make sure the new version has auto match, better log and chat support, ignore lists, etc.

I'd like to get an extra side order of "etc." please, like being able to log on, the game actually working...

[Kirian]

No they'll be "salvager was better" threads because salvager won't work with the new system :-(

I'm suddenly scared.

Well, all MF needs to do is make sure the new version has auto match, better log and chat support, ignore lists, etc.

I'd like to get an extra side order of "etc." please, like being able to log on, the game actually working...

I'm assuming that we won't get a new version that doesn't fix the most basic issues.  Otherwise what would be the point of a new version other than busy work?

[Davio]

The new version will be Java Applet and you need Microsoft's own buggy Java VM to play it.

Actually, I don't have many issues with Goko nowadays, but that's mainly due to Salvager which really rescued the experience for a lot of people. Seeing it gone and being at the mercy of a rewrite which will likely make the same mistakes again scares me.

[SwitchedFromStarcraft]

No they'll be "salvager was better" threads because salvager won't work with the new system :-(

I'm suddenly scared.

Well, all MF needs to do is make sure the new version has auto match, better log and chat support, ignore lists, etc.

I'd like to get an extra side order of "etc." please, like being able to log on, the game actually working...

I'm assuming that we won't get a new version that doesn't fix the most basic issues.  Otherwise what would be the point of a new version other than busy work?

I'm not sure I understand your first sentence, but I think given the context of the second, you are saying "why would they put out a new version that doesn't at least work in the most basic way?".  If that is what you are saying, that's the question I've asked about the current version online: what's the point of leaving something up (regardless of its source), continuing to collect money for it while it doesn't work, and expect to generate any interest from new players, positive press, goodwill, or profit?  The revenue stream I guess.

[SwitchedFromStarcraft]

The new version will be Java Applet and you need Microsoft's own buggy Java VM to play it.

Actually, I don't have many issues with Goko nowadays, but that's mainly due to Salvager which really rescued the experience for a lot of people. Seeing it gone and being at the mercy of a rewrite which will likely make the same mistakes again scares me.

Well if its on a Microsoft platform, at least we know to turn it off by pressing "Start".

[Kirian]

The new version will be Java Applet and you need Microsoft's own buggy Java VM to play it.

Or worse, the new version will be in Flash.

[Gherald]

The new version will be Java Applet and you need Microsoft's own buggy Java VM to play it.

Or worse, the new version will be in Flash.

Flash sucks.

However, it's funny because the majority of multiplayer Flash games out there function better and crash less than the current implementation of Dominion Online.

[Beyond Awesome]

Someone needs to put in a request about being able to determine turn order or do out the iso way

[GeoLib]

Someone needs to put in a request about being able to determine turn order or do out the iso way

And a request for a post-game log that can be unambiguously parsed to determine game state. And functioning chat that doesn't cover the cards. And automatch. And a friends list. And a blacklist. And a way to challenge people.

[SwitchedFromStarcraft]

This thread gets funnier and funnier.

[Davio]

Maybe it can have a rating system based on a rating system based on Isotropic's rating system.

Isotropishish.

[GeoLib]

Maybe it can have a rating system based on a rating system based on Isotropic's rating system.

Isotropishish.

I thought about including that, but since we can continue to have our own rating system I don't really care as much about that.

[ashersky]

The new version will be Java Applet and you need Microsoft's own buggy Java VM to play it.

Or worse, the new version will be in Flash.

Flash sucks.

However, it's funny because the majority of multiplayer Flash games out there function better and crash less than the current implementation of Dominion Online.

I heard asynch Facebook only.

[qmech]

The new version will be Java Applet and you need Microsoft's own buggy Java VM to play it.

Or worse, the new version will be in Flash.

Flash sucks.

However, it's funny because the majority of multiplayer Flash games out there function better and crash less than the current implementation of Dominion Online.

I heard asynch Facebook only.

No, stop it now.

[Kirian]

The new version will be Java Applet and you need Microsoft's own buggy Java VM to play it.

Or worse, the new version will be in Flash.

Flash sucks.

However, it's funny because the majority of multiplayer Flash games out there function better and crash less than the current implementation of Dominion Online.

I heard asynch Facebook only.

No, stop it now.

Despite my earlier joke, I think it's been said explicitly that they'll be using Unity.

[Throwaway_bicycling]

The new version will be Java Applet and you need Microsoft's own buggy Java VM to play it.

Or worse, the new version will be in Flash.

Flash sucks.

However, it's funny because the majority of multiplayer Flash games out there function better and crash less than the current implementation of Dominion Online.

I heard asynch Facebook only.

No, stop it now.

Despite my earlier joke, I think it's been said explicitly that they'll be using Unity.

Is this the source for that comment?
http://www.pockettactics.com/news/ios-news/pocket-tactics-exclusive-dominon-coming-mobile-year-native-app/

Anyway, it looks like it is at least theoretically possible to develop games that can also use (e.g.) your Google credentials to sign in. In which case I honestly don't care how they implement it, so long as it works more smoothly. That said, the pockettactics.com article also suggested the new version would be available by the end of 2014...so I guess we'll see how things actually turn out.

[Kirian]

The new version will be Java Applet and you need Microsoft's own buggy Java VM to play it.

Or worse, the new version will be in Flash.

Flash sucks.

However, it's funny because the majority of multiplayer Flash games out there function better and crash less than the current implementation of Dominion Online.

I heard asynch Facebook only.

No, stop it now.

Despite my earlier joke, I think it's been said explicitly that they'll be using Unity.

Is this the source for that comment?
http://www.pockettactics.com/news/ios-news/pocket-tactics-exclusive-dominon-coming-mobile-year-native-app/

Anyway, it looks like it is at least theoretically possible to develop games that can also use (e.g.) your Google credentials to sign in. In which case I honestly don't care how they implement it, so long as it works more smoothly. That said, the pockettactics.com article also suggested the new version would be available by the end of 2014...so I guess we'll see how things actually turn out.

I thought I'd heard it separately as well but I could be wrong.

I love all the comments at the bottom about how other games like Ascension and Star Realms have "built on " Dominion, and Dominion isn't as good any longer.  So much LOL.

[SwitchedFromStarcraft]

If it loads, and works, and runs, one could argue that it is indeed "better" than a game that is technically a "higher quality" game (like Dominion).  I'm not weighing in on one side of that discussion or the other, but I'm just sayin'...

[popsofctown]

I have an idea for Dominion Online.  The lack of automatch would be a bit more bearable if you could see all the games made in one big room so you don't have to jump around.  There is a 50 person limit per room right now, probably due to unwanted walls built long ago.

We can start by knocking down the wall between the Counting House and the Council Room.  I am sending Making Fun the image of a fireman's axe so that they can start knocking down the wall.  Please send your own assistance.

[Witherweaver]

I have an idea for Dominion Online.  The lack of automatch would be a bit more bearable if you could see all the games made in one big room so you don't have to jump around.  There is a 50 person limit per room right now, probably due to unwanted walls built long ago.

We can start by knocking down the wall between the Counting House and the Council Room.  I am sending Making Fun the image of a fireman's axe so that they can start knocking down the wall.  Please send your own assistance.

Mr. Welch, tear down this wall.

[Kirian]

If it loads, and works, and runs, one could argue that it is indeed "better" than a game that is technically a "higher quality" game (like Dominion).  I'm not weighing in on one side of that discussion or the other, but I'm just sayin'...

They were talking about the cardboard versions, not the online.

[SwitchedFromStarcraft]

Thank you, didn't grok that.

[popsofctown]

If it loads, and works, and runs, one could argue that it is indeed "better" than a game that is technically a "higher quality" game (like Dominion).  I'm not weighing in on one side of that discussion or the other, but I'm just sayin'...

They were talking about the cardboard versions, not the online.

I think the cardboard version of Puzzle strike, with chips, is a better implementation!  Heavily outweighed by balance concerns, sadly.

[Kirian]

Thank you, didn't grok that.

Even more amusing/annoying is that they called out Ascension and Star Realms, neither of which builds in any meaningful way on Dominion--and both of which lose a lot of the strategy--and ignored Eminent Domain, one of the few deck-builders that actually does something truly different from Dominion.