I was just wondering myself why Relic eliminated the option to search for automatches, regardless of 1v1, 2v2, as random faction like in CoH1?
I am not talking about mixed random games aka OKW vs. OKW. In CoH1 you could select a random faction in automatch and would then be assigned to the, probably at this particular moment least used, faction as allies vs. axis.
For example, if I choose to search as random faction 1v1 & 2v2 and you choose to search as OKW 1v1, we could still automatically be matched up against each other as Brits (me) vs. OKW (you) in 1v1 automatch, making both of us happy with our choices and adding more diversity to the game.
This would often lead to an extra portion of excitement and unpredictability regarding the next match and could also potentially reduce faction fanboyism slightly, or developing a tendency towards a certain faction, since more diverse faction picking/playing is promoted.
//Edit:
First, here are the gathered advantages so far:
- Faster automatching for most players, as some choose to search as random faction
- Everyone is happy, players who prefer a specific faction, and players who like to be surprised
- Slightly more faction diversity, working against faction fanboyism
As developers and community often strive to mitigate heavy one-sided faction fanboyism, we could implement a small reward for searching/playing as random faction in automatch. For example, a higher chance for more or better Spoil of War rewards (Commanders, skins, medals) etc. This way we could encourage players slightly to play with more (random) factions. In the end faction diversity is always better for a healthy community that is aiming to balance the game in the right way.
Official companyofheroes.com post and poll results:
https://community.companyofheroes.com/discussion/244598/would-you-like-the-idea-of-being-able-to-search-as-random-faction-in-automatches-like-in-coh1
Does anyone have any more information or clues as of why it got kicked out?
Cheers