Is COH2 played competitively?

Jump back to quoted post13 Jun 2018, 10:35 AMruleworld

In the game RNG plays a big part. Which means the game is not fair. So is COH2 played competitively in any eSport?

Jump back to quoted post13 Jun 2018, 15:08 PMLago

And you don't need dice for probability to be in your game. Say you're up against OKW and the metagame is going Luchs. That's what they're most likely to do, but they could also go early Flak HT or bring out a Puma first. They're not likely to to but it's possible, so you've got to account for those possibilities too.

Jump back to quoted post13 Jun 2018, 15:46 PMBrotgrenadier

I agree with your differentiation between RNG and probablity, but you can't compare randomness from games to randomness from players.

Difference is that human psychology is not random and player decisions are 100% made by the player himself and are thus completely controllable. Its a difference wether you get rekt by a lucky mortar shell or your opponent caught you off guard with an unexpected build-order.

I would even go as far as to say that exactly there lies the "meat" in a lot of competitive games, as you are truly playing against the other player, and not playing against the game per se.

Jump back to quoted post13 Jun 2018, 12:58 PMferwiner

Randomness makes a huge difference in most sports. For example, in sports like ski jumping, sailing or golf, a lot can depend on wind. Even in football you have a coin toss. Not to mention bridge or poker where randomness is the key feature.

You could say the game is unfair because of this only if you could actually hack the pseudorandom number generator that coh2 uses.

Jump back to quoted post13 Jun 2018, 19:21 PMruleworld

This does not necessarily have to be true for PC games. In golf/soccer there can be a random factor like you said, even in chess the white piece moves first which is an advantage or inequality at least. However, it is possible to make a PC game 100% accurate and fair, even RTS and Shooter games. I think AoE and RoN don't have randomness in it. I played them a lot and it seemed the damage was very consistent. I have Men of War but I have not played it because I don't like the graphics (units too small).

Jump back to quoted post13 Jun 2018, 19:52 PMferwiner

Does the lack of randomness make the game any better? Or does it simply make it more boring to watch? The opinions will probably vary.

Jump back to quoted post13 Jun 2018, 19:52 PMferwiner

But as I said there are some sport games, for example card based, where randomness is the clue and main factor. And these games are still played competitively, including very high skill and high cash prizes, like poker for example.

Jump back to quoted post13 Jun 2018, 21:31 PMruleworld

Since the opinions vary, there could be a option to turn RNG off. By default it could be turned on but I think most people would turn it off if it was possible. Then of course we would have two separate group of players, but I don't see a problem it it. It should be about making everyone happy. I think the overwhelming majority would turn RNG off if there was a option.

Jump back to quoted post13 Jun 2018, 21:31 PMruleworld

I played quite a lot card games as well. When you play cards, you know it sometimes can be a pure game of luck where skill means nothing. Nothing can be done about that. However, for RTS games something can be done.

Jump back to quoted post13 Jun 2018, 22:47 PMferwiner

Depends on the game. But in professional poker competitions there is no place for "pure game of luck where skill means nothing". The winner is the best player.

Jump back to quoted post13 Jun 2018, 22:42 PMGI John 412

The lack of absolute control is probably the best part of the CoH franchise. Knowing how to mitigate the RNG or use it to your favor is what gives the game a high skill cap. Games based on ability DPS values are boring because you KNOW without a doubt who is going to win each engagement, which lowers the tension because of its consistency. Watching a retreating squad’s last man get away (or barely not get away!) is what gives spectators a reason to watch.

Jump back to quoted post13 Jun 2018, 10:35 AMruleworld

In the game RNG plays a big part. Which means the game is not fair. So is COH2 played competitively in any eSport?

Jump back to quoted post14 Jun 2018, 09:26 AMElSlayer

Player's skill includes his ability to forsee outcomes of RNG and probability of these outcomes and use that information to turn engagements into his favor while making decisions. It is risk management.