But let's start off by describing the problem. Some of my (and perhaps your) friends can't just minimize the game if they want to switch to Windows because they are using Windows 8. So they have to close and restart the game, which becomes a burden for them.
My suggestion is to create a chat tool that mimics the RA2 internet lobby. The chat tool would allow them to login with one of their nicknames, so these players can communicate with other players and arrange games while they are in Windows. If they have found an opponent, they will, for now, still need to start the game (manually). In the future this could be automated to be able to join and accept games with the chat tool and then the chat tool automatically starts and spawns into the game. Sounds complicated but not impossible as someone else already managed to do this for network games.
The chat tool would look just like the RA2 internet lobby (it would display open games, players sitting in the lobby and of course the chat) except it would be a neat little application which can be minimized, moved around, could beep/blink when receiving a private message or a page. It would connect to XWIS just like the game would (ServServ and IRC).
CONS:
- Someone actually needs to create this tool without getting banned first (currently such tools aren't allowed for good reasons).
- It could actually help with activity due to Windows 8 players being able to stay connected and others not just logging off because there would be more players in the lobby they can potentially play with.
- It could show a bunch more information than you can see in RA2, like if someone is using the maps patch.
- It could help take care of compatibility problems in the future, when the spawner is implemented.
- It wouldn't have a rogue thread consuming 100 % of CPU like RA2 does.
Edited by Sustanon, 18 November 2015 - 07:53 PM.
