AoE2:HD Spectator Mode

[ZeroEmpires]

Hey! I'm making a post about this in the hope that the developers will take this suggestion into consideration when they see just how much support there will be for a spectator mode in AoE2. Currently there is no way to watch a live AoE game unless you coop a player by choosing the same colour as them; this method is used in a lot of livestreams but there are still very many problems with it.
1) You can only see that players Line of Sight meaning that in a team game you have no idea what else is going on on the map; giving the commentator a very limited view of the game.
2) In a 4v4 there is no room left for a 9th player to coop, meaning that these games can never be streamed live by a caster unless one of the players streams.
3) Once cartography is researched you can see what the teammates of the player you are watching are doing; but you can still not see what technologies they are researching or have researched.

If AoE2 is to become more popular with streams and live content (Such as games like Starcraft 2, LoL and DotA) then a complete spectator mode will be really important to achieve that. I know it's a lot to ask and a big task to achieve but it could really revolutionize the game and give it some more relevence many years after its release. I hope the devs can consider this; and for those of you who are in support of this: please comment below with your thoughts!

-Zak.

[Sir Jaffa Cakes / Max]

I would LOVE to see a proper spectator/caster mode for AoE2 especially being able to see what they're researching :)

[FinnO]

Good idea, Zak!

[Chinês ExoY]

+1 love this idea personally I'd like to get better by watching streams and tournments but it's just a shame that only 1 player is spoiled, just give it a delay of 5 minutes or more and spectator slots each game so we can watch high ELO games in-game aswell

thank you :)

[siege]

Hell yeah! I've been in situations where I just want to watch and help my friend improve, without effecting my win/loss ratio by resigning. (if not, can we be eagles? :3)

[squeak]

+1

[flappy!!!]

I personally don't see why a game shouldn't have spectator mode, so I'm all for AoE getting it.

[Parker M]

Yes, this is a great idea, and it is essential for AoE HD to garner more of a competitive crowd. Also, maybe make a UI element that shows units being produceds/tech being researched.

[Dalv]

we are expecting spec mode for years now

[AK_ViejoZorro]

+1, it is a old idea in aoczone. its neccesary implement if microsoft wants compete vs dota, lol, sc2 etc...

[Jaks]

+1

[(:Burundukas:) LT.]

+over 9000 That would be awesome. I would love to learn stuff from watching how other players.

[DawNeD]

Would be awesome indeed!

[Eleandro]

+1
Great idea! Would be really helpful to stream aoe and make this game more popular

[LordMalte]

Very good idea indeed, I would love to see that in game!

[sralilos]

i want to see a spectator mode aswell would be really awesome!