Not sure how to play with others

[Tallin]

So I bought the game during the steam sale and have had a blast with it playing in offline mode with the AI playing the other partners. I only did this to learn a little about the game and to learn what the heists were all about so I wouldnt look totally inept when I got the guts to try playing with real people. I am almost level? 50 now and have played most of the heists (havent done Big Bank).

I am not sure exactly how to play with other people...do you just pick a heist on Crime Net and jump in? How do you know what level or class or equipment the other people are using? How do most people communicate in game? ( I have a mic that I can use). How do you know if people are going loud or stealth on a heist before joining?

There doesnt really seem to be any "Lobby" in the game for people to get together and decide to go on a heist together. Do people only play with friends? Or do they have to post in a forum like the Crews & Clans to meet people?

I would like to meet up with others to play but am a 40+ year old retired former US Marine with lots of time to play so not really interested in being cursed out by a bunch of 12 year olds like some other games I have tried online.

Any help appreciated.

Tallin

[Swordmouse]

Long story short, you click Crimenet, and click on a heist that sounds like fun on a difficulty you feel like doing, and take a chance. From there, you can see the levels of your fellow heisters. Once on the mission pre-screen, you can see what equipment everyone else is bringing. If you see the host in a suit with silenced weapons, you probably know he wants to stealth. Otherwise, just ask. ;)

Mic is fine, even preferred.

Heist selection is ultimately up to the host, but once in a lobby you can provide suggestions or requests if asked. Sometimes you might just want to find a different lobby once your current contract is complete, though.

Lastly, the game can be a lot more fun when played with friends in my opinion, especially to reduce or eliminate the chance of encountering angry children, abusive hosts, cheaters, ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥, and chronically inept players.

I'll throw you a friend request. I play sporadically, but having one more potential teammate on your list that isn't terrible never hurts.

[Tallin]

Thanks I appreciate the explanations and the help, hope to see you around.

[River]

Be aware that certain parts of the online community look down on asking questions or looking uncertain about anything, so do your best not to ask too many questions. The players of this game have picked up a habit of kicking people very quickly, so expect somewhere between half and a third of your games to end with either a kick or disconnect.

[Enepttastic!]

Originally posted by Nargacuga:

Be aware that certain parts of the online community look down on asking questions or looking uncertain about anything, so do your best not to ask too many questions.

Three posts into the thread and there's already some horrific advice. Awesome.

While Nargacuga's not wrong about that subset of the gaming community, the mere idea of suggesting that they are to be coddled is repungant.

[Kopuz]

Originally posted by Nargacuga:

Be aware that certain parts of the online community look down on asking questions or looking uncertain about anything, so do your best not to ask too many questions. The players of this game have picked up a habit of kicking people very quickly, so expect somewhere between half and a third of your games to end with either a kick or disconnect.

Ask as many questions as you want dude, I would much prefer to play with a person who knows what to do and I would always help and I'm sure many other people would to. If you get kicked for asking a question well its probably for the best as those people are most likely a holes.

[Oddjob]

1. Use your mic, it's much easier than typing
2. Try to be helpful

[Tallin]

Well if you get kicked for asking questions I'll probably get kicked a bunch lol, the single player offline mode can only teach you so much. I have read what I can about as many of the missions as I can but am sure its alot different with real people.

[hirnlappen]

Originally posted by Nargacuga:

do your best not to ask too many questions.

I completely disagree. You might get kicked for asking questions that the host thinks are dumb - but only by hosts you don't really want to be playing with anyway.
Good hosts are very happy when questions are asked, both because answering them leads to fewer mistakes and because it shows an interest in learning the game and listening to good advice.
I prefer a noob who asks questions and learns to a veteran who thinks he alone knows best and does his own thing any day of the week.