Pause in daily challenge?

[markakeen]

Since the daily challenge is a single player option, I wondered what the thinking is for not allowing the ability to pause?

[hexapus]

You are actually competing for the top spot on the leader board for daily challenges

[markakeen]

Yes I understand that, but everyone has access to the pause button, and can play at their own pace, in what is essentially a single player experience. After all, it is supposed to be a strategy game, not all about who can press buttons the quickest...

I would love to see how my play style and strategising measures up to others, but I can't compete in that timeframe.

a) Firstly, my brain just doesn't work that way. I think deeply, but slowly. I get flustered, and stressed when trying to do too many things too quickly.

b) Secondly, because of my disability I have to do everything via the mouse - and that includes hotkey presses by using the on-screen keyboard on a separate monitor. For instance, to set auto selling, it takes way longer to move the mouse to a separate monitor to press the SHIFT key, then press the CTRL key, then move the mouse back to click on the item I want to auto sell, then move the mouse back again to the on-screen keyboard to cancel the SHIFT and CTRL keys, before moving the mouse back to the game to continue playing! And obviously it's similar with other hotkeys too.

I fully accept that I can't compete in true multiplayer, but I don't see why the pseudo-multiplayer (single player) daily challenge has to be played at the same rate :-(

[Base Invader]

As a player without the disadvantages you describe I can understand why a fairer playing field would be desireable. Im sure I dont know half the hotkeys but those I do generally assist greatly.

The problem is even I know my game style is wildly different with and without the pause button. Its much easier to run a company mistake free with that freeze time option. The odd bits you miss by getting caught up in the heat of the game are where additional margins can be found and a game with access to both pause and replays of players activities would lead to a very bland robotic approach to each game.

[markakeen]

As you say, "it is easier to run a company mistake free with the freeze time option". However, just because you are able to play without any perceived 'mistake', doesn't mean you are playing well, or that someone else doesn't have a better strategy.

This game has very deep strategic play, and it is full of interesting decisions, from deciding on base type and placement, to choosing how to use limited claims, how aggressive or defensive to play, and which late game buildings to aim for. There are countless decisions a player must make throughout the game, with or without the option to pause...

"The odd bits you miss by getting caught up in the heat of the game are where additional margins can be found.".

You are implying that it's possible to play perfectly with access to the pause key. If this is truly the case, then it is a very shallow game.

[Base Invader]

Im implying its significantly easier to iron out mistakes. Those precious seconds you cut each resource change. Pausing and buying building materials on founding to push up upgrade costs for others to gain a small edge there.

The time to purvey all your opponents activities relentlessly to form decisions removes the nessesity to multi-task during the game. Being aware of what else is going on and dividing your time between elements that are important or developing and what elements are not also removes a huge tactical element of the game.

The speed at which you recognise potential problems and work out a soloution to resolve them also wont be a factor if you can pause.

I agree the game shouldnt be about the speed you can click at but this needs to be balanced against what is lost taking all speed calculations out the equation.

[markakeen]

And I can see that you are very good at playing the game in this way, and that you really enjoy it - and I wouldn't want to take that away from you.

You can play that way, in either multiplayer, or the daily challenge. Is it too much to suggest that there be an option when you start the daily challenge to enable or disable the pause button? Afterall, it's no big deal if there are two leaderboards...

[Base Invader]

I personally think the option would be a good thing. I think there are other players who struggle with the speed factor.

Perhaps a happy compromise to select options at the start of a daily challenge that would either create a seperate challenge list or hold thier performance off comparing it to those who did have to contend with the time factor.

Tbh im not too fussed about the rating list im just going for the 100 Daily challenge completions so ill usually just blat through it and not focus too much on perfecting a performance. There are enough people who genuinly cheat to cause friction on the list if that stuff bothered you.

But Im just trying to be honest, I dont think without pausing I would have been able to win a campaign on Guru, Fair play to those who can. But it also means I understand how much this can enhance a performance.

[markakeen]

Well, for me, it would just be another way to experience the game. I know some achievements are tied to the daily challenge, and it would be nice if I could at least have a chance.

The only time I did try the challenge, the map looked really interesting, and different from any others I had played thus far. I just like the idea of being thrust into a game with a map and settings that are not of my choosing.

I have all the DLC, so it's not a big deal, because I have plenty of other things to try out in the game - assuming that a lot of the other DLC stuff (which I haven't looked at yet), doesn't involve playing in real time! :-)

[Base Invader]

I've noticed the infinate challenge does limit you time wise. However things like the Scenario tool kits and Blue chip ventures don't.

I've been enjoying both of those as they often present completely unique games. As for the challenge related to daily challenge. I think the greater challenge is doing 100 of them in the first place rather than winning each one haha.