Breakfast Topic: Looking for group!
by Elizabeth Harper 
Dec 11th 2006 at 9:30AM
Do you remember the mass chaos that occurred with the global looking for group channel went in? As I recall, it was a little crazy. The line was quickly overrun by random spam which drove many players from the line and lead a number of people back to old habits -- like typing /who priest 58-60 and whispering down the list. Many protested the flawed system and asked for it to be removed. And now that it's gone, replaced by a sleeker interface? There's a number of players that can't stand the thing and demand the global LFG channel be reinstated. So if the old system wasn't right, and the new system isn't right, what's the best way to go about looking for a group? What do you think Blizzard should have implemented?Filed under: Breakfast Topics, Features
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sylythn Dec 11th 2006 9:50AM
Actually, ever since a reader here posted that tip about looking in the LFM window for groups, I've been quite happy with the new system. I never liked the idea of putting myself up on LFG to randomly be placed in a group at some random time...I want to look at who's in the group, get an idea of what it might be like, and THEN ask for admission. And through the LFM portion of the new system, I can still do that - though it does mark you as LFG for whatever you're searching for.
Beth Dec 11th 2006 10:17AM
I like it.
You can see new groups forming by hovering over the party leader and you can leave comments like "feral spec" or "shadow priest."
What I don't like is how they've restricted how many LFGs you can join and that the auto join check box isn't on that main screen.
All in all, a step in the right direction.
stew Dec 11th 2006 9:56AM
They need to fix some things about the new system. The looking for elite quest isn't working, it doesn't let you look for people needing a specific quest. It also doesn't seem to do very well when looking for a group for a specific zone. The only other problem is player side, and that is they need to use it. Other than that, I like the system, just sit back and let it do the stressful work of trying to build a group.
Immelmann Dec 11th 2006 9:56AM
Honestly I think the best way was with call of Arms filtering through all the crap in the LFG Channel. All They need is a in-game bulletin board. Or if they keep the new system, give us the ability to at least search the people who are LFG. And, lose autojoin. Its retarded. 9 times out of 10 someone autojoined a group on mistake. No one wants to join a group they don't know the make-up of. I think most people who join a group will see someone broadcasting a LFM, and send the leader a tell...
Wartoad Dec 11th 2006 10:18AM
Apparently the best wat to LFG is to spam the /2 Trade channel.
/2 Trade is the new Barrens on my server.
Conhant Dec 11th 2006 10:49AM
I think the system is good. People just need to be open to change. If they still want to use the LFG channel, I'm sure almost every server has a channel that is exactly that. Get over it.
Askander Dec 11th 2006 10:27PM
Actually I've used the tool a bit and like it quite a bit. I think it could use a bit more polish (being able to look for 60 instances while I'm on a lower level alt would be nice) but over all it's a huge improvement over the global LFG channel.
Wasyl Dec 14th 2006 5:27PM
I haven't used the new LFG, but the main complaints seem to be that it's too restricting, while the main complaints about the old system were that it was too loose. What we really need is a tool to help people form groups on their own, not something that tries to do it for us, but something a little more robust than just a chat channel.
jpc Dec 11th 2006 10:48AM
/2 WTB more for UBRS
Luka Dec 11th 2006 10:50AM
I personally love the new system. I discovered it in the Burning Crusade and I find it much more effective that the LFG chan.
But I agree the quest part should be a bit reworked to allow all quests to be used as a flag.
Ringo Dec 11th 2006 11:01AM
No one is looking for groups because they are all pvping for high warlord weapons / gear.
Gog Dec 11th 2006 11:02AM
The system is a step in the right direction. The global LFG channel was a disaster not because of design bur rather the jackasses who chatted in it. This system eliminates the jackass factor.
But yes, the trade channel has replaced the LFG channel as a place for idiots to chat with other idiots about idiotic things. Warcraft is much nicer now that I left every channel but local defense. Much more peaceful.
Druid dude Dec 11th 2006 1:02PM
Yeah, the trade channel is out of hand now. THey could have greatly improved the old LFG channel by doing 2 things: Place a 3 minute cooldown on posting and making General a global channel.
Jury's out on the new LFG system so far since, as someone else said, everyone is PVPing right now so there aren't that many groups going.
SoL Dec 11th 2006 11:27AM
There are both good things and bad things about the new system and no more lfg channel.
"If they still want to use the LFG channel, I'm sure almost every server has a channel that is exactly that. Get over it."
Well since that is a player created channel, you'll be fine untill a jackass gets moderator and mutes everyone, then what? The first day of the patch, I joined the player made LFG channel, got muted shortly there after. Kinda hard to look for a group when you can't talk.
There are a lot of good points for the LFG tool and channel both. Without the channel you can't look for a higher/lower level instance if your on your alt/main.
If your grinding away in that lonely spot in azshara, what is going to keep you from going insane from boredom without the LFG channel? >.>
I like how you can see who is in the group before you join it. If there's a known ninja, or just an unbearable jackass in the group, I wont join. Very very cool feature.
Anywho, enough bouncing around for me, back to my lonely time in IF
-Nightshifter - Cho'gall
Alan Isherwood Dec 11th 2006 5:58PM
I was looking for a Strath group the other night, and the problem is, it counts Live and UD as the same thing... so it keeps putting me in groups and I have to say "So, is this a UD or Live group". They say "Live", and I say "Oh, alright, thanks anyway" and leave group. 10 seconds later, the LFG system automatically puts me back in the same group...
Doug Dec 11th 2006 12:21PM
I can only comment on how it works on my server, Turalyon. Since wednesday, I have been using the new system and have found exactly one group during that time. As stated above, most people are pvping rather than running instances. The half-groups that i have managed to find include such gems as 2 locks and 2 hunters for scholo, with 2 of them being lvl 57. In addition, our LFG channel is dead, no one uses it. In time, the interface may be fine with a few tweaks, but at this moment, it's completely useless.
AdamW Dec 11th 2006 12:21PM
I personally like the interface, the main problems seem to be:
a.) So few people using the bleeding thing
b.) People don't always take themselves out when they've found a group
Honestly, it's a good idea, and with a few minor tweaks it'll be a fine utility, but there's still something to be said for a chat channel, or a bulletin board.
Donner Dec 12th 2006 12:40PM
I really think this could work it just needs to be worked on like they need to let people who are looking for groups to put in what job their willing to do based on class. Otherwise this thing is gonna screw us over time and time agian. Such as when a pally joins your group and refuses to heal when you have no other healing class.
Hub Dec 11th 2006 2:27PM
I like the interface, but it does need some tweeks. I just figured out last night that you have to select, "None" in the LFM tab to remove yourself from that list. I thought you were automatically dropped from it when you closed the interface. I understand the reasoning, but it's not very intuative.
I also think they need to bring back the LFG channel. It has its uses, and makes us feel a bit less impotent. Hopefully they bring it back after a while.
Warrior Lover Dec 11th 2006 1:44PM
In your screenshot I see the option for battleground. I don't seem to have that option in my LFG. Is this something in beta, BC, PTR's, or am I missing some core piece?