Project Reality Forums

I really like the concept of PR because I love proper realistic PC FPS mixed with proper coordinated teamwork and I want to enjoy this game, but it always turns out in to a frustrating experience.

I tried PR in 2011 and 2012, and now with the 1.0 version, I tried it again and stumble the same problems. But this time, I wanna stay, I wanna make this work out, so let me describe my experiences.

I cannot play as a lone wolf, games like these are not made for that, this was made with teamwork in mind and I want to be in a squad, that acts like one: communicates, moves as a single entity, has a squad-level objective etc. But where can I find such a squad? The PR vets know each other and lock their squad immediately after their friends are in, no matter how many empty slots are left in that squad (back in 2011-2012, I remember people locking a squad with only 2-3 people in it). If you managed to get in before they lock it, don't get enthusiastic because they kick you of the squad, without giving you a chance to show them that you're not from bf3/cod, that you actually enjoy teamwork and want to play properly. This is also happening now in 2013, the difference I saw is that they know lock the squad after they have 4< players but it doesnt make it less frustrating seeing empty slots in good teams that you cannot join + you don't have any other alternative because:
You are not welcomed in clan squads, nothing to do in non-infantry squads apc/transp/cas etc, cannot understand the language in the ?specific language? squad (I'm not hating or anything, but I saw ?english only? in the server, so how about respecting the rules) etc
The squads left are usually ?squads? only in name, because the squad leader made the squad just to be in one and doesnt give any orders, actually he leaves you at main base as soon as he catches a ride and the rest of the ?team? is scattered all over the map.
Sometimes you get lucky and join a random squad with a SL that actually wants to play properly, issues orders and keeps the team organized, but this such a rare occasion. I mean today in 5 hours I managed to play like this only 2 times. Funny thing is though this squad is usually occupied or it doesnt exist. In this situation I have to switch teams, but then you find out that in the other team is the same situation. So either you wait for someone to leave the squad or you switch servers. But then the servers are full so you stay on the lookout for someone to leave the server. After you finally join (takes a while) the whole process repeats.

So a big part of my 5 hours of PR today mostly consist of trying to find a squad to play with, an extremely frustrating activity that involves: getting kicked from squads, waiting for someone to leave a squad, trying to follow proper squads around because the squad I was in didn't give a sh1t, changing sides, changing server, waiting for empty slot on server etc.

I'm addressing the people that know how to play PR and lock their squad. If you are passionate about this game, stop doing it. Split yourselves up and create more squads. Nobody is telling you to play with immature people, if someone doesnt have the mentality for this game kick him of your squad, but there are a lot of new players out there who are coming here to play as a team. Nothing will motivate the DEVs more then populated servers. Dont make this increase of PR players temporary, make them stay.


I apologize for my english, it's not my native language.

You have to step up and SL yourself when you can't get into a good squad! Its a challenge and sometimes you get SMs that drink too much flouride water or something... and sometimes you just won't have a good experience. Sorry :/ I suggest playing on tacticalgamer if its ping is decent for you. Teamwork is usually the norm on that server.

I'm really sorry your experiences haven't been great.

But your issues are not with the mod itself, they are with the players. There's a known saying in PR's DEV circle:

"We can't mod the players".

Some suggestions of what you could do:

1. Try to play on servers that encourage teamwork and stick with it. Eventually you start recognizing people that play at the same times as you and you can join in with them. Clans will be clans, they exist because they want to play with each other. I think they are missing out on a lot of cools things if they would open up to other squads and groups of people.

2. Join a clan? I don't know how to do this, I'm not in a clan. The group of friends I play with we naturally started playing together more and more and that's it. Also, I usually run open squads with people I don't know. If they listen and play the right way, I keep them in the squad, and even invite them next round. Ask around and people will say that's true.

3. Be a squad leader. Make your own fun. Say hi to people that join your squad, and tell them what's your plan. If people start enjoying themselves they will join your squad again next round. That way you increase your group of players you can play with.

4. If you fail, say "Oh well, looks like that didn't work out the way I planned. What do you think we should've done?". People will respect that if they aren't 12 year's old and will stick with you.

I feel your pain, but not much the mod can do by itself. The tools are there for people to work with them, but if they stay separate from each other, that's sad.

Join us in PRTA. We do public squads etc.

PRTA - Project Reality Teamwork Alliance

We have lots of fun too

afAnimal, I recommend you check out the PRTA group of players in the above link, they always have players online during peak hours for Europeans, and they have an active TeamSpeak server where you can find people to play with 24/7.

dbzao wrote:I'm really sorry your experiences haven't been great.

But your issues are not with the mod itself, they are with the players. There's a known saying in PR's DEV circle:

"We can't mod the players".

Some suggestions of what you could do:

1. Try to play on servers that encourage teamwork and stick with it. Eventually you start recognizing people that play at the same times as you and you can join in with them. Clans will be clans, they exist because they want to play with each other. I think they are missing out on a lot of cools things if they would open up to other squads and groups of people.

2. Join a clan? I don't know how to do this, I'm not in a clan. The group of friends I play with we naturally started playing together more and more and that's it. Also, I usually run open squads with people I don't know. If they listen and play the right way, I keep them in the squad, and even invite them next round. Ask around and people will say that's true.

3. Be a squad leader. Make your own fun. Say hi to people that join your squad, and tell them what's your plan. If people start enjoying themselves they will join your squad again next round. That way you increase your group of players you can play with.

4. If you fail, say "Oh well, looks like that didn't work out the way I planned. What do you think we should've done?". People will respect that if they aren't 12 year's old and will stick with you.

I feel your pain, but not much the mod can do by itself. The tools are there for people to work with them, but if they stay separate from each other, that's sad.

DBZAO IS THE BEST SQUAD LEADER EVER
He inspired me to reach out to newbies and train them

I used to squad lead with open squads alot, Wicca knows, but recently I don't know why but I can't get so enthuisastic maybe tired, as rl is a bit tough at the moment.

However last night I did a squad called boring infantry on Big D as my objective was building a few FOBs and defending the last flag as it seems a little rare at the moment.

So my squad fills fairly quickly, I give a few orders for kits which was fine. My squad was seemingly new players or returning but without any signs of obvious lack of knowledge, hard to describe but no how do I get kits just a few medium to high level questions that made it apparent they weren't PR vets.

They all did the basics very well sticking with their kits and with me without me having to keep an eye on that, we had a hard battle without much time on 100p Beirut to organise much with other squads and as I find on the 100p 2km maps it's hard to find the time to do much except react.

To get to the point the guys seemed to have a great time (except the poor medics) in a cohesive squad with a defensive objective and were clearly grateful for a good round - so the point I'm making is that I felt really good being instrumental in giving some newer players the type of round that'll keep them on PR for a while.

In many ways this squad was preferable to vets as they did as I asked without question and apart from having to tell people not to shout behind me but use N S E W it was a good experience to lead them. We weren't going to get the best KD of the round but we were holding our own.

Verdict lead a pubbies squad with a supposedly more calm objective was alot of fun and rewarding - see you again tonight on BIG D guys.

For the starter of this thread all I can suggest is try to learn the basics of being an SL on co-op and SP and from watching others, mortars, assets, markers and try to lead a squad doing something calmer by building a big FOB just back from the action and defend it for a safe team spawn point using AA, .50 cals and TOW, if you have time and supplies on a 4km mortars can be fun for a while. If you need to know something small you can always ask on text. Just don't try to lead a hunter killer squad yet!

PRTA have always seemed to have competent SLs doing open squads, use to do it myself alot alot there. Just avoid Wicca or you will uninstall PR.

I usually find that there are just generic "infantry" squads on most servers to join. That's where you want to be.

Believe it or not but this kind of experience is normal for non-clan player or player who doesn't play PR with friends.

Feel ya, bro..(c)

Hey tell me if you have skype so we can talk because im from Romania too

I'm not in a clan and have recently moved to the Pacific which means going from PRTA/NWA to BIG D in Australia - so no friends

Try and stick to one server that is good for you regarding admins, ping, teamwork etc.

Sign up on their forums and say hello, the vets will invariably go there and become familiar with your name, help seed the server and if possible a little donation of 5 euros can't hurt to say thank for server and help with costs. Join squads get a basic kit and concentrate on shadowing the SL in lieu of other orders, communicate clearly when needed but don't spam and use local mumble (H) unless NEEDED.

If you can't get a squad logistics is often needed in a truck and always appreciated if guys join you build a few back up FOBs after explaining to your members so they don't expect cutting edge action.

The great thing about 1.0 is that now everyone pretty much has mumble, and with no name tags there is less discrimination towards smurfs(non-squad members). I'll make an attempt to find a good squad, but if the open squads suck I'll just grab a rifleman kit and help the team. Being able to communicate with everyone really changes the way you can be a team player. Also, directional chat is much more helpful than a chatty squad in your ear all the time.

Obviously this doesn't work in every situation. On big maps it's hard to tag along with such limited space in vehicles. And on servers like TG they'll kick you for not being in a squad. Which in my opinion only encourages the existence of bad squads, instead of encouraging teamwork like is intended. I'm guilty of sitting in squads where nobody ever talks, squad leader has a sniper and is off alone somewhere, hat dude keeps dying on the front lines, medic is nowhere to be found, and usually 100% of the kits are limited. But, I'm forced to join a squad or be kicked, what choice do I have?

Anyway, point was that you can enjoy some teamwork without even being in a squad. Squads are the driving force of a team, but there's always room for a little filler here and there. I enjoy it, you should try it out next time the squads suck.

I remember my first PR and there was always first question-you got mic?
AfAnimal most things you said its true but there is a lot of friendly people and if they need a room for teammate they first ask some1 to move from squad ...Every1 trying to speak english but if i see a german , french ,russia etc squad i will leave that people so they can play and talk at own language or i will join them and tell them that i dont mind if they are talking at their language.
Bigger problem are new people. Admins must make a list so that kind of people cannot ruin our game.
After few days of 1.0 i must say that i never saw so much new people,some people who really want to play but....lot of people who are not using mumble,team killing etc...Annoying orange is zero when you experience that kind of dullness...and only thing that you can do is kick non-mumbler from squad or trying to contact admin if some1 on purpose destroying vehicles,driving alone or team kills...but there is no admin.....
I was thinking that my problem with newbie (2 choppers in 5 minutes destroyed upon or near my head,running and following me spamming via mumble and i was trying to revive squad or shoot at apcs) was big..
What would you say for one smart guy who died 20 times spawning on sq rally point *he was not from that squad* and talking that some1 is team killing him all time...my friend told me that tonight...he got picture of that.......man....
Be patient you want to play you will need time to meet some good sq leaders,there is always people like Wicca,KingKong or some other guys who are asking just to use mumble and listen to squad leader...And you are not a new player...you can see new player on field acting like he was released from a chain but he cannot find himself in this game cause this is not COD or BF3 and they dont have time or they want to check for manual cause they know everything except speaking via mumble or listen to squad leader...
It is so hard to play with that kind of people when you know from start at which side you are....Some XXXPUMAXXX something like that....killed 4 people from burst fire in a second.... today at QRF disconnecting immediately after that....what to say ? Your problem is small and you can always find some squad if a squad leader talking via mumble,you know that he is trying at least...but if you see that strange people from that outstanding games...run for your life.

Had/have the same problems too. Lately I simply squadlead myself more and more, if there's no squad to join. I really think though, that servers should enforce rules on squads so there are no 4-people-clan-squads. Because, where you might think the clans would work good as a team, where they fail is at intersquad comms. More than once have I finally decided to make my own squad beside clan X and Y only to find them totally unresponsive when my squad needs reinforcements...

We need active noob-training squads.

I always have open squads unless its an asset squad which is locked per asset limit of players. I love new players to PR and most if not all of my infantry squads are open. Generally mixed of clan and public players. Although i am very sensitive about a microphone and working mumble.

I have to say that if you can't say hello when you join my squad i will wait for someone to come in that can. I always believed that microphones and mumble are a core part of PR and i will always think that way. Yes people without mics can play well and listen but if there are people with i would rather have them if they are responsive enough.

Its sad to see you have bad experiences though, can you PM me and i can let you know when i go play so you can join in with me and my friends? Thanks for posting in the forums and letting your problems get known to us. Hope you have awesome rounds in PR!

Big D has a rule of no locked squads seems to work very well, but it's in Australia so time difference and ping is a problem.

PLODDITHANLEY wrote:Big D has a rule of no locked squads seems to work very well, but it's in Australia so time difference and ping is a problem.

Yeah, I've always preferred bigD's "No locked squads" and shortened round times. It's just a personal preference though, I see the merits to locked squads and 4 hour round times, too.

PLODDITHANLEY wrote:However last night I did a squad called boring infantry on Big D as my objective was building a few FOBs and defending the last flag as it seems a little rare at the moment.

So my squad fills fairly quickly, I give a few orders for kits which was fine. My squad was seemingly new players or returning but without any signs of obvious lack of knowledge, hard to describe but no how do I get kits just a few medium to high level questions that made it apparent they weren't PR vets.

They all did the basics very well sticking with their kits and with me without me having to keep an eye on that, we had a hard battle without much time on 100p Beirut to organise much with other squads and as I find on the 100p 2km maps it's hard to find the time to do much except react.

To get to the point the guys seemed to have a great time (except the poor medics) in a cohesive squad with a defensive objective and were clearly grateful for a good round - so the point I'm making is that I felt really good being instrumental in giving some newer players the type of round that'll keep them on PR for a while.

In many ways this squad was preferable to vets as they did as I asked without question and apart from having to tell people not to shout behind me but use N S E W it was a good experience to lead them. We weren't going to get the best KD of the round but we were holding our own.

Verdict lead a pubbies squad with a supposedly more calm objective was alot of fun and rewarding - see you again tonight on BIG D guys.

Hey i was playing that match on the idf team, we had two squads that tried to hold a t-shape but got wiped out when the russians roped up on top of us and suprised us. We had a few new players too and they really like the intense fighting going on.

The most frustrating thing is this game as a new player is finding your place in the community, I know, I've been there, hell we all have, what you have to remember is that eventually and with enough perseverance you will find a group of players that you stick with for the rest of the time you play the game. It happened to me back in 2009 at a community event on Fallujah, to this day I still play with the same squad leader who's squad I joined all those years ago and many of the fellow members of that squad. From that squad we built a 50 member strong clan that changed to ArmA 2 after a while and that is still going as well.

The moral of this is that you should never give up trying to find your place here, all that happened to me after trying and giving up on this game once and here I am today 4 years down the line.