“Game Speed: Normal” is way too slow for me. I won’t play MP games with it. Can a “Fast” option be added that we can choose as an option and be aligned with like-minded players?
Fast is traditionally only used in Deathmatch.
Also, Normal is already 1.7 whereas fast is 2.0, so not too far off.
Normal feels really slow after playing Fast for a long time in SP skirmish land. Almost like watching paint dry with how slow the units move and construction, tech research, etc. is
In today’s world, it seems like many people would want the more frenetic pacing of Fast as an option. Clearly, someone in development felt 2.0x was Fast compared to 1.7x, otherwise the option wouldn’t exist and be named that
That 0.3x difference makes a big difference, imo. And if others don’t agree that it does, then make Fast be 2.2x and implement that. I’d be more than okay with that
Speed 2.0x vs 1.7x is a lot more noticeable than the difference between AoE4’s normal vs. far out zoon, for sure
PS: I don’t like Deathmatch. I like to start from next to nothing and build up from scratch; the more traditional type match
Most prefer 1.7 as it’s the sweet spot between being too slow and too fast.
Looking at Custom Games, you rarely find games with 2.0, except for Deathmatch.
The only game in the series where Fast is considered the best option for a Standard Game is AoE 1 btw.
I sometimes wanna play 1.5x to feel nostalgia. I usually watch aoe2 video in 1.75 (almost 3x).
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Funfact: The CD Version was actually slightly faster than 1.5x, more similar to the 1.7x that became the default in DE. HD Edition “fixed” it much to the dislike of the people playing over at Voobly.
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Either way, options are options. Designed to let individual users or players choose what each prefers
Maybe there just aren’t enough players playing AoE2:DE ranked matches to let people have a choice. That could be. If the pool of players isn’t big enough yet to allow varied choices and keep queue times low, then that’s the only thing I can think of
I’m sure there aren’t many players like me who will probably avoid MP ranked for the most part as long as “Fast” isn’t an option
With around 40k players on the ranked 1v1 letter (no idea currently about Team Games), I’m sure that Fast RM would be niche.
Ranked needs unified rules, which is why the map pool with three bans and 1 favourite map and set rules such as Feudal Age Start for EW and Fast speed for Deathmatch exist.
Most tournaments, whether the pro or community ones also have such unified rules.
Best practice is getting used to Normal speed and just give ranked a go 
or host your own games in the Lobby browser and see how many players will join.
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For ELO rankings, that’s not a worry for me. Just keep track of different ELOs for each game speed offered. For Normal, maybe you are ELO 1250. For Fast, maybe your landing spot is more like 1175. Who knows until it’s implemented.
Or if you want to lump them together in one ELO which would be harder, but if it’s a must for some reason… then just figure out a proper calculation to add onto the current equation. If you win a Fast match, maybe that adds to your ELO more than a win on Normal would. Someone smarter about ELOs than me can figure that out. I know very little about ELOs
I’d just prefer two ELOs, tbh
I actually wanted a faster option to be included in the non-ranked games’ drop-down before, too. Really odd that there are 2 options slower than Normal in the drop-down, but only one faster. (What are the stats on people playing Slow or Casual vs. Fast, I wonder. I can’t imagine playing Slow or Casual, but I’m glad the options exist for those who like that way.) And the fact that you can’t play Fast games in Ranked seems odd to me, in this year of 2024 where people are strapped for time
But that’s not how Elo works for something that’s supposed to be played in the same category i.e. 1v1 RM.
As I said above, Normal i.e. 1.7x is the sweet spot between too slow and too fast so best practice for you is to eventually get used to it or host your own custom games.
And to be honest - faster does not automatically mean better.
Not yet I see nothing wrong with multiple ELOs to accommodate more options.
But since ELO could/should maybe be defined as having mastery of the game as a whole and not just one narrow view, similar to needing to master multiple maps and not just Arabia or whatever map it is everyone wants to play, then adding “Fast” into the ELO mix seems fine to me. Just helps show you are a master of the game and can roll with all the AoE punches.
Slower doesn’t either I think many or most players just haven’t tried Fast, and if more did, they would soon prefer it, too
Can you do “Ranked” custom matches, thpugh? I don’t think you can, which defeats my purpose. I want to do some ranked games, but not on the lethargic and lackadasical “Normal” speed
I used to play and prefer ‘Normal’ for years, but mainly because Fast seemed tougher or there was some nostalgia at the more leisurely Normal pace. So there’s not much to get used to for Normal. It’s just a strong preference to not play Normal.
I have little attraction to Normal speed nowadays, which seems counter-intuitive because I don"t like Call of Duty for its non-stop fast paced frag fests. For AoE, it’s just different.
I recommend more people try Fast for a week and then try going back to Normal. You will think it is snail-paced, and you, too, will see the appeal of Fast, and you may also feel more skilled at the game
Trust me, it won’t ever happen.
I bet most did and just prefer Normal speed. Fast fits best for Deathmatch and going through long sequences in a campaign (with Debug Speed, even up to 8.0) whereas Normal fits for everything else.
Yes, but only Deathmatch.
Also, don’t judge a book by its cover, the game is still hectical enough with 1.7 speed due to all kinds of things going on in a ranked game with microing units.
If you want to play ranked without playing ranked, you can give quick match a try because it uses the same matchmaking system as ranked but without affecting your ranked Elo.
Already did that. Personally, I don’t feel much difference as there’s only 0.3 speed between both settings but at the end of the day, I just prefer Normal. I guess with almost 2k hours into DE my opinion is valid. 
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