technology Host Swapping / Sharing

[islesofurth]

Hi Tech Team,

A prominent problem of co-op games with localized hosting is the fact that the game drops when the host leaves, kicking all other players.
As these types of games do not typically offer an in-game pause option & generally have aspects of survival involved, I propose an alternative solution that may have a positive & lasting solution on the industry as a whole.

Host Swapping/ Sharing:
Simply Put - The game switches host, instead of closing down.

Detailed version:
Currently Localized hosting basically works by having one person (the host) run the server logic (world state, AI, physics, etc).
Other player then connect to the server via the host's I.P, Input data is constantly sent to host (actions, movements, state changes, etc).

Suggested Changes:
Instead of the server being hosted by an individual, it would be hosted by a Priority List, with said individual being the first in the List.
Other players would thus also connect via the same Priority List (with the host as the only real priority here).
The key difference is that players would be given the option to opt-in to joining this Priority List for hosting (in the game options or something less intrusive).
In the event of the Host leaving, instead of the server shutting down. The server enters a freeze state, selecting the player with the highest priority to become the next host (average latency, upload speed, hardware, etc)
The world state is then passed to the new host, along with re-initializing AI and other run-time processors, etc.
At the same time other players are re-directed to the new host.
After a stability check, the game can unfreeze and continue from where it paused.  

[beneven12]

I second this suggestion 

[MsFenix009]

Yes, please! If the host leaves, the role of host rolls to the next player who joined.