For the love of God fix the countdown system...

Who here has played Starcraft, Warcraft3, etc and hated the countdown system? What is the point of it?

It is a quick and simple fix, stop counting down if people leave! Cannot stress this more. Too many times I've been in DotA games where it's 5v5, everything is ready to go, we've waited ages to get the game setup, and the game starts to count down. Midway between 5-3 someone leaves, and the host can't do anything 'cause once it hits 2-1 your cancel key is blacked out!

WTF Blizzard. How is this not taken care of in a quick patch or something. Easy interface, the second someone leaves... it pauses the countdown, asks the host whether he wants to continue or abort. Done and done.

I hope B.net 2.0 does away from the countdown system to an entirely new system (ie, the ready up system)

I guess I can't really complain about a online system that's 7 years old.

You know there are programs that get rid of the countdown for WAR3 right. If something like that happens blame your host.

Um no, I completely agree with the TC.

Why should third party programs be used to fix something so utterly stupid and pointless?

Yes, let's blame every single host ever for not downloading third party programs with which to stop the countdown if people leave.

I have to agree completely. By now they really should have added something that stops the count down when someone leaves, like really. It's not hard and it stops idiots from ruining games =D

Countdown system is cool I like it, but it should stop after someone leaves.


Hopefully they will add this, though I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't already included.

I don't remember this, but has Blizzard made any mentions about blacklists?

I used to use a blacklist program with which I added every single person who used hacks or left my games, so that if they ever joined my games again they were automatically banned.

Worked perfectly fine for me, so I didn't have to remember names.

I don't like the idea of blacklists. At least global ones that is. Personal blacklists are fine, because if you have a gripe with me, then add it to your blacklist. But if there is like a global blacklist, then that is just f'ed up. People can simply abuse the system.

IIRC the countdown system is a mechanism that reduces lag. During the countdown everyone is supposed to shut up & wait for the game to start.

I agree with both, the countdown stopping when some idiot leaves, and personal blacklists.
Even more, your account should accumulate statistics about people you play. If the guy disconnects before the game starts, the next time you enter a game with thay guy, you should see that kind of information.
Global reputation-related info, like "disconnected from games x times the last month", or "% games played / disconnected" would be a good idea, also.

If Blizzard is trying to do something with Battle.Net like X-Box Live or Steam, then personal blacklists, much like friends lists, should be standard procedure.