​In Space Marine 2, the ability for players to be kicked out of a squad during an ongoing mission is meant to maintain a healthy and cooperative environment, but it can sometimes lead to arbitrary or unjust removals. This is particularly frustrating when players are kicked toward the end of a mission, after having invested significant time and effort without violating any rules. Such instances not only result in the loss of progress but also rob players of the rewards and satisfaction they’ve earned, undermining the overall gaming experience.

To improve fairness and prevent these unjust exclusions, it's crucial to implement a more robust and balanced system that restricts unnecessary or arbitrary kicks. This change is necessary to ensure a better experience for several reasons.

1. Preserve Player Investment and Progress

Completing missions in Space Marine 2 requires coordination, time, and strategic thinking. Being kicked out near the end of a mission without just cause punishes the player, not only by denying them the rewards but also by erasing the time and effort invested. A system that respects the player’s commitment should be in place to ensure they can finish missions and receive fair rewards.

2. Prevent Exploitation of the Kick System

The kick system is currently susceptible to exploitation. Squad leaders or players with administrative privileges may misuse this feature, allowing them to remove other team members arbitrarily, often for personal reasons or due to misunderstandings. This damages the team dynamic and morale. To avoid misuse, there should be stricter conditions for kicking someone out, especially in the later stages of a mission.

3. Safeguard Against Technical Issues

Players should be safeguarded against technical issues. Kicks due to server errors, unstable internet connections, or other technical problems unfairly penalize players. These situations are often beyond the player’s control, and a more tolerant system that accounts for these factors before allowing a kick would prevent genuine players from being unjustly removed.

4. Address Players Who Take Too Long to Join

There is also an issue where players who take too long to join the squad or the “party” cannot be kicked, causing delays and frustration for the rest of the team. This can prevent the mission from starting on time or disrupt the momentum. A proper balance must be struck between protecting active, rule-abiding players from unfair kicks while allowing for the removal of players who are slowing down the experience by not joining the mission promptly.

5. Provide Clear Guidelines for Kicking

The kick system needs clearer guidelines. Kicking a player should be limited to specific cases, such as inactivity, disruptive behavior, rule violations, or taking too long to join the party. Additionally, implementing a voting system where all squad members agree on a removal could reduce the potential for abuse of power by a single individual.

6. Introduce Warning and Reconnection Grace Periods

If a player is flagged for behavior that could lead to a kick, such as inactivity or temporary connection issues, they should receive a warning, giving them a chance to re-engage before being removed. If a player is disconnected due to a technical issue, a grace period should allow them to rejoin the squad without losing progress.

7. Award Partial Rewards for Contributed Efforts

Even if a player is removed, the system should provide partial rewards for their efforts. If a player is kicked near the end of a mission, their contributions should be recognized, and they should receive partial rewards to reflect the work they've put into the mission. This would lessen the frustration and make the system more fair.

8. Implement an Appeal Mechanism for Unfair Kicks

A mechanism for appealing unfair kicks should be in place. If a player feels that they have been removed unjustly, they should have the ability to report the incident. The system could then review the circumstances and, if necessary, restore any lost progress or rewards.

Conclusion

Restricting the arbitrary use of the kicking system is essential for maintaining a fair and enjoyable experience in Space Marine 2. By implementing changes such as stricter conditions for kicks, warnings and grace periods, safeguards against technical issues, and the ability to remove players who take too long to join the mission, the game can create a more just environment. This will ensure players focus on teamwork and enjoy the full experience without fear of losing progress or being delayed unfairly, fostering better cooperation and strengthening the game's community.