LFG (Looking for Group) User Guide

Overview

LFG (Looking for Group) is a comprehensive party system that allows players to create and join groups for casual gaming sessions. The system provides real-time party management, integrated chat functionality, automatic Discord voice channel creation, and intelligent cleanup mechanisms to ensure a smooth gaming experience.

Key Features

Instant Party Creation: Create parties with customizable settings and descriptions
Smart Party Browser: Browse and filter available parties by platform, region, and game mode
Single Party Membership: Users can only be in one party at a time for focused gaming
Automatic Voice Channels: Discord voice channels created automatically for parties with 2+ members
Integrated Chat: Real-time party chat with typing indicators and message history
Activity-Based Lifecycle: Parties stay alive as long as members are actively using voice chat
Multi-platform Support: Steam, PlayStation, Xbox cross-platform compatibility
Multi-language Support: Available in 11 languages
Smart Cleanup: Automatic party dissolution when inactive or empty

Getting Started

Prerequisites

Active user account with completed profile setup
Discord account for voice communication
Platform preference configured (Steam, PlayStation, Xbox)
Region selection for optimal matchmaking

Accessing LFG

Navigate to the LFG section from the main navigation menu
The LFG dashboard displays two main sections:
- Party Browser: Browse and join existing parties
- Create Party: Start your own gaming session
If you're already in a party, your active party window will appear automatically

First Time Setup

Ensure your profile includes your preferred gaming platform
Set your primary region for better matchmaking
Connect your Discord account for voice communication
Configure notification preferences for party updates

Party Discovery

Browsing Parties

The Party Browser displays all available parties that you can join, with real-time updates as parties are created, updated, or disbanded.

Party Information Display

Each party card shows:

Party Title: Descriptive name set by the host
Description: Optional details about the gaming session
Game Mode: Casual, Ranked, Tournament, or Custom
Player Count: Current members vs. maximum capacity (e.g., "3/6")
Platform Badge: Required gaming platform
Region Badge: Server region for optimal connection
Host Information: Party creator's username and profile
Creation Time: When the party was created
Status Indicator: Open, Full, In Game, or Starting

Search and Filtering

Platform Filters

Steam: PC players using Steam
PlayStation: PlayStation console players
Xbox: Xbox console players
Cross-Platform: Parties accepting multiple platforms

Region Filters

Europe West/East: European server regions
North America East/West: North American regions
Oceania: Australia/New Zealand region
Asia: Asian server regions
South America: South American region

Game Mode Filters

Casual: Relaxed gaming sessions
Ranked: Competitive ladder matches
Tournament: Tournament preparation
Custom: Special game modes or events

Additional Filters

Party Size: Filter by current member count
Availability: Only show parties with open slots
Recently Created: Show newest parties first

Real-time Updates

The party browser automatically refreshes to show: - New parties as they're created - Member count changes as players join/leave - Status updates (open → full → in game) - Party deletions when disbanded

Creating Parties

Party Creation Process

Click "Create Party" button in the LFG dashboard
Fill out party details in the creation modal
Configure settings for your gaming session
Publish party to make it visible to other players

Required Information

Party Title (Required)

Character Limit: 3-100 characters
Purpose: Clear description of your gaming session
Examples: "Casual 3v3 matches", "Ranked ladder climb", "Learning new strategies"

Game Mode (Required)

Casual: Relaxed gameplay, all skill levels welcome
Ranked: Competitive matches for rating improvement
Tournament: Practice for upcoming tournaments
Custom: Special events, challenges, or unique formats

Maximum Players (Required)

Range: 2-8 players per party
Default: 4 players
Consideration: Choose based on planned game format and voice chat comfort

Platform (Required)

Steam: PC gaming platform
PlayStation: PlayStation console
Xbox: Xbox console
Cross-Platform: Accept players from multiple platforms

Region (Required)

Select your preferred server region for optimal connection
Choose region where most party members are located
Consider ping and connection quality for all members

Optional Settings

Description

Purpose: Additional details about the gaming session
Content Ideas:
- Skill level expectations
- Specific strategies to practice
- Duration estimate
- Special requirements or preferences
Character Limit: Up to 500 characters

Party Creation Best Practices

Clear Titles: Use descriptive names that explain the session purpose
Appropriate Size: Match party size to your planned game format
Region Selection: Choose region optimal for your location
Detailed Descriptions: Help players understand what to expect
Platform Clarity: Specify platform requirements clearly

Joining Parties

Finding Compatible Parties

The system automatically highlights parties that match your profile: - Green Indicator: Full compatibility (matching platform, region) - Yellow Indicator: Partial compatibility (some matching preferences) - Red Indicator: Limited compatibility (may cause connection issues)

Joining Process

Browse available parties using filters or search
Review party details including title, description, and requirements
Check compatibility indicators for optimal experience
Click "Join Party" on your selected party
Automatic addition to party member list
Party modal opens with chat and member information

Single Party Membership

One Party Only: Users can only be in one party at a time
Automatic Leave: Joining a new party automatically leaves your current one
Clear Warning: System displays confirmation when switching parties
Host Transfer: If you're a host, ownership transfers to the next member

Join Restrictions

Party Full

Indicator: Party shows maximum members reached
Action: Party becomes unclickable until slots open
Alternative: Look for similar parties or create your own

Platform Mismatch

Warning: System alerts if your platform doesn't match party requirements
Cross-Platform: Some parties accept multiple platforms
Solution: Filter by your platform or look for cross-platform parties

Region Concerns

Connection Warning: System may warn about potential latency issues
Override Option: You can still join if you accept potential connection problems
Alternative: Filter by your region for optimal experience

Party Management

Host Responsibilities

As the party host (creator), you have additional controls and responsibilities:

Party Status Management

Change Status: Switch between Open, Full, Starting, and In Game
Member Capacity: Adjust maximum players if needed
Party Dissolution: End the party when gaming session concludes

Member Management

View Members: See all current party members with join times
Member Information: Access member profiles and platform details
Remove Members: Remove disruptive or inactive members if necessary

Party Settings

Update Description: Modify party details as plans change
Platform Changes: Adjust platform requirements
Region Updates: Change region if party consensus shifts

Member Experience

As a party member, you can:

Party Interaction

View Party Details: See updated information and member list
Chat Participation: Use integrated party chat for coordination
Voice Channel Access: Join automatically created Discord voice channel
Ready Status: Indicate when you're ready to start gaming

Leaving Parties

Leave Button: Simple one-click party exit
Confirmation: System confirms before removing you
Rejoining: You can rejoin if the party is still open and has space
Automatic Removal: System removes you if you disconnect for extended periods

Host Transfer System

Automatic Transfer

Host Leaves: When host leaves, ownership automatically transfers
Transfer Priority: Longest-tenured member becomes new host
Seamless Process: No interruption to party functionality
Notification: All members informed of host change

Manual Transfer

Host Choice: Current host can manually transfer ownership
Member Selection: Choose specific member to promote
Confirmation: Both parties must confirm the transfer
Immediate Effect: New host gains full control immediately

Party Lifecycle

Active Party States

Open: Accepting new members, visible in party browser
Full: At maximum capacity, no longer accepting joins
Starting: Members are preparing to begin gaming
In Game: Party is currently playing matches

Automatic Transitions

Open → Full: When maximum members join
Full → Open: When members leave and slots become available
Starting → In Game: When gaming session begins
Any → Disbanded: When party becomes empty or inactive

Voice Communication

Automatic Discord Integration

The LFG system automatically creates and manages Discord voice channels for seamless communication without manual setup.

Voice Channel Creation

Automatic Triggers

2+ Members: Voice channel created when party reaches 2 or more members
Immediate Access: Channel available instantly upon creation
Private Access: Only party members can see and join the voice channel
Smart Naming: Channel named "LFG: [Party Title]" for easy identification

Channel Location

Category: Located in "🎮 LFG Voice Channels" category
Organization: Channels grouped together for easy management
Visibility: Only visible to party members and server moderators
Automatic Sorting: Newest channels appear at the top

Permission Management

Access Control

Party Members Only: Automatic permission grants for party members
Connect Permission: Members can join and leave voice channel
Speak Permission: Members can use voice communication
ViewChannel Permission: Members can see the channel exists

Dynamic Updates

Member Joins: New party members automatically get voice access
Member Leaves: Removed members lose voice access immediately
Host Transfer: Voice permissions remain unchanged during host transfers
Automatic Disconnect: Users removed from party are disconnected from voice

Activity-Based Lifecycle

Unlike traditional time-based expiration, voice channels remain active based on actual usage:

Activity Monitoring

Voice Presence: System monitors who's in voice channel every 60 seconds
Activity Updates: Database tracks last voice activity timestamp
Smart Detection: Distinguishes between active use and idle presence

Cleanup Rules

15-Minute Rule: Parties with empty voice channels for 15+ minutes are disbanded
Active Protection: Parties remain alive as long as voice channel has users
Single Member: Solo parties (never reaching 2+ members) deleted after 30 minutes
Immediate Cleanup: Empty parties deleted immediately when last member leaves

Voice Channel Features

Join Methods

Direct Link: Click "Join Voice Channel" button in party modal
Discord Interface: Join through Discord client voice channel list
Mobile Support: Full compatibility with Discord mobile app
Browser Support: Works with Discord web client

Voice Quality

Discord Infrastructure: Leverages Discord's optimized voice servers
Regional Routing: Automatic server selection for optimal quality
Mobile Optimization: Optimized for mobile device usage
Low Latency: Minimal delay for real-time communication

Troubleshooting Voice Issues

Can't See Voice Channel

Check Party Status: Ensure you're still a party member
Discord Permissions: Verify Discord account is properly connected
Browser Refresh: Reload Discord or refresh browser
Discord Client: Try using Discord desktop app instead of web

No Voice Permissions

Wait for Sync: Permissions may take 5-10 seconds to update
Rejoin Party: Leave and rejoin party to refresh permissions
Discord Cache: Clear Discord cache or restart client
Contact Host: Ask party host to verify your membership

Voice Channel Missing

Party Size: Voice channels only exist for parties with 2+ members
Recent Creation: Wait a few seconds for channel creation
Technical Issues: Contact support if channel creation fails
Manual Backup: Create temporary voice channel as fallback

Chat System

Integrated Party Chat

Every party includes a built-in chat system for text communication, coordination, and socializing during gaming sessions.

Chat Features

Real-time Messaging

Instant Delivery: Messages appear immediately for all party members
Typing Indicators: See when other members are typing messages
Message History: Complete chat history preserved during party session
Automatic Scrolling: Chat automatically scrolls to latest messages

Message Formatting

Text Messages: Standard text communication
Emojis: Full Unicode emoji support
Links: Clickable links for sharing content
Mentions: @mention other party members (coming soon)

Chat Window Layout

Member List: See all party members with online status
Message Area: Scrollable message history
Input Field: Type and send messages
Send Button: Click or press Enter to send

Using Party Chat

Sending Messages

Click Chat Input: Focus on the message input field
Type Message: Enter your text (up to 1000 characters)
Send Options:
- Press Enter to send message
- Click Send Button with mouse/touch
- Shift+Enter for new line without sending

Reading Messages

Message Timestamps: See when each message was sent
Sender Identification: Username and avatar for each message
Chronological Order: Messages display in time order
Scroll History: Scroll up to read earlier messages

Chat Etiquette

Stay Relevant: Keep messages related to gaming session
Be Respectful: Follow community guidelines
Avoid Spam: Don't flood chat with repeated messages
Use Voice: Switch to voice for real-time coordination

Chat Management

Message Persistence

Session Duration: Chat history preserved while party exists
Party Dissolution: Messages deleted when party disbands
No Permanent Storage: Chat designed for temporary coordination
Privacy Focus: Messages not stored long-term for privacy

Moderation Features

Host Control: Party hosts can manage chat behavior
Member Removal: Disruptive members can be removed from party
Rate Limiting: Automatic spam prevention (30 messages per minute)
Content Filtering: Basic inappropriate content detection

Chat Integration

Notification System

New Message Alerts: Visual indicators for unread messages
Sound Notifications: Optional audio alerts for new messages
Browser Notifications: Desktop notifications when tab inactive
Mobile Alerts: Push notifications on mobile devices

Cross-Platform Compatibility

All Devices: Chat works on desktop, mobile, and tablet
Browser Support: Compatible with all modern web browsers
Discord Sync: Chat complements but doesn't replace Discord voice
Offline Handling: Messages queued when connection interrupted

Privacy and Security

Message Security

Encryption: Messages encrypted in transit
Access Control: Only party members can read messages
No Logging: Messages not permanently stored or logged
Privacy Respect: No message content analysis or monitoring

Reporting System

Report Feature: Report inappropriate messages or behavior
Quick Action: One-click reporting for urgent issues
Moderator Review: Reports reviewed by community moderators
Account Protection: Actions taken against violating users

Settings & Preferences

LFG Configuration Options

The LFG system provides various settings to customize your party experience and optimize matchmaking.

Profile Settings

Platform Preferences

Primary Platform: Your main gaming platform (Steam, PlayStation, Xbox)
Secondary Platforms: Additional platforms you can use
Cross-Platform: Indicate willingness to play with other platforms
Platform Display: Choose whether platform is visible in your profile

Region Configuration

Primary Region: Your main server region for optimal connection
Secondary Regions: Backup regions you're willing to play in
Ping Tolerance: Maximum acceptable latency (ms)
Auto-Detection: Allow system to detect optimal region

Notification Preferences

Party Notifications

Party Invitations: Alerts when invited to join parties
Party Updates: Notifications for party status changes
Member Changes: Alerts when members join or leave your party
Host Transfer: Notifications when becoming party host

Chat Notifications

New Messages: Alerts for new party chat messages
Mentions: Notifications when mentioned in chat
Sound Alerts: Audio notifications for chat activity
Visual Indicators: Badge counters for unread messages

Discord Integration

Voice Channel Alerts: Notifications when voice channels are created
Connection Status: Alerts for Discord connection issues
Permission Updates: Notifications for voice permission changes
Channel Links: Automatic Discord channel link generation

Behavior Settings

Auto-Join Preferences

Quick Match: Automatically join compatible parties
Skill Level: Preferred party skill level range
Party Size: Preferred number of party members
Game Mode: Preferred game modes for auto-joining

Privacy Settings

Profile Visibility: Control who can see your LFG profile
Activity Status: Show when you're active in LFG system
Platform Display: Choose whether to show gaming platforms
Join History: Control visibility of party participation history

Language Settings

Interface Language

Language Selection: Choose from 11 supported languages
Auto-Detection: Use browser language automatically
Regional Variants: Specific variants (Portuguese vs Brazilian Portuguese)
Real-time Switching: Change language without page reload

Supported Languages

English (en) - Default language
Spanish (es) - Full translation
Portuguese (pt) - European Portuguese
Portuguese (Brazil) (pt-BR) - Brazilian Portuguese
French (fr) - Complete interface
German (de) - Full translation
Italian (it) - Complete support
Polish (pl) - Full translation
Turkish (tr) - Complete interface
Russian (ru) - Full support
Japanese (ja) - Complete translation

Advanced Preferences

Connection Settings

Connection Quality: Prioritize connection stability vs. speed
Timeout Settings: Adjust timeouts for slow connections
Retry Attempts: Number of reconnection attempts
Offline Mode: Behavior when connection is lost

Performance Options

Refresh Rate: How often to check for party updates
Message Batching: Group multiple updates for better performance
Caching: Cache party data for faster loading
Background Updates: Continue updates when tab is inactive

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"Can't Join Party" Error

Possible Causes: - Party is full (at maximum capacity) - You're already in another party - Platform incompatibility - Connection issues

Solutions: - Check Party Status: Verify party has available slots - Leave Current Party: Exit your current party first - Platform Match: Ensure your platform matches party requirements - Refresh Page: Reload browser to resolve connection issues - Try Different Party: Look for alternative compatible parties

"Party Not Loading" Issue

Possible Causes: - Slow internet connection - Browser cache issues - Temporary server problems - Ad blocker interference

Solutions: - Check Connection: Verify stable internet connection - Clear Cache: Clear browser cache and cookies - Disable Extensions: Temporarily disable ad blockers - Different Browser: Try incognito mode or different browser - Wait and Retry: Server issues usually resolve quickly

Voice Channel Problems

Possible Causes: - Discord permissions not synchronized - Party size below 2 members - Discord account connection issues - Voice channel creation delay

Solutions: - Check Member Count: Voice channels only exist for 2+ member parties - Wait for Creation: Allow 10-15 seconds for channel creation - Reconnect Discord: Relink your Discord account in settings - Manual Channel: Create temporary voice channel as backup - Contact Support: Report persistent voice channel issues

Chat Not Working

Possible Causes: - Party membership expired - Connection timeout - Browser compatibility issues - Message rate limiting

Solutions: - Verify Membership: Confirm you're still in the party - Refresh Connection: Reload page to restore chat connection - Check Browser: Ensure modern browser with WebSocket support - Reduce Message Rate: Avoid sending messages too quickly - Clear Messages: Clear chat history to resolve display issues

Performance Optimization

Slow Party Loading

Immediate Fixes: - Close Other Tabs: Reduce browser memory usage - Clear Browser Cache: Remove old cached data - Disable Extensions: Turn off unnecessary browser extensions - Check Internet Speed: Verify adequate connection speed

Advanced Solutions: - Update Browser: Use latest browser version - Hardware Acceleration: Enable/disable based on performance - Network Optimization: Use wired connection instead of WiFi - Background Apps: Close resource-heavy applications

High Memory Usage

Browser Optimization: - Tab Management: Close unused tabs - Extension Audit: Remove unnecessary browser extensions - Cache Limits: Set browser cache size limits - Regular Restarts: Restart browser periodically

System Optimization: - RAM Availability: Ensure adequate system memory - Background Processes: Close unnecessary applications - System Updates: Keep operating system updated - Hardware Check: Verify system meets minimum requirements

Connection Issues

Frequent Disconnections

Network Troubleshooting: - Connection Stability: Test internet connection stability - Router Reset: Restart modem and router - DNS Settings: Try alternative DNS servers - VPN Issues: Disable VPN if causing connection problems

Browser Configuration: - WebSocket Support: Verify browser supports WebSockets - Firewall Settings: Check firewall isn't blocking connections - Proxy Configuration: Adjust proxy settings if applicable - Certificate Issues: Clear SSL certificate cache

Real-time Updates Delayed

Immediate Actions: - Page Refresh: Reload page to restore real-time updates - Connection Check: Verify stable internet connection - Browser Console: Check for JavaScript errors - Incognito Test: Try incognito/private browsing mode

System Configuration: - Firewall Settings: Ensure WebSocket connections aren't blocked - Antivirus Software: Check antivirus isn't interfering - Router Configuration: Verify router doesn't block WebSocket traffic - ISP Issues: Contact ISP if problems persist

Getting Help

Self-Service Resources

Help Documentation: Comprehensive guides and FAQs
Video Tutorials: Step-by-step video instructions
Community Forums: User community discussion boards
Knowledge Base: Searchable help articles

Support Channels

In-App Support: Built-in help system with live chat
Discord Community: Official Discord server for community support
Email Support: Direct email contact for complex issues
GitHub Issues: Technical bug reports and feature requests

Best Practices for Support

Detailed Reports: Provide specific error messages and steps to reproduce
Browser Information: Include browser version and operating system
Screenshots: Attach relevant screenshots of issues
Account Details: Provide username and approximate time of issues

Community Guidelines

Respectful Communication: Maintain friendly and respectful interactions
Constructive Feedback: Provide helpful feedback for system improvements
Privacy Awareness: Don't share personal information in public channels
Help Others: Assist other users when you can provide guidance

Conclusion

The LFG system provides a comprehensive solution for finding and organizing casual gaming sessions with automatic voice communication and intelligent party management. With its real-time updates, integrated chat system, and activity-based lifecycle, players can easily connect with compatible teammates for enjoyable gaming experiences.

The system's automatic Discord integration eliminates the friction of manual voice channel setup, while the activity-based cleanup ensures parties remain active as long as members are engaged. Smart filtering and compatibility indicators help players find the right groups quickly and efficiently.

Regular updates and community feedback ensure the LFG system continues to evolve and meet the needs of the gaming community. For the latest features and updates, refer to the official documentation and community announcements.

Whether you're looking for casual matches, ranked gameplay, or tournament preparation, the LFG system provides the tools and features needed to connect with like-minded players and enhance your gaming experience.