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Macro Mechanics Alert and Skill Gap

Blogs > ThE_OsToJiY
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ThE_OsToJiY
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
Canada1167 Posts
February 27 2011 01:35 GMT
#1
So... With 1.3 patch notes there is the announcement of including an alert for macro mechanics. To me I see this as a huge step in the complete wrong direction for the game. As far as I see it, the main reason macro mechanics were included in SC2 were to put some measure skill back into macro after taking it out with automine and MBS. By removing this, it seems that there is absolutely no point to macro mechanics whatsoever at this point.

As a result the skill gap is lessened and while many low level players might not realize it, at the pro level it is pretty clear that there are an incredible number of large upsets happening simply because maps/spawn positions, and random choice of strategy plays a larger role than actual skill at the game (Look at the TL open if you don't believe me, look at the number of gosus knocked out in the first round by nobodies...). As an ex-BW player, I hate to go back to the whole wanting the two games to be identical, because I dont, but BW was a pretty well balanced game that had a very high skill requirement and thus a relatively low level of regular upsets.

Thus I just want to say that macro mechanics and other aspects of the game should be made HARDER not EASIER. I'm not saying that upsets aren't a key part of the game, and yes there should be a chance that a 3200 masters can beat a 3900 masters player in a bo3 but when the game is such a huge eSport it should be that more often than not the best player in a tournament should make the finals.

****
@ostojiy
Darth Saros
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
Czech Republic245 Posts
February 27 2011 01:46 GMT
#2
It's funny how much skill and practice is needed, just to be considered bad in BW :-) The solution to your rant is simple-the best multiplayer game ever is still here...waiting for your return...
Only BW...And everybody and your granny should know about CYBERPUNK 2077.
Ares[Effort] *
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
DEMACIA6550 Posts
February 27 2011 01:47 GMT
#3
Agreed, I really hate the direction Blizzard is going in.
Moderatorgold coin
darklordjac
Profile Joined July 2010
Canada2231 Posts
February 27 2011 01:51 GMT
#4
This reminds me of what they did with WoW. The game slowly got easier and easier.
schiznak
Profile Joined October 2009
Australia258 Posts
February 27 2011 01:58 GMT
#5
I remember back when everyone was saying that MBS and infinite unit selection was the death of sc2.

The sky isnt falling.
"That's very e-sports of you to have the camera focused on the people instead of the game" -ultradavid
knyttym
Profile Blog Joined December 2006
United States5797 Posts
February 27 2011 02:06 GMT
#6
You just have to let it go. I was praying during release that blizzard change up the game mechanics. I still am not a big fan of mbs and smart cast but it is what it is.
ThE_OsToJiY
Profile Blog Joined May 2008
Canada1167 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-27 02:09:45
February 27 2011 02:07 GMT
#7
On February 27 2011 10:58 schiznak wrote:
I remember back when everyone was saying that MBS and infinite unit selection was the death of sc2.

The sky isnt falling.


Yes, these things have created a different game, and I'm not saying that it will ruin the game I'm simply stating what I think the current state of the game is and how implementing this is only making a key issue worse. I have not played with this alert, it could have little influence on what happens but it seems to me like it adds little to the game and could potentially make macro TOO easy. They are adding to the oversimplification of macro and it means that the need for speed and skill is much less important than the need for having a superior strategy to your opponent. This to me is an issue because it is making the game more luck-based rather than skill-based.
@ostojiy
MOOG
Profile Joined October 2010
United States188 Posts
February 27 2011 02:11 GMT
#8
Let me repeat to you a part of your own blog-the only reason macro mechanics are in the game is that it compensates for the addition of automine and mbs.

This is the most faulty part of your reasoning. Its 2010 now. Blizzard should NOT compensate for removing automine and MBS. you put in automine and MBS by default. Its 2010 now, not 1998. Blizzard never thought "we removed automine and mbs and now we have to compensate for that by making the game harder in other areas." The game is more frustrating without automine and mbs, not just harder.

The macro mechanic notification may make things a little easier for players, but the inclusion of larger maps to the map pool will make the game more difficult. Larger maps extend the length of the game and also tax pro skills like multitasking. The difficulty imposed by larger maps far outstrips the effect of a small addition like macro notifications.

This change isn't a very big deal. There already was a macro mechanic notification-the plop of the larvae, the disappearing of the chrono slinky, and the mechanical breakdown of the mule. These were all very loud, but you can really only notice them when your camera was near the location of the event. Now, they can be "heard" globally.
To Do: 1. finish the rest of my practice league matches 2. win GSL
Incanus
Profile Joined October 2009
Canada695 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-02-27 02:15:55
February 27 2011 02:12 GMT
#9
Yeah, I think it comes down to how big a role we want mechanics to play in the game. Personally, I love mechanically demanding games, and if Blizzard turns the game into a purely rock paper scissors mind game with people clicking as fast as they can (APM is not mechanics) to do what is set in stone, I'll be very disappointed. That is not what I see StarCraft as currently, StarCraft is a game of economy, army building, teching, and of combat. If Blizzard simplifies everything down in this way, we'll be left with... teching and combat, with the rest being trivialized.
Flash: "Why am I so good?" *sob sob*
eNtitY~
Profile Joined January 2007
United States1293 Posts
February 27 2011 02:17 GMT
#10
Agreed. Bad move.
http://www.starcraftdream.com
Turgid
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
United States1623 Posts
February 27 2011 02:58 GMT
#11
I feel that you're overestimating the effect of the macro mechanic alert. It's only visual, isn't it? Warp gates have had a visual indicator that they're ready since forever, but people miss warp-ins constantly.
(╬ ಠ益ಠ)
eviltomahawk
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States11135 Posts
February 27 2011 03:00 GMT
#12
Have you played on the PTR with these macro notifications? If they affect your play, then it's worth discussing them. If not, then perhaps they won't have as big an impact as people assume. From what I've played, it's still quite easy to forget the macro mechanics even with the notifications, especially in the late game. The notifications do help in the early game, but their benefits diminish as the game goes on.

The in-game clock had a similar amount of criticism when it first debuted in a previous patch. It certainly did help noobs react more effectively to timings, but pros already had most of their timings internalized. The clock really only affected the early game when dealing with specific timings, but it becomes a negligible feature once the game goes beyond the early game.

As far as upsets in tournaments go, I don't think it is wise to point to the smaller skill gap as a reason for every upset in every tournament unless you have legitimately watched every game where there was an upset. TSLOpen is still populated by excellent players despite upsets in the first round. Most of the upsets in GSL were mainly due to the favored player being outright outplayed or perhaps getting unlucky with one click (in regards to Nestea and MVP respectively). There were many, many more important factors in those upsets besides a skill ceiling.

A lowered skill ceiling from easier macro mechanics may be a factor in SC2, though IMO it's not as major as people complain it to be.
ㅇㅅㅌㅅ
YoonHo
Profile Blog Joined October 2008
Canada1043 Posts
February 27 2011 03:01 GMT
#13
Hey, osto! You back yet?

I really didn't read the patch in detail but, wow, I'm surprised to hear this. Right now, I have nothing useful to add to the conversation, seeing that I'm not too aware of what's going on. Once I do, I'll edit my post. Nonetheless, I gotta agree with you, I don't like what blizzard is doing T_T.
IUFam Golf Wang~ NrGsteve
chongu
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Malaysia2593 Posts
February 27 2011 03:05 GMT
#14
I wish TL was more supportive of this : ( and we, the community can stop giving Blizzard mixed signals..... And I also wish more people actually watched the BW pro-scene so they'd understand our arguments a tad bit better

I am really sad abt the direction
SC2 is to BW, what coke is to wine.
GHOSTCLAW
Profile Blog Joined February 2008
United States17042 Posts
February 27 2011 03:12 GMT
#15
I think we need sc2promod
PhotographerLiquipedia. Drop me a pm if you've got questions/need help.
Zim23
Profile Joined August 2010
United States1681 Posts
February 27 2011 03:35 GMT
#16
On February 27 2011 12:12 GHOSTCLAW wrote:
I think we need sc2promod

God that would be amazing.
Do an arranged marriage if she's not completely minging, and don't worry about dancing, get a go-kart, cheers.
Essentia
Profile Joined July 2010
1150 Posts
February 27 2011 03:41 GMT
#17
On February 27 2011 12:12 GHOSTCLAW wrote:
I think we need sc2promod



User was warned for this post
Chef
Profile Blog Joined August 2005
10810 Posts
February 27 2011 03:42 GMT
#18
Built in BW coach lol. They should have alerts for when you need to build supply depots too, and when your minerals or gas get too high, or when you haven't scouted in awhile. That way it'll be like the game is playing you! SPEND YOUR MONEY HUMAN. HUMAN, YOU NEED TO BUILD MORE SUPPLY DEPOTS. DROP A MULE HUMAN.
LEGEND!! LEGEND!!
ch33psh33p
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
7650 Posts
February 27 2011 03:49 GMT
#19
Guys.

Its a visual alert like when the building completes, or when your warp in cycle completes. Far left side.

It will not impact the game at all. Play it, test it, before you complain.
secret - never again
XCetron
Profile Joined November 2006
5226 Posts
February 27 2011 06:32 GMT
#20
On February 27 2011 12:49 ch33psh33p wrote:
Guys.

Its a visual alert like when the building completes, or when your warp in cycle completes. Far left side.

It will not impact the game at all. Play it, test it, before you complain.


Then why is it being added?
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