How does TL feel about having the ability to zoom out of the map given to spectators of a game letting them see a wider view of the battlefield. This would allow watchers of the game a more unique and diverse viewing experience. Of course limit the range so it can only be slightly expanded, similar to how you can zoom in right now.

Poll:

Poll: Zoom Out as a Spectator Feature

Yes (274)

92%

No (20)

7%

Maybe: I'll explain in a comment (4)

1%

298 total votes

Your vote: Zoom Out as a Spectator Feature

(Vote): Yes
(Vote): No
(Vote): Maybe: I'll explain in a comment

TotalBiscuit

United Kingdom5437 Posts

May 07 2010 10:18 GMT

Anything that gives commentators more options on how to present content to viewers is good in my book.

BLinD-RawR

ALLEYCAT BLUES50600 Posts

May 07 2010 10:20 GMT

makes sense,its easier to keep track of whats going on that way.

Grape

145 Posts

May 07 2010 10:30 GMT

Like the idea, a fullscreen minimap option would be great as well.

iDfyU

Germany45 Posts

May 07 2010 10:35 GMT

normal zooming out seems silly. but i would liek a zoom out option like in supreme commander where you see a shematic overview of the battlefield. which is basically a big minimap but with etra symbols marking battle groups etc. that would be great for spectators.

GiveMeFace

United Kingdom86 Posts

May 07 2010 10:40 GMT

I don't see why not. However there should definitely be the option to disable it as there will be so many people trying to do it when their computers cant handle it.^^

Na_Dann_Ma_GoGo

Germany2959 Posts

May 07 2010 10:44 GMT

Well yes I'd like to see it.

However as Blizzard has stated there would be huge performance issues if you zoom out too far. I guess the engine scales pretty linear and even though the units are further away from your camera point it still takes the same amount of performance to calculate everything for it. Thus there may be some huge issues when you have like the entire map visible.

ArdentZeal

Germany155 Posts

May 07 2010 12:03 GMT

hm seems like a spectator feature which will be very likly to be hacked and used in normal games.

TheOracle

Australia256 Posts

May 07 2010 12:05 GMT

Yeah why not. I seriously don't see it being hacked as a major problem, and better commentating is never a bad thing. I'd say yes.

SiNiquity

United States734 Posts

May 07 2010 12:14 GMT

#10

Actually, while I voted yes I would have to change it to "no." I worry it may be similar to changing FOV in an FPS -- for advanced players, it absolutely makes sense to change to a wider angle, and while players could watch a POV from higher FOV without too much difficulty, spectators might not adjust so well because they haven't necessarily played the game.

Similarly, while players might be able to distinguish certain similar units even at a farther distance than normal (Marauder / Marine; Zealot / Templar), spectators might not.

In short, I think a very clear use-case scenario would first need to be presented before an argument for this feature could truly be warranted. Honestly I can't think of one personally, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Jaded

United States5 Posts

May 07 2010 13:03 GMT

#11

I'm sort of undecided on this.The current zoom out feature is like WC3 in that it brings you down to battlefield level which I don't see a practical use for right now, so it would provide something that makes sense at least.

At the same time it would be very taxing on a CPU and for shoutcasting since most of the streams are low-medium quality it would be hard to follow battles other than what the commentator is telling you.

I guess it would be nice but it depends on exactly how they implement it that would determine whether or not it would be a nice feature or a bad one.

zealing

Canada806 Posts

May 07 2010 13:07 GMT

#12

meh...i wanna say yes cause it would be kinda cool but tbh i dont think its needed that much

daewdasd

Germany64 Posts

May 07 2010 13:08 GMT

#13

On May 07 2010 21:03 ArdentZeal wrote:
hm seems like a spectator feature which will be very likly to be hacked and used in normal games.

I did vote for No because i fear the same.

Jaded

United States5 Posts

May 07 2010 13:11 GMT

#14

On May 07 2010 22:08 daewdasd wrote:
I did vote for No because i fear the same.

Blizzard seems serious on cracking down on hacking and I'm sure if they implemented this they would anticipate this as well and take steps to combat it.

But at the same time it's blizzard and hackers are very clever.

Gozos

United States19 Posts

May 07 2010 13:43 GMT

#15

Can you do this in the map editor? Playing games in UMS to allow spectators is nothing we aren't already use to.

TotalBiscuit

United Kingdom5437 Posts

May 07 2010 13:46 GMT

#16

On May 07 2010 22:08 daewdasd wrote:

Show nested quote +

I did vote for No because i fear the same.

I've already seen an app that allows for this anyway. Hackers are going to hack, whether you put a feature in or not. It's not reason to bottle up potentially useful features. What next, we get rid of the map because someone might maphack it?

Chriamon

United States886 Posts

May 07 2010 16:19 GMT

#17

This can already be accomplished with UMS games, so no real need for blizz to implement.

MorroW

Sweden3522 Posts

May 07 2010 16:22 GMT

#18

dont allow them to zoom out alot because it will make the game run slower. but alittle small zoom out would be cool

devolore

United States70 Posts

May 07 2010 16:24 GMT

#19

Yeah it'd definitely be cool to let spectators see juuuuust a little bit more than what the players see, but it doesn't need to be too much more than that.

I don't think potential framerate issues should be too big of a concern as long as it's something the spectators have to actually make happen, computers will get better over time.

palanq

United States761 Posts

May 07 2010 16:24 GMT

#20

This would be very intuitive to add in for spectators, referees, and viewers of replays - just add a few more level to the mouse wheel zoom scroll!

Highly recommended feature ++++