A few weeks ago MLG's JP McDaniel went to Blizzard HQ for the Heart of The Swarm reveal, and interviewed Starcraft 2 Lead Designer Dustin Browder & Game Balance Designer David Kim.

http://www.majorleaguegaming.com/news/jp-exlusive-interviews-blizzard-browder-kim/

Here are some quotes from David Kim:

"Minus the biases from the players aside, overall I think the balance of the game is pretty solid."

"For 1v1 maps specifically, we're trying to make a very diverse set of maps so players who love rushing, macro, or more normal game play can all enjoy the different formats."

GwSC

United States1997 Posts

June 16 2011 21:08 GMT

Good interviews
A little strange to me that he specifically mentions broodlord+infestor vs T as something they are looking at.
It seems that especially Korean Terrans with their crazy drop play are able to roll over that comp, being that its so slow.
Edit: Would like to add, I'm all for brood+infestor being less prominent. Slow powerful units as the center of the unit comp just doesn't feel zergy

ribboo

Sweden1842 Posts

June 16 2011 21:11 GMT

well, that's pretty much only MMA isnt it? and im yet to see someone get broods against him.
not saying z or t is imba, just pointing that out

good interviews btw! half the ladder map-pool swapped out for season 3, I sure as hell hope they are talking about 1v1 :D

Alabasern

United States4005 Posts

June 16 2011 21:12 GMT

I like the white board behind Dustin Browder.

Thanks for this JP!

GwSC

United States1997 Posts

June 16 2011 21:13 GMT

On June 17 2011 06:11 ribboo wrote:

Show nested quote +

well, that's pretty much only MMA isnt it? and im yet to see someone get broods against him.
not saying z or t is imba, just pointing that out

I think its catching on with more players, you're right that no one uses it quite as heavily yet.
Even getting to the point that you can get broods out safely against MMA seems like quite a feat

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

June 16 2011 21:13 GMT

I HEARD WARP PRISM BUFF

AW YEAH

Yaotzin

South Africa4280 Posts

June 16 2011 21:13 GMT

Have they said when season 3 starts?

HelloSon

United States456 Posts

June 16 2011 21:15 GMT

I'm curious, why did it take so long to release this video?

Was it the info from Dayvie about the new maps in season 3?

shift.number

Korea (South)29 Posts

June 16 2011 21:15 GMT

jp makes david kim look tiny o.O

rift

1819 Posts

June 16 2011 21:16 GMT

#10

I hope new ladder maps are better than Slag Pits and Co.

This concept of "giving rush maps, normal maps and macro maps for all players, casual and serious" seems a bit strange. Casual players can still enjoy games and rush on a regular map instead of needing a map that sacrifices quality for these traits.

On_Slaught

United States12190 Posts

June 16 2011 21:16 GMT

#11

"The mothership is more geared towards casual players." - David Kim

Holy shit that is a HORRIBLE explanation for why they keep a HORRIBLE unit in competitive play. How about give the terran all the units in the single player too for the bronze and gold league players?

They just told protoss that you get one less viable unit b/c its fun for some players who don't care about winning.

Darksoldierr

Hungary2013 Posts

June 16 2011 21:16 GMT

#12

Lol i have a same Tshirt as dustin browder

FMStyles

Germany162 Posts

June 16 2011 21:16 GMT

#13

"For 1v1 maps specifically, we're trying to make a very diverse set of maps so players who love rushing, macro, or more normal game play can all enjoy the different formats."

who love rushing
love rushing
rushing...

Fruscainte

4596 Posts

June 16 2011 21:17 GMT

#14

On June 17 2011 06:16 FMStyles wrote:
"For 1v1 maps specifically, we're trying to make a very diverse set of maps so players who love rushing, macro, or more normal game play can all enjoy the different formats."

who love rushing
love rushing
rushing...

...Point being?

SnipedSoul

Canada2158 Posts

June 16 2011 21:18 GMT

#15

Rushing and cheese are the only reason I play this game, tbh. Good to know Dustin Browder cares about people like me and our interests.

BushidoSnipr

United States910 Posts

June 16 2011 21:18 GMT

#16

This is awesome! David Kim is such a better interview than Dustin Browder. He's very interesting and looking forward to more interviews with him!

Hider

Denmark9447 Posts

June 16 2011 21:19 GMT

#17

On June 17 2011 06:08 GwSC wrote:
Good interviews
A little strange to me that he specifically mentions broodlord+infestor vs T as something they are looking at.
It seems that especially Korean Terrans with their crazy drop play are able to roll over that comp, being that its so slow.
Edit: Would like to add, I'm all for brood+infestor being less prominent. Slow powerful units as the center of the unit comp just doesn't feel zergy

No they are not really. Mma prob would have probs vs broodlord/ifnestor/corrupter. MMA jsut has much better multitasking than his opp, and hence is able to win. IF the zerg has really good multitasking, or just invest in a lot of spines, terrans wont be able to base there entire strategy on drops. And if a terran 200/200 army cant beat a zerg 200/200 army, there has to be some balance change.

sereniity

Sweden1159 Posts

June 16 2011 21:19 GMT

#18

I just don't see why people who love rushing can't rush on larger maps? It's almost better to do certain cheeses on bigger maps due to the surprise factor and greediness of your opponents...

Jtn

444 Posts

June 16 2011 21:19 GMT

#19

One thing that's always bothered me about JP's interviews is that he doesn't really look at the person he's interviewing, he spends the majority of the time looking at the camera. EDIT: Actually it's fine during the David Kim interview lol, just the Dustin Browder interview was kinda weird.

Otherwise, great interview! Very informative tidbits in there.

GwSC

United States1997 Posts

June 16 2011 21:19 GMT

#20

Sounds like maps that we will veto on the ladder, and tournaments will ignore. Wouldn't worry about it : )