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[Trans] Interview, Chris Sigaty/David Kim

Forum Index > SC2 General
191 CommentsPost a Reply
1 2 3 4 5 8 9 10 Next All
yoonstar91
Profile Blog Joined October 2011
88 Posts
December 21 2011 20:25 GMT
#1
This interview was requested to be translated by a lovely Teamliquid user. And I found it to be interesting and a little unique and more detailed than some of the other interviews with David Kim and Chris Sigaty. Please note that this Interview is from October at Blizzcon. Thanks for reading!

Original Article Posted on 2011-10-23 17:15

Original Article
Original Article by TheLastZealot
Translated by Kevin
Follow me @yoonstar91


[image loading]

Q. As a member of the Balance Team, what are your thoughts on the Starcraft 2 balance?

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (David Kim) We receive a lot of information about the balance from the ladders. In Korean Top Ladder, Terran tends to be stronger against Protoss. In Europe, Zerg tends to be stronger against Protoss. Overall Protoss seems weak while Terran and Zerg seems to be about the same. In GSL, Terran seems to be stronger overall, but such is not the case in other foreign tournaments. Therfore we are being very careful with the updates. For the next patch, we plan to fix Terran and Protoss.


Q.The match-making in the battle-net is designed so that players usually have around 50% win ratio in the ladder. How are you able to achieve that?

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (David Kim) All we can get are numbers. The match-making may be 50:50 overall, but PvT Matchup tends to be 65% Terran winning. There are other ways for us in calculating these numbers.


Q. In Starcraft 2 (Heart of the Swarm), the units, Mothership and Overseer, will be gone. On the other hand, players will only be able to build one Thor in Heart of the Swarm. What are your thoughts on that?

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (David Kim) When we get rid of the units, we look at how often the units are used in a game. In Terran, all the units are often used, therefore there’s really nothing to get rid of. Instead of weakening Terran, we have added new units for the other races to make them strategically stronger.

A. (Chris Sigaty) Also it’s important to note that we listen to a lot of the feedbacks from the people. Therefore we plan to continue listening to the feedbacks and perfect the new units.


Q. How do you guys come up with new units? Where do you guys get the inspirations from?

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (David Kim) In the Wings of Liberty, we understand the weakness and strength of each race. Therefore we tried really hard to fix those weaknesses and balance the game. We get inspirations with the new units from books and comic books. Also we sometimes get ideas from a team of artists or pro-gamers.


Q. Nydus Canal seems to be uncommonly used in SC2, what are your thoughts on that?
+ Show Spoiler +
A. (David Kim) Nydus Canal is not very used often by a lot of the players as part of their build. In fact we tried to improve the Nydus Canal about a month ago. We tried to make Nydus Canal only possible on the upper cliff and cheaper and be used more for the defensive purposes. But such change will be very surprising and awkward for the players who use Nydus offensively. Therefore we have not changed them yet. Nydus Canal is definitely one of the most important factor we are looking at.


Q. In the Expansion Pack (SC2), you tried to change the flow of the multiplayer games….

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (David Kim) We tried to add more specialized units for the Protoss. We also tried to figure out a way for Zerg to break through the defense when Terran or Protoss plays very defensively (since Zerg tends to overwhelm the opponent with the number of units or by droning hard). Terran can be both offensive and defensive with varieties of strategies; therefore we are adding units so that players can easily choose between the bionic and mechanic plays.


Q. Can one still play in the Wings of Liberty even after purchasing the Beta of the Heart of the Swarm or the game itself?

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (Chris Sigaty) I cant say the specifics about the beta, but it’s coming soon. If one purchases the Zerg: Heart of the Swarm, one will still have the option to play the Terrans: Wings of Liberty. Unfortunately a player with only the Wings of Liberty can only play the Wings of Liberty.


Q. Last May, a little preview of the Zerg: Heart of the Swarm was shown. Are there any changes since the presentation?

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (Chris Sigaty) The two missions are still the same. The story line will be mainly about the evolution of the Zerg. But there have been a lot of editing to how Kerrigan uses her powers.


Q. Do you plan to change a lot in Protoss: Legacy of the Void also?

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (Chris Sigaty) When we add new contents, we try to keep them simple. There will be new units in Protoss: Legacy of the Void. We’ll have to think about that after the Zerg: Heart of the Swarm.

A. (David Kim) Even within Blizzard, we sometimes fear that we have changed the game too much with the Heart of the Swarm. After the release, we will have to wait for the feedbacks and make final decisions.


Q. With the Dota Mode, how do you plan to make the game even more fun? Why did you guys add this mode? Do you plan on adding other characters from other companies too?

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (Chris Sigaty) We are capable of bringing more heroes from Blizzard games and we plan to add 12 more. We do not have any plans to bring heroes from other gaming companies yet. We plan to change Dota games to the “Blizzard style” and make it a little more challenging. Also we are trying to pace the game so that each game last about 20~30 minutes.


Q. Can one get Blizzard Dota for free when purchasing the Zerg: Heart of the Swarm?
+ Show Spoiler +
A. We have not decided that yet. We are considering the idea of making the Blizzard Dota free.


Q. A lot of Starcraft 1 viewers complain that Starcraft 2 depends heavily on one epic battle to end the game. Are there any changes in the Heart of the Swarm regarding that issue?

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (David Kim) For example, in the Heart of the Swarm, there is a unit called “Shredder ” that cannot be used near his own units. Therefore the Heart of the Swarm will require the player to divide the army more.


Q. What race do you play mainly?
+ Show Spoiler +
A. (David Kim) I play as random.


Q. How are you plan to continue balancing the Wings of Liberty?

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (David Kim) We are looking at whether “Terran being very powerful in Korea” is the same for the rest of the world. We really value the importance of the game being balanced and we are continuing to tweak the balance a little to make it even. We plan to continue with the new patches whenever there are problems.


Q. A lot of the people says that Marines in general are way too powerful. Are you guys planning to balance the Marines?

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (David Kim) In the patch 1.4, Bionic units were very powerful. We are trying to make it so that Terran players play bio half the time and mechanic the other half the time. Marines are the basic foundation of the Terran units and tweaking such a unit will create a lot of problems. Therefore we are trying to avoid it.


Q. Are you guys planning on balancing Starcraft 2 by making Starcraft 2 “global” instead of being divided into regions? And working on balancing the game from there? (some people say Korea is the only region with major balance problems.)

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (Chris Sigaty) We are planning on Cross-Regional battles. We are planning to make this happen before the Heart of the Swarm. But I believe that the balancing issue will remain. Balancing a game is a very difficult job.

A. (David Kim) In Korean ladder, the Terran tends to be a little stronger. But in GSL, Terrans are dominating. We are not sure why and we are continuing to analyze and resolve that problem.




Some of the comments by the Korean users:

+ Show Spoiler +
아낡수나문: It's true. Terran is a bit overpowered in GSL.

(다크): Haha look at the height difference between the two.
SEA.Splash: Oh yeah~

권덱이: I knew that Terran in GSL are very very powerful. I guess these means that Korean Terran gamer tend to understand Terran better in general since the problem persists only in Korea.

BestToss: The Terran problem is probably because the foreign players do no know how to use the Terran very "cheap." (Referring to all-in and etc) If Terran always goes all-in, they're such a fraud race.

MindSet: Next patch.. nerf terran please....

SunShine_No.1: I wish they would answer more clearly.. so vague.

시스카: I knew it! Protoss is weak!!



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Blasterion
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
China10272 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-12-21 20:28:34
December 21 2011 20:28 GMT
#2
On December 22 2011 05:25 yoonstar91 wrote:

+ Show Spoiler +
A. (David Kim) For example, in the Heart of the Swarm, there is a unit called “ShoeLadder? 슈래더 ” that cannot be used near his own units. Therefore the Heart of the Swarm will require the player to divide the army more.




Shoeladder is just a very accented way to say Shredder
[TLNY]Mahjong Club Thread
Smix *
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States4549 Posts
December 21 2011 20:28 GMT
#3
Hahahah shoeladder :p
Thanks a lot kevin
TranslatorBe an Optimist Prime, Not a Negatron // twitter @smixity
yoonstar91
Profile Blog Joined October 2011
88 Posts
December 21 2011 20:29 GMT
#4
Thank you!.. I really tried googling it... haha.... Faill... fixed! ^0^
LemonyTang
Profile Joined March 2011
United Kingdom428 Posts
December 21 2011 20:31 GMT
#5
A. (David Kim) For example, in the Heart of the Swarm, there is a unit called “ShoeLadder? 슈래더 ” that cannot be used near his own units. Therefore the Heart of the Swarm will require the player to divide the army more.


I think this is meant to be Shredder in English.

Thank you for the awesome translation!
Mvp #1
Blasterion
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
China10272 Posts
December 21 2011 20:31 GMT
#6
On December 22 2011 05:29 yoonstar91 wrote:
Thank you!.. I really tried googling it... haha.... Faill... fixed! ^0^

Np! thx for the translation! it was a good read
[TLNY]Mahjong Club Thread
Qntc.YuMe
Profile Joined January 2011
United States792 Posts
December 21 2011 20:32 GMT
#7
Is PvT seriously 65% on ladder?
Antoine
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States7481 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-12-21 20:34:46
December 21 2011 20:32 GMT
#8
thanks for translation! i rehosted the image since pxp has anti-image leech measures (and it's generally nice to not leech)

(you might also want to put something in about the original date of the article since some things have changed since then)
ModeratorFlash Sea Action Snow Midas | TheStC Ret Tyler MC | RIP 우정호
KonohaFlash
Profile Joined July 2010
Canada1590 Posts
December 21 2011 20:35 GMT
#9
Wait, so for the next patch what are they going to do to protoss and terran? Nerf, buff? O_o
Kouda
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
United States2205 Posts
December 21 2011 20:39 GMT
#10
On December 22 2011 05:32 OpTiKDream wrote:
Is PvT seriously 65% on ladder?


I thought he meant that Terrans in the PvT matchup have a 65% winrate.
yoonstar91
Profile Blog Joined October 2011
88 Posts
December 21 2011 20:39 GMT
#11
On December 22 2011 05:32 Antoine wrote:
thanks for translation! i rehosted the image since pxp has anti-image leech measures (and it's generally nice to not leech)

(you might also want to put something in about the original date of the article since some things have changed since then)


Thanks I will!
SolidMoose
Profile Joined June 2011
United States1240 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-12-21 20:40:29
December 21 2011 20:40 GMT
#12
On December 22 2011 05:32 OpTiKDream wrote:
Is PvT seriously 65% on ladder?


It's from October, aka pre 1.4.2. The matchup is closer to 55-45 in P favor now.

OP, you're going to need to make the old date more obvious, people are going to get confused.
SeaSwift
Profile Blog Joined February 2011
Scotland4486 Posts
December 21 2011 20:40 GMT
#13
On December 22 2011 05:35 KonohaFlash wrote:
Wait, so for the next patch what are they going to do to protoss and terran? Nerf, buff? O_o



I think change, more than nerf or buff. Seems like they have some pretty big plans in the works (well, big compared to Immortal range or upgrade cost change by -50).

Excited! David Kim showing that he still knows what he's doing, IMO. Blizzard still looks smart, not really any "derp" answers here.
yoonstar91
Profile Blog Joined October 2011
88 Posts
December 21 2011 20:42 GMT
#14
I hope the addition of the date sort of clarified things..
eleaf
Profile Joined September 2011
526 Posts
December 21 2011 20:43 GMT
#15
Please note that this Interview is from October at Blizzcon

Everyone read this sentence before post any speculation about the balance.

TL,DR nvm, ppl who loves make judgement before any solid proof wont read anyway.
-Duderino-
Profile Joined July 2011
United States80 Posts
December 21 2011 20:43 GMT
#16
lol plz no nerf to rines they only thing terran has left. I feel like emp nerf solved alot of problems in pvt and i think toss is more powerful then peeps think
The Dude abides.
Zorgaz
Profile Joined June 2010
Sweden2951 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-12-21 20:47:33
December 21 2011 20:46 GMT
#17
On December 22 2011 05:39 Kouda wrote:
Show nested quote +
On December 22 2011 05:32 OpTiKDream wrote:
Is PvT seriously 65% on ladder?


I thought he meant that Terrans in the PvT matchup have a 65% winrate.


Yes he said 65% Terran winning TvP.

I'm guessing that's in Korea though, last i checked P had the edge in US/EU.
Furthermore, I think the Collosi should be removed! (Zorgaz -Terran/AbrA-Random/Zorg-Dota2) Guineapigs <3
Roxy
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada753 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-12-21 20:48:14
December 21 2011 20:48 GMT
#18
hmm.. well.. i hope all of the people posting in those terran QQ threads are embarrassed

Cant believe terran win 65% vs protoss though.. that is staggering

But if it rounds out to 50%, does that mean that protoss is dominating zerg? If so, that contradicts the:

"In Europe, Zerg tends to be stronger against Protoss. Overall Protoss seems weak while Terran and Zerg seems to be about the same"
http://sc2ranks.com/us/941824/Roxy - Masters Protoss: "Respect my authoritai"
llKenZyll
Profile Blog Joined November 2011
United States853 Posts
Last Edited: 2011-12-21 20:49:48
December 21 2011 20:48 GMT
#19
Good interview, but it's kind of strange how they can have such a versatile unit in the game. The marine is the best unit in the game only for fifty minerals. They nerfed the infestor because it was "too versatile". Well, all I can say is look at the marine, it is good against all units if you have the micro to make them work (Splitting is easy)

EDIT: And yes, I think ZvP is Zerg favored and that ZvT is the most balanced matchup in the game.
http://www.reddit.com/r/starcraft/comments/nd6nd/tang_in_his_natural_habitat/
Roxy
Profile Joined November 2010
Canada753 Posts
December 21 2011 20:50 GMT
#20
On December 22 2011 05:48 Lebzetu wrote:
Good interview, but it's kind of strange how they can have such a versatile unit in the game. The marine is the best unit in the game only for fifty minerals. They nerfed the infestor because it was "too versatile". Well, all I can say is look at the marine, it is good against all units if you have the micro to make them work (Splitting is easy)

EDIT: And yes, I think ZvP is Zerg favored and that ZvT is the most balanced matchup in the game.


If splitting marines vs banes is easy, what do you consider to be hard as far as micro is concerned?
http://sc2ranks.com/us/941824/Roxy - Masters Protoss: "Respect my authoritai"
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