I didn't see this posted yet and it was just published today.
Topics covered in this interview include:
1. Shared Replay Viewing
2. Improving the Ladder experience for new users. Addressing Ladder Anxiety: Dustin Browder goes in depth to talk about some of the problems with SC2's WoL Ladder system and elaborates on a lot of the training modes being added for new users coming from the campaign.
3. New improvements to the UI editor to make it potentially easier to use.
4. New function for replay viewing to allow casters to customize what stats are displayed while viewing.
5. Resume from replay.
6. Clans/Groups for HOTS.
7. No plans for automated tournaments just yet for HOTS, but Dustin Browder says is an idea they "Definitely" want to add in for Legacy of the Void, has heard all of the enthusiasm people have had towards the idea.
Personally I think this is a really great interview. I'm very happy that Blizzard is so focused on improving the ladder experience for new users. I think it shows they are paying attention to a lot of the community based feedback we've been throwing at them about B.NET 2.0 over the past 2 years.
It's been really tough to try and get some of my friends to convert over to SC2 from other games for a lot of the reasons DB talked about.
The new training mode, ramped up AI difficulty and unranked play should do a TON to further this game for the casual fanbase.
The UI changes for HOTS have been great, I can't wait for them to unlock a lot of the new features DB talked about that we don't have access to on beta yet.
Shame that no automated tournaments are coming for HoTS. That was something I really loved about WC3's B.NET interface. Even if I only participated a few times it was a great thing to see happening always felt like there was something going on.
7. No plans for automated tournaments just yet for HOTS, but Dustin Browder says is an idea they "Definitely" want to add in for Legacy of the Void, has heard all of the enthusiasm people have had towards the idea.
Shame that no automated tournaments are coming for HoTS. That was something I really loved about WC3's B.NET interface. Even if I only participated a few times it was a great thing to see happening always felt like there was something going on.
I think I played like one 2v2 with my bro, and that felt pretty intimidating. If it were implemented in HoTs though I'd be pretty pumped
Shame that no automated tournaments are coming for HoTS. That was something I really loved about WC3's B.NET interface. Even if I only participated a few times it was a great thing to see happening always felt like there was something going on.
I think I played like one 2v2 with my bro, and that felt pretty intimidating. If it were implemented in HoTs though I'd be pretty pumped
What I would LOVE is if they did with automated tournaments what online poker sites do with tournaments vs cash games.
You could sign up for a tournament and the tournament is for only members of a particular league and the reward, in addition to wins towards special tournament portraits like they had in Warcraft 3, would be a boatload of ladder points based on where you placed in the tournament.
There'd be no points for losing obviously but I think that'd be a great option for players who want to play ranked play but don't particularly like the random Bo1's you face on ladder. This would give the same ladder reward but with a different structure for acquiring it.
I do not understand why they are so slow to implement these features.. Also, as usual, I find hilarious that some of these features CAME with wc3 and TFT yet, we have to beg and ask for them in SC2 and we will likely get them in years from now... lol-.-
On December 09 2012 07:58 WhiteSatin wrote: I do not understand why they are so slow to implement these features.. Also, as usual, I find hilarious that some of these features CAME with wc3 and TFT yet, we have to beg and ask for them in SC2 and we will likely get them in years from now... lol-.-
Maybe they have different people doing SC2 than WC3? I don't know what the code looks like, but what i have seen posts here, some people think that somewhere in the code there is a variable set to 1 for max one replay viewers and that Blizzard just need to change it to 2. In reality, depending how it was coded, they might need to rewrite whole replay watching stuff to allow multiple viewers.
On December 09 2012 07:58 WhiteSatin wrote: I do not understand why they are so slow to implement these features.. Also, as usual, I find hilarious that some of these features CAME with wc3 and TFT yet, we have to beg and ask for them in SC2 and we will likely get them in years from now... lol-.-
Maybe they have different people doing SC2 than WC3? I don't know what the code looks like, but what i have seen posts here, some people think that somewhere in the code there is a variable set to 1 for max one replay viewers and that Blizzard just need to change it to 2. In reality, depending how it was coded, they might need to rewrite whole replay watching stuff to allow multiple viewers.
When franchises such as Madden switched to the current generation of consoles there were a lot of features missing for like 3 years. I imagine this is for similar reasons, everything has to be built from scratch again.
What I found especially interesting is that there were some staffing additions after WoL shipped, and there may be a couple of skins that can be gained through the xp/leveling system.
On December 09 2012 07:09 Vindicare605 wrote: 7. No plans for automated tournaments just yet for HOTS, but Dustin Browder says is an idea they "Definitely" want to add in for Legacy of the Void, has heard all of the enthusiasm people have had towards the idea. .
This is sad... that all this feature are coming so late must be on purpose... i can't imagine that they are so slow. Sometimes i really blizzard for holding back this kinda stuff just so the expansions looking better, then again they are just a company... sigh
On December 09 2012 07:58 WhiteSatin wrote: I do not understand why they are so slow to implement these features.. Also, as usual, I find hilarious that some of these features CAME with wc3 and TFT yet, we have to beg and ask for them in SC2 and we will likely get them in years from now... lol-.-
Maybe they have different people doing SC2 than WC3? I don't know what the code looks like, but what i have seen posts here, some people think that somewhere in the code there is a variable set to 1 for max one replay viewers and that Blizzard just need to change it to 2. In reality, depending how it was coded, they might need to rewrite whole replay watching stuff to allow multiple viewers.
When franchises such as Madden switched to the current generation of consoles there were a lot of features missing for like 3 years. I imagine this is for similar reasons, everything has to be built from scratch again.
Everything from scratch is such a bitch, so much headaches >.<
Looks like they really want the bronze and silver players to learn how to play and improve without losing 20 games in a row before a win. I am pretty optimistic for the overall player base. Does not really affect me though...
On December 09 2012 09:56 mrRoflpwn wrote: Looks like they really want the bronze and silver players to learn how to play and improve without losing 20 games in a row before a win. I am pretty optimistic for the overall player base. Does not really affect me though...
What's good for the people at the bottom of the pyramid strengthens everything at the top. That's my philosophy anyway.
Have to cater to the casuals if we want to expand and grow SC2. Not necessarily by plummeting the skill ceiling but adding a bunch of features like this.
The new units are great especially for more experienced players, but the new features are going to be why HoTS will be such a huge success.
No bnet tournaments before LotV, not like it was already a feature in Warcraft TFT!! But then again, they shipped WoL without chat so we shouldn't have expected anything else.
On December 09 2012 07:58 WhiteSatin wrote: I do not understand why they are so slow to implement these features.. Also, as usual, I find hilarious that some of these features CAME with wc3 and TFT yet, we have to beg and ask for them in SC2 and we will likely get them in years from now... lol-.-
Maybe they have different people doing SC2 than WC3? I don't know what the code looks like, but what i have seen posts here, some people think that somewhere in the code there is a variable set to 1 for max one replay viewers and that Blizzard just need to change it to 2. In reality, depending how it was coded, they might need to rewrite whole replay watching stuff to allow multiple viewers.
When franchises such as Madden switched to the current generation of consoles there were a lot of features missing for like 3 years. I imagine this is for similar reasons, everything has to be built from scratch again.
Everything from scratch is such a bitch, so much headaches >.<
And then you realize that madden still takes out features and adds in others every year. Sooner or later it stops being an excuse. Madden has to release every year, blizzard has more time.
7. No plans for automated tournaments just yet for HOTS, but Dustin Browder says is an idea they "Definitely" want to add in for Legacy of the Void, has heard all of the enthusiasm people have had towards the idea.
That's another two years at least.
I wouldn't say that for sure. I could easily see LotV coming out faster than HotS. While Blizzard has changed their position on many issues in the past their currents comments on LotV have indicated that they are not sure how much room there is for additions to the multiplayer experience so it may not take as long. I'm also guessing sales for HotS will influence how much effort and time they put into LotV.
Edit: I need to learn form the OPer, my two hour earlier topic on this interview in the HOTS subforum got zero replies
On December 09 2012 10:25 Kasaraki wrote: On one hand, it's a shame we have to wait so long. On the other, it's nice how long term this project is to them.
As far as I know, EA isn't producing Madden for a global audience with a constant global infrastructure to support it.
As far as I know, Madden is a strictly American franchise.
I'm not sure the two franchises are as directly comparable as you're making it sound. Starcraft 2 is definitely a more ambitious project.
Wow... nice to know Blizzard is getting their poos lined up in rows finally. It's still disappointing to me that it's taken over 2 years to get to a point that's starting to get to the point it could/should have been at launch though.
A feature I'm particularly interested in (perhaps because I didn't hear about it or expect it before now) is this new replay (or observation?) UI customization. Much of the existing stats were just not useful, and there were missing stats that were the most useful (such as net worth).
On December 09 2012 07:58 WhiteSatin wrote: I do not understand why they are so slow to implement these features.. Also, as usual, I find hilarious that some of these features CAME with wc3 and TFT yet, we have to beg and ask for them in SC2 and we will likely get them in years from now... lol-.-
I'm kinda surprised every time I see those comments. Don't you understand ? They want to sell Legacy of the Void and they need some BNet features, UI features, new units etc. There are good chance that new Nydus worms (planned for multi in HoTS) and a revamped Warhound will be ready @ Legacy of the Void. Same things for BNet tournaments etc.
I don't know if you are a HoTS beta player but there are so many little things that could be patched into WoL, they did hold it because it was "low priority" so they could sell it for HoTS. The more changes HoTS will bring, the better, but they need to think about Legacy of the Void.
Did you know we would never had Chat channels in WoL if we didn't whine ? They were planned in HoTS with Clan & Group features. That's why the chat channels in WoL look like a simple extended chat and it never fits in the current UI.
On December 09 2012 07:58 WhiteSatin wrote: I do not understand why they are so slow to implement these features.. Also, as usual, I find hilarious that some of these features CAME with wc3 and TFT yet, we have to beg and ask for them in SC2 and we will likely get them in years from now... lol-.-
I'm kinda surprised every time I see those comments. Don't you understand ? They want to sell Legacy of the Void and they need some BNet features, UI features, new units etc. There are good chance that new Nydus worms (planned for multi in HoTS) and a revamped Warhound will be ready @ Legacy of the Void. Same things for BNet tournaments etc.
I don't know if you are a HoTS beta player but there are so many little things that could be patched into WoL, they did hold it because it was "low priority" so they could sell it for HoTS. The more changes HoTS will bring, the better, but they need to think about Legacy of the Void.
Did you know we would never had Chat channels in WoL if we didn't whine ? They were planned in HoTS with Clan & Group features. That's why the chat channels in WoL look like a simple extended chat and it never fits in the current UI.
What you said are mostly wrong because WoL will have all new BNET features too.
On December 09 2012 07:58 WhiteSatin wrote: I do not understand why they are so slow to implement these features.. Also, as usual, I find hilarious that some of these features CAME with wc3 and TFT yet, we have to beg and ask for them in SC2 and we will likely get them in years from now... lol-.-
I'm kinda surprised every time I see those comments. Don't you understand ? They want to sell Legacy of the Void and they need some BNet features, UI features, new units etc. There are good chance that new Nydus worms (planned for multi in HoTS) and a revamped Warhound will be ready @ Legacy of the Void. Same things for BNet tournaments etc.
I don't know if you are a HoTS beta player but there are so many little things that could be patched into WoL, they did hold it because it was "low priority" so they could sell it for HoTS. The more changes HoTS will bring, the better, but they need to think about Legacy of the Void.
Did you know we would never had Chat channels in WoL if we didn't whine ? They were planned in HoTS with Clan & Group features. That's why the chat channels in WoL look like a simple extended chat and it never fits in the current UI.
And in fact, most of those UI features will be patched into WoL around the time HotS ships. No need to buy HotS for these features.
I like the changes discussed. The only thing I would add, that to me would be the most important feature besides clan tournaments is in-game streaming like dota2 has. This would be HUGE for the game and would allow Blizzard as well as MLG and other tournaments to profit as well, and personally I think would be a big factor in keeping ppl on the game when they're not playing
On December 09 2012 09:56 mrRoflpwn wrote: Looks like they really want the bronze and silver players to learn how to play and improve without losing 20 games in a row before a win. I am pretty optimistic for the overall player base. Does not really affect me though...
Yeah, the idea of losing 40-50 games to get out of bronze league is pretty daunting. And the worst part for them is that they won't even know why they lost for another 100 games or so. Starcraft is a rough game for new players, way worse than LoL or even dota.
Well, I guess that's taken care of with the replay thing. But I always thought it was laughable how WC2 had save game function for multiplayer, and SC2 doesn't.
On December 09 2012 09:56 mrRoflpwn wrote: Looks like they really want the bronze and silver players to learn how to play and improve without losing 20 games in a row before a win. I am pretty optimistic for the overall player base. Does not really affect me though...
I'm curious if any of this turns into new (or returning) players. Everyone I know personally bought SC2, and none of them still play it. They may have if these features were in from the beginning, but I just can't see them coming back. Been there, done that will be the response.
I personally think all this not adding already used features in past games stuff is just a way to artificially increase the longetivity of sc2, and thus, stretch out how long they will continue to get a large amount of sales. They are abusing the fact that most ppl will buy the games no matter what they do, so they are just keeping us hungry for legacy of the void, which will in my opinion will be when really be when sc2 will be as awesome sauce as wc3 and scbw, because then they have no excuses to hold back important features. This is all very calculated stuff ppl D:
A lot of good ideas. The replay thing is really cool for a lot of reasons, and the whole idea of tutorials helping new players such as practice against much improved AI this game will all help a lot for casual players. I still think though starcraft by its nature is not going to appeal to a lot of casual players who just give up when it gets down to memorizing builds and stuff like that. A lot of people just play the campaign and quit.
On December 09 2012 17:37 AndAgain wrote: I'm surprised so many people are interested in groups, clans, and that kind of stuff as opposed to the actual game. To each his own, I guess.
The old bw wasnt what kept people playing. UMS like evolves, 3v3 zero clutter, bgh etc etc was what most people played. BW was hard -.-
On December 09 2012 17:37 AndAgain wrote: I'm surprised so many people are interested in groups, clans, and that kind of stuff as opposed to the actual game. To each his own, I guess.
The old bw wasnt what kept people playing. UMS like evolves, 3v3 zero clutter, bgh etc etc was what most people played. BW was hard -.-
This is actually true. BW was a stellar game no matter how you look at it, but what kept the playerbase going was the fun customs you could enjoy. The sad thing about SC2's customs is that while the engine support much more complex, interesting and fun maps, the atrocious system turns off a lot of potential players, and those that do join UMS maps only get to play the same simplistic, generic nexus wars & co. because that's how the system works. This, in turn, makes mappers a lot less willing to sink in their precious time and effort into designing a really cool map because they know very few people will actually get to play it, which in turn leads to even more hegemony on the part of the already popular customs. A vicious cycle if you will.
loving this ui idea.. hopefully kespa hides a lot information like in bw cause what we got now is just too informative making the games kinda boring to watch at times cause I can figure out outcomes. like i remember osl had the resource counter but proleague didnt.. watching proleague was just more entertaining cause i was a little in the dark
On December 09 2012 17:37 AndAgain wrote: I'm surprised so many people are interested in groups, clans, and that kind of stuff as opposed to the actual game. To each his own, I guess.
The old bw wasnt what kept people playing. UMS like evolves, 3v3 zero clutter, bgh etc etc was what most people played. BW was hard -.-
In fact all of real RTS games have never been able to keep huge fanbase playing its core game for very long time whether it's BW,WC3,SC2. There will always be only dedicated players left. I don't know what's wrong with RTS though. I love the genre so much myself.
And interview with a guy that knows shit about sarcraft but that i fucking love by a guy who knows jack about starcraft and i also love. If the topic would have been anything but starcraft I would have loved the interview, now it's just "above average".
On December 09 2012 17:37 AndAgain wrote: I'm surprised so many people are interested in groups, clans, and that kind of stuff as opposed to the actual game. To each his own, I guess.
The old bw wasnt what kept people playing. UMS like evolves, 3v3 zero clutter, bgh etc etc was what most people played. BW was hard -.-
In fact all of real RTS games have never been able to keep huge fanbase playing its core game for very long time whether it's BW,WC3,SC2. There will always be only dedicated players left. I don't know what's wrong with RTS though. I love the genre so much myself.
I can answer that one for myself: There is no story behind playing rts games. When you play games like sc2, the only things you think about are build orders, timings, micro, macro; stress. You don't have anything you are doing this for. All you do is obsolete after you finished the match. That's not what players like me want. I want to have something 'in my hand' when playing the game. May it be a new weapon, a new item, a new skill, you name it. That's why rts is not for me.
On December 09 2012 17:37 AndAgain wrote: I'm surprised so many people are interested in groups, clans, and that kind of stuff as opposed to the actual game. To each his own, I guess.
The old bw wasnt what kept people playing. UMS like evolves, 3v3 zero clutter, bgh etc etc was what most people played. BW was hard -.-
In fact all of real RTS games have never been able to keep huge fanbase playing its core game for very long time whether it's BW,WC3,SC2. There will always be only dedicated players left. I don't know what's wrong with RTS though. I love the genre so much myself.
Playing RTS is like playing cheese in real life. It's brilliant and classic, however not everyone is interested in to play it nor everyone can be good at it. People tend to choose another game which more fun in other ways like killing, smashing, shooting etc...
On December 10 2012 00:50 Tanukki wrote: Who else can't stop looking at their hands? Why people go crazy with these nonsensical gestures has always been beyond me :p
While I agree they look silly it has actually been proven by scientists to help you form your thought more coherently, something about helping you focus.
On December 09 2012 17:37 AndAgain wrote: I'm surprised so many people are interested in groups, clans, and that kind of stuff as opposed to the actual game. To each his own, I guess.
The old bw wasnt what kept people playing. UMS like evolves, 3v3 zero clutter, bgh etc etc was what most people played. BW was hard -.-
In fact all of real RTS games have never been able to keep huge fanbase playing its core game for very long time whether it's BW,WC3,SC2. There will always be only dedicated players left. I don't know what's wrong with RTS though. I love the genre so much myself.
Playing RTS is like playing cheese in real life. It's brilliant and classic, however not everyone is interested in to play it nor everyone can be good at it. People tend to choose another game which more fun in other ways like killing, smashing, shooting etc...
Can you explain the rules of this "cheese" game? :p
On December 09 2012 07:58 WhiteSatin wrote: I do not understand why they are so slow to implement these features.. Also, as usual, I find hilarious that some of these features CAME with wc3 and TFT yet, we have to beg and ask for them in SC2 and we will likely get them in years from now... lol-.-
I'm kinda surprised every time I see those comments. Don't you understand ? They want to sell Legacy of the Void and they need some BNet features, UI features, new units etc. There are good chance that new Nydus worms (planned for multi in HoTS) and a revamped Warhound will be ready @ Legacy of the Void. Same things for BNet tournaments etc.
I don't know if you are a HoTS beta player but there are so many little things that could be patched into WoL, they did hold it because it was "low priority" so they could sell it for HoTS. The more changes HoTS will bring, the better, but they need to think about Legacy of the Void.
Did you know we would never had Chat channels in WoL if we didn't whine ? They were planned in HoTS with Clan & Group features. That's why the chat channels in WoL look like a simple extended chat and it never fits in the current UI.
And in fact, most of those UI features will be patched into WoL around the time HotS ships. No need to buy HotS for these features.
What you said are mostly wrong because WoL will have all new BNET features too.
Do you really think you'll stay in Wings of Liberty when 96% of players will play brand new Heart of the Swarm ?
7. No plans for automated tournaments just yet for HOTS, but Dustin Browder says is an idea they "Definitely" want to add in for Legacy of the Void, has heard all of the enthusiasm people have had towards the idea.
That's another two years at least.
They had the automated tournaments in wc3, and clans and game stats. In many ways me and my friends thought that the battle.net interface for wc3 was almost perfect and sc2 was just going backwards.
On December 09 2012 07:58 WhiteSatin wrote: I do not understand why they are so slow to implement these features.. Also, as usual, I find hilarious that some of these features CAME with wc3 and TFT yet, we have to beg and ask for them in SC2 and we will likely get them in years from now... lol-.-
I'm kinda surprised every time I see those comments. Don't you understand ? They want to sell Legacy of the Void and they need some BNet features, UI features, new units etc. There are good chance that new Nydus worms (planned for multi in HoTS) and a revamped Warhound will be ready @ Legacy of the Void. Same things for BNet tournaments etc.
I don't know if you are a HoTS beta player but there are so many little things that could be patched into WoL, they did hold it because it was "low priority" so they could sell it for HoTS. The more changes HoTS will bring, the better, but they need to think about Legacy of the Void.
Did you know we would never had Chat channels in WoL if we didn't whine ? They were planned in HoTS with Clan & Group features. That's why the chat channels in WoL look like a simple extended chat and it never fits in the current UI.
And in fact, most of those UI features will be patched into WoL around the time HotS ships. No need to buy HotS for these features.
On December 09 2012 07:58 WhiteSatin wrote: I do not understand why they are so slow to implement these features.. Also, as usual, I find hilarious that some of these features CAME with wc3 and TFT yet, we have to beg and ask for them in SC2 and we will likely get them in years from now... lol-.-
I'm kinda surprised every time I see those comments. Don't you understand ? They want to sell Legacy of the Void and they need some BNet features, UI features, new units etc. There are good chance that new Nydus worms (planned for multi in HoTS) and a revamped Warhound will be ready @ Legacy of the Void. Same things for BNet tournaments etc.
I don't know if you are a HoTS beta player but there are so many little things that could be patched into WoL, they did hold it because it was "low priority" so they could sell it for HoTS. The more changes HoTS will bring, the better, but they need to think about Legacy of the Void.
Did you know we would never had Chat channels in WoL if we didn't whine ? They were planned in HoTS with Clan & Group features. That's why the chat channels in WoL look like a simple extended chat and it never fits in the current UI.
And in fact, most of those UI features will be patched into WoL around the time HotS ships. No need to buy HotS for these features.
What you said are mostly wrong because WoL will have all new BNET features too.
Do you really think you'll stay in Wings of Liberty when 96% of players will play brand new Heart of the Swarm ?
That doesn't have anything to do with what I said which was a response to you that Blizz intentionally hold back features for people to buy xpac and I said all new features will be implemented in WoL too=people will buy HotS because of new units and campaigne not because new BNET.
On December 09 2012 16:15 WikidSik wrote: I personally think all this not adding already used features in past games stuff is just a way to artificially increase the longetivity of sc2, and thus, stretch out how long they will continue to get a large amount of sales. They are abusing the fact that most ppl will buy the games no matter what they do, so they are just keeping us hungry for legacy of the void, which will in my opinion will be when really be when sc2 will be as awesome sauce as wc3 and scbw, because then they have no excuses to hold back important features. This is all very calculated stuff ppl D:
Then they're calculating it wrong. This isn't 2000, it's a different time. BW and WC3 didn't have many real rivals. SC2 has a major rival now in LoL and Dota2. The longer they putz around, the more people will simply focus on those games instead.
The other issue they have is societal shift. Players today do not want to learn build orders, keep up on metagame, or have ladder anxiety. And now there are a lot of other games that give them more of what they want. Once you lose them they're not likely to come back. In the end Blizzard is competing for the free time in people's lives and to be quite honest I do not see the scene growing more than it has already regardless of what Blizz does in HotS or LotV. Too little too late, that ship has sailed.
On December 09 2012 09:51 SomeONEx wrote: I always feel so good when I hear Dustin talk about Starcraft
I'd love to paraphrase Mr. Browder's interview.
The first few minutes was difficult to get through. Hopefully they never make the same mistakes again and get a better pulse on the actual community to understand what works and what doesn't.
7. No plans for automated tournaments just yet for HOTS, but Dustin Browder says is an idea they "Definitely" want to add in for Legacy of the Void, has heard all of the enthusiasm people have had towards the idea.
That's another two years at least.
Ya, they just dont have the technology now that they had in WC3...
EPT
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