On January 07 2009 04:36 petzergling wrote:idra since you are all over this thread what do you think of this idea + Show Spoiler +Name:
petzergling
tl;dr:
Combine starcraft 1 mechanics with starcraft 2. Blizzard wanted to add automine & MBS to make gameplay easier, especially at a casual level. Provide a cost to MBS and automine that is negligible at a casual standpoint but can negated at a competitive level if players don't use the mechanics. Make the first mineral brought back by an automined worker not count. Most casual players don't even take the time to split their workers, so 8 minerals wouldn't make a big difference to them if it means they can do other things instead of click workers. Make units produced off of MBS take 25% longer to build or cost 10% more. This will allow anybody to have a large-scale battle of epic proportions while still rewarding players with high mechanical skill who take the time to select each factory individually.
Expanded explanation:
Why is this a good idea?
-This promotes casual play, and even more, COMPETITIVE PLAY
Adding MBS & Automine costs would be an amazing compromise and solution. It keeps casual players ability to use MBS and Automine and it still allows players to not use them and receive benefits for not using them. But heres the best part, casual players who use MBS and Automine are somewhat encouraged to not use them, even slightly, because it benefits them. Casual players get the choice to learn to play the game better and faster, and before they know it they are also playing at a competitive level where they can compete with the best players.
-Automine & MBS costs are completely simple, direct, and comprehendable. It is awesome for both the casual and competitive world. Casual players have a brand new shiny interface with the ability to automine and MBS, while returning competitive players still can bring their mechanics to the table and perfect their skills at starcraft 2.
-The costs have minimal negative effects. Casual players not only are only slightly harmed by them, but MBS and Automine allows them to play side by side with competitive players without it with a very small skill gap and no need for a change of game settings,
-A&MBS costs do not discourage micro, but rather they EMPHASIZE it. Players learn quickly in a battle they have the option to macro to gain a reinforcement advantage or just use the MBS feature and control their units normally. Players, casual and competitive alike, will be able to directly see the benefits and disadvantages of when micro should and shouldn't be used. This decision making, whether to macro or micro, is the backbone of the reason that plain MBS and Automine will hurt the game. This cost mechanic still leaves the decision there, but keeps the battle going by allowing players with lower mechanical skill to use MBS and control their units 100% while still knowing that reinforcements are coming.
-Automine & MBS costs are completely flexible to balance issues. Any issue regarding balancing it would just be determined by the % sacrificed by MBS and automine. Heck, there could even be a game setting where players can adjust it themselves! In competitive matches(kespa approved, tournaments) MBS and Automine would have high costs, where in friendly casual matches you could turn the costs down all the way to zero.
-A&MBS Costs are not random, map specific, player specific, or even game specific. All players are effected by it as much as they choose to be, and even though there are costs there are direct benefits to using it.
-A&MBS costs merge competitive gamers and casual gamers into a united gaming community. You would never think to see a casual player improving his mining and macro mechanics to get better at a game, but if there are tangible benefits to better macro then players will. You would never think to see a competitive player wanting A&MBS features in the game, but with the costs added even competitive gamers would use this to benefit their gaming experience. In the early and mid games they don't use the mechanic to gain every advantage possible, but in the late game players can use the MBS mechanics as well as automine to allow them to think more about strategy and less on brainless clicking on 16+ unit producers, leading ultimately for more fun and more play from all gamers.
Just so you know, that idea directly violates at least one of the criteria, so they won't accept it for the contest.
+ Show Spoiler +
The ideal mechanic should not alter the MBS or auto-mining features.
Putting a penalty on using MBS or auto-mining directly alters the features, by encouraging people not to use them. In addition, there's no benefit to the mechanic, or a strategic choice. Finally, and most problematic, the mechanic creates a situation where the game encourages you to use MBS and auto-mining, then punishes you for doing so, sending contradictory messages to the player. That's a surefire way to get players to quit a game, and tell their friends it sucks. Sorry if I'm coming off as harsh, but I've heard way too many variations on this idea of punishing the player for using MBS/auto-mine, and the criteria for the contest are designed explicitly to avoid these types of ideas.
Edit: Ninjanexttime!
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