30.08.2012

Why Starcraft II is a bad game

and Dota 2 is it doing all right.I just recently installed DOTA2 due to it's free download and free key for CS:GO purchaser. I wasn't really into "MOBA's" (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) ever before. I played Heroes of Newerth from times to times but it was just way too casual and easy and did not really make alot of fun.
I never really rooted against MOBA's in general but I wasn't a huge fan either (except for hating LoL [League of Legends] because it's a bad game) when I started downloading it. It looked alot more fun than LoL and HoN though, that's why I gave it a shot (plus it was a free download).
(unlimited namechanges)
After a slow and painful download - about 8 hours
(my internet connection sucks) - I finally started the game and I immediately realized that this game is awesome and is showing what it is ment to be - an eSport title.
Being produced by Valve it already has the perk of Steam which alows clan support and a constant
ability to change names
This fact alone already provides ten times the support Blizzard is giving to Starcraft II players but let's continue with the journey through the beautiful world of actually caring.

When I first started the game one thing instantly cought my attention. It said "Watch" in the top left corner. I clicked on it and it revealed an entire schedule of the so called "International 2012" (the 1.000.000$ tournament). They had all the information required for the full viewing experience In Their Browser. It didn't stop there though, the awesomeness continues as you can join Any game from the "International" as a spectator being eligible to switch into each players vision and at the same time not interfering with the game at all. How often have you seen Starcraft pros write "OUT" when an observer starts lagging? Probably every game there is someone in the game with a really bad connection. In DOTA you can observe the same way that Starcraft II allows you to do it but Not interfere with anything.
(click to enlarge [banners])
If you still manage to read while scrolling with one hand (if you know what I mean - This Is Nerd Porn) let me tell you that you can listen to the commentators voice while watching any perspective. The commentator is even able to Draw on the map while commentating making the viewing experience unbelievably good and on top of that you are able to buy a 'Banner' which is showing who you are rooting for and while watching the games of your favorite team you are eligable to win Items just by watching (items act like somekind of modification for your character - individualizing your DOTA experience).

This implemented goody is brining eSport to a new peak. The only negative thing is that DOTA2 is not having the "numbers" compared to other games on streams just because they stream their games In Their Client. I still think it's a great Idea and it will bring alot of new faces to the DOTA community and therefore into eSports and maybe Starcraft II.
That pretty much covered the amazing Job they are doing with the in browser eSport streaming. We are not finished yet though I want to continue telling you how amazing DOTA is and how sad it is that Blizzard doesn't give a fuck.
What general thing is Blizzard lacking in terms of comunity interaction?
Right - interacting with the community and listen to their needs.
Do you know what Valve does? 
Valve basically allows everyone to edit the game they want to edit it, let's say you want your own "Announcer" (the sound screaming "FIRST BLOOD") with an individual voice you can just create that announcer, send it to Valve and if they give their approval your announcer will get sold in their store even leaving you with a percentage of it's revenue. The same goes for hero equipment (Weapons, Capes, Hoods, Extras...) that can be sold and different skins.
Those things seem like it's totally normal for Valve to interact with their players and they seemingly realize the importance of keeping their players satisfied.
Let's go back to Blizzard and take a look what they are doing.
Hey. They at least got WCS (no offense it's great but just not compareable) and the new pimped out UI but what about the namechange people are bitching about since release and which was announced as "coming soon" for 2 years. Well guess who is not caring?