Curse

Gaile Gray · Jan 06, 2007, 01:58 AM // 01:58

Hey, there,

I posted in the main forum about this (and the Xunlai Tournament Agent), but here's a repeat for your reading pleasure:

Thank you very much for your feedback in response to the recent "Share your thoughts" thread on the matter of changes to Heroes' Ascent. At this time, we'd like to announce that the designers have worked up several potential changes for HA, and we're ready to move them into testing mode. But wait, this isn't your standard "We'll let you know more later" thread. This is a "You can let us know more later" thread, instead.

You see, the first wave of changes will involve swapping out and refreshing the mechanics of Heroes' Ascent. From map revisions to victory conditions, there are a lot of proposed changes to the whole HA system that we think will enliven the whole place, will increase the fun factor, and will encourage the creation and use of more and different builds. We're also looking at testing a significant number of skill changes, after which they'll be rolled back out and then honed for final implementation.

We will be holding a weekend of testing, and we invite you to participate. Join us the weekend of January 19 through 21 and test out the changes for yourself. Then, post your thoughts in the fan forums and let us know what you think! You can count on us reading your feedback and considering your input as we move forward.

One note on HA: In order to focus on the changes to mechanics, and in order to avoid shifting too many elements at once (which would make it difficult to assess the success of the individual changes) we are looking at altering game mechanics only during this weekend of testing. While we know that many players feel that HA would be improved through a change in party size, we will not be altering party size for this test. Naturally, we will consider numeric changes at a later date, after the first round involving the change to game mechanics has been tested and appraised.

Thanks again for your support, and we're looking forward to seeing you in the testing weekend!

Gimme Money Plzkthx · Jan 06, 2007, 02:18 AM // 02:18

Good to know, except somehow I get a sense of "we're trying not to have to revert to 8v8"...

Lorekeeper · Jan 06, 2007, 02:19 AM // 02:19

WOW

this is exactly the type of thing i was hoping for. For anet to give us an idea of the changes they want to make to the game before they actually make them permanent and to be able to give feedback on what we think about the proposed changes.

Now they go and do one thing better... making us all beta testers in a in-game test of potential changes! WOOOOHOOO

AND OMG... ''encourage the creation and use of more and different builds'' Are my eyes deceiving me or did my HA dreams come closer to reality. Goodbye players who depend on gimmicks and stale metagames for fame... hello innovation... hello balanced builds... helloooooo my tombs friendlist back online.

19th-21st january is going to be a no study zone for me. I cant wait. Someone invent a time machine and bring us all forward to that weekend!

gosh i wonder wtf kind of changes are going to be seen... its such a mystery!

JR · Jan 06, 2007, 02:21 AM // 02:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gimme Money Plzkthx

Good to know, except somehow I get a sense of "we're trying not to have to revert to 8v8"...

Don't rely on your senses too much.

Anarkii · Jan 06, 2007, 02:23 AM // 02:23

Looking forward to it.

tomcruisejr · Jan 06, 2007, 02:26 AM // 02:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gimme Money Plzkthx

Good to know, except somehow I get a sense of "we're trying not to have to revert to 8v8"...

Good to know, except somehow I get a sense of "we're trying to revert to 8vs8"..

JR-?

Yunas Ele · Jan 06, 2007, 02:28 AM // 02:28

Hopefully these changes will be more than just an added lever and removal of a perfectly fine map....

Gimme Money Plzkthx · Jan 06, 2007, 02:30 AM // 02:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomcruisejr

Good to know, except somehow I get a sense of "we're trying to revert to 8vs8"..

JR-?

Seriously, just drop the suggestion that the mods are pro 8v8 and stuff. You can't fight numbers, now go look at how many districts there are and various polls.

Anyway, at least anet learned not to test too many variables at once, and it looks like they're encouraging feedback before changes this time. Hopefully the weekend will turn out well, even though I have a hard time believing that game mechanics changes can fix 6v6.

Quote:

Hopefully these changes will be more than just an added lever and removal of a perfectly fine map....

QFT... Based off history, I don't have much hope.

Jaden Stone · Jan 06, 2007, 02:35 AM // 02:35

This is an extremley big step in the right direction. I'm truely pleased that the Anet team is looking into this and giving some attention to a very entertaining format.

Quote:

Good to know, except somehow I get a sense of "we're trying not to have to revert to 8v8"...

I myself am a huge advocate for the 8v8 structure, but for the main reasons of map limitations. HA was built for 8v8 and clearly 6v6 with the current map system does not work. I'm glad to hear they are reworking the victory requirments and who knows, maybe 6v6 will be just as good. The main goal is to keep the gameplay dynamic and entertaining and I really feel that reworking the victory conditions first is the best choice.

As for 8v8, I don't really care. As long as the gameplay is fun and fair I think they may be able to breathe new life into HA. I would really like to see this revert back to a high level competative arena where skill determines the victor.

I personally cannot wait for that weekend.

Tiyuri · Jan 06, 2007, 02:38 AM // 02:38

Notice: "map revisions" i.e. no new maps, more minor changes.

tomcruisejr · Jan 06, 2007, 02:42 AM // 02:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gimme Money Plzkthx

Seriously, just drop the suggestion that the mods are pro 8v8 and stuff. You can't fight numbers, now go look at how many districts there are and various polls.

i am just waiting for him to say "don't rely on your senses too much."

Apok Omen · Jan 06, 2007, 02:46 AM // 02:46

Thanks to Gaile for passing on the message. The long-awaited response was well-worth the wait.

So, basically, you're going to change the mechanics again without changing the party size and see what happens? Good idea, as some people prefer it that way. Here's a hint: Change Scarred Earth to a 1v1v1v1 Fatal Four match with no 1v1 || 1v1. Nah, just kidding, you guys do whatever you feel is necessary.

Alot of people, however, do believe that changing the party size back will make HA good and fun again, but perhaps checking out the new mechanics in two weeks will change their mind.

Once again, thanks for responding.

Lorekeeper · Jan 06, 2007, 02:51 AM // 02:51

the game mechanic and map changes arent being tested solely with the purpose to fix 6vs6... i think its the start of a range of changes with the aim to revamp HA. TOTALLY.

why are people being such arseholes... this is far more than wat we expected... theyve given us reconnects... an awesome wintersday event... party formation system... hero limit in HA...

HA is not going to be fixed overnight... and Gailes post completely blows away even my high expectations of what i thought they should be doing.

this event is a clear indication that the revitalisation of HA is on its way. Give some appreciation, it looks like they are trying to right the wrongs of the past. Even if it will take a long time... every journey begins with a first step.

leguma · Jan 06, 2007, 03:02 AM // 03:02

Glad to see that they are begining to have a more transparent aproach. Now if only we would get the same treatment for GvG everything would be peachy.

defrule · Jan 06, 2007, 03:06 AM // 03:06

As long as they don't say "these new mechanics are quite good and well recieved, let's keep it 6v6" then it sounds good.

infymys · Jan 06, 2007, 03:13 AM // 03:13

I really, really want to be optimisitic about this but....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yunas Ele

Hopefully these changes will be more than just an added lever and removal of a perfectly fine map....

Randomway Ftw · Jan 06, 2007, 03:20 AM // 03:20

This is extremely disappointing imo, this proves that ANET doesn't get it. Despite what we all said they take their advice based on the guild hall. I just want the fun 8V8 HA that we all enjoyed back before we go ahead with all sorts of dumb changes inspired by the GvGers/PVErs on the guild hall. Its ridiculous that ANET listens to the armchair HAers over at the guild hall.

Alleji · Jan 06, 2007, 03:23 AM // 03:23

So far, every single update to HA with the exception of removing heroes has made it worse.

Considering that, I'm not very optimistic. Let's assume the changes turn out to be complete garbage, they'll roll them back and start reconsidering the changes and then we might see a "change in party size" by next summer, if they don't decide to think up another set of changes and reconsider that in the meantime.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile

One note on HA: In order to focus on the changes to mechanics, and in order to avoid shifting too many elements at once (which would make it difficult to assess the success of the individual changes)

Good to know someone in your staff knows the basics of scientific method. The person who decided to test 6v6 with double fame and infer popularity from that test clearly didn't.

Paddypower · Jan 06, 2007, 04:13 AM // 04:13

well, i want 8v8

regardless of what changes, :P pitty im away that weekend *cry*

Sword · Jan 06, 2007, 04:20 AM // 04:20

Imo the changes that need to be done are:
1) 8v8 (obvious)
2) balance skills (obvious)
3) more maps (getting good fame runs shouldnt be dependant on how many times u can hold hoh, if u are lucky enough to get a skip to hoh then good/bad luck to you, otherwise there shold be enough maps to get a decent streak for fame)
4) less maps that require holding / capping altars (more 1v1 killing maps imo)