A Message from Rob Pardo- April 23, 2002 - ShadowKilla4U
Looks like the beta will be over soon guys... Happy days.
Subject: Beta Update 4/23/02
From: Rob Pardo
Date: Tue Apr 23 10:56:09Beta Update 4/23/02
I just wanted to give everyone an update on the beta and
where we are at with WarCraft 3. We are nearing the final phase of
the beta currently. Internally we are debugging the code,
optimizing the game engine and making performance improvements,
while also working on the single player campaigns. Within the beta,
we are now going to focus on the balance of the game more then
ever. It may be helpful to you testers to know the kinds of changes
we will make or wont make from this point forward.Things we can change
1) Hit points, armor, damage, etc. Basically anything that is a
“number” in our database, we can change to improve on the balance
of the game. Number changes may not sound like a lot at first, but
War3 is very “data driven”. Every spell and unit in the game has
many data entries that determine the behavior of the unit/spell.
2) Maps. Sometimes I hear comments about items being too powerful
or a neutral building being too powerful. This is commonly due to
map imbalances and any feedback on specific maps would be
appreciated. This feedback will also help the designers with the
many more maps that will release with the full version
3) Scoring and Battle.net features polish. This week we will start
working on the online web presence for the War3 ladder. We are very
excited about the different ladders and the match making system for
competing.Things that are unlikely to change
1) Major features will not be added or removed any longer unless
the reason is very compelling. Feel free to suggest them, but
understand even excellent feature suggestions will be added to a
wishlist for future expansions and/or products.
2) Spells and Tech Tree additions are also very unlikely to
happen. With the development of a large project like War3, we need
to finalize elements like the manual long before we finish the
game. This is so it can be translated into other languages and can
have plenty of time for the millions of copies to be printed.
Again, if the only way we can fix is a problem is through a spell
or tech tree change it can happen, but only after all other avenues
have been exhausted.To preemptively respond to some of our critics
I have followed the forums at Battle.net and on many fan
sites and do realize that there is a contingent of testers that
feels that War3 is too large a departure from our previous RTS
titles. I can understand the feeling and also see some very good
reasoning in some of these criticisms, but we are committed to our
direction with War3 and all the new elements. We feel that the
addition of heroes, creeps, items, etc are very exciting and very
fun for the majority of computer game players. We have also
received a tremendous amount of positive feedback from the testers
and gaming press. So, we will have to agree to disagree about this
particular issue. Hopefully even the disgruntled testers can
continue to help the beta process, since many of these critics are
fantastic RTS players and have a great deal to contribute to the
final balance process. However, it is really no longer productive
to continue the arguments about the removal of the new features
that make War3 different from its predecessors.Lastly, I just want to say how much we appreciate the great
number of fans we have and how passionate they are about trying to
make WarCraft 3 a great game. I know it can be frustrating to post
your ideas and suggestions and not get a response from Blizzard and
therefore feel your effort was wasted, but let me assure you it was
not. During the beta we have made several feature additions that
were in direct response to suggestions on these forums. The beta
testers have more definitely been part of the development of this
game.
Welcome - April 9, 2002 - ShadowKilla4U
Hello everyone, ShadowKilla4U reporting in. As you all know, Warcraft III is not set to be released for a couple more months, so untill then I will be playing Dungeon Siege. Of course, Silver Moons has a clan for this game. I am very happy with the website; it has come along superbly. On a Warcraft III note, our clan tag will most likely be Username_SM... however if underscores are not permited (unlikely) then I am thinking about SM)Username (not a mistake) or Username(SM).... please give input in forums. Thanks all.
The Warcraft III site is Up - April 4, 2002 - Jeditte3
Teh warcraft III: Region Of Chaos site is completed. This will be for all of you in the SM WCIII clan to come for news and memebr rosters and the like. Please use forums and other things with care. Shadow will be taking over the news from now on not me. So look for shadow on the news not me, mayeb evenm masta sometimes or me once in a great while. See ya Round!