Dota 2 Q&A, IceFrog Answer Your Question! - DotA-Blog

Dota 2 Q&A, IceFrog Answer Your Question!



Today, IceFrog has just post a new Q&A regarding DotA 2. Lots of questions answered, but some key points are that DotA 2 will support reconnection and more importantly, as long as the community want, IceFrog will continue update DotA map even though DotA 2 already launched! Yippeee! Check out the complete Q&A! :)

Dota 2 Q&A
November 1, 2010 - IceFrog

Q: Is there reconnect support for DotA 2? (by Vanes-UT)
A: This was actually one of the very first things we added early on, before the game was stable, in order to help with testing. You’ll also be able to have a friend of similar skill level substitute for you in case you have to leave. Players that want to improve their reputation in the game and community will also be able to help out by joining ongoing games that are missing players.

Q: Can I still play with my friends from America even though I am European? (by Adam Mosley)
A: Yes, a lot of people have friends in different regions and we want to allow them to easily interact. One of the things that makes DotA special is how big the community is, so we will do our best to make it easy to connect and communicate with one another.

Q: How are you going to handle delay and lag between players? (by Alex)
A: This is something we are putting a lot of time and resources into. Minimizing delay to servers, along with optimizing networking code, is very important to being able to enjoy DotA on both a casual and competitive level. We’re expanding the Steam infrastructure around the world so the matchmaking service for DotA 2 is able to provide the lowest possible ping wherever you are playing. There will also be some uniquely located servers that are optimized regionally for handling longer distance matches.

Q: What kind of hardware requirements will the game have? (by S.Hong)
A: We don’t have an official minimum spec just yet. The goal is to make sure that people with older computers and the PCs at LAN centers will be able to support the game, while also allowing for newer computers to scale well.

Q: I heard there was going to be an AI feature for when a player leaves. Is there going to be an option to take direct control of the hero? (by Stephen)
A: The AI features will be optional to the players in the game. You can have teammates use it, send it to the base, or give it AI modes and behaviors to follow.

Q: Will there be anything like the AI maps in DotA or a “training mode” with difficulty levels? (by L.Pham)
A: Yes there will be bot support if you just want to play by yourself, or you can create a party of friends and fill the rest of the slots with bots. There are a variety of different settings you can use in order to configure the bots, ranging from selectable difficulty levels to specific behaviors that you want to practice against. For example, if you want to practice your lane control, you could configure the bots to be stronger at denying, last hitting, and harassing. We’ll also have some specially crafted challenge scenarios, similar to things like Pudge Wars, which I’ll elaborate on in the future.

Q: Will the replay system allow me to move freely backwards and forwards in time rather than having to watch a whole replay? (by Luciando)
A: You’ll be able to jump around to any point in the replay, add bookmarks for easy referencing, view detailed stats and graphs while the game is going, and watch through a specific player’s view (with regards to their camera movement). You’ll also be able to watch replays with friends if you want to review a game or learn from your mistakes. To aid videomakers, the replay system will have flexible camera angle and speed controls. There will also be a bunch of commentating and editing features you can add to your replays.

Q: Don’t you think you should make a lot of changes to the gameplay? (by Robert)
A: Significant changes would not necessarily make it a better game. There are countless features we are building around the game that will make the experience a much better one. The gameplay itself, though, has always evolved step by step, and it will continue with that methodology. We consider this a long term project, in the same way DotA has always been. We want to provide a quality experience and not just change for the sake of change. You’ll naturally see additions and improvements to the game as time passes, but it would be a natural progression aimed at improving the game for the players and not for other arbitrary reasons. Valve and I strongly believe that the player focused development process the game has gone through is what will allow us to continue making the best decisions with regards to where we spend our development time.

Q: Can you spectate an already ongoing DotA 2 game? (by Valo)
A: A lot of the game will be built around spectating and shoutcasting support. You will be able to join most ongoing games (unless the players marked it as private) and just watch them. You can join a game your friend is in, see what your favorite clan is doing, or simply pick a skill level and a hero you like and it will find you one to watch. We also have a system in place that automatically distributes the load to multiple servers so that the game itself won’t be affected by users joining to spectate. Our distribution network will allow us to support any number of users that want to watch, by dynamically assigning more servers to the task. There will also be special tags and search options to help you find live or old shoutcasted games. Shoutcasters will be able to operate as directors, so anyone watching will have his camera looking at the same things the shoutcaster is viewing. There is also an optional anti-cheat mechanism built in so that the game you are spectating can be time delayed by any amount of time to reduce potential abuse.

Q: Will you keep loyal to casting times like Torrent and will it still be possible to do the advanced tricks, like animation canceling, fog of war tricks we’ve learned, etc? (by Lycan)
A: Yes, those mechanics are implemented. They are a very integral part of the game and it wouldn’t feel the same without them.

Q: How will we manage replay files? (by Nikos)
A: They will be automatically saved with your identity online utilizing the Steam Cloud storage system, so you don’t have to worry about losing them. You’ll be able to use the replay browser tools to search, sort, tag, rank, and favorite them.

Q: Are you going to work on DotA after DotA 2 is released? (by Jack Lee)
A: I plan to keep DotA updated for as long as the community wants. That being said though, I think that DotA 2 represents the long term future for the game.

Q: How will development change with regards to your role, current beta testers, community feedback, etc? (by Basel)
A: All that stuff will remain the same, except that now I also get to work with the developers at Valve. All of our current playtesters and even contributors like Kunkka are helping. One of the most important things for me has always been getting input from the community. There will be a lot of opportunities, throughout the next year, to give your feedback on all the things we are working on, ranging from features to visuals.

Q: Are the upgraded graphics going to be distracting? New graphics are great, but when there’s too much, you can’t see what’s going on anymore. (by Lycan)
A: Gameplay is definitely the most important aspect, everyone on the team understands this concern. The number one priority is making sure players can quickly and easily tell what’s happening on the screen at all times. Fine tuning the right visual balance with each ability, effect, hero, etc., will be an ongoing process as the game is playtested and we get your feedback. A clean and understandable visual representation of the action is important to everyone from experienced players, spectators, to new players.

Q: Will I be able to help test DotA 2? (by Sing Liu)
A: There will certainly be an opportunity to get involved with beta testing DotA 2 and help us with your feedback. We’ll release more information about how to sign up in the future.

Q: Are you going to do anything to make it easier for new players to get into the game and feel welcome? (by Arvin)
A: Some of what makes it hard, in current DotA, stems from the lack of services around the game that can help foster a better relationship between players and that it’s hard for players to be matched up with equally skilled allies and opponents. Things like tutorials, matchmaking, AI bots, identity, coaching, and community contribution will go a long way to making it easier for new players to fit in.

Q: What hotkey setup will exist in DotA 2? (by Stany Kaff)
A: We have a few default templates that cover the most popular configurations, but you’ll also be able to fully customize them to your liking. You can customize it on a global level or on a per hero basis if you choose. The hotkey configuration will include everything, not just heroes and items, but also how you navigate in the game, control the camera, autocast, set control groups, etc. Your settings are saved to your identity online, so if you go to a LAN center you will not have to reconfigure your keys.

What do you think guys? Do you think DotA is appealing? Share your thought here :)

Source

Related Posts


Read More……

50 comments:

  1. peNyet

    Double kill!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. im so excited to play DotA 2
    btw someone did not ask if
    we will gonna pay to play
    the DotA 2
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Awesome.
    Just can't wait to see, taste and play it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. >btw someone did not ask if
    >we will gonna pay to play
    >the DotA 2

    Valve's Steam, pay to play.
    Luckly, I say.

    ReplyDelete
  5. should we pay,if yes i will not play...maybe

    ReplyDelete
  6. even we hv to pay, its worth it, icefrog deserved it ^_^ (kluklu)

    ReplyDelete
  7. I wanted to ask if DotA 2 will have everything in DotA and if both games will keep being identical in changelogs.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Well, instead of the "pay to play" system, IceFrog could make profit with sponsorship, some kind of signing fee to tournaments promoted all around the world and exploiting the well-known DotA label selling products produced by some clothing/toys/eletronic company.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Of course you will have to buy DotA2 itself, but it is not likely that there will be any monthly fees.

    Valve's Steam is runnning good and DotA2 will earn them lots of cash anyway, even if every player only has to buy the game once.

    ReplyDelete
  10. did icefrog mention LAN support for DotA 2?

    ReplyDelete
  11. i think so too, we'll have to do the one time payment, but not monthly fee unless yo want premium yada yada

    ReplyDelete
  12. @purPLe thats true the people behind DotA 2 can earn lots of money through merchandising instead of alienating DotA players with pay for play

    ReplyDelete
  13. "You’ll be able to jump around to any point in the replay(...)" what?? it's not possible, it would need tons of memory and cpu process, you will need to precalculate all the game and cache all game objects positions for each frame

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hopefully, DOTA 2 like HON. Have reconnect system , connection not depend creator room and there is local server so we are free to play.

    ReplyDelete
  15. are you going to publish portable DOTA 2? because i heard someone who uses DOTA portable.

    ReplyDelete
  16. if we have to pay for once like buy cd its ok.. the question is... if we have to pay it for month like pay to play.. hummmm???....

    ReplyDelete
  17. pay to play, monthly...no way man. i rather stick to old version of DotA...

    XD

    ReplyDelete
  18. You pay for WC3. You pay for steam games. You will surely pay for DotA 2.

    ReplyDelete
  19. when will it be released?

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is so cool! DotA 2 will be best!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I hope that DOTA 2 will have LAN option. Without this, this will suck just like Starcraft II and it's a bust. But if this game will have LAN, then sorry HoN, LoL and Starcraft II, DOTA 2 rules.

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am sorry but I think Hon/Heroes Of Newerth is still not as good as DOTA..they minimize everything in order to maximize the graphics..in example people very difficult to see the buffs and debuffs being casted in one hero because the indicator is located in the lower left area not in the center like DOTA,other reason is ..the crosshair is very minimized..sometimes you miss a target because of that and difficult on grouping..and the allies or enemies colour indicator seems mixed up not like when playing
    DOTA only two colours in the map..blue for allies..red for enemies..and many more..in other words HON needs an add-on to play it for smoother play..that's it..I hope DOTA2 different from HON..

    ReplyDelete
  23. HEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLL YEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!


    IceFrog pwnz

    ReplyDelete
  24. Dota 2 is free right?

    ReplyDelete
  25. all information about dota 2 from valve & icefrog on russian language here:
    http://getdota2.ru/

    ReplyDelete
  26. dota2??? no chance!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. the HoN is still not released perfectly . Yeah ... HoN still need some fixing . but it is also great to play . but if the Dota 2 will be more better than HoN ... Dota 2 will surely dominate HoN's Game.. XD


    But if this game wont be released first than Diablo 3 . Hate to say it but ... i think Dota 2 will be left aside......

    ReplyDelete
  28. the preruin does not appear why?

    ReplyDelete
  29. somwhere in this world great people do great things but people that makes history becomes a hero and thats where this new game called dota 2 is the history and the maker is the hero

    ReplyDelete
  30. i think pay to play dota2 is like killing in many places in the world
    when its the best game there !!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. @ what i have write above "killing it in.........."

    ReplyDelete
  32. Spot on with this write-up, I truly feel this website
    needs much more attention. I'll probably be back again to read more, thanks for the info!
    Here is my web-site :: clean my pc

    ReplyDelete
  33. Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis.

    It will always be exciting to read through content from other
    writers and use something from other sites.
    Stop by my webpage ; how to make iphone apps

    ReplyDelete
  34. Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared across the net.

    Disgrace on the search engines for now not positioning this publish upper!

    Come on over and discuss with my web site . Thank you =)
    Here is my blog - old holborn giallo

    ReplyDelete
  35. Thanks , I've recently been searching for info about this subject for a long time and yours is the greatest I have discovered till now. However, what in regards to the conclusion? Are you sure concerning the supply?
    My site van nelle

    ReplyDelete
  36. continuously i used to read smaller posts which
    also clear their motive, and that is also happening with this paragraph which I am
    reading at this time.
    Feel free to visit my page :: samson tobacco

    ReplyDelete