subject: Browder hints at Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm updates. Emphasises importance of e-sports [print this page] Browder hints at Starcraft 2: Heart of the Swarm updates. Emphasises importance of e-sports
E-sports are a big part of my life now, whereas before i would watch "tv" i now instead choose to watch Starcraft 2, look at that how you will, but i, for one, am grateful for e-sports. It gives gamers a chance to talk about stuff other than just the game itself, im not really into any physical sport, and thats where e-sports come in. While those guys over there are talking about what happend in the football last night, im talking about the epic game between such and such.
Another great thing about e-sports is the accessiblity it has over other sports, theres pro footballers then theres pro sc2 players, the difference is anyone has the chance to be good at starcraft (within reason). I can really see e-sports being on tv (not just in Korea) one day. And hopefully that day will come soon, well thats after everyone other than gamers realize gaming isnt so bad after all.
Another thing, ive said it before and i'll say it again, check out the PCG Starcraft 2 forums we're a somewhat friendly bunch.Blizzard designer Dustin Browder has given clues into what we can expect from Heart of the Swarm the first expansion to Blizzard's Starcraft II. He also stated that the expansion will have as much of an e-sport focus as Wings of Liberty, and made a plea for gamers to embrace the new breed of spectator sport.
During a talk entitled The Game Design of Starcraft II: Designing an E-Sport at GDC Browder admitted that the team did encounter some surprises when the game was finally released: "The Reaper is not in a happy place. It was a bit of a mis-step for us. The players showed us what it was capable of and we nerfed it into obscurity. This will be addressed in Heart of the Swarm."
He also spoke about Starcraft II's e-sports focus: "We're going to maintain the e-sport values. We're still working on tera gold. These values are real. We're not going to chicken out on e-sports in Heart of the Swarm."
According to Browder, every aspect of Starcraft II's development centred around the idea of making the game balanced and enjoyable to spectate: "Multiplayer was hugely impacted by e-sports. We took a ton of damage in trying to make this game's multiplayer. A huge amount of effort. We were completely screwed around for five or six years. The art team got hit hard by the decision to make this an e-sport. Even the vision and the story were affected by the fact that this was going to be an e-sport. We did anything we could to make this a more watchable viewing experience.
