Tuesday, November 2, 2010

What can we expect from DoTA 2 ???

1. Better teamwork
The integrated voice chat will give those who normally do not use ventrilo or other voice connection options better communication. This will hopefully increase the quality of public games. For those who use voice chat programmes, it will make it more simple and reduce inconvenience when the voice connection drops with the need to tab out.

2. Unique Hero graphics and voices
Each hero is being crafted to be easily identified and distinguishable from other characters. This makes it easier for players to understand the situation and appropriate action. There will be custom voice work with entertaining lines from heroes.

3. Better Community Experience
Valve is going to provide an interactive platform to minimise social friction. They might include in-game rewards that encourage positive community interaction. I am really looking forward for a more integrated community platform for DotA players. By having a consistent and centralised ladder and incentives, I believe that the gameplay experience will increase.

4. Better Experience for New Players
DotA2 will be easier to break into for new players with (1) skill-based match-matching (giving newbies a chance to play with people on the same level), (2) interactive guides, (3) a coaching system and (4) AI bots in unranked training matches. I have not seen a coaching system in other action-RTS games. It might be useful, but it probably isn’t that important or will be commonly used. Players would probably be more interested playing with their friends as they teach them, rather than watching them play.

5. Better Experience for Veteran Players
With a skill-based match-making system, it would be less likely for experienced DotA players to have to endure the amateur moves of a new player. There will also be AI bots to replace disconnected players. I think that som players might prefer to be able to control the leaver or take their items than have an AI bot play for them, particularly in a high-level game. It might be better to have a voting option, so that the members of the affected team can decide if they want the AI bot. Would it increase the number of leavers? Players might encourage others to leave because they think the AI bot will be better. Leavers will feel better in leaving, since they don’t feel it has a huge impact on the game.