missalaire
Gawd
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Who else got in? 
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Blizzard Heroes of the Storm Alpha
- Thread starter missalaire
- Start date
Spoonmaster
Limp Gawd
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- Nov 18, 2007
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- 454
Still waiting, looks like a pretty fun casual game. Looking forward to playing as Mecha-Tassadar and Arthas.
missalaire
Gawd
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- Jul 22, 2012
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- 658
Yep. Haters gonna hate.
aeonrevolution
2[H]4U
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What makes this different or better than Dota?
Dreamerbydesign
Supreme [H]ardness
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Probably not much
delita
[H]ard|Gawd
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looks more like LoL than Dota. i didnt see the linear "lane" type of gameplay in the footage i watched, unless i missed soemthing.
missalaire
Gawd
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Too early to tell yet. So far it's pretty simple to play (since its alpha) and I like it so far. It's fun and fast paced.
It's account bound so far, no keys yet.
doctorword
n00b
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- Feb 27, 2014
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- 33
I thought it was family and friends strictly for alpha? I HATE MOBA's but....I have loved warcraft and Blizzard since 2000 so I am sure I will be playing it at some point lol.
missalaire
Gawd
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- Jul 22, 2012
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- 658
I think some people managed to get in who weren't friends and family, though most of them should be F&F or media, etc. I got in through F&F.
doctorword
n00b
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- Feb 27, 2014
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wow, grats! wish i was in F&F lol
I used to use that quote in 1995.
I think what I'm feeling is more accurately described as:
A stupid genre of game is gonna be a stupid genre of game.
aeonrevolution
2[H]4U
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- Aug 30, 2004
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- 2,484
I get why people dig MOBA's. I used to play Heroes of Newerth religiously, but there really isn't a ton of skill involved. They're just communication based once you learn all the heroes, items, and synergies.
That....and the games take FOREVER.
This is just my opinion.
That....and the games take FOREVER.
This is just my opinion.
Right on the marvel alliance dumpster train to DLC ville.
AltTabbins
Fully [H]
- Joined
- Jul 29, 2005
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- 20,281
I hope that the community is a lot less toxic than LoL and Dota's. Its the biggest thing keeping me away from MOBAs.
Spoonmaster
Limp Gawd
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- Nov 18, 2007
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- 454
Can confirm that first round of alpha so far is F&F and major content creators like TotalBiscuit/Day[9] etc.
RanceJustice
Supreme [H]ardness
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- Jun 9, 2003
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If anyone here has the ability to put others up for invite etc... I'd very much like to give this a try. I'm interested to see how HotS will compare to LoL, HoN, and DOTA2 (as well as some other 3rd parties such as SMITE, which seems to be pretty damn enjoyable) in..
1) Play style. HoN and the original DOTA have some of the highest thresholds for acceptable play skill and whatnot - you pretty much have to have a complete knowledge of things like creep deny, the exact right time to jungle, which items go for which characters etc. LoL seems a bit more permissive and enjoyable...and to be honest, I've not yet played DOTA2 significantly (I'd be interested in how it works... is it closer to HoN or LoL?). Are there a large variety of maps for once, or just another variation of the 3-lane 5v5 forest map everyone plays? Are there lots of exciting events/creeps/special content besides lane play, or is it basically the same old thing as everyone else?
2) Value/cost - Does it cost a lot to unlock characters? Skins are fuckloaded expensive? Do they charge for announcers, taunts etc...? Is it a "F2P' style moneysink where you have spend real money to "rent" things, or do you actually buy and get everything? Will you have a lot of buying power from just playing, or do they gate certain items/skins/heroes exclusively behind a real-money currency? Are custom skins and whatnot you purchase come with fancy new animations, voices etc...? Any chance of a Linux client?
3) Community. MOBA communities are poison and the more hardcore the MOBA, the more poisonous the community. Is the game balanced in such a way that a player who isn't playing perfectly will absolutely sink a team and make it much more difficult to win/overcome? Are there mods/fun/casual mode styles that make the game less intense and ready to cause rage in the player base? Are they doing any filtering to limit the chance players will be teamed with International players who don't speak their language?
I like MOBAs in theory, but between costing a fucking fortune in one way or another, having a shitty community, and basically being characterized as a "bad" if you don't roll the perfect cookie cutter build for Character X w/ Items Y being attained by Z seconds into he game, it hasn't been the kind of place I've wanted to spend my play time. I hope HotS can change this.
1) Play style. HoN and the original DOTA have some of the highest thresholds for acceptable play skill and whatnot - you pretty much have to have a complete knowledge of things like creep deny, the exact right time to jungle, which items go for which characters etc. LoL seems a bit more permissive and enjoyable...and to be honest, I've not yet played DOTA2 significantly (I'd be interested in how it works... is it closer to HoN or LoL?). Are there a large variety of maps for once, or just another variation of the 3-lane 5v5 forest map everyone plays? Are there lots of exciting events/creeps/special content besides lane play, or is it basically the same old thing as everyone else?
2) Value/cost - Does it cost a lot to unlock characters? Skins are fuckloaded expensive? Do they charge for announcers, taunts etc...? Is it a "F2P' style moneysink where you have spend real money to "rent" things, or do you actually buy and get everything? Will you have a lot of buying power from just playing, or do they gate certain items/skins/heroes exclusively behind a real-money currency? Are custom skins and whatnot you purchase come with fancy new animations, voices etc...? Any chance of a Linux client?
3) Community. MOBA communities are poison and the more hardcore the MOBA, the more poisonous the community. Is the game balanced in such a way that a player who isn't playing perfectly will absolutely sink a team and make it much more difficult to win/overcome? Are there mods/fun/casual mode styles that make the game less intense and ready to cause rage in the player base? Are they doing any filtering to limit the chance players will be teamed with International players who don't speak their language?
I like MOBAs in theory, but between costing a fucking fortune in one way or another, having a shitty community, and basically being characterized as a "bad" if you don't roll the perfect cookie cutter build for Character X w/ Items Y being attained by Z seconds into he game, it hasn't been the kind of place I've wanted to spend my play time. I hope HotS can change this.
Colonel Sanders
Supreme [H]ardness
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2001
- Messages
- 5,411
I haven't even tried a MOBA yet, but HotS will definitely be my first one. There's just something awesome about the characters Blizz has created over the years. This is like the perfect game to make use of them all. The various skins (usually mash ups between the different universes) are so fucking cool!
missalaire
Gawd
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2012
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- 658
I think more invites have gone out recently.
I am going to blow your mind ... different people like different types of games,
It is "stupid" to generalize.
missalaire
Gawd
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^ Well said.
Breath_of_the_Dying
[H]ard|Gawd
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I'm enjoying it, it's living proof that items and kill/deny mechanics aren't what make MOBAs fun. It has a long way to go, and it really has potential to shake up the genre. Without individual experience, "laning" can go away completely and much more fun battlegrounds can emerge.
-Defend/Siege
-Capture the flag
-Monster hunter
-Any WoW BG mechanic
are just a few examples
I play as Nova most of the time, hide in the shadows and let my teammates handle initial skirmishes. When enemies run from low on health, I pounce and go for the kill
-Defend/Siege
-Capture the flag
-Monster hunter
-Any WoW BG mechanic
are just a few examples
I play as Nova most of the time, hide in the shadows and let my teammates handle initial skirmishes. When enemies run from low on health, I pounce and go for the kill
limitedaccess
Supreme [H]ardness
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Is there any information on what the performance is like?
More in terms of low end performance compared to say games like LoL or Dota 2 (popular, easy to gauge against)? Specifically looking to run on something like a laptop with a HD4000/4400/4600.
More in terms of low end performance compared to say games like LoL or Dota 2 (popular, easy to gauge against)? Specifically looking to run on something like a laptop with a HD4000/4400/4600.
NickJames
Supreme [H]ardness
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I remember getting into the WOTLK F&F Alpha which is weird cause I was neither friend nor family of anyone there.
TheCowOfNow
Assault then RUN AWAY!
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2002
- Messages
- 4,364
Blizz keeps catering to the casual gamer, so if you're looking for a more 'casual' LoL I'm guessing this will be it. I just like the use of characters that I know and enjoy. I don't expect this to be some world changing game, but I bet it doesn't completely suck goats either.
RanceJustice
Supreme [H]ardness
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- 6,381
This seems very promising. Provided they don't muck it up with monetization, I'd love to see the MOBA paradigm change considerably for it to be more enjoyable and this looks like it could be moving forward. Really hoping I get invited.
octoberasian
2[H]4U
- Joined
- Oct 13, 2007
- Messages
- 4,082
I got it installed today, and so far, I'm liking it a lot more than DOTA2 and LoL.
The characters and skins are on the pricey side compared to the other two more well known MOBA games. I have not tried Smite yet though to know how it compares to that. For example, the starter pack without discount is nearly $100 USD, but is discounted for around $20.
Other than that, it's different and that's a good thing. The graphics look really good for an alpha and the controls are easy to understand.
The characters and skins are on the pricey side compared to the other two more well known MOBA games. I have not tried Smite yet though to know how it compares to that. For example, the starter pack without discount is nearly $100 USD, but is discounted for around $20.
Other than that, it's different and that's a good thing. The graphics look really good for an alpha and the controls are easy to understand.
Breath_of_the_Dying
[H]ard|Gawd
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To my knowledge, all characters are purchasable by in game currency. Money is pretty scarce, so dont expect to unlock all characters in a weekend. Skins and mounts may only be purchasable by real money.
At least as it is now, all characters rotate in the free picks: you'll eventually get to try them all out for free, but it may take a number of weeks. This gives you a chance to try 5 or so every week to get a good feel if you really want to buy them.
Of the 4 maps, 3 of them are 3 lanes and the other is 2 lanes. All of them have a very unique objective which helps give a huge push if you're successful with the objectives. These objectives lead to big team battles, and with team exp you it's definitely in your teams best interest to work as a team to complete the objectives (as opposed to laning on your own).
There are no items in the game, but you can vary your play style with certain skill choices as you level up. Dustin stated that he wanted to make sure class roles will stay as class roles (such as Malfurion's main focus would be support and healing, and should never match a dps class), but there are still multiple ways to play each class.
At least as it is now, all characters rotate in the free picks: you'll eventually get to try them all out for free, but it may take a number of weeks. This gives you a chance to try 5 or so every week to get a good feel if you really want to buy them.
Of the 4 maps, 3 of them are 3 lanes and the other is 2 lanes. All of them have a very unique objective which helps give a huge push if you're successful with the objectives. These objectives lead to big team battles, and with team exp you it's definitely in your teams best interest to work as a team to complete the objectives (as opposed to laning on your own).
There are no items in the game, but you can vary your play style with certain skill choices as you level up. Dustin stated that he wanted to make sure class roles will stay as class roles (such as Malfurion's main focus would be support and healing, and should never match a dps class), but there are still multiple ways to play each class.
RanceJustice
Supreme [H]ardness
- Joined
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- Messages
- 6,381
Sounds like there are some nice diversions from most MOBAs. Just out of curiosity, is the control scheme more like League of Legends where you're clicking about to move, using QWER for abilities, and mousing to move the camera? Or are you moving with WASD?
With regards to skins and mounts... are there some "free" mounts? If I am to understand having a mount is a part of the game mechanic, so if those without them are really at a huge disadvantage unless they pay, that's not so great. I'm none too pleased that skins and mounts are ONLY unlockable with real money - if you get a chance to provide feedback, perhaps ask if they can make skins/mounts and cosmetic things available with a significant amount of in-game earned currency as well. Oh, and what is the price structure you see so far? Do skins seem to be reaching the exorbitant $5-10 per skin (or much more) in the case of many MOBAs? How about mounts? Blizzard would do well to price things MUCH lower and allow people to unlock with in-game currency as well, if they want to break into what is now becoming a saturated market. $100 (or discounted to $80?) for a "starter pack"?! Is that like "Access to all the currently planned characters and all skins for them"? or something else?
Oh, and for the record Smite is actually pretty reasonable for unlocking actual characters. Its $30 for the God Pack or thereabouts, to unlock all of the gods (or at least, it was when I bought it), none but default skins included. Color swap skins are buyable with in-game earned currency as well as real cash. "Fancy" skins that are model changes and whatnot are 400gems or about $8, a bit expensive in my opinion...but then again a favorite model/skin of mine in LoL costs around $30, which is bloody insane (Pulsefire Ezreal, for those interested) . At least at the moment, there are relatively few skins for any given character - everyone has one guaranteed standard pallet swap, one "Golden" mode (you have to Mastery 1 witht that God to unlock the ability to buy, and it costs either around $8 or double the amount of "normal" pallet swaps worth of in-game cash), and one Legendary (Mastery 10 on that god, Gold skin purchased). Some have fancy new model skins, special event skins, and more. Strangely "Voice Packs" are $4 each. If you want all your "V button prefab voice coms" to be in anything aside from the default male voice, you have to buy a god's voicepack to do so. Sayings from abilities or whatever flavor stuff that a character says is still in their voice, but any of the comms are not, unless you buy the voice option. Little icons for your profile and whatnot generally cost around $2 each.
I'm pleased to hear about the lack of items - so much of many MOBAs seems to be a rather arcane notion of buying the optimum item build for your character and/or situation, which is extremely off putting to newer players. Smite does a decent job providing "recommended" items for each character and different situations, but a game that can do without all the items sounds like a neat improvement. Starting with 4 maps sounds neat. I can hope they at least have all of the "LoL" gametypes and map styles, plus similar to those from Smite. Team XP, and any mechanics to tone down the horrible rancor of the MOBA community is fantastic. If they're building the game in such a way that a team working together overall is more important than say... a single player doing badly's ability to bring down the team, then that's a big advance compared to most MOBAs, and spawns the horrid community, at least in part (ie. Getting yelled at, reported etc.. for not having a perfect build, "feeding" the other team by dying too much etc..). For MOBAs the community is by far the worst aspect of the game. If they can improve that, innovate gameplay, and resist the urge to make it cost a bloody fortune , they'll have a winner on their hands.
I'd really like to try out HotS Alpha. Hope I get a chance to do so...if anyone gets a chance to add referrals or whatnot, PM me as I'd be very interested. Thanks for the overview!
With regards to skins and mounts... are there some "free" mounts? If I am to understand having a mount is a part of the game mechanic, so if those without them are really at a huge disadvantage unless they pay, that's not so great. I'm none too pleased that skins and mounts are ONLY unlockable with real money - if you get a chance to provide feedback, perhaps ask if they can make skins/mounts and cosmetic things available with a significant amount of in-game earned currency as well. Oh, and what is the price structure you see so far? Do skins seem to be reaching the exorbitant $5-10 per skin (or much more) in the case of many MOBAs? How about mounts? Blizzard would do well to price things MUCH lower and allow people to unlock with in-game currency as well, if they want to break into what is now becoming a saturated market. $100 (or discounted to $80?) for a "starter pack"?! Is that like "Access to all the currently planned characters and all skins for them"? or something else?
Oh, and for the record Smite is actually pretty reasonable for unlocking actual characters. Its $30 for the God Pack or thereabouts, to unlock all of the gods (or at least, it was when I bought it), none but default skins included. Color swap skins are buyable with in-game earned currency as well as real cash. "Fancy" skins that are model changes and whatnot are 400gems or about $8, a bit expensive in my opinion...but then again a favorite model/skin of mine in LoL costs around $30, which is bloody insane (Pulsefire Ezreal, for those interested) . At least at the moment, there are relatively few skins for any given character - everyone has one guaranteed standard pallet swap, one "Golden" mode (you have to Mastery 1 witht that God to unlock the ability to buy, and it costs either around $8 or double the amount of "normal" pallet swaps worth of in-game cash), and one Legendary (Mastery 10 on that god, Gold skin purchased). Some have fancy new model skins, special event skins, and more. Strangely "Voice Packs" are $4 each. If you want all your "V button prefab voice coms" to be in anything aside from the default male voice, you have to buy a god's voicepack to do so. Sayings from abilities or whatever flavor stuff that a character says is still in their voice, but any of the comms are not, unless you buy the voice option. Little icons for your profile and whatnot generally cost around $2 each.
I'm pleased to hear about the lack of items - so much of many MOBAs seems to be a rather arcane notion of buying the optimum item build for your character and/or situation, which is extremely off putting to newer players. Smite does a decent job providing "recommended" items for each character and different situations, but a game that can do without all the items sounds like a neat improvement. Starting with 4 maps sounds neat. I can hope they at least have all of the "LoL" gametypes and map styles, plus similar to those from Smite. Team XP, and any mechanics to tone down the horrible rancor of the MOBA community is fantastic. If they're building the game in such a way that a team working together overall is more important than say... a single player doing badly's ability to bring down the team, then that's a big advance compared to most MOBAs, and spawns the horrid community, at least in part (ie. Getting yelled at, reported etc.. for not having a perfect build, "feeding" the other team by dying too much etc..). For MOBAs the community is by far the worst aspect of the game. If they can improve that, innovate gameplay, and resist the urge to make it cost a bloody fortune , they'll have a winner on their hands.
I'd really like to try out HotS Alpha. Hope I get a chance to do so...if anyone gets a chance to add referrals or whatnot, PM me as I'd be very interested. Thanks for the overview!
Breath_of_the_Dying
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2007
- Messages
- 1,454
You get a base mount, mounts are only skins and have no effect on gameplay,except for looking AWESOME!!!
I dont think skins are purchasable with in game money, only real money. I'm fine with that, they can micro transaction the shit out of skins and mounts as long as it never interferes with gameplay balance. Prices range from $5-$20 I think, I havent bought stuff in a long time. You can look on the heroes website to see what the starter packs or other packs give you.
http://www.heroesofthestorm.com/en-...le-packs-now-available-in-heroes-of-the-storm
They do however have unlockable color schemes for each character, that are not bought through in game or real money. They're only unlocked by doing hero quests and epic hero quests. Completing all of normal or epic quests unlocks a new color, so even without skins you get a little variety.
QWERTY are the basic moves, and some hitting 1,2,3. This all depends on which skills you unlock and if you chose a new skill vs chosing a talent to buff an existing skill. You can move with mouse border bumping or you can lock on your character and it will camera follow. You can even offset the camera lock so you can keep them on the (for example) the upper left corner of your screen.
I dont think skins are purchasable with in game money, only real money. I'm fine with that, they can micro transaction the shit out of skins and mounts as long as it never interferes with gameplay balance. Prices range from $5-$20 I think, I havent bought stuff in a long time. You can look on the heroes website to see what the starter packs or other packs give you.
http://www.heroesofthestorm.com/en-...le-packs-now-available-in-heroes-of-the-storm
They do however have unlockable color schemes for each character, that are not bought through in game or real money. They're only unlocked by doing hero quests and epic hero quests. Completing all of normal or epic quests unlocks a new color, so even without skins you get a little variety.
QWERTY are the basic moves, and some hitting 1,2,3. This all depends on which skills you unlock and if you chose a new skill vs chosing a talent to buff an existing skill. You can move with mouse border bumping or you can lock on your character and it will camera follow. You can even offset the camera lock so you can keep them on the (for example) the upper left corner of your screen.