S2 Q&A with devs 11/06-11

 <@[S2]Feanux> Our first question comes from user "Weevkin"
<@[S2]Feanux> When  creating a new hero, how often do you go to "DREAM" and begin  development based on what users have submitted? How much of hero  creation is based upon what the programmers / designers want to see put  into the game?
 <@[S2]Konran> The designers really each have their own style of developing a hero and each hero is a different process.
 <@[S2]Konran> Some of them will come up with their own unique ideas or collaborate and other times, they will jump into DREAM to see what the players are looking for.
 <@[S2]Konran> The ultimate goal is to make heroes that are both needed in the game and wanted.
 <@[S2]Feanux> Very nice.
 <@[S2]Feanux> This question has been getting a lot of requests to be answered
 <@[S2]Feanux> "Any new announcer sound packs in the makings?"
<@[S2]MsPudding> Most definitely. It would ruin the fun to reveal exactly what, though
<@[S2]Konran> You can give a hint, especially since you are so far along ;)
<@[S2]MsPudding> I did on twitter a while back. IT'S TEA TIME!
<@[S2]Feanux> What made you decide on using Direct3D over OpenGL as the default renderer? Asked By: Gonx
 <@[S2]Deejay> Direct3D, in general, is easier to work with for doing more advanced things and usually leads the way in new features. We still wanted to make sure we had Linux and Mac support, so we try to keep our OpenGL renderer in feature parity with our D3D renderer.
<@[S2]Feanux> When is Hellbringer going to get some legs? Sorry, had to ask. Asked By: Rofl_Cake
<@[S2]Feanux> Probably one of my favorite questions :)
 <@[S2]Nigma> The better question is: When will newerth be wheelchair accessible?
<@Idejder> Clearly you dont need wheelchairs in Newerth. Hellbringer does fine without legs
 <@S2Buro> Hellbringer might get legs with an alt avatar... maybe ;)
 <@[S2]IAmRoot> wheelchairs would do fine. It's all ramps, not stairs :)
<@Idejder> MAYBE
 <@[S2]MsPudding> I like him with no legs!
<@[S2]Nigma> Walking as intended!
<+Eonx> Scout needed an extra pair, he walks a lot
<@[S2]Feanux> This next one goes to DOGKaiser, pretty interesting question I haden't thought about
 <@[S2]Feanux> Are  there going to be any items to provide Slow Resistance? Over half the  heroes have slows, there are three items to provide slows, but no slow  resistance beyond a few heroes getting it passively on themselves (WB  and DW come to mind).
 <%[GM]Crysiz> doesnt auto purging count as it?
<@S2DOGKais> We never leave out the possiblity of adding new and different items.
<@S2DOGKais> Can't say for sure if there will or will not be items with slow resistance in the future.
 <@[S2]Feanux> In terms of balance, while we're on the subject, we have a question from #qachatter
 <@[S2]Feanux> k1x1ck: can you tell us (without all this spam) why you changed secretshop and bh
<@S2Buro> DOGKaiser made a post on General Discussion about the removal of the secret shop
 <@S2Buro> http://forums.heroesofnewerth.com/showthread.php?t=277639
 <@S2Buro> that sums up mostly why it was changed
 <@S2Buro> and the changes to BH were part of a series of reworks that we are doing on heroes that have been considered underpowered, underused, or incomplete in form
 <@[S2]MsPudding> On the topic of slow-resistance items, I don't see why it would be necessary to implement an item specifically aimed at avoiding *only* snares. There's already spell immunity and nullification--if anything a slow-resistance item would significantly impact the (already somewhat weak) effectiveness of spells and effects that snare instead of stun.
<@S2Buro> part of these reworks include Fayde and the new Keeper of the Forest
 <@[S2]MsPudding> :O
 <@[S2]Feanux> One of the largest category of questions we kept getting were about flags and when they're going to be available; any news Konran?
<@[S2]MsPudding> They're on the way!
<@[S2]Konran> With the updated Goblin Store, we were finally able to get past the thing that really prevented us from adding more flags, which was organization.
 <@[S2]Konran> I'm happy to say that within the coming weeks, the flags that have been highly requested will be added.
 <@S2Buro> but Konran, one flag could have saved us from the ddos attacks! why not add it??
 <@[S2]MsPudding> xD
<@[S2]Feanux> After the release of the Map Editor it did not receive any update (at least  non that was mentioned in any patch logs). Will there be an update for it in the near future or even the final release (away from beta!) And to  tie in, what about custom maps being added? Asked By: Schm0ftie
 <@[S2]Konran> Buro, you know we don't negotiate with terrorists!
 <@[S2]Deejay> We *have* been making a lot of changes to the map editor, including adding new features and fixing bugs, but they've been mostly under the hood and we don't usually announce them in the changelogs. We'll probably start doing that, so modders can know what's happening.
 <@[S2]Deejay> As far as custom map support, it's still planned to happen sometime in the future.
 <@[S2]Deejay> The only thing that you can't do right now in custom maps is play them multiplayer. *Everything* we use (the map editor, scripting, etc.) is available for use in custom maps right now, and I've seen some damn impressive maps on the forums
 <@[S2]MsPudding> There's even a sweet custom map in the works on our end! :P
 <@[S2]Nigma> *Cough* Scoutplayingabanjo *Cough*
 <@[S2]MsPudding> My voice might even be in there somewhere :o
 <@[S2]Feanux> Everyone would like to know whats been happening with the current state of hon, how new security has been effecting us, and the players
 <@[S2]Konran> Obviously it's been a rough past few weeks.
 <@[S2]Konran> Ultimately, this will all be for the benefit of the players and us as a company, but it doesn't make it any easier.
 <@[S2]Konran> We are just as frustrated as the community with the downtime we've been experiencing.  Not only does it take up much of our time during the days, but we are then unable to play when we finish working at night.
 <@[S2]Feanux> I definitely have been missing it :(
<@[S2]Deejay> We all have been :-( I need to feed the addiction!
<@[S2]Feanux> Regarding the RAP-System: Do you plan on noticing other players on any “punishment” against the reported player? If not, why? - somerandomdude
 <@[S2]Konran> We are very close to bringing HoN back to the excellent level of service our players and we have come to expect.
 <@[S2]Feanux> With the Report a Player system, one of the plans we have is to let the player know when their ticket they submitted has been completed, however not the outcome of the ticket, that would violate a players privacy.
 <@[S2]Feanux> One thing we would hope to add is a system where players see their own reporting statistics, possibly in a way where they can see the percentage of players they reported, if it was a successful report or not
 <@[S2]Feanux> Idealy this system would have a minimum report limit, so that way you cannot simply report 1 person to see the outcome of the suspension.
 <@[S2]Feanux> w0bni[FreeNaib]: But what about reporting a player you have not been in a match with, [S2]Feanux?
 <@[S2]Feanux> That's definitely something I'd like to see in regards to the RaP system, it's definitely something we have to potential to setup as well
 <@[S2]Feanux> Here's another question from the hat
<@[S2]Feanux> " Is 6v6 capability on the radar? Pretty please?"
 <@[S2]Feanux> :) that would be fun
<@[S2]Deejay> Unfortunately, no. Not yet, anyways.
 <@[S2]Deejay> <OZ> WILL MORE OF THE MAPS ME AVAILABLE IN MATCHMAKING IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
 <@[S2]Deejay> Currently, there aren't any plans to. The problem with having more maps in matchmaking (which we see already with Caldavar and Grimm's) is that you split up the population even further, making it take longer to find a game.
 <@S2Buro> <Midnightoil> QUESTION: What are the next new items going to be? Where have trophy belt and engineering kit (?) gone?
 <@S2Buro> the idea behind trophy belt was accomplished with the new loggers hatchet, and we have a few items in development as well that we hope to start bringing into the game in the next couple weeks or so, however I cannot comment on their functionality just yet ;)
 <@[S2]Feanux> DarkNecrid: QUESTION: Will Sacrificial Stone be looked at any time soon since it's pretty much never used?
 <@S2DOGKais> It is an item we have been looking at
 <@S2DOGKais> We have not found the correct rework for it just yet
<@S2DOGKais> But we have not forgotten about it :)
<@[S2]Feanux> So there are ideas floating around? Awesome news :)
 <@[S2]Deejay> <BigBadLion> QUESTION: This wasn't explained correctly. I'm quite happy to see we've finally gotten a chance to upload our own icons, but... when we pay the fee we get to upload an unlimited number of icons or just one?
 <@[S2]Deejay> One per custom account icon slot that you purchase
 <@[S2]Deejay> You can purchase multiple slots, but each slot can only have one image uploaded into it.
 <@[S2]Feanux> qazqazqaz: Question: may I add to custom icons questions, please. Are the icons you upload personal, or anyone can buy them?
 <@[S2]Feanux> Custom icons can only be used by you, they are not uploaded for everyone to use :)
 <@[S2]Feanux> Ryan: QUESTION: Have you ever considered to select some voice/dubbing ideas and works from the community, just like new heroes development? - bluestarry
 <@[S2]MsPudding> We've done these things in the past.
 <@[S2]Nigma> I believe Gladiator's lines were almost entirely community created.
 <@S2Buro> <Partyparty> QUESTION: Why are the leash times on the neutral creeps nerfed? It makes pulling lane creeps much harder. especially for legion bot.
 <@[S2]MsPudding> As you all may have noticed, many outstanding community members who contribute great ideas and content to HoN have been worked with closely
 <@S2Buro> The leash times on neutral camps were reduced in order to stop the ability to pull camps that were unintended to be pullable, for instance hellbourne ancients.  we do not think that the difficulty of pulling the legion bottom camp has been increased so much as to be a problem with balance.  this also makes stacking a little more difficult and is intended because stacking multiple camps was
 <@S2Buro> previously too easy to do and was not something we wanted to see supports spending all of their time doing.
 <@[S2]MsPudding> Soundwizard is a prime example of this. He made sound mods of revoiced heroes, and became the creative force behind engineer, panda, chipper, etc
 <@[S2]Bangerz> <FrozenDK> Is there a syntax list for the HoN coding language available?
 <@[S2]Bangerz> I have a WIP guide for map/entity scripting here: http://forums.heroesofnewerth.com/showthread.php?t=218185
 <@[S2]Bangerz> I do plan to flesh this out a bit, and hopefully start a weekly blog with changes and examples of how to do various things
 <@[S2]Deejay> <_Pedro> Q: Since this patch the maximum creeps stack went from 3 to 2. This is not noted on the patch. Is this right ?
 <@[S2]Deejay> That was unintentional for this patch. It's something we're still toying with, but it wasn't ready to go live yet. It'll be removed in a hotfix or in the next patch.
 <@[S2]Feanux> [WSX]Malachi_Drake: [S2]Feanux: Will we ever see a alt for Martyr called Red Bull; since he gives u wings. I'm sure his other skills could be changed from holy terminology to energy boosting ones.
 <@[S2]Feanux> I couldn't help but bring this one up
 <@[S2]Feanux> It definitely made me lol.
 <@[S2]MsPudding> Wow, that's amazing :o
 <@[S2]Deejay> Question: On the topic of coding, is there ever a plan to add support for AI control of heroes? I know that this is not something that can be scripted at the moment so it would have to be done at the engine level, but, is there any plans to make this something that people can script themselves in order to make better/more intelligent AIs?
 <@[S2]Feanux> The problem with certain ideas are copyright laws, while it would be extremely funny, it's not something we can go after.
 <@[S2]Nigma> HoN always needs more puns.
 <@[S2]Deejay> As we've worked on the tutorial and the AI players in there, we've added more support for AI-based players in the engine. However, full support isn't something we're planning for in the near future.
 <@[S2]Feanux> Just a couple more questions and we'll be wrapping this thing up!
 <@[S2]Feanux> SB_: QUESTION: To [S2]Feanux: There is currently a sticky thread that states S2 is openly looking for community staff members such as GM positions. Are these applications being read, and does no response mean you were not chosen? I have applied and feel as thoguh I am perfectly qualified, what exactly are you looking for in people to fill these positions?
 <@[S2]Feanux> With each position (SBT, GM, Tech, RCT) there are a number of aspects you have to fill
 <@[S2]Feanux> For SBT candidates, you have to have a certain skill rating, the GM position however does not require a mandatory skill rating
 <@[S2]Feanux> Right now we only contact players who are selected, those who are not selected do not receive a answer, although it's definitely a great idea to add that in!
 <@S2Buro> <pllx> QUESTION : what goals led you to change the main map (secret shop removed / new ramp) ?
 <@S2Buro> I already answered the part about the secret shop earlier.  As far as the new ramp and the rework of the kongor area, this was done to give legion less of a disadvantage at kongor.  The new ramp allows a 2nd access point to the kongor area for legion, so that they are not always forced to go through the one choke point ramp which puts them at a huge disadvantage.
 <@S2DOGKais> <partyparty> Question: Silhouette nerf was mandatory, but several community members feel she was nerfed too far and being underpowered now. There are voices that most "OP" heroes get nerfed to the ground and they are never viable again. Concerning this, how much testing time is used on those hero balance changes before the patches go live?
 <@S2DOGKais> For this particular hero change, around 2 weeks were used for testing for the purpose of not overnerfing her. After testing her and communicating with top tier players we do not feel these nerfs are too much. She should still be a strong hero to pick up. Time will tell if the changes end up correct or not.
 <@[S2]Feanux> Great point, the biggest challenge I see when introducing new numbers to players is that people have to adjust to it; calling someone "overpowered" or "underpowered" right out of the gate isn't always the best thing to do
 <@[S2]Feanux> Time for one last question!
 <@[S2]Deejay> <korDen> Question: What are your plans to make HoN more novice friendly? (e.g. improved tutorial, rework of CM into novice mode - slower game speed etc, better novice/experienced player separation for a rage-free environment etc)
 <@S2Buro> <Dafcee> QUESTION: What was the idea for having Observatory for wards only and replacing Secret Shop with it? How about having Ward of Relevation in the Observatory also?
 <@[S2]Deejay> It's something we acknowledge as a weakness and we've been working on it, and continue to work on it. You can see it in the features of the new shop, the guide system, the tutorial, and harsher RAP punishments.
 <@S2Buro> The observatory was added almost as a placeholder for more to come, although we did want the wards of sight in the observatory, we decided against putting wards of revelation in because it would make counter-warding almost too easy to do.  This would also be a semi-nerf to stealth heroes that currently do not need it~
 <@[S2]Deejay> We do definitely have more planned for the future to improve the new player experience.
 <@[S2]Feanux> 2-for-1 there!
<@[S2]Feanux> :)
 <@[S2]Nigma> You can bet I'm always pressing for more features for newer players. I'd like to say that I'm really satisfied and glad that the Guide system is finally in the game, and I encourage everyone to keep using it and submiting guides.
 <@[S2]Feanux> And that will conclude our Dev IRC Q&A!
 <@[S2]Feanux> I’d  like to thank everyone, players and staff alike, for supporting HoN and S2 Games. We rely on each  of you for not only ideas and inspiration but to help make HoN better every day.
 <@[S2]Feanux> As for any new updates on servers and statuses, please check out the stickies http://forums.heroesofnewerth.com/forumdisplay.php?f=222 for the latest info!
<@[S2]Feanux> Thanks! :D