It is to match people that have something you want and is of a higher skill level against you so you get destroyed in hopes it will make you think what they had made them so much better so you are more likely to buy it after which they use you against a lower skilled player to continue the cycle. For the record I do not think this is being used in hearthstone as the method is for systems where you can buy exact items.
They stated, in the patent text itself, that this is the only thing it is used for? Or are you assuming this? =P
The patent includes the following language as part of the primary purpose of the technology as it applied to microtransactions:
"For example, in one implementation, the system may include a microtransaction engine that arranges matches to influence game-related purchases. For instance, the microtransaction engine may match a more expert/marquee player with a junior player to encourage the junior player to make game-related purchases of items possessed/used by the marquee player. A junior player may wish to emulate the marquee player by obtaining weapons or other items used by the marquee player. In one implementation, when a player makes a game-related purchase, the microtransaction engine may encourage future purchases by matching the player (e.g., using matchmaking described herein) in a gameplay session that will utilize the game-related purchase. Doing so may enhance a level of enjoyment by the player for the game-related purchase, which may encourage future purchases. For example, if the player purchased a particular weapon, the microtransaction engine may match the player in a gameplay session in which the particular weapon is highly effective, giving the player an impression that the particular weapon was a good purchase. This may encourage the player to make future purchases to achieve similar gameplay results. "
These are the two shadiest parts of the patent and basically are what has everyone riled up.
It's worth noting though that these begin with "in one implementation." Indeed, the patent also includes several other similar paragraphs about different configurations of the technology that use different priorities. So you might have the "makes matches for maximum profit" version, and then you might also have the "makes matches for maximum player retention", "makes matches for most evenly paired opponents" version, etc. etc. Basically its a good power play because they managed to patent almost every given desirable thing a game company might use data-driven matchmaking for, wrapped up in a single patent.
I'm running a fun flavor of raza+DK priest that uses the un'goro hemet to blow up your own deck which makes drawing raza and DK very consistent. For added fun, also runs benedictus to refill and prevent fatigue while beating them up with their own cards. Saw the idea on here somewhere and it's probably not the best version but it's fun for me.
What retechs would you recommend if none of your opponents are jades?
Also more importantly, how does this recover if raza gets pulled by deathlord or dirty rat? This happens to me consistently enough that it's hurting my climb with my raza/reaper deck
One problem I see is that the opponent can potentially keep whacking howlfiend after your quest is done and make you discard the reward. The fact that discard is random and you won't always have it hit the clutchmother takes away the viability in my opinion.
A couple years ago I could play 2 to 3 hours a day and got rank 5 to 3 for a couple months. Now in school for engineering I only get to play during meals which is about 2 to 3 games per day and the best I can do with that at the end of the month is rank 10.
I agree with your assessment but it should be noted that the card wasn't meant to destroy the archetype. This cards purpose is to provide control decks an option that they never had before, which was to win matchups against jade druid. If people are salty and absolutely want to ruin the day of any jades they might encounter then this is the card for them.
Why bother having classes in arena? Picked paladin for free run, got offered 3 neutral cards for 24 of the 30 picks. Zero steeds. Zero consecration. Zero truesilver.
Hearthstone is more closer to bingo that closer to chess
you can study the game and all, shield with stadistic all you wish, but what is definig the game is not skill
and no. Topdecking isn't skill. Skill will be: i know that in turn 7 i will topdeck flamestrike. Topdeck is random. Is throwing a coin and you can be sure about it is tails every turn. Skills my socks
"Shield with statistics"? Statistics aren't an excuse, statistics are powerful mathematical tools that allow you to see the true nature of things that have high variance in single instances... in other words, statistics is THE measuring stick for the luck-skill spectrum
When I first saw this I wasn't paying much attention and only noticed a pally legendary named bolvar with the same mana cost, same terrible stat line, and the gain attack when X happens text... almost reported for thread necro before I realized this wasn't THAT bolvar, and they've made the same terrible card twice. Thanks blizz.
Why stop there? If we are pulling DK hero cards out of our keister, I'd take the one that gives all your minions on the board +4/+4 and divine shield. Or perhaps the one that shoots 20 arcane missiles at random enemies.
Can I just have one that says "You win the game"? Please? Pretty please?
What exactly does win vs time as a percentage mean?
Assuming the overall percentage is an average of all your individual games, what would the length and outcome of a game that's 5% win vs time be compared to a game that's 90% win vs time?
1
So this is basically the Vashta Nerada in HS minion form.
...hey, who turned out the lights?
4
In one implementation, when a player makes a game-related purchase, the microtransaction engine may encourage future purchases by matching the player (e.g., using matchmaking described herein) in a gameplay session that will utilize the game-related purchase. Doing so may enhance a level of enjoyment by the player for the game-related purchase, which may encourage future purchases. For example, if the player purchased a particular weapon, the microtransaction engine may match the player in a gameplay session in which the particular weapon is highly effective, giving the player an impression that the particular weapon was a good purchase. This may encourage the player to make future purchases to achieve similar gameplay results. "
1
Bravo, good thread. I love me a bit of maths in the morning.
0
I've got a token paladin deck called Ionian Hetairoi.
...bonus points if anyone gets it...
1
I'm running a fun flavor of raza+DK priest that uses the un'goro hemet to blow up your own deck which makes drawing raza and DK very consistent. For added fun, also runs benedictus to refill and prevent fatigue while beating them up with their own cards. Saw the idea on here somewhere and it's probably not the best version but it's fun for me.
0
What retechs would you recommend if none of your opponents are jades?
Also more importantly, how does this recover if raza gets pulled by deathlord or dirty rat? This happens to me consistently enough that it's hurting my climb with my raza/reaper deck
0
One problem I see is that the opponent can potentially keep whacking howlfiend after your quest is done and make you discard the reward. The fact that discard is random and you won't always have it hit the clutchmother takes away the viability in my opinion.
1
Im just hyped for Hearthstones first ever alt-win condition. In MtG alt-wins are my favorite thing and I hope to see more in HS.
2
A couple years ago I could play 2 to 3 hours a day and got rank 5 to 3 for a couple months. Now in school for engineering I only get to play during meals which is about 2 to 3 games per day and the best I can do with that at the end of the month is rank 10.
1
I agree with your assessment but it should be noted that the card wasn't meant to destroy the archetype. This cards purpose is to provide control decks an option that they never had before, which was to win matchups against jade druid. If people are salty and absolutely want to ruin the day of any jades they might encounter then this is the card for them.
0
Why bother having classes in arena? Picked paladin for free run, got offered 3 neutral cards for 24 of the 30 picks. Zero steeds. Zero consecration. Zero truesilver.
0
4
When I first saw this I wasn't paying much attention and only noticed a pally legendary named bolvar with the same mana cost, same terrible stat line, and the gain attack when X happens text... almost reported for thread necro before I realized this wasn't THAT bolvar, and they've made the same terrible card twice. Thanks blizz.
0
0
What exactly does win vs time as a percentage mean?
Assuming the overall percentage is an average of all your individual games, what would the length and outcome of a game that's 5% win vs time be compared to a game that's 90% win vs time?