Fireside Update #2
The second installation of the Fireside Update is here!
Blizzard's San Diego Comic Con Schedule
Although it isn't Hearthstone related, it's still got lot's of Warcraft stuff! For anyone who's going to be attending Comic Con from July 18th to July 21st, you've got tons of Blizzard content to check out.
Originally posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)Check out Blizzard’s San Diego Comic-Con schedule of events including panels, booth activities, and partner shenanigans. Copies of your favorite Blizzard books will be available for purchase at the booth—don’t forget to get yours signed by our featured guests at the times listed below. Look for us at booth #115, and be sure to get there early before everything is gone!
Funko Booth #5343
Funko will also be selling a limited amount of the Shadow Illidan at their booth. If you haven’t seen this little guy yet, check out our blog post on our SDCC exclusives.
Sideshow #1929
Come by to check out the painted Diablo statue in all its hellish glory, and the first look at Deathwing. Sideshow will also be showing off a previously unannounced statue that will be revealed in the Blizzard panel on Thursday.
Insight Editions #1134
Each day Insight Editions will be holding a random drawing to give away a copy of The Art of Blizzard. They will also be showing off spreads from the upcoming Diablo: Book of Tyrael.
Thursday, July 18
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Art of Blizzard Signing
Wei Wang and Glenn Rane will be signing copies of “Art of Blizzard,” which you can buy at the booth. The Art of Blizzard details some of the most iconic artwork Blizzard has produced over the years in this full-color compilation.1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. – World of Warcraft Tribute Signings (UDON booth #4529)
A selection of top-flight artists will be on hand to sign and maybe even sketch in your copy of World of Warcraft Tribute. Tribute artists scheduled to appear include Justin Bechtold, Kevin Cameron, Sean Galloway, Matt Grigsby, Dax Gordine, Gregory Higerd, Don Ho, Edwin Huang, Arun Naina, AJ Nazzaro, Laura Rivera, Emmanuel Fuentes, Patrick Scullin, and Arnold Tsang. (Subject to change)2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. – Blizzard Licensing Panel (Hall 6BCF)
Chris Metzen (Blizzard Entertainment SVP Story and Franchise Development) and a team of esteemed guests reveal never-before-seen licensed products and plans for 2013/2014. Talk to the designers, writers and artists as we dig into toys, novels, comics, statues, and more. Panel and extended game Q&A session moderated by Kat Hunter (host of BlizzCon coverage on DIRECTV).4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. – UDON World of Warcraft Tribute Art Book
Come by the Blizzard booth to meet artists Justin Bechtold, Ginny Higerd, and Arun Naina, whose art is featured in the World of Warcraft Tribute fanart book, curated by UDON.Friday, July 19
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. – World of Warcraft: Dark Riders Signing
Writer Mike Costa will be signing your World of Warcraft: Dark Riders comics at the Blizzard booth.1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m – World of Warcraft Tribute Signings (UDON booth #4529)
A selection of top-flight artists will be on hand to sign and maybe even sketch in your copy of World of Warcraft Tribute. Tribute artists scheduled to appear include Justin Bechtold, Kevin Cameron, Sean Galloway, Matt Grigsby, Dax Gordine, Gregory Higerd, Don Ho, Edwin Huang, Arun Naina, AJ Nazzaro, Laura Rivera, Emmanuel Fuentes, Patrick Scullin, and Arnold Tsang. (Subject to change)2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. – Vol’jin: Shadows of the Horde Signing
Give us your best troll impression when you pick up your copy of this newly released book and have it signed by author Mike Stackpole. Ya, mon!4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. – Pearl of Pandaria Signing
Blizzard’s Micky Neilson and artist Sean Galloway join forces to sign their NY Times Bestselling original graphic novel, featuring the Pandarian adventures of Li Li Stormstout.Saturday, July 20
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. – Art of Blizzard Signing
Chris Metzen, Bill Petras, and Roman Kenney will be pleased to sign their name in your book!1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. – World of Warcraft Tribute Signings (UDON booth #4529)
A selection of top-flight artists will be on hand to sign and maybe even sketch in your copy of World of Warcraft Tribute. Tribute artists scheduled to appear include Justin Bechtold, Kevin Cameron, Sean Galloway, Matt Grigsby, Dax Gordine, Gregory Higerd, Don Ho, Edwin Huang, Arun Naina, AJ Nazzaro, Laura Rivera, Emmanuel Fuentes, Patrick Scullin, and Arnold Tsang. (Subject to change)2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. – Vol’jin: Shadows of the Horde Signing
Author Mike Stackpole will be signing his newly released book for attendees.4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. – Pearl of Pandaria Signing
Artist Sean Galloway and fellow Table Taffy Studios artist DJ Welch take to the signing area.Sunday, July 21
1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. – World of Warcraft Tribute Signings (UDON booth #4529)
A selection of top-flight artists will be on hand to sign and maybe even sketch in your copy of World of Warcraft Tribute. Tribute artists scheduled to appear include Justin Bechtold, Kevin Cameron, Sean Galloway, Matt Grigsby, Dax Gordine, Gregory Higerd, Don Ho, Edwin Huang, Arun Naina, AJ Nazzaro, Laura Rivera, Emmanuel Fuentes, Patrick Scullin, and Arnold Tsang. (Subject to change)2:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. – UDON World of Warcraft Tribute Art Book
Come by to meet artists Patrick Scullin, Arnold Tsang, and Stan Chan whose art is featured in this World of Warcraft Tribute fanart book, curated by UDON.
There is no way to prevent cheating if you can see anyones hand unless you can physically isolate and observe the players. But since we know that no one ever cheats in games it wont be a problem I'm sure. Even a delay will just allow people to tell someone what secrets that have been out for a bit but haven't been triggered, or what cards their opponent is sitting on, and they can deduce what they still have by deducting what's been played. And seeing just one hand would be the worst possible choice since then only one player can be cheated against while the other remains perfectly secure.
So option B, while yes not that exciting to watch, will be the only way to ensure a fair game outside of tournament play where players are physically present at the tournament site. Replays could then hopefully be observed from any point of view.
option a....
I think option C is definitely the best. When I watch a match give me the option of who I'm watching. Sure I can swap between them but I think It would give the option of picking a player and just following their game.
I don't see why it's not possible to have different types of spectator modes and let the majority of people feel out which one is the most enjoyable. Personally I can see a lot of enjoyment in all three suggested modes. If forced to pick, I may go with the single hand open, if for no other reason than it allows players to familiarize themselves with players and styles while still keeping the mystery of that match. Or if you prefer, allowing us to follow and root for specific e-athletes.
"Or if you prefer, allowing us to follow and root for specific e-athletes."
Now there's an idea that I wouldn't mind.
From a spectator point of view, I'd definately favor showing both hands to conduct my own game analysis of the game as its evolving. One hand would still give me somekind of interest in using spectator mode, no hands showing, would keep me from using the option at all.
By having one or two open hands, there will be the risk of someone cheating as others have pointed out, and it will most likely take place a lot unfortunately. So perhaps a middle ground could be reached, by only allowing spectating to realID friends, and only show the hand of the realID friend to avoid the most obvious ways of cheating.
Santiko
I'm for A or C, alternating which hand is shown by turn. B, yes, would be kind of dull to watch.
I'm definitely a fan of option C, making it essentially an in-game twitch stream. The emphasis should be on the player, not the random opponent.
Hi folks,
I am absolutely in favor of seeing both hands at the same time.
When I watch a game, I would like to learn how to be a better player. How can that happen? Well if I see a really good player play a given card, I will try to understand the reasoning behind his strategy. I can only do that if I see all the cards the player controls. Same for the opponent. Full information is the only option that allows the viewer to fully appreciate both players strategy.
Let me make a somewhat stretched example: some people enjoy chess and like to watch games at tournaments. If they only could see the pieces of one player, that would be a terrible experience.
The being said, I do think that for some situation the option of hiding one of the players hands may come handy, like in matches to showcase the game or for beginners such as the ones we were shown by Blizzard so far.
Well the answer should be A) Show both player hands.
Like what was already said, that seems to be the standard for an e-sport spectator mode. The whole point of "spectating" is to view the strategy of both opponents simultaneously. In doing so, the spectators can easily follow the flow of the game and can they can easily understand if a bad play has been made. Just like when you watch a show about a poker match, you sometimes think "don't do that, he has this card!" and in result we are drawn into the game because we want to see if the player with the good hand can keep his advantage or if the player with the bad hand can turn the tables around with luck and intuition.
I think each possibilities has its advantages.
Both players with open hands should be standard for esport matches, because I think this way a match is most entertaining.
Seeing only one players cards is a good option if you want to learn how to play in specific situations, especially when you are not very used to a certain class.
Both hands closed is the weakest option in my opinion because it gets somewhat random to the spectator what happens on the board, but I'm sure there are still people who like it this way.
I'm not thinking of this as a video stream that you'd tune in to watch on YouTube or Twitch. I'm thinking that the moves would come in from the server and your client would display them on your screen. Like a Starcraft 2 replay. To the viewer it would look like Ai vs Ai but the cards played would be coming from others. So basically while watching a game you wouldn't be able to play a game. No cheating.
Honestly the only reason I think both players hands shouldn't be shown is possible cheating, which is solved with a slight delay. But you still might be able to see a card or two you didn't know they had in their had if you were watching the stream. As for the reason I think it should be both hands is because even in poker yeah show all the hands, You still don't know what the players themselves are thinking which keeps it interesting. You maybe able to see what they might do but they might see something you don't it is a great learning opportunity.
Another really good video. Well done.
As for spectator mode, I'd let the spectator control it. Give them the option of viewing both sides, a single side, or not. That way people who are trying to learn to play better can watch both sides and people who are just watching for entertainment can see less.
No to Option C: Because it would be a terribly spectated game as people would only see the game from one person's point of view. It would be as if the other guy was playing solo against an entire mob of people. No matter what people think they will feel, the mojority will be unintentionally rooting for the player with the open hand. It won't be a equal game as both players are not treated the same. The fireside duels are good example, we were all rooting for zeriyah in the last games when maybe she was playing against someone else we liked as well. Of course people could pick who they wanted to see the hands of but it would be just like team jacob/edward nonsence, people would always spectate from the point of view of the person they knew(or liked) and the other person would be left at a bad place, demoralized by the fact that the opponent has more spectators on his side.
No to Option B: Because if you have a lot of cards in your hand you have a lot of options. Options which you will consider probably till your time is up. The entire time the spectators will be waiting and wating till you made a move. They cannot emphasize your thought process, make strategies of their own. If you plan a two step move and people are waiting anxiously to what it is but your opponent counters it somehow and it gets to be a bad move, everyone will think: "why did he play that bad? I thought he was better than that" If they had seen your hand then they would have figured out what you planed and be exited, they'd be saddened that you couldn't pull it off; but without all that it would just be an emotionless blank move. Again in the fireside duels we were able to see at least zeriyah's hand (giving the example off the last ones). When she pulled off something we wanted to see it was exiting and when she didn't play what we wanted we were sad or furious at her, if she didn't have her hand open we would just be waiting impatiently for her to make a move already instead of silently encourging her to play the awsome move we saw.
Yes to Option A: Now imagine if we could have seen the opponents hand too then it would mean double the strategising. We could make up awsome moves by first player and counters from the second player and then counters to the counters of the second player by the first player making increadible possiblities would really get all of us psched up. We can determine more objectively the skill of both players and support both players equally while not having blank wait periods but intead planing our own strategies.
it was too long for youtube :/
YAY! MORE DECK SLOTS! WHOO! ... Granted, it looks like some of us will have to earn them while others pay for them, BUT STILL! :D
Spectator Mode: I'd rather have no one see the players' hands. Hand visibility would make it too easy for friends of players to help them cheat. Even having one player's hand visible might be conducive to that, if a friend decides to "spectate" the opponent and report what they see back to the player.
The minute somebody says Raid Deck I perk up and go "Black Temple, please?" I swear I'll be prepared!
If other e-sports can handle broadcasting both player's complete p.o.v. then I'm sure Hearthstone can get it done as well. Limited views suck.
I suppose they can make spectator unable to chat to the owner of the game until the game ends, even if the spectator leaves. But that would cause comunication problems between friends during games so I don't know how to fix that.
Not to mention people would simply use third party software like Skype to communicate anyway.
No I meant for serious matches, real e-sport with money on the line. In those cases I'm sure Blizz would have no trouble implementing measures to keep people from cheating, while still allowing us to watch the games from both angles.
oh yeah hadn't thought of skype :/ You know the only way to prevent that is option c and option c is not fun imho.