Blizzard Maps and Balance

[GRUNT]

One thing that's making me frustrated at the moment is this hole which Blizzard seems to have dug themselves in.

I recall reading a recent talk with Dustin Browder (or some other Blizzard representative) who said that they're aware that the maps that they made weren't really tailored for competitive play because they didn't want to make the maps inaccessible for newcomers, and that they wouldn't be surprised to see tournaments hosting their own maps.

However, what if SC2 maps that closer resemble current pro BW maps have a big effect on balance? Let's say, hypothetically, that BW-style maps magically fix all of SC2's current perceived balance issues. We won't really know because maps like that aren't in the current map pool.

If Blizzard forges ahead with balancing the game based on how the races interact in the current map pool, they could be killing balance on 'proper' maps, if they ever get made.

Blizzard themselves acknowledged that the maps in SC2 are specifically designed for accessibility, so I would liked to have seen them make special melee maps specifically for ladder. Sorta like how Incineration Zone is a 1v1 map, but was taken off the official list of ladder maps.

With the GomTV Global SC2 League as an ongoing thing, and with only Blizzard maps in the current pool, there could be no chance for new kinds of map design to 'break in', so to speak. We'd be stuck with the game being balanced for play specifically on small, comparatively chokepoint-heavy maps.



.

[GnaReffotsirk]

I agree.

An increase in map size actually changes the dynamics of the game. Taking for example my 40s spawn larva issues, that thing automatically becomes okay in larger maps, but would be terrible in small maps.

[dustinbrowder]

Agreed. Current maps are too small and choke heavy, making it more difficult for proper balance.
I'm also sure once bigger and more open maps get in, people will stop perceiving the zerg race as the weakest.

So the sooner the PRO maps come out the better.

[Legion]

You guys need to relax, the game hasnt even been out for a month I bet they have a crew thats making new maps getting ready to be put in a patch you gotta give the game sometime nothings ever perfect right off the bat

[GRUNT]

You guys need to relax, the game hasnt even been out for a month I bet they have a crew thats making new maps getting ready to be put in a patch you gotta give the game sometime nothings ever perfect right off the bat

That's sort of my point, though. Let's say, purely hypothetically, Zerg isn't doing so good right now (lol). So after considering the situation, Blizzard slaps some balancing around to help Zerg survive more easily in the current environment.

Then Blizzard releases a new map - it's fairly big for a 1v1 map and has lots of open space. Suddenly, Zerg which have been buffed to more easily win in maps like Kulas Ravine have a much easier time flanking Protoss and Terran armies in the open field, and Zerg players dominate.

In such a hypothetical situation, Blizzard would have to either revert to their current style of map design (small and with lots of natural chokes), or do another round of balancing which would probably be even more strenuous since it'd need to cover all three races.

I just wish that Blizzard had considered a larger variety of maps right from the moment they asked themselves 'what kind of maps should we make for SC2?'

[GnaReffotsirk]

That's sort of my point, though. Let's say, purely hypothetically, Zerg isn't doing so good right now (lol). So after considering the situation, Blizzard slaps some balancing around to help Zerg survive more easily in the current environment.

Then Blizzard releases a new map - it's fairly big for a 1v1 map and has lots of open space. Suddenly, Zerg which have been buffed to more easily win in maps like Kulas Ravine have a much easier time flanking Protoss and Terran armies in the open field, and Zerg players dominate.

In such a hypothetical situation, Blizzard would have to either revert to their current style of map design (small and with lots of natural chokes), or do another round of balancing which would probably be even more strenuous since it'd need to cover all three races.

I just wish that Blizzard had considered a larger variety of maps right from the moment they asked themselves 'what kind of maps should we make for SC2?'

I agree completely.