Why Blizzard should provide fans with the tools to make custom units

Why Blizzard should provide fans with the tools to make custom units and buildings: an essay that is just a bit longer than its own title

This debate began in another thread, and I thought others might be interested in my argument:

Like Chess, StarCraft has been studied and played to death, which has led to a great amount of predictability (this mitigates, in a way, the richness and variety of the game). Chess variants address this problem by, among other solutions, introducing new units in order to break up tired formulas and create new possibilities. I opine that the StarCraft community has the talent to create units equal to those of Blizzard. Result: a game perennially rejuvenated by its own community.

The debate stands as such:

Such a system is already in place: call it survival of the fittest. Do poorly developed UMS maps and mods survive much play? No, therefore, neither would unbalanced units. Additionally, thanks to the various StarCraft forums serious unit makers could unite their efforts (much like serious map makers do) to develop the best units possible. The natural extension of this hypothesis is, therefore: well developed units will be used more, as they contribute to (rather than jeopardise) the delicate gameplay balance.

 

The mod creator will feature unit editing/creating tools form what I've understood.

I heard someone here say that there will be a 3d modeling tool in the editor, amirite?

 

I know there will be a tool with which fans can make custom cut-scenes, and I know you can easily edit the units' stats. I haven't heard about tools that will allow fans to create custom units or buildings (although I do hope they exist). By custom units, I mean creating a unit from scratch, not simply modifying existing units. Anyone?

 

I'm sure you'll be able to create units from scratch or "clone" existing units and make variants of a certain unit. These feature will definitely be in. I'll be very shocked if they are not.

 

*sigh*

Of course you can. You already could do that with the WC3:TFT editor. Everything you could there is possible in the Starcraft 2 editor. And yes, even custome models and textures. However, you will have to rely on third party programs to make those. The software Blizzard uses costs thousands of dollars, and we want a free editor. See what I mean? Everything is possible, but you have to put in some effort to reach your goal.

 

*sigh*

So you want us to be able to change the gameplay/balance of the real game?

*sigh*

As to your example with chess, the only version of chess beside the normal one that gets played just a bit is Fischer Random Chess. Chess, as we know it now, has been played without any "drawing sickness" as Capablanca and Euwe feared it, and SC1 has been the same game since 2002, without any less creativity too.

Let Blizzard do their job and we ours.

Dont let the community change the balance, but as its already now, they shall ofcourse be able to tell Blizzards what wrong.
Let the community create UMS-maps, nothing more IMO.

 

How much chess do you play? Or did you google that information before posting? There are many variants that are played: en passant, handicap, barons, omega, cappablanca's, dunsany's, etc etc. I've played chess and starcraft for years, and I know that I'm not the first to suggest that both games' theories (opening, endgame, etc) are well established... too well established, I think. I am not suggesting that the game's are not fun. What I'm talking about is introducing new units for an intellectual challenge because games with finite units cannot be of infinite richness, as you seem to be suggesting. One way of breaking up some of the most basic patterns is to introduce new units, new possibilities, which is what StarCraft II is doing. I, however, am looking beyond that, at other possibilities --variants. Variants could be UMS maps, of course. Perhaps the word ''variant'' took you aback: chess variants usually attempt to usurp orthodox chess's position. However, my personal interpretation of ''variant'' is a spinoff of chess that exists in order to provide veterans a new challenge. I wouldn't want (and it's doubtful if it would be possible) StarCraft II variants to undermine the authority of the ''real'' game.

 

I agree I want variety. The ability to create unit variants is very important.

 

The idea of fans making official units is just ridiculous. UMS maps are the only case where that should -and will- be allowed. This will never even be open for discussion. Isn't that obvious?

 

Please, go read my post over again.

 

Im a fide rated player with a rating of 1950 and one of the best juniors in my country. And no, chessvariants arent played very much, just look at a server like ICC, I think 95-98% of all games are normal chess (and 2% probably Fischer Random), and not in competive play.
Good we else agree, you formulation was very bad though, and that gave me the shock.

And stop qouting people above you, next time its -1 in rep.

OFF TOPIC

Is it only me, or do nearly all new members do that? I think its 4th time I tell sombody it today

OFF TOPIC

 

[off topic]
I think that the forced link thing to the main rules disappeared when we switched to vb.
New members should be redirected to them again.
[/off topic]

 

The formulation of my argument? Refute it with Logic, please, then. The formulation is correct: what you object to is the conclusion, I think.

OFF TOPIC

And thank you for warning me about the quoting thing: I wasn't aware of that rule. Where can I find a set of the forum rules? Rather irreponsible of me not to have asked about the rules before...

OFF TOPIC

 

ZealotInATuxedo-> my statement was as a reply to this: "Perhaps the word ''variant'' took you aback:"
And why should I try to refute it, whould it do anything good??? but you could at least make a clear "the debat is about", instead of a quote, like:

What do you think? Should the community have any real impact on balance, or should those things only be avaible for UMS?. Discuss....

but thats my opinion (and nothing more) ofcourse.

Back to topic:

So we agree its only for UMS (like in WC3), and that we must let Blizzard do the balancing. But as it can be read on the WC3 boards, users being able to "report" balance changes might be better for the community, or what?

 

Well, I'm sure that if they find storm is way too powerful they'll nerf it a bit. Or something similar to that example. That would be a much better solution than having some random noob give zerg a unit that can put a magical shield over the're own units to nullify the storm...

 

blizzard will make the game the way they want........ and it probly wont allow you to make a unit from scratch unfortunately

 

I don't see why it won't be possible to create custom units from scratch. Thats what the mod editor is for.

 

I would be against the use of user created units outside of UMS.

I can't imagine SC2's play to become stale anytime soon after it's release. The 2 games that will complete the trilogy will be at least a year apart assuming Blizz continues their slow and steady approach. Those 2 games will feature new Blizz created units like an expansion.

Does SC:BW need new units?
Considering how popular of an esport it is; I assume the majority of the fanbase does not think so. Blizz never made a cash cow 2nd expansion for SC1; so I'm going out on a limb and assuming the creators do not think so.
So why will SC2 need a fountain of user created units to keep it interesting?

It's not just about what units you have available. Map control, timing, upgrades, spells, deception...you get a real art of war in SC. I'd rather see the game played as it was created. New units give less reason for people to think about new ways to utilize the old ones. If there was something new to play with every other month I doubt we would have ever seen a nuke used seriously and effective in a pro game.

You never see new positions invented for sports to jazz them up...unless you count the failed XFL. You do see new strategies none the less. Players can do new and different things while the rules stay the same.

User created units in UMS would be smashing.