Bluetracker

Tracks Blizzard employees across various accounts.

Hello /r/Heroesofthestorm, we're here for a Q&A on Heroes of the Storm Esports and HGC 2017!

We’ve announced our HGC 2017 program, released a new overview page, and a comprehensive video breaking down the details. Now we want to know if you have more questions about HGC 2017 and how we’re shaking up Heroes Esports!

For today’s Q&A, we have:

/u/BlizzMilkfat (Heroes Esports Lead)

/u/EsportsMatt (Heroes Esports Coordinator)

The Q&A will be starting at 9:30AM PDT (about 10 minutes from this post) so you can start asking questions immediately! We’ll be wrapping up about 90 minutes after the Q&A starts, as our team is working on finalizing BlizzCon preparations today.

Matt MacNeil

Posted 7 years, 11 months ago (Source)

What are you most excited to see resulting from all the changes to the format?

Personally, I love the roster locks and ideas of more team presence in the game. Having that confident figure to root for will be great!

I want to see some superstars. Leagues offer consistent play for competitors that really lets them test their skills against others. Very excited to look at the HGC over time and see who has improved statistically!

Also, there have been a couple of times this year where I've thought, "man is one team better than this other team?" With the HGC we'll finally know!
Matt MacNeil

Posted 7 years, 11 months ago (Source)

As a semi-casual spectator, I find it somewhat difficult to find rosters and dates for upcoming matches and ongoing tournaments. Even the new overview page is so much 'what' that it is hard to find the 'when', when that is the most important part of watching anything. Am I looking in the right place? Would you agree that the current scheduling information isn't quite accessible enough yet to filthy casuals like me?

Still, I love the game, and all the hard work Blizzard is putting into it. Great job to all. Have fun at Blizzcon.

We hear you. This was one, if not the loudest, piece of feedback from our viewers and players alike. We have something pretty awesome cooking in the oven. Stay tuned!
Matt MacNeil

Posted 7 years, 11 months ago (Source)

What rules will you have in places regarding region lock? Is it still the 6 month residency prior to competition?

Our region lock rule for players is that they must reside inside the region that they wish to play in for at least 6 months prior to the day they are going to compete.
Matt MacNeil

Posted 7 years, 11 months ago (Source)

Are league matches Bo3 or Bo5?

Best of 5.
Matt MacNeil

Posted 7 years, 11 months ago (Source)

Any chance of posting game replay files online so that players can study the matches and learn from the pros?

Yes, though we are still deciding what cadence we should release these.
Matt MacNeil

Posted 7 years, 11 months ago (Source)

This year, summer and fall, european championship were thursday and friday, do you change european schedule for 2017 to have competition for weekends?

HGC League play will target Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Matt MacNeil

Posted 7 years, 11 months ago (Source)

Will there be rule changes concerning firstpick/ban or Map pick?

Yes.
Matt MacNeil

Posted 7 years, 11 months ago (Source)

Will there be a soccer style league system in the future I.E the EPL. If you place top three in the lower league you get promoted. If you place bottom three you get demoted. I think this well help the amateur scene and help the competitive scene grow as well.

We are aiming to do something very similar to this! The Crucibles serve this purpose. The bottom two teams in the league and the two teams that place highest in the Open Division Playoffs will face off to see who gets to see who will play in the second phase of HGC.
Matt MacNeil

Posted 7 years, 11 months ago (Source)

Is the roster instability that plagues the NA and EU regions something on the eSports teams radar of things to attempt to stabilize? I understand that social issues amongst teams is not an easy problem to diagnose and solve (as well as some may argue it is not Blizzard's job to worry about internal team politics) but have you considered anything to incentivize teams to not think that "cutting off the arm" is the only solution if they scrape their elbow in one tournament? Roster change caps or something?

We are aware of the roster volatility that occurred this year. One of the main points we're looking to hit for 2017 is consistency and the most direct way we can do that is by being more rigid with our roster locks. For the 2017 season there will only be one period, in the middle of the year, where teams are allowed to change their rosters.
Matt MacNeil

Posted 7 years, 11 months ago (Source)

Do you plan to implement more stats easily available for esport ? And make it available to casters live so we can have a more in-depth analysis than just "Kyocha is probably the best Tracer player in the world" ?

Would be so great to know who land the most storm bolt, who deals the most damage, who stuns the most on average...

This is absolutely something we're looking to level up and are working to do so with the tools currently at our disposal. One of the best things a league provides is constant data that we can pull from to really let our players shine.
Matt MacNeil

Posted 7 years, 11 months ago (Source)

Can you shed some more light on how the open division will work? And on how the teams from LATAM / ANZ / SEA / TW will qualify?

The Open Division will operate as a cup system with teams earning points based on their performance in each cup ultimately leading up to a playoff bracket that will decide which two teams from the Open Division will enter the Crucible. Open Division tournaments will have monetary compensation as well.

Latin America, Australia & New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan will operate as they did in the last year. Each region will have their own program that will provide teams to the Clashes, Mid-Season Brawl, and the HGC Finals.

<blockquote class="quoted">
    <div class="md"><p>What are you most excited to see resulting from all the changes to the format?</p>

<p>Personally, I love the roster locks and ideas of more team presence in the game.  Having that confident figure to root for will be great!</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="md"><p>I want to see some superstars.  Leagues offer consistent play for competitors that really lets them test their skills against others.  Very excited to look at the HGC over time and see who has improved statistically!</p>

<p>Also, there have been a couple of times this year where I've thought, "man is one team better than this other team?" With the HGC we'll finally know!</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h43um">Matt MacNeil</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
    <div class="md"><p>As a semi-casual spectator, I find it somewhat difficult to find rosters and dates for upcoming matches and ongoing tournaments. Even the new overview page is so much 'what' that it is hard to find the 'when', when that is the most important part of watching anything. Am I looking in the right place? Would you agree that the current scheduling information isn't quite accessible enough yet to filthy casuals like me?</p>

<p>Still, I love the game, and all the hard work Blizzard is putting into it. Great job to all. Have fun at Blizzcon.</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="md"><p>We hear you.  This was one, if not the loudest, piece of feedback from our viewers and players alike.  We have something pretty awesome cooking in the oven.  Stay tuned!</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h2v47">Matt MacNeil</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
    <div class="md"><p>What rules will you have in places regarding region lock? Is it still the 6 month residency prior to competition?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="md"><p>Our region lock rule for players is that they must reside inside the region that they wish to play in for at least 6 months prior to the day they are going to compete.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h2q3f">Matt MacNeil</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
    <div class="md"><p>Are league matches Bo3 or Bo5?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="md"><p>Best of 5.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h2j9w">Matt MacNeil</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
    <div class="md"><p>Any chance of posting game replay files online so that players can study the matches and learn from the pros?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="md"><p>Yes, though we are still deciding what cadence we should release these.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h2574">Matt MacNeil</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
    <div class="md"><p>This year, summer and fall, european championship were  thursday and friday, do you change european schedule for 2017 to have competition for weekends?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="md"><p>HGC League play will target Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h24a8">Matt MacNeil</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
    <div class="md"><p>Will there be rule changes concerning firstpick/ban or Map pick?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="md"><p>Yes.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h1tz2">Matt MacNeil</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
    <div class="md"><p>Will there be a soccer style league system in the future I.E the EPL. If you place top three in the lower league you get promoted. If you place bottom three you get demoted.  I think this well help the amateur scene and help the competitive scene grow as well. </p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="md"><p>We are aiming to do something very similar to this!  The Crucibles serve this purpose.  The bottom two teams in the league and the two teams that place highest in the Open Division Playoffs will face off to see who gets to see who will play in the second phase of HGC.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h1trm">Matt MacNeil</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
    <div class="md"><p>Is the roster instability that plagues the NA and EU regions something on the eSports teams radar of things to attempt to stabilize?  I understand that social issues amongst teams is not an easy problem to diagnose and solve (as well as some may argue it is not Blizzard's job to worry about internal team politics) but have you considered anything to incentivize teams to not think that "cutting off the arm" is the only solution if they scrape their elbow in one tournament?  Roster change caps or something?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="md"><p>We are aware of the roster volatility that occurred this year.  One of the main points we're looking to hit for 2017 is consistency and the most direct way we can do that is by being more rigid with our roster locks.  For the 2017 season there will only be one period, in the middle of the year, where teams are allowed to change their rosters.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h0tbj">Matt MacNeil</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
    <div class="md"><p>Do you plan to implement more stats easily available for esport ? And make it available to casters live so we can have a more in-depth analysis than just "Kyocha is probably the best Tracer player in the world" ?</p>

<p>Would be so great to know who land the most storm bolt, who deals the most damage, who stuns the most on average...</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="md"><p>This is absolutely something we're looking to level up and are working to do so with the tools currently at our disposal.  One of the best things a league provides is constant data that we can pull from to really let our players shine.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h0p08">Matt MacNeil</a>)
<hr/>

<blockquote class="quoted">
    <div class="md"><p>Can you shed some more light on how the open division will work? And on how the teams from LATAM / ANZ / SEA / TW will qualify?</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<div class="md"><p>The Open Division will operate as a cup system with teams earning points based on their performance in each cup ultimately leading up to a playoff bracket that will decide which two teams from the Open Division will enter the Crucible.  Open Division tournaments will have monetary compensation as well.</p>

<p>Latin America, Australia & New Zealand, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan will operate as they did in the last year.  Each region will have their own program that will provide teams to the Clashes, Mid-Season Brawl, and the HGC Finals.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h0gh7">Matt MacNeil</a>)
<hr/>

<p><div class="md"><p>I want to see some superstars.  Leagues offer consistent play for competitors that really lets them test their skills against others.  Very excited to look at the HGC over time and see who has improved statistically!</p>

<p><div class="md"><p>We hear you.  This was one, if not the loudest, piece of feedback from our viewers and players alike.  We have something pretty awesome cooking in the oven.  Stay tuned!</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h2v47">Source</a>)</p>

<p><div class="md"><p>Our region lock rule for players is that they must reside inside the region that they wish to play in for at least 6 months prior to the day they are going to compete.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h2q3f">Source</a>)</p>

<p><div class="md"><p>Best of 5.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h2j9w">Source</a>)</p>

<p><div class="md"><p>Yes, though we are still deciding what cadence we should release these.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h2574">Source</a>)</p>

<p><div class="md"><p>HGC League play will target Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h24a8">Source</a>)</p>

<p><div class="md"><p>Yes.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h1tz2">Source</a>)</p>

<p><div class="md"><p>We are aiming to do something very similar to this!  The Crucibles serve this purpose.  The bottom two teams in the league and the two teams that place highest in the Open Division Playoffs will face off to see who gets to see who will play in the second phase of HGC.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h1trm">Source</a>)</p>

<p><div class="md"><p>We are aware of the roster volatility that occurred this year.  One of the main points we're looking to hit for 2017 is consistency and the most direct way we can do that is by being more rigid with our roster locks.  For the 2017 season there will only be one period, in the middle of the year, where teams are allowed to change their rosters.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h0tbj">Source</a>)</p>

<p><div class="md"><p>This is absolutely something we're looking to level up and are working to do so with the tools currently at our disposal.  One of the best things a league provides is constant data that we can pull from to really let our players shine.</p>
</div> (<a href="https://www.reddit.com/r/heroesofthestorm/comments/5ak0wd/hello_rheroesofthestorm_were_here_for_a_qa_on/d9h0p08">Source</a>)</p>

<p><div class="md"><p>The Open Division will operate as a cup system with teams earning points based on their performance in each cup ultimately leading up to a playoff bracket that will decide which two teams from the Open Division will enter the Crucible.  Open Division tournaments will have monetary compensation as well.</p>

Bluetracker

Hello /r/Heroesofthestorm, we're here for a Q&A on Heroes of the Storm Esports and HGC 2017!

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