Volamel
2024-03-05 07:43:47
We've seen some developments in the meta as some top Infernal players have started to open 1 Conclave into an expansion. What's the thought process here, do you feel it's slightly greedy perhaps?
Probe: The development of the meta has been very interesting.
Usually, it will start with one side being more aggressive than the other.
This was the Infernal starting with 2 production buildings and taking all the creep camps.
Now there was a patch to nerf this, but Vanguard players were starting to figure out great ways to counter this.
So naturally the Infernal players became more defensive, and then as a result of that going Command Post first became viable, because we had scared the Infernal player so much.
Just today we've seen Infernal start to get aggressive again to punish the greed from Vanguard.
So we'll have to wait and see exactly how it plays out.
One of the biggest pieces of discourse at the moment in Stormgate is around race balance. What's your take on the current balance of Infernal and Vanguard? It feels as though many players are pointing towards Infernal as being imbalanced without really diving into why they believe that. What are your thoughts?
Probe: I think the current Infernals are much easier to play. They are rather straightforward and have a lot of strong weapons immediately available.
The charge system on the buildings also makes it more forgiving to players with less of a rhythm to their macro.
However, as you rise the ranks, Vanguard players will make you sweat. The Vanguard army is extremely strong at the moment, so if you can't get any damage done then it tends to snowball into an unkillable army.
Unkillable.
Unless you are a very good Infernal player. At which point I think the matchup favours Infernal again.
On the topic of criticisms, Stormgate hasn't won everyone over because of how new the beta is and its lack of content. However, from the hours you've put in and the agility the developers are iterating with, do you think Stormgate has good bones to build on?
Probe: I think reasonable people understand that it is a beta and there is limited content.
With how early Frost Giants announced the game, I think some people expected it to be further along.
Instead, they are bringing the community in very early to help with design and testing (and they do listen).
Personally, I do think it should be called an alpha, and early access the beta.
Some people I know don't like the graphics and feel of the game.
To them I would say, just play it, soak it in. You learn to love it. Most people have had this experience, but it grows on them.
That isn't to say that visual clarity shouldn't be improved.
They have a long way to go.
Overall I think when more coop missions are added, the third race and tier 3 units are added, and we get a look at the campaign, then I think people will be even more on board.
At that point there will be a lot of replayability and a great base for them to build off for future content.
The thing I'm most excited for is when we are many years down the line and a new player picks up the game and are immediately about to play 15 campaigns back to back.
I think that will be a great experience.
Lastly, now that we're six years removed from you reading the "Mind Gym" how do you feel like you've grown as a person, but also as a player? Do you feel like esports, in general, lacks the willingness and perhaps the resources to focus on the mental aspect of competition?
Probe: Esports taught me a lot about myself.
What motivates me, what kind of tasks I enjoy, the conditions I need to be in to perform at my peak.
I am able to apply this to my everyday life and ‘real job’.
I do think the mental aspect is often ignored, mostly because it's a young person's game and the maturity might not be there yet.
I used to get quite frustrated at Starcraft II and I still do. But I've learnt how to deal with these emotions and harness them for good.