EugenusMaximus: First of all, thanks for being with us. You are the next relic employ who has the chance to speak our community after Jonathan Dowdeswell, Biffy and Mark Noseworthey. Before we start, could you introduce yourself to the community?
Jonny Ebbert: I'm . I'm the lead designer on Dawn of War II
EugenusMaximus: Hehe, ok. Let's get to the serious questions. Will there be an observer in the gold version of Dawn of War 2? If yes, what can we expect from this observer mode?
Jonny Ebbert: We desperately wanted to get observer mode in by gold, but we're going to have to patch it in later =\
EugenusMaximus: What did you plan for the premium content?
Jonny Ebbert: as in DLC?
EugenusMaximus: Yes
Jonny Ebbert: We have some really cool Free DLC planned out for the coming months. I can't go into detail just yet, but the goal is to keep rewarding people for playing our game
Jonny Ebbert: We also have Paid DLC that is coming out this year, too
EugenusMaximus: How representative is the current beta for the gold version regarding the online lobby, number of units etc.?
Jonny Ebbert: the beta version represents what you'll get on Day 1, minus the bug fixes and balance changes we're putting in right now
EugenusMaximus: Including the current replay system, missing lobby channels etc.?
Jonny Ebbert: Ja
Jonny Ebbert: we're planning to build that functionality into the game as we continue to build the franchise
EugenusMaximus: So we can't use passwords for our custom matches and have to rename our temp recs to create a replay from day 1?
Jonny Ebbert: DoW II is a platform just like the original
Jonny Ebbert: and we're going to keep building on it
Jonny Ebbert: no
Jonny Ebbert: we disabled replays in the beta
Jonny Ebbert: and you guys found a workaround
EugenusMaximus: hehe
Imbaer: pwned
EugenusMaximus: Are you going to release further patches already during the beta?
Jonny Ebbert: but in your defense
Jonny Ebbert: we shouldn't have disabled replays in the first place
EugenusMaximus: I agree to that
EugenusMaximus: Are you going to release further patches already during the beta?
Jonny Ebbert: If everything goes to plan, the next balance changes will go in this week...otherwise you'll have to wait for release
Jonny Ebbert: please underline "if everything goes to plan"
EugenusMaximus: Will Dawn of War 2 require Steam in any way?
Jonny Ebbert: yes
Jonny Ebbert: we like the functionality steam offers
EugenusMaximus: Can you explain this to us a little bit more detailled?
Jonny Ebbert: you don't need a disc to play the game
Jonny Ebbert: if you lose your disc you can re-download the game
Jonny Ebbert: and you can install it on as many machines as you want
Jonny Ebbert: and you can play offline as much as you'd like
Jonny Ebbert: also makes patching the game much easier for us
EugenusMaximus: When will the beta end?
Jonny Ebbert: definitely by the time the game hits the shelves...but we haven't decided the exact day yet
EugenusMaximus: Hybris asks if we ever be able to create DoW2 unique nicknames, or new nicknames at all except from using the standard GfW account names?
Jonny Ebbert: We haven't planned to build workarounds like that into the system, and I'm not 100% sure Microsoft would allow that
Jonny Ebbert: we'll have to see how many of you demand the right to go smurfing :p
EugenusMaximus:
EugenusMaximus: Will there be detailed, correct working statistics for the ingame ladders?
Jonny Ebbert: we're currently putting in the new leaderboard right now, and if we pass cert, you'll have them on Day 1
Jonny Ebbert: the functionality we're adding is the ability to sort by multiple columns (not just trueskill)
Jonny Ebbert: and we've fixed some bugs on the statistics themselves
Jonny Ebbert: should be easier to read now, too
EugenusMaximus: An addition to "if thing go as we plan" I guessbut sounds good. How many maps will be in the Gold Version?
Jonny Ebbert: you'll get it
Jonny Ebbert: but right now we're crushing ourselves to get it in for Day 1
Jonny Ebbert: which is why I'm at the office right now
Jonny Ebbert: so if things don't go "according to plan" you'll get the new leaderboards a few weeks after launch
EugenusMaximus: Will there be specialized 2on2 maps or will those have to be played on 3on3 maps?
Jonny Ebbert: we're releasing 2 new maps at launch or within a week of launch (all contingent on "the plan")
Jonny Ebbert: we're currently looking at making a 2on2 map. We'
Jonny Ebbert: re trying to assess demand right now
Jonny Ebbert: and seeing which type of maps people want the most (more 3on3, more 1on1 or new 2on2)
Jonny Ebbert: if you could run some polls, we'd love to see the data
Jonny Ebbert: we'll definitely be running a poll on our own sites
EugenusMaximus: We will but it'll be hard to ask as long as they didn't have the chance to play 2on2 on a proper mao. Anyway, next question by nyyti: Might there be any chance for an option to disable auto-seek cover for units?
Jonny Ebbert: we're evaluating this right now
EugenusMaximus: In the beta .sga archives there are 3 1on1 maps. The urban themed 1on1 map is deactivated ingame - whats the reason for that?
Jonny Ebbert: we're definitely going to wait until the game matures a bit before we decide one way or the other
Jonny Ebbert: cover based combat is fairly new to many of our fans, and we want them to get more familiar with it before we poll them on wheterh they want to turn off auto-seek
Jonny Ebbert: it's a retailer exclusive map
EugenusMaximus: Question by LeftWing from the modding community: Why exactly will the community that has supported DoW since the start not get access to let's say: A Object Editor? Complexity of a tool is not an issue due to some us already knowing how to get the CoH OE working, so it's entirely possible to just release it as it is whilst it still requires a network enviroment
Jonny Ebbert: we're looking at releasing modding tools
Jonny Ebbert: and how much work it would entail
Jonny Ebbert: we didn't have the resources to do it for gold
Jonny Ebbert: but that doesn't rule out the possibility of doing it in the future
Jonny Ebbert: by any means
Jonny Ebbert: I'll definitely be looking at that when we finally finish the patch we're working on
EugenusMaximus: Same for the map editor?
Jonny Ebbert: making the map editor available would be the first priority
EugenusMaximus: Regarding to this, did you plan to include any fun maps?
Jonny Ebbert: object editor and attribute editor would be the next steps
Jonny Ebbert: our plan has always been to make maps that suck
Imbaer: xD
EugenusMaximus: lol
Jonny Ebbert: we didn't make a lot of maps for a reason
EugenusMaximus: I mean like DotA or something like that
Jonny Ebbert: we wanted to see what you guys did with the maps we gave you
Imbaer: DoWtA
Jonny Ebbert: and figure out what makes an awesome map
Jonny Ebbert: we learned a lot watching the beta
Jonny Ebbert: and the two maps you're getting at launch will definitely be improvements
Jonny Ebbert: and the maps we release after that should be even better
Jonny Ebbert: in the past we'd make 20 maps
Jonny Ebbert: 3 of which wouldn't suck by sheer chance
EugenusMaximus: yeah, that wasn't a shoot to the quality of the current maps but a question if maps will get included which play different... for example bunker awars, tower defense etc.
Jonny Ebbert: I know...I'm just being a punk
Imbaer: like Toaster
Toaster:
Jonny Ebbert: but we're definitely looking at alternate play modes
EugenusMaximus: you're mean... but we can be too
Jonny Ebbert: I like to think of you guys as "tough but fair"
EugenusMaximus: nice to hear. Do you have an update for us considering the auto map download if you join a match which map you don't have?
EugenusMaximus: tough yes... fair would be new to me
Jonny Ebbert: hahah
Jonny Ebbert: hmmm
Jonny Ebbert: I'm going to add that to the list
Jonny Ebbert: depends on how often people are joining matches and are missing maps
Jonny Ebbert: but with our auto-patching system
Jonny Ebbert: I'm not sure how big of an issue it will be
Jonny Ebbert: if we start getting popular player-made maps
Jonny Ebbert: then we definitely need to get that in there
BoNeCrUsHeR: Well, it only will be an issue if the mapeditor is released
Jonny Ebbert: si!
Imbaer: so dont release it and you dont have the problem
Imbaer: !
EugenusMaximus: What exactly was the reason for your decision to disable custom badges?
Jonny Ebbert: penises, middle fingers, swastikas etc
EugenusMaximus: Where do you see dawn of war 2 from an esports point of view like to know Turrican
Jonny Ebbert: I want it to be an esport
Jonny Ebbert: compelling multiplayer is what gives your game longevity
Jonny Ebbert: and the multiplayer community is what grows the franchise over time
Jonny Ebbert: so I took your feedback on what's needed to make DoW II an e-sport very seriously when I was over there recently
EugenusMaximus: Good to hear.
Jonny Ebbert: Because we just couldn't all get along as a design team
Jonny Ebbert: we had a lot of fights on the subject
Jonny Ebbert: and our compromise ended up as a deformed cripple-kid of a hybrid
EugenusMaximus: lol
Jonny Ebbert: we just need to make a decision for grid keys
Jonny Ebbert: imo...
EugenusMaximus: ok
EugenusMaximus: What do you think about Penny Arcades endorsement of the game?
Jonny Ebbert: FYI if I stop typing suddenly it's because one of the other designers saw what I typed and knifed me from behind
Imbaer: the designer is a spy
Imbaer: gentlemen
EugenusMaximus: Can you tell him that he should continue the live chat once he killed you?
Jonny Ebbert: I'm sure he'd have the decency...
EugenusMaximus: awsome
Imbaer: Spy sappin mah Livechat xD
Jonny Ebbert: he's in my base...ruining your hotkeys
EugenusMaximus: [21:12] EugenusMaximus: What do you think about Penny Arcades endorsement of the game?
Jonny Ebbert: It ranges somewhere between absolutely thrilled and holy-fuck ecstatic
Jonny Ebbert: depending on my mood
EugenusMaximus: What kind of headline would you like read about Dawn of War 2 in the upcoming reviews from the popular game magazines?
Jonny Ebbert: Well
Jonny Ebbert: I hope they like it
Jonny Ebbert: but we did break the mold in some ways
Jonny Ebbert: so I'm prepared for the fact that some of them may not like it
EugenusMaximus: Could you tell us more about the rewards you get when you reach a new rank? does it just change the look of your units?
Jonny Ebbert: but most of all I want them to be honest
Jonny Ebbert: yes
Jonny Ebbert: it's a visual upgrade
Jonny Ebbert: because we don't want to do anything that would affect the balance of the game
EugenusMaximus: Are you satisfied with the NAT system of gwfl so far?
Jonny Ebbert: we want to reward you for playing our game
Jonny Ebbert: I think it's a huge improvement over our other services in the past
Jonny Ebbert: but I'm not satisfied with what we have
Jonny Ebbert: I want to keep improving it
Jonny Ebbert: and we're lookign at ways to do that right now
EugenusMaximus: Baneboss asks: What and how many races are they considered for the first expansion? 1 or 2? Chaos, IG?
Jonny Ebbert: races are a lot more expensive to make in this engine
Jonny Ebbert: so I wouldn't expect 2
EugenusMaximus: Good news.Is there a detailed describtion how the trueskill systems in dow2 works? Because right now it seems to random some how.
Jonny Ebbert: are you talking about how trueskill matches you with other people?
Jonny Ebbert: or how it goes up and down based on victories?
BoNeCrUsHeR: both
Jonny Ebbert: there's a bug we're trying to run down with how it matches
Jonny Ebbert: people with high trueskill are getting matched against low trueskill players too quickly
Jonny Ebbert: as for how it's calculated
Jonny Ebbert: I'm not sure MS has ever given us the exact formula
Jonny Ebbert: but I can look into that
EugenusMaximus: Would be nice to get some Information about that. When will the relic wiki be updated with Dawn of War 2 information? We got asked this a lot of times already in our forum
Jonny Ebbert: I'm not 100% sure the Relic Wiki is an "official" thing
Jonny Ebbert: I'll have to look into that
Imbaer: seems like it is official unofficial
Jonny Ebbert: but let us know what info you want updated, and I'll definitely look into getting it on our community site
EugenusMaximus: Relic Wiki so far provided us with all damage and HP values of all units and its abilites. Next question: Some stuff in the interface, like the health bars in high resolutions, are pretty small right now. Can we expect any changes here?
Jonny Ebbert: we're making a big list of features we want to add and patch in
Jonny Ebbert: and alt functionality for individual health bars, larger decorators, decorators that make sense are on that list
Jonny Ebbert: it's just a matter of when we can get to them
EugenusMaximus: How do you try to balance the game? do you rely on a balance team, stastics or also on forum posts?
Jonny Ebbert: all of the above
Jonny Ebbert: the best information comes from seeing it played by the community
Jonny Ebbert: and by talking to the top players and playing games with/against them
Jonny Ebbert: you guys have helped identify many things that were mit Kaese ueberbacken
Toaster: haha xD
EugenusMaximus: LOL
Imbaer: epic
EugenusMaximus: that's very nice.
EugenusMaximus: some last questions:
EugenusMaximus: Are you somehow related to Lex Luthor or is it just coinciddence
Imbaer: word filter is success
Toaster: thats all melanies fault!
Melanie_H: sorry
Jonny Ebbert: I'm actually the nephew of Mr. Clean
Jonny Ebbert: and Hitman is my second cousin
Jonny Ebbert: I've never seen Lex at a family reunion
Jonny Ebbert: but there's always that chance
Imbaer: he has that weird Superman thing going on
EugenusMaximus: nice.
Jonny Ebbert: sorry...but no
Jonny Ebbert: it's what we do
EugenusMaximus: Bogger wants to know if rumours are true that the balance is being hindered by stefan haine's quest for global domination.
Jonny Ebbert: Stefan definitely doesn't want us to nerf his laming strats
Imbaer: Was Britney Spears at your last family reunion?
EugenusMaximus: lol
Jonny Ebbert: she tried to get in
Jonny Ebbert: but we're like "sorry...bald for lifers only...no posers"
Imbaer: good to hear that
EugenusMaximus: anyway^^ Let us get to an end. We would like to thank you very much for this and the last community day. We are very excited to see DoW 2 shipped and enjoy the beta. Some last words to the community?
Jonny Ebbert: I'm the one who should be thanking you
Jonny Ebbert: you guys have supported us through good times
Jonny Ebbert: and through bad
Jonny Ebbert: and seeing you guys get excited about what we make is the reason we do this
EugenusMaximus: Ah, one last personal question. When will you announce Homeworld 3?
Jonny Ebbert: I really appreciate you guys for taking the time to come talk to me
EugenusMaximus:
Jonny Ebbert: hahah
Imbaer: id prefer to see the forester simulator tbh
Jonny Ebbert: according to Eurogamer I've already announced it
EugenusMaximus:
EugenusMaximus: OK, then I'll believe in thatThanks though. We're done I guess
Toaster: Thanks Jonny
EugenusMaximus: now get back to work!
Jonny Ebbert: hahah
BoNeCrUsHeR: thanks
Toaster: and now make it run on athlon xp proxessor
Jonny Ebbert: thanks everyone
Melanie_H: thanks, jonny
Imbaer: you are sure mit Käse überbacken, Jonny
Jonny Ebbert: hahah
Imbaer: in a positive way
BoNeCrUsHeR: ein bier, schnell!
Toaster: lol
Toaster: yeah that one was great xD
Jonny Ebbert: did I break out the "Ich brauche ein bier, SCHNELL!" when you guys were there?
Toaster: yes
Imbaer: apparently you did
BoNeCrUsHeR: yes you did
Imbaer: it just add to your mit Käse überbackeness
Imbaer: *adds
Jonny Ebbert: the one essential phrase to know when in Germany
Roh und ungeschnitten. Viel Spaß damit.
