[TheGentleman]

Heart of the Swarm UI Update

Blizzard has now made several changes to the UI in Heart of the Swarm (HotS) to improve the overall player experience. Patch 1.5 saw several major changes to Wings of Liberty (WoL) in preparation for HotS specifically the new Arcade experience and an updated menu system.

Here are some more things you can expect:

Menus:

Navigation simplified: The basic menu navigation has been simplified so that you should only be one click away from any major screen in the UI. For instance the Custom Game button is right on the main menu now and you no longer have to first select multiplayer to get to it.

UI Streamlined: Furthermore the look has been streamlined. See below:

Statistics:

Performance statistics: StarCraft II will keep track of your win and loss statistics based on both race and map. Players who play competitively on the ladder can now better track their progress regardless of what league they are in.

Unranked matches: The option to play without being ranked is now an option.

Parties:

Maximum party sized increased! What more needs to be said?

Party functionality improved: Party functionality has been gathered up into a single party window.

Custom Games:

Melee map Custom Game features: Patch 1.5 saw a lot of tools improve the Arcade section dramatically. A lot of the tools that help finding arcade games easy will be added to the StarCraft melee map Custom game section. You can now find open games, bookmarks and recently played on the left side of the interface. You can also sort maps by top played, top rated, up & coming and newest.

Maps will also have a Game Info dialog like their Arcade counterparts. Mapmakers can add screenshots, include patch notes and outline details on map strategy while other players will be able to rate and review the maps they play.

Please note: The Game Info dialog for Custom Game maps did not make it in time for the very next major beta patch, but you should see it in a major beta patch in the weeks to come.

Blizzard would like to hear what you think: http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/forum/5671338/

For more information see the original article: http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/763...ate-10_18_2012

Quick Comments

	|Erasmus|:	man, sparklepony such a bad ass id...
	TCPKerO:	Having just noticed that username, I now believe this to be troll from blizzard lolz

[nirvAnA]

The stats system is so cool! Now please bring back battle.net profiles & clans!

[Daboo]

Wait did I see the word losses in there? I thought ,if you were below masters,you only won on battle.net

But this is good, a step in the right direction...(or back to he older days when you could see a lot of stats).

[Dingobloo]

More info in the coming weeks, looks like we'll have some kind of grindy progression system:

http://www.reddit.com/r/starcraft/comments/11q1z4/new_stats_ui_in_hots/c6om296

[ToRSpartaz]

Looks really cool, might have a bit of a play tonight love the statistics idea ^^ nice little feature!

[ThatGuyDoMo]

Bring in WC3 like clan support and I'll be happy.

[Stallion]

Those stats will actually be realllllly handy looks cool looking forward to it now just needs a clan/team system

[TheGentleman]

Originally Posted by iVnThatGuyDoMo

Bring in WC3 like clan support and I'll be happy.

They are. http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/forum/topic/6893559814#6

[mGGDaedalus]

I guess this explains why the current WoL UI is so damn buggy, since they just used an in-development HotS version mixed in with the current UI.

This looks like a much-needed improvement, though I can't help but feel they've been holding back pretty simple and important features for a while now just to have another checkbox on the HotS box.

[TADivinity]

Still doesn't beat WC3 Battle.net which *still* had more functionality than 2.0.

All of these changes were already in WC3!!

It is beyond me how they back peddled on this.

Also, i miss commands like /w, /f, /r, /f add, /profile, /whois, etc. And the general UI. Destiny's reddit post is so true in this case - the main screen that you were brought to was basically a social network. Made it fun, easy, and not so empty!

Honestly, I would love it if they swallowed pride and just literally put in WC3 battle.net with SC2 art in the back....

[FSDarkNemesis]

Hope they apply this to Wings of Liberty quick! So I can keep track of my Entire Career Wins/Loss/ Ratio Thingy so I can see how bloody horrible I really was LOL.

[nirvAnA]

Apart from the levels dingo pointed out (which im guessing is your rank) did anyone noticed the clan tag [ZED] ?

Probably means clan support is about to be announced soon!

Quick Comments

mGGDaedalus:

clan support already announced as coming in a blue post

[Dingobloo]

Originally Posted by nirvAnA

Apart from the levels dingo pointed out (which im guessing is your rank) did anyone noticed the clan tag [ZED] ?

Probably means clan support is about to be announced soon!

It's on their real-iD as well which is interesting. They also mentioned previously that you'll be able to join multiple groups so I wonder which one gives you a clan tag?

[FvRelimzkE]

I'm sure you'll be able to select which group's tag is "active" on your name.
I really hope this progression grind system offers something that is "cool" i.e. maddog avatars, colour customisation on units or some sort of bling for my profiles. Small minds like me love that shit!

Stats and unranked matchmaking is pretty cool, but I do agree that it all should have been there from the start. Nonetheless, glad I'll finally get to offrace on my main account without any penalty.

[Dox]

Clan support was announced when WoL launched, they said it was coming in HOTS.

[TCPKiaSu]

wow thats awesome ... hots looks so awesome will def get it when it comes out.. too bad these stuff couldnt be made in WoL tho :9

[Champi]

FINALLY!!!!!

so looking forward to this!! im hyped.


... it better not suck lol

[crAzerk]

They are sounding like Apple aren't they? Introducing 'new' features which already existed LOL. The difference is that they themselves already had the technology/knowledge to do it, just that they removed it in WoL -_-

Anyway, I think it's freaking awesome that they're finally bringing stats back. I used to check it all the time in WC3 just for fun. About time!

Quick Comments

nirvAnA:

yea no1 understands why they removed it except the xbox guy who was behind the UI design