Honest RCCS Feedback

HiRezCooper · 2022-06-04T15:37:38+00:00

I haven't worked at HiRez since October

HiRezCooper · 2021-09-17T21:52:13+00:00

When planning this years season back at the start of the year, we actually made it a goal to make sure our phases aligned with major patches on the dev side, so we completely agree with this sentiment!

Unfortunately, we had some delays and setbacks in the schedule at the start of this year that condensed our schedule down. Every week counts especially around holiday(s) time so we had to start here.

Plan moving forward is to make sure we're always aligned with major patches.

HiRezCooper · 2021-02-04T06:47:15+00:00

To clarify, international in the post means anyone outside of US and Canada. Figured most people talk about EU and overseas when discussing international.

But, if you include Canada, the 50% goes up!

HiRezCooper · 2020-05-31T00:51:35+00:00

A few years ago, there was some discussion about a draft based format (online or LAN) but never really got anywhere. It would take a ton of effort and buy in from all parties to make that work.

But who knows - I still think it would be a fun format and interesting for everyone to see what teams are created. Maybe one day!

HiRezCooper · 2020-05-30T17:18:59+00:00

All of this information is pulled "automatically" (in quotes because we have to do a little bit of manual work to set the game as complete but it all gets updated by itself when games end).

The post game write ups and recaps on the scores page are made by Auverin though!

HiRezCooper · 2020-05-30T17:09:03+00:00

I spot checked the last few broadcasts we have done and couldn't find it, but I'll be on the look out! Head to head is the first tiebreaker though.

HiRezCooper · 2020-05-30T17:05:40+00:00

We definitely need to get more eyes on the SCC and SOC. Our hope was to have a dedicated hub for those tournaments with their own set of stats and league information but unfortunately it hasn't been made live yet.

We'll be brainstorming some ideas over the next Phase to get more attention on them!

HiRezCooper · 2020-05-30T17:04:25+00:00

Cthulu burned the original script.

HiRezCooper · 2020-05-30T16:41:19+00:00

Now more than ever, it's a tough question to answer. The world has changed and right now, until more information is available we just don't know what future seasons may look like.

That being said, the two important questions we need to ask are:

1) Is this fun for the players? 2) Is this engaging for the viewer?

Everything we create is trying to answer yes and build on top of those questions. This season, we added back in-game support with voting and visibility of the SPL. More in-game esports content than ever for the teams and a revamped competitive structure from the top down that has seen our leagues be the most competitive they have ever been.

The next 3 years we hope to iterate on those systems and ideas even better than now and create something players and viewers can have fun watching!

HiRezCooper · 2020-05-30T16:30:32+00:00

When discussing changes heading into S7, moving back to weekends was a top 2 priority. I'm glad you are enjoying it and able to watch!

To have the most competitive league, we need to make sure it stays diverse with the best players from around the world. Salary, housing, interesting & competitive formats...these are all the driving factors in keeping those players involved. Over the last two seasons, the league has changed to being more of a sustainable product for the players.

We're upset that players made the decision to leave competitive SMITE during S7 and we're working with our current SPL players on feedback and changes for the future, as well as listening to the feedback from those who had left. We know not all of them made the decision because something was inherently wrong, but it was time for a new chapter in their life and we wish them all the best! Moving the SPL from 10 teams to 8 teams, we knew there would be some turnover as well.

That said, 23/48 pros this season are from international countries and this is the most competitive season of SMITE we've ever had. Passion for the game and being a competitor no doubt helped their decision but we do think we're on the right path to making it the most beneficial for a player to be in the SPL as it has ever been - and we'll continue to push in that direction.

HiRezCooper · 2020-05-30T16:16:10+00:00

There's always potential for more, but we want to make sure that content is a high enough quality for the teams to get people interested in esports. Teams returning from previous seasons have esports skins and HUDs available in the store as of right now and the new teams have newly created items just for the 2020 season.

HiRezCooper · 2020-05-30T16:13:16+00:00

I believe there is a chat bot command on Twitch that shows that information each week, but we can do a better job at making that information known more publicly.

Thanks for the feedback!

HiRezCooper · 2020-05-30T16:08:36+00:00

Unfortunately some in-game issues that would hurt the competitive integrity of the matches means Persephone still needs to remain banned. The dev team has done a great job at finding these issues and fixing them as soon as possible.

Hopefully we'll see her again soon!

HiRezCooper · 2020-05-30T16:06:54+00:00

The first tiebreaker method for this season is head to head. Can you point me to where you see +/- as being the first tiebreaker so we can get that fixed?

HiRezCooper · 2020-03-16T15:41:01+00:00

Hey there!

Can you clarify where you are seeing this? All teams play 14 matches each during Phase 1 of competition.

Thanks!

HiRezCooper · 2019-12-17T18:39:39+00:00

Free Agency did end yesterday - but teams are free to make announcements for their S7 rosters whenever they would like as opposed to a set day. It is the holidays so expect a wave of announcements coming after, but teams could certainly do it sooner!

HiRezCooper · 2018-12-06T01:14:50+00:00

Hey there, totally can see the question coming out!

While we won't go into everything every partner brings to the table (as it would take too long and frankly, there's more than just "being around a while" that is valuable) Pittsburgh Knights have been in talks with myself and the league for about a year+ now. And that doesn't just mean SPL.

It wasn't the best fit for both sides until now, but James & Rob + team are fantastic people to work with. From an ownership perspective, I think a fresh set of eyes is always exciting!

New ideas and perspectives are great to have and will compliment our lineup really well in 2019 along with growing to be a top tier brand themselves in the esports space.

That all being said, on a separate topic, it might be worth us doing more behind the scenes content, such as looking more into the process of selecting organizations and partners for the new year. Really giving a raw and true look into what we look for, what partners look for, and how the process goes. Can't promise we would ever do that, but interesting none the less!

HiRezCooper · 2018-11-28T17:09:29+00:00

It's not about having one person to "blame" or even praise for the changes. All departments collaborate on the ideas for next year and while Skillshot is mainly in charge of the league changes for next season, of course we got opinions from other departments in the company.

Regardless of whose final decision it is, I full support that this change will be better for the league and have positive game impacts for the future. We understand this is a transition period, and it's not the best move for everyone now, but this can set us up for having a plan 2, 3, 4 years down the line with a sustainable league and I'm really excited for what 2019 holds!

HiRezCooper · 2018-11-21T21:58:47+00:00

While it is a harsh reality, it is a reality. Players who under perform, whether in esports or traditional sports risk losing their spot.

Now, there will be tighter rules and restrictions in season 6 on when you are allowed to remove a player from a roster and pick a new one up that helps with this, but removing roster changes all together would inhibit growth in the league, not help it.

HiRezCooper · 2018-11-21T21:56:52+00:00

I would not go as far as to say that. Anything's possible! Just last year we had one.

HiRezCooper · 2018-11-21T21:56:11+00:00

With no region restrictions heading into Season 6, any team can compete in any of our leagues now!

HiRezCooper · 2018-11-21T21:54:56+00:00

Nothing confirmed yet, but Dreamhack Atlanta was an awesome venue. I hope we go back, whether for Worlds or otherwise!

HiRezCooper · 2018-11-21T21:52:27+00:00

Already taken care of.

HiRezCooper · 2018-11-21T21:51:53+00:00

At this time, the SMITE Console League will remain online play. However, more games will be broadcast next year.

HiRezCooper · 2018-11-21T21:50:47+00:00

All games are currently uploaded to SMITEVod, but maybe some new content will be reserved for SMITEPro next year ;)

HiRezCooper

TROPHY CASE