So I've been trying to make a choice between using the Hots dependencies, bringing many lesser used assets which will allow the terrainer to make my map look nicer and all that, or keep WoL dependencies, which will force me to use overused assets but will give me a better chance at a nice player base for my map.
Basically, if anyone could lay out all the pros and cons of using each dependency and then give me their opinion about if I should keep it at WoL or upgrade to HoTs I'd really appreciate it.
If you don't need to upgrade to HotS; don't. You'd be surprised at how few players own HotS. I'd estimate it at around 70% based on various sources that are too fickle to warrant mentioning. Either way, you're cutting out a sizeable fraction of players by making a HotS map.
The downside for any dependency is simple; increases map loading time and hence chance of a player being dropped. Dependencies, in rough order of size (biggest to smallest) are;
HotS Story
HotS Campaign
HotS Multi
Liberty Campaign
Liberty Multiplayer
Note that the increased loading time appears to only occur the first time a player loads a map, but it still matters.
I could add another inconvenience related to using any more dependencies except the WoL multiplayer. But it probably only matters for people who have a relatively old computer.
The problem is that switching between data tabs, using search, loading lists to pick an entry, editing some entries - all these processes take more time if you have dependencies added. The difference isn't big, but it can be felt, which is a bit annoying.
Quote from Zolden:
I could add another inconvenience related to using any more dependencies except the WoL multiplayer. But it probably only matters for people who have a relatively old computer.
The problem is that switching between data tabs, using search, loading lists to pick an entry, editing some entries - all these processes take more time if you have dependencies added. The difference isn't big, but it can be felt, which is a bit annoying.
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I'd recommend always having something in the search bar when using the data editor. Actor data especially. It it's cheap but it fixes this issue.
I usually keep all the data I see only on the map I'm working on, unless I really need something from the dependencies, so loading time for data isn't a problem.
Everyone is saying that there are a surprising amount of people that only have Wings of Liberty. So I guess I will be keeping it at WoL level, unless someone has some information that would convince me otherwise.
I know right! I hate when I have ordered the tabs in the Data Editor in specific way and when you switch quickly between them, they reorder, also sometimes the Data Editor window minimizes, I had this 'problem' with my 4 year older laptop, I see the same with the new one. And the new one is with 2.4 GHz Intel Core i7 3630QM Processor, running the OS, the editor and game on SSD. Just too much data : /
So I've been trying to make a choice between using the Hots dependencies, bringing many lesser used assets which will allow the terrainer to make my map look nicer and all that, or keep WoL dependencies, which will force me to use overused assets but will give me a better chance at a nice player base for my map.
Basically, if anyone could lay out all the pros and cons of using each dependency and then give me their opinion about if I should keep it at WoL or upgrade to HoTs I'd really appreciate it.
If you don't need to upgrade to HotS; don't. You'd be surprised at how few players own HotS. I'd estimate it at around 70% based on various sources that are too fickle to warrant mentioning. Either way, you're cutting out a sizeable fraction of players by making a HotS map.
The downside for any dependency is simple; increases map loading time and hence chance of a player being dropped. Dependencies, in rough order of size (biggest to smallest) are;
HotS Story
HotS Campaign
HotS Multi
Liberty Campaign
Liberty Multiplayer
Note that the increased loading time appears to only occur the first time a player loads a map, but it still matters.
I could add another inconvenience related to using any more dependencies except the WoL multiplayer. But it probably only matters for people who have a relatively old computer.
The problem is that switching between data tabs, using search, loading lists to pick an entry, editing some entries - all these processes take more time if you have dependencies added. The difference isn't big, but it can be felt, which is a bit annoying.
Quote from Zolden:
I could add another inconvenience related to using any more dependencies except the WoL multiplayer. But it probably only matters for people who have a relatively old computer.
The problem is that switching between data tabs, using search, loading lists to pick an entry, editing some entries - all these processes take more time if you have dependencies added. The difference isn't big, but it can be felt, which is a bit annoying.
----
I'd recommend always having something in the search bar when using the data editor. Actor data especially. It it's cheap but it fixes this issue.
I usually keep all the data I see only on the map I'm working on, unless I really need something from the dependencies, so loading time for data isn't a problem.
Everyone is saying that there are a surprising amount of people that only have Wings of Liberty. So I guess I will be keeping it at WoL level, unless someone has some information that would convince me otherwise.
@Zolden: Go
I know right! I hate when I have ordered the tabs in the Data Editor in specific way and when you switch quickly between them, they reorder, also sometimes the Data Editor window minimizes, I had this 'problem' with my 4 year older laptop, I see the same with the new one. And the new one is with 2.4 GHz Intel Core i7 3630QM Processor, running the OS, the editor and game on SSD. Just too much data : /
@Eiviyn: Go
Horrible to load even the right window of Unit Actors, yeah always select the dependency frm which you will modify, less data faster loading.