#1 Warcraft 3 Reforged Modding Community

Archian · Wednesday at 7:44 PM

Blizzard Accidentally Releases Debug Symbols, Maps, and Exclusive Content in Warcraft 3 Update

In a surprising turn of events, Blizzard Entertainment has made headlines again, following the release of version 2.0.1 for their classic game, Warcraft 3. While fans were already dissecting the changes introduced in the update, today’s follow-up has generated even more buzz—and not for the reasons Blizzard intended.

As part of their recent activity surrounding the update, Blizzard inadvertently released an archive containing sensitive and previously unreleased content. Among the files were debug symbols, which make reverse engineering the game significantly easier for developers and modders alike. Debug symbols are a critical part of software development, containing detailed metadata that allows for the deconstruction of a program's internal workings—something typically guarded closely by companies to prevent unauthorized modifications or security breaches.

The archive also included several maps, some of which feature original SD+ models that had never been seen before. These models, notable for their historical significance and high fidelity, are not the AI-upscaled variants Blizzard has offered in recent years but are instead true original assets. This discovery has excited the Warcraft 3 modding community, which has long sought authentic and unaltered content from the game’s earlier days.

wc3scrnshot_121824_210048_000-png.502185

Additionally, the release contained a surprising number of small executable utility programs. The purpose of these utilities is still being explored by users, but they appear to serve a variety of niche development and debugging functions.

Blizzard has yet to comment publicly on the incident, and it remains unclear whether the release was a simple oversight or a more complex error in their update process. However, the company has acted swiftly to address the issue. In a follow-up update, Blizzard has removed the leaked content from distribution. Despite this, Pandora's box has already been opened, as the files have been widely shared among the community.

While the release may have been accidental, it has reignited interest in Warcraft 3, demonstrating the enduring passion of its community. However, Blizzard will likely need to address the implications of the leaked debug symbols and the potential for misuse in the coming days.

Stay tuned as the story develops.

Blizzard said:

We’ve released Warcraft III: Reforged version 2.0.1
Build: 22474
December 17, 2024

These updates aim to improve the overall gameplay experience by addressing various bugs and enhancing features.

Changes

Matchmaking: Prioritizes ideal ping over MMR. The matchmaker’s priority will be ping, then MMR, and then after a long wait, it will try to match with anyone.
- Developers’ notes: We will continue to monitor this and make changes as necessary.
Ranked Play: Players will now lose more XP when they lose.
Custom Hotkey Screen: Updated to allow customization of item slots and F keys.
Classic HD Icons: Resized from 512x512 to 256x256, with bespoke borders and various updates.
TFT Theme: Updated to include snow on the frames.
Versus Setup Screen: Rank now shows against all races (previously only showed rank against its own race).
Old Terrain: Moved to the Addon Sub folder with an option to use old Reforged Terrain.
Chat System: Added an option to hide game system messages in chat. Lobby chat will now clear after exiting.
New Skins: Added three new skins (Jaina, Ghostly Antonidas, Ghostly Keeper of the Grove).
VFX Addon: Reinforced Defenses and Spiked Barricades moved to Building Addon.
Match History: Added date played.
Reforged Camera: Now has the same FOV (field of view) values as Classic.

Bugfixes

Fixed a crash with custom game invites.
Fixed an issue where players could not joint a private game by name.
Fixed an issue where players could not select units in certain areas when they had their HUD scaled down.
Fixed an issue where unit formation would occasionally turn on when set to off.
Fixed a crash that was occurring for Windows 7.
Fixed a crash that was occurring with integrated graphic cards.
Fixed a crash when a game with more than 11 players would end.
Fixed an issue where certain custom game maps units would not appear.
Fixed an issue where the Kel’Thuzard Skin would have an incorrect portrait…
Fixed an issue where whispers would show incorrect portraits.
Fixed an issue where total score was missing from the score screen.
Fixed an issue where mouse highlights in the score screen did not highlight the tabs completely.
Fixed an issue where -graphicsapi Direct3D12 was not working.
Fixed an issue where adding a computer to custom games was hidden behind the UI.
Fixed an issue where right clicking on the custom game menu would pull up the right menu in the wrong position.
Fixed an issue where Bladestorm missing VFX when using a Blademaster skin.
Fixed an issue where Bat Rider in Classic HD would still use its Reforged animation during Unstable Concoction.
Fixed an issue where reveal would be using Reforged VFX even with Classic HD enabled.
Fixed an issue with various Classic SFX not playing the correct Classic SFX.
Fixed an issue with claws of attack being the wrong number in Chinese and Korean.
Fixed an issue where chat would disappear if you tabbed to a whisper chat.
Fixed an issue where Classic Sound checkbox would not be greyed out when in Classic Mode.
Fixed an issue where Classic Undead HUD side bars would not disappear if scaled down.
Fixed an issue where Camera Zoom Slider was showing inaccurate distances.
Fixed an issue where Subgroup Order Modifier option was displaying inaccurate tooltip.
Fixed an issue where game timer would continue even when the match was paused.
Fixed an issue where the gold border in Reforged mode was misaligned.
Fixed an issue where players would not see themselves in chat channels.
Fixed an issue where players levels would not display in chat channels.
Fixed the crash on resizing of a map in the editor because of an invalid mouse terrain intersection.
Fixed an issue with custom map frame defs.
Fixed an issue with UI scaling in custom maps.
Fixed an issue with Dalaran Ruins and Ruins having incorrect diffuse layers.

Archian · Nov 21, 2024

Blizzard said:

Nov 14, 4:51 AM
Tonight at 7:50 p.m. PST, we applied hotfixes to address the following issues:

Fixed an issue preventing some players from being able to login.
Fixed an issue that prevented some players from accessing the option menu.
Fixed an issue with the version of the game for Mac users.

Nov 18, 10:33 PM
A few minutes ago at 1:30 p.m. PST, we applied the following hotfixes to Warcraft III: Reforged–

Fixed an issue preventing some Mac players from logging in.
Fixed a server database issue that prevented game results from registering.
Improved server performance to address some players experiencing an unresponsive UI.

Nov 20, 1:49 AM
The following hotfixes went live today at 4:45 p.m. PST–

Fixed an issue where typing long messages would break the custom game lobby.
Added map preview functionality when a player mouses over the map list in the Versus setup screen.
Added Game Host in the custom game lobby list.
Added sound effects to the switches in the Reforged menu.
Added filter for Warcraft 2 music. Players can now choose between All, Orcs, or Human.
Fixed an issue with various hero portraits not appearing correctly.
Fixed an issue where Classic HD buildings were using Reforged Fire.
Fixed an issue where Icecrown Snow rocks were not appearing.
Added an option to use Classic Cursor in Reforged mode.
Added an option to use Classic Sound Effects in Reforged mode.
Add Old Reforged Terrain under TerrainArtOld in the file directory for mapmakers.
Fixed an issue where Claws of Attack +5 incorrectly said +4.
Added the option to toggle camera snap for idle worker.

Archian · Nov 19, 2024

"When something is broken, you fix it. When something is wrong, you make it right. And if things aren’t good enough, you make them better," - Brad Chan (Warcraft RTS team senior manager)

The recently released Patch 2.0 for Warcraft III: Reforged aimed to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Warcraft franchise. However, it has reignited longstanding criticisms, particularly around false advertising, inconsistency in artistic direction, and its detrimental impact on custom map creation.

False Advertising and Expectations

Warcraft III: Reforged was heavily criticized upon launch for failing to deliver the features promised during its marketing. Patch 2.0, rather than correcting these issues, highlighted them further. Patch 2.0 introduced HD versions of classic assets, but the quality of these upgrades leaves much to be desired. While the patch added "HD" versions of classic assets and customization options between Reforged and "Classic HD," players noted that the visual updates lack actual HD graphics, cohesion, with elements appearing mismatched or poorly integrated. The use of poorly AI-assisted upscaling for assets has been a major point of contention, as it reflects a lack of effort to produce handcrafted updates that match the quality expected in modern remasters. "Classic HD" rely on poorly AI-assisted upscaling rather than artistically curated redesigns, creating a disjointed aesthetic that fails to deliver the promised quality as seen in the gameplay stills (seen in the banner above) - now renamed to "concepts".

Artistic and Graphical Inconsistencies

The patch attempted to address graphical issues by tweaking lighting and terrain. However, these changes exacerbated existing problems. Reforged terrain textures now often clash with the original artistic vision. The newly added tileset textures lack polish, with noticeable seams and inconsistent designs that disrupt immersion. Moreover, the patch removed bloom effects and altered lighting settings, which has ruined visual balance in many custom maps, leaving them either too dark or awkwardly overlit. These graphical inconsistencies further detract from the overall experience.

Impact on Custom Maps

The custom map community, historically one of Warcraft III's strongest assets, has faced significant challenges with this update. Changes in the world editor and how the game handles assets have broken compatibility with many existing custom maps. Several modders reported that some new doodads and terrain textures are not seamless and feel incompatible with the Reforged graphics, breaking the consistency that map creators strive for. In addition, lighting adjustments in the patch have disrupted many custom maps’ visual integrity. Some environments now look either unnaturally bright or lack sufficient contrast, making them visually unappealing. These issues, combined with compatibility-breaking updates, highlight Blizzard’s failure to prioritize one of the community's most vital aspects.

Community Reaction

Fans and modders have expressed disappointment, feeling the patch did little to address core issues or honor Warcraft III’s legacy. What was meant to honor Warcraft III’s legacy has instead underscored Blizzard’s neglect of its core audience. For a game that once set the standard for RTS excellence, this latest patch has left many players questioning Blizzard’s commitment to its iconic franchise.

In conclusion, Patch 2.0 has compounded Reforged's struggles rather than providing the redemption it sorely needed. While there are minor improvements, the patch serves as a reminder of the missed opportunities and mismanagement that have plagued this remaster from the start. The mishandling of custom map support, graphical inconsistencies, and continued reliance on AI over artistry have further alienated an already disillusioned player base. This patch has left players longing for the golden days of Blizzard's attention to detail and community care.

Archian · Nov 13, 2024

Warcraft III: Reforged Patch Notes - Version 2.0

(It appears the images shown above are not actual in-game footage of the Classic HD graphics)

Blizzard said:

Version 2.0
November 13, 2024

In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the release of Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, we’ve updated Warcraft III: Reforged to version 2.0, which includes many fixes, improvements, and nods to Warcraft’s history.

Classic HD + Addon System

Added HD versions of Classic Units, Buildings, VFX, Heroes, Environments and Icons.
Added new section (under Reforged in the option screen) which will give players the ability to customize between Reforged and Classic HD Assets.

Collection

Collection screen now has a filter option between skins and portraits.
Added 5 new Warcraft III Starter Portraits.
Added Reforged Campaign Heroes as playable skins in Multiplayer (if the skin has a Classic equivalent, the Classic version will show if you have Classic HD Heroes enabled).
Added an option to disable Skins (for players who only want to see default units).
Added Warcraft 2 Portraits.
Added Warcraft 1 Portraits.

User Interface

Added The Frozen Throne Theme (TFT). Players can toggle back by clicking the logo on the main menu or in the options.
Menu flow has been updated.
All front-end menus have been updated.
Added in-game hotkey customization screen in the option menu. Players must have custom keys enabled to access the menu.
Added options to turn on APM, FPS, Timer, Ping through the option menu.
Added the ability for a player to watch through their Match History if they have the replay saved.
Search filter added to create game.
Search filter added to replays.
In-Game User Interface
- Added in-game timer that can be turned on/off via the options or using “/time”.
- Added deny indicator that can be turned on/off via the options.
- Added Goldmine worker counter that can be turned on/off via the options.
- Added Race Indicator in the Allies menu (F11) next to the players’ names.
- All chat is disabled by default but can be turned on manually via the options.
- Squad formation is disabled by default but can be turned on manually via the options.
- Health bars are set to always on by default but can be changed manually via the options.
- Numbers on cooldown are set to on by default but can be turned off manually via the options.
- Idle worker key will camera snap to the unit only after the player has double tapped.
- HUD can now be scalable in the option.
- Classic mode HUD now has the option of removing the side boarders.
- Campaign Talking Head UI is disabled by default but can be turned on manually via the options.

Music

Added Warcraft 1 and Warcraft 2 Music as an option.

Multiplayer

Added XP and leveling to ranked play.
Leaderboard ranking is based on the amount of XP if player have the same XP rank tie breaker will be MMR.
MMR bands have been reduced from 0-10000 to 0-7000.
MMR will no longer reset after a new season if you are currently ranked. MMR will reset slightly if you played 0 games in the previous season.
Level and XP will reset completely at the start of every season.
AT can no longer match RT in 4v4 and 3v3.
Added game servers located in Chicago, United States of America and Sydney, Australia.

Reforged Environments

All Reforged Terrian Art has been updated for all environments.
Various Tree Doodads have been updated to reflect the environment changes.
Foliage is disabled by default.

Reforged Lighting

Bloom has been removed.
Tone map has been updated.
Increased Ambient Lighting.

Settings

All settings have been set to default settings.

Tooltips

Updated various tooltips to better reflect ability usage for Heroes.

World Editor

Added option to turn on/off Addons from Reforged to Classic HD.
Added the ability to toggle on/off foliage.

Bugfixes

Fixed an issue where players could no longer create or invite players to Clans.
Fixed an issue where the Demon Hunter would lose vision permanently if it was revived through the Ankh of Reincarnation.
Fixed an issue where match results would not be processed.
Mac
- Fixed an issue preventing Mac users from launching the game.

Archian · Nov 12, 2024

Blizzard said:

Welcome to the epic celebration of 30 years of Warcraft! Join us on a heartfelt journey through three decades of adventure, camaraderie, and unforgettable moments in Azeroth and beyond. In this special 45-minute video, we're bringing together the creative minds behind World of Warcraft, Warcraft RTS, Hearthstone, and Warcraft Rumble. Hear firsthand from our development teams as they reflect on the milestones of the past:

30 Years of Warcraft RTS: Hear from the team working on the games that started it all as they look to bring some exciting new updates to Warcraft III Reforged and more.
20 Years of World of Warcraft: Relive the evolution of the world's most beloved MMORPG and discover what's next on the horizon for both WoW Classic and Modern…and a special announcement at the end.
10 Years of Hearthstone: Celebrate a decade of strategic card-slinging fun and get a sneak peek at the game-changing updates coming your way.
1 Year of Warcraft Rumble: Join us for our 1st Anniversary and share our exciting additions on the horizon.

This is more than a look back — it's a warm thank you to our incredible community and a visionary glimpse into the future of the Warcraft universe. Whether you're a lifelong fan or rekindling your passion, there's never been a better time to dive back into the world you love. Let's embark on the next chapter together. The adventure continues!

Archian

Blizzard Accidentally Releases Debug Symbols, Maps, and Exclusive Content in Warcraft 3 Update

Changes