Pudge Hook Wars v2.7d + AI

[Flux]

Map updated to v2.7, which can also be the final version if no improvements can be done or no bugs to fix.

 

[Sgt.Pierce]

Oooo.. a new interface to pudge wars, I like it. The gore, the terrain, its all awesome! 5/5!!! looking forward for updates! AI is also awesome!

 

[Flux]

Thanks!!
I'm currently fixing the preview images so you might wanna download it again in about 5 minutes to avoid difference/conflict with future players who will be using the updated version. (39% uploaded)

EDIT: Zzzzz, still not fixed (Hovering Cursor on the map shows an ugly minimap). Oh well, I will just leave it at that.

 

[GaLaxY_256]

Found epic bug, when player receives Aegis, then it prevents all players from respawning.

 

[Flux]

Found epic bug, when player receives Aegis, then it prevents all players from respawning.

Player no longer respawn when another player has Aegis in inventory or when another player is reincarnating?

EDIT: nevermind, I saw it. Whenever the player clicked the Aegis in the Black Market, time stops as well so it has something to do with that.
Good one on finding that! I managed to fix it. It was a syntax error

Lesson learned, even when doing minor little change in the last minute before uploading, I should still test the map.

EDIT AGAIN: Map updated to v2.7c. Thanks a lot LoveSeeker!

 

[GaLaxY_256]

no problem. bro if possible add some particle effects to items

 

[Flux]

no problem. bro if possible add some particle effects to items

When the items were dropped? Like a glowing effect?

 

[GaLaxY_256]

Yes, both. I mean for Aegis and Aghanim's

 

[Shadow Fury]

TERRAIN The terrain was generally well done. The use of those marvellous trees and eye-catching grass tiles surely contributed to a wonderful terrain. The map also proves to be very symmetric, an important factor which should not be neglected when creating such hero-fight arena maps. However, I have some remarks. Although I said the terrain is well done, there are also some points I'd like to mention. One, for instance, is that the terrain tends to become monotonous and repetitive after some time of gameplay. I just see the same tiles and trees everywhere with totally no variation. Come on, you can do better than that! I'm sure there are plenty of other vegetation models, like shurbs and flowers, which can enhance your terrain tremendously. Usually people tend to ignore the aesthetics when creating maps like these yet I'll still emphasise that the terrain should nevertheless be attractive to the eye, no matter what's the map type. GAMEPLAY AND AI Time to touch the most fundamental category of any map. I must admit the gameplay was enjoyable to some extent. The hooking was performed flawlessly and smoothly, the large variety of items and purchasable abilities played an essential role in the development of the gameplay and overall I was pretty enterained by the sounds, bloody effects and the whole game itself. Despite that, here are some points I'd like to discuss. First of all, the spawning. Why doesn't the camera point on my hero when he respawns? It's just too annoying to have click back on my hero every single time he revives (I don't even know where he'll do so). However, the AI is the major problem here. I see they just toss a hook, lose HP, return back to shops and linger there. This behaviour was pretty tedious as I had to chase them till the shops (their starting region) every single time. Not even once they ran away to a different location. Another point is the calibration of the difficulty. Are you sure you've been able to adjust the hardness of the AI at each level (Easy, Normal, Insane)? I've played a 6v6 with 5 Easy AIs in my team VS 6 Insane AIs. That was one of my first matches and I thought it would've been pretty challening but sadly it wasn't so. I was playing quite like a noob (expectable...) and I was getting a disadvantageous score for my team (4 - 8 if I remember well). In spite of that, my team managed to win the game (out of 50 kills) with a difference of 7 kills from the enemy team. What the hell man? The insane AIs should've owned us literally if your description of each difficulty level was completely correct. It could be due to the clumsy behaviour of AI to move in close clusters and hook themselves instead of the enemy. Have a look again at your AI.

OVERALL RESULT

To conclude, I believe this map can still be improved a lot. I guess I'll give it 3/5 and vote for... ehm.... wait this has already been approved, I don't need to vote! Damn instinct of pending maps reviewer affects me!

 

[Flux]

@Shadow Fury, Well said, you still managed to find some flaws which is great for a map reviewer to do. I see your standards are still very high.

I just want to point out some of what you said (wrote),
1. The Camera don't shift to your position because what if you are watching something important, (like an enemy within vision of ward or an epic battle of your ally) I don't want the player saying like "Damn automatic camera moving making me unable to see that battle".
2. You caught me on the AI part, but it was actually programmed to go to the closest shop (not starting location) when low on HP to buy some healing salve. However I don't see any room for improvement here like where else should they go.
3. Looks like I need to add the bonus exp and gold to Computer (Insane). Looks like I also need to improve the AI (and AI difficulty variation) a LOT.

 

[FullBasher]

i hate when you get captured and getting killed by enemies 5/5!

 

[Shadow Fury]

Then I suggest to offer each player the option of "automatic camera" so that if they want, they'll have it.

 

[GaLaxY_256]

I agreed AI parts just Shadow Fury said, it only hook, attack 2-4 times and them ulti. If low heath they go to main shop, buy salve, wards, heal themselves, go to hidden shop, then wandering like a critter. Also team 1 AI always splited each while other team is full of team improve it(No offense, BTW )

 

[Flux]

@Shadow Fury, good suggestion.

@Love Seeker, What do you mean?

Also team 1 AI always splited each while other team is full of team

What do you suggest to do? I will implement it if it is reasonable to do so

Btw, the AI also know how to use all Hook Modifier Items except Freezing Hook. It also know how to use Magic Wand in a lifesaving way.

EDIT: Poll Added.

 

[dark09cry]

I suggest you create an AI like in Dota 2...
How is your AI coded?

There some rare bug though. At some point, dead heroes don't respawn.

Nevertheless, great map. Pretty fair gameplay.

 

[StoPCampinGn00b]

Screeny

Heroes spawn here. I found out about this when an AI, which I couldn't see due to the cliff, hooked me dead from their. If a player spawns there, there sadly isn't any suicide mechanic nor jump ability to get away from it unless the player is lucky to get hooked from an enemy AI.

Also, if you can do anything about AI targeting you from outside the fog of war, from where a player can't see, it'd be great. All of my friends agreed that this is an issue when we went three on three normal AI. Sure, we could use items such as the ward, but that's a set back for the player still as they'd have to waste a spot on something they didn't wish they were forced to deal with.

But in a multiplayer match, the game gets extremely exiting and stresses teamwork unlike the super majority of team hero arenas. It requires people to stick together because taking an enemy one on one, player or AI, is just too risky. Flanks and ambushes will happen in multiplayer.

I say you just fix those two things, then you'd deserve a four. The terrain was fantastic and you found a great balance in the amount of decor around. It's definetely balanced, polished, and creative for a team arena map. The added flexibility in game modes was executed decently, but should you add more modes, such as CTF and domination / zone control, you'd be catering to more players.

Your map still has 3MB+ space to make it work btw.

 

[Flux]

Heroes spawn here. I found out about this when an AI, which I couldn't see due to the cliff, hooked me dead from their. If a player spawns there, there sadly isn't any suicide mechanic nor jump ability to get away from it unless the player is lucky to get hooked from an enemy AI.

Hmmm, I wonder how players should have spawn there. Anyway I changed the coordinate condition to really make sure the player won't spawn there.

Jass

From

elseif ( x > 902 and x < 1350 and y > -2550 and y < -2170) then

to

elseif ( x > 840 and x < 1350 and y > -2550 and y < -2170) then

There is an unstuck mechanic by typing -unstuck. Players will be paused for 40 seconds, then after 40 seconds, the player will be moved to a new unstucked location. You can also cancel it if you happen to get hook and escape the unstuck location by typing -nounstuck so the Player is no longer paused. This commands are shown when F9 is pressed.

Also, if you can do anything about AI targeting you from outside the fog of war, from where a player can't see, it'd be great. All of my friends agreed that this is an issue when we went three on three normal AI. Sure, we could use items such as the ward, but that's a set back for the player still as they'd have to waste a spot on something they didn't wish they were forced to deal with.

I'm pretty sure that the AI cannot just blind hook out of nowhere. To be exact, I coded it such that AI can only hook you in fog if they have seen you in the last 3-4 (EASY), 5-6 (NORMAL), 8-10 (INSANE) seconds.

The added flexibility in game modes was executed decently, but should you add more modes, such as CTF and domination / zone control, you'll be catering to more players.

Your map still has 3MB+ space to make it work btw.

Looks like I still need another update. I will add more modes which you have also mentioned in your original review.

 

[WhiteFang]

I see a lot of updates were made since i last played.I'll play it again now

 

[Flux]

I see a lot of updates were made since i last played.I'll play it again now

Yeah, that update must have been the biggest update ever in my map.

I'm also planning to update it to v2.8 to add more modes (CTF, Zone control, etc.) as suggested by SCN for the map to have a higher mod rating. I will also fix some things pointed by Shadow Fury.

 

[TheLordOfChaos201]

Pudge hook wars!

Over view:

Pudge hook wars is a great starter course to a lan match.

I have yet to play it with my friends,but it resembles many of the games I've played just to get into the mood of playing.

It's a death match type of game, brilliant for jesting with friends and being totally killed again and again.

as a solo game against the AI, it is still pretty entertaining but overly pointless without friends to joke and laugh with you over many wins and loses.

Game play:

The game play is... 2-D. It's more or less search, destroy, survive. Whether you win or loose is mainly based on luck. If you search for opponents, you always have to just hope you find a weak opponent because usually it's hard to run away from a strong one.

Relics/Runes pop up quite frequently during game play. They only appear in 2 locations on the map, so generally you could just sit around and wait for them.

Most of the benefits they provide are handy but in my opinion the only one that really worked for me was lightning.

Lightning sends down a air strike of death across the map, killing any opponent on low life points.

BRILLIANT!

Some of the other runes are

Speed
Damage
Extended sight
and... I think hook extension or something

look and feel:

it's a small map. I would have liked it if it was a slightly bigger map where more strategies could have been implemented. I have some ideas on this topic if you are willing to hear, but over all the look and feel was estranged to the meaty butcher creatures you fought with.

abilities and items:

The abilities are unique, the items basic which really helps you get used to the game and makes the best of purchases.

...

hmm I believe that is all to be said, vm me if you think I'm out of line anywhere or if I need to add a bit more detail into what I've said...

 

[raisen]

Everything is good. I'm Voted for Damage Hook

 

[Flux]

Everything is good. I'm Voted for Damage Hook

Thanks for voting!

Based on the poll result, I will change the Rune of Invisibility's usefulness. Maybe make it Permanent Invisibility for some duration with 2 sec fade time.

 

[GaLaxY_256]

I found a bug,
Living Parasite:
Spell shows lvl 1 at all levels at column
When caster has actived rot before, then living parasite did full damage plus no CD.

 

[Flux]

I found a bug,
Living Parasite:
Spell shows lvl 1 at all levels at column
When caster has actived rot before, then living parasite did full damage plus no CD.

Thanks for telling me. I will take a look on it as soon as possible.

 

[raisen]

This type of game play is one of my favorite.

 

[Flux]

I found a bug,
Living Parasite:
Spell shows lvl 1 at all levels at column
When caster has actived rot before, then living parasite did full damage plus no CD.

I tried playing and I did not see any bug.
Living Parasite goes on cooldown everytime with Rot. The damage was also not full, only a portion.

However after using that ability, I feel that it is a little weak so I will balance that spell in the next update.

 

[GaLaxY_256]

Oh another bug, when I maxed hook CD. And I buy it again I got free 120 gold :/

Watching MM vs TH

 

[Flux]

Oh another bug, when I maxed hook CD. And I buy it again I got free 120 gold :/

Watching MM vs TH

I just tested and it does not give me free 120 gold for both hook CD and Dismember CD. What version are you playing? Is that an official version or just some lost bugged version?

What MM vs TH?

 

[Flux]

I will just post it here since nobody notice it when I post it in the main description.


Upcoming Version 2.8 Changes.


MAIN:
- Added a lot of new game modes

Game Modes

NON-TEAM MODE:

- FREE FOR ALL: (-ffa <number of kills winning condition>)

Info

Kill as many other players as possible. Once the winning condition is met , the game is over and the winner is the player that accumulated the greatest number of kills. Players initally spawn at a random location. A Player that dies will respawn at a random location away from enemies after the respawn timer (value depending on the player's level) expires.

TEAM MODES: (TEAM 1: Players 1-6, TEAM 2: Players 7-12)
- TEAM DEATH MATCH: (-tdm <number of team kills winning condition>)

Info

The players are organized into two teams, with each team having its own kill count. The team's kill count is total kill of all the members of the team. The game is over when the winning condition is met and the team that accumulated the greatest number of kills win. Players initally spawn at their team's base. A Player that dies will respawn at a random location away from enemies after the respawn timer (value depending on the player's level) expires.

- CAPTURE THE FLAG: (-ctf <number of flag capture winning conditions>)

Info

The goal of the game is to retrieve the opposing team's flag whilst keeping their own from being captured. Players initially spawn at their base where the flag is located. A team can only capture the opposing team's flag. The flag is dropped when the player carrying it dies. Players initally spawn at their team's base. Dead players will only respawn after each round. Once the winning condition is met, the game is over and the team with the most number of flag captured wins.

- ZONE CONTROL MATCH: (-zcm <zone life>)

Info

The goal of the game is to decrease the opposing team's Zone Life to zero. Each casualty reduces the Zone Life by one. The map has four Zones (NW, NE, SW, SE) and the Team possessing a significant majority of the Zones causes the other team's Zone Life to gradually decrease, regardless of casualties. Players initally spawn at their team's base, which is already an occupied Zone. A Player that dies will respawn at the selected Zone occupied by his team after the respawn timer (value depending on the player's level) expires. When a team has no occupied Zone, players of that team cannot respawn. To occupy a Zone, players must stand in proximity of the Zone to initiate capturing it, and stay in proximity until it is all the way captured. Multiple teammates in proximity speed up this process. Having enemies within the proximity slows or even stops this process depending on their number.

- KILL TARGET MATCH: (-ktm <number of target kills winning condition>)

Info

Each round, a random member of the team will become the opposing team's target. The goal of each round is to kill the target of your team before the opposing team does. Once a team has successfully kill their target, the round ends and a new target is randomly selected. Players initally spawn at their team's base. Dead players will only respawn after each round. Once the winning condition is met, the game is over and the team that were able to kill its target the most win.

- Reworked Game Mode Selection.
- Improved AI and optimized a lot of AI triggers.

Info

- AI now buys more items
- AI can now dodge hook if they see an enemy Hook coming.
- AI will immediately destroy an enemy item in range.

- Revised the outdated AI System
- Revised the outdated AI Purchasing System
- Changed Models of Shop to fit the Dota 2 theme.
- Changed Icons of Hook Damage Upgrade, Hook Range Upgrade, Hook Cooldown, Dismember Cooldown.
- Rune of Invisibility now grants Permanent Invisibility for 25 seconds with a 2.5 second fade delay. It will also hide the unit in the minimap.
- Optimized a few triggers.
- Added Poison Effect (DPS) to Carcass Disease Outburst.


BUGS FIXED:
- Fixed respawning with Rot activated.


EXTRAS:
- Added more Doodads, more Trees, and new Ground Texture.
- Changed few of the Buy-able spell's graphic effects.
- Added an optional automatic Camera when respawning.
- Added -high exp and -high gold commands to make the AI more difficult.
- Re-balanced Buy-able abilities.


Status:
Additional Game Modes - DONE
Reworking of Systems - NOT DONE
New Game Mode Selection - DONE
Terrain and Doodads changes - DONE
2D art changes - NOT DONE
New Models - DONE
Optimized new models - NOT DONE
Final Testings - NOT DONE

 

[raisen]

w0w. more features is arrive. Cool!
Keep it up dude...

 

[WhiteFang]

That's a lot of new features,i looking forward to it

 

[Flux]

Hello people, I officially started working on the next update yesterday and some questions come into my mind.
1. Do you think Teams should be able to capture their own flag so they can Hide it and Return it when near the enemy base?
2. Is it better if you can Hook a flag?

I encourage answers and suggestions for this next update. Thanks.

 

[Shadow Fury]

1. Do you think Teams should be able to capture their own flag so they can Hide it and Return it when near the enemy base?

Absolutely NO! It would make the game too hard and tedious.

2. Is it better if you can Hook a flag?

Absolutely YES! Hooking the flag would make things much more exciting. You got two options: Hook the flag and get to your base or hook the enemy to kill them.

 

[Flux]

Thanks for answering Shadow Fury.

I got another question and I highly encourage people who wants to help v2.8 development to suggest what you think so that not only my opinion matters (because my opinion is mostly different from the majority). +rep to those you give their opinion.

In Zone Control Match, players select an occupied zone to where they will respawn. If the Death Timer expires and the player hasn't selected a respawn zone yet, do you want the player to
a.) respawn at a random occupied zone?
b.) he will not respawn as long as he does not select the Zone he will respawn to? (but selecting a Zone at an expired death timer will immediately respawn him)

Which is better, a or b?


In Capture the Flag, is this a good idea?
"You can carry your team flag and hook it but the two flags from each team is always visible on the minimap."

 

[Shadow Fury]

In Zone Control Match, players select an occupied zone to where they will respawn. If the Death Timer expires and the player hasn't selected a respawn zone yet, do you want the player to
a.) respawn at a random occupied zone?
b.) he will not respawn as long as he does not select the Zone he will respawn to? (but selecting a Zone at an expired death timer will immediately respawn him)

Which is better, a or b?

I think b would be better because if the user goes afk, the team doesn't want a stupid pudge standing idle. It's a sure kill for the enemy team which means +free gold and experience.

In Capture the Flag, is this a good idea?
"You can carry your team flag and hook it but the two flags from each team is always visible on the minimap."

No, it is not. This really ruins the game because when you plan to ambush the enemy and take the flag from a specific point, it is eventually moved away by someone, making the game interminable and boring.

 

[Flux]

I think b would be better because if the user goes afk, the team doesn't want a stupid pudge standing idle. It's a sure kill for the enemy team which means +free gold and experience.



No, it is not. This really ruins the game because when you plan to ambush the enemy and take the flag from a specific point, it is eventually moved away by someone, making the game interminable and boring.

Thanks again. Good thingI already coded option B and haven't coded the CTF flag being always visible. If you did not comment earlier, i would have waste time coding it only finding out later it is not a good idea.

 

[kamyflex]

Your CD indicators are IMBA ! gj

Show me how you did it, pleas.

 

[Flux]

Your CD indicators are IMBA ! gj

Show me how you did it, pleas.

Thanks! I will VM it to you later when I'm on my pc.

Speaking of this, v2.8 release will be greatly delayed because I'm very busy with school stuffs.

A delayed game is eventually good, a bad game is bad forever.

I can upload WIPS here if needed.

 

[kamyflex]

Oh, sorry i thought you can introduce any value you want in that CD indicator, i think you use a custom cooldown indicator model, true ?

 

[Flux]

Oh, sorry i thought you can introduce any value you want in that CD indicator, i think you use a custom cooldown indicator model, true ?

Yes.

 

[sentrywiz]

Holy shiet, for a moment i thought it was dota 2 fan map, but then i realized it was an actual map for wc3. Damn.

Well i got to say, you did an amazing job of porting the dota 2 ui along with models, items and terrain.

I love pudge wars, and if this is anything like that (+ it has ai) i will most likely love it.
Will d/l and try it out soon.

 

[Silva]

I see other AI getting better items, but i don't see the recipes for them or how can i get them. That should be noted or said in the game. Otherwise, really fun to play. 4/5

 

[Flux]

I see other AI getting better items, but i don't see the recipes for them or how can i get them. That should be noted or said in the game. Otherwise, really fun to play. 4/5

In the Black Market. If you have an AI ally, type " " <space> in chat to open AI command and select Ask Black Market Location. Your ally will Ping the location of the Black Market, but you need True Sight to see it.
If you don't have ally, focus on the Minimap at exactly 1 sec after map finished loading because it will show where Black Market is. Every 9 mins (or 8, I can't remember), it changes its location and gives Aegis of Immortality depending on who got the best stat.

 

[kamyflex]

Thats what we call a Secret Shop ! i think i'm gonna steal the idea ...

 

[Flux]

Thats what we call a Secret Shop ! i think i'm gonna steal the idea ...

Sure go ahead.

 

[tadekza20]

To day i have been playing your map...
- i have some prob with AI , He STEAL MY BOOTS!!!!!!

 

[GaLaxY_256]

Ah! Long time no see! I am asking if you could teach me responses w/o animating portrait

 

[Flux]

Next update cancelled. I'm just not motivated to update it. Too much work.

 

[Flux]

Added video of gameplay and mechanics by fluor.

 

[Emm-A-]

Hi Flux, I tried to play your map, but it wont start upon "-ffa, etc...". Which command is needed to start the game?