they got outside consultants to help them with their pile of garbage
beta is not coming this year
leagues will come mid year 2014
This summer we asked an external team of platform experts to review the state of the Wide Beta program and provide a recommended plan of action to address our stability and performance issues. After they presented their findings, we brought that team in to help us rebuild the foundation of the Wide Beta.
Recently, they showed off a collection scene that smoothly scrolled through cards nearly four times faster than the current Wide Beta version.
As for timelines, the official changeover to the new client will not happen this year. We need to integrate the stability work from our partners, and make sure we have time to address any major issues from that integration. This process will start later this year and stretch into the beginning of next year.
Indeed, leagues are well on their way. Our dev team is hard at work updating the basic Magic Online infrastructure to support leagues, and we have some very cool things planned. While we're not quite ready to share the full details yet, we hope that you'll be playing in Core Set and Theros Block leagues all summer long next year.
they got outside consultants to help them with their pile of garbage
beta is not coming this year
leagues will come mid year 2014
This is much better news than I expected.
Its good that they got outside help, but its unfortunate that it took them this long to realise that they were in over their heads.
Hopefully this answers the main concern I had over the new client, I was worried whether the speed and lag was inherently due to the platform they had chosen, or just poor optimization on their behalf.
They brought in outside help. This is great news imo. In a very short time time this outside help programmed a collection scene that scrolls 4 times faster than the current one. Does this mean some of us here were right when we said that the beta programmers were incompetent?
It would really be pretty cool if we had a MODO client on par with other modern video games, or at least video games prior to 2001. It's currently just this magical featureless client, and the fact that the underlying game is fantastic is really the only thing worth mentioning about it.
It may be, but it's still not good news. At this point, anything that doesn't involve them scrapping V4 entirely and starting work on V5 isn't good news.
Even if we're wildly optimistic and assume that they're completely successful with this latest effort and work out all the performance issues, they're still left with a client needing a fundamental redesign to give it what players expect from a modern game.
How? Everything I read are more empty promises (given who makes them), and that they finally acknowledge what everyone with two brain cells has been seeing since the beginning.
I was expecting something like they're going to push out the new client bugs and all this year.
Having them indirectly admit their program sucks and they needed outside help is not something I expected at all.
On a scale of 1-10 i expected this article to be a 1, but it's actually a 3.
They reaaaally need to just shell this wide beta and start over with some competent programmers. At this point it's a design issue and fixing it is a poor choice and sadly an easily made and commonly made poor choice in that industry. I also really didn't think the wide beta looked any more modern than the current client. It still looks incredibly dated and badly designed, ignoring the obviously awful performance.
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Currently Playing Modern Decks:
:symu::symr:UR Splinter Twin:symr::symu:
:symu::symw::symr:UWR Control:symr::symw::symu:
I've been playing Hearthstone a bunch recently, and I really hope that kicks Wizards into designing a decent UI for MTGO. Even the new Beta feels like some ancient, clunky thing compared to that.
While MTGO will probably never be as nice UI wise as a game specifically built to play on PCs, the difference in Hearthstone vs MTGO in UI is just astronomical.
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Modern
Merfolk U
Soul Sisters W
Suicide Zoo WBRG
EDH
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed B
Prossh, Skyraider of Kher BRG
Sorry if this is the wrong place, but I just downloaded the beta. After a cursory skim of this thread, it seems the most informed people on the beta are here.
Still forming my opinion on the beta, but I have one simple question: how the hell can I search my collection for specific named cards? I can't find a simple search tool to find specific cards, and it is INCREDIBLY frustrating. I can filter down to the nth degree, but isn't what I need right now.
In your collection, on the left above all the filters, there is a box. Type the name of the card in the box.
In regards to the beta, I have played it nearly exclusively for ~8 months. A lot have things have changed as they slimmed it down. The bad news is that the beta the entire time has essentially just been a reskinning of the basic MTGO software. Unfortunately, the underlying mtgo issues are still killing it, namely the flawed trade system. They can't really fix it without making a completely new magic online, and we all know that won't happen. Instead they keep trying to patch it up.
Drafting is tons better in the new client. You can see who you are passing to, and cut cards from you draft deck before you hit the deck build. I find it easier to use the collection screen, although it is cramped for space. Is this what we should be seeing from a 2013 digital game? No. Is it a better than the previous client? Yes. Basic unfamiliarity and change may cause some headaches, but overall the program seems to work better for normal use.
Regarding the beta I actually prefer the GUI as it feels natural and laid out comfortably. I dislike the chat window now being separate, because it doesn't "glow" very well so I don't even notice chat notifications and have missed brb or posts due to not seeing the chat window.
Also it lags or crashes... a lot. Which is really annoying in a timed event when every minute could make the difference.
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Standard : Red Deck Wins || :symw::symb::symu: Esper Mid range
Modern: :symg::symu::symr::symw:Kiki Jiki Pod || Proc Martyr
Commander :symg:Azusa, Lost but seeking|| :symr::symg: Ruric thar, the unbowed
Regarding the beta I actually prefer the GUI as it feels natural and laid out comfortably. I dislike the chat window now being separate, because it doesn't "glow" very well so I don't even notice chat notifications and have missed brb or posts due to not seeing the chat window.
Also it lags or crashes... a lot. Which is really annoying in a timed event when every minute could make the difference.
If you bring up the secondary chat window you can drag it to either the Right/Left/Top/Bottom of the gamescreen to attach it.
I drag mine to the right side as thats what I'm used to.
Though I've seen screenshots of other peoples layouts and the new UI is much more customizable. Its almost completely modular and those that cant be out-rite moved can be resized.
Its 'new' so yes, people will not like it largely based on initial impressions. Which is normal. However there are several very specific changes that are of concern to people.
As an example, I could careless how much it lags or out-right crashes, its in beta for a reason. However the older client is certainly much more optimized. Its a quicker, snappier client.
My hope is that in future props the new beta client will get to that point.
Its almost completely modular and those that cant be out-rite moved can be resized.
I am going to have to disagree on this point. It might look modular but it isn't. Most of the objects in the play area are locked. You can't move the graveyard. You can't move the phase bar. You can't really move or change the exile and other zones. Resizing your hand was implemented badly.
If it had been truly modular you would have been able to take out and move even the smallest pieces. As it is now you can't even move important pieces. Even the old client can expand the graveyard. It's a mystery to me why the new client can't.
I wonder if Hasbro cutting $100 million in costs is going to affect mtgo
Hasbro's sales have been pressured by a weak economy in many mature Western markets, as well as by the threat of mobile devices that are competing with physical toys and changing how kids play. Known for selling more boys' products, such as Transformers and G.I. Joe toys, Hasbro has recently seen stronger demand for games and girl-focused products like Furby and My Little Pony.
The company has undertaken cost cutting efforts to save $100 million in annual savings by 2015. Chief Executive Brian Goldner said strategic steps to streamline Hasbro's organization are increasingly important as the consumer environment remains challenging in developed economies. The company, however, is expanding its presence in faster-growing geographics. Emerging markets reported 22% revenue growth in the latest period.
Most of that would have to do with the fact that most of Hasbro's business is still in putting toys in kids hands; which is something that is becoming less and less of an occurrence every year.
Previously if I was in the 'just for fun' channel looking for games, a friend would be at the top of the list --- and I could join his games when his name turned red.
I am going to have to disagree on this point. It might look modular but it isn't. Most of the objects in the play area are locked. You can't move the graveyard. You can't move the phase bar. You can't really move or change the exile and other zones. Resizing your hand was implemented badly.
If it had been truly modular you would have been able to take out and move even the smallest pieces. As it is now you can't even move important pieces. Even the old client can expand the graveyard. It's a mystery to me why the new client can't.
Its weirdly kinda sorta modular.
Alot of things can be resized, sure, but in alot of cases they put arbitrary restrictions on how much you can move and resize some things. I would have personally like to have seen a fully modular (with the ability to save custom layouts for different game types) and fully skinable client.
Unfortunately, seeing games like Hearthstone and Hex really does demonstrate one of the major differences between MTGO and those games, that being the fact that those games are *designed* from the ground up for the digital space, so they have much much less to account for regarding weird interactions and history.
MTG is growing at 30% a year and WoTC has said MTGO generates close to half their profits. Also in another thread someone who posted a similar link said they are bringing in consultants to review the MTGO beta. Sounds like they might be doing the opposite, investing in what is making them money. But this is WoTC so time will tell.
I'd assume that eventually they will switch everyone over. I started using the beta client a few months after it went live and at first I didn't like it either. Once I played a few games and explored it more I got used to it. Now I prefer it actually, especially for commander. Theres a lot of little "quality of life" things in the beta that make multiplayer games a lot easier to manage.
My only gripe is recently they seem to have removed the ability to customize your theme, so I'm stuck on Gideon Jura. I want my Liliana theme back!
This program is a nightmare. I got into mtgo last month after playing paper for years, so I can't comment on how awful the last mtgo client was, but this thing just has no redeeming qualities whatsoever. Why is chat (and everything else) in separate windows? Why is the most important information (telling me who has priority, what is on the stack, etc) in a tiny box on the far left of the screen? This thing not only looks like it was developed in 2001, it looks like it was DESIGNED in 2001. I really want to play mtg online because the underlying game is awesome, but this ui seriously makes me want to look into other mtg clones.
Most people want the game chat hidden honestly. If you want that window bigger, make it bigger. You can hide it for less complicated board states and bring it out for more complicated ones.
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Out of the blackness and stench of the engulfing swamp emerged a shimmering figure. Only the splattered armor and ichor-stained sword hinted at the unfathomable evil the knight had just laid waste.
they got outside consultants to help them with their pile of garbage
beta is not coming this year
leagues will come mid year 2014
This is much better news than I expected.
Its good that they got outside help, but its unfortunate that it took them this long to realise that they were in over their heads.
Hopefully this answers the main concern I had over the new client, I was worried whether the speed and lag was inherently due to the platform they had chosen, or just poor optimization on their behalf.
It sounds as though it can be fixed.
EDH:
UBGThe MimeoplasmUBG
It may be, but it's still not good news. At this point, anything that doesn't involve them scrapping V4 entirely and starting work on V5 isn't good news.
Even if we're wildly optimistic and assume that they're completely successful with this latest effort and work out all the performance issues, they're still left with a client needing a fundamental redesign to give it what players expect from a modern game.
Practice for Khans of Tarkir Limited:
Draft: (#1) (#2) (#3) (#4) (#5)
I was expecting something like they're going to push out the new client bugs and all this year.
Having them indirectly admit their program sucks and they needed outside help is not something I expected at all.
On a scale of 1-10 i expected this article to be a 1, but it's actually a 3.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA
oh god hang on let me catch my breath
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Modern Decks:
:symu::symr:UR Splinter Twin:symr::symu:
:symu::symw::symr:UWR Control:symr::symw::symu:
Deck List:
BMBCB
UBUB Control/TeachingsBU
Ha! My Pauper UG Post Deck Showed!
Classic
BPoxB
Legacy
GB Eva Depths (Primer By Me) BG
Monthly Academy Showcase!
An Introduction to Competitive Pauper! *Updated*
Pauper Meta Analysis & What Wizards Left Out!
Found at MTGO Academy!! Same Great Series, Same Great Content, Great New Home!! (yes that is me shamelessly trolling for more readers :))
Check me out on Twitter & Get a little MTGO Therapy
While MTGO will probably never be as nice UI wise as a game specifically built to play on PCs, the difference in Hearthstone vs MTGO in UI is just astronomical.
Merfolk U
Soul Sisters W
Suicide Zoo WBRG
EDH
Xiahou Dun, the One-Eyed B
Prossh, Skyraider of Kher BRG
Still forming my opinion on the beta, but I have one simple question: how the hell can I search my collection for specific named cards? I can't find a simple search tool to find specific cards, and it is INCREDIBLY frustrating. I can filter down to the nth degree, but isn't what I need right now.
In regards to the beta, I have played it nearly exclusively for ~8 months. A lot have things have changed as they slimmed it down. The bad news is that the beta the entire time has essentially just been a reskinning of the basic MTGO software. Unfortunately, the underlying mtgo issues are still killing it, namely the flawed trade system. They can't really fix it without making a completely new magic online, and we all know that won't happen. Instead they keep trying to patch it up.
Drafting is tons better in the new client. You can see who you are passing to, and cut cards from you draft deck before you hit the deck build. I find it easier to use the collection screen, although it is cramped for space. Is this what we should be seeing from a 2013 digital game? No. Is it a better than the previous client? Yes. Basic unfamiliarity and change may cause some headaches, but overall the program seems to work better for normal use.
Also it lags or crashes... a lot. Which is really annoying in a timed event when every minute could make the difference.
Modern: :symg::symu::symr::symw:Kiki Jiki Pod || Proc Martyr
Commander :symg:Azusa, Lost but seeking|| :symr::symg: Ruric thar, the unbowed
If you bring up the secondary chat window you can drag it to either the Right/Left/Top/Bottom of the gamescreen to attach it.
I drag mine to the right side as thats what I'm used to.
Though I've seen screenshots of other peoples layouts and the new UI is much more customizable. Its almost completely modular and those that cant be out-rite moved can be resized.
Its 'new' so yes, people will not like it largely based on initial impressions. Which is normal. However there are several very specific changes that are of concern to people.
As an example, I could careless how much it lags or out-right crashes, its in beta for a reason. However the older client is certainly much more optimized. Its a quicker, snappier client.
My hope is that in future props the new beta client will get to that point.
I am going to have to disagree on this point. It might look modular but it isn't. Most of the objects in the play area are locked. You can't move the graveyard. You can't move the phase bar. You can't really move or change the exile and other zones. Resizing your hand was implemented badly.
If it had been truly modular you would have been able to take out and move even the smallest pieces. As it is now you can't even move important pieces. Even the old client can expand the graveyard. It's a mystery to me why the new client can't.
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20131021-702565.html?mod=wsj_share_twitter
Most of that would have to do with the fact that most of Hasbro's business is still in putting toys in kids hands; which is something that is becoming less and less of an occurrence every year.
Previously if I was in the 'just for fun' channel looking for games, a friend would be at the top of the list --- and I could join his games when his name turned red.
Is there a simple way to do the same in the Beta?
I buy HP and Damaged cards!
Only EDH:
Sigarda, Host of Herons: Enchantress' Enchantments
Jenara, Asura of War: ETB Value Town
Purphoros, God of the Forge: Global Punishment
Xenagos, God of Revels: Ramp, Sneak, & Heavy Hitters
Ghave, Guru of Spores: Dies_to_Doom_Blade's stax list
Edric, Spymaster of Trest: Donald's list
Its weirdly kinda sorta modular.
Alot of things can be resized, sure, but in alot of cases they put arbitrary restrictions on how much you can move and resize some things. I would have personally like to have seen a fully modular (with the ability to save custom layouts for different game types) and fully skinable client.
Unfortunately, seeing games like Hearthstone and Hex really does demonstrate one of the major differences between MTGO and those games, that being the fact that those games are *designed* from the ground up for the digital space, so they have much much less to account for regarding weird interactions and history.
MTG is growing at 30% a year and WoTC has said MTGO generates close to half their profits. Also in another thread someone who posted a similar link said they are bringing in consultants to review the MTGO beta. Sounds like they might be doing the opposite, investing in what is making them money. But this is WoTC so time will tell.
My only gripe is recently they seem to have removed the ability to customize your theme, so I'm stuck on Gideon Jura. I want my Liliana theme back!
http://www.reddit.com/r/magicTCG/comments/1qa4p2/mtgo_went_down_during_mocs_kibler_was_dropped_at/cdaspyw?context=3