16 votes

Dota 2 introduces many new features and systems to help new players, and makes smurfing a bannable offense

11 comments

  1. [6]
    DeFaced
    Link
    I’m wondering how they’re going to ban the smurfs. I mean obviously if you’re on a new account and destroying everyone in your rank tier you’re probably smurfing, but how do they determine someone...

    I’m wondering how they’re going to ban the smurfs. I mean obviously if you’re on a new account and destroying everyone in your rank tier you’re probably smurfing, but how do they determine someone is smurfing?

    6 votes
    1. [2]
      nacho
      Link Parent
      I think people strongly underestimate how easy it is to track different behaviors on computers based on human input. For example, police in different countries can usually identify people by age...

      I think people strongly underestimate how easy it is to track different behaviors on computers based on human input.

      For example, police in different countries can usually identify people by age based on how they type (as in how the keystrokes are made in combination with the words).

      It's similarly trivial to identify someone who's got the mouse patterns and behaviors of an experienced Dota-player in contrast with someone who's actually new. The amount of knowledge you need to learn and internalize is huge. It's obvious when you see "new" accounts that don't follow those patterns even remotely.


      Now how accurate and how quickly smurfs can be taken out of the pool comes down to amount of research and at what confidence interval you move the players into the "suspected smurf-queue.

      This is not a difficult problem to solve. It's all about how much resources a company is willing to put into this. I think the stakes for making Dota less than a hellscape in the start means this is something Valve is prepared to sink millions into.

      6 votes
      1. vektor
        Link Parent
        Nevermind that "who's never online at the same time" and a bit of IP tracking should work wonders already.

        Nevermind that "who's never online at the same time" and a bit of IP tracking should work wonders already.

        3 votes
    2. [3]
      teaearlgraycold
      Link Parent
      My guess is super-cookie-like software will be used. But that would mean if two players share a computer they could get mis-flagged.

      My guess is super-cookie-like software will be used. But that would mean if two players share a computer they could get mis-flagged.

      1. [2]
        Comment deleted by author
        Link Parent
        1. teaearlgraycold
          (edited )
          Link Parent
          Yeah I guess the real problem comes from people that intentionally throw until they're back at an ELO below their skill level. That drastic fluctuation should be easily detected.

          Yeah I guess the real problem comes from people that intentionally throw until they're back at an ELO below their skill level. That drastic fluctuation should be easily detected.

          1 vote
      2. Kirisame
        Link Parent
        Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if they use that as a suspicion factor either. In combination with the other things they should be looking out for, though, I don't think false positives should be a...

        Yeah, I wouldn't be surprised if they use that as a suspicion factor either. In combination with the other things they should be looking out for, though, I don't think false positives should be a huge issue.

  2. vaddi
    (edited )
    Link
    It sure took them time to start taking the future of this game seriously. Dota has tremendous lore material, I remember spending some of time reading the Archronicus (Dota 2, source 1 version)...

    It sure took them time to start taking the future of this game seriously. Dota has tremendous lore material, I remember spending some of time reading the Archronicus (Dota 2, source 1 version) which had a mysterious vibe to it, each characters' lore and item descriptions. More recently they stopped caring so much for this stuff (sadly), as new items were added with almost zero lore.

    3 votes
  3. shiruken
    Link
    The website is also finally out of beta after over a decade of existence.

    The website is also finally out of beta after over a decade of existence.

    2 votes
  4. Grzmot
    Link
    Also the Netflix Dota 2 animated show just released, and it's pretty decent. I'm a fan of Dota because even though it's tough, there's just nothing like it. If anyone has questions or is looking...

    Also the Netflix Dota 2 animated show just released, and it's pretty decent.

    I'm a fan of Dota because even though it's tough, there's just nothing like it. If anyone has questions or is looking to get started, I can do my best to help!

    2 votes
  5. Micycle_the_Bichael
    Link
    I think it is fascinating watching League and Dota keep going down the same paths (yes I know league is a data rip-off). Both started with MOBA's and built expansive lore, then went into...

    I think it is fascinating watching League and Dota keep going down the same paths (yes I know league is a data rip-off). Both started with MOBA's and built expansive lore, then went into Auto-Chess, both have an anime coming out around the same time as each other. Dota had a comic series in 2017, Riot is making one now for League. Card games we've got Legends of Runeterra and Artifact.

    2 votes
  6. gco
    Link
    I completely missed the fact that there's now community bots. I used to play a lot but don't any more, could get back into it just to play bot matches.

    Needs change with experience, however, and we've found community bots to be a more appropriate fit for players on steady footing.

    I completely missed the fact that there's now community bots. I used to play a lot but don't any more, could get back into it just to play bot matches.

    2 votes