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We've got a pretty big patch in the works, but before we can release it to the general beta populance, we need to run it through the pre-beta test client first to clear up any obvious issues that we can't quite test ourselves.

To those of you unfamiliar with the pre-beta test client, it's a special client that updates and installs separately from the regular beta client. When we have content that we know is going to require some more thorough testing, we put it through the test client to get the obvious bugs/issues out of the way (in addition to feedback on experimental balance changes). Some people like to ask "what's the point of the main beta test, then?" The second client really doesn't diminish the value or meaning of the primary beta test. Rather than put out a patch/update to the beta client that we know will have some glaring issues, we run it through this secondary process first. This actually helps the main beta test by not slowing it down with potentially game-breaking issues (our test patches on the pre-beta client receive minimal testing and often we'll patch multiple days in a row as we work on it, a process which would be quite troublesome if attempted on the main beta client).

To participate in the pre-beta test client games, you'll need to participate in our IRC channel. This is open to anyone who wants to join. Our IRC information is:
server: irc.s2games.com
ports: 6667
channel: #hondev

Or to join IRC through your browser, click here.
Once you're in, you can use /nick to change your name.

We'll be posting the link to the pre-beta test client in the topic of that channel, as well as information as to where to contribute feedback and discuss the patches.

The first test is going to take place 10/20/2009 at 4pm PDT / 7pm EDT

Now, everyone's favorite Red Jedi (S2Idejder) will be posting what kind of things you can expect to see down the road, some of which will be featured tomorrow on the test client. The main thing we need help testing tomorrow is the beginnings of our automated match making - it could completely fail and break, or perform marvelously. Find out by joining us on IRC!

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It has been over a week since our last patch and seeing as it is 0.1.50, we figured we would do a bit extra. We are gunning for this to be quite a large patch and to change a few things about how you guys play. It will still be a bit of time from now, but hopefully we will get a test client build up in the next few days. Hopefully.

Here is a short “work in progress” list of what you should see in the next major build.

Matchmaking
Version 1

The first version of matchmaking will allow solo players to queue into the automatic Ranked Play system, putting 10 players of equal skill together and then starting the game. We will enhance this as time goes on to include full teams, partial teams, etc, but for now we want to make sure the groundwork is in place.

More details on this as we get closer to releasing it, but keep an eye on the test client for the first iteration of Matchmaking.

Two New Heroes

You will see the debut of Vindicator and Rampage in this patch. Reinforcements for the Legion.



New Game Modes

Look for the addition of Captain picking and Banning in a HoN game near you!

New Post-Game Stats Screen

A great and smooth new way to see the stats after a game ends and the stats of any game you have played in the past.



Stats Reset and PSR scaling

When we release this patch we plan to reset everyone's stats back to zero and scale everyone's PSR to compensate for the changes we have made to the system. Details about this will come soon.

Hero and Item Balance Tweaks

As always, we are tweaking and changing the item and hero balance to improve gameplay for both the casual player and the competitive pro.

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