While watching one of today’s streams, I noticed that in the hero selection screen, there’s an option labeled “Fill bots (Dev only).” I mean, it makes sense that bots would be available during a closed preview, since only a limited number of people have access to it.
What’s interesting, though, is that these bots seem pretty advanced and specifically built for Stadium (they can use the new abilities, play on the new maps, etc). I even thought they were real players at first. That suggests this isn’t just some temporary thing for a demo, but something that might actually be part of the live game.
The big question is: how do they plan to use these bots? Are they just a fallback for leavers? Will they help fill out lobbies when matchmaking can’t find a full team? Or are we talking full-on bot matches, like what MR does?
I’d imagine they’re to fill for leavers. This game mode is pretty comparable to a MOBA, which fills with bots when a player leave. The locked-in hero selection and longer game time lends itself to that.
Why not just keep copying Mahvel, put them in lobbies with people who lose a lot? /s
In all seriousness, it was probably strictly for their internal testing because let’s be real, I could solo carry a game against the developers and I am washed.
Mayhaps.
Probably not.
It might be introduced later for casual players once they finish adding the entire roster to the mode. That could be awhile.
I hope you guys are right, but I can’t help feeling like this might be a red flag that Stadium is leaning toward EOMM. The new comp system for Stadium also feels a bit suspicious… I mean, everyone starts at Rookie (aka Bronze)? Every season? Maybe I’m missing something, but how exactly would SBMM work in a ranking system like that? I don’t know… maybe I’m reading too much into it.