When I first started to play Warcraft III, I really believed the game could not be improved any further. There was nothing I could think of, that's would really add to the games enjoyablity (if that is even a word), but I have been proved wrong. A new patch was released for the game today, to go along with the Warcraft III expansion pack release (which I have pre-ordered!), and they have added some great features. Let me run some of them down for you.
Warcraft III 1.10 Patch
- Upgrades and units can be queued in the same queue chain.
- Buildings can now be queued.
- A graphic placeholder is displayed to notify where a building is going to be constructed after the command to queue the building has been given.
- Minimap filters now "remember" your preferences so you no longer have to toggle them on or off in every game.
- A creep camp minimap filter has been added. When it is used, small circular graphics are displayed on the minimap representing the location of creep camps.
- Added a third minimap "ally" filter that changes the colors displayed for allies in the minimap.
- When using "ally" settings, the colors for the player, enemies, and allies now properly adjust in the world frame.
- An "Occupied" graphic now appears over Orc Burrows, Goblin Zeppelins, Entangled Gold Mines, etc. This allows players to quickly tell how many units are currently occupying a structure or transport.
- Upgrade & Research Complete alerts now include text messages that indicate which upgrade has just finished.
- Added player handicaps that allow players to limit their units' maximum hit points prior to a game starting.
- Easy AI effectiveness has been further reduced. Combined with handicaps, the AI can now be severely limited.
- Added the ability to sell items back to shops.
- Players can now transfer resources to the allied army of a teammate who left the game.
- In-game chat messages now display who will be the recipient(s) (All, Allies, a specific player, etc.).
- Battle.net: Players can alt-tab while searching for a game. Once a game has been found, Warcraft III will automatically maximize.
- Battle.net: Players can now veto a limited number of maps using the thumbs up/thumbs down system.
And that's just some of it. I'm going to pick up my expansion pack on Wednesday before work, as tomorrow is Canada Day, and nothing is open. So crack open a beer and sing Oh Canada! no matter where you are, and celebrate Canada's 136th Birthday (I think..)