Y9S3 MID-SEASON ROADMAP UPDATE

Each season, we provide a Roadmap update to offer further insights into the development of upcoming features to ensure transparent communication with all players. Each update and decision we make takes into account various elements such as player feedback, time allocated to ensure the quality of the features delivered, and more. 

With that in mind let's delve into this Mid-Season Roadmap Update!

ROADMAP UPDATES

[NEW] [BALANCING] SHIELD NERF

• Status: Confirmed for Y9S4

The revamped shield mechanic was first released in Y9S1 and since then we've seen an evolution in their overall usage, becoming more relevant and impactful. It's now time for shields to be adjusted and to reduce their oppressiveness.

[NEW] [PLAYER COMFORT] PHANTOM PLAYER - IMPROVED LOBBY BALANCING

• Status: Confirmed for Y9S4

Phantom Player is coming to enhance the experience of all players. In a nutshell, the Phantom Player is a mathematical value, a ''6th player'', which will bring an extra layer of balancing to matchmaking. Concretely, the Phantom Player sees the skill disparity between players of a stack and adds the appropriate skill value to even out the matches depending on the number of players within this stack.

[MAJOR FEATURES] CONSOLE TO PC CROSSPLAY 1.0 + MOUSETRAP IMPLEMENTATION

• Status: Confirmed for Y9S4

Console to PC Crossplay will enable PC and console to play together. This will work by allowing console players to join their PC friends, opting into the PC matchmaking pool. In Y9S4 MouseTrap will also force confirmed mouse and keyboard console players into PC matchmaking, with PC recoil values.

[MAJOR FEATURES] CHEATER MATCH CANCELLATION

• Status: Confirmed for Y9S4

With Cheater Match Cancellation, once a cheater is confirmed and consequently banned, the match they are in will be automatically cancelled. This will lead to less time being spent by honest players in unfair matches, while ensuring that the legitimate players in these matches aren't incurring abandonment penalties or unjust Ranked losses.

[MAJOR FEATURE] SIEGE CUP (BETA) - ALL PLATFORMS

• Status: Confirmed for Y9S4

The Siege Cup will provide a highly competitive experience on both PC and console, while remaining in its Beta phase to allow further testing. For more information, check out our FAQ.

[BALANCING] YING, SENS, & THUNDERBIRD

• Status: Confirmed for Y9S4

YING: Introducing a tweak to Ying aimed at reducing defender frustration.
SENS: An update for Sens will expand the opportunities for more strategic plays.
THUNDERBIRD: An adjustment for Thunderbird will help make her a more valuable asset for the team.

[PLAYER PROTECTION] AI CHAT MODERATION

• Status: Confirmed for Y9S4

AI will analyze and moderate all text chat messages in real-time, resulting in problematic messages being flagged or removed. Your messages will have an impact on your Reputation Standing, whether they are censored, flagged, or positive.

[PLAYER PROTECTION] REPUTATION SYSTEM REFRESH

• Status: Confirmed for Y9S4

This update will feel different from the Reputation System you know. We are actively working on the refreshed Reputation System for Y9S4 and are in the balancing stages right now, ensuring that the actions we're tracking have a meaningful and fair impact.

[PLAYER COMFORT] DYNAMIC MATCHMAKING 1.0

• Status: Delayed to Y10

A dynamic matchmaking feature for improved server allocation based on a broader set of players' data. This feature has been delayed allowing our Playlist team to focus their resources on Phantom Player, which is now coming earlier than was originally planned.

FULL REVEAL

Stay tuned for the Operation Collision Point reveal coming up on Sunday, NOVEMBER 17TH, at 11AM PT / 2PM ET / 8PM CET.

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Check out the public Roadmap for more information on the changes coming your way!