In today's update, we've removed the ban stage at the start of a game and replaced it with preferred bans tied to your account.

We have just released the update 7.35d, and it’s a significant milestone for us! This update includes a series of exciting new features and enhancements that we believe will greatly improve your experience. We are particularly thrilled about the acknowledgment of Chen, who has played an instrumental role in this update and truly deserves the recognition. In 7.35d, we have focused on user feedback to ensure that the new features align with what our community has been asking for. One of the standout additions is the improved user interface, which aims to provide a more intuitive and seamless experience. We have made navigation easier and have introduced customizable options that allow you to tailor the interface to suit your preferences. Additionally, we have implemented performance enhancements that optimize loading times and reduce lag, ensuring that you can enjoy a smoother experience whether you are playing casually or competitively. These improvements are crucial, as we know how important speed and responsiveness are in today’s fast-paced gaming environment. Another exciting feature of this update is the introduction of new gameplay mechanics that add depth and variety.

We have carefully designed these mechanics to encourage strategic thinking and creativity, allowing players to explore different playstyles and tactics. We believe this will not only enhance the overall gameplay but also foster a more engaging community as players share their unique approaches. Moreover, 7.35d includes a host of bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements. We have listened to your reports and have worked diligently to address issues that have been affecting gameplay. Our team is committed to providing a stable and enjoyable experience, and this update reflects our dedication to that goal. As always, we encourage you to share your thoughts and feedback with us. Your insights are invaluable in helping us continue to improve and evolve. We are excited to see how you will embrace the new features and make the most of what 7.35d has to offer. In conclusion, this update is not just about adding new features; it’s about enhancing the overall experience and acknowledging the hard work of our team members like Chen. We are grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm, and we look forward to hearing your feedback as you dive into the new content and improvements. Thank you for being a part of our community!

Updated Hero Ban in Matchmaking

Over the past year, we have taken significant measures against cheaters. In our investigation into cheating, our primary goal is to understand what cheaters do, how they operate, and how we can track and stop them effectively. At the same time, we ask ourselves: why does someone feel the need to use such means in the first place? The most common reason is the desire to gain an unfair advantage, which obviously contradicts the wishes of our community and the underlying sentiments of competitiveness and fairness. However, even from this understanding, we can extract insights that will help us improve the gaming experience for everyone (except those who have been banned for cheating). A clear example of our approach is the hero banning system. Last year, many cheats sought to exploit the ten-second hero banning phase at the beginning of each game. This phase was initially designed to allow players to express their unwillingness to face certain characters, ensuring that players with a limited hero pool wouldn’t be left with no choices at all. By taking a step back and analyzing the data, we began to wonder: is it possible to move closer to our goal while also addressing other issues? In today’s update, we have removed the hero banning phase at the start of the game and replaced it with account-linked preferred bans. Now, when you open the “Heroes” tab, you can select up to four characters you would prefer not to see, and at least one of those will be banned at the start of the matched game. The list of bans can be changed at any time. (Please note that the game may still choose to ban a slot without a hero, so there’s no need to specify fewer than four bans.)

This new system eliminates several past inconveniences: you will no longer forget to ban a hero; you won’t have to remember that sometimes the game only considers certain bans; and you won’t be rushed into making decisions that typically never change from game to game. Additionally, bans can no longer be directed at a specific player, whether they are a well-known figure or just a regular user whose information might have been seen somewhere. In some game modes (such as Captains Mode, Captains Draft, Ability Draft, and Turbo), there was either no banning phase or it worked under different rules. These modes remain unchanged. The introduction of this new banning system is a direct response to community feedback and our ongoing commitment to creating a fair competitive environment. We believe that by providing players with the ability to tailor their bans, we not only empower them but also enhance the overall match experience. This approach helps mitigate some of the frustrations associated with hero selection, making the process smoother and more enjoyable.

In addition to these improvements, we have also invested in better anti-cheat technology and monitoring systems. Our team is constantly analyzing player behavior to identify suspicious patterns that may indicate cheating. While no system is perfect, we are committed to continuously evolving our approaches to stay one step ahead of cheaters. This includes regular updates to our detection algorithms and refining our reporting processes, allowing players to report suspected cheating more easily. We understand that the presence of cheaters can significantly impact the gaming experience, and we are dedicated to doing everything we can to minimize their influence. Our community’s integrity is paramount, and we take this responsibility seriously. We appreciate all the reports and feedback we receive from you, as they are crucial to our efforts in combating cheating. As we move forward, we want to foster an environment where players can enjoy competitive play without the fear of unfair advantages ruining their experience. We encourage players to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior they encounter. Together, we can create a gaming community that thrives on fairness and sportsmanship.

Overall, our commitment to addressing cheating will remain a top priority. We recognize that this is an ongoing battle and that there is always more work to be done. With each update, we aim to strengthen our systems and enhance the overall integrity of our game. Your trust and support are essential in this journey, and we are grateful for your contributions to making our community better. In conclusion, while the journey against cheating is complex and challenging, we are optimistic about the future. With the implementation of new features, such as the preferred bans and enhanced anti-cheat measures, we believe we are making strides toward a more balanced and enjoyable gaming experience for everyone. Thank you for being an integral part of our community and for your continued support as we take these steps together. We look forward to hearing your feedback on the new changes and how they impact your gaming experience!