In a recent blog update titled "Between the Lanes," the development team behind Dota 2 sheds light on the challenges and occasional mishaps they encounter while continuously updating the game with new heroes, items, and abilities. While these updates keep the game fresh and dynamic, they also introduce a plethora of potential interactions that sometimes result in bugs. One such bug that caught both the community and the developers by surprise was the infamous Sticky Bomb bug of Techies.
The roots of the Sticky Bomb bug can be traced back to the Techies update from the previous year, where the hero's abilities and playstyle underwent a rework. A glitch emerged during this rework, causing Techies' Sticky Bombs to not expire as intended, and, in some cases, they became controllable by the casting player. However, this bug remained dormant for months because there were no circumstances at the time that allowed it to manifest during gameplay.
It was not until The New Frontiers 7.33 Update, with the appearance of the Twin Gates, that the bug was suddenly awakened. Techies players discovered that they could now create guided Sticky Bombs, capable of moving around the map and raining down lethal explosives on enemy players without limit. This newfound advantage quickly became evident, leading to rumblings within the Dota 2 community.
Upon investigating the bug, the developers found that it was connected to the classic Techies' Remote Mines. Both Sticky Bombs and Remote Mines were implemented as summons of the "npc_dota_techies_remote_mine," sharing the same base NPC type. The mechanics of Sticky Bombs involved a sequence of server-side modifiers to handle the unit's motion and behavior during each step. Unfortunately, this sequence of modifiers was disrupted when the Sticky Bomb was inadvertently put in a channeling state by clicking on a Twin Gate with both Techies and the Bomb selected.
After careful analysis, the solution to the bug was relatively straightforward. The Sticky Bomb did not need to be controllable by the casting player, so the team removed this flag from the Bomb's properties. This change allowed the expected sequence of modifiers to function correctly, ultimately leading to a successful detonation.
As with many bugs, the process of identifying and fixing it often proves more time-consuming than the actual solution. Debugging code can be akin to solving a complex mystery, where the developer must wear both the hat of the detective and the perpetrator.
With the Sticky Bomb bug resolved, the developers now anticipate what new challenges might arise as a result of the fix. Dota 2's community has always been a valuable resource in spotting and reporting bugs, and the developers eagerly await any further reports to ensure that the game continues to evolve smoothly.
So, with one bug conquered, the development team remains vigilant, ready to tackle any new hurdles that may come their way. As Dota 2 continues to evolve, the players can expect a dynamic and bug-free gaming experience. And should you encounter any anomalies while playing, be sure to join the community over on GitHub.
