StarCraft II

[Kantham]

Again.
They got some new videos (http://media.pc.ign.com/media/850/850126/vids_1.html) on IGN.

[SleepyHe4d]

ZOMG ZEEEEEEEEERRRRRRG RUSH!!!11

They added a load of vids.

:notworthy:

IGN video player sucks crap nuggets.

[LedZep]

purty :tup:

[TWD]

The thing I find interesting about what I've seen so far is how intense it all seems to be. The speed seems to be the same as the first StarCraft, but there's so much more going on. there's tons of abilities and tactics that you have look out for, and battles appear to be much larger. A lot of units on screen at any time compared to past blizzard games. It's a lot to keep track of at once. We'll all have to become fast mouse clickers to keep up with this one.

[LedZep]

the thing is im sure they did a lot to the interface to reduce the mouse clickage that was notorious for SC1 (can you say 12 unit max selection?)

also did you see? when he selected three of those huge terran siege robot things, giving them the command to bombard three different areas just included clicking in those areas (and probably like a shift key), there will definitely be shortcuts and things that make the game less clickfesty than the original (which is what made the original suck imho :p)

[thewalkingman]

Is it out yet?
Is it out yet?
Is it out yet?
Is it out yet?
Is it out yet?

[T2A`]

the thing is im sure they did a lot to the interface to reduce the mouse clickage that was notorious for SC1 (can you say 12 unit max selection?)

also did you see? when he selected three of those huge terran siege robot things, giving them the command to bombard three different areas just included clicking in those areas (and probably like a shift key), there will definitely be shortcuts and things that make the game less clickfesty than the original (which is what made the original suck imho :p)It'll never become less clickfesty; that's why it's popular. If it suddenly required less actions per minute the Koreans would forsake it immediately!

Controlling lots of units + less clicking + queuing up commands shift = Supreme Commander. SC will always have tons of clicking.

[Fuzzle]

I don't think there is much point in comparing SC and.. SC.. man, I only just realised starcraft and supcom have the same abbreviation.. anyway.. I feel supcom sets itself apart to such a degree that it's not fair to pick one "instead" of the other.

I enjoy supcom far more than cnc3 and whatnot, but I'm still looking forward to sc2 and will probably pick it up on release. I <3 zerg and cant wait to spam 3d zerglings.

It will be interesting to see if Blizzard can meet expectations on such a big release, being a followup on one of the most popular games in history. I'm pretty sure that even if they make the perfect rts with pristine balance on a flawless engine, you're gonna have people crying it doesn't "feel" like the old one.

Edit: And speaking of zerg, I was looking at this pic (http://www.demonbaby.com/pics/japan/sex/doll1.jpg) (taken from here (http://www.demonbaby.com/blog/2007/06/more-curiosities-from-japans-porno.html), in my defense) earlier and thinking if they put some incisors at the end of those feet and spiderlegs at the base, it'd make a sweet new unit.

[T2A`]

SupCom's abbreviation was never SC. SC's too big to try and use the same one. :p

I'm not comparing them; they're way too different. If you want a clickfest rock-paper-scissors RTS, you go SC. If not, look into SupCom.

I'd say SC2 is a rather risky game to make. In the end, it's all about sales rather than how many people end up playing. The game's hype is ridiculous, so I'm sure it'll sell just fine.

[LedZep]

yeah i think i was wrong using the word clickfest, what i ment was that you would be able to get more stuff done (like deeper and larger scale stuff, such as special skills and moving larger groups of units) with less clickage.

And dude, if they're coming out with an SC2 after that long and it's already looking good on video, and they gonna take their time perfecting it, it's gonna be good no matter what even if fanboys bitch about it. I am definitely looking forward.

Donno much about supcom, i tried it out but it's kinda gay imho :lol: it gets repetitive REALLY fast. cnc3 is not that bad i think, it's just a dumbed down version of starcraft in many ways :p although it does have some cool new features like the whole power economy thing

[Steyr]

There is one thing about this game that will make it worth it, even if every other aspect of gameplay sucks.

LOOK AT ALL TEH ZERGLINGS!!!!!111!!!one!one!eleven!one!!!

I am a big zerg fan, and the idea of 3 billion zerglings on the field all at once is like my wet dream.

[Kantham]

I am a big zerg fan, and the idea of 3 billion zerglings on the field all at once is like my wet dream.

But does it have a cube of meat?

[Hadmar]

If you want a clickfest rock-paper-scissors RTS, you go SC.I think RTMM - Real Time Micro Management works better.

[Shadow]

The thing I find interesting about what I've seen so far is how intense it all seems to be. The speed seems to be the same as the first StarCraft, but there's so much more going on. there's tons of abilities and tactics that you have look out for, and battles appear to be much larger. A lot of units on screen at any time compared to past blizzard games. It's a lot to keep track of at once. We'll all have to become fast mouse clickers to keep up with this one.

If your not used to that then I suggest you practice on Warcraft 3 for a while. Has Blizzard said any release yet?

[T2A`]

I hope to God there's no unit select limit. I hate being able to only select 12 or so units at once. If any game wants me to throw it in the trash, all it's got to do is not allow me to select as many units as I want. I'm no RTS pr0, and such a limit makes it exceedingly difficult to play with just the mouse, which is what I like to do in RTS. I can't be bothered with all this grouping nonsense just to move 30 units across the map. D:

I think RTMM - Real Time Micro Management works better.I don't disagree, but at the time SC was as strategic as it got. Just because games have come out since that focus more on the strategy and less on the micro doesn't mean the whole genre can be reclassified. :p

[Hadmar]

I don't classify it as that because newer games are less OMG CLICK CLICK CLICK FAAAAAASTish (and I yet have to play SubCom) but because even back then strategy just didn't seem right.

[KillStreak]

meh SCII

im more excited about Warhammer Online, supposedly coming out this summer. dont see that happening though.

[Steyr]

But does it have a cube of meat?

Damnit, you just ruined the game for me. Now all I'll be able to think of when I get it is that it would be better with giant meat cubes.

[Jordan L]

http://mr-21368.v-mirror.spb.ru/pics/news/18.07.04/cof-new.jpg

http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee11/Jordanx133/939643_20070518_screen003.jpg

[neilthecellist]

Whoa. Strange coincidence?

[ThirtySixBelow]

I'm pretty excited for the game. With all of these units you will be able to get pretty creative in your invasions. I was never an SC pro so I can't comment on how all of this might affect gameplay, but it looks fun. The custom maps and gametypes online are what kept me playing this game for years, so I'm looking forward to that most.

[JaFO]

It definitely does look cool, but ... (and that's a pretty big one) I really hate the "ultimate fast-paced competitive rts"-label they're placing on their own game.

I hope this game gets a demo, because even though I'm probably going to dislike it I'd really want to make sure it's after playing the thing.

*argh* I say, because there's so much potential for a game like this to be fun for everyone and it looks like it's being wasted in order to please a 'competitive' community and that's not giving me many reasons to remain positive about the end-result although the sp-campaign does sound interesting. :(

[-Jes-]

A lot of units on screen at any time compared to past blizzard games.Always a plus. I mean, fer the love of Hal's serious cat, Dune 2 had more activity on-screeen compared to SC1.
the thing is im sure they did a lot to the interface to reduce the mouse clickage that was notorious for SC1 (can you say 12 unit max selection?)

-SNIP- (click the quote link if you want to read the rest, for fudges sake!)
Which can only be commented on by anyone who has played OTHER RTS'es as:
FINALLY!

Hell if "good news" like that tidbit about the game keeps on rolling in, it might just be a mere percentage worth it's hype! :D


Anyway, This'll give my old man something to chew on while he awaits the C&C3 xp.
Not really sure if he'll bite, though as he pretty much rated SC1 as his lowest rts experience so far. (don't make me put up his rts-played list)
He's begun to be... picky... these later years. :lol:

[Fuzzle]

meh SCII

im more excited about Warhammer Online, supposedly coming out this summer. dont see that happening though.

What does WHO have to do with SC?

[-Jes-]

What does WHO have to do with SC?

I was wondering that too, especially considering one's an RTS, the other's an MMO.

Fail!

[Shadow]

What does WHO have to do with SC?

He's an Ex WOW player looking for a better drug.

[T2A`]

http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/starcraft-2/858336p1.html

Dustin Browder: One of the big issues is the tension between micro-managing units and macro-managing your economy. We've made some changes to the UI to allow you to do multiple building selection, and to basically select an unlimited number of units. A lot of the very hardcore players are concerned about multiple-building selection because they think it reduces skill. Now I can go back and double-click on my barracks, select all five of my barracks, and build a marine. Before you'd have to click marine, marine, marine, marine across the entire base.I hope they keep that. :-)

[Fuzzle]

Bah, "skill".

I'm all for macromanaging as long as every decision is made by the player. These games shouldn't be about who can click the fastest and most accurately, but the tactical and strategic moves you make. The easier it is to input those decisions, the better.

[JaFO]

Indeed ... if that is the attitude the SC-players have towards 'skill' then I hope SC2 is a huge failure.
I could understand that placing buildings within the range of each other could be seen as a skill, but compensating stupid placement by fast reflexes and then telling everyone that it is a 'skill' ? That is absolutely horrible. What's next ? neon-glowing brightskins for the units ?

[Adelheid]

Erm... I don't want to say this... but... umm... new Kerrigan isn't sexy and I thought the old one was and I don't like it...

...you can stop looking at me like that now.

[T2A`]

I can sort of see what they mean by saying it takes less skill, but that doesn't mean it's not stupid. Moving units around the whole map while having selection limits and having to click for each factory and every marine you need for the duration of the map takes time to get down.

But it sucks. A lot. For me to enjoy RTS it can't be so difficult to get new units out and into the field. It's f**king annoying and the reason why SupCom sucked me in. To think I could set a factory to automatically build a certain mix of units forever was awesome. I seriously doubt SC2 will go that route, but multiple building selection is definitely a step in the right direction away from annoying.

[Wail of Suicide]

I haven't been following StarCraft 2 that much lately, but today I did do some reading online on www.sc2blog.com. After looking through probably three months worth of materials... I'm really quite amazed at how completely awesome StarCraft's community manager Kirune, and other StarCraft developers in general are. People pose questions, answers are given. Feedback is supplied on the general appearance of the game - Developers decide to add some desaturation. People comment on appearances of specific units, effects, or the roles of units in the game and developers give straightforward answers on their decisionmaking processes behind them. In general it seems like the developers realize they are making what is essentially a loveletter to the millions of fans who played the original, and so are interacting with them to a degree and with a humility that's truly refreshing. And all of this is in addition to actually releasing tons of preview images, the cinematic trailers and the actual gameplay trailers.

And the game isn't even in beta yet. I'm really hoping that even some of the units that are cut, or will be cut, make it into the game regardless for modding purposes. Mapping and modding for StarCraft 2 looks like it'll be huge fun.

[-Jes-]

He's an Ex WOW player looking for a better drug.Lol, EX?

We don't want him in the GW ring. He was there trolling about a year ago. Badly, no less.
He got his heinie handed to him, figuratively speaking.


But anyway, yes when it comes to publicity management, Blizzard has always been doing a great job.. Not that they have any competiton, anyway. ;D

[Kantham]

IGN Video preview (http://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/850126/starcraft-2/videos/starcraft2preview.html)

[thewalkingman]

IGN Video preview (http://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/850126/starcraft-2/videos/starcraft2preview.html)

No bumping of threads until the game is released!

[Matfei]

Can't wait for this... And I hope Blizzard makes Warcraft 4 soon.

[neilthecellist]

WTF.

All of the "new" units are COMPLETE ripoffs from Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CNC3)



Protoss Colossus = Scrin Tripod. They look the same too, blue+yellow mesh.
"Terran Reaper" = Zone Trooper. Same abilities, slightly different looks.
"Among all the changes, it appears that Zerg and Protoss have changed the most." Um.... Like NOD and Scrin (added) were changed in CNC3.

"...Flying transport ships (Protoss) that can be landed and generate power fields." Uh, like the Outpost in CNC3. (Outpost creates buildable area, like the Protoss Pylon)

"There is a Protoss unit called the Mothership that has special abilities..." LIKE THE SCRIN MOTHERSHIP. Oh and guess what, THEY LOOK THE SAME.
"Most impressive of the Terrans is the giant 'Thor' unit which is a giant, moveable, walkable tank..." Yeah, like the GDI Juggernaut. They look the same too.

Music sounds like Star Wars Episode 1-3. I hated those.

Just get CNC3, unless you just want SC2 for the story.

Better graphics too.
http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2006/348/reviews/932602_20061215_screen003.jpg
http://www.timeofwar.com/cnc3/images/screenshots/ingame/2.jpg
http://grufix1.gr.funpic.de/e32006/cnc3/pics/02.jpg
http://cnc3.net/images/screenies/nod_gdi_vs_aliens_forum.jpg
http://www.light-fire.net/images/games/screens/cnc3scrn.jpg
http://cnc3twe.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/kw_aug06.jpg
http://www.game-maps.net/downloads/cnc3/maps/screens/CnC3_4P_ARiverRunsThroughIt.png
http://www.asylum.slipstreamproductions.net/images/Media/crus01.jpg
http://www.commandconquer3.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/uber_nuke.jpg

NOTE: All the screenshots above are from the CONSOLE versions of the game.

[Slainchild]

I prefer the cartoony space sci-fi art style that SC2 has going on. CNC3 just looks like any other military RTS with a few sci-fi themes thrown in.

imo

[ambershee]

That, and CnC 3 was pretty bland in terms of gameplay too...

[neilthecellist]

That, and CnC 3 was pretty bland in terms of gameplay too...

I'm not so sure about that. The single-player campaign especially proved to be a challange, even on the levels where you could build all units possible.

[Kantham]

I prefer the cartoony space sci-fi art style that SC2 has going on. CNC3 just looks like any other military RTS with a few sci-fi themes thrown in.

imo

I agree.



I also agree that Warsow < Q3

[Kantham]

New video over IGN (http://pc.ign.com/dor/objects/850126/starcraft-2/videos/SC2battlereport_121908.html)

Edit: I really don't like the pylon warp thing, sounds overpowered.
lol, I was sure the Protoss would win this one.

[Fuzzle]

I wouldn't dwell on balance judging by videos alone. There are so many factors involved, and it's moot arguing for or against it using speculations. For all we know, there might be a "delete all pylons on map" on the terran's interface that the player just forgot to press.

[Airmoran]

I mostly just don't like the "colorful" commentary. Its shields are almost down! It looks like unbelievably, the probe is going to dodge the marine and... it looks like the stalker is - oh, absolutely the stalker is a great- Yes! An amazing shot by and who's gonna win this is it gonna be the marauder or the stalker and oh! Looks like the marauder got an extra shot in there and a-

Goddamn.

[Kantham]

I mostly just don't like the "colorful" commentary. Its shields are almost down! It looks like unbelievably, the probe is going to dodge the marine and... it looks like the stalker is - oh, absolutely the stalker is a great- Yes! An amazing shot by and who's gonna win this is it gonna be the marauder or the stalker and oh! Looks like the marauder got an extra shot in there and a-

Goddamn.

You know how it is. Otherwise sit and watch talks are too boring for them. I was face-palming at that Marine VS Probe commentary though, big time. lol. Way overboard.

[Fuzzle]

I quite like the cnc battlecasts. They're a bit more deliberately tongue-in-cheek, and some of them made me lol. Especially the duel between the two presenters when one accidentally sold his refinery, and put his epic unit on a bridge which went down.

[Kantham]

With all this SC2 stuff I've been tempted to play some SC again. But I can't stand the silly 640X480 resolution, it's so cramped and ugly. I've been searching on the web for a solution and couldn't believe no one made a mod or anything to gain a larger resolution. The only solution I keep seeing people link to is this one using 3D Analyzer:

http://forums.extremeoverclocking.com/showpost.php?p=1970361&postcount=24

And obvious no one wants to set his screen to 80 MHZ. My LCD doesn't even reach that.

[IronMonkey]

With all this SC2 stuff I've been tempted to play some SC again. But I can't stand the silly 640X480 resolution, it's so cramped and ugly.
I've been playing through the Terrain campaign and what I can't stand is Sarah Kerrigan's annoying simper. I had forgotten how annoying it is.

640x480 is OK on a netbook. :)

[TWD]

I think the commentary is just another way of showing the competitive approach that they're taking with this game. Notice the great spectator features that really allow the spectator to see what's going on. Many of the features such as the destructible rocks are features that were common in many of the custom made pro maps. They took every opportunity to stress the intricacies of the micro. I've never seen a developer go so far out of their way to appeal to professional players like this. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.

[Fuzzle]

I've never seen a developer go so far out of their way to appeal to professional players like this.

EA deserves some credits for their battlecasts imo.

http://www.commandandconquer.com/portal/site/cnc/bcpt/

Their battlecasts are commentated tournaments, and their command school is micro protips as well as comments on changes in the metagame from patches. It's what really made me want to sit down and get competitive with cnc3.