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This month’s discussion starts a bit later than usual, even though the subject it deals with is much more expansive than the last one. Karune, Blizzard’s RTS community manager, has posted the new topic on battle.net. Here’s his introduction:
As everyone has already seen, StarCraft II has brought the world of StarCraft into 3D and added many new units, landscapes, and effects that have never been seen before. On this journey of consistent artistic evolution, we have seen Warp Rays changed to escort ships, the infamous Carrier brought back into action, and even the Siege Tank get a makeover. There is still much left to this artistic journey and now is the community’s chance to let us know what you love about StarCraft II visually and what you would change.
All three of the changes Karune mentions were brought by after specific feedback by Blizzard fans, posted on our blog and in their forums. The Carrier had been missed and was brought back into the foreground in place of the Warp Ray, while the Siege Tank’s old look was promptly changed after receiving more negative feedback than the decision to start the Iraq war.
Here’s your chance to influence Blizzard developers and get your input into StarCraft 2 again, in this discussion topic that deals with the game’s artistic direction. Apparently, the transformation of unit roles and their redesigns (Warp Rays, Carriers) are fair game as well, so take that into account when answering. Here are this month’s official questions:
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
Additionally, here are the SC2 Blog’s questions for this topic:
1) Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
2) Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
We know these are tough questions, but Blizzard needs its community now more than ever. Go forth and provide your most eloquent responses - in the manner requested by Karune:
Please structure feedback as follows:
—–
<question you’d like to answer>
<your answer><question you’d like to answer>
<your answer>
All of your comments will be sent to Blizzard - the feedback you provide shapes the game you’ll end up playing, and your opinion matters now more than ever.
29 Comments to “StarCraft 2 December Discussion Topic: Artistic Direction”
Q&A 23: Campaign Videos, Ghosts & EMP, Speed Automation »
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1) Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
I’m fine with the general direction, most of the issues with units involve small color teaks or other such changes rather than 3-D shape changes.
2) Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
It is more cartoony, though a bit of extra cartoonish is fine.
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
Siege tanks as the currently are seem the best, as they appear a bit more “tank with powerful guns” ish than original starcraft.
The worst seems to be Carriers, they seem to have too much stuff on them currently. Zealots are also one that doesn’t seem to have translated well, they seem too rigid when fighting, with psi-blades more spread out than they need to be.
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
Since the landscapes are mostly new, it is hard to make a direct comparison. The space platform one seems a bit too soft and rounded, the jungle and dry terrain shown seem pretty good, and the char one seems to cartoony. (Sort of a “Mario falling in the lava pit” type of look has snuck in it seems.)
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
The zerg units so far in close up don’t seem slimy and rough enough. Zerglings are fine with their new body shape, but mutalisks seem to almost be plastic toy models of mutalisks, instead of a living, breathing creature.
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
The terrans have the basic look down, but could use some extra dirt and grit, as well as more metallic and less plastic looking.
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
Protoss are quite nice, their style is pretty well down. The only issues seem to be how team colors are added onto the units, and visibility of the bright units. Otherwise, the protoss look how they should.
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
1. I think the landscape has the correct look in general. The desert and space platform terrains are particularly well done in my opinion
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
2. I think the terran look reflects the original game well, although perhaps reducing the number of team-colored spots on units slightly would be a good thing.
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
3. Now here I have a big issue: the glow color. Protoss attacks and energies (blades, energy plumes, etc.) were never supposed to be, for instance, radioactive green (which did show up in a couple of shots). This would seem to be an especially big problem with the twilight archons, which are, frankly, SUPPOSED TO BE PURPLISH-BLUE!!! The original game had a perfectly good solution to making clear what team an archon belonged to, and recycling it would be both appropriate and better visually (besides, we all know deep down that archons are really super-sized lithium nuclei — so let’s not strip them of electrons d: ). In general, the team coloring should be limited to the unit/building’s armor. The original game had it exactly right in this respect
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
In tank mode the siege tank looks awkward when it turns — in the blizzcon terran demo a group makes several rapid and odd looking turns when getting into position. The terran advisor looks WAAAAY too emo. Look back to the original design — it’s well lit, not excessively pale, and just robotic enough to look cool.
1) Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
In general, other than my protoss glow issue, I like the art direction.
2) Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
In general the units look either equally cartoony or less so in SC2 than Sc1, which is definetly a good thing.
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
Other than the basic unit of each race, which they obviously had very little lattitude on, I think the Battlecruiser and Carrier both have really nice visual designs, especially considering the degree both are revamped compared to their original apperance. As for the worst, the most obvious candidate, the reaver, has died. Although it’s a very distant second, somehow the dark templar doesn’t look right (or at least, when they’re seen by the player commanding them). Somehow the method of emphasizing cloaked units, while it works for the ghost, REALLY doesn’t work here. I’m also still a bit iffy about the double-bladed scythe, although it is a cool idea.
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
I love the look of the landscapes, only concern is that too much detail may make it harder to quickly decide on tactics.
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
I love the look of the Terrans I think the brighter colors tho a contrast to the ‘dirty’ Terran culture, enhances the games look and feel as an eSport. With units easy to spot.
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
They look great as well, same comments as above.
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
Reapers look a bit clunky to be a quick hit and run type unit.
I hope Reavers get a 2nd chance!
Can’t wait for Zerg updates!
For an extremely pointless nitpick, The archons are way off scale to be the lithium nuclei, and likely could by more easily considered to be an inner electron cloud to, say aluminum.
And now back to answering questions.
1) Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
NOT. It looks TOO similar to Warcraft III. (Good old) Starcraft had a “look” unique that I’m afraid it’s lost.
2) Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
Cartoony, cartoony, cartoony.
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
Best: Battlecruiser. Worst: Zergling.
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
> 2 words : Simply incredible!
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
> Terran is getting its metal look in a serious way which is really good for me. One thing I don’t like about it however is the bulky, clumsy-looking viking, hope it gets a slicker look.
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
> Protoss is my fave race and and as much as I would want to congratulate you guys for doing your best, please allow me also to comment on following 1) immortal attack is too damn lame, it looks like it can’t hurt a zergling! 2) carriers should be bigger and interceptors must NOT look like flying binoculars anymore, please change that! 3) Observers and probes look almost the same! why it this? 4) the high templar must not look like a human priest!
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
> Don’t give up in looking for the best possible way to please the fans! Keep striving to find the best way in portraying each unit in each race, no need to rush.
1) Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
> Satisfaction rate 1 - 10 and 10 being the highest, I’d say 8 for me.
2) Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
> equally cartoony. Which is not bad.
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
Best: Dark templar
Worst: High Templar ( i mean for cryin out loud!)
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
Yes. I think the direction the landscape is taking is working wonderfully.
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
A little bit too smooth, I think; the SC1 Terrans had more of a “beaten metal” look to them that was rugged and hardcore. These Terrans are too polished and smooth. In general, I’d like to see a tougher look to their metal.
I’m loving the new infantry designs on Terrans, mostly (my only problem is wondering why the Reaper is wearing a gas mask). But some other things don’t seem to fit. For instance, the Banshee: why does it have propellers? The only thing the Terrans ever seemed to have use for propellers was to cool down the Supply Depots. This is super-space-age time…I understand the emphasis on the Banshee not being a space-fighter, but still. A little low-tech feeling.
The Cobra just feels very wrong as a replacement for the Vulture. It seems… well, thick. It’s got a very wide chassis and high railguns, and seems much more fortified than such a quick attacker ought to be.
The Nomad just looks silly next to all the other Terran units. It’s… a square. Fine, Terran buildings are squares. But not their units! A flying platform is silly and overdone, and looks very clumsy in color as well as shape. Perhaps something a little rounder…
I know some of these already aren’t in the current final cuts, but it’s the point of the thing. I’d like to see new Terran units stay in keeping with the old Terran sense of style.
In most cases, I’m loving the new Terran buildings, but in others, not so much. I agree that the Command Center should have its old look; it’s distinctive and identifiable with the Terrans, and that’s lovely. But I’d like to see a new design on the Barracks, please. I’m very much looking forward to the new units in the game, and while it’s nice to see some classics return, this isn’t just a 3D expansion of SC1; it’s supposed to be a new game. I’d like to see new designs outnumber the old ones.
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
I think it’s important for the Protoss that their new designs be in keeping with the aesthetic that they were given in SC1. Some of these designs are lovely; the Immortal, Stalker, and Phase Prisms are exactly true to the Protoss sense of style. But some of these new units, primarily air units, aren’t at all what we’ve come to expect! The Phoenix’s wide chassis and forward-sloping wings are clunkier than the sleek Scout, and the Warp Ray is a bizarre machine that bears very little stylistic resemblance to the original Protoss designs. I’m so glad they got rid of the Soul Hunter, which was absurdly un-Protoss. The Colossus is borderline, and though I think the new Carrier is delightful, it just isn’t the same; if the Blizzard design team doesn’t seem to have a problem not redesigning the buildings, why not let the Carrier have its old shape back?
Issues with the Protoss buildings: unlike with the units, I feel compelled to remind the Blizzard design team that they are, in fact, creating a new game. So, other than some new things like the Dark Obelisk and the Phase Cannons, why do all the buildings look the same as SC1? I mean, I’d like the style to stay the same or similar, but come on. I don’t just want SC1 in 3D.
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
I don’t know what to make of the new Mutalisks. Banelings and Zerglings look nice (what’s with the wings?) and the Overlord is killer. But the Mutas are… well, very plastic and toy-looking, much less repulsive and slimy than I would have expected.
1) Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
No. SC2 is a new game, not simply a 3D mod of SC1; if I wanted that, I’d download the mod they have for WC3. I want to see new buildings, new building designs, new tech trees. I love that they’re giving SC2 a lot of revamps in terms of RTS style, and I think a lot of new C&C-style ideas are perfect complements to the Blizzard way of running an RTS. But I don’t want just the play to be different; I want it to be a new game entirely. I love that they’re bringing back a lot of classics, but I want the new units and designs to outnumber the old.
2) Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
It’s a little more cartoony now that I would have liked, but I’ll live with it. It’s so very pretty…
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
To be honest, I don’t really like the Siege Tank redesign… it’s wicked cool, but if they’re looking to bring back the classic Siege Tank feel, I feel like they’ve gone too far in the “wicked” direction, or something. Also, it’s huge.
I absolutely love the new Ghost design, and I think they did a pretty wicked job on the Zealot.
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
Excellent. I love the new doodads and cliffs.
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
Good, although as mentioned in other posts not really gritty enough. The protoss should look clean and shiny, the Terrans grungy and sloppy. The battle cruiser does a good job of looking deadly without being flashy.
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
Very good. I really like the way phase prisms and the Colossus look.
1) Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
More change is better, I think. The new photon cannons are a good example.
2) Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
About the same.
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
Best: Battlecruiser
Worst: Ghost
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
The animations make a big difference. I really like the way reapers explode out of control when they die, the viking change animation, the colossus and mother ship attacks, and the nydus canal explosion.
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
Not as great a leap forward as I expected, still looks a lot like Warcraft 3 terrain. Overall, the 3D renders are not detailed enough and look sort of blocky when comparing two items such as the terrain and the rock doodad (like War3). The surfaces of the two doesn’t join together very well. In SC1, all the doodads seems integrated into the terrain since it was in 2D, but he switch to 3D made the doodads unnatural in appearance.
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
I would recommend the redesign of all terran buildings to make them look less cartoony especially the bunker and supply depot. They are ugly as hell. The units look good except for the viper and viking. The old vulture design is way better and the viking looks too bulky in both forms, should have improved on the original lean and mean goliath model.
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
Too cartoony also, and how come so many of the protoss units use beam weapons? beams block other units and are never appealing as a form of attack. the following buildings should be redesigned: robotic facility (too close a resemblance to a sex organ), twilight council (just plain weird and ugly), and dark obelisk (reminds me of the obelisks from chronicles of riddick —> which is a bad thing). the design for the phoenix is just off, doesn’t feel like an authentic protoss unit. Furthermore, remove the scythe from dark templars and bring back the original blade.
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
Remove some units and replace them. SC1 was not about super units but SC2 is drifting toward that direction. in my opinion, the mothership, thor, and reaper mine ability should be removed. they make SC2 feel somewhat like command and conquer which is just lazy. also, the colossus should be tweaked so it can’t be attacked by EVERYTHING…bring back the reaver and i’ll gladly pair it up with a transport unit. the reaver can kill smaller units faster with its huge damage and huge splash. the colossus seems weak in comparison with its single target and minor splash and can’t be transported. so far, it seems as if the design team is siphoning ideas from other games such C&C3 and has little to offer in terms of originality of ideas and concepts. this will make SC2 a great game, but it won’t give SC2 the influence over the gaming community as SC1 did.
*Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
BC has the best so far. the worst belongs to dark templars and zerglings (are those wings on its back?).
oops, when i said viper, i meant cobra
I think that in general the art is great. Maybe the colors are just too bright and that’s it.
I will talk about the Protoss, though:
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
-Well. I think they look too “medieval”, they look like wizards or like an ancient race from a fantasy world (they even resemble warcraft units like the blood elves), not like an advanced alien race from the future. I know that the radioactive green light is supposed to be to distinguish the kalka fr4om the dark templar but it just looks bad, maybe a purplish blue should be enough to represent the energy of the void.
*Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
-The best: Ghost, that’s it
-The worst: observer, that spinning insect-butt behind isn’t sexy at all. Give me back my ROBOTIC observer
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
actually no. i think its too cartoony
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
all is good *especially the marine animation face. but i dun like the new adjudant found in the terran buildings and for cryin out loud, give the terran robotic units a different face
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
kinda nice but again the faces are the same. i understand that the game is still in progress and WULD NOT blame blizzard for this but in the final version, i wuld like to see a different face for each unit
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
please make the game less cartoony. this is the very reason i loved sc 1 to teh core. its so realistic at that time. i mean the animation faces and all. the zerglings look like locusts and the banelings look like some character in sesame street. Yet i still luv blizzard’s games and have full confidence in teh company. i will buy the game nonetheless. good luck blizzard and long live blizzard!!
oh by the way, the protoss will look better wifout the egyptian thingy on their chins. looked kinda weird on a futuristic game.
1) Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
i think its ok but then again its too cartoony.
2) Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
more.
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
the nomad and the observer seriously is shit. i liked the warp ray and mothership.
Another thing is, although this is not too relevant, the nuke pinpoint looked kinda cool but it makes it too easy to spot. the whole point of nukes is to be unseen by the enemy so that u can catch him by surprise
// Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
Although some of them are very colorful, I am thoroughly impressed by the landscape so far, especially with small additions like long grass, etc.
// How does the Terran faction look visually?
I think that overall, most of the returning units look great, especially the Tank, BattleCruiser and Ghost.
Thor: Looks great and it’s design fit the terran look perfectly. My favorite new one in term of design.
Banshee: Nice design although the propelers might be out of place (as mentionned by Aaron).
Reapers: Nothing to complain about these.
Viking: Not sure about this one. Maybe a bit too cartoonish?
Cobra: Not sure about this one. If I were to rate the unit, I would give 4/10. It’s visually very pointy, whereas Terran vehicules have been more Bulky/Square.
Nomad: I am absolutely negative about this one. For a visual and conceptual perspective, it’s really a downgrade of the Science Vessels. Looks like a giant flying SCV, without the terran look. There also seems to be a confusion concerning what it’s supposed to do, and the visuals seems to disgress from its role as a combat support ship. Could blizzard combine the discarded Predator visuals and ability with the current Nomad abilities?
// How does the Protoss faction look visually?
All new ground units are fitting the protoss visual identity perfectly. Mothership, Colossus, Stalker and Immortals are impressive, whereas the other air units are just okay.
// Additional Feedback you would like to give
None!
// Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
Yup, although there is still a number of designs that could be improved.
// Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
Maybe a bit more, although I would like to keep “some” of the cartoonish. I believe it should be a bit more cartoonish than C&C, but obviously less than WC3.
// Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
Siege tank my favorite so far, Nomad worse ever (like on par with Soul Hunter).
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
Landscape looks fine. Though I thought addition views for players to pick might be interesting. Landscape is the least that I have complains over.
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
Looking good, thought the size ratio hasn’t improved since SC1. while playability is an issue, making a BC just twice as big as a Viking is what I feel… surreal and kinda spoils the good graphics put into it. Make the BC twice as big, and that should at least, make it compare to be better.
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
Keeping the feel of SC1, though the new protoss has too much ‘loose parts’ not sure is that me or everyone else, but it doesn’t look very solid or intimidating, looks more like crown jewel decoration, then the actual power it should represent… but I guess it is still a style.
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
I would like to see Blizzard add NEW components to the game, not just a make over of SC1.
i like most of the design. i just have two points to spare with you:
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
- the “new” siege tank is too quadratic, particularly in siege mode. please design it more longish (concerning to the main-axis).
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
- the carrier looks like a long, horizontal flying egg. orientate yourselves more to the looks of the old carrier. although the interceptor-animation as of now is great in SC2!
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
Yes, they are awesome, I also love how some trees and like tall grasses hid the units!!!
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
You gotta love the terran. Sure, i would want some of there units to look tougher and dirty, but the bigger, more advanced units and vessles should be shinny and spiffy, i mean why do you think we don’t put war stripes and holes in our battleships today, why do it in the future?
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
The protoss are still very amazing. I like the units except for the Dark Templar, when visible, they look like old men running at you with giant canes. My final thing though is this; WHY GET RID OF THE REAVER!!! The Reaver was one of my favorite units. They had a great look in sc2 before they were removed, and plus who doesn’t like a super powerful slug? Also i love the idea of having 2 robots together on the protoss side.
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
Besides the Reaver, it is great good job!!!
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
Yes. The landscapes are alive and have much more detail, i like them alot. All the little affects such as flowers, or trees “swaying in the wind”, make all the diff.
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
Great. I think that you should make units look good when they are created and then while in battle,and taking damage, they start to look more messed up… this might play to an advantage to an enemy, or yourself and it could influence which units to attack. Also, i think the rotating speed(when preparing to land) of floating buildings might be a little too fast, though i do like their movement speed. - it just seems to me a building wouldn’t be able to rotate that fast.
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
Great. As with what i stated above, perhaps when a unit is taking damage it looks damaged - like the buildings of starcraft 1. Since i am mainly a terran player, i don’t have much about the protoss except their dark templar - they look “awkward” (this is judging by this blogs screen shots). - Maybe a cape would help.
Additional Feedback you would like to give
Judging by this blogs screen shots, i’d have to say that the units visual look is downplayed majorly. When you created the announcement trailer, we got to see the units move and be in action (and they looked great). I think that to get a better opinion you have to really show each unit “in action.” - like in the announcement trailer. Also, maybe you should have different ways a unit can die - a zergling explodes when killed by a tank, but falls to the ground when shot by a marine…
-thanks for this opportunity
D.Man Again, i am going to answer the 3 questions asked by the blog…
1) Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
I love the 3-D, but don’t go overboard with it. I look the 3-D buildings and most of the units, but some 3-D units,(like the baneling) dont look to “hot!”
2) Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
I feel like it is more cartoony, which is a good thing. The only bad part is those units need to also be serious. Like I said above, the baneling is too big, too bright neon green. They remind me of Enemies from the game “PIKMEN”. I love would love to see the units be Amazing, and 3-D like in some artwork, by the way, good job artists who made those masterpieces.
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
Best: Reaver (plz bring them back),Battlecrusiers and the Firebacks.
The Worst!!!:
Zergling: they now look like locusts, plz just shrink their wings/claws some.
Ghost: Too wierd. I mean the old ghosts looked to be advanced, covert and serious. Now they look okay, but the sniper looks too long and they dont seem a sharp as they used to.
Dark Templar: Need to fix the weapons.
This is an addendum to my previous review; I have some things I forgot to mention.
First of all, as far as Terran design is concerned, I think the Battlecruiser hit it spot-on; it’s completely got the badass high-contrast metallic look to it, and it preserves the look&feel of the original SC Terrans. I think that the Siege Tank does the same thing as far as color scheme, but the shape, as was mentioned, feels too squat. I’d like to see a longer barrel on the cannon.
Suggestion for the Banshee: replace those propellors with some turning rockets like the ones on Vertical Takeoff Aircraft.
Question about the SCV: does it have to look so boxy? Everything is at right angles… it looks like a pile of boxes. At least make it look like it’s not a plastic toy.
On to the Protoss, again. Something that I liked about SC1 was that it made all the units look like they were real critters… they had that gritty feel, slime on the Zerglings and weird gray skin on the Protoss. But these new Protoss look like they came out of Santa’s workshop. I realize that the Protoss are a shiny and smooth race, but… well, they should look like they’re made out of metal and flesh, not out of plastic.
As far as team colors go, I’m going to agree with whoever said it before that Protoss team colors should be on the armor and metal, not the energy color; it’s distracting, to say the least, and Protoss Psi has always been that bright blue. However, if y’all could keep the capability in the map editor or something to change the energy color too… I’m just saying, it could make for some awesome UMS looks.
Finally, although it isn’t really the point of this question session, I do want to say something about gameplay: Blizzard RTS games have a very definite feel to them that is distinct from the Age of Empires, C&C, etc. games. And while I do think that many of the C&C carryovers that Dustin Browder (currently a senior engineer at Blizzard who used to be lead designer on many classic C&C games) brought add some wonderful new dynamics to the old Blizzard RTS style, I’m becoming increasingly worried that they’re changing the feel too much. Things like a veterancy system, hard unit counters, one-hit-kill Ghost snipes, and that Sensor Tower thing are really bringing me away from the soft-unit-counter days of yore. I’d love to see some light C&C touches on SC2, and certainly capability for them encoded in the map editor, but don’t take away my familiar Blizzard feel!
rofl. I like the comments on the Iraq war and our flexibility to be eloquent. Anyway, onto business…
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
Yes. But objects and models seem a bit bulky and removed from the landscape — they do not blend well with the foreground. Warcraft 3 also faced this problem. Of what I’ve seen of Starcraft 2, it is a huge improvement over Warcraft 3, but that is not to say that it cannot be better. Also, will weather effects play a role? This is something that I would like to see in the landscape, and something that would be really interesting to balance into the game mechanics!
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
Pretty good! The default Terran cyborg advisor is nicely animated, but looks more like a shiny robot than a cyborg. Although I would like the new starcraft to capture a new look of its own, I do think I prefer the look of the more cyborg-like advisor in the first starcraft. The Terrans look quite clean and polished. Maybe some dirt, decay, scratches and rebellious street art could give these Terrans more character.
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
Like shiny robots. I would like to see more of the scaly texture of Protoss skin. The templar of starcraft 1 looked a bit more spiritual with their unit movement. I do not like the permanent light blue outline of cloaked units. The new dark templar are looking pretty badass (I especially like their concept art), but I do not like the controlling player’s view of them on the battlefield. The carrier’s interceptors could perhaps look more like vicious interceptors rather than binoculars. And for fun, the carrier could use a pair of beefy arms and boxing gloves.
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
The animated transitions of the unit avatars could use some attention. In starcraft 1, this avatar transition screen was a fuzzy black and white static.
1) Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
Yes.
2) Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
I feel StarCraft 2 is a little more cartoony. Just a little. The only cartooniness I can think of off the top of my head is that terran advisor. She looks like a cartoon. Cartoons aren’t bad, and I think Starcraft 2 has done a wonderful job thus far.
A racial cursor would make the game more cartoony.
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
The best - the dark templar
The worst - the reaver (is this still in the game?) I miss the little teeth it would pull itself by.
Oh oh! I’d like to amend my last comment for
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
The best - The zergling. I like the wings! More bug-like in my opinion. Just what I’d expect from the self-perfecting evolving zerg.
hmm.. i beg to differ, THE_BANANA_REPUBLIC, the zerglings look like locusts instead of the rough clawing zergling it used to be. and another point i wuld like to bring up is the squishy sound the zergling makes when they move…doesnt feel right…. maybe it can sound like dying cockroaches..the clawing and all. But i may not be correct. feel free to reprimand or gimme a new insight.
But i STRONGLY believe that the nomad is shit. ugly and disgusting. i sorta like the old science vessel…i mean it gives me the idea of futuristic technology instead of the nomad which looks like a floating shape
“I’m very much looking forward to the new units in the game, and while it’s nice to see some classics return, this isn’t just a 3D expansion of SC1; it’s supposed to be a new game. I’d like to see new designs outnumber the old ones.”
–Aaron Kaplan
“I would like to see Blizzard add NEW components to the game, not just a make over of SC1.”
–battlearmd
Both of these express exactly of what I’m thinking. A lot of the comments above run along the lines of “X doesn’t have the same feel as Starcraft 1, please change it back.” Before playing starcraft 1, we had no preconception about what a Zerg or Protoss should look like. Now we have this notion, so we expect new units, etc. to fit into it. But maybe we just haven’t had a chance to get used to the new look. I think the comments about zerglings are a good example. When I first saw the new zergling, I thought it was pretty ugly. Who wants to attack with grasshoppers? But then I thought, maybe there’s an upgrade that let’s them hop cliffs, similar to reapers. That would be pretty cool, and then the wings would make sense. And then I thought, Swarm of Locusts is a classic plague, and 100 flying zerglings swarming your base would probably be pretty terrifying. Now I like the new zergling, and I haven’t even played with it yet!
Change is good. This isn’t your old starcraft.
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
Yes, however the cliffs and the ice maps need more detail.
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
The Terrans need to have a more gritty look (e.g. rust, random flaws in
models). The marines run in a… fake way. They don’t look real.
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
It looks great, but the phoenix looks like stained glass you would find in
church.
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
I think it would be awesome if you would include a day/night mode. Night
battle scenes would resemble World War II. Tank/machine gun/bomb
explosions flash in the night sky. One more thing, I think the Terran death
sound effects suck. I want infantry units to explode in a gory way, hearing
their gargled screams as their intestines spurt out of their torso.
1) Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
I think the art is good, but for Starcraft I had expected to see something so
amazing that I would not know the difference between the game and
reality.
2) Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
I think that Starcraft needs to be as least cartoony as possible, while
balancing gameplay of course.
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
I think the Protoss Carrier is completely awesome. I love how it launches
the fighter by swinging back it’s fighter bay. In my opinion, THE THOR IS
THE WORST. It has WAY TOO MANY GUNS!!! I think it needs to look more
like an Imperial Walker from the Empire Strikes Back.
* Do you like the new look of the landscapes?
yep. space platform FTW!! also, the jungle environment has vastly improved since the PC gamer video. it is now less saturated and just looks better overall especially with its swaying grass. the ’shakuras’/twilight tileset(the one with the hexagons tiles) looks really awesome. other tilesets still need work like the desert and ash/ice environments(the one with the overlord)
* How does the Terran faction look visually?
Terrans are ok. But I guess a little more grit to the overall look to them would be fine. btw I think the nomad sucks. its colors just make it look like a toy with its overuse of yellow. the auto turrets just look ridiculous.
* How does the Protoss faction look visually?
Protoss look really fucking awesome. from the glow of their psiblades(preferably blue) and pylons and the new look of the power fields, shields, warping animation of the buildings and all of their units just look really beautiful.
* Additional Feedback you would like to give
I’ve read some negative comments about “glow effects” especially in protoss. they think it looks stupid or something. I don’t. I think that without those “glow effects” protoss would look really bland. unless they meant something else.
Additionally, here are the SC2 Blog’s questions for this topic:
1) Are you satisfied with the general artistic direction of the units in the game, which are mostly comprised of 3D versions of the old designs?
yup. but I need to play the game first before I can REALLY make any comments cause for the time being I’m just basing it on screenshots and videos which may or may not look like what it actually is (lighting and angles may be different)
2) Do you feel that the new look, compared to StarCraft 1, is more, less, or equally “cartoony”?
some of it looks cartoony, especially the NOMAD and its auto-turrets. I don’t think it really fits into starcraft.
3) Which of the returning units from StarCraft 1 has received the best StarCraft 2 design? Which is the worst?
BEST:
zealot - I don’t get all the “ninja school girl” comments about the zealot. It looks really beautiful IMO. In fact the sc2 design and animation of the zealot is EXACTLY what I imagined a zealot would look like in real life. and If you look at some artworks in SC1..you can see my point. the sc2 zealot OWNS the sc1 version.
WORST:
siege tank - though this really isn’t that bad. actually I’m torn between the old design (the WWI design) and the new design
*do you like the look of the lanscape?*
I think the landscape looks brilliant i expesially liked char magma for its almost diablo 2 look.
*how doese the terran faction look visually*
i think the terran marines lack detail and therefor look sort of cartoony
*how doese the protoss faction look visually*
brilliante
*additional feedback you would like to give*
all together i think the game is great tho i wouldnt mind the warp ray being turned back into the capital ship and the carrier turned into a primary defensive ship
i also think the firebats are fairly pointless as they are the unit that quote everybody loves but nobody uses.
The only concern i have with Terran faction is its building. Now understanding Terran is a bunch of human colonies struggling to survive in outer space, we can see that some buildings are sorta ‘rusted’ or in modelling terms ‘weathering’ as the object is subject to weather beating.
Right now, the SC2 Terrans just seem too perfect, everything is cleaned and polished. It doesn’t generate the hardship or wasteland feel. It needs to capture the magic of the original Terran where they are fighting a hard war, but they don’t give a dam and continue pushing on with whatever equipment or scrap metal they have left. It would be great if the units are able to get the same effect too.