OT: Starcraft II and Elemental

[onomastikon]

Originally Posted by WraithLord

this really hits the
very well put

I also found that perfect, although Ich has a point.

I also agree with Foodstamp about Elemental, which has actually gone gold last week. There are not very many things I enjoy about it, but that could change after release. Currently, I think it will be a fun thing to play with for people who love modding; since I do not, I feel a bit left out. It "feels" like CivIV with bland tactical battles, and the technology innovations are still grouped into GC2-like "trees" or clusters that are all thematically related (e.g. Adventure, Diplomacy, Warfare, Civilization, Magic), it smacks too much of Lasers, Shields, and Diplomacy. The combat side of things is also currently underdeveloped. In general, there is also a great reliance on "Random House" (the company) to write wonderful things in terms of in-game texts -- not actual people, mind you, but the corporation itself is always personalized, as if they would deficate gold. But the hard core of the fan-base seems vitally, almost rabidly pleased, so that there are sure to be many people who are more than happy. Constructive criticism is not always welcome. Where I do have great hopes, however, is for the AI; I think Brad Wardell always does more than his share in that department, and I am sure that we will see strong new developments there before release and afterwards as well.

I don't find myself terribly excited about it now, and the current Beta, two weeks before release, is not a treat to play, although it will run on my laptop quite nicely.

I have heard very mixed things about Sword of the Stars. Are there many people here who enjoy it greatly?

[WraithLord]

Sword of the Stars is on my ToPlay list, right after completing HoMM V's (annoying) campaign, Warhammer mark of Chaos and Discipless III, so at the rate I'm going I'll get to it in a few years, or never

I recently purchased Discipless III and played a bit with it. Its quite pleasing to the eyes (gfx) and ears (music is cool, voice over is bad). Quite shallow tactically and strategically but fun in a, I'm too tired to actually think, kind of way.

All the bits and pieces I hear about elemental point to a dissapointing release. I think I'll stay on the fence for a while longer before trying it.

[sector24]

It bugs me that all of the "it's not ready" threads get locked, even the constructive ones. Usually with the response, "Beta 4 isn't release" with the implication that all the awesome is just lurking on the horizon waiting to explode all over your screen.

Through the whole development process (almost a year now) in my head I was expecting it to not live up to expectations. But my heart was hoping against hope that it would be awesome. I guess we'll see next week, the beta players may get a copy of the game a couple days early and provide some early reviews. But I can't see it being a replacement for Dominions, Civ, or even the old school quality titles (MoM, AoW). I can't even imagine what the game would be like if they decided to release it in February.

[Gandalf Parker]

Those get locked HERE?

If you mean on the official forum by the games publisher then I wouldnt consider it surprising. They have no reason to appreciate "its not ready" posts. Even the constructive ones. They would tend to have an overriding interest in upbeat posts prior to release. That might be irritating, but I wouldnt consider surprising.

But there are plenty of other forums and newsgroups having that discussion.

[sector24]

Originally Posted by Gandalf Parker

Those get locked HERE?

If you mean on the official forum by the games publisher then I wouldnt consider it surprising. They have no reason to appreciate "its not ready" posts. Even the constructive ones. They would tend to have an overriding interest in upbeat posts prior to release. That might be irritating, but I wouldnt consider surprising.

But there are plenty of other forums and newsgroups having that discussion.

I meant Elemental threads on the Elemental forums. And I'm not surprised either, I'm just bothered by the behavior. I didn't think my post was that unclear to be honest.

I am just thinking that if I were Stardock and I made this awesome gem of a game, I would let the beta community ooh and ahh all day long. The only reason (in my estimation) to hide features and lock threads is to obfuscate the fact that it's not all it's cracked up to be.

[Foodstamp]

Originally Posted by sector24

I meant Elemental threads on the Elemental forums. And I'm not surprised either, I'm just bothered by the behavior. I didn't think my post was that unclear to be honest.

I am just thinking that if I were Stardock and I made this awesome gem of a game, I would let the beta community ooh and ahh all day long. The only reason (in my estimation) to hide features and lock threads is to obfuscate the fact that it's not all it's cracked up to be.

It usually goes like this:

Guy 1: Man this game is not ready to be released. It is not fun, buggy and is nowhere near polished.

Guy 2: STFU you retard! Beta 4 is nothing like release! It is going to pwnzer and you are dumb and stuff.

Me: Hey, you probably shouldn't call that guy a retard just because he is critical of the current state of the game.

Guy 2: LAWL you are retard too for thinking it is not ready.

Frogboy: The betas are nothing like the actual game we are going to be releasing; you guys were really playing the beta for another game.

Guy 2: LOL told you so dewdz.

Guy 3: LOL noobs Stardock tricked you noobs into thinking you were playing teh Elemental Beta.

Thread gets locked.

Rinse, repeat.

[Gandalf Parker]

Originally Posted by Foodstamp

It usually goes like this:

Not bad. Also to be figured into it...
Game changes gained? zero
Game suggestion now on the "I will never consider that" list? one
Game sales lost due to browsers and lurkers who stumble across the thread? unestimable
Time lost trying to get the programmers back to excited motivation about the game? well worth noting

I also love the reference to the perfectly good suggestion being shot down by the fan base. Meaning that most of the people didnt seem to agree with the wonderful suggestion.

There is a reason that game suggestions go thru a middle man. IF you really have something you feel should be considered then it should be sent to the publishing company so that they can present it in a way that can get it considered. Something that most forum members SORELY lack.