It hath arrived!

1246

Comments

  • EpidemicEpidemic Dark Force Gorge Join Date: 2003-06-29 Member: 17781Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1599594:date=Jan 17 2007, 06:52 AM:name=DiscoZombie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DiscoZombie @ Jan 17 2007, 06:52 AM) [snapback]1599594[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    I like how blizzard acknowleges the fact that female humans, and humans in general, are the generic class, and bimbos - all the jokes are generic bad jokes, all the flirts are bimbo flirts or bad pick-up lines...
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    C'mon, stuff like "why does everyone automatically assume I know <i>tailoring</i> <b>and</b> cooking" is good stuff.
  • ScytheScythe Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 46NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators, Constellation, Reinforced - Silver
    My main character is male. All of my alts are female. If you're going to spend your whole day gawking at an avatar it may as well be somewhat pleasing to the eye.

    Fel Reaver pics:

    <img src="http://xs311.xs.to/xs311/07034/placeholder003.png" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    <img src="http://xs311.xs.to/xs311/07034/placeholder002.png" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    <img src="http://xs311.xs.to/xs311/07034/placeholder001.png" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    These things emit this unearthly howl as they stomp around, shaking the ground as they walk. Very very cool.

    --Scythe--
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    Purple is not intimidating.
  • LikuLiku I, am the Somberlain. Join Date: 2003-01-10 Member: 12128Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1599689:date=Jan 17 2007, 06:55 PM:name=Scythe)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Scythe @ Jan 17 2007, 06:55 PM) [snapback]1599689[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    These things emit this unearthly howl as they stomp around, shaking the ground as they walk. Very very cool.

    --Scythe--
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Ever play Shadow of the Colossus?
  • eedioteediot Join Date: 2003-02-24 Member: 13903Members
    It looks like they've fired all of their mappers. Silithus v2.0 anyone?
  • OmegamanOmegaman Join Date: 2004-01-11 Member: 25239Members
    edited January 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1599695:date=Jan 17 2007, 09:09 PM:name=emperor_awesome)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(emperor_awesome @ Jan 17 2007, 09:09 PM) [snapback]1599695[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    It looks like they've fired all of their mappers. Silithus v2.0 anyone?
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    What game are YOU talking about? All I see is really awesome stuff.

    Edit: Tycho, tell that to Galactus.
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1599701:date=Jan 17 2007, 08:28 PM:name=Omegaman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Omegaman @ Jan 17 2007, 08:28 PM) [snapback]1599701[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    What game are YOU talking about? All I see is really awesome stuff.

    Edit: Tycho, tell that to Galactus.
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    You are saying outlands isn't a big flat plain like those pictures show?
  • AldarisAldaris Join Date: 2002-03-25 Member: 351Members, Constellation
    edited January 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1599702:date=Jan 18 2007, 01:31 AM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ Jan 18 2007, 01:31 AM) [snapback]1599702[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    You are saying outlands isn't a big flat plain like those pictures show?
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    Yes, seeing as each picture has at least a slope to it...
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    Isn't the barrent the same? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    I see hills!

    And another thing, GET THIS OF MY INTERNET BEFORE I GO OUT AND GET IT <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    edited January 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1599704:date=Jan 17 2007, 08:34 PM:name=Aldaris)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Aldaris @ Jan 17 2007, 08:34 PM) [snapback]1599704[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Yes, seeing as each picture has at least a slope to it...
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    Using randomly generated noise as a displacement map for a landscape is not mapping. Little to no actual effort seems to have been put into the design of outlands from what I can tell from those screenies. Besides from a few obvious macro designs (cities being on plateaus and such). Compare that to the detail they spent on many of the newbie areas, it's obvious they rushed through it.

    Edit: And barrens is not really he same. Walk around the barrens, there is alot of attention to details. Such as the oasises and random ponds/ destroyed houses and stuff.
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    Still the "mapping" for wow, kind of consists of these generated terrains, with prefab models, with different skins <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />

    models and skinning would be the bigger job...
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1599714:date=Jan 17 2007, 08:56 PM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Kouji_San @ Jan 17 2007, 08:56 PM) [snapback]1599714[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Still the "mapping" for wow, kind of consists of these generated terrains, with prefab models, with different skins <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tounge.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":p" border="0" alt="tounge.gif" />

    models and skinning would be the bigger job...
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    True, but that's not an excuse to turn out piss-poor work like outlands. Terrain may be randomly generated for the most part (Understandable, mapping that much area would take a long time) but they could have done something to make it not so damned obvious. Take a look at an area like thunderbluff or westfall. Is alot of the terrain stuff randomly generated? Yeah. Does it look as butt ugly as outlands and silithus? No.
  • ByekaByeka Name changed from Freak83 Toronto Join Date: 2003-03-13 Member: 14484Members, Constellation
    When you buy the expansion do you get a free month?
  • BlackMageBlackMage [citation needed] Join Date: 2003-06-18 Member: 17474Members, Constellation
    it's like crack (but i've seen people dump their crack habbits)
  • AldarisAldaris Join Date: 2002-03-25 Member: 351Members, Constellation
    edited January 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1599710:date=Jan 18 2007, 01:51 AM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ Jan 18 2007, 01:51 AM) [snapback]1599710[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Using randomly generated noise as a displacement map for a landscape is not mapping. Little to no actual effort seems to have been put into the design of outlands from what I can tell from those screenies. Besides from a few obvious macro designs (cities being on plateaus and such). Compare that to the detail they spent on many of the newbie areas, it's obvious they rushed through it.
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    I'm not a mapper, so those terms mean little to me, but simply, you asked if it was flat, which it isn't. If you meant detail, there are a number of destroyed towers and siege weapons more towards the portal. There are scars full of green, er, stuff. There's a massive red crystal jutting out of the ground. Hellfire penisula has detail. Why are you making assumptions about how the rest of out Outlands looks like, off of just 3 pictures from <i>one</i> zone.
  • eedioteediot Join Date: 2003-02-24 Member: 13903Members
    We've seen more than enough of the WoW world that we can tell when they're being lazy.
  • OmegamanOmegaman Join Date: 2004-01-11 Member: 25239Members
    I will have seen enough WoW when I get to see all the quests and instances you can do at the Caverns of Time.
  • RuByRuBy Join Date: 2002-12-12 Member: 10732Members
    I've quite twice and been WoW-free for nearly a year. That said, post more cool pictures!
  • ThaldarinThaldarin Alonzi&#33; Join Date: 2003-07-15 Member: 18173Members, Constellation
    Freak83: Nope.

    In regards to the 'mapping' I mean uh mapping. I would say it does look half-arsed, but well, when you got to create an entire continent, put some areas in for grinding on mobs for those who wish to etc. you will find there is a need for some open areas of terrain which are purposely implemented. Also it could well fit in with the backstory "eg. Desolate war torn land", it's not exactly going to have a civilization of cities and towns and tribes all close together with no open spaces being war torn is it?
  • eedioteediot Join Date: 2003-02-24 Member: 13903Members
    That wasn't what he said. The textures and randomly generated terrain CAN look nice for WoW, but these don't, so they've really lowered the bar to get it out the door on time.
  • QuaunautQuaunaut The longest seven days in history... Join Date: 2003-03-21 Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited January 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1599717:date=Jan 17 2007, 06:03 PM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ Jan 17 2007, 06:03 PM) [snapback]1599717[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    True, but that's not an excuse to turn out piss-poor work like outlands. Terrain may be randomly generated for the most part (Understandable, mapping that much area would take a long time) but they could have done something to make it not so damned obvious. Take a look at an area like thunderbluff or westfall. Is alot of the terrain stuff randomly generated? Yeah. Does it look as butt ugly as outlands and silithus? No.
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    Thats just Hellfire Peninsula. Its the first zone. And even then, try going in it ingame and telling me again that they didn't put work into it. Its one of the most well designed zones I've ever been in. Seriously, you can't base crap off of two or three screenshots. And No, its not the prettiest thing in the world- but its worlds above Silithus or Tanaris. The sky alone is enough to give it a good applause. Furthermore, Glory Road, Hellfire Citadel itself, the Gunnery Platforms, Void Ridge, the Expedition Armory...so much awesome stuff in that zone. And thats just the first zone. Wait til you see Zangarmarsh, or, my personal favorite atm(though I haven't seen Bladefist Mountains or Netherstorm yet) is Nagrand. Imagine Thunder Bluff's kind of terrain...on steroids, and 2 or 3x prettier. Its jaw-dropping. And their changes to their own fog effect really stand out there, too.

    May I also mention, they can't change Hellfire Peninsula into a real beauty because its one part of outland thats been featured in the lore before- it is widely known to be a barren and dead area. Don't worry, other areas are much more eye pleasing off the bat.
  • DiscoZombieDiscoZombie Join Date: 2003-08-05 Member: 18951Members
    edited January 2007
    I've only seen hellfire so far and I can already tell you that it's one of the most interestingly designed areas in the game in terms of aesthetics. yeah, the color scheme is mostly the same as durotar, but the sky, the landscape, the visible artifacts of the ravages of war - horde and alliance cannons and destroyed battlements everywhere, Burning Legion gates, infernals getting summoned out of the sky all over the place and doing battle with horde and alliance NPCs, flying guards of both factions flying overhead... it really drags you into the excitement.

    I like their new instance design choices too. the two first Citadel instances are just the right length and difficulty for them to be fun without getting tedious. I guess I do kinda miss having more than three bosses in an instance though. I'm sure later instances have more.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    I heard there's a bunch of Warcraft 2 references. I like Warcraft 3 as a game much more, but WC2's story really pulled me in. Have I been lied to? Is it only at higher, 65-70 levels? Or do I get to boogie with all my WC2 buddies?
  • QuaunautQuaunaut The longest seven days in history... Join Date: 2003-03-21 Member: 14759Members, Constellation, Reinforced - Shadow
    <!--quoteo(post=1599864:date=Jan 18 2007, 07:59 AM:name=TychoCelchuuu)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TychoCelchuuu @ Jan 18 2007, 07:59 AM) [snapback]1599864[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    I heard there's a bunch of Warcraft 2 references. I like Warcraft 3 as a game much more, but WC2's story really pulled me in. Have I been lied to? Is it only at higher, 65-70 levels? Or do I get to boogie with all my WC2 buddies?
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    Far as I can tell, most definitely. I've played W1 and W3, but not W2, and theres a lot here that is pretty vaguely creeping into my mind. The Son of Hellscream and the original(BROWN) Orcs, Fel Orcs, Magtheridon(okay, WC3), and lots more.
  • TyrainTyrain Join Date: 2003-01-03 Member: 11746Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1599710:date=Jan 18 2007, 02:51 AM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ Jan 18 2007, 02:51 AM) [snapback]1599710[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Using randomly generated noise as a displacement map for a landscape is not mapping. Little to no actual effort seems to have been put into the design of outlands from what I can tell from those screenies. Besides from a few obvious macro designs (cities being on plateaus and such). Compare that to the detail they spent on many of the newbie areas, it's obvious they rushed through it.

    Edit: And barrens is not really he same. Walk around the barrens, there is alot of attention to details. Such as the oasises and random ponds/ destroyed houses and stuff.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    You have seen three pictures and judge the looks of outland. That is somewhat... meh.

    Well, Hellfirepenninsula (or whoever the hell you spell it) is a wasteland so... it looks pretty empty. Zanga and Terrokara look a lot more like forests with big mushrooms and shiny stuff everywhere., the bonedessert is pretty cooll with the big arena in the middle. The new cities just look awesome (the draenai thing is just incredible).

    Don't judge the game from 3 pics please.
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1599900:date=Jan 18 2007, 01:56 PM:name=Tyrain)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tyrain @ Jan 18 2007, 01:56 PM) [snapback]1599900[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    You have seen three pictures and judge the looks of outland. That is somewhat... meh.

    Well, Hellfirepenninsula (or whoever the hell you spell it) is a wasteland so... it looks pretty empty. Zanga and Terrokara look a lot more like forests with big mushrooms and shiny stuff everywhere., the bonedessert is pretty cooll with the big arena in the middle. The new cities just look awesome (the draenai thing is just incredible).

    Don't judge the game from 3 pics please.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Feel free to post better pics then.
  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1599957:date=Jan 18 2007, 02:52 PM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ Jan 18 2007, 02:52 PM) [snapback]1599957[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Feel free to post better pics then.
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    <img src="http://www.bytepress.com/images/GuildWarsNightFallNews/1/resized-HIGHLANDS_VAULT_THE_VAULT_413_002.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    <img src="http://www.playfuls.com/images/screenshots/pc/Guild_Wars_Nightfall/0008.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    <img src="http://guides.gamepressure.com/guildwars/gfx/gallery/large/Guild%20Wars%20Screenshots/guild_wars_screen_1.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    <img src="http://guides.gamepressure.com/guildwars/gfx/gallery/large/Guild%20Wars%20Screenshots/guild_wars_screen_17.jpg" border="0" alt="IPB Image" />

    lolo better pics.

    Or did you mean of WoW? <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":D" border="0" alt="biggrin-fix.gif" />

    I kid, I kid. WoW has great style. The engine, though... a little old and creaky. Doesn't even have proper shadows. Rather sad.
  • KungFuDiscoMonkeyKungFuDiscoMonkey Creator of ns_altair 日本福岡県 Join Date: 2003-03-15 Member: 14555Members, NS1 Playtester, Reinforced - Onos
  • esunaesuna Rock Bottom Join Date: 2003-04-03 Member: 15175Members, Constellation
    I kid, I kid. WoW has great style. The engine, though... a little old and creaky. Doesn't even have proper shadows. Rather sad.
    [/quote]

    It may be a little old and creeky, and yeah, it doesn't have anywhere near the same graphical bells and whistles we've come to expect with newer releases, especially if you put it side by side with recent titles, hell, even with titles back when WoW was first release, it wasn't looking the best.

    But it's got it's own style, and that counts for a lot. Sure the polycount is exceptionally low for, well, everything, and textures are all pretty tired, but shove the graphics settings to full and you've still got a pretty much perfect framerate (RAM permitting in high-pop areas really) and a world that doesn't look too bad.

    It also opens it up to a lot of people who don't have the hardware to play more modern looking games, like EQ2, for example. Sure, it looks great, but if your subscribers aren't getting good framerates they'll become frustrated, or perhaps not even get past the trial period.

    Now i'm not justifying shoddy visuals as a means to get a greater playerbase, personally i'd prefer it to look better, but to be perfectly honest, 7.5 million subscribers means there's obviously something there beyond visuals.
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1599970:date=Jan 18 2007, 06:44 PM:name=esuna)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(esuna @ Jan 18 2007, 06:44 PM) [snapback]1599970[/snapback]</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->
    Now i'm not justifying shoddy visuals as a means to get a greater playerbase, personally i'd prefer it to look better, but to be perfectly honest, 7.5 million subscribers means there's obviously something there beyond visuals.
    <!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    And that something is what we in the business call crack-cocaine.
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