'Curb' - New Infestation Spike Name
Mazza
Join Date: 2010-11-22 Member: 75194Members, Reinforced - Onos
Join Date: 2010-11-22 Member: 75194Members, Reinforced - Onos
Howdy,
No one apart from the devs is sure if this new alien commander ability is staying or going anytime soon.
I personally like the idea but there are definitely some issues with it. (Not the point of this thread)
If this ability is here to stay for good then I believe it is necessary to have a different name for it.
Main reason as to why it should have a different name would be because there is already an alien ability with the naming of spikes. This is known to be Lerk Spike(s).
Let's look at the roles of the Lerk Spike.
The Lerk Spike is used as harassment from a medium (and possibly long but inaccurate) distance.
It looks and feels like this ability is to pierce and impale marines.
Now let's take a look into the role of Infestation Spikes
<i>"Allow comm to create infestation “spikesâ€, which come out of ground and either block gunfire (save harvesters, Gorges), trap marines, split squads in half, etc. (2-3 res, lasts 3-4 seconds). Doesn’t grow if marine is on top of it."</i>
From a player perspective within the game, they without a doubt look like spikes coming out from the infestation. They have the role to block marines and ARCs from advancing into alien territory. I have also seen them used to split my marine team into two smaller squads. (Was attempting a classic shotgun rush but failed)
(Citation gathered from NS2 Design Log - <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ns2design)" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/ns2design)</a>
Let's take a look at the definition of the term, 'spike'.
<i>2. Something resembling such a nail; a stiff, sharp-pointed piece or part: ...</i>
<i>3. A sharp-pointed piece of metal set with the point outward, as on a weapon. </i>
<i> 14. To pierce with or impale on a spike. </i>
It may not be the best definition but it sure does fit the role of the Lerk Spike.
However, none of the definitions vaguely fit the role of the currently named Infestation Spikes.
I was looking for keywords such as 'block', 'obstruct', 'separate' and any other synonyms’ for these words.
(Citation gathered from dictionary.com - <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/spikes?s=t)" target="_blank">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/spikes?s=t)</a>
After about a day or so of researching and thinking of a new term I have come to the conclusion that 'Infestation Curb' or ‘Croach Curb’ or simply 'Curb' fits nicely.
Reasons why I believe this fits nicely
<ul><li>Simple and easy to say, shout/yell to teammates</li><li>Starts with the letter 'c'</li><li>Follows the theme of the other alien infested terms such as croach (if anyone still uses this), cyst, clog</li><li>One syllable</li></ul>
Looking into the definition of 'curb'
<i>2. Anything that restrains or controls; a restraint; check.</i>
<i>3. An enclosing framework or border. </i>
<i> 13. To control as with a curb; restrain; check. </i>
(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/curb)
It would also pay to look at the synonyms’ of 'curb' as well to get a general idea of the term.
<!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Main Entry: <b>curb</b>
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: restraining device; check
Synonyms: barrier, border, brake, bridle, chain, control, deterrent, edge, harness, hindrance, ledge, limitation, lip, rein, restrainer, restraint, restriction, rim <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
<!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Main Entry: abstain
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: <b>hold back from doing</b>
Synonyms: abjure, abnegate, avoid, cease, constrain, <b>curb</b>, decline, deny oneself, do without, eschew, evade, fast, fence-sit, forbear, forgo, give the go by, give up, go on the wagon, keep from, pass, pass up, quit, refrain, refuse, renounce, shun, sit on one's hands, sit on the fence, sit out, spurn, starve, stop, take the cure, take the pledge, withhold <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
<!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Main Entry: adjourn
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: <b>stop a proceeding</b>
Synonyms: <b>curb </b>, defer, delay, discontinue, hold off, hold over, hold up, postpone, prorogue, put off, recess, restrain, shelve, stay, suspend <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
(http://thesaurus.com/browse/curb?s=t)
The only downfall for this term is that it just doesn't sound grotesque and frightening as the other infested terms.
Cyst in itself just sounds disgusting and so does clogs.
It would have a humorous effect when being used in game such as...
"lol! rines just bit the curb!! gj alien comm!!'
'another one bites the curb!'
If you have a better name that fulfils the intended role then by all means. I'm all ears for it.
But as of now please comment on my suggestion and what you think.
Mazza
No one apart from the devs is sure if this new alien commander ability is staying or going anytime soon.
I personally like the idea but there are definitely some issues with it. (Not the point of this thread)
If this ability is here to stay for good then I believe it is necessary to have a different name for it.
Main reason as to why it should have a different name would be because there is already an alien ability with the naming of spikes. This is known to be Lerk Spike(s).
Let's look at the roles of the Lerk Spike.
The Lerk Spike is used as harassment from a medium (and possibly long but inaccurate) distance.
It looks and feels like this ability is to pierce and impale marines.
Now let's take a look into the role of Infestation Spikes
<i>"Allow comm to create infestation “spikesâ€, which come out of ground and either block gunfire (save harvesters, Gorges), trap marines, split squads in half, etc. (2-3 res, lasts 3-4 seconds). Doesn’t grow if marine is on top of it."</i>
From a player perspective within the game, they without a doubt look like spikes coming out from the infestation. They have the role to block marines and ARCs from advancing into alien territory. I have also seen them used to split my marine team into two smaller squads. (Was attempting a classic shotgun rush but failed)
(Citation gathered from NS2 Design Log - <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ns2design)" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/ns2design)</a>
Let's take a look at the definition of the term, 'spike'.
<i>2. Something resembling such a nail; a stiff, sharp-pointed piece or part: ...</i>
<i>3. A sharp-pointed piece of metal set with the point outward, as on a weapon. </i>
<i> 14. To pierce with or impale on a spike. </i>
It may not be the best definition but it sure does fit the role of the Lerk Spike.
However, none of the definitions vaguely fit the role of the currently named Infestation Spikes.
I was looking for keywords such as 'block', 'obstruct', 'separate' and any other synonyms’ for these words.
(Citation gathered from dictionary.com - <a href="http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/spikes?s=t)" target="_blank">http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/spikes?s=t)</a>
After about a day or so of researching and thinking of a new term I have come to the conclusion that 'Infestation Curb' or ‘Croach Curb’ or simply 'Curb' fits nicely.
Reasons why I believe this fits nicely
<ul><li>Simple and easy to say, shout/yell to teammates</li><li>Starts with the letter 'c'</li><li>Follows the theme of the other alien infested terms such as croach (if anyone still uses this), cyst, clog</li><li>One syllable</li></ul>
Looking into the definition of 'curb'
<i>2. Anything that restrains or controls; a restraint; check.</i>
<i>3. An enclosing framework or border. </i>
<i> 13. To control as with a curb; restrain; check. </i>
(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/curb)
It would also pay to look at the synonyms’ of 'curb' as well to get a general idea of the term.
<!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Main Entry: <b>curb</b>
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: restraining device; check
Synonyms: barrier, border, brake, bridle, chain, control, deterrent, edge, harness, hindrance, ledge, limitation, lip, rein, restrainer, restraint, restriction, rim <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
<!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Main Entry: abstain
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: <b>hold back from doing</b>
Synonyms: abjure, abnegate, avoid, cease, constrain, <b>curb</b>, decline, deny oneself, do without, eschew, evade, fast, fence-sit, forbear, forgo, give the go by, give up, go on the wagon, keep from, pass, pass up, quit, refrain, refuse, renounce, shun, sit on one's hands, sit on the fence, sit out, spurn, starve, stop, take the cure, take the pledge, withhold <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
<!--sizeo:1--><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Main Entry: adjourn
Part of Speech: verb
Definition: <b>stop a proceeding</b>
Synonyms: <b>curb </b>, defer, delay, discontinue, hold off, hold over, hold up, postpone, prorogue, put off, recess, restrain, shelve, stay, suspend <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
(http://thesaurus.com/browse/curb?s=t)
The only downfall for this term is that it just doesn't sound grotesque and frightening as the other infested terms.
Cyst in itself just sounds disgusting and so does clogs.
It would have a humorous effect when being used in game such as...
"lol! rines just bit the curb!! gj alien comm!!'
'another one bites the curb!'
If you have a better name that fulfils the intended role then by all means. I'm all ears for it.
But as of now please comment on my suggestion and what you think.
Mazza
Comments
<a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/thorn" target="_blank">Thorns</a> - sounds organic & plant-like
<a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pike" target="_blank">Pikes</a> - sounds like spikes, but gets the point across as sharp and long objects.
<a href="http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/pillar" target="_blank">Pillars</a> - sounds architectural, and Louis' pillz :3
I guess just "Wall" or "Block" is out of the question?
Pikes could work. Sounds more like a weapon than an ability though.
Pillars as you mention does sound architectural much like curb. You could see this as a bad thing as it isn't biological/organic.
Wall and block simply sound dull. They were my first ideas as well before I expanded into other interesting terms.
I'm not suprised that people would see curb as the things on the edges sidewalks. But the purpose of the curb is to discourage drivers to not drive pass over them. Simply to restrict and confine the driver to stay on the road.
More suggestions that all have a organic and plant-like:
<ul><li>Hedges - A wall of shrub to mark a boundary</li><li>Brambles - Thorny stems of some plants</li><li>Cactus/Cacti - Much like pillars but organic and has spines sticking out of it</li></ul>
Vines - This seems fitting considering Cysts have green, vein-like roots. Vines can easily be associated with walls (grapevines).
Overgrowth - <a href="http://www.wolfire.com/overgrowth" target="_blank">Homage to Wolfire's game</a>, hopefully no suing like Mojang vs. Bethesda (Scrolls) :P