I am simply amazed that those screen shots are not paintings or pre-renders or anything like that. The fact that they are in-game renders and only on a pre-alpha system is a testament to how the game will look when it is fully polished.
I knew that when I pre-ordered the special edition package thing, it would pay off in the end, and we have so little proof for it so far, but I already think it was totally worth it!
Keep up the fantastic work, and I am so glad you found a way to keep Dynamic Infestation and the heavy/exo armor...
<!--quoteo(post=1735009:date=Oct 31 2009, 02:46 PM:name=Triggerman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Triggerman @ Oct 31 2009, 02:46 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1735009"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm just curious, but what are the benefits of buying it through steam? They have told us that it will be incorporated with Steamworks so everyone can see the tab-overlay, friends interface and all that snazz. The only thing I can see would be different is the provider and who's responsible when it comes to asking for support and I guess patching. But is patching really such a convenient thing that buyers are willing to pay less to UWE because Steam have to get a piece of the cake? And I'm fairly sure that UWE will find ways to distribute the patches anyway.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> And as they already said the game will have an auto update function even without steam.
BadMouthIt ceases to be exclusive when you can have a custom member titlJoin Date: 2004-05-21Member: 28815Members
Screenshots look fantastic. I really like the looks of the LMG, even though it is huge. Hopefully, the sound will be able to complement the bad ass look. I'm not really used to the look of the skulk since its so big. The one in the marine screenshot, clinging onto the roof, looks like it might fall off since its so big and heavy looking.
Perhaps when skulks wall-walk, their bodies can press closer to the surface.
Wow.. that looks amazing, I thought the game would look good but this is ridiculous. Now you guys have forced my hand to buy a new computer just so I can play this game..I've been waiting for about 5 years now to get a new one (its nearly 7-8 years old) but there hasn't been anything to motivate me to as much as NS2.
<!--quoteo(post=1735009:date=Oct 31 2009, 08:46 AM:name=Triggerman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Triggerman @ Oct 31 2009, 08:46 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1735009"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm just curious, but what are the benefits of buying it through steam? They have told us that it will be incorporated with Steamworks so everyone can see the tab-overlay, friends interface and all that snazz. The only thing I can see would be different is the provider and who's responsible when it comes to asking for support and I guess patching. But is patching really such a convenient thing that buyers are willing to pay less to UWE because Steam have to get a piece of the cake? And I'm fairly sure that UWE will find ways to distribute the patches anyway.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> The benefit is that it's downloadable on your Steam game list like everything else, I don't need to keep track of any other download links or installation files anything, and I don't need to rely on anybody else's site staying online. I haven't bought a non-Steam retail game in ages. They really need to work on getting the Steam pre-order as soon as possible, they'll get a lot more revenue right off the bat.
<!--quoteo(post=1735009:date=Oct 31 2009, 09:46 AM:name=Triggerman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Triggerman @ Oct 31 2009, 09:46 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1735009"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm just curious, but what are the benefits of buying it through steam? They have told us that it will be incorporated with Steamworks<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They have? The last I heard is it's something they really wanted to do but there were no guarantees.
Absolutely love the marine models in combat pose, puts TSA to life like NS1 never did.
However the skulks look a tad big.. almost as if they evolved to be tougher and thicker armored. They look slow and I would be disappointed if something that big is still capable of leap spamming xeno-suicide-bombing goodness.
Lerk now looks more like a wimp than a flying wtfpwnmobile to lonely marines.
<!--quoteo(post=1735033:date=Oct 31 2009, 04:54 PM:name=Zek)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zek @ Oct 31 2009, 04:54 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1735033"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The benefit is that it's downloadable on your Steam game list like everything else,<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> The game would be downloadable without Steam.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't need to keep track of any other download links or installation files anything,<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> You wouldn't need to anyway, cause they implemented an auto-updater.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->and I don't need to rely on anybody else's site staying online.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> While Steam likely is a safer bet than UWE, they can stop supporting game X at any time.
Hi there. I've been lurking (pun intended?) on these boards for a little over a year now. I played NS1 back in the day and loved it. To this day, whenever the topic of good game modifications comes up, I always mention Natural Selection. It was easily one of the most creative uses of the HL 1 engine I've ever seen. While I can't claim to still play NS1 as I'm sure many of these forum users do, I have been checking up on the site every couple months and bringing NS 2 to the attention of my gamer friends. This latest update was fantastic; and has me on the verge of pre-ordering.
The thing I'm most impressed with is the art style. It's not quite as glossy and poppy as high-budget current-gen games, but the color pallet and lighting are lovely. These screenshots have an "illustrated" appearance very reminiscent of sci-fi book covers from the past few decades. This is particularly impressive considering there was no art team for the vast majority of NS 2's development. Note: *IF* this is the look the team is going for, then having some "flat" textures isn't necessarily a bad thing. Borderlands is a perfect example of employing a particular art style rather than photo-realism. Also, this approach will make NS2 vastly more compatible with lower-end PCs.
The only thing I would dream of criticizing is the first-person gun perspective. It would appear that the marines don't truly shoulder their weapons (in the currently practiced sense) which I suppose is fine since there doesn't appear to be any iron sights on that rifle. I would presume that, conceptually-speaking, where the gun is aimed is somehow projected on the marines' heads up display so whatever. In any case, if the gun is held as low as it appears, then more of the top of the rifle should be apparent. Also, the left side of the rifle shouldn't be so exposed if the marine model is pointing straight ahead (I'm assuming the arms and shoulders remain fairly stationary while the model moves at the waist/hips when aiming). The rifle stock in particular shouldn't be viewable if it's being held against (the armpit???). A negative side effect of this inaccurate perspective is that it's also taking up an awful lot of the viewable background on the right side of the screen. The Alien vs. Predator screenshot comparison really illustrates how different the approach to first person weapon perspective is being handled. <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=107732&view=findpost&p=1735016" target="_blank">http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/in...t&p=1735016</a>
One last thing, I do appreciate some of Natural Selections' quirky "trademark" inaccuracies such as "bite cam", but that seems fitting when playing something as wildly alien as a skulk. Obviously, I feel differently about marines.
<!--quoteo(post=1734841:date=Oct 30 2009, 07:32 PM:name=Aaron)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Aaron @ Oct 30 2009, 07:32 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1734841"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Charlie, it's been inspiring to follow Unknown World's progress. It sounds like you have a great team and I am in awe of the work you guys have done (both on the gaming side and business side). I remember the first time I logged into an NS game, the night it was released. I felt immediately transported to a different world and was completely consumed by the atmosphere. That has happened only a couple of other times in my gaming experience, and it's what keeps me holding out for Natural Selection 2. I can wait until it's released.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
What a wonderful thing to say! Release night felt like that to me too. Once NS was released to the public, it became something new, exciting and quite different.
Thanks for all the kind feedback guys. You make us want to work another 7 years!
That's it, i'm re-installing NS1. I want to go back to this world new game or not. I'm glad my pre-order and everyone else's pre-orders helped you guys out. It's the least we can do.
I definitely agree with the sizing changes shown here. Well, I probably would prefer the marine's view model also slightly shrunk, but still the aliens in that picture look awfully easy to shoot.
And the fog in the back... It definitely looks like a marine deathtrap in there.
i also agree with that resized picture, but pls dont forget to shrink or disable that MEGA lmg ^^ i mean... WTF? this isnt a bazooka, it takes out 1/4 of the whole screen... a skulk right down and you are a free frag!
<!--quoteo(post=1734857:date=Oct 30 2009, 10:10 PM:name=Triggerman)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Triggerman @ Oct 30 2009, 10:10 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1734857"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Offtopic: Your imagination? They're exactly the same colour, just for the sake of backing up any claim I don't know for sure I compared them in Photoshop. It's just your eyes tricking you with the size and that the smaller images have more black space beside them.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> <!--quoteo(post=1734858:date=Oct 30 2009, 10:12 PM:name=JAmazon)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JAmazon @ Oct 30 2009, 10:12 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1734858"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Because UWE likes to deceive you at every turn? Just your eyes dude.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
In new study, it turns out fanboyism can affect your eyesight:
*Yah, I am removing this only because of the porn popups. Go ahead and post it on another free image host that doesn't do that* --Comprox
And it turns out that site you used for hosting is awful and threw "Sex tonight in your area" pop-ups at me...
Your monitor or browser must be borked, because that second pic looks almost completely saturated in orange to me...and yet neither pic on the site looks remotely close to that level of orange. In other words, don't PS their pics just to prove yourself right, which you aren't.
I was reading the article on gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25036) Sounds pretty good!
"Unknown Worlds has generated about $220,000 from preorders, compared to nearly half a million dollars raised from angel investors."
Wow! Wish I had that kinda money! But remember, don't spend it all at once.
"The studio is selling two preorder packages through its site: a $20 standard version, and a $40 version with cosmetic in-game additions. As it turns out, 95 percent of preorders have been for the more expensive package, which Cleveland admits has "really surprised" the team. One of the bullet points on that second-tier package is "Our eternal gratitude.""
I preordered my copy, god knows how long ago now... the more expensive package... Eternal Gratitude please!
Comments
I knew that when I pre-ordered the special edition package thing, it would pay off in the end, and we have so little proof for it so far, but I already think it was totally worth it!
Keep up the fantastic work, and I am so glad you found a way to keep Dynamic Infestation and the heavy/exo armor...
Was there an announcement and I missed it perhaps?
Game looks beautiful, enjoying the progression but wish the website updates hadn't slowed down quite so much...
They have told us that it will be incorporated with Steamworks so everyone can see the tab-overlay, friends interface and all that snazz.
The only thing I can see would be different is the provider and who's responsible when it comes to asking for support and I guess patching.
But is patching really such a convenient thing that buyers are willing to pay less to UWE because Steam have to get a piece of the cake?
And I'm fairly sure that UWE will find ways to distribute the patches anyway.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
And as they already said the game will have an auto update function even without steam.
<img src="http://mediang.gameswelt.net/public/images/200905/57865b75e4223229b979ec0324a2c94b.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
<img src="http://www.unknownworlds.com/cache/thumbnails/NS2_marine_hallway_800x500.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Perhaps when skulks wall-walk, their bodies can press closer to the surface.
This. Awesome size.
They have told us that it will be incorporated with Steamworks so everyone can see the tab-overlay, friends interface and all that snazz.
The only thing I can see would be different is the provider and who's responsible when it comes to asking for support and I guess patching.
But is patching really such a convenient thing that buyers are willing to pay less to UWE because Steam have to get a piece of the cake?
And I'm fairly sure that UWE will find ways to distribute the patches anyway.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
The benefit is that it's downloadable on your Steam game list like everything else, I don't need to keep track of any other download links or installation files anything, and I don't need to rely on anybody else's site staying online. I haven't bought a non-Steam retail game in ages. They really need to work on getting the Steam pre-order as soon as possible, they'll get a lot more revenue right off the bat.
They have told us that it will be incorporated with Steamworks<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They have? The last I heard is it's something they really wanted to do but there were no guarantees.
<=>
x = 5641.025641;
So we have roughly 5700 preorders.. nice. Didn't know NS1 did make such a strong impression!
gogo guys, i wish you the best!
trin
However the skulks look a tad big.. almost as if they evolved to be tougher and thicker armored. They look slow and I would be disappointed if something that big is still capable of leap spamming xeno-suicide-bombing goodness.
Lerk now looks more like a wimp than a flying wtfpwnmobile to lonely marines.
I really have allot of respect for all of this, and hope that you succeed as a company.
If you want more pre-orders try to get it in the news up on Kotaku or Joystiq or something.
The game would be downloadable without Steam.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I don't need to keep track of any other download links or installation files anything,<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
You wouldn't need to anyway, cause they implemented an auto-updater.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->and I don't need to rely on anybody else's site staying online.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
While Steam likely is a safer bet than UWE, they can stop supporting game X at any time.
This. I wouldn't mind if the Skulks were even a tad smaller than in this pic.
The thing I'm most impressed with is the art style. It's not quite as glossy and poppy as high-budget current-gen games, but the color pallet and lighting are lovely. These screenshots have an "illustrated" appearance very reminiscent of sci-fi book covers from the past few decades. This is particularly impressive considering there was no art team for the vast majority of NS 2's development.
Note: *IF* this is the look the team is going for, then having some "flat" textures isn't necessarily a bad thing. Borderlands is a perfect example of employing a particular art style rather than photo-realism. Also, this approach will make NS2 vastly more compatible with lower-end PCs.
The only thing I would dream of criticizing is the first-person gun perspective. It would appear that the marines don't truly shoulder their weapons (in the currently practiced sense) which I suppose is fine since there doesn't appear to be any iron sights on that rifle. I would presume that, conceptually-speaking, where the gun is aimed is somehow projected on the marines' heads up display so whatever. In any case, if the gun is held as low as it appears, then more of the top of the rifle should be apparent. Also, the left side of the rifle shouldn't be so exposed if the marine model is pointing straight ahead (I'm assuming the arms and shoulders remain fairly stationary while the model moves at the waist/hips when aiming). The rifle stock in particular shouldn't be viewable if it's being held against (the armpit???). A negative side effect of this inaccurate perspective is that it's also taking up an awful lot of the viewable background on the right side of the screen.
The Alien vs. Predator screenshot comparison really illustrates how different the approach to first person weapon perspective is being handled.
<a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/index.php?showtopic=107732&view=findpost&p=1735016" target="_blank">http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/forums/in...t&p=1735016</a>
One last thing, I do appreciate some of Natural Selections' quirky "trademark" inaccuracies such as "bite cam", but that seems fitting when playing something as wildly alien as a skulk. Obviously, I feel differently about marines.
What a wonderful thing to say! Release night felt like that to me too. Once NS was released to the public, it became something new, exciting and quite different.
Thanks for all the kind feedback guys. You make us want to work another 7 years!
Actually, scratch that last part.
I definitely agree with the sizing changes shown here. Well, I probably would prefer the marine's view model also slightly shrunk, but still the aliens in that picture look awfully easy to shoot.
And the fog in the back... It definitely looks like a marine deathtrap in there.
a skulk right down and you are a free frag!
Your imagination?
They're exactly the same colour, just for the sake of backing up any claim I don't know for sure I compared them in Photoshop.
It's just your eyes tricking you with the size and that the smaller images have more black space beside them.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo(post=1734858:date=Oct 30 2009, 10:12 PM:name=JAmazon)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (JAmazon @ Oct 30 2009, 10:12 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1734858"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Because UWE likes to deceive you at every turn? Just your eyes dude.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
In new study, it turns out fanboyism can affect your eyesight:
*Yah, I am removing this only because of the porn popups. Go ahead and post it on another free image host that doesn't do that* --Comprox
Am I the only one getting this?
Your monitor or browser must be borked, because that second pic looks almost completely saturated in orange to me...and yet neither pic on the site looks remotely close to that level of orange. In other words, don't PS their pics just to prove yourself right, which you aren't.
thats actually really interesting looking, perhaps we shall see slight tweaking with sizing at some point.
I am sure more is to come lerkwise but I thought it was suitable.
Though I never mastered the lerk the people who owned him were very sneaky and painful.
Great great update guys
lotsa good news.
keep cranking
I was reading the article on gamasutra (http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25036) Sounds pretty good!
"Unknown Worlds has generated about $220,000 from preorders, compared to nearly half a million dollars raised from angel investors."
Wow! Wish I had that kinda money! But remember, don't spend it all at once.
"The studio is selling two preorder packages through its site: a $20 standard version, and a $40 version with cosmetic in-game additions. As it turns out, 95 percent of preorders have been for the more expensive package, which Cleveland admits has "really surprised" the team. One of the bullet points on that second-tier package is "Our eternal gratitude.""
I preordered my copy, god knows how long ago now... the more expensive package... Eternal Gratitude please!