Apart from some gripes with the patch my main issue and concern is why the flying ###### you expect to get a serious competitive scene when you patch the game the night before the tournament WITH balance changes, breaking the game some more ( Marine comm seeing cysts being placed and Alien comm seeing exactly where the marine with the flamethrower is. ), giving the teams no ###### chance in hell to even naturally ease into the patch and get used to it all.
Just ###### it. I'm still gonna play in the tournament but ###### like this is what will kill a competitive scene.
The new server browser is nice, the blink for fade and that is quite nice aswell.
Performance for me has been reduced quite drastically this patch. Skulk bite seems very off, but that could be because of my FPS. Getting egg locked is just nasty on larger player servers, haven't seen a skulk rush work this build, but I have seen marine rushes do very well.
Did have an epic hour long game that I had a lot of fun on aliens, even though we lost.
Haven't had servers lock my game up because of mods, but I don't think I joined one that had mods installed yet.
<!--quoteo(post=1990071:date=Oct 11 2012, 10:55 PM:name=Twigs)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Twigs @ Oct 11 2012, 10:55 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990071"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Apart from some gripes with the patch my main issue and concern is why the flying ###### you expect to get a serious competitive scene when you patch the game the night before the tournament WITH balance changes, breaking the game some more ( Marine comm seeing cysts being placed and Alien comm seeing exactly where the marine with the flamethrower is. ), giving the teams no ###### chance in hell to even naturally ease into the patch and get used to it all.
Just ###### it. I'm still gonna play in the tournament but ###### like this is what will kill a competitive scene.
The new server browser is nice, the blink for fade and that is quite nice aswell.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> This is a beta. Getting the game into shape for a successful launch in three weeks comes first.
<!--quoteo(post=1990071:date=Oct 11 2012, 11:55 PM:name=Twigs)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Twigs @ Oct 11 2012, 11:55 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990071"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Apart from some gripes with the patch my main issue and concern is why the flying ###### you expect to get a serious competitive scene when you patch the game the night before the tournament WITH balance changes, breaking the game some more ( Marine comm seeing cysts being placed and Alien comm seeing exactly where the marine with the flamethrower is. ), giving the teams no ###### chance in hell to even naturally ease into the patch and get used to it all.
Just ###### it. I'm still gonna play in the tournament but ###### like this is what will kill a competitive scene.
The new server browser is nice, the blink for fade and that is quite nice aswell.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> That's the risk taken for even bothering with "beta" tournaments.
I've seen a big performance improvement. Got axe-murdered 50 times by a nxl player, so I have no idea what my opinion of skulk play is, but I'm now able to actually survive against skulks as a marine!
<!--quoteo(post=1990073:date=Oct 12 2012, 05:58 AM:name=Zek)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zek @ Oct 12 2012, 05:58 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990073"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->This is a beta. Getting the game into shape for a successful launch in three weeks comes first.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo(post=1990074:date=Oct 12 2012, 05:58 AM:name=Zomb3h)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zomb3h @ Oct 12 2012, 05:58 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990074"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->That's the risk taken for even bothering with "beta" tournaments.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Even though this is beta having a tournament IS a big deal no matter what. If that's the reasoning behind it why would you even have a tournament in a game that's in beta? Just forcing the teams to take it up the ass by patching the night before the tournament isn't exactly the smoothest move. They could've waited untill monday to patch and it wouldn't have interfered with this weekends tournament and given folks a week of practice untill the next one.
- Performance boost. Running 40+ fps. - New clog texture - Server browser
Cons:
- Skulk bite (see next post for pics) - ARC trains are back (very, VERY bad) - Increased hive build time was not needed. What was needed was to do something so aliens don't HAVE to have t2 tech to fight t1 tech marines.
Please, when making changes, try small to medium changes first. Going overboard (like on ARCs) and changing everything at once is very bad for the game.
NOTE: Have not seen all the changes. Heard of a feign change and possibly others.
Here are some pictures of the skulk bite box. Every one is as close to hitting the target as I could get them and I was about halfway between maximum range and right up next to the target. The red line is what part of the target I was aiming for (look from the middle of the screen directly to the red line and that is where the nearest part of the structure was). I'm sorry that I had to use paint, but for some reason none of the console commands were working (bug?).
Maximum distance: <img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq327/samus1111111/2012-10-11_00028.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
If your target is anywhere inside those lines and within the maximum distance, you will hit it. Once again, sorry for the bad pictures, first time attempting this.
<!--quoteo(post=1990081:date=Oct 11 2012, 11:06 PM:name=Twigs)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Twigs @ Oct 11 2012, 11:06 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990081"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Even though this is beta having a tournament IS a big deal no matter what. If that's the reasoning behind it why would you even have a tournament in a game that's in beta? Just forcing the teams to take it up the ass by patching the night before the tournament isn't exactly the smoothest move. They could've waited untill monday to patch and it wouldn't have interfered with this weekends tournament and given folks a week of practice untill the next one.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No one is forcing anyone to be in that tournament. Yes, it might be annoying, but every other player is in the same boat as you. Adapt/evolve or die, as the name of the game says. :D
<!--quoteo(post=1990081:date=Oct 12 2012, 02:06 PM:name=Twigs)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Twigs @ Oct 12 2012, 02:06 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990081"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Even though this is beta having a tournament IS a big deal no matter what. If that's the reasoning behind it why would you even have a tournament in a game that's in beta? Just forcing the teams to take it up the ass by patching the night before the tournament isn't exactly the smoothest move. They could've waited untill monday to patch and it wouldn't have interfered with this weekends tournament and given folks a week of practice untill the next one.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nope... there are like 7 teams of 6-7 players. Getting the patch out to everyone that plays the game, or mucking around with a small amount of players. I know what I would choose
<!--quoteo(post=1990087:date=Oct 12 2012, 06:19 AM:name=male_fatalities)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (male_fatalities @ Oct 12 2012, 06:19 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990087"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Nope... there are like 7 teams of 6-7 players. Getting the patch out to everyone that plays the game, or mucking around with a small amount of players. I know what I would choose<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Its 13 teams that are supposed to play a legit tournament, that is going to be streamed so people can see it and make some last minute PR and pull in some new customers, which probably would be played better on 221 than the new build that came now as folks only have a few hours to train before the event goes live. It aint like the olympics organizers just say " Hey guys some last minute changes, the 200m races now also have hurdles in them have fun guys take care.". I know this aint the olympics but its just the god damn principal of not ###### with a game so close to some serious business.
<!--quoteo(post=1990047:date=Oct 11 2012, 09:53 PM:name=male_fatalities)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (male_fatalities @ Oct 11 2012, 09:53 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990047"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Marines have no movement in combat, so not sure what you mean. Bites are easy mode to land for a good player
Sprint is another issue entirely...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Surface jumps. Marines now have surface change bunnyhop just like marines did in ns1 which is fine, actually in the grand scheme of things a good thing. It makes marine combat motion more skillful. That said, in the current state of alien balance it's super op. If you're not playing with marines who can use it properly... well it won't effect you. That said marines now have MASSIVE mobility in combat depending on their surroundings. My comment had nothing to do with sprint.
== Change - Location Title Appearance - areas below are hidden / poor visibile:
-(just joined the match) -20 sec later: area under attack -looked on minimap (2-3 sec) -walked from main base (drill repair) to attacked area (operations)
-near attacked area: --com said "use the phase gate" --heard somebody using the phase gate
=> conclusion: didnt noticed the phase gate under the location title (under the second "o" character of "Operations" on minimap on screenshot below)
btw: - i have 2500+ hours of ns2 playtime... so i know the meachnics / not newbie. - match played @ 1024x768 resolution
Skulk bite is horrible again, can't land a hit to save my soul. But as a Marine I'm a crazy murdering ######! :)
Also, what is up with the skulk bites throwing marines back like 10 feet. I manage to land a couple bites and he goes flying away and is able to kill me from a distance......
Sound seems like it got jacked up, hard to hear people at certain times. I tried setting music volume to zero but I still hear it?
Performance and server browser are a big improvement though!
<!--quoteo(post=1990096:date=Oct 11 2012, 11:34 PM:name=MiniH0wie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MiniH0wie @ Oct 11 2012, 11:34 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990096"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Also, what is up with the skulk bites throwing marines back like 10 feet. I manage to land a couple bites and he goes flying away and is able to kill me from a distance......<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd--> The marine probably jumped backwards.
MiniH0wie, I believe marines go flying away if you bite them while they are in mid air. I don't understand the reason for this though, it seems to punish skulks who manage to bite a marine trying to dodge.
<!--quoteo(post=1990100:date=Oct 11 2012, 09:39 PM:name=MiniH0wie)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MiniH0wie @ Oct 11 2012, 09:39 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990100"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->No, this problem has been going on for a long time. They are literally getting thrown back way further than you can jump.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
If a Marine times his jump correctly, he can utilize the knockback generated by Skulk bite to get some distance. I believe this is intentional, but don't quote me on that.
People also need to realize that as the release date looms closer UKW can't please everyone when new patches come out as their top priority is get as close to polished game they can before the release date.
It does seem like more alien nerfs and marine buffs, but as we'll see in the next week whether it needs to be changed or not. I always feel aliens struggle to get that 3rd hive up and that all marines have to do is get GL and just target all the upgrades and they go down in half a second.
Either way UKW keep up the great work!!
P.S And I personally think getting a linux server with (real) multi threads is whats needed, more than small changes so we can all host our servers (with more ease)
Just a wish: having the ability to choose which egg you actually spawn at, instead of following around players once dead, then having a quick 1sec to choose your egg would be awesome. Ive been in games where A hive is under pressure and you end up spawning at B hive (both have shifts).
<!--quoteo(post=1990091:date=Oct 12 2012, 06:32 AM:name=male_fatalities)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (male_fatalities @ Oct 12 2012, 06:32 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990091"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->221 was an absolute joke for the comp scene... so not sure what your talking about.
aliens -> 2 hives > turtle for tres onos or skulk rush on base
the comp scene meta needed a shake up<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ofcourse it needed a shake up, im just sayin its a ###### planned shake up. I'm also quite aware that they have a schedule to keep regarding the release and all but then mayhaps a tournament shouldn't be a priority.
<!--quoteo(post=1990102:date=Oct 12 2012, 06:42 AM:name=PsiWarp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PsiWarp @ Oct 12 2012, 06:42 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990102"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->If a Marine times his jump correctly, he can utilize the knockback generated by Skulk bite to get some distance. I believe this is intentional, but don't quote me on that.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--quoteo(post=1990026:date=Oct 12 2012, 04:24 AM:name=salor)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (salor @ Oct 12 2012, 04:24 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990026"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Good luck to the 15 teams that are playing this build on the Tournament tomorrow...a good couple of hours practise on the new patch before playing it competitively. LOL<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
In the future, the patches should be delayed to accommodate the, how many? 90 players? of the thousands that currently play the game.
- a lot of people are mistaking the bite width reduction as a nerf when it's actually a fairly good gameplay change. it basically just <strike>increases the skill ceiling</strike> lowers the skill floor so that there is actually a large difference between an average skulk and a good skulk.
- mouse lag is noticeably improved, FPS is still average (50-60 on i7-950 GTX 560). alien flashlight flickers once every few seconds, and I still get random jitters every few steps where I get warped backwards.
I'm attempting a video driver update before I have any further notes, but this is it for the few hours I've played.
<!--quoteo(post=1990102:date=Oct 11 2012, 11:42 PM:name=PsiWarp)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PsiWarp @ Oct 11 2012, 11:42 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990102"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->If a Marine times his jump correctly, he can utilize the knockback generated by Skulk bite to get some distance. I believe this is intentional, but don't quote me on that.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Why the hell should a skulk bite generate a knockback?!?! That makes no sense what so ever. This is a very frustrating design for aliens....
Comments
My fellow aliens and I could not hit the broad side of a barn tonight. It feels like a bigger change than just an adjustment of the width at the base.
Just ###### it. I'm still gonna play in the tournament but ###### like this is what will kill a competitive scene.
The new server browser is nice, the blink for fade and that is quite nice aswell.
Did have an epic hour long game that I had a lot of fun on aliens, even though we lost.
Haven't had servers lock my game up because of mods, but I don't think I joined one that had mods installed yet.
Just ###### it. I'm still gonna play in the tournament but ###### like this is what will kill a competitive scene.
The new server browser is nice, the blink for fade and that is quite nice aswell.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
This is a beta. Getting the game into shape for a successful launch in three weeks comes first.
Just ###### it. I'm still gonna play in the tournament but ###### like this is what will kill a competitive scene.
The new server browser is nice, the blink for fade and that is quite nice aswell.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
That's the risk taken for even bothering with "beta" tournaments.
The tRes cost of scan is/was the biggest barrier to using arcs.
<!--quoteo(post=1990074:date=Oct 12 2012, 05:58 AM:name=Zomb3h)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Zomb3h @ Oct 12 2012, 05:58 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1990074"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->That's the risk taken for even bothering with "beta" tournaments.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Even though this is beta having a tournament IS a big deal no matter what. If that's the reasoning behind it why would you even have a tournament in a game that's in beta? Just forcing the teams to take it up the ass by patching the night before the tournament isn't exactly the smoothest move.
They could've waited untill monday to patch and it wouldn't have interfered with this weekends tournament and given folks a week of practice untill the next one.
Pros:
- Performance boost. Running 40+ fps.
- New clog texture
- Server browser
Cons:
- Skulk bite (see next post for pics)
- ARC trains are back (very, VERY bad)
- Increased hive build time was not needed. What was needed was to do something so aliens don't HAVE to have t2 tech to fight t1 tech marines.
Please, when making changes, try small to medium changes first. Going overboard (like on ARCs) and changing everything at once is very bad for the game.
NOTE: Have not seen all the changes. Heard of a feign change and possibly others.
Top:
<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq327/samus1111111/220skulkbiteboxtop.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Right:
<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq327/samus1111111/220skulkbiteboxright.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Bottom:
<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq327/samus1111111/220skulkbiteboxbottom.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Left:
<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq327/samus1111111/220skulkbiteboxleft.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Maximum distance:
<img src="http://i460.photobucket.com/albums/qq327/samus1111111/2012-10-11_00028.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
If your target is anywhere inside those lines and within the maximum distance, you will hit it. Once again, sorry for the bad pictures, first time attempting this.
They could've waited untill monday to patch and it wouldn't have interfered with this weekends tournament and given folks a week of practice untill the next one.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
No one is forcing anyone to be in that tournament. Yes, it might be annoying, but every other player is in the same boat as you. Adapt/evolve or die, as the name of the game says. :D
They could've waited untill monday to patch and it wouldn't have interfered with this weekends tournament and given folks a week of practice untill the next one.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Nope... there are like 7 teams of 6-7 players. Getting the patch out to everyone that plays the game, or mucking around with a small amount of players. I know what I would choose
Its 13 teams that are supposed to play a legit tournament, that is going to be streamed so people can see it and make some last minute PR and pull in some new customers, which probably would be played better on 221 than the new build that came now as folks only have a few hours to train before the event goes live. It aint like the olympics organizers just say " Hey guys some last minute changes, the 200m races now also have hurdles in them have fun guys take care.". I know this aint the olympics but its just the god damn principal of not ###### with a game so close to some serious business.
Sprint is another issue entirely...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Surface jumps. Marines now have surface change bunnyhop just like marines did in ns1 which is fine, actually in the grand scheme of things a good thing. It makes marine combat motion more skillful. That said, in the current state of alien balance it's super op. If you're not playing with marines who can use it properly... well it won't effect you. That said marines now have MASSIVE mobility in combat depending on their surroundings. My comment had nothing to do with sprint.
aliens -> 2 hives > turtle for tres onos
or
skulk rush on base
the comp scene meta needed a shake up
-(just joined the match)
-20 sec later: area under attack
-looked on minimap (2-3 sec)
-walked from main base (drill repair) to attacked area (operations)
-near attacked area:
--com said "use the phase gate"
--heard somebody using the phase gate
=> conclusion: didnt noticed the phase gate under the location title
(under the second "o" character of "Operations" on minimap on screenshot below)
btw:
- i have 2500+ hours of ns2 playtime... so i know the meachnics / not newbie.
- match played @ 1024x768 resolution
Screenshot:
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/sAA7z.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
Also, what is up with the skulk bites throwing marines back like 10 feet. I manage to land a couple bites and he goes flying away and is able to kill me from a distance......
Sound seems like it got jacked up, hard to hear people at certain times. I tried setting music volume to zero but I still hear it?
Performance and server browser are a big improvement though!
The marine probably jumped backwards.
No, this problem has been going on for a long time. They are literally getting thrown back way further than you can jump.
MiniH0wie, I believe marines go flying away if you bite them while they are in mid air. I don't understand the reason for this though, it seems to punish skulks who manage to bite a marine trying to dodge.
If a Marine times his jump correctly, he can utilize the knockback generated by Skulk bite to get some distance. I believe this is intentional, but don't quote me on that.
It does seem like more alien nerfs and marine buffs, but as we'll see in the next week whether it needs to be changed or not. I always feel aliens struggle to get that 3rd hive up and that all marines have to do is get GL and just target all the upgrades and they go down in half a second.
Either way UKW keep up the great work!!
P.S And I personally think getting a linux server with (real) multi threads is whats needed, more than small changes so we can all host our servers (with more ease)
Just a wish: having the ability to choose which egg you actually spawn at, instead of following around players once dead, then having a quick 1sec to choose your egg would be awesome. Ive been in games where A hive is under pressure and you end up spawning at B hive (both have shifts).
aliens -> 2 hives > turtle for tres onos
or
skulk rush on base
the comp scene meta needed a shake up<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Ofcourse it needed a shake up, im just sayin its a ###### planned shake up. I'm also quite aware that they have a schedule to keep regarding the release and all but then mayhaps a tournament shouldn't be a priority.
Yep, it is.
In the future, the patches should be delayed to accommodate the, how many? 90 players? of the thousands that currently play the game.
- mouse lag is noticeably improved, FPS is still average (50-60 on i7-950 GTX 560). alien flashlight flickers once every few seconds, and I still get random jitters every few steps where I get warped backwards.
I'm attempting a video driver update before I have any further notes, but this is it for the few hours I've played.
Why the hell should a skulk bite generate a knockback?!?! That makes no sense what so ever.
This is a very frustrating design for aliens....