Natural Selection 2 News Update - The Crag

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  • XeZoXeZo Join Date: 2006-11-14 Member: 58597Members, Reinforced - Shadow
    edited August 2010
    <!--coloro:#9ACD32--><span style="color:#9ACD32"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:7--><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->OHSHI-<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
    <!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
    <img src="http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/236/babblers.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

    (sorry, I couldn't resist! xD Damn you people who told me it looked like a bus!!!)

    [EDIT]

    Especially this guy! ;P

    <!--quoteo(post=1795298:date=Aug 20 2010, 01:03 AM:name=Feha)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Feha @ Aug 20 2010, 01:03 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1795298"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Hey it is! That or an alien that swallowed one.

    Look at its bottom, you can see the wheels make marks in the skin, and the shape is that of a bus clearly. You can even see window marks on the skin.

    Some photoshopper that see resemblance that can color it so other people see it to?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
  • TriggermanTriggerman Graphic Artist Join Date: 2004-11-10 Member: 32724Members, WC 2013 - Supporter
    <!--quoteo(post=1795328:date=Aug 19 2010, 08:36 PM:name=TheGivingTree)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TheGivingTree @ Aug 19 2010, 08:36 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1795328"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I thought the gorge was getting multiple buildings to drop, not just the one?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Well sure I think he'll get something else, but I was just saying from what we know so far. But judging by the current setup of abilities, the 2:nd set of abilities (which has the Hydra) there could only be one additional ability left, and from what they have said in the <a href="http://www.unknownworlds.com/ns2/2009/8/gorge_reveal" target="_blank">Gorge reveal</a> it will be a defense-chamber that heals teammates. But since they've added the Crag, it could have changed since then...
    Unless they have specifically said another kind of chamber in a more recent interview or something that I've missed.
  • Wyattx3Wyattx3 Join Date: 2003-07-23 Member: 18386Members
    I like six eight and ten alot, I think 8 may be too real looking. I was skeptical before after seing the crag, but now that we know what the holes do and everything else, very awesome design!

    oh and, BABBLERZ!
  • TheLordTheLord Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16258Members
    edited August 2010
    I like that bus :D - Its really kinda cute ^^
  • spacedanielspacedaniel Join Date: 2009-11-11 Member: 69348Members
    Absolutely brilliant!

    (I might repeat something already said, but I'm lazy, so I won't read every post)

    <b>I vote 4, but without the eyes.</b>
    Why? It has an aura of rebel to it. A raised index finger (leg?) combined with "I'll eat your shorts! You ¤&//%¤ng intruder!"
    Put a leather jacket on it and hey presto an NS2 gimmick (say "soft toy" everybody). Bobby... <i>Bobby-Joe, the babbler rebel</i>. "Rebel without a spine."

    Keep up the good job!

    PS. Will the babblers still explode after a certain time or when killed? Equivalent of a bilebomb perhaps.

    (Especially pleased to see FEED, was contemplating doing it with LUA. Thank you!)
  • Skyforger2Skyforger2 Join Date: 2007-10-19 Member: 62681Members
    Nice update ! But as i said before Why the ###### can't they leave the same name as NS1 let it just be Defense chamber aka DC
  • KarrdeKarrde Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16264Members
    I'd agree with the idea of making 3 variants. 8, 10, and 11 seem to have the same general theme to them.
  • RespectAquamanRespectAquaman Join Date: 2007-12-17 Member: 63199Members
    All look awesome like 1 and 6 as they are more like insects.... maybe look at the ones from the Mummy, they creeped me out as they got under the skin of all those people

    Also the 2-3 different type concept is interesting but i feel like a pain. would be easier to do something like male and female where they look extremely similar but there are antennas on some but not others or slightly different shading just to add confusion and make it feel less uniform and more chaotic
  • NeoSniperNeoSniper Join Date: 2005-06-02 Member: 52976Members
    edited August 2010
    I thought UWE was against using corpses for any sort of morbid gameplay purpose (think I read this from some post like over 3 years ago). Odd to see this Feed ability going in. But I'm cool with it.

    Loving so many of the Babbler concepts!

    My favs!

    #2 Bus! Looks like a slow but dangerous dude
    #10 look fast but not as dangerous (ramming speed!)
    #8 look like a balance between #2 and #10
    #7 look so damn cute! I can't figure it it's attack. What's it do? tickle your balls?
    #4 look cool in that it could jump around and leap at marines.


    I think the slow down effect should simply be the fact that the have to stop/backup and fight the babblers.
    As far a obstructing view (well maybe it enough that they are distracted imho)

    Will the commander be able to individually control each babbler? And give commands like move and hold position?
  • yourbonesakinyourbonesakin Join Date: 2005-08-06 Member: 57682Members
    edited August 2010
    <!--quoteo(post=1795423:date=Aug 20 2010, 06:25 AM:name=Slavak)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Slavak @ Aug 20 2010, 06:25 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1795423"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The Crag needs to have random babblers running out of one hole and into another for an idle animation.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Definitely agree.

    Perhaps once the Babbler ability has been unlocked? Maybe all the time? I DON'T KNOW!!

    Oooh, I really like this idea.
  • FehaFeha Join Date: 2006-11-16 Member: 58633Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1795465:date=Aug 20 2010, 04:59 PM:name=XeZo)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (XeZo @ Aug 20 2010, 04:59 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1795465"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec--><!--coloro:#9ACD32--><span style="color:#9ACD32"><!--/coloro--><!--sizeo:7--><span style="font-size:36pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->OHSHI-<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->
    <!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
    <img src="http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/236/babblers.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

    (sorry, I couldn't resist! xD Damn you people who told me it looked like a bus!!!)

    [EDIT]

    Especially this guy! ;P<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Epic XD.

    I made a image with what I see in all the examples, but I cant upload it cause max is 30 kb and this is 100 kb (and then its resized so it looks ugly and small and changed to a .gif)

    1 mosquito
    2 bus
    3 halo infector
    4 headcrab
    5 the straws of a brush + 2 legs
    6 metroid fused with mastermind from yuris revange (cant help to feel like its something else that is just like it (and I dont mean a tick)
    7 cute but sad thing that eats marines brain while they hug it
    8 antlion grub
    9 the glowing exploding thing from alien swarm and a strider that just took a hit + 1 leg
    10 a deadly thing that doesnt care about the light, so its as dangerous in dark as in light rooms
    11 something sneaking up on its prey, then leaps onto the head of a marine, and quickly make the fangs swoop down and bury into visor and forehead, then pulls back ripping out both of them.

    I like 7, 10 and 11.
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    So... The BUS (Big Unannounced System) was a DC with more features then...
  • FehaFeha Join Date: 2006-11-16 Member: 58633Members
    No its the uwe job car, they use it when they want to ship the whole team somewhere, fast.

    If there is anything in its way, it just use the fangs to get rid of it, and sometimes eat it for fuel.
    If there is problems with the wheels, or it has to climb, it just grow a few legs and use them.
  • Kouji_SanKouji_San Sr. Hινε Uρкεερεг - EUPT Deputy The Netherlands Join Date: 2003-05-13 Member: 16271Members, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue
    HAHA!

    That mental image with the devs in that thing driving along is so wrong...


    Charlie: "To the BUS BABBLER!"
  • yourbonesakinyourbonesakin Join Date: 2005-08-06 Member: 57682Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1795483:date=Aug 20 2010, 01:24 PM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Aug 20 2010, 01:24 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1795483"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Charlie: "To the BUS BABBLER!"<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Sigged :D
  • BRICEBRICE Join Date: 2010-07-16 Member: 72453Members
    Take the least nature inspired design :)
    Think of the amazonian chupacabra* and make it smaller.

    I like where its going :D
  • MetroMetro Join Date: 2007-09-15 Member: 62316Members
    #2 ftw

    Really rather like #3 and #1 the best though!
  • FehaFeha Join Date: 2006-11-16 Member: 58633Members
    edited August 2010
    If you combine #2:
    <img src="http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/236/babblers.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
    And a rail
    <img src="http://www.mcli.co.za/mcli-web/images/rail-twin-shadow.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />
    You will get
    <a href="http://www.crunchgear.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/10/train_derail.jpg" target="_blank">Derailed</a>
  • Shrike3OShrike3O Join Date: 2002-11-03 Member: 6678Members, Constellation
  • Squeal_Like_A_PigSqueal_Like_A_Pig Janitor Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 66Members, Super Administrators, NS1 Playtester, NS2 Developer, Reinforced - Supporter, WC 2013 - Silver, Subnautica Developer
    edited August 2010
    Stylistically, the babbler images are really not that big of a departure from the rest of the look of NS2 alien side. Currently there is a distinction between the look of the alien player classes and the alien structures. The player classes are meant to be more mammalian, a different random sampling of land creatures that were taken over by the infestation and mutated. The structures, such as the hive, resource tower, crag, etc. have an ocean theme to them, hence the bio luminescence and abundant amount of tentacles. I believe that the infestation actually evolved in the ocean first, and began infecting and mutating sea creatures around them, which is why the infestation has a slimey algae look to it.

    Therefore, as the Babblers aren't a player class, they are meant to fit into the visual style of the structures, more then the aliens themselves. A lot of people are thinking insects when they look at them, but the look of most of these is actually based off of sea creatures -- crabs, lobsters, squid, etc. Even #1, the most insect like, is referencing waterbugs.

    The size of the Babblers isn't yet set in stone, we have to get them in game and play with them. But, while it would be cool to have a giant swarm of small Babblers, they have to be large enough to shoot, so that they aren't too impossible to hit. Things tend to also look smaller in FP view, then they actually are, so something that is about cat sized is actually going to look very small.

    As far as using multiple designs, sorry, but I can tell you now that it isn't going to happen. To start with, there is simply the cost both in time and money, to finalize the concepts and model and texture and rig and animate and create effects for each Babbler version. Considering it is just one ability on one alien structure, it really isn't worth that much time. Additionally, from a visual standpoint, I don't agree with it, either. You rarely, if ever, see large groupings of different species all moving together and living in the same confined space (such as a Crag). You see swarms of ants and bees, schools of the same kinds of fish, etc. The Babbler designs are so unique and different from one another that they couldn't all be used to represent the same species.

    Thanks for all the comments, guys.

    --Cory
  • BulletcatcherBulletcatcher Join Date: 2005-01-08 Member: 33823Members
    Wow that looks pretty sweet! I like the whole concept that the chamber has two abilities. Can't wait to see it in game, and see the next two chambers!
  • lwflwf Join Date: 2006-11-03 Member: 58311Members, Constellation
    4, 9 and 11 looks too much like the Half-Life headcrabs IMO but the rest all look great.
  • KittamaruKittamaru Join Date: 2006-09-18 Member: 58017Members
    edited August 2010
    #4 or # 11... both are just epic looking lil ###### that would scare you senseless to see LEAPING at your face!

    As for the size/species thing - you could make them like, maybe half the size of snarks, but have "groups" of them share hit points - think of how "swarms" work in Dungeons and Dragons - they are many MANY small creatures, but they share a "hit point pool" with the entire swarm, and thus represent a single entity. This means you don't have to kill each and every one individually, but shooting any of the same "swarm" will lower it's overall HP.

    Probably not the effect you are going for, but it just came to mind :)
  • MikplayeurMikplayeur Join Date: 2009-05-09 Member: 67373Members
    #6 Is awesome. It's the most mysterius and scary of all.
    #5 Rampant creature frightening. Perfect to stick on a Marinne (Looks like a crayfish ^^).
    and #3 Looks like the virus form is.

    For #6 and #3 I imagine simply their body in a bright color illuminated.
  • GraveGrave Join Date: 2007-12-28 Member: 63285Members
  • TriggermanTriggerman Graphic Artist Join Date: 2004-11-10 Member: 32724Members, WC 2013 - Supporter
    edited August 2010
    Nice explanation Cory, have to say it's a pretty neat theme to base it of. Makes sense even, since the mammals are better suited at what they do in the environments they are supposed to roam around in. If the Infestation would have stuck to reusing sea-creatures it would hardly be effective (or just look hilarious if there was a wet sea-cucumber trying to ambush a marine).
    I guess asking if you have a personal favorite is out of the question...? ^^;

    Also, when will we be able to see how the Drifters will really look with the bio-glow in place? I've checked in the modelviewer the internal glow that can't be seen currently, and I just really want to see how they turn out as they are supposed to look like. Just curious :p
  • AtoneAtone Join Date: 2009-09-21 Member: 68839Members
    Number 8 is my favorite.
  • 1stToast1stToast Join Date: 2007-12-02 Member: 63067Members
    1,2,9 in that order. Can't wait to play with the new stuff.
  • MortosMortos Join Date: 2006-11-28 Member: 58763Members
    As someone who put forth the idea of Babbler static defenses on the I&S forums so many times, I'm extremely excited to see it happening. Yay babblers!
  • BRICEBRICE Join Date: 2010-07-16 Member: 72453Members
    Someone cast a poll on the favorite ONE choice.
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