Question to the Dev's

whoppaXXL

<div class="IPBDescription">Development of the alien lifeforms</div>Hey there UWE,

just a question (sorry if it has been answered before) regarding the development of the alien lifeforms. I certainly believe you had ideas and concepts for other alien lifeforms besides the ones we know since NS1. Was there a serious discussion about taking out one of the known lifeforms and changing it with a completly new one? If so, what ideas did you had?

I just wonder because in the early development there were many theories and community ideas for it and as it looks now, there won't be a completely new species for the current NS2.

Thanks.

Squeal_Like_A_Pig

Actually, there really wasn't much in the way of discussion regarding removing any of the existing alien lifeforms or adding a new one. We knew the alien classes were all important to retain from NS1, and it would be way to problematic to remove any of the classes -- can you imagine if we just decided to take out the Fade or the Gorge, people would go insane?

As far as adding a new lifeform, that is something we would like to do eventually, and have had a few ideas here and there of what it would be, but we always knew it was out of the scope of the first release version of NS2. At some point after release we would like to add a new alien class, but it is going to require a lot of thought to find a suitable addition that stands on its own and is not redundant.

--Cory

Chris0132

Actually you could probably remove either the skulk or the fade and just buff whichever one is left in the late game.

But yeah all the other classes fill pretty distinct roles, if you took them you'd probably have to replace them with something largely identical, or find other places to put their abilities.

DJPenguin

<!--quoteo(post=1869106:date=Aug 15 2011, 12:20 PM:name=Squeal_Like_A_Pig)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Squeal_Like_A_Pig @ Aug 15 2011, 12:20 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1869106"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Actually, there really wasn't much in the way of discussion regarding removing any of the existing alien lifeforms or adding a new one. We knew the alien classes were all important to retain from NS1, and it would be way to problematic to remove any of the classes -- can you imagine if we just decided to take out the Fade or the Gorge, people would go insane?

As far as adding a new lifeform, that is something we would like to do eventually, and have had a few ideas here and there of what it would be, but we always knew it was out of the scope of the first release version of NS2. At some point after release we would like to add a new alien class, but it is going to require a lot of thought to find a suitable addition that stands on its own and is not redundant.

--Cory<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Babbler Leader class. Paleeaaasseee.

vizioNz

The maps are way to small to introduce another character... You may say, "what the hell does the map size have to do with the characters", well it very much does. I can't even think of an effective class that can compete with the space of structures, other aliens, world structures, railings and especially the ONOS. The onos can not fit in 70-80% of every map that can be "publicly" played right now.

Smug_Lobster

I think instead of adding or removing lifeforms, there should be an option to upgrade each lifeform. I don't mean the typical upgrades like cloak, swarm, frenzy, etc. I mean they need to evolve into superior pokemans. For example:

Gorge - at 3 hives gorges should be able to evolve into Gorgestans, giving them the ability to create babblers in their pouches over time. They also have increased armor but are slower and cannot belly slide anymore (it would abort the poor babblers if they did!)
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/f4KQT.png" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Lerk - at 2 hives Lerks can evolve into Golerks, which gives them significant buffs. One very important change is they can no longer shoot spikes, but instead can use bite attack which uses 10 pp and does heavy damage. They become much swifter and gain sonic waves. Sonic waves: the Golerk lets out a piercing shriek which causes enemies to become confused, temporarily turning on friendly fire.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/Ff9h3.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Skulk - at 3 hives the skulk can now assume a more nimble and clever form, known as the Skulpix. Skulpix is a fire-elemental kharaa, and thusly cannot be hurt by flamethrowers. In addition, the upgraded skulk can temporarily disguise itself as a female marine, distracting male members of the frontiersmen, This ability has a cooldown but can really turn the tides of the game if the marines are not paying attention to who they are following.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/lGloW.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Fade - at 3 hives the fade can assume Fabutops form. This very expensive form simply allows the fade to have twice as much energy and health, and its attacks drain health from the marines intot he Kabutops, making this beast a priority for the marines to take down.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/m9pJH.png" border="0" class="linked-image" />

These are serious suggestions so don't just put them down, I put a lot of thought into this.

Arcticfoxx

<!--quoteo(post=1869248:date=Aug 16 2011, 05:39 AM:name=Smug_Lobster)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Smug_Lobster @ Aug 16 2011, 05:39 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1869248"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I think instead of adding or removing lifeforms, there should be an option to upgrade each lifeform. I don't mean the typical upgrades like cloak, swarm, frenzy, etc. I mean they need to evolve into superior pokemans. For example:

Gorge - at 3 hives gorges should be able to evolve into Gorgestans, giving them the ability to create babblers in their pouches over time. They also have increased armor but are slower and cannot belly slide anymore (it would abort the poor babblers if they did!)
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/f4KQT.png" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Lerk - at 2 hives Lerks can evolve into Golerks, which gives them significant buffs. One very important change is they can no longer shoot spikes, but instead can use bite attack which uses 10 pp and does heavy damage. They become much swifter and gain sonic waves. Sonic waves: the Golerk lets out a piercing shriek which causes enemies to become confused, temporarily turning on friendly fire.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/Ff9h3.jpg" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Skulk - at 3 hives the skulk can now assume a more nimble and clever form, known as the Skulpix. Skulpix is a fire-elemental kharaa, and thusly cannot be hurt by flamethrowers. In addition, the upgraded skulk can temporarily disguise itself as a female marine, distracting male members of the frontiersmen, This ability has a cooldown but can really turn the tides of the game if the marines are not paying attention to who they are following.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/lGloW.gif" border="0" class="linked-image" />

Fade - at 3 hives the fade can assume Fabutops form. This very expensive form simply allows the fade to have twice as much energy and health, and its attacks drain health from the marines intot he Kabutops, making this beast a priority for the marines to take down.
<img src="http://i.imgur.com/m9pJH.png" border="0" class="linked-image" />

These are serious suggestions so don't just put them down, I put a lot of thought into this.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

+1. Awesomeness

whoppaXXL

Thanks Cory for the insight!

And Smug, 5 Star Post!

ZycaR

<!--quoteo(post=1869106:date=Aug 15 2011, 12:20 PM:name=Squeal_Like_A_Pig)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Squeal_Like_A_Pig @ Aug 15 2011, 12:20 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1869106"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->... At some point after release we would like to add a new alien class,...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->Scorpain <span style='color:#000000;background:#000000'>hover without flapping</span> ?

Kouji_San

Gottah Evolve them all!

DJPenguin

<!--quoteo(post=1869357:date=Aug 16 2011, 11:27 AM:name=Kouji_San)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Kouji_San @ Aug 16 2011, 11:27 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1869357"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Gottah Evolve them all!<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

no way. beating the game without evolving them is much more satisfying.

Smug_Lobster

Gotta resist using that Rare Candy

DJPenguin

<!--quoteo(post=1869426:date=Aug 16 2011, 03:12 PM:name=Smug_Lobster)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Smug_Lobster @ Aug 16 2011, 03:12 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1869426"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Gotta resist using that Rare Candy<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

i used 10 pieces of rare candy on a pidgey to bring it up to level 13. how does that make you feel?

Smug_Lobster

I scowled in disgust as I read that. How does that make you feel?

DJPenguin

Delighted.

Smug_Lobster

you need to get a magicarp and feed it 98 rare candies

speaking of magicarp, why aren't there any aquatic kharaa? We need underwater levels, marines can have spaceboats!!

brytstar

We did get a new life form, it's the larvae used by the commander ;)