Fade Blink Effect
l3lessed
Join Date: 2010-06-07 Member: 71977Members
Join Date: 2010-06-07 Member: 71977Members
Let me preface this post by saying that I think the new blink functionality is wonderful, and I prefer it way more than the old blink feature in ns1 that made the fade look like a flying superman.
That being said, I am not digging the blink effect overall right now. It seems way to technological and doesn't fit with the Kharaa's overall biological feel. It seems some thing far more appropriate for the marines. I would prefer something where the fade breaks into bits of bacteria that disappear into the air rather then this almost electrical pulse affect it has now. Maybe it could even leave a tiny patch of infestation for a few moments too that way marines even have a visual trail to follow when looking for a blinking fade.
That being said, I am not digging the blink effect overall right now. It seems way to technological and doesn't fit with the Kharaa's overall biological feel. It seems some thing far more appropriate for the marines. I would prefer something where the fade breaks into bits of bacteria that disappear into the air rather then this almost electrical pulse affect it has now. Maybe it could even leave a tiny patch of infestation for a few moments too that way marines even have a visual trail to follow when looking for a blinking fade.
Comments
I would merely say that the Fade's blink is a directed evolution of a new organ energetic enough to predict or even create micro wormholes, and traveling through those. Which would more than amply support this effect since no one knows how a wormhole opening would look.
I would merely say that the Fade's blink is a directed evolution of a new organ energetic enough to predict or even create micro wormholes, and traveling through those. Which would more than amply support this effect since no one knows how a wormhole opening would look.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Its works the same way Marine teleporters (and Infantry portals) work, case closed.
However now that you mention biological; perhaps the effect could be that when the fade blinks, it leaves a fuzzy/shimmering ghost that quickly fades at the point of origin - it moved so fast/blinked that it still looked like it was there for a few moments.
Besides, the Fade might of had this ability before it was absorbed into the Khaara. So it might be something he does and the reason for the Khaara to recruit this species...
He could do it in NS1 (version 1.04 and earlier), but due to stuck issues back then the Khaara (read: the devs) evolved it into a continuous stream of teleportation, hence the flying. But since the old one was still better in terms of combat effectiveness with the element of surprise and all. The Fade's native ability has now been evolved and perfected by the Khaara to be useful again
There ya have it, backstory and reason for the blink effect changes along the evolutionary path of the Khaara...
BAMF!
Okay, it doesn't have to be purple, but you get the idea.
The point I'm making, using straight logic, is that if the artist design the Kharaa to have this thematic connection then the current fade blink affect doesn't match it at all. Because of this, it sticks out and doesn't line up with the Kharaa in general. It's about basic graphic design and decisions. That is why I think something like the night crawler blink affect but with a crimson red affect and some bacterial affects would match up and look much better.
I really like the effect the fade does on tele, and I dont see how it can be thought of as more electrical :S. To me it looks like the fade generates two fields with similar properties as the Improbability drive (hitchikers guide to the galaxy), where it makes the particles in origin field to have a much higher chance of being in the destination field (quantum mechanics).
That or the fade distorts the space-time (would explain why it distorts light to make "black smoke" effect).
Or if you really think its electrical, it could be so that the fade emitts a kind of electrical pulse confusing the nearby nanites, using their help to quickly desintegrate and move to the desired location where another pulsemakes them help reassembling.
There is alot of explanations that would make sense for this, seeing as this is a scifi game with an alien such as the khaara.
I give up. People apparently lack reading comprehension skills. It has nothing to do with NS lore or realism or explaining it through sci-fi lore. This game is set in a completely fictional universe so you can use any excuse you want which is fine.
Again I'll repeat myself. My point is on a extremely basic graphical design level it isn't matching up with the rest of the Kharaa graphical theme. If this is what the team wants for the effect though that is fine. But, I'm saying it just doesn't match graphically causing it to feel out of place when it comes to the Kharaa.
I like it! (but still because of the reasons I mentioned as well)
<b>Thesis:</b> Despite liking it or disliking it, the current fade affect doesn't match the overall graphical theme of the Kharaa. Because of this, the affect should be reworked so that it fits in with the rest of the Kharaa's thematic design.
<b>Main supporting Points:</b>
1. The Kharaa are all graphically designed to have a clear thematic link which revolves around an extremely bacterial feel to it. It is the whole concept behind the race too.
2. This is apparent throughout the whole game when it comes to the Kharaa design.
3. The current fade affect doesn't line up with that graphical theme because it has a more technological design to it, like a marine warp gate might look.
4. To insure that the Kharaa have a uniform theme throughout the entire design, the fade affect needs to be reworked to match up.
I hope breaking it into a clear outline helps you better understand what I'm trying to say. It isn't just opinion. I too like the affect. However, my opinion doesn't nullify the fact that it doesn't fit in with the Kharaa graphical theme.
The smokey/electrical effect fits perfectly IMHO with the Fade. Because it has always stood out from the other Khaara absorbed lifeforms. In NS1 it had a different color and his blink ability is also very different from the others. He stood out among them and was back then also an electrical/smokey warp/wormhole kinda guy.
Just because of that his abilities should reflect that... Why this excessive need to have all the FX look like they use the Khaara Bacteria particles, when it is so obvious the Fade is something completely weird even among his battlebuddies, some have even suggested he was the original life-form of the Khaara :P
And additionally the Kharaa all have blue-purple skin which would indicate that they do not have red blood eg iron as a component in their oxygen carrier cells so crimson red effect is out of the question. So the purple-ish effect fits perfectly.
The electic sparks could easily be a biological process, all animal life does depend on electrical currents you know. Electric eels achieve their high voltage electic discharges by a an amazing array of nerve cells lined up like batteries like in a flashlight only in the millions. Picking up an electric eel and holding it in the air would be unwise as in the air they can deliver a current of 1 amp and 500 volts. So the Fade could have a similar setup and given his size he could like generate a significantly more powerful discharge, This could be what powers the organ that's responsible for the blinking with an added beneficial side effect of temporarily shutting down any nanites in the close vicinity, which is most likely why the Hive mind choose this species to be accepted into the fold.
So you say it doesn't appear biological, well that's your rightful opinion. I do however think it looks biological and even got some facts supporting it as far as a sci-fi concept biological abilities goes.
This is a sci fi game. Arguing about what makes sense doesn't make sense. Case closed again.
Arguing about things standing out being "bad" or "good" is a subjective argument. So there's no objective answer! No side can be more valid, right, or logical than another so stop making logical arguments. The only thing which matters is appealing to the most people.
I say ditch the lightning effects. This is my subjective opinion and cannot ever be wrong (just like someone who likes the lightning effects cannot be wrong), I am voicing my opinion with others so we can tell if the fade effect is liked by many or few.
Edit: This thing needs a poll. Start voting everyone. Yay or nay? And why <i>of course</i>.