Future Of XCOM

[Nosmirc]

I have to explain EVERYTHING to you. :_: [cry]

Then stop giving mixed signals lol. You mention that part of the review, then bash Yahtzee...this is what happens when you try to let others do your talking for you, hence why I'm a stickler for using ones own words to express what they're speaking of (not that there's anything wrong with using examples or analogies, just that you cannot solely rely on them, a bad habit you have)

The point I was making is a strong game/story doesn't need to.... oy.... doesn't need to have character appearance from other stories.

It's odd that you're bringing that up, as there's no specific characters to MAKE an appearance. Featuring the main alien enemy (that goes far beyond just X-Com, as when people think of aliens, they think of greys) that was featured so predominantly throughout the series is vital. As for Interceptor, I would suggest that it wasn't just because it had Sectoids that it only sold 30k copies. In fact, I'm certain that had NOTHING to do with that. Lackluster gameplay in a genre that had better contenders, plus gameplay that is outside the existing fanbases comfort zone is more likely the source. Really, I think you're the only one I've ever seen make the argument that the game sucked JUST because they used Sectoids and other classic aliens.

Hmm...maybe I should give you a few days to reply...you're like 3 posts behind lol.

[Shrike]

@podtech: I loved Apocalypse. I think the atmosphere of the game was absolutely brilliant. While Genesis would have been interesting I'm sure had it been released, I had to admit, I don't think destroying Mega Primus and starting over was really the right way to go. I kinda liked the place.

As for Interceptor, I have it, I played through it, and I mostly enjoyed it. But Nosmirc's right, the flight mechanics are anywhere from lackluster to horrible, as any attempt at dogfighting is pretty much futile. The alien saucers seem to turn on a dime and it's extremely difficult to keep them in your sights long enough to get a shot off, let alone a missile lock. And let me tell you, I played a ton of TIE Fighter and Wing Commander at the time, so I was hardly inexperienced. :P The game was just extremely hard and more often than not, my AI pilots would have to do all the fighting for me.

In short, Interceptor was a good concept that was just poorly executed. I don't think it'd necessarily mean that X-COM in other genres is doomed to fail, it just clearly was on a low budget and got rushed.

[podtech115]

I'm in a down mood, so I'll make this small:

Are you 'X-COM fans' telling me that there is a problem with having one or two games with Sectoids while having the rest of the game be anthologys? (Note: by 'Sectoids', I also mean Skyrangers, Floaters, Chryssalids, Ethereals, the works.)

You're telling me, if XCOM 3 was EXACTLY like UFO: Enemy Unknown (X-COM: UFO Defense) with photorealistic graphics and even turn-based tactics, that would be.... bad?

And if there was a XCOM 3: part 2 (XCOM 6?) which continued the UFO Defense story to the end (Genesis and beyond).... that would also be bad?

And the only way you would like this XCOM series is if it was about Sectoids, and only Sectoids, and nothing but Sectoids?

[Nosmirc]

*sigh* Why do you insist on being so...obtuse? Seriously. Does anyone want an exact copy with updated graphics? While it would be better then nothing, it's not quite what fans want. There were many things people wished could be different in the game.

It's generally accepted that the series went off track. Being that it's well over a decade old, rebooting with a remake of the original makes sense, to start over with a modern prespective and concepts. So yeah, that involves modern takes on the original cast of enemies. If that bothers you too much, well...too damn bad. Just another example of how off track what we've been shown is, if you ask me. Remake a game, use nothing from it! Brilliant.

[podtech115]

Nonononono, I don't think you get it.

XCOM 1: The William Carter Story.
XCOM 2: War of the Worlds
XCOM 3: UFO: Enemy Unknown
XCOM 4: Apocalypse 2
XCOM 5: UFO: Enemy Unknown 2

This is my idea. If they make the next game about the first game, then move on, would it still be bad? This way, 2k can give the fans what they want. Kind of like how Fallout: New Vegas was what old Fallout fans wanted from 3.

Would this be better, or not?

[Nosmirc]

On New Vegas:

The problem with that argument is that New Vegas is only HALF of what Fallout fans wanted. Nearly all of it's flaws stemmed from the crapastic engine they were forced to use. While NV was certainly a vast improvement over Fallout 3, and story wise is what Fallout 3 SHOULD have been, it's still not what fans really wanted. The original Fallouts had far greater facial animations then the Gamebryo engine is capable of, which really speaks for how bad Gamebryo actually is.

On your idea:

First, I think it's a terrible idea, but furthermore, it'll never happen. There's too much risk involved.

Face it, 2k is so large right now, they need AAA titles that will provide, nearly risk free, success. Bioshock Infinite? Little risk there, because a) existing, successful IP, and b) being created by the studio who made the original game of said IP. Both those things instantly make the game an easy sell.

Look at this XCOM. Frankly, it has 'made by committee' written all over it.

FPS. Check.
Fifities setting. Check.
References to existing IPs. Check and check (both X-Com and Bioshock)

From what we've seen, the game is a pretty tame, theorically low risk title. It tries to leech off the success of Bioshock, both in association and mechanics, it uses a low risk gameplay model, it uses an art style that is currently 'in' (I guess...hate the fifities myself...), and it's trying to make a big deal over the fact that it shares the name of one of the most highly praised titles in gaming history.

But when we look to the game model that the original X-Com uses...there's a lot more risk associated with it. It hasn't been tested in the modern gaming market. Publishers don't know for sure if it can pull AAA level sales. It doesn't have any of the big sales drivers that are 'in' nowadays. That basically means that 2k, who seems to prefer games that carry very little risk, will probably never committ to a proper X-Com game.

The only way we'll see that is if the IP changes hands AGAIN, to a company that is actually willing to take risks, and/or the game industry has a massive restructure, like the big companies (2k, EA, Activision) fracturing like the Soviet Union, and resulting in the formation of smaller studios that don't require every game to pull AAA title revenue to stay in business and allow for experimentation.

Sorry, I went off on a bit of a tangent. A more focused answer:

I don't like that idea. It delays the potential proper X-Com game, while risking the newer fanbase hijacking the series from the original fans (like with Fallout). For fans of the originals, I see little benefit with that idea.

[podtech115]

Nothing much to say; just wanted to thank the one guy who voted for "All of the Above". Nice to know someone thinks my ideas are good.

Thanks to those X-COM fans, I was beginning to think I really was crazy and stupid. (I just insulted myself!)

I don't like that idea. It delays the potential proper X-Com game, while risking the newer fanbase hijacking the series from the original fans (like with Fallout). For fans of the originals, I see little benefit with that idea.

In truth, I find that really, really awful and sad. (I don't feel like explaining it right now)

[Nosmirc]

That's what I'm implying there. It would be awful and sad. Having more fans, great. But when they change it so much that fans of the original cannot be fans anymore, that's sad. And just you wait, there'll undoubtably be new fans who'll say "Turn based is so boring and lame, and they don't need to do it anymore, because computers can handle better now! Get with the times."

I've seen it before, and I'll assuredly see it again.

[podtech115]

That's what I'm implying there. It would be awful and sad. Having more fans, great. But when they change it so much that fans of the original cannot be fans anymore, that's sad.

I WAS TALKING ABOUT YOU!!!!!!!

I would nicely explain it to you, but I'm afraid I may get banned. Not that I would say anything bad, I just would get banned for talking. For all I know, This may even be my last post.

[Nosmirc]

I'm not that dense. Just figured I'd use that jab at me to make a point. It sucks when the things you enjoy get turned into something else, intended for a different group of people. It happened with Fallout, and I would not be surprised it happens with X-Com.

Just think about it. Why do you think old Fallout fans are so cankerous? Because the game they loved ended up as the monstousity that is Fallout 3. It's like taking Apocalypse Now, and remaking it for children.

[podtech115]

I'm working on a reply to Nosmirc, But I want to ask one thing:

Does anyone want me to explain my Evangelion-XCOM idea? And if I did, does anyone want me to make ZBrush images to show what I'm going for? The Images maybe helping me in showing you my thoughts.

[Nosmirc]

Myself, not really. Simply too far off the course for this style of game, in my eyes.

[AlphaCent]

Nothing much to say; just wanted to thank the one guy who voted for "All of the Above". Nice to know someone thinks my ideas are good.

Thanks to those X-COM fans, I was beginning to think I really was crazy and stupid. (I just insulted myself!)



In truth, I find that really, really awful and sad. (I don't feel like explaining it right now)

God, i'm so tempted to make a joke!!! But i must resist...

I'm working on a reply to Nosmirc, But I want to ask one thing:

Does anyone want me to explain my Evangelion-XCOM idea? And if I did, does anyone want me to make ZBrush images to show what I'm going for? The Images maybe helping me in showing you my thoughts.

No, nobody's interested the slightest bit. ~ModEdit!~

[vitalis]

x-com:teletubies.

[podtech115]

Look I know no one cares, but I found this game on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bgnXakYUaM

I was thinking what if this was one of the missions that you were made to go on? Maybe this is what 2K was going for?

Maybe not. Bad idea.

But the graphics and sound does make me feel like I'm playing X-COM.

If only 2K can take out the orange color, and give all the missions levels a nice dark blue (Da Ba Dee), because the orange really does make the game look ugly.

[Nosmirc]

Eh? Not really sure how that clip applies to X-Com...unless you mean focusing on the investigative aspect?

That could be interesting, as a spin-off. Not the primary game. And, ah...something a little more current day.

You jerk! You almost got me to click on....that song! While I do agree with the orange hue is barftastic.

[Tanki]

If only 2K can take out the orange color, and give all the missions levels a nice dark blue

Strange that you would suggest a blue hue since an X-Com project that I'm working on has a night scene and a few other areas featuring blue lighting.

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/v...COM/Street.png
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/v...M/sideroom.png
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/v...engineroom.png

[podtech115]

Strange that you would suggest a blue hue since an X-Com project that I'm working on has a night scene and a few other areas featuring blue lighting.

http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/v...COM/Street.png
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/v...M/sideroom.png
http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/v...engineroom.png

Thank you for showing me these nice images.

The lighting is nice, but the graphics looks bad. But I bet it will look better. it looks better then my Brainsucker.

Eh? Not really sure how that clip applies to X-Com...unless you mean focusing on the investigative aspect?

Yes. investigative aspect.

That could be interesting, as a spin-off. Not the primary game. And, ah...something a little more current day.

No. It could be one mission out of 100. It can still be in the primary game. then fans would talk about it: 'did you play that mission?' 'Oh wow! Didn't even know about it!'

You jerk! You almost got me to click on....that song!

"lol" is it that bad?


---------

Since you, AlphaCent, and Codex "dislike" evangelion, I won't show you any cool videos. But I will say this:

You remember the Overspawn, right? well, my idea was to have you shooting giant aliens with small guns and ships -- just like Apocalypse! that's it. that's all.

[Nosmirc]

Yes. investigative aspect.



No. It could be one mission out of 100. It can still be in the primary game. then fans would talk about it: 'did you play that mission?' 'Oh wow! Didn't even know about it!'

I see. Well, it could serve as a break from constant combat, although I can see some folks not being interested (which you could just have an auto resolve for, just not with results that you have influence over).


[quote"lol" is it that bad?[/quote]

Yes.

Since you, AlphaCent, and Codex "dislike" evangelion, I won't show you any cool videos. But I will say this:

You remember the Overspawn, right? well, my idea was to have you shooting giant aliens with small guns and ships -- just like Apocalypse! that's it. that's all.

Eh, I just don't really feel it would work very well for a tactical game. Sure, larger enemies can work, but too large, it kinda gets meh, IMO.

[podtech115]

(Geez, it's so hot! )

Yes.

Yes.

Eh, I just don't really feel it would work very well for a tactical game. Sure, larger enemies can work, but too large, it kinda gets meh, IMO.

You just don't get it, do you? When I talk about this, it's like.... like.... saying that Moby-Dick is about a crazy guy who goes and fights a Whale. Or Dune is about giant worms. I'm saying the ideas I talk about are only a small part of what I wanted, they can be bigger and better.


And I see someone voted "None of the Above". Well, all I can say is: thank you for voting.

[Nosmirc]

Or maybe I DO get it, and I just happen to have an opinion on it, which is what I stated it would be: I don't think it would work very well in a tactical game.

[podtech115]

(This, coming from a guy who like Matt Hazard?)

I'll give you a *very* small exposition:

It will use gameplay parts from Total War, Laser Squad Nemesis, Frozen Synapse, Gratuitous Space Battles and other Tower defense games. Also the giant aliens were going to have small aliens as well. So there!

I was going to explain the details. But I just saw parts of the end of Eva on youtube, and I feel totally insulted that no one here likes such art. (sigh), never mind.

I see someone voted again. Now it 6 votes to 'None of the Above'. I wish someone would vote for something else, or tell us what crazy ideas they have.

[vitalis]

big dancing teletubies, and you a xcom member infiltrated in fbi from the future who must rid of them to save man kind,

[Nosmirc]

It's not so much that I don't like the art of Eva, it's that I a) don't like the story, and b)perfer my mechs to be about the size of a large tank.

I think the largest mech that I'm ok with would be the size of Mechwarrior mechs, although the smaller ones from games like Heavy Gear are more interesting to me.

Man, I wish someone would make a mech tactical gam.....oh right, they turned that into a third person shooter ><

[Brian Damage]

Man, I wish someone would make a mech tactical gam.....oh right, they turned that into a third person shooter ><

See if you can't get your hands on BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception and the emulator software (DOS or Amiga) to run it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BattleT...39;s_Inception

[Tanki]

I was going to explain the details. But I just saw parts of the end of Eva on youtube, and I feel totally insulted that no one here likes such art. (sigh), never mind.

Pod I've watched the entire series and the movie backing in high school, because a bunch of my friends said it was good and wanted me to watched it. Well I did and didn't like it at all, but I finished it for the sake of them. There is nothing wrong with the artwork, but Normirc is right the story sucked. To sum it up the whole series about this prepubescent kid with daddy issues that whines about his emotional problems and expects everyone to cater to his every need, the movie wasn't much better. Kid just needs to get it through his head that life's hard, life's not fair, so get over it. I'm not an anime hater, but I only watch the ones that interest me. The sad part is those ones only come about once every ten years. For some reason I sort of have this knack for looking at the artwork and instantly knowing if I will like the product. (that goes for games as well) I haven't been wrong yet.

I do not want to get into some type of EVA argument that's just my opinion on the series just like you have your opinion on X-Com.

P.S. It still doesn't fit into the X-Com universe.

Man, I wish someone would make a mech tactical gam.....oh right, they turned that into a third person shooter ><

http://www.mechlivinglegends.net/
The best mech sim out so far, but its still missing that mechanical feel of MW3. (I think they shelved MW5)

[podtech115]

It's not so much that I don't like the art of Eva, it's that I a) don't like the story, and b)perfer my mechs to be about the size of a large tank.

And I would have been fine with that, and end it right there, but then Tanki.... (sigh)

----------

I'm very angry at Tanki right now for openly lying about the character, and I have to explain to him, very slowly, why he is wrong and don't understand. But I have to take a time out before I say something stupid.

But I need to say this: What he said about the character is completely wrong, and he has no idea what-so-ever of what he is talking about. It's like saying Anakin and Obi-Wan were gay lovers in Star Wars (maybe in fanfic).

P.S. It still doesn't fit into the X-Com universe.

And that's why you just don't get it, do you?

[Nosmirc]

I dunno, I thought that fit Shinji very well

By the way....telling someone that they don't get it, and leaving it at that while linking the point of view gun clip really doesn't accomplish much. Just saying.

[Codex]

Mostly because the original series/books/radio plays were better than the movie, as much as I loved it... but hey!

Nothing I've seen in this thread changes my original opinion, however - there's nothing we've seen that guarantees this iteration of XCOM (putting aside the baggage of the past ones etc) or the storyline of this XCOM will warrant a sequel. I don't want a sequel for sequel's sake there has to be a reason for it/somewhere to take the plot/vague storyline. Until we've sat down and played XCOM we won't be able to know if there is anything we want in a sequel, besides the obvious full TBS remake that some folks want already.

So, as such I am going to vote "none of the above," but state that it's not because I have a "better" idea, but because that I think that thinking ahead five games is not feasable, especially when you want a good game/work of art.

[podtech115]

Shame on you Codex!

And what the heck was you voting 'none of the above'? Are you trying to kick me when I'm down? I need someone to back me up.

I'm trying to talk to those baka fans, So, please, I'm asking nicely, If you are not going to be on my side, please keep out of the way.

P.S. your image is creepy
-----------

Back to Shinji.

Shinji is not your boring, worthless, run-of the-mill hero you've seen a Decillion times over --he's a sick boy who needs help! He even has a real life mental problem, call Avoidant Personality Disorder. But I guess you wouldn't know that from playing all those oh-so realistic games. He is a 14 year old boy, who's forced into battle -- and all you can do is complaine that he shouldn't be crying about it? I'm betting your not good with kids, are you?


Having these problems makes him interesting. Why do I like interesting? Because interesting is better then extremely ****ing boring. It's like giving a deranged person superpowers and seeing what happens. It's better then seeing that piece of **** Battle: Los Angeles. A movie so bad, that it made Roger Ebert cry.

Kid just needs to [snip]

Tanki, to say your Completely Missing the Point is a gross understatement. You've played too many games with manly men with unfeasibly huge shoulders, IQs like birthdays, and brains like Kevlar. Maybe your talking about another character.... in another episode.... in another show.... in another plane of existence. Maybe you weren't paying attention, and taking something bad. Does this even look like a normal kid to you:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/data.tumblr....SJm8AA28wNA%3D
If you say "yes", then let me just say: you had a very creepy life, and you should sell your story to Silent Hill.

Now let's never talk about the great and awsome Evangelion again. (and if you liked Evangelion:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU2ziJU1E5A )
-------------

P.S. It still doesn't fit into the X-Com universe..

I don't even know what you mean by that. Please explain.

If you mean "how can this be in the same universe as the Sectoids" then let me say it again: They aren't. My XCOM ideas are like that of BioShock Infinite or Final Fantasy​.


P.S. I just saw the new Trailer, and.... and I'm a bit disappointed.

[Codex]

Podtech - simply put it is okay for people to have differing opinions. Also - calling people idiots in another language is no more acceptable than it is in English.

The instant you make a thread public, it opens it up for freedom of speech on these boards. People are allowed to share and discuss their opinions whether they agree with yours 100% or not.

That said - please keep this thread ON TOPIC. We're not talking about "Matt Hazard" and links to both wikipedia and tv tropes that aren't supported in the posts with discussion are considered just as spammish as posting a link to a photo meme.

[Cpl_Facehugger]

See if you can't get your hands on BattleTech: The Crescent Hawk's Inception and the emulator software (DOS or Amiga) to run it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BattleT...39;s_Inception

Inception was an RPG (suprisingly fun for its day, even if it's rediculously simple compared to more advanced RPGs). You're looking for the Crescent Hawks' Revenge, the sequel. Man, I played the hell out of both those games when I was a kid.

Edit: Whoops, posted before I noticed mod post to get on topic.

[podtech115]

Also - calling people idiots in another language is no more acceptable than it is in English.

....

And for the record, I called them 'foolish'.

I just got upset, because I feel like Shinji sometimes, and to have someone telling me that 'he needs to stop crying like a baby' and 'needs to man-up' is just as insulting as if they were talking about me.

----------

Edit: Whoops, posted before I noticed mod post to get on topic.

It's fine with me. you can do whatever you like. I don't care.

But I guess we have to get on topic. But after that Trailer, I don't feel like talking anymore.

[Nosmirc]

Well, just as long as you don't, ah...get off on comatose girls

FYI, it's ok to empathize with a character, but not to the point that you take criticisms and insults directed at the character personally.

Anyways, on to the topic...since this XCOM is looking to be a wash for those craving something akin to the original, I wonder if 2k is open to another dev house taking, maybe the UFO Defense title, and using that to make a more, ah, accurate remake?

[podtech115]

Well, just as long as you don't, ah...get off on comatose girls

(facepalm) Oh, don't remind me!!!

I take it back! I'm more like Cloud Strife. Or like an emo. No, maybe not emo. Okay! I got it! I'm a bit like Marvin the Paranoid Android!

FYI, it's ok to empathize with a character, but not to the point that you take criticisms and insults directed at the character personally.

Yeah, but you guys didn't even understand what his problem was, and then you wonder how could stuff like the Virginia Tech Massacre can happen? No, I am not saying it was people like you, or anything like that. I'm just saying....

Anyways, on to the topic...since this XCOM is looking to be a wash for those craving something akin to the original, I wonder if 2k is open to another dev house taking, maybe the UFO Defense title, and using that to make a more, ah, accurate remake?

I have to ask: are you willing to play a X-COM game that did not look like the first game? Something like TFTD? Because I'm kind-of sick of hearing you go on and on about the first game.

[SolidGear3]

XCOM 2.. Direct sequal to the remake with no changes

[vitalis]

i hope 2k dont buy ''jagged aljance'' and dont make shooter from him
in these days games gona worse and worse, i play new d&d game, so its crap, maked simple and stupid, so to be ''fun'', so much good pc games castrated to fit consoles...

[Codex]

Please don't start a pc vs console war. That's not what this thread/board is here for. If you want to start a civil discussion about the merits of consoles vs pcs, might I suggest the Videogames and Tech board?

[Nosmirc]

I have to ask: are you willing to play a X-COM game that did not look like the first game? Something like TFTD? Because I'm kind-of sick of hearing you go on and on about the first game.

Well, aside from liking the first the most, another reason is that if the series WERE to get a proper reboot, that's the starting point, with a premise that actually can fit modern times. TFTD can sorta fit, although it could do without the insane difficulty, but beyond that? Eh, it starts to lose touch with a key element of what made X-Com work for me.

[Tanki]

I have to ask: are you willing to play a X-COM game that did not look like the first game? Something like TFTD? Because I'm kind-of sick of hearing you go on and on about the first game.

Sure, the second I found out about Frozen Synapse I bought it. It looks nothing like UFO: Enemy Unknown and it doesn't even have aliens. Here is a little bit of me playing it took 20 mins of planning to finish this mission that took 1 min to play out in real time. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B18yClWXO4

Personally, I believe a revamp of X-Com should feature, if nothing else this in-depth game play like Frozen Synapse. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jJrUY27O0Y

Btw, ty vitalis.