Written by Gradius |
Monday, 16 June 2008 23:00
News -
StarCraft II
Update: Karune comments on
StarCraft II's art in response to the criticism of the latest screenshot:
While viewing new screenshots, keep in mind, the Art Team is still polishing the races and still have a lot of work to be done. Even since the Terran reveal, you can see there has been a lot of work still done to them. While just looking at the Siege Tank, it got a redesign, as well as another pass to add 'grit' and realism, and as seen in this latest screenshot, another pass of 'grit' and Terran decals, as well as further contrast and details added to it.
If you're not happy with a unit, there is a high probability that the unit will still be getting art updates. If you're already think the unit is awesome, there is even more chance of it becoming more awesome before the game comes out. Personally, I thought the Siege Tank was already pretty sweet after the last art pass, but wow, this latest round is just going above and beyond.
There is still much to be done, for all three races.
Today, Blizzard updated
StarCraft2.com with its first planet:
Char. This volcanic planet has been the fixing point of many imaginations; and rightly so, several of
StarCraft's major plots have their origins here.
Many technical aspects of the planets are being revealed as well.
* Population: Est. 10,000,000,000+ zerg
* Allegiance: Swarm
* Diameter/Gravity: 10,521 km, 0.91 standard
* Axial Tilt/Climate: 4.1 degrees, +/- 48 Centigrade (average, peaks of 800C+), very low humidity
* Geography/Major Settlements: 52 volcanic caldera, 18 mountain chains (all volcanic), 38 lava lakes, 5 lava seas (variable), estimated 150 primary zerg hive clusters, estimated 1029 tertiary zerg hive clusters
* Moon(s): 2 -- Eris, Ate (purple, small sized >1000 km dia)
* Dominant Terrain Classification: Volcanic
* Dominant Life Forms: Zerg
* Indigenous Life Forms: None
* Imports: None
* Exports: None
This type of lore gives a more realistic feel to the
StarCraft universe.
In addition we find out that Char was actually one of the 13 Confederate core worlds:
When these disputes escalated into open conflict, some of the bitterest battles of the Guild Wars took place on Char as both sides attempted to secure the planet. In areas like Death Valley and Glass Flats, unrestrained use of nuclear weapons awoke slumbering volcanoes into fiery new life and pushed the already heavily irradiated surface to levels that were lethal even for armored marines.
In the aftermath of the Guild Wars, the Confederacy presence on the devastated planet was limited to a few maintenance teams for automated mining sites.
The name of Char's primary space platform is also revealed:
All personnel lived on a space platform, Char Aleph, which was built in near orbit over the planet.
...
Char Aleph was also infested and began serving the zerg as an orbital nesting site and hatchery.
Presumably, this platform was the site of the battle of Omega and the same platform as described in
StarCraft: Hybrid.
Along with this wonderful information pertaining to the volcanic planet of Char, the site has also added two other pieces of artwork and a new screenshot:
Karune has elaborated on some of the models in the newly-released screenshot:
The green spidery-like building on the top left is the new art for the Baneling Nest, the prerequisite building to morph Zerglings into Banelings. The new art in the middle is the Infestor Pit, which allows Infestors to be built. Infestor upgrades are also available at that building.
As you can see, the Terran Jackals no longer have a single front wheel tire, but instead have two, giving it more of a 'buggy-like' feel.
Source:
StarCraft2.com - Char
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