LotV Cinematic

[Visions of Khas]

Kiiinda disappointed. But I suppose I let myself get over-hyped after the success of the cinematics for the HotS intro and Diablo's Azmodan cutscene.

-vvEzm9DlDQ

[Equiliari]

I get that. But I could not stop smiling regardless.
And release date!

[Visions of Khas]

Oh, no doubt. They portrayed Protoss warriors in battle JUST as I imagined, in their full majesty and glory. I'm not saying it's a bad cinematic -- HELL no. But the Transformers movie-style is strong with this one.

November 10, whoop whoop!

[DonnyZeDoof]

I wonder if the one-eyed zealot is going to be a character in the campaign.

[Visions of Khas]

I doubt it.

But I'm seriously beginning to wonder if the Protoss are essentially clones. Like, maybe they're parthanogenic.

[sandwich_bird]

I thought it was amazing. Everything a fan boy would want IMO. What were you expecting VoK? I guess the scope was smaller in comparison to HotS(1 ''small'' battlefield instead of an entire city).

[Visions of Khas]

What were you expecting VoK? I guess the scope was smaller in comparison to HotS(1 ''small'' battlefield instead of an entire city).
I suppose that's it, essentially. But in retrospect, a smaller scale does better to exemplify the elegant strength and determination of the Protoss, as both a race and individuals. The grand scope of Korhal City was geared towards the revolting brutality and theme of the Zerg.

[TheEconomist]

Quick thoughts

1) I still don't quite like the Protoss voice effects. Another thing about StarCraft 2 I just never liked. StarCraft Brood War Protoss, and Zerg, sounded so much better. But, these are old complaints.
2) Protoss still look retarded to me. Then again, none of the races look right to me.
3) The cinematic seemed kind of Starcrafts-y to me. Turn that into an animation and you've got a Starcrafts episode. That's not a bad thing. I'd prefer that to a cinematic about some plot I don't care about.
4) Does show a good job of showing conflict instead of stupid emotional plots.


I think the thing that I'm the most happy about is that it's about conflict between Protoss and Zerg, not some stupid plot/villainy. The HotS cinematic might've been epic, but I still couldn't care. This cinematic does a good job of showing how the Protoss fight against massive amounts of Zerg with technology and skills, much better than a cinematic about Zeratul's descent into senility or his previously unmentioned sexual obsession with Raszagal.

All in all, it's maybe my favorite cinematic so far.

Mostly, I'll be happy to finally open the wound for the last time. Get to the end, feel the relief, finally start to heal. Tired of hoping for improvements (only a bit) and ready to just wait for my children to play a hopefully better StarCraft 3.

[Gradius]

Still feel sorry for whoever watched it and ruined 1/2 of the CGI cinematics of the actual game for themselves. :P

[Visions of Khas]

Did anyone else notice that when Helmet Zealot was struck down, he released a blue flash but his body remained? Was his "essence" gathered up? Or was that a release of energy at the moment of death? I'm thinking the latter. RIP Helmet Zealot. :(

[TheEconomist]

Still feel sorry for whoever watched it and ruined 1/2 of the CGI cinematics of the actual game for themselves. :P

Spoilers: 4gate comes online just in time to prevent the 10 pool.

[Visions of Khas]

Still feel sorry for whoever watched it and ruined 1/2 of the CGI cinematics of the actual game for themselves. :P


I watched the Twitch stream for a couple minutes leading up to the cinematic, and one of the Blizzard reps said they'd completed some 30 cinematics for LotV. However, I wonder if what he really meant to say was "cutscenes". Either way, fuck your dour pessimism, I am stoked. :D

[Gradius]

Either way, fuck your dour pessimism, I am stoked. :D
Me too. That's because I'll actually enjoy the cinematics when the game comes out. :P

[TheEconomist]

Before I watched the trailer, I had prepared myself for massive spoilers. Funny though, that is the first time I've seen Blizzard not spoil the plot in the beginning, Not sure if that's a good or bad sign.

[DemolitionSquid]

*Watches trailer*

*Rolls over*

That was pretty good...

*Lights cigarette*

... but I've had better.

*Puffs*

Fin

[Visions of Khas]

Have they changed Artanis' voice actor, or simply lowered his voice a few octaves in post? It doesn't sound as deep as in the campaign preview, but it possesses the same mannerisms and nuances as WoL's Artanis.

[Turalyon]

I like how the cinematic shows the importance of constructing additional pylons.

[Robear]

^I'm sure that 30 number refers to the in-engine cutscenes too, but HotS had some pretty elaborate ones of those, so I'll definitely take it. (Now that the cinematic was another ground battle, I'm still holding out hope for a space battle cutscene mid-campaign.)

I loved the cinematic, but I could also see why some might be disappointed. The zerg models might have gotten slight updates, but they're the same units we saw in the HotS intro, and at first glance it seems not particularly story-heavy. However, spoiler spoiler, the whole idea of the khala is important to the plot, and I guarantee you casual fans who only got into the game in SC2 won't know what the khala is at all, since WoL and HotS were so light on the Protoss. So I think it's great to bring it up in the intro like that.

Loved a lot of the little touches, like the high templar moving over to help his friend up with lots of blurry afterimages like in SC1... :') I did think the archon could have been more firey and less solid-armor-floating, and it would've been cool if his zergling-destroying energy beam was more jaggedy like SC1 (http://classic.battle.net/images/battle/scc/protoss/pix/units/screenshots/a01.jpg) instead of a straight line. But yeah the fighting and high templar were awesome, and the showing in-game stuff like unburrowing banelings and building pylons. Good stuff.

I wonder if we'll ever get a PvT cutscene? Probably not, at this point.

[Visions of Khas]

What I really love is the cinematic quality lends itself well to wallpaper material. :D
(http://imgur.com/XtMR3lX,pSVIRHZ,2NoasZc,dbnCh7X,Ha6aG7V,slYRZj2,dZ IpCdB,7zQR3YW#0)
http://i.imgur.com/dbnCh7X.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/pSVIRHZ.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/XtMR3lX.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/slYRZj2.jpg


I also just noticed that the One-Eyed Zealot bears a strong resemblance to Teredal (http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Teredal).

[TheEconomist]

Now that you mention it, it really does. Mind if i snag a few?

Anyways, getting back to the game. The more I think about it, the more I think the focus of the cinematic is a good sign. If they're focusing on the Protoss vs Zerg conflict in the cinematic, maybe it means they're focusing more on conflict in general in the story arch. Not that they could really make a love story and the like make sense in the context of the Protoss, but this IS blizzard.

Anticipation +1

[Equiliari]

Made my own wallpaper from different screens:
http://i.imgur.com/BX5jA3q.png

Also loving this one (unedited screenshot)
http://i.imgur.com/zQmMcr2.png

[Visions of Khas]

... Equiliari, I love it. I must now mate with you. Assume the position.

[DonnyZeDoof]

Before I watched the trailer, I had prepared myself for massive spoilers. Funny though, that is the first time I've seen Blizzard not spoil the plot in the beginning, Not sure if that's a good or bad sign.

It's probably because they've already spoiled that the Protoss are going to retake Aiur from the Zerg last year at Blizzcon.

I'm wondering where the Dark Templar are in this cinematic. Aiur was originally their home as well. I have a hunch that they may be neglected in this campaign with all this talk about the khala.

[TheEconomist]

My God, those are sexy. Lemme in on that hot action after VoK is done with you.


It's probably because they've already spoiled that the Protoss are going to retake Aiur from the Zerg last year at Blizzcon.

I didn't know that but you have a point. That would make sense

Also, if they one-eyed Protoss isn't at least a small character, they've wasted a good gimmick. Never thought scarred, pirate looking Protoss would work so well.

[The_Blade]

Honestly, this is what we "asked" for. For me the Artanis voice was a let down, but the cinematic itself was quite nice. No spoilers, only foreshadowing. For once I see the strength of the Protoss. Only thing I need now is some space battles. Some sound effects and models might have been reused, but it works.

Those wallpapers are nice! I'll use some :)

[TheEconomist]

I agree with The_Blade.

[KaiserStratosTygo]

Excellent cinematic.

Gameplay and story is stil going to blow, though.

But fuck, i'll give them something for that cinematic at least, pretty enjoyable.

also as someone stated on the blizzard forums, the armor is fantastic, with how thin it is as opposed to everything else in SC2 that's absurdly clunky and ugly looking.

[Visions of Khas]

You're right, Kaise. It definitely looks like they took to heart the fan reaction about body builds. I am so incredibly glad that Zealots are these lithe, elegant creatures, rather than hulking brutes.


For me the Artanis voice was a let down
Why's that? I'm pretty sure it's Patrick Seitz again, with his voice lowered in post-production. I'm not sure if I'd prefer this version or his higher-pitched version.

[Robear]

Unrelated a bit, but I just realized that the Zealot vs. Hydralisk bits of this cinematic have been bouncing around in Chris Metzen's head for the last 19 years, hah.

1996:

http://i.imgur.com/f9mKHFt.jpg

1997:

http://i.imgur.com/wwJzcAN.jpg

1998:

http://i.imgur.com/Bw5McSo.jpg

Finally in 2015 we get to see who wins (http://i.imgur.com/MudifFP.gifv). And finally maybe I can begin to get over the indignity of not seeing Fenix fight at all in his SC1 cinematic. :P

[The_Blade]

Why's that? I'm pretty sure it's Patrick Seitz again, with his voice lowered in post-production. I'm not sure if I'd prefer this version or his higher-pitched version.

I don't have any issues with Patrick Seitz. I really like his voice over for Garrosh and I've heard some of his work in anime. My main concern with this monologue is the changes in pitch and the pauses. It just feels like Artanis has no more air to speak. An example of an unnecessary pause happens between "shatter" and "our unity"). Then there's no air left within him as he says the words "khala" and "thought".

The first phrase and second half of the monologue are fine. I respect that it does not climaxes in a cliche tone, like a typical propaganda speech. However, I can't help but imagine Stevie from Malcolm in the Middle with a Protoss face during the middle part of the monologue. I can imagine Artanis almost fainting as his emotions take over his body, when remembering the defeat of Aiur or just by getting emotional. A funeral speech comes second to that idea. A battle speech is not exactly the place for the hero to crack down in such a way, maybe get emotional.

This is how I perceive it though. Is it the worst dialogue ever? No, but it's not the best either. I feel this cinematic was amazing graphically, but the monologue failed to par up.

Edit: Plus the script was great, just not the tone.

[Turalyon]

^ I thought that this was just a voice-over, not an actual speech being made right there and then on the battlefield nor a voiced narrative for the action. I kinda wonder how the cinematic would "work" if the VO was completely removed since it doesn't add much or detract really. The "feels" should still be there I reckon.

Now, if only they could do a cinematic with TvP or with all three races going at it at the same time. That'd be sweet.

[The_Blade]

I can't help but compare it with the speech fragment on the Oblivion cinematic, where Artanis is actually giving the moral boost. That would be the source of my bias.

Which makes me wonder, is this Artanis speaking? There's some obvious production changes if this is still the voice of Artanis.

[Equiliari]

Because I loved the pylon screen, and you guys, here you go:
http://i.imgur.com/qsGWJot.png

[The_Blade]

Yes! Thanks you!

[Eivind]

It's probably because they've already spoiled that the Protoss are going to retake Aiur from the Zerg last year at Blizzcon.

I'm wondering where the Dark Templar are in this cinematic. Aiur was originally their home as well. I have a hunch that they may be neglected in this campaign with all this talk about the khala.

I wouldn't worry. One of the main characters on the LOTV page (http://eu.battle.net/sc2/en/legacy-of-the-void/#characters) is a DT. More specifically, she is Vorazun (http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Vorazun), daughter of Raszagal.

[TheProgramer]

I took some screenshots as well. (http://imgur.com/a/Plp5R)

[Visions of Khas]

Our proud people became... refugees.

I guess Europe isn't the only one suffering from a refugee problem.

[TheEconomist]

Nope. US has already been overrun.

[Visions of Khas]

Am I the only one that wishes the Archon looked more ethereal and energy-infused like the old Brood War version?

http://i.imgur.com/xtzgutm.jpg

[Robear]

Yeah, I was fine with its armor components being pretty solid, especially after various SC2 art,

http://i.imgur.com/7BsN3Tx.jpg

but I expected once it formed and said power overwhelming and its shield popped in it would burst into flame/energy, kinda like the top half of this:

https://31.media.tumblr.com/98083f8dbff506fccfc90ab551f8e35c/tumblr_msrto8erks1rw80z2o3_500.gif

...and the body wouldn't be very visible. Definitely expected more flame/plasma, this was a little bit weird.

[Gradius]

It looks ethereal to me, just not energy-infused. :P

[TheEconomist]

Yip. I've always been disappointed with the SC2 Archon. Even beyond simple aesthetics, it makes more sense that two High Templars energies would fuse to become an energy being, not a larger, semi-Protoss shaped entity that magically sprouted different armor.

[Robear]

This is more what I would have expected:


http://i.imgur.com/E1enMDi.png

http://i.imgur.com/sJkFHfW.jpg

[TheEconomist]

Same. Minus the armor. Where did that armor come from?

[Turalyon]

Needs more smoke and "swirly stuff" to obscure it more, I reckon. I don't mind the armour as such, but it kinda makes the archon seem more "solid" which doesn't really help convey the spirit-y nature of what it is.

Also, with everything looking "hard" on that Archon, the lack of legs on the thing just makes it look weird since it pretty much looks just like a regular but shinier and light-emitting Protoss. Is the lack of legs supposed to be the visual sign that it's an energy/spirit being? Even disregarding that, I'm pretty sure that in Sc1, the in-game model of the Archon did show a hint of legs in certain angles.

[Robear]

Yep, the original archon did have legs. In fact, the the ball of energy and the body were separate sprites, so you can see the legs very clearly in ripped spritesheets:

http://i.imgur.com/5vphnkz.png

That said, if the manual render is to be believed, even this archon was actually wearing armor...

http://i.imgur.com/PM9TbAd.jpg

Armor that was re-used from the high templar sprite with some of the pieces deleted. Which itself was reused from the zealot armor with some pieces deleted.

http://i.imgur.com/1fPKxKj.jpg

In that manual render you can see the circles by the elbows, the shoulders, the same collar armor, the same hips, and even the little black cables running along the chest. Just no shoulder bands or psi blade emitters and with the pointier upper part of the shoulder pads and leg armor removed (high templar below kept those last two, archon didn't).

http://i.imgur.com/Kcfy2i3.jpg

It's hard to tell, but I'm pretty sure that the manual render there is in fact the same as the sprite model, because it has the same weird bent asymmetrical leg. So, even in 1998, someone wanted it to be armored, and we just couldn't tell.

(That said, you don't run into the issue of 'where did this new armor design come from,' since it's made out of the same pieces as the high templar armor.)

[Nissa]

I'm always impressed by your guys' ability to do all this image stuff. It must be great to be able to mod.

[TheEconomist]

It's not that there's armor. It's that the armor is now massive and a different shape than it was. Why waste energy on changing the armor when you could just be an even more badass energy being.

[Robear]

Yeah, that I'll totally agree with.

[ragnarok]

I watched the Twitch stream for a couple minutes leading up to the cinematic, and one of the Blizzard reps said they'd completed some 30 cinematics for LotV. However, I wonder if what he really meant to say was "cutscenes". Either way, fuck your dour pessimism, I am stoked. :D

I'm more convinced they're confusing cutscenes for cinematics. If that's indeed the case, 30 means squat in number. If they have 3000 or more, THEN it'll be fine