New LotV UI/menus

[Robear]

http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/blog/19911221


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXB6sIVdg04

(also around 2:15 you can hear a remake of the SC1 Protoss briefing room music)

I was a little afraid of things just being exactly the same as Heroes of the Storm's UI, but I'm really liking this. Things like showing a marine, zealot or hydralisk depending on the race you're picking is fun, and chat looks great, though, tbh, it's what it should have looked like 5 years ago. And it feels right that they're really making the campaign section look like Starcraft 2 as a unified game, with the 3 sections portrayed the same way as the racial campaigns in SC1.

https://bnetcmsus-a.akamaihd.net/cms/content_entry_media/T1B1STLAHSG61443808524050.jpg

[Gradius]

WoL needs to be episode 7. The BW Queen of Blades campaign was episode 6 and so on and so forth.

But yeah, loving the SC1 homage.

Telenil - we're replacing those models with marine, zealot and hydra for mass recall.

[KaiserStratosTygo]

WoL needs to be episode 7. The BW Queen of Blades campaign was episode 6 and so on and so forth.

But yeah, loving the SC1 homage.

Telenil - we're replacing those models with marine, zealot and hydra for mass recall.

That's literally what I thought when I saw this.

I'll give Blizz some cred for stroking my Nostlgiaboner for some of this lore and aesthetic stuff (Tassadar knows they failed on the MP front)

[TheEconomist]

Tassadar knows they failed on the MP front

I do sooo love it when bronzers with less than a hundred games talk about the MP like they know it.

[Turalyon]

WoL needs to be episode 7. The BW Queen of Blades campaign was episode 6 and so on and so forth.

I'm kind of glad it isn't though since it kinda supports my headcanon that Sc2 is a reboot/reimagining/offshoot of Sc1 and not really the sequel to it. LOL! :p

[sandwich_bird]

Blizzard is really getting their act together for this last expansion. I feel like they're finally listening to all the fans complaints over the years. Good for them.

[TheEconomist]

I've always thought it was possible they could pull a Star Wars: Episode III and have the final installment be a decent product. It may be too little, too late, but it's also better late than never.

The fact that it deals with the Protoss and most of the idiocy is out of the way, is good opportunity. Granted, they could retardize the Amon arch (is that already confirmed?), I'll just stay slightly optimistic since that benefits me at the moment.

[Nissa]

Episode III wasn't even near decent. It was a digital explosion of crap no one cares about.

To me, the retcon of the Overmind, lackluster death of Mengsk, Kerri/Jim romance, obliteration of the Duran character, and poor presentation of Amon have all destroyed any possibility of this having a good story. While it's refreshing to be presented with a new line up of Protoss characters, it means that almost none of the characters we've come to know and love will be alive or around (assuming they'd be portrayed correctly). Oh, which I guess is good in the sense that we get to see characters who aren't mangled, but it's pretty sad for a finale.

They really should have done Zerg-Toss-Terran.

On the other hand, the video does make it seem like Blizzard is listening. If they make this a great game to play, then even if the story ends in shambles, I can let it go. This is a game, after all, and gameplay is king.

[TheEconomist]

Nissa, again, relativity. We have low expectations.

That being said, Episode III was decent, in my opinion. I'd almost give it three stars. I enjoyed it while I watched it, and promptly never thought about it again. Episode I and II were complete jokes.

[Turalyon]

Episode III wasn't even near decent. It was a digital explosion of crap no one cares about.

Yeah, it was still kinda crappy but compared to what came before, it was better and that's really all that one can hope for in this instance with LotV.

At this point, I'll be happy to not instinctively reach for the Esc key and tap it several times everytime Sc2 dialogue pops up. If LotV can help reduce that particular habit (maybe one less tap? :p), I consider that a huge win.

[Nissa]

I don't know the standards by which you judge "better". It's all too much silliness and dependence on overwhelming visuals for me to tell on any objective basis. Or maybe it's because I enter a near comatose state when watching them, as my brain's way of protecting me from the severe boredom.

[Turalyon]

By saying better (not the italics), I'm not judging it purely objectively since it is pure junk if I tried to. Like Eco said, it's relative. Ep III is better than Ep I and Ep II purely because it has a sense of momentum/urgency/direction and more realised stakes than the previous entries. It also taps into the SW mythology more directly than the previous movies did. Ep I and II were a slog to get through because it often evoked this general "what the hell is this and why am I watching this again?" feeling which is bad when trying to capitalise on a well-known universe/franchise. In Ep I and and Ep II, I had no idea what those movies were trying to tell me individually where Ep III is clearly about how Darth vader came about.

In most other narratives, having such an obvious plot-line be so pedestrian and undisguised is often cited as being unimaginative and rote but for Ep III, it was a godsend and sorely needed given the aimless previous entries. It's like how HotS story is better than WoL's in terms of how it's told and presented. It's just that because HotS was a more properly constructed narrative, people were free to look at what the story content was about and found it wanting/unworthy/uninteresting. Whereas with WoL, the underlying content was potentially interesting (there is still debate) but presented poorly as a narrative. Even then, when the core narrative of WoL is stripped down to follow HotS' structure, the content of that story is still sorely wanting in itself, too. There isn't really much more to WoL than a guy who finds a shifty friend and does nothing to help him but goes along with him to find tokens to a plot device that so conveniently happens to end the biggest current threat in the universe with the unsuprising betrayal of this so-called friend only being the slightest of impediments to this hitherto unknown but nontheless relevent goal - and for some reason, it took the length of the original game to tell this story.

[TheEconomist]

Yeah, it was still kinda crappy but compared to what came before, it was better and that's really all that one can hope for in this instance with LotV.

At this point, I'll be happy to not instinctively reach for the Esc key and tap it several times everytime Sc2 dialogue pops up. If LotV can help reduce that particular habit (maybe one less tap? :p), I consider that a huge win.

All of this.

[Robear]

Episode III has by far the worst sound design of all the Star Wars movies. Yeah, I said it. Boom.

(Also, bad dialogue/acting, but, hey, w/e.)

A big part of WoL's weakness was its not very well-executed "choose your own adventure in your own order—but with 0 lasting consequences and decisions that don't make sense" approach, trying to cash in on the big trend of moral choice systems in games at the time. Part of the reason for HotS' campaign being better is that they didn't go as hard for this angle, and definitely didn't try to advertise it as a main selling point, and I assume LotV will be the same way, so it should be more focused than WoL was.

[KaiserStratosTygo]

I do sooo love it when bronzers with less than a hundred games talk about the MP like they know it.

I like how you assumed a few things.

The MP front failed because it was boring as shit and is the reason why I have about 84 career games tops.

What? did you think I was talking about balance? or something XD

Suck my huevos.

[Nissa]

I don't want to get into another debate, Tura, but the point of my statement was to inquire about what standards you use to determine that III is better. I know it's all relative. I'm just wondering what you see that I don't.

Or I'm not anymore, as I have grown thoroughly bored of the topic.

[Turalyon]

I don't want to get into another debate, Tura

*Shrugs shoulders* Then don't? I'm not the one that keeps misunderstanding my responses as being confrontational or wanting a debate.


but the point of my statement was to inquire about what standards you use to determine that III is better. I know it's all relative. I'm just wondering what you see that I don't.

I've done just that in my previous response... haven't I?

[Equiliari]

Dat remake of Protoss briefing music! (Not just at 2:15 but all through the video).
Also, HERE (https://www.behance.net/gallery/26347847/Heart-of-the-Swarm-UI-Design-Art) is some UI work for Heart of the Swarm by Nick Slough. I hope he (or whoever did the UI design) release something similar for the new LotV UI.

[Visions of Khas]

So this happened.

74DUBuQ2vZU

[The_Blade]

Artanis, plz have my children!

[Nissa]

All I see is a shiny. "Here, children, look at the shiny so you can't see how awful this story is."

[Drake Clawfang]

Okay, we'll all go enjoy our fun and you can sit arms crossed in the corner.

Seriously dood, if you hate the games so damn much, why do you keep posting to bash them? -_-

[Nissa]

Okay, we'll all go enjoy our fun and you can sit arms crossed in the corner.

Seriously dood, if you hate the games so damn much, why do you keep posting to bash them? -_-

I like hanging out here. Besides, I don't hate them. I'm just in awe of modern media in general. I didn't think I would see the day when it's acceptable for massive visuals to replace story, and I'm not simply talking about Starcraft here. There's stuff like Avatar, Mirrormask, Transformers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, where dizzying, imaginative affects replace competent storytelling. It's a massive phenomenon that's gone to the point where it feels like most people are caught in a conflict: they either mistake presentation for a job well done, or passively accept whatever straws they can get in terms of story, where a story is "good" because it is adequate.

In other words, there is no hate involved. I'm fascinated by everything. It's like living in a psychology book.

In the clip's support, it's very nice. Very powerful. Though I might not show it, I do share some of the guys' optimism that Blizz is trying harder with this one. Despite whatever flaws LOTV may have, if they care, I care.

[Jconant]

I find it odd that you listed mirror mask as a movie with "massive visuals" and absence of storytelling; an obscure movie about a girl's journey into a world of her imagination (pretty nutty like alice in wonderland) It didnt exactly wield high budget CG effects. Although the first one over I liked better, having Avengers orchestrating character interactions and development of that number of heroes deserves merit points to Joss Whedon, who definitely makes a point to focus on story first.

I'm not too surprised, this trend isnt that different from other markets; investment in book cover art for example, video game demos [gearbox and their snake oil sale of Aliens: colonial marines]

[Nissa]

I find it odd that you listed mirror mask as a movie with "massive visuals" and absence of storytelling; an obscure movie about a girl's journey into a world of her imagination (pretty nutty like alice in wonderland) It didnt exactly wield high budget CG effects. Although the first one over I liked better, having Avengers orchestrating character interactions and development of that number of heroes deserves merit points to Joss Whedon, who definitely makes a point to focus on story first.

I'm not too surprised, this trend isnt that different from other markets; investment in book cover art for example, video game demos [gearbox and their snake oil sale of Aliens: colonial marines]

I mentioned Mirrormask because I'm reviewing it now, and well, some people claim it's a "visual feast." My point was more about people's perceptions rather than that being necessarily accurate. Mirrormask's visuals do have a charm, though. Like early 90s programming book covers. However the effects turned out, it was clearly trying to be a visual feast.

Yeah, the first Avengers was better. The second one had so much moving camera moments I felt like I was going to be sick.

[Drake Clawfang]

You know it also just hit me.

Episode I followed Raynor.
Episode II mostly followed Kerrigan.
Episode III, they retconned that the Executor is Artanis.

We have truly come full circle.

[Nissa]

Refresh my memory. Wasn't the executor stated to be someone else before this?

[Drake Clawfang]

No, back during development they stated that Artanis was the Executor. Even before that, though Queen of Blades did the same.

[KaiserStratosTygo]

I like hanging out here. Besides, I don't hate them. I'm just in awe of modern media in general. I didn't think I would see the day when it's acceptable for massive visuals to replace story, and I'm not simply talking about Starcraft here. There's stuff like Avatar, Mirrormask, Transformers, Avengers: Age of Ultron, where dizzying, imaginative affects replace competent storytelling. It's a massive phenomenon that's gone to the point where it feels like most people are caught in a conflict: they either mistake presentation for a job well done, or passively accept whatever straws they can get in terms of story, where a story is "good" because it is adequate.

In other words, there is no hate involved. I'm fascinated by everything. It's like living in a psychology book.

In the clip's support, it's very nice. Very powerful. Though I might not show it, I do share some of the guys' optimism that Blizz is trying harder with this one. Despite whatever flaws LOTV may have, if they care, I care.


Yeh, can't even fucking launch the game due to the last patch, and now I hear they added every other unit BUT Arbiters in Legacy.

I'm seriously considering not getting this (what would be the point if I can't even run it anymore?) and there's no way in fuck I'd buy a new PC just for this game (even if I had the money for it which i do not)

[Nissa]

No, back during development they stated that Artanis was the Executor. Even before that, though Queen of Blades did the same.

Weird. They were two separate people in BW.

[Visions of Khas]

Weird. They were two separate people in BW.

They were in the campaign at the time, but it's been retconned that Artanis was the Executor -- not a praetor -- during the Brood Wars.

[Jconant]

Hence, I'm assuming you are actually playing as selendis in broodwar...maybe

[Drake Clawfang]

Hence, I'm assuming you are actually playing as selendis in broodwar...maybe

They're ambiguous about that. The Dark Templar Saga explicitly says Selendis was the Executor that accompanied Zeratul in Enslavers: Dark Vengeance (or at least strongly implies it; she says Artanis was part of the expedition too, so there's that). I always presumed that the Dark Vengeance Executor was the same Executor from Ep IV. But then, Ep IV implied you're the same Executor as Ep III. So the Ep IV Executor may be Artanis, Selendis, or someone else entirely.

[Nissa]

....that sounds like the character is in dire need of a de-retcon. Just make it some other dude, and end the confusion.

[Drake Clawfang]

I think they should just make it this new Zealot dood. Folks seem to like him, he's been around a while and has some scars on him.

[sandwich_bird]

I think they should just make it this new Zealot dood. Folks seem to like him, he's been around a while and has some scars on him.

I laughed but it is a good idea.

Speaking of this, I assume ep1 Terran was Horner but who was the cerebrate? And who was the UED dude?

[Drake Clawfang]

Actually, the Magistrate isn't Horner. Raynor mentions him briefly in Queen of Blades, not by name. He defected with the Raiders, but was just tired of the fighting and left them after a few weeks. Though, yeah, they should have just made it Horner.

The Cerebrate also features in Queen of Blades. It's explained the Overmind only gives Cerebrates names when they earn them, but this is a newborn and hasn't gotten a name yet (Kerrigan has much more autonomy in Queen of Blades than in the game, and she and the Cerebrate basically co-rule its Brood). When the Overmind departs for Aiur, the Cerebrate stays on Char to aid Kerrigan against the protoss, and Tassadar kills it by channeling void energies.

The UED Captain, no idea. I like to think he's still out there somewhere.

[Robear]

Yeah, Horner was an officer on one of the ships that aided in the evacuation of Mar Sara, and had already been with the Sons of Korhal for quite some time. So he's definitely not the Magistrate.


The Sons of Korhal accepted Matt as a member and encouraged him to go through military training with the Confederate fleet, where he excelled as a pilot. After graduating with honors, he deserted the Confederacy and joined the Sons of Korhal full time. By the time Mar Sara fell, Matt was first officer on the Cormorant, a merchantman that had been converted for blockade running.


The Cormorant enjoyed a lot of success dodging Confederate patrols as it transported supplies and troops between star systems for the Sons of Korhal, earning Matt a reputation as a clever and dependable second in command. At Mar Sara the Cormorant was pulled in to assist in the evacuation of the colony after it was abandoned by the Confederacy. Matt was assigned to work with Mengsk’s newest recruit, Jim Raynor, and quickly grew to admire the former marshal’s bravery and loyalty. (http://us.battle.net/sc2/en/game/hero/matt-horner)

[Turalyon]

Speaking of this, I assume ep1 Terran was Horner but who was the cerebrate? And who was the UED dude?

It doesn't really matter. Neither the cerebrate or the UED captain have any ongoing and current presence in the universe (we assume they're wiped out unless mentioned otherwise), so they can really just make anything up at this point and people will either go "ok" or "meh".