StarCraft Remastered Announced

[Kaiser]

https://youtu.be/5ypU9j4w3_w

www.starcraft.com

[TheEconomist]

Going to have to get used to the HD sprites, but, if this has decent match making, I'll be super excited, some day. Not entirely burnt out on SC2 yet though.

Kind of also excited about playing old SCUMs again. Will they be supported? There was more innovation in the average game listing in SCBW than I've seen in SC2 since its release. The top games during the early days of the WoL beta ARE STILL the top played games in SC2. And they're the most mind numbing of tedium too, WTF?!

[KaiserStratosTygo]

Fuck, now i'm going to have to give blizzard my money :/

also BRB, gotta clean up my shit from my pants...

[sandwich_bird]

Take my money blizzard, all of it! This is just too beautiful :'(


Kind of also excited about playing old SCUMs again. Will they be supported?

I'm 99% sure they will. The core engine is probably the same so I'd assume it expects the map data to be fed the same way. That's the best part of all of this for me


Only part I'm kind of worried about is:



Stylized Briefings
Race-themed comic book interludes tell the original story with a fresh coat of paint.

It's a very minor concern but I just hope the artists will adopt an adequate art style.

[TheEconomist]

https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Screenshot-102-800x300.png

Based on this, I'm saying no. But, it would be a good barometer to see how much Blizzard is learning from their actions. If they do it passably, I'll plan on maybe giving them a second change in the 2030's.

[sandwich_bird]

https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Screenshot-102-800x300.png

Based on this, I'm saying no. But, it would be a good barometer to see how much Blizzard is learning from their actions. If they do it passably, I'll plan on maybe giving them a second change in the 2030's.

My first reaction when I saw this was also "no". Looking back at:

http://www.mobygames.com/images/covers/l/186836-starcraft-windows-front-cover.jpg

I'd say it ain't horrible but the problem is really the glossiness of the skin and the weird texture patterns they decided to put on. BUT, this is 172394170293478 times better than fucking:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ff/d3/62/ffd362939be81c39cb2475b6b7d246bb.jpg

What I find interesting is that their main concept artist didn't change between sc1 and sc2. See:

https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/19745/770301-firebat.jpg

Sc2 style is closer to the original cartoony concept arts of Samwise. I'm not sure why the game ended being more photo-realistic but I'm sure glad it did. Probably has to with the "wacraft in space" backlash they suffered post E3 back in the days.

[Undeadprotoss]

My first reaction when I saw this was also "no". Looking back at:

http://www.mobygames.com/images/covers/l/186836-starcraft-windows-front-cover.jpg

I'd say it ain't horrible but the problem is really the glossiness of the skin and the weird texture patterns they decided to put on. BUT, this is 172394170293478 times better than fucking:

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/ff/d3/62/ffd362939be81c39cb2475b6b7d246bb.jpg

What I find interesting is that their main concept artist didn't change between sc1 and sc2. See:

https://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/scale_small/1/19745/770301-firebat.jpg

Sc2 style is closer to the original cartoony concept arts of Samwise. I'm not sure why the game ended being more photo-realistic but I'm sure glad it did. Probably has to with the "wacraft in space" backlash they suffered post E3 back in the days.

YES! I thought the exact same thing. The revamped image looks as if the Protoss has saggy skin, but Protoss in SC1 have scales and ridges along their face. They're supposed to look like your knuckles would sink back into your first if you punched one. Also, the Terran isn't supposed to be a middle aged man, he seems like a relatively young guy in the picture.

My biggest fear is that the unit portraits won't convey the same emotion they did in SC1. I really hope Aldaris/Tassadar/Fenix all have scaly skin. Also, I hope they keep the old sound effects.

But I'm extremely happy that more people will actually play SC1 and we can make our arguments heard to a wider audience.

[Turalyon]

One of the "Highlighted Features" is "revised dialogue and audio".

Be very afraid... :p

[Visions of Khas]

One of the "Highlighted Features" is "revised dialogue and audio".

So Tricia Helfer as Kerrigan instead of Glynnis Talken. Ugh. No thanks.

[sandwich_bird]

Ugh... I naively read that as "we're gonna do some post-processing on the audio". New recordings is a big no from me :s

[Undeadprotoss]

So Tricia Helfer as Kerrigan instead of Glynnis Talken. Ugh. No thanks.

Elsewhere they stated the importance of preserving the exact ability/structure sounds. And I remember that the "Evolution complete"remastered sound byte sounded very identifical (except for one tiny difference which toned it down")

So based on that I think they largely mean enhancing the audio, instead of a redoing all the voice acting, which would be an onerous task indeed

[KaiserStratosTygo]

Elsewhere they stated the importance of preserving the exact ability/structure sounds. And I remember that the "Evolution complete"remastered sound byte sounded very identifical (except for one tiny difference which toned it down")

So based on that I think they largely mean enhancing the audio, instead of a redoing all the voice acting, which would be an onerous task indeed

I hope that's the case, if I hear that impostor Fred voice Zeratul I will blow a gasket.

[Turalyon]

I dunno. If they have to revise the dialogue, it would stand to reason they would have to record some new audio.

Given the abhorrent revisionist take that Sc2 had on Sc1 already, the idea of re-recorded voices pales in comparision to the possibility of having the script being re-written in order for it to gel with Sc2.

Just imagine it. Additional dialogue of Raynor and Kerrigan being more overt about their romantic relationship in Rebel Yell, the Overmind giving hints that it's a slave to Amon, the Executor in The Fall being identified as Artanis (or Selendis in The Fall)!! Oh lordy.... where is that damned mind soap? :p

[NikoMyCousin]

I'm ready for


What? You're not just going to leave them!?

to become


What? You're not just going to leave her!?

[TheEconomist]

And the following emo anime angst suicide cry afterwards.

Turalyon's got me worried. What if this is just a plot to legitimize the retcons?!?! NOOOOOO!

sandwich_bird make a good point. Those original arts are pretty SC2ish. I always thought the SC Hydralisk in some shots was a bit awkward but not SC2 Zergling bad. Zerg in SC2 were never really terrifying in any way. This might be another example of how the people I've been crediting to the greatness of SC have been, in fact, the ones who accidentally or against their first wishes stumbled upon greatness. Much like Metzen stumbling into an already made Diablo and meshing with James Phinney in SC, maybe Samwise's SC art was only good because of the WarCraft in Space backlash. *sigh*

[Gradius]

Yeah Turalyon, don't scare us. :P

I might actually go back to mapping/modding. Making something in SC1 was significant easier. I could finish Origins.

Can't wait to replay my favorite custom campaigns in HD...

[TheEconomist]

Can't wait to replay my favorite custom campaigns in HD...

That would be worth it all.

[Robear]

Yeah I talked a bit about my impressions of the new remastered content over in my unit pics thread, but at the very, very least, Free regular BW with matchmaking and patches to work on modern systems! Will be a nice revived playerbase to revisit all those UMS maps and all that, however long it lasts.

[TheEconomist]

Free regular BW with matchmaking and patches to work on modern systems!

That alone is enough to be excited. Part of the reason I haven't gone back to SCBW was dealing with the scubs (No MMR) not the actual gameplay itself.

[KaiserStratosTygo]

Yeah Turalyon, don't scare us. :P

I might actually go back to mapping/modding. Making something in SC1 was significant easier. I could finish Origins.

Can't wait to replay my favorite custom campaigns in HD...

Same, and if they modify the map editor to be a bit more complex than i'll definitely go back to making SC1 maps myself. (and then recording the shit out of every single custom campaign I get my filthy mitts on.)

[Turalyon]

Turalyon's got me worried. What if this is just a plot to legitimize the retcons?!?! NOOOOOO!


Yeah Turalyon, don't scare us. :P

I bring tidings of dooom. :cool:

[TheEconomist]

(and then recording the shit out of every single custom campaign I get my filthy mitts on.)

I've been doing some personal let's plays of some old WRPG for shits and giggles. I may even do some of the old campaigns with some commentary.

[Nissa]

We should make our own downloadable campaign. Nothing big, just a small story based on a few Terrans on an outpost somewhere. And all the characters are based on us and our dumb adventures.

[TheEconomist]

I charge a fee for my likeness. Sorry, but cultivating this persona took real-life effort and planning.

[Nissa]

You can always make a similar character and say it's your brother. Like, he's always talking crap about his big shot economics officer brother on Korhal.

[Gradius]

As long as I get to be the bad guy.

[TheEconomist]

We shall be the Sith Lords. You will be the Master, and I will be the one coming for your head.

[Nissa]

And I'm the SCV, trying to get things done while you two play around.

[TheEconomist]

You're that SCV we send off to harass a Barracks under construction and then to kite around Queens just to see how far along that Spawning Pool is, and then abandon to save APM and die to some Zerglings.

It's nice to know where you stand.

[Nissa]

Hahaha.

I guess that means I'm infested now. Time to mutate some fun, but ultimately useless versions of Zerg, based on Infected Mushroom album covers.

[KaiserStratosTygo]

We should make our own downloadable campaign. Nothing big, just a small story based on a few Terrans on an outpost somewhere. And all the characters are based on us and our dumb adventures.

My character needs to interfere in someone else's conflict for literally no reason.

he must shout "SKYTECH RTS!!!!!!!!" and then leave the battlefield with a moderate impact (also my team color MUST be teal)

[GnaReffotsirk]

I'll be an adviser to some leader who completely sees the wrong thing, and then rage-quits when he's proven wrong. Only to come back later and doing it all over again, believing himself right.

[sandwich_bird]

And I'll be a "10 clicks to apocalypse bird of doom!"

(also known as a Kakaru)

[Undeadprotoss]

I'll be an adviser to some leader who completely sees the wrong thing, and then rage-quits when he's proven wrong. Only to come back later and doing it all over again, believing himself right.

Is this a jab at Aldaris?

[TheEconomist]

And I'll be a "10 clicks to apocalypse bird of doom!"

(also known as a Kakaru)

I totally forgot this was a thing. Silly me. Was there even anything like this in SC2?

[Undeadprotoss]

I totally forgot this was a think. Sill me. Was there even anything like this in SC2?

It's really a testament to the world-building and atmosphere in StarCraft 1 that we can go on holding these ridicilous conceptions of very serious units for years, but still be enamored by the game.

Also, here's an interesting video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZLnnAgEQ6Y) that recreated/found the original SC1 counterparts to all of the remastered images and put them side by side for comparison.

[GnaReffotsirk]

Hey guys, what does it mean Blizzard stating "Stylized Briefings" on starcraft.com?

[Undeadprotoss]

Hey guys, what does it mean Blizzard stating "Stylized Briefings" on starcraft.com?

So from my understanding, it's the "comic-book style interludes" thing. They're going through the campaign and adding in comic book imagery somehow to help tell the story.

The image of the Carriers purifying Mar Sara in the background may be the kind of art style they're aiming for. My concern is it might be the same kind of art style that is used in the hand-drawn unit portraits, but if it were using the same kind of drawn style the original box art (https://68.media.tumblr.com/b3616937df4c28c8f23d5b2290b48eee/tumblr_nesl3f28Lv1qb2dnlo5_1280.png)was made with, I would be very, very, very happy.

[GnaReffotsirk]

ooh. Do you think it will be like that voiced over video when installing starcraft2?

[Turalyon]

So from my understanding, it's the "comic-book style interludes" thing. They're going through the campaign and adding in comic book imagery somehow to help tell the story.

I thought this meant that instead of just showing the green text on a black screen (the interludes), there'd be some imagery to liven it up.

As for the actual briefings, it'll be interesting if they can do something more than showing static talking heads.

[TheEconomist]

Since they seem to be moving away from animated portraits, they don't have much choice with the briefings. If they didn't do something new, entirely static portraits would actually be a downgrade.

[sandwich_bird]

I totally forgot this was a thing. Silly me. Was there even anything like this in SC2?

The Kakaru is gone but critters still explode though not with the nuke animation

[TheEconomist]

By clicking on them? Totally forgot that was even a thing.