StarCraft2.com Updated

[Santrega]

It's the first part of the answer "They're different because they don't have any art."

They clarify this by saying that the only Xel'Naga art they have is temples & such. But they said nothing about having art for Xel'Naga beings, therefore they do not. In fact, they even explain why in the article & video I linked. Just watch the video; at this point I can all but 100% guarantee that you're not looking at a Xel'Naga in any of these pictures.

It enhances their mystery. Sometimes less is more.

Then if it's taking the form of a Protoss it's a sculpture of a Protoss, not a Xel'Naga. We'll find out when we play. And again, it's not a representation of a Xel'Naga because the art team said they don't have art for them.

But it looks exactly like a Protoss, and the dev team has confirmed that we have no Xel'Naga art.

When they do get around to designing the Xel'Naga, I hope that it will be far more distinctive from what we've already seen in SC: "humanoids with glowing eyes & no mouth". I hope Blizz has a little more creativity than that.


It's probably a khaydarin or argus amulet. Protoss wear crystals on their foreheads all the time:
http://sclegacy.com/forums/../images...amwise003b.jpg

Presumably, crystals are put there because the frontal lobe is where most of the psionic processing takes place, which crystals assist with. Considering how intertwined Protoss are with psionics, that "sphere" is a key spot of the Protoss anatomy.


Hopefully we'll still get to fight the hybrids.

Sorry Gradius, I simply don't agree with your assessment. I've listened to the entire video now, and I've even found a video you might think is interesting.
Now, I know when you really dislike something, you tend to refuse to believe it at all costs, and thats fine. However, I do want to add to XSOLDIER's comparison with a little video...

In this video, they show a symbol when talking about the zerg, then a symbol when talking about the protoss, then a symbol when talking about the Xel'naga which is conveniently in between those two. If you look at XSOLDIER's comparison, the symbol and the figure in the sculpture in that art piece are almost identical in terms of facial structure.



Next, I want to say that Facial structure is about all you can see. You can't see the size or depth of the head, or really anything for that matter. All you see is basically the front of the head, possibly 2 arms, some fingers, and thats it. Just because you want them to have absolutely no resemblance to zerg or protoss whatsoever, doesnt make that actually how they are going to be made.

Additionally, it doesnt add to the mystery for the creator to not have some idea of what Xel'naga will look like.. It add's mystery for you to not know exactly what it looks like, but not the creator. Why would blizzard want a mystery of something in their game? Thats ridiculous...

I'm sure just about every artist on the team has tried to draw a Xel'naga from what they believe it would look like. That's simply from curiosity that comes from that "mystery" you spoke of. When something isnt made, we try to see what it would look like, so we make it.

Months ago he said there isnt any art, he didnt say there will never be any art. Secondly, just because he said we dont want to give him a mushroom head and go uhoh... doesnt mean they don't know what it looks like... You are interpreting what he said as "we dont know what xel naga looks like, and we will never try to make a xel'naga in any art" while I am interpreting it as "we don't want to show exactly what a xel'naga will look like, because we may want to change it, and currently we have no art that shows exactly what they look like. There isn't much art for the Xel naga except for a few temples and things like that."

Our two interpretations are completely different, while you guys seem to think this means there is no Xel'Naga art which shows anything to do with a vague image of part of a Xel'naga, I think they are saying they don't want to give the exact look, which is actually how they worded it.

Had they said "We don't want to show you anything on how they look", then that would mean what you say it does, but they said we don't want to show "exactly" what they look like, which is completely different.

On how I think the Xel'Naga look... I think they chose races that were similar to themselves... Obviously they wanted to make the perfect race, and clearly they thought they knew what a perfect race would look like, and act like. I see no reason why they wouldn't beings in their image, in some way, whether physical or other traits.

I think the psi energy/psionic powers came from them, and both races seem to have it, so I think that suggests a common link between the races, which are the Xel'naga. I dont know that Xel'naga look like either race, or even a combination of the two, but I think its safe to say they aren't going to look like an insanely different species that we never could have thought of. It's not that blizzard is incapable of imaginative thought, its that most different kinds of life forms and figures have basically been thought of. At the very most you are going to do is move some parts around, and maybe add some additional parts where there isnt some in other species. Thats not really coming up with a whole new idea. I see nothing wrong with a species that looks similar to protoss, as protoss was the first species they tried to perfect and genetically manipulate in that way.

[pure.Wasted]

OK, we'll know the truth soon enough.

And by 'soon' the last thing I mean is, actually, soon...

[Pandonetho]

OK, we'll know the truth soon enough.

And by 'soon' the last thing I mean is, actually, soon...

I wish Blizzard would actually just use real words and sentences like "never," "in a long time," "not anytime soon" and "long ways to go."

[Gradius]

I don't think it's a matter of "interpretation" here. They said that they have no Xel'Naga art except for temples (things we've already seen). And the things in the images look exactly like Protoss, therefore it's likely a Protoss and definitely not a Xel'Naga, so the burden of proof is on the people that are claiming that these images are of Xel'Naga.

In this video, they show a symbol when talking about the zerg, then a symbol when talking about the protoss, then a symbol when talking about the Xel'naga which is conveniently in between those two. If you look at XSOLDIER's comparison, the symbol and the figure in the sculpture in that art piece are almost identical in terms of facial structure.

You'll also note that Zeratul was talking about a prophecy in that video. It's far more likely that the last figure is what the merged form of Zerg & Protoss are supposed to look like according to some prophecy.

Next, I want to say that Facial structure is about all you can see. You can't see the size or depth of the head, or really anything for that matter. All you see is basically the front of the head, possibly 2 arms, some fingers, and thats it. Just because you want them to have absolutely no resemblance to zerg or protoss whatsoever, doesnt make that actually how they are going to be made.

First off, I never said they won't have any resemblance, just that it's my hope that they'll be more unique. However, if you really want to dig into this "we can only see the face" issue, then look at this image. One of the figures is holding up his hand, and the hand has, surprise surprise, the two fingers & two opposable thumbs of the Protoss.

It's possible the "horns" on the face you see in some of these carvings are protrusions of rock that support the carving, or it's possible that one of these carvings is of a prophesied natural zerg/protoss merge as mentioned earlier, or maybe it's just a hybrid. Or it could be something completely different that we never thought of; again, we'll find out when we play. But for now let's stick to the facts, that Blizzard said they don't have Xel'Naga art.

Additionally, it doesnt add to the mystery for the creator to not have some idea of what Xel'naga will look like.. It add's mystery for you to not know exactly what it looks like, but not the creator. Why would blizzard want a mystery of something in their game? Thats ridiculous...

I'm sure just about every artist on the team has tried to draw a Xel'naga from what they believe it would look like. That's simply from curiosity that comes from that "mystery" you spoke of. When something isnt made, we try to see what it would look like, so we make it.

Oh, sure, I bet a few employees have taken a stab at it in their off-hours, but your claim that they have working art for the Xel'Naga contradicts the direct word of a blizz employee, even if you find it ridiculous. Also, I sort of misquoted you - I was referring more to the fact that they have no art that they want to show the audience.

Months ago he said there isnt any art, he didnt say there will never be any art.

That still includes the cinematic intro trailer you linked and all the other concepts which we've already seen this figure in.

Secondly, just because he said we dont want to give him a mushroom head and go uhoh... doesnt mean they don't know what it looks like...

No, I claimed that they don't have art for Xel'Naga because he said "they don't have any art." Simple IMO.

Secondly, just because he said we dont want to give him a mushroom head and go uhoh... doesnt mean they don't know what it looks like... You are interpreting what he said as "we dont know what xel naga looks like, and we will never try to make a xel'naga in any art" while I am interpreting it as "we don't want to show exactly what a xel'naga will look like, because we may want to change it, and currently we have no art that shows exactly what they look like. There isn't much art for the Xel naga except for a few temples and things like that."

The mushroom head example is irrelevant. He was simply explaining why they don't have xel'naga art - because they don't want to define them just yet.

Had they said "We don't want to show you anything on how they look", then that would mean what you say it does, but they said we don't want to show "exactly" what they look like, which is completely different.

Personally I can make out lots of facial details and even a hand in these carvings. You're basically saying that these images are a Xel'Naga, but are too vague to represent a Xel'Naga. It's like grasping at straws.

Why not just look at the facts?
1) The Blizz employee was confused when asked about Xel'Naga art and replied with "we don't have xel'naga art".
2) Those beings look exactly like a Protoss.

Your explanation that "these are xel'naga but are too vague to be xel'naga because blizz employees don't want to define them yet" is way too unparsimonious and requires far more evidence before we can start calling this a matter of interpretation.

I think the psi energy/psionic powers came from them, and both races seem to have it, so I think that suggests a common link between the races, which are the Xel'naga.

The Protoss already had a form of the Khala before the Xel'Naga ran into them. It's highly likely that they had no mouths during that time as well, unless you want to make a case that the Xel'Naga had the Protoss' mouth & GI tract removed later (ugh).

[ArcherofAiur]

Starcraft 1 Protoss head



Starcraft 1 Zerg head



Starcraft 2 Protoss head



Starcraft 2 Zerg head



Cave Sculpture



Coincidence?

I THINK NOT!!!!!

[electricmole]

i dont want the xelnaga to look like the protoss much worst is a combination of zerg and toss thats a hybrid. I dont even like the idea of a hybrid. damn. too much nostalgia.

[RolleR_RATM]

You know, Kerrigan could very possibly have been watching the whole thing the whole time since apparently she can see through the eyes of any Zerg she controls.

Thats a very accurate theory indeed, maybe the Dominion wants exactly that, so Kerrigan might miss some other "bigger" threat.

[Zero]

i dont want the xelnaga to look like the protoss much worst is a combination of zerg and toss thats a hybrid. I dont even like the idea of a hybrid. damn. too much nostalgia.

Well, according to what we know, the Protoss and the Zerg are supposed to naturally combine over a long period of time to become one race that will become the next Xel'Naga. The Hybrids that Duran are creating are a forced genetic experiment and would likely appear quite differently from the original intention of the former Xel'Naga. The construction of this temple, if made by the old Xel'Naga, is likely based upon what they see as being the culmination of their grand experiment, the Protoss and Zerg becoming the next Xel'Naga. So when we see this construction in the temple, it's not so much Xel'Naga art as it is an expression of their visions of the prophecy being fulfilled, the two races becoming one.

[Kimera757]

I still bet we'll see the xel'naga in Legacy of the Void.

[Blazur]

I still bet we'll see the xel'naga in Legacy of the Void.

I hope we seem them sooner. One of the main reasons I was disappointed at the trilogy news is the possibility we'll have to wait another 3+ years just to find out more about the Xel'Naga amidst continued teasers and cliff hangers. The fact that they can't even hint at their appearance does not reassure me we'll see them anytime soon.

Maybe they'll be tasking Mr. Jack with concepting this race. I trust he'll come up with some amazing looking creatures to represent the Xel'Naga.