What needs to change(graphically) and why.

[Rezildur]

Perhaps the issue with the Terran buildings isn't really the way that the metal appears at this point, but there just seem to be too many "big" parts to the buildings. They might look less tonka-truckish if they had more smaller complex parts (but not too many that it got very busy looking).

Anyone agree?

[ZealotPowerade]

The Star Port paint over is done!

Lemmie know what you guys think.

@ Nicol, happy now? I paid a little more attention to lighting direction, although thats mostly because I found the image interesting without destroying a "proper" lighting model.

Perhaps the issue with the Terran buildings isn't really the way that the metal appears at this point, but there just seem to be too many "big" parts to the buildings. They might look less tonka-truckish if they had more smaller complex parts (but not too many that it got very busy looking).

Anyone agree?

Quote for truth!

[Visions of Khas]

Okay, quit it. Seriously. SC2 itself is beginning to look bad. =[

I prefer the middle Starport. The roundness of the observation deck/bridge reflects the landing pad, softening the effect of all the harsh angles.

[Hav0x]

High quality metals, especially military grade, tend to not reflect as much light unless it reflects from a VERY specific angle.
If there's light reflecting at a lot of different areas, or it looks very "metallic shiny", then chances are, the quality is not that good.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_7NYExymQkBQ/SJ9DgABi6VI/AAAAAAAABXs/nl_NF8YJJxI/s1600/fighter%2Bplane%2B(17).jpg

VS

http://www.sz-wholesale.com/uploadFi...Kettle_600.jpg

Technically, Blizzard is doing it the right way.

Also, I think the Archon needs a complete overhaul. I'm not digging the dinky handshake attack or the fact that is has clothes for it's body.

Clothes for its body? It has a shell of a body with psi energy engulfing it, which is what it is supposed to look like.

[Rizhall]

Clothes for its body? It has a shell of a body with psi energy engulfing it, which is what it is supposed to look like.

It looks like bulky armor rather than a shell of a former body, imo. The original Archon had a naked Protoss body, which gave this simple yet majestic look to it, imo.

[ZealotPowerade]

It looks like bulky armor rather than a shell of a former body, imo. The original Archon had a naked Protoss body, which gave this simple yet majestic look to it, imo.

I'm not too angry with the archon armor since there are other things id rather have changed first. I sort of imagined the archon's raw psionic energy forging new armor for itself as it merges. At least its justifiable somewhat in my mind. Somethings I can never justify... like the Terran starport, the engineering bay and the OM NOM NOM supply depos.

[Visions of Khas]

The armor gives the Archon too much of a corporeal, grounded appearance, while the floating hands lend it a cartoony appearance. The original Archon was little more than a shadow within a swirling cloud of energy, which I prefer. Simply letting the Archon's feet fade into nothingness in that sphere was just subtle enough to make it appear ghostly.

On the other hand... Twilight Archon's portrait is too badass for words. Even if that's not the way I'd do it...

[Rizhall]

The armor gives the Archon too much of a corporeal, grounded appearance, while the floating hands lend it a cartoony appearance. The original Archon was little more than a shadow within a swirling cloud of energy, which I prefer. Simply letting the Archon's feet fade into nothingness in that sphere was just subtle enough to make it appear ghostly.

On the other hand... Twilight Archon's portrait is too badass for words. Even if that's not the way I'd do it...

Pulled the words right out of my head. I couldn't word myself correctly, but you pretty much nailed it on the head.
I wouldn't mind it so much if the armor didn't jut out so much.
The Dark Archon had an armory body too, but it didn't stick out so obviously like the current SC2 Archon.
http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/st..._SC1_Game1.png

[Hav0x]

Pulled the words right out of my head. I couldn't word myself correctly, but you pretty much nailed it on the head.
I wouldn't mind it so much if the armor didn't jut out so much.
The Dark Archon had an armory body too, but it didn't stick out so obviously like the current SC2 Archon.
http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/st..._SC1_Game1.png

Both Archons from SC1 had the same armored body. It was just engulfed in the gaint ball of psi. There is only so much they could convey with that old graphics engine. They had something like 16 colors to use for each unit.

SC2 unit designs shouldn't be limited by a 12 year old graphics engine.

This is what Archons looked like back then. They just weren't able to translate it into the engine properly.



Here is the new SC2 concept for an Archon. They are very very similar.

[Nicol Bolas]

I'm not digging the dinky handshake attack

The only thing that sold the original Archon's attack was that there was a giant overlaid ball of energy involved. It didn't exactly move its arms threateningly or anything. It just sort of said, "here are my hands!" and death just happens to leap forward.

Personally, I always liked the idea of the Archon's aura dimming when it attacked, as though the attack was drawing from the Archon's "substance".