Macro Mechanics Discussion Thread

[Pandonetho]

Eh? What's a quote-miner?

Psht, I do things the efficient way. Copy, paste into quick reply box, and quote.

Unfortunately I can't copy smileys.

[Kimera757]

He didn't make that one up, though:

No auto cast for Mules or Obilisk (new name for Dark Pylons), or for the Queens ability to spawn Larva for that matter. The thing is, these abilities can be used optionally and using the ability costs energy that you could also use for Scanner Sweep or the extra supplies on the Command Center for example or for the Obilisk loading your units with energie. So using this ability to get extra ressources should still be a choice.

Also, as already mentioned, this is an option that advanced players can use to really get ahead in the game, it is not necessary to enjoy the game as a beginner. Still when you have a couple of expansions, you can really see that you got to pick up on your game to really fully take advantage of these features, especially if you have battles or harassment going on at the same time.

Source: http://forums.battle.net/thread.html...2#184569289132

I did a google search for the entire quote. Amazingly enough, it worked.

[ArcherofAiur]

It has come to my attention that Mass Effect 2 has, of all things in the world, macro mechanics. Now I ask you,


If a FPS/RPS can create a fun economic minigame which enhances strategy through meaningful targeting and decision making....than why is Starcraft 2 having such problems?

[Triceron]

The scanning minigame is arguably the worst aspect of ME2, period. Great the first two times you do it, still alright the 10th time, but after that you just wanna blow up the planets or buy a planet-wide scanner instead of play the damned minigame. The problem is not the mechanic itself, but its repetivity.

ME2 is a shooter with a story. The planet scanning was very much filler that broke the pace of the game.

[ArcherofAiur]

The scanning minigame is arguably the worst aspect of ME2, period. Great the first two times you do it, still alright the 10th time, but after that you just wanna blow up the planets or buy a planet-wide scanner instead of play the damned minigame.

ME2 is a shooter with a story. The planet scanning was very much filler that broke the pace of the game.

Allot of that has to do with the fact the kind of person who plays FPS games. Id say they have allot in common with micro-oriented RTS players. However I have heard allot of other players who love the minigame and what it added to both immersiveness and strategy (upgrading).


But even if you hated it I think youd at least agree its deeper than Proton Charge.

[Triceron]

You can love the mechanic, cuz it works. But ask the same people after they've done it another 20 times, and see if they still have the same opinion.

Macro Mechanics ultimately have the challenge of having to hold up against the test of time. If it's an intricate mechanic that makes you go "Wow!" the first time you do it, and the next 5 times after, that's great. It doesn't mean it'll still be interesting the 50th time you do it though. You'll get so sick of it you'd rather play the damned game normally instead of play 'whack-a-mole' for a resource boost.

Gears of War does it right. The Reloading mechanic is stupid simple and rewards you for it. Stupid simple works for repetitivity. The Scanning mechanic was busy work that doesn't fit the pace of the game. It has nothing to do with the "FPS gamer" thing. I used to play WoW and I could grind mobs for hours without complaint. I can't play the damned Scanning mini game for 10 minutes without getting sick of it.

I suggest picking up ME2 or playing it and seeing for yourself how you think of the scanning minigame over the course of the game. You'll find you'd rather get resources through doing missions (since it's fun) rather than doing the minigame (which are repetitive).

[DemolitionSquid]

I fully agree the planet scanning in ME2 is the worst part of the game. The second worst is a lack of real depth in gear customization.

Its why I give ME2 a 9.5 instead of a 10.

[Islandsnake]

When did this become the ME2 macro discussion thread?

I ended up with 400k minerals of almost every type of mineral =X The game wasn't so bad for me since i spammed the scan button, but really it was the lack of amount of side missions that bothered me a bit, I enjoyed reading the descriptions of all the planets but I felt that there wasn't enough random side quest ( only about 10 that you get from exploring every planet)

Certainly the worst part of the game though.


I did like the way they did gear though =x

[DemolitionSquid]

When did this become the ME2 macro discussion thread?

I ended up with 400k minerals of almost every type of mineral =X The game wasn't so bad for me since i spammed the scan button, but really it was the lack of amount of side missions that bothered me a bit, I enjoyed reading the descriptions of all the planets but I felt that there wasn't enough random side quest ( only about 10 that you get from exploring every planet)

Certainly the worst part of the game though.


I did like the way they did gear though =x

This is a macro mechanics discussion thread. Any macro mechanics, if they are relevant to improving SC. And I think taking the example of ME's simplicity is important.

[Kimera757]

Has anyone ever played Star Control 2? They had a macro system too. Boring! Of course, like Mass Effect, it's mainly a shooting and storyline game.

Can someone explain how ME2's scanning system actually works? I haven't played it.