StarCraft II Official! (Pictures)

[IskatuMesk]

Other than the zealots which seem a bit larger and maybe got a fourth change, what exactly is new about this screenshot? I think you're confusing the desert lighting with a graphic change. But then again I haven't been paying attention to sc2 for a while so maybe there is some subtle texturing I am missing.

[Meta]

Yeah, just building texturing I guess.

Btw, the Blizzcast itself is just a bunch of useless developer talk; they said nothing relevant this time. 

[Lavarinth]

It's focused on WoW, isn't it? Either way, screenshot looks nice but looks like it might be looking that way due to the desert tileset.

[IskatuMesk]

Yeah, the game has actual lighting now, as opposed to wc3's silly hue changes.

[Lavarinth]

Taken from BlizzPlanet:

[quote]StarcraftWire.net got their hands on an AMD Graphics documentation that reveals never before seen screenshots o fStarcraft 2 Single-Player, as well as the Computer System Specifications. Blizzard has confirmed them, and it shows how close AMD and Blizzard have gotten since the official partnership announcement made a few weeks ago.

Some screenshots show the Bar inside the Hyperion battlecruiser where Jim Raynor goes to relief his alcoholic addiction; and Tychus Findlay. We can see screenshots of the bar fully rendered, and pre-rendered clay-like 3D models. Check it out:

    * New Single Player screenshots of StarCraft II.

    * Graphic card requirements for SC2 confirmed by Blizzard.

    * The single player game is now in focus.

[UntamedLoli]

Looks like blizzard could be dipping into the engine market or is just being really informative about the games capabilities, he also looks like he has a dislocated shoulder in the bar layers.

[Taeradun]

w00tle

[AA7Dragoon]

Cool screenshots.

It looks like 256mb graphic memory will be the standard with 512mb allowing for optimal performance.  Pretty hefty when you think about it.  Most computers aren't up to that graphical standard yet.

[Maglok]

A bar! We got a bar! Wootz0rz! Is it me or does it not look like it is on a battlecruiser?

*Makes notes*

[UntamedLoli]

Cool screenshots.

It looks like 256mb graphic memory will be the standard with 512mb allowing for optimal performance.  Pretty hefty when you think about it.  Most computers aren't up to that graphical standard yet.

512 cards are sub $100 CAD.

[Taeradun]

A bar! We got a bar! Wootz0rz! Is it me or does it not look like it is on a battlecruiser?

*Makes notes*

dude watch that video from like months ago that shows the terran campaign mission briefings

[Maglok]

That one only said he was heading to the bar then was cut off by Zeratul (fricking Zeratul!)

[Legion]

That one only said he was heading to the bar then was cut off by Zeratul (fricking Zeratul!)

Cool shots. Can't wait to see more. However, if this the pace they're going, it's going be a long long time before we actually get to see even a beta.

[IskatuMesk]

If only ingame looked a quarter as good as the single player briefings.

[Lavarinth]

As mentioned in previous conversations, the development team is working extremely hard on the single player campaign, which we will be talking in more detail about at a later time. In the meantime, questions will be 'light' over the next couple of batches, to give the Dev Team ample time to work on their latest design challenges. There are also many preparations being made for both the Games Convention coming up in Leipzig, as well as BlizzCon, to make sure the StarCraft II community definitely gets their feed of info. Nonetheless, in this batch we were able to talk a bit more with Dustin and our balance designer to look into the current Zerg versus Zerg match up towards the end of our Q&A. Enjoy!

As always, feel free to give the Devs and I a w00t if your enjoying these Q&As!

---StarCraft II Q&A Batch 43---

1) What happens if a Nullifier targets a Colossus with the Anti-Gravity ability? (garmgarf battle.net)

When Anti-Gravity is used upon a Colossus, the Colossus will still be immobilized and lifted up, which will still allow it to be hit by units that can attack air targets. Colossi will not be able to shoot while under the effect of Anti-Gravity.

2) How many critters will there be available and will they have attack animations? (SatanicLaser battle.net)

There will be critters, but there have not been any detailed discussions yet about their attack animations. On that note, there is a possibility that BlizzCon panels may fill the community in a bit more on what type of critters there will be.

3) Can the Infestor infest any building, or only specific ones, such as Barracks or Gateways, if the Protoss can be infested? (Son_Of_Korhal Battle.net)

This is actually a mechanic they are currently testing quite a bit. It is undecided if the Infestor will be able to infest Protoss or Zerg buildings, as there are gameplay and lore reasons which support many different options. Either way, at the end of the day, the development team will choose an option that will be balanced and fun in terms of gameplay for multiplayer.

4) What units are currently undergoing major art changes? (starcraft2forum.org)

There are several artistic revisions every week, though the two newest units to get some artistic updates are the Nomad and the Stalker. The Terran Nomad is getting a complete artistic redesign from any versions the community has seen thus far. Furthermore, the Protoss Stalker is also being updated to look more similar to the concept art piece as seen here: http://starcraft2.com/art.xml?s=6

5) How do Zerg vs Zerg games play out in SC2? Is it still mostly a battle of mutalisks and zerglings or have the new units changed things around? Ideas (teamliquid.net)

ZvZ (Zerg vesus Zerg)matchup usually opens up in 2 different ways, Zerglings or Roaches. Aggressive players can use Zerglings mobility to take control of the early game, whereas going Roaches is more of a defensive strategy. Zergling vs. Roach relationship is such that for cost, Zerglings wins out in the open, Roaches win at chokes, but in mid/late games when numbers are greater, Roaches can stand up to or even beat Zerglings for cost out in the open. Hydralisks dont have much use in ZvZ early game, as they are more of an anti air unit in StarCraft II.

The tier 2 battle continues with Banelings that can dominate Zerglings, but with micro, Zerglings can actually come out ahead in Zergling vs. Baneling battles. Similarly, Lurkers counter Roaches for cost, but Roaches have the mobility advantage. Mutaliks counter Zerglings/Roaches since these units cant hit air. Whats different in StarCraft II is that Hydralisks counter Mutalisks extremely well, meaning something like Roach/Hydralisk combo can stand up to the classic Zergling/Mutalisk combo. Also, another great way to fight vs. mass Mutalisks is to tech to infestation pit (same tech level as the Spire), and make Corruptors or Infestors. Infestors have the disease ability that is great for fighting vs. units that clump really well such as the Mutalisk, and Corruptors are Zergs anti air air unit.

Due to the fast pace of the ZvZ game, most games dont end up in tier 3, but ultralisks, with their cleave attack, or swarm guardians that use swarms to soak up a lot of ground vs. ground damage are great options if the game does happen to go into tier 3.

Overall, StarCraft II has a variety of options even in a mirror match such as Zerg vs. Zerg. Players can use different unit compositions to counter the classic Zergling/Mutalisk strategy that is a still powerful but not the only option.

---End of Transmission---