Natural Selection isn't particularly good at being n00b-friendly, which is something Valve games tend to do expertly. For example, Left 4 Dead will pop up all sorts of tips when you're new to the game - it'll tell you to kill the Hunter pouncing your friend, the level design subtlety pushes you in the right direction, etc. I hope Unknown Worlds has done something to make it easy for beginners to get started in NS2.
Just announced that the pre-order on the website includes the Steam version of the game. So yeah, I'm glad. It would have kind of sucked to try to play with your Steam friends when you have a standalone client.
[Edit] False alarm.
Correction: it LOOKS like we'll be able to translate pre-orders to Steam but there's a little confusion still. Stand by.
If I pre-order NS2, can I play on Steam? There's a good chance of this, but we can't promise it yet. Once NS2 is officially on Steam and Steamworks, Valve will probably be able to make this happen. But that will be determined later. For now, we can't promise that pre-ordering NS2 will let you play on Steam.
If you put out a Mac version or Linux version, will this pre-order let me play on those platforms? We can't commit to a Mac or Linux version, but if we do, we let you use the same pre-order key on all those versions. Your key can only be in use on one machine at a time, but you can input it to as many systems as you like. We're big Mac fans here and we want it and we have the same problem with other games. We have to reserve the right to change this policy, but I don't see us doing so. Can I change my e-mail address I pre-ordered with (ie, my Paypal e-mail address)? We don't have a way to do this now but this should be no problem in the near future. We're not going to leave you stranded, you'll be able to get your key no matter what.
I need more information! OK, here goes: We have no ETA for the alpha of beta. We're not sure if you will be able to run servers for the alpha or beta. You'll always be able to re-download the game even if not through Steam. NS2 will probably use Steamworks for your friends list, even if you're not playing it through Steam. It will auto-update whether standalone or through Steam.
Steam support is now official. Additionally, with steamworks the Steam and stand-alone versions will be identical.
This means our pre-orders will steamify?
Technically no, the pre-orders still get a stand-alone version. But the difference between the Steam and stand-alone versions won't even really be noticeable, since your Steam account will be fully integrated and you can add programs to the Steam launcher anyway.
I just talked with Max. The *only* difference between the Steam and non steam versions will be how you bought and downloaded it. Both will need Steam to run to use the server browser, friends, etc.
Will we be able to add our keys to the steam service so we can download it from there in the future? That will be decided as we get closer and seems to be in Valve's hands.
Also, apparently they've dumped the taser idea in favour of the shitty, non-original, every-fucking-FPS-under-the-sun-has-these pistol + knife combo. Bloody whining zealots ruining it for the rest of us. Tribes 2:2 anyone? Fans'll ruin this game.
Also, apparently they've dumped the taser idea in favour of the shitty, non-original, every-fucking-FPS-under-the-sun-has-these pistol + knife combo. Bloody whining zealots ruining it for the rest of us. Tribes 2:2 anyone? Fans'll ruin this game.
Is this true?
Even if it is, I trust the NS guys. They know what's what. I'll reserve any judgements until I actually play the game. Worst case we can just mod NS2 to make it good. Worse case than that, we can go back and play NS1.
Or you learn to comprehend. Me exaggerating the replacement note is to emphasize my point. I expected your big brain to notice and catch on to the exaggeration once having read the tweet... apparently not.
In case you're still stupid, THEY'RE FUCKING CONSIDERING DROPPING AN AWESOME AND PRETTY ORIGINAL IDEA BECAUSE OF WHINING FANS. They're listening to fans BEFORE these have had a chance to play the game. They're being stupid! You should trust them LESS now that they're being stupid.
Their 'transparency' during their game development is great, but they should ignore 99% of the fan feedback during this process. They are making the games, the fans are not.
That's a real bummer, but, Nineless's return aside; It's a shame when the vocal minority of a highly insular community make the thing they like more specialized and less accessible.
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[Edit] False alarm. Keep your fingers crossed.
Even if it is, I trust the NS guys. They know what's what. I'll reserve any judgements until I actually play the game. Worst case we can just mod NS2 to make it good. Worse case than that, we can go back and play NS1.
In case you're still stupid, THEY'RE FUCKING CONSIDERING DROPPING AN AWESOME AND PRETTY ORIGINAL IDEA BECAUSE OF WHINING FANS. They're listening to fans BEFORE these have had a chance to play the game. They're being stupid! You should trust them LESS now that they're being stupid.
Their 'transparency' during their game development is great, but they should ignore 99% of the fan feedback during this process. They are making the games, the fans are not.