Foreword
Before I start talking about this scenario, I'd like to warn you. You may not like the decision I've made about the units graphics. Don't expect them to be like you're accustomed.
The settings
The action takes place on a faraway planet recently colonized by man, more precisely on its sole colony. For those who saw Aliens (and if you haven't, shame on you
), think Hadley's Hope and LV-426. One day, suddenly several accidents occurs at the same time. An unidentified vessel crashes down, an outbreak occurs at the high-security laboratory, communications with the robotics and AI research center cease suddenly. Soon, the civilians are attacked.
Gameplay
Each race has his own gameplay and goals, as in the scenario that inspired this one in the first place (Escape from Zombie Island)
Humans
The humanity starts with standard civilian units scattered around the map. These units must be protected until the very end, they are the Kings. Additionaly, the Humans would be able to build another type of civilian units, the resistants, recruted (builded) in the different locations. To clarify, these created units aren't kings and have a better attack/defense value. Finaly, the Humans would reach the Colonial Marines tech, meaning that help arrived. Smartgun, flamethrower, APC, Pulse Rifle are at least there ! Unfortunatly, the dropship crashed and they are unable to get back to the Sulaco, the mainship. To evacuate the civilians, the Starport must be controlled and repaired.
Aliens
The xenomorphs start with one or two hives and a dozen units. They can build additionnal units, but each one costs 1 or more population points. To be sure to have sufficiently large hives to create their army, the Aliens must capture victims. Every or almost all units will have the Enslave ability, the enslaved unit being a Cocoon (1 pop. point, 1 move, join). This is playtested and the AI uses them the way it is intended. The Aliens will be able to create new hive, without capturing a pre-existing location. They're expected to win by domination. They should attack fast and hard before Skynet and the Humans get their best units.
Skynet
Skynet has the slower start: One base, few and weak units (but still enough powered to take down standard civilians). To win, it must stand its ground, carefuly developing its tech-tree and waiting for more advanced T-units. Domination win also.
Yaut-ja
The Yaut-ja start with 6 to 10 Predators and that's it. They can't build anything else. Zip. Nada. Their goal is to win honor and trophies. Kill that unit, get that location. Additionnaly, they need to retrieve their vessel's motor, lost during the crash. Space-Race folks. Fortunately, the Predators will be able to upgrade their starting kings unit with the captured resources.
Map and terrains
As in EfZI2, the map represents the colony and its immediate surroundings. Moutains for buildings, preplaced roads and cities (locations). Hills will be used as fallen down buildings and enormous remains, cutting roads and stopping wheeled units to pass. Hills (and perhaps buildings, we'll see) will be destroyable by special units, such as the human Destruction and clearing team.
Terrains will give little to none food productions. Aliens will deal with that by capturing more units. Skynet have special buildings multiplicating location's production. Humans will have special resources across the map. Predators won't care.
Locations and resources will interest multiple civs for their own reasons : Derelict, Power Center, ect.
The graphics
You've been warned. Even if I find the graphics eye-candy, this is not the eye-candy you've been used to. Yup, 1-frame units. :] The reasons are simple. First, there are very few needed units already made. Thus, it would take a lot of effort to make all the others. Second, I attented this project as training for me to get gameplay and balancing right. I don't want to weigh down the production time with animating, rendering and pcxing a lot of new units.
Now, I like these units even if I'm perhaps a little biased. They've got a good look and are easily recognized in game.
When will it be released ?
When it's complete.
I won't dare to tell a date, but I've still got to create the terrain gfx, units, LHs (who may or may not be animated to accompany CivArmy's Alien Queen LH), balancing the whole thing and trying to not mimick EfZI2 too much. I want it to have its own vibe.
Comments ?
As you can see, the Predators need to be fleshed out. I don't know the Preds so well, so all ideas are welcomed.
Before I start talking about this scenario, I'd like to warn you. You may not like the decision I've made about the units graphics. Don't expect them to be like you're accustomed.
The settings
The action takes place on a faraway planet recently colonized by man, more precisely on its sole colony. For those who saw Aliens (and if you haven't, shame on you
), think Hadley's Hope and LV-426. One day, suddenly several accidents occurs at the same time. An unidentified vessel crashes down, an outbreak occurs at the high-security laboratory, communications with the robotics and AI research center cease suddenly. Soon, the civilians are attacked.Gameplay
Each race has his own gameplay and goals, as in the scenario that inspired this one in the first place (Escape from Zombie Island
)Humans
The humanity starts with standard civilian units scattered around the map. These units must be protected until the very end, they are the Kings. Additionaly, the Humans would be able to build another type of civilian units, the resistants, recruted (builded) in the different locations. To clarify, these created units aren't kings and have a better attack/defense value. Finaly, the Humans would reach the Colonial Marines tech, meaning that help arrived. Smartgun, flamethrower, APC, Pulse Rifle are at least there ! Unfortunatly, the dropship crashed and they are unable to get back to the Sulaco, the mainship. To evacuate the civilians, the Starport must be controlled and repaired.
Aliens
The xenomorphs start with one or two hives and a dozen units. They can build additionnal units, but each one costs 1 or more population points. To be sure to have sufficiently large hives to create their army, the Aliens must capture victims. Every or almost all units will have the Enslave ability, the enslaved unit being a Cocoon (1 pop. point, 1 move, join). This is playtested and the AI uses them the way it is intended. The Aliens will be able to create new hive, without capturing a pre-existing location. They're expected to win by domination. They should attack fast and hard before Skynet and the Humans get their best units.
Skynet
Skynet has the slower start: One base, few and weak units (but still enough powered to take down standard civilians). To win, it must stand its ground, carefuly developing its tech-tree and waiting for more advanced T-units. Domination win also.
Yaut-ja
The Yaut-ja start with 6 to 10 Predators and that's it. They can't build anything else. Zip. Nada. Their goal is to win honor and trophies. Kill that unit, get that location. Additionnaly, they need to retrieve their vessel's motor, lost during the crash. Space-Race folks. Fortunately, the Predators will be able to upgrade their starting kings unit with the captured resources.
Map and terrains
As in EfZI2, the map represents the colony and its immediate surroundings. Moutains for buildings, preplaced roads and cities (locations). Hills will be used as fallen down buildings and enormous remains, cutting roads and stopping wheeled units to pass. Hills (and perhaps buildings, we'll see) will be destroyable by special units, such as the human Destruction and clearing team.
Terrains will give little to none food productions. Aliens will deal with that by capturing more units. Skynet have special buildings multiplicating location's production. Humans will have special resources across the map. Predators won't care.
Locations and resources will interest multiple civs for their own reasons : Derelict, Power Center, ect.
The graphics
You've been warned. Even if I find the graphics eye-candy, this is not the eye-candy you've been used to. Yup, 1-frame units. :] The reasons are simple. First, there are very few needed units already made. Thus, it would take a lot of effort to make all the others. Second, I attented this project as training for me to get gameplay and balancing right. I don't want to weigh down the production time with animating, rendering and pcxing a lot of new units.
Now, I like these units even if I'm perhaps a little biased. They've got a good look and are easily recognized in game.
When will it be released ?
When it's complete.
I won't dare to tell a date, but I've still got to create the terrain gfx, units, LHs (who may or may not be animated to accompany CivArmy's Alien Queen LH), balancing the whole thing and trying to not mimick EfZI2 too much. I want it to have its own vibe.Comments ?
As you can see, the Predators need to be fleshed out. I don't know the Preds so well, so all ideas are welcomed.
Good luck, Supa!
