So here is a blast from the past, the sequel to Natural Selection, the multiplayer Half-Life mod, which has had a quiet development for years now. Anyway, the developers Unknown Worlds released a bunch of information today, out of the blue.
The big release is a teaser trailer at Kotaku.
The official Natural Selection 2 website also has some basic information about the game. Such as the game is scheduled for release this fall, it is a stand-alone game with a custom-built engine, it will ship with modding tools, there will be no combat mode, and while the initial release is for the PC, they are planning Mac and X-Box 360 versions. The system requirements are a "1.2 GHz Processor, 256MB RAM, a DirectX 9 level graphics card, Windows Vista/2000/XP, mouse, keyboard and of course, an internet connection."
They are also accepting pre-orders in two different packages. The Standard edition at $20 includes the game when it is released and beta access. The Special Edition includes the game, access to the alpha and beta, special black marine armor, and the warm fuzzy feeling of supporting indie development.
Man, I forgot this was even being made. I loved the original, so I'll definitely be giving this a shot when it comes out.
The dynamic environments sound really cool.
Oh hell yeah, I'm in on this. Loved the first game, I expect more of the same here. I'll probably do the pre-order because I am weak like that
It looks pretty good but I'm not sure I'm ready to pre-order. I've been hearing about this game for a long time and have not really seen a lot to convince me it's actually coming out in the next few years.
Also note that the pre-order version is NOT the Steam version.
Not on Steam? Wtf? Yeah I'm not pre-ordering it from anywhere else, sorry.
Also what the heck is taking so long with this? It feels like I played the original NS ten years ago. This is turning into Duke Nukem Forever with aliens
So if Steamworks is fully integrated, does that mean the standalone package will still use my Steam friends lists and things like that? If so, I think a preorder doesn't sound like a bad idea.
System Requirements:
1.2 GHz Processor, 256MB RAM, a DirectX 9 level graphics card, Windows Vista/2000/XP, mouse, keyboard and an internet connection. Pre-order is stand-alone and will auto-update, but assume it doesn't include the Steam version.
Pre-ordered, I can live without Steam integration if I have to. I played NS1 for a few years, I like what they did, and look forward to what they will do with NS2.
Really, had waaaay too much fun with NS1.
So if Steamworks is fully integrated, does that mean the standalone package will still use my Steam friends lists and things like that? If so, I think a preorder doesn't sound like a bad idea.
I believe so, although I have no idea how this is going to work... I was under the impression that Steamworks was Valve's 3rd party publishing API. So I really don't understand how this won't be fully integrated with Steam...
I'm downloading the original now. I can't believe I've never played it before! Looks like it has a strong enough following even now to have some fun with!
there will be no combat mode
What are we supposed to use? Harsh language?
No, seriously, what does no combat mode mean?
The mod had two game types: The normal strategic game, and "combat mode."
The 'normal' mode had an FPS+RTS feel to it. The marines and kharaa started in seperate bases, and you moved out to capture resource nodes. The marines had a goal of destroying the hives, and the kharaa start with one hive and expand out to try to capture the other two. The aliens 'tech' up by setting up a second and then a third hive. The marines tech up by investing in research, as dictated by the commander. So, it was a FPSRTS. Good games had a lot of surging back and forth, desperate struggles to claim and hold resource points. The marines had a commander to give orders/supplies/information and control the tech, the aliens had some built in tools to enhance their ability to coordinate (much like the infected do in L4D)
Combat did away with most of that. More of an 'arena' mode, you 'tech' up by kills, mostly. Maps were smaller, almost linear, and there was only one hive. You burn the hive/trash the marine base to win. A lot less complicated, and the pace tended to be faster. I didn't like it, it was definately NS-Lite, twice the twitch and half the fun. I hope they don't add it back in as a later expansion.
Oh, right. That does sound familiar now. I played NS primarily before they even had 'combat mode' and only tried it once or twice afterward and found it silly as well.
PyromanFO wrote:So if Steamworks is fully integrated, does that mean the standalone package will still use my Steam friends lists and things like that? If so, I think a preorder doesn't sound like a bad idea.
I believe so, although I have no idea how this is going to work... I was under the impression that Steamworks was Valve's 3rd party publishing API. So I really don't understand how this won't be fully integrated with Steam...
I might go home and bite the bullet on a preorder, I think what will probably happen is that you don't buy it through Steam but it'll be fully integrated with Steam. Then, after it goes final, you can buy it from Steam as well.
So no deathmatch mode this time around? Meh I can live with that. Its not a hard thing to patch in anyway. They only added it in later as a sort of tutorial mode for new players and it will not be needed if they have a good enough tutorial.
For 20$ I am in. I didn't play a penny to these guys for NS1 and I sunk so many awesome hours into that game.
This game looks really cool but from what little I've seen of the alien concept art, I don't really like it. At all. They're like monkeywolf things. From eggs.
I'd kind of prefer a nice cliched bug hunt.
I'd kind of prefer a nice cliched bug hunt.
In Natural Selection the bugs hunt you!
We can't say for sure, but we think it could happen.
This isn't good enough for me.
I'll buy it once it comes out. I had _WAY_ too much fun with NS1. That's one of those games that _REQUIRES_ a goodjer game night though. Good teamwork makes those the best games EVER.
We can't say for sure, but we think it could happen.This isn't good enough for me.
See this is still kinda confusing to me. I thought Steamworks meant it used all the steam communities, overlays, friends lists, etc. That's all the stuff I care about. What does "on Steam" mean above, just using the Steam service to keep it updated as opposed to their own auto-update service?
Matchmaking services maybe.
I'm honestly surprised Valve hasn't snapped these guys up yet, that seems to be their MO, and a Natural Selection game with a Valve level of polish would be incredible.
That reveal trailer was basically a render of the Onos walking. Kinda getting worried I haven't seen any gameplay footage at all yet.
This game looks great, it looks fascinating and I'm sure I'll enjoy it, but the aliens look like ass so far. They're unique, to be sure, but a gorilla with a Predator helmet and a bunch of worms on his ass doesn't strike me as very interesting or believable.
All told, I'd rather have another bug hunt. It makes me wonder if they've been holding back on alien concept art because they were planning a big exciting reveal, or because it appears to be the weakest part of the game from what I've seen. They've sure released a TON of environment art...
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