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Blizzard Releases In-House Design Tools To Starcraft Modders
MojoKid writes "Blizzard has released a powerful new suite of tools for Starcraft 2 modders and developers that fundamentally change the nature of what's possible in the popular RTS game. Now, players can use the same architectural and graphics design toolsets that Blizzard has used internally to build new units, tilesets, and models. Furthermore, these tools are now available even with the Starcraft 2: Starter Edition kit. Critically, artists will now be able to incorporate images and effects designed in programs like 3ds Max, Photoshop, or other high-end particle systems. The exciting thing about these releases is that Starcraft 2's modding list is as interesting as the primary game, if not moreso. Fans have faithfully created adaptations of famous Starcraft maps, implemented entirely new rulesets that blend the old, micro-friendly playstyle of Starcraft with the modern engine, and even gone total conversion with Warcraft ported over into the SC2 game."
Except the one thing keeping me from buying your product. Cut the stupid DRM, idiots.
I remember watching Tower Defense be born as Photon Defense in the original Starcraft, and then DotA being born in WC3 some years later... Both of those concepts have given birth to million player markets today. I wonder if this is the direction game development is headed? I mean, we're seeing the same 3 or 4 engines running under at least 60% of big releases. The only differences are map and model design, storytelling, and some simple game logic. If I was a big game corp, I'd outsource all that work to the players and provide nothing but the platform and an online service. Good on you, Blizzard. This could be the future.
I see the future of gaming is this:
a: Company releases an okay game in a genre, RTS/PLATFORMER/RACING/WOW style RPG/ETC
b: Company makes their development tools polished and user friendly, and releases them.
c: Players can make levels or entire games with tools(Thus you don't need to be a programmer to make a video game)
d: Players publish their games on the company's website.
e: Company takes 50% cut for all games the players sell. Players themselves make 50% of the cut.
f: Rating system on various factors in the game so people can try the best levels first.
g: Game lives on because of so much content.
h: Congratulations, genre cornered, make a new game in a new genre and repeat
God spoke to me
Does anyone remember the old D-n-D-based MUDs that, once you had maxed your level, gave you the option to begin an apprenticeship to learn to program and extend the game? I have wished many times that Blizzard would adopt that model everywhere, to allow players to generate new content. It would be a great learning tool and introduction to game design, character modeling, etc.
ok drm may suck, online activation might suck, but what doesn't suck is a one place authentication for all blizzard games and the ability to add a security device:
http://www.wowwiki.com/Battle....
that makes it impossible for your account to be stolen or abused, and at the same time allows for unlimited installs (like the steam platform) over the life of the product no matter how many hard drives or mainboards you run through.
i don't like the prices for games, i feel a lot of them are way overpriced, but for the value of never losing a cd key/scratched disc, needing a disc, worrying that your account is hacked, it brings it more in line with what i'm willing to pay.
i've just always been very satisfied with blizz stuff even though WoW now is completely lame (no no NOW it is, it wasnt before)
In just about every other case, the groupthink would be that the companies are stupid not to listen to what a significant portion of the market is demanding.
The question is whether that portion of the market is actually significant, or just loud.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
As someone who really wants Starbow(the popular sc1bw/sc2 hybrid) to succeed, there were certain limitations preventing the developers from taking this MOD past beta. Now that they have the tools this could become a real challenger for HoTs(and LotV) when the final chapter is released. Competition for the best modern RTS to play may really force blizzards core design team to step up and make SC2 source the top competitive game. (/wishes)