🚀 go-pugleaf

Okay, I've just realised that a few messages I meant for the ng have
been sent to various people...so I've tried to rescue what I meant to
post.  Here's one:


     Subject: 
            Re: An idea for a new X-com
       Date: 
            Tue, 29 Sep 1998 21:15:27 +0100
      From: 
            "Shaun Green (Greenish9)"
<gree...@greenshb.globalnet.co.uk>
        To: 
            Talos <tal...@zetnet.co.uk>
 References: 
            1



Talos wrote:
> 
> Hmm. These points you have raised, are very interesting, but I think
> you are looking at things, from YOUR point of view. Sadly, TBG's are
> becomming things of the past, with the "new generation" of gammers,
> looking for a RTS game, that require no thinking nor very little
> time.

Please, take care not to judge all young gamers in the "brainless
shoot-'em-up" category!  I love turn-based games (like the very tactical
Cyberstorm, to use a non-UFO example, and also Star Control 1) just as
much as RTS games!  Also, don't forget that RTS games can offer just as
much tactical and strategic value as TBGs!  Take Apoc. - real time game,
but look at the tactical possibilities!  Also Commandos is real time and
requires a lot of thought...as does the more recent Starcraft, to a
lesser extent.  Attack a base without a good plan and a mixture of
troops, and you'll be cut to pieces!

> And, you must admit. The idea of having 50 X-com agents running
> around a battlefield, with their Plasma guns balzing away, does seem
> pretty cool.

Cool, yes, but not realistic.  The point of XCOM is that it is a
guerilla organisation that learns what it can about the aliens, before
quickly eliminating the core of the threat before the alien mastermind
realises what a threat it really is!  Take UFO...fail to complete
Cydonia and the mastermind releases it's full power on Earth!

Anyway, that's all!

Greenish_9

> I like TBG's, but sadly the younger generation don't.

Not true!  I am 15, and love TBG games!  More time to think and plan out
ones strategy...

> Although, I can see your point, that you don't want these classical
> games to simply fade into the background. But it is inevetable. I
> think that became apparent in APOC, with the option the RT or TB.
> Anyway, I hope more people express their opinions on this topic, and
> look forward to seeing them.
> Talos
> 
> Detonate Wrote
> > Hmm.... I think Talos, you're probably on your own when wanting a RTS XCOM
> > game, judging by the posts to the group.
> 
> > There are several definitive aspects which give XCOM - UFO/TFTD it's
> > uniqueness and long term appeal;
> 
> > The myth which is now XCOM
> 
> > The fact it was small unit tactics and strategy
> 
> > It was turn based and not RT.
> 
> >     Taking those points and lumping them together has created a series of
> > games which has a) grabbed the long term interest of gamers, and b) given
> > MPS a sure fire success, due to the XCOM licence.  However, the fundamental
> > point remains - most of us gamers are hankering after a game which goes back
> > to its roots, but with the benefits of 4 yrs of technology and hindsight of
> > other XCOM titles being somewhat diverse [not necessarily a bad thing] and
> > moving further away from our interest in the original.  Clearly, both
> > Interceptor and Alliance has and will gain its own followers, who will
> > probably have the same fanatical interest in those games as we do in the
> > originals.
> >     Most of us still keep coming back to the originals - UFO/TFD, with Apoc
> > coming next, judging from the posts - an assumption, btw.  With the advent
> > of Interceptor and Alliance, MPS has pretty much used the XCOM licence to
> > cover most of the gaming genre's going, so I for one would not be surprised
> > to see an XCOM game which caters for your needs - simply to milk the licence
> > for all it's worth.  However, in an ideal world, we would see a
> > representative from MPS contributing to this ng and we would be involved in
> > the next incarnation of an XCOM title.  This, I feel I can say in absolute
> > certainty, would definitely be a game which improves on the original game -
> > not diversify into another area.
> >     When considering games such as Diablo and Commandos, you only have to
> > look at the graphics alone to see how far technology has moved on.  Added to
> > this is the fact that online gaming - multiplayer and email games - has
> > skyrocketed.  XCOM - A had grand ideas at attempting the latter, but was
> > ultimately axed.  My own personal view is that during the projects, gamers
> > were left out, which meant the design and specifics were left to the
> > developers, who had a passion for the game they were making, but left little
> > room for the consumer to add their own opinion - another assumption, btw.
> > Checking through dejanews articles for XCOM threads will uncover a huge
> > supply of ideas myself and other regular contributors have added, to the
> > issue of a new XCOM game.
> 
> >     Ultimately there are two issues which will shape the next XCOM game;
> 
> > 1.  MPS being motivated purely by profit, which results in an XCOM game
> > which will cater for mainstream gamers - we've had FPS, Flight sim and the
> > turn based/RT affairs of UFO/TFTD & APOC.  This leaves the RTS large unit
> > genre left uncovered at present - add to the list as required.
> 
> > 2.  MPS actually open a dialogue with us and we have a game which does in
> > fact offer what we want, instead of a perceived, and clouded idea based on
> > market trends, idea of what we need.
> 
> > However, business is rarely a democratic process, so I would imagine some
> > form of No. 1 taking precedence - ultimately, MPS wants profits to survive,
> > keep the shareholders happy and so forth.
> 
> > The last issue contends with the actual demand for such a RTS game wrapped
> > in the XCOM format.  How many RTS games are on the market at present?
> > Definitely into double figures.  Would another RTS game be of any interest
> > to gamers?  Take a look at the D2K threads in the strategic forum to gauge
> > the response.  People remembered and really liked the original Dune 2, but
> > the remake... New gamers expected an RTS game which was wrapped up in up to
> > date technologically and even surpassed it, but were disappointed, but the
> > older [and original players of Dune 2] gamers were more forgiving.  It's a
> > relevant point worth considering when it comes to the next XCOM game.
> >     If there is going to be a remake, it requires some hard thinking by us,
> > the gamers, as well as the developers and management of MPS.  We obviously
> > don't want a D2K scenario, but do want to keep the uniqueness of the
> > original titles intact.  I believe it will take a leap of faith from MPS to
> > actually become involved with us and create a game which reflects our
> > desires.
> 
> >     MPS are in a bit of a sticky situation at present, financially.  Hasboro
> > has bought the company, and their agenda may be totally different to what
> > the current MPS management and developers have.  Ultimately, Hasboro will
> > have the final say on matters and it depends on how perceptive their
> > management are to consumer demands, hard core fans and related issues.
> 
> > Well, a bit long and involved, but hopefully some food for thought for
> > everyone.  I admit my examples have been somewhat 'black and white', which
> > has been intentional to induce debate.  Please refrain from flaming though -
> > I am open to debate and have no doubt my own personal perspective may be way
> > off the mark of the overall situation - that includes any MPS who are
> > reading, btw.  I am simply trying to open a dialogue which explores the
> > issue, nothing more.
> 
> > Detonate