Weather?

[Ishe]

Weather? im pretty sure this wont be added into the game. But thoughts? i think it would be cool if there was day and night on some levels? and rain ect.

[[LightMare]]

there is no weather on space platforms, but it would be interesting on planet like terrains

[Lord David]

Well maybe there's no weather per say on space platforms but maybe have things like meteor showers and such? I dunno, just a thought, probably in campaigns and UMS maps... maybe? :)

[coalescence]

Didn't we have rain, snow and fog in Warcraft 3? Big chance that it will happen in SC2.

[MrFrancko]

I could see some cool weather effects. I'd like to see some fog too. I remember fog being legit in Myth 2. Rain and snow are a must of course. Plus in space i'm sure you could have something that helps the feel of the game.

[coalescence]

I could see some cool weather effects. I'd like to see some fog too. I remember fog being legit in Myth 2. Rain and snow are a must of course. Plus in space i'm sure you could have something that helps the feel of the game.


Yeah, but the fog in myth 2 (damn man, I have been craving to play that game the whole day, while I haven't played it in 2 year, what a coinsedence that you mention it) is (I guess) to make sure it wouldnt require too much of your pc. Did you ever play Turok? Same thing, but more annoying because it was a FPS and you couldn't see more than 50 yards before you :P

[MrFrancko]

I could see some cool weather effects. I'd like to see some fog too. I remember fog being legit in Myth 2. Rain and snow are a must of course. Plus in space i'm sure you could have something that helps the feel of the game.

Yeah, but the fog in myth 2 (damn man, I have been craving to play that game the whole day, while I haven't played it in 2 year, what a coinsedence that you mention it) is (I guess) to make sure it wouldnt require too much of your pc. Did you ever play Turok? Same thing, but more annoying because it was a FPS and you couldn't see more than 50 yards before you :P

I don't want the fog to be overwhelming. It would just be for aesthetics and not affect the game play. As for it hurting the system requirements, since it doesn't do anything for game play I would make all weather effects something you can turn off in the settings. As for Myth, I loved that game. I forget what the WWII mod was called for it but that was a blast too. Talk about an addicting game. Nothing like watching your enemies units blow up and fly all over the place!

[coalescence]

I don't want the fog to be overwhelming. It would just be for aesthetics and not affect the game play. As for it hurting the system requirements, since it doesn't do anything for game play I would make all weather effects something you can turn off in the settings. As for Myth, I loved that game. I forget what the WWII mod was called for it but that was a blast too. Talk about an addicting game. Nothing like watching your enemies units blow up and fly all over the place!


I guess they did a good job with the fog in WC3.

And Myth II, dwarves vs ghasts, what a mess ;D or even worse, the bonus level ;D
Actually, I'm gonna play right now!

[paragon]

As long as it doesn't affect gameplay at all.
Once I was playing Moon Project and lightning destroyed my entire helicopter fleet.

[capthavic]

lolz @ Paragon

Anyway I suppose it is possible but I wouldn't bet on it.

[zeratul11]

that would be cool. effects like snow flakes falling, raining, day and night, sunlight, thunder storm, and a sand storm.

[Ishe]

Yeah i agree, i dont think they should over do it but it would be cool to have light rain , fog ect. But nothing that amps of the system requirements. Is there any word on those yet? i hope you dont have to have the best computer on the market otherwise ill have to buy 1!

[mc2]

Ideas from WC should not be just transferred directly to SC2 simply because starcraft is not warcraft in space. Weather can bring good ambient into the game but we shouldn't see too much of it. Not so much that it disrupts the visibility or gameplay itself.

[ImaGiNe.]

Weather would be a neat addition to StarCraft.

[coalescence]

Ideas from WC should not be just transferred directly to SC2 simply because starcraft is not warcraft in space.


This response is really getting cliché, and annoying. Weather isn't something warcraft only, I only said it to explain that blizzard has done it before and that it worked out good enough, doesn't **** up gamespeed or gameplay at all.

[paragon]

As long as they don't half ass it then it's fine to have weather. If I see snow falling, I want snow on my buildings. If I see a sandstorm, I want sand on my buildings. If I see rain falling, I don't want my tank getting stuck in the mud cause that would be dumb. But I do want things to look wet.

WarCraft 3 half-assed it for the most part. There was snow on buildings but that was it.

[[LightMare]]

METEOR SHOWER! KILL ALL IN PATH :D

[coalescence]

As long as they don't half ass it then it's fine to have weather. If I see snow falling, I want snow on my buildings. If I see a sandstorm, I want sand on my buildings. If I see rain falling, I don't want my tank getting stuck in the mud cause that would be dumb. But I do want things to look wet.


I'm probably fantasizing to much but it would be cool if it would get muddy/snow would melt at the places where battles have raged.

[paragon]

I'm probably fantasizing to much but it would be cool if it would get muddy/snow would melt at the places where battles have raged.

That'd be awesome.

[kwifler]

Are we talking global weather effects or localized weather like in swamps, or both?
Would you imagine a few translucent clouds floating around the game spitting out flakes or drops , or maybe a tornado, -- or do you want a winter wonderland, a rainy day, or a full blown hurricane, or maybe a little bit of everything?

[Unentschieden]

I´d really like to see where a battlefield was for at least a minute after the battle and all survivors left... Didn´t anyone wonder why the Protoss din´t use wooden armor? The Trees on Aiur could survive Nukes!

[-LT-]

Good point.

[Hunter]

Actually, I would be glad to see fog, or something, which can cover forces.. I know there are plants, where u can hide, but this idea would make the game more realistic

[joshin]

I'm just hoping that they add in cool movie scenes with rain and meteors and what-not.
Otherwise, adding weather would give rise to the night and day thing and a host of unnecessary things for a strategy game like starcraft.

p.s. I always imagine a scene where the rain is washing the blood off a marine's combat suit.

[atsharrock]

Weathers one of those things isnt it. You wont really notice it, but it would be a nice little touch that makes up a game.

Hopefully the campaign doesnt take you to Earth and fight in England, it would be guaranteed rain :(

[Chax424]

I'm nost quite sure how to phrase this, but does anyone have any information on whether or not SC2 will have weather?
Such as: in WC3 there was rain, dust storms, etc...

[Fenix]

I think the general consensus is there will be optional weather effects.....I think it'll be cool if there is though.

One think that I've toyed with the idea of, but never posted it......The graphics have the ability for bodies to stay for such and such a time.....Wouldn't it be awesome if weather effected units? Like, in the sand levels....They started browning out....Or if it was snowing, if you leave you units in place long enough, like a Siege Tank, snow starts piling up on it.

[zenithar666]

weather effects make the game more realistic
it wud be cool if they have more diverse weather effects than just snow and dust tho
like idk moonlight?

[zenithar666]

that is true
scenario's look way cooler when there is effects happening around the place
like radiation

[AcE_01]

yah...like...omgeeness!!! look at that moonlight! holy crap!

[Chax424]

Good I'm glad the general concecuns is a yes, bcasue it will add a lot.
WC3 had wind, rain, snow, sunlight, moonlight, sandstorm...and different variations of all of them.
If there is weather then I'm going to assume there will at least be those.

[PKZeppelin]

I want falling meteorites...

[Fo®Saken]

Lol ---> Infernals in Starcraft :P

But it would be nice to have weather effects in Starcraft, and because it's a sci-fi game, you can add some pretty spectacular effect to the game. Purple lightning storms or something like that would be nice, or little dust particles flying around.


I think the general consensus is there will be optional weather effects.....I think it'll be cool if there is though.

One think that I've toyed with the idea of, but never posted it......The graphics have the ability for bodies to stay for such and such a time.....Wouldn't it be awesome if weather effected units? Like, in the sand levels....They started browning out....Or if it was snowing, if you leave you units in place long enough, like a Siege Tank, snow starts piling up on it.
That would be really cool, but I don't think it's possible to do such a thing. You would need to create multiple separate textures for every unit to do those things. But I have an idea on how to solve this, although it sounds a little cheap, it just might work.

In Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2, there were seperate textures for units and buildings in snowy conditions. They weren't able to let those change or something (animated textures), but with the current technology it should work just fine.

For people that don't know this game: it's pretty old, here are some examples of what I mean, just look at the buildings:

http://cszyan.googlepages.com/rr.jpg
http://mo.cncguild.net/special/mobigapple.jpg

[Fenix]

Well....That's what I mean. After a certain amount of time, the game swaps textures. Obviously, it would be optional, as slower computers couldn't handle that. But stronger ones would have very little issues swapping out textures like that.

[zeratul11]

yes it would look great. but i rather pick NIGHT and day over it. anyway im sure both of them will be implemented but less chance on night and day cycle. DAY AND NIGHT CYCLE FTW! xp

[longlivefenix]

i wouldnt want it in Internet games
lag >.>

[zeratul11]

ha? i dont think so. you just need a good computer and fast internet speed. =)

[Chax424]

...Wouldn't it be awesome if weather effected units? Like, in the sand levels....They started browning out....Or if it was snowing, if you leave you units in place long enough, like a Siege Tank, snow starts piling up on it.


I'm certain that if games don't 9for whatever reason) do that know, they will in the next couple years.
Starcraft 3? Warcraft 4?

All I really want are sand storms, just for cinematic reasons.

[zeratul11]

earthqukes would be nice too. and molten lava flowing after the volcano errupts.

[Fo®Saken]

That's easy, those are just animated doodads... (at least the volcanos are) Earthquackes on the other hand should only be there if they affect the gameplay. You can't just have earthquackes all over the place without them having any effect on the units / buildings.

As for the day and night cycle, remember that you are contantly travvelnig between different planets. Not every planet will have the same day and night cycle as you might expect. Some planets don’t even have one, since they are always dark on one side, but that only concerns moons for most of the time. (like our own moon)

As for the gameplay effects if there would be a real-time switching between day and night, that would create a lot of opportunities to create some interesting features. Just think of how the Protoss use light to gain power, or that the Zerg have some nocturnal creatures or something, that only hunt at night etc. The possibilities are endless.

[zenithar666]

you could have a radiation effect tho
that wud be mad and wud totally fit the starcraft theme
maybe they cud even have a halo ring lol

[Redi_Kul]

Man i love atmosphere idea but I'm not so sure it should affect gameplay too much...
Night and day is also nice but game would lose its flavor if they put many units that get unbalanced bonuses
during night,it would become much more predictable.

[zenithar666]

well normal weather effects shud just be there to look nice
but there shud be the wc3 concept of night
where units cannot see as far at night as aposed to daytime
i though that was a pretty good concept

[zeratul11]

As for the gameplay effects if there would be a real-time switching between day and night, that would create a lot of opportunities to create some interesting features. Just think of how the Protoss use light to gain power, or that the Zerg have some nocturnal creatures or something, that only hunt at night etc. The possibilities are endless.


thats why sc2 need day and night cycle. it would be innovative and pwn all other RTS. and it should affect gameplay. =p

[Hodl pu]

As long as they don't make the weather effects awkward. Having rain on space platform seems a bit odd.

[PreatorTengil]

One think that I've toyed with the idea of, but never posted it......The graphics have the ability for bodies to stay for such and such a time.....Wouldn't it be awesome if weather effected units? Like, in the sand levels....They started browning out....Or if it was snowing, if you leave you units in place long enough, like a Siege Tank, snow starts piling up on it.


Really great ideas, especially the snowing on the units that stands imobile for some time. I think it would be cool if they also could add somewhat of persistent bodies option, similiar to that effect in dawn of war. I doubt it though that blizzard actually will.. And it would't matter for the zealots anyway. I just love signs and hints of a once heated battle. It's most likely though that we will encounter some kind of weather effects. Didn't they allready talk about night fighting or did they flush that idea?


As long as they don't make the weather effects awkward. Having rain on space platform seems a bit odd.


I think that we just have to trust blizzard on that one, that they would never do something that stupid. If, it's not some kind of small meteoric rain of course

[OriginalSin]

i reakon that there should be different types of weathers for different planets, say on a world with TONS of vespene gass outlets there should be acid rain that slightly damages your units and on magical planets there should be scaled down psi-storms that damage all units and every now and then a rare "one species" damaging event i.e a commet storm that only damages terran units and a acid rain that damages protoss

[Meee]

I say no to the above on account of randomness

[Psionicz]

Nice ideas, they should keep it out of inital gameplay but add it in the map editor cuz otherwise it imbalances things.

[zenithar666]

i agree with zergalicious
those effects would make the game unbalanced as some units would have advantage of map over other units and such
though if it was saved for map editor or um does SC2 have custom games? then that would be best

[ijffdrie]

yes it has custom games, it actually will get a stronger editor than wc3

[zenithar666]

will sc2 have a game like DotA for wc3 and would it be called DotA
i reckon that would be pretty cool you could even have some wc3 heroes in sc2 DotA

[Joneagle_X]

I think this is actually quite a good topic.

I can see there being effects like Earthquakes and Sandstorms, etc.... but it can't affect gameplay other than making it look neat or offering a break in the graphics.

It wouldn't be too tough on the processing of the game (obviously, they included rain, etc. in WC3) so I don't see why it couldn't be included, but it definitely shouldn't affect units.

I also like the snow pilings, etc.

[Wlck742]

As long as they don't affect gameplay there's no reason not to have weather. Even if the game doesn't have weather systems in it, you can always add them through the almighty editor.

[capthavic]

It would be nice but only if doesn't hurt performance. Remember Blizz wants to keep it accessable to everyone, not just those with supercomputers.

[Thalion]

There already has been games with simple day/night changes (i. e. Dark Colony, where Alien units where stronger at night) or weather (anyone remembers Earth 2160?) But there many, more recent strategies, where environment was implemented... Imho this improvement has only good sides...

[11-Sodium]

It would be cool to have atmospheric effects, but it shouldn't have any direct impact on the game. Any random event would add elements of luck to a game that should be based solely on strategy. Even periodical events such as day and night should not affect gameplay, since it would cause temporary shifts in balance, and early on in a game this could be catastrophic for a player who would have won if strategy alone had been the determinant.

On a side note, did anyone else think of Dune when the sandstorms were mentioned?

[longlivefenix]

i think that there should be a toggle that determines if there are storms

[Chax424]

On a side note, did anyone else think of Dune when the sandstorms were mentioned?


Yes, haha, I did when I started the thread.

Random weather, yes.
Different types of weather determined by map/world, oh yeah.
Affect gameplay, not necessarily, I just want them for cinematic reasons. The lights on, say, the Nomad and Planetary Fortress would look bad ass at night...

[longlivefenix]

i think that the cinematics in sc2 will be beastly

[LordKerwyn]

I personally like the idea of atmosphere and day night. Also I do think they should have a minor effect on gameplay. My logic is simple, if you have skill you should be able to win games despite whats put in them. Pros are not pros just because of skill they are pros because they can adapt to changes in a game and oponent. All random chance does is provide a little bit of help to the underdog somethimes. If you are a good at a game that involves chance you learn to how ot roll with it, if you cant do that you shouldnt be playing.

Starcraft shouldnt be chess on steroids. As long as the majority of the game is strategy random chance is fine. 

[Joneagle_X]

There was rain and day/night in WC3. It didn't affect performance that much. The game had reasonable requirements. :D

Oh, and, random chance is not fine. We've discussed this in a number of threads. The only time in which chance can be involved is.. oh... NEVER.

Abilities should only affect in reductions and affects, not in chance. There should be no 10% chance of evasion because eventually you will have anomalies. Like a Zealot dodging 100 attacks in a row which then causes the other player to lose. Don't say it won't happen often because the possibility still exists.

Abilities can either reduce or prevent damage, but not in percentage numbers. Except for 50% reduction, etc. Only doodads can cause a "chance" to miss, etc. But a unit's ability cannot be a chance event. Period. You especially don't want outside factors unrelated to players, like rain, etc. to affect gameplay, especially in "chance events." Bad idea.

[LordKerwyn]

I wasnt talking about abilities in that case I was talking about a random chance of a reduction affect everyone.

Also you havnt given very many reasons why random chance you have just said it is bad. Which I dissagree with. Its only bad for the better player if anything but even still, if a player cant adapt he should be considered a good player.

Also as for those chance anomolies you bring up. I would wager it would be fairly easy to code some kind of fail safe into the game to keep that from happeneing.


*LordKerwyn flees to safety of a goodnight's sleep before the backlash begins*

[zenomorph]

I noticed the term "climate events" in Nomad's description:

"...the nomad is a robust, air-mobile vehicle built to operate independently in all but the harshest climates..."

"Nomads are normally employed for first-line colony surveillance and protection duties against dangerous local life forms or climate events."

Do you guys think that Blizzard will include some kind of meteorological events or activities which can somehow effect the game play or its just a part of the story line? Because I havent seen such information in any of the other units' descriptions or the videos...

[-LT-]

That's just the lore. I don't think climate events will be in the game. Maybe just the rain.

[kuvasz]

It's just candy. Having weather effects wouldn't change anything that I can think of gameplay wise, it would just create unnecessary clutter and put a strain on the hardware. Night time, however, will be in the game, but I can't remember if it'll be changing during a match or be static with the ability to set it before a match.

[zenomorph]

Well in Warcraft 3, night time effects hp regeneration and sight range, so its quite possible to be included into Starcraft 2 as well.. But we`ll see, time will show :)

[DKutrovsky]

I wouldnt mind having day and night(having terran lights on certain units, vehicles) and so on, and raid, wind etc. But i dont want it to affect gameplay too much if at all.

[10-Neon]

Weather, atmosphere, climate, threads merged. They're all the same thing in RTS terms.

I don't personally expect there to be any gameplay-affecting day/night, weather, or climactic events. At least not in standard gameplay.

[SuccaMC]

In space you could have debris floating around and stuff.

[Psionicz]

I'd just be happy with day and night where night time might effect sight which would spark up a lot of tactics. Thay way certain units with lights would become more vuluable at night, some players might not want to attack at night or some would favour it depending on play style.

Also I'd like an option to play the whole map on day or night then the opt of it changing as time goes on.
Just imagine you're positioned to attack then out of the darkness comes lots of Reapers, as they;d favour in a supprise attack. The possibilities are endless.

[Drift]

Psyonic storm owning all my air fleets is annoying enough, I don't need lightning to make things worse =P As for weather effects, I think that would be slightly legit, but as some said, not have it affect the actual game play.

[10-Neon]

Maybe lightning would recharge a disabled Phoenix's power supply? Time to take the birds out flying!