Natural Selection 2

[Perochi]

Natural Selection 2 (NS2) is a multiplayer computer game mixing first-person shooter and real-time strategy gameplay. It is set in a science fiction universe, and is currently under development.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_Selection_2

Pre-purchase Natural Selection 2 on Steam



[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLuH3agbhiY&feature=share&list=UU0olBsiE9m I2Wf1xdyS1x3A[/ame]

[Bloodshot]

I like you for posting this thread, though that's an old-ass screenshot

You should put more info about it though

Natural Selection 2, or NS2, is the official sequel to NS1 which was made as a mod for Half-Life that started in 2000 (and was a very popular mod for it, i might add)

Some general info here:
Natural Selection 2

Natural Selection (NS) is a modification for the video game Half-Life. Its concept is a mixture of the first-person shooter (FPS) and real-time strategy (RTS) game genres.

The game was created by Charlie "Flayra" Cleveland, who later founded the company Unknown Worlds Entertainment. Natural Selection v1 was first publicly released on Halloween 2002, and is presently at version 3.2. Production of Natural Selection 2 is underway.

The game features two teams: Kharaa (alien species) and Frontiersmen (human space marines). The visible Kharaa "units" are actually simply the spawn of the real Kharaa (aliens) which are microscopic life-forms according to the NS story line.

The game was, in 2008, one of the ten most played Half-Life modifications in terms of players, according to GameSpy.[1]

Interview:
The Verge - 'Natural Selection 2' shows how RTS + FPS = dinosaurs and exosuits

TotalBiscuit's gameplay
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhu9T0Hn7nM&feature=player_embedded"]NS2 Coverage - Marines[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duiNW-hoDzw&feature=relmfu"]NS2 Coverage - Aliens[/ame]
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDwUxISMvk0&feature=relmfu"]NS2 Coverage - The Commander[/ame]

Tutorials, random games and commentary and other info:
NS2HD

NS2 has its own engine (contrary to popular belief that they are using source engine) called spark, that has huge support for modding, with a WYSIWYP level editor, and steam workshop integration for instant downloads of maps and mods, the game is being made by a development team of 7.

It's a mix of RTS and FPS with a heavy influence from Aliens. The game is currently in closed beta, and you can get in beta if you pre-order from their site for $35 before it goes up on Steam on September 4th.

I highly recommend this game to any aliens fans, as well as people that love teamwork and RTS. I bought it way back in early beta and I've probably enjoyed it more then I have any recent AAA title I bought.

Screenshots of the latest "build":

[R00k]

Looks like what Doom3 wanted to be. Oh!
And open source??! wowsa!

[Seven]

While watching the 1st clip, it reminded me very much of the movie Starship Troopers.
They also had to kill an invasion of bugs.

Too bad its for steam only...

[Perochi]

My current computer can't even run this game. I preordered anyway just to support the company. Maybe mindz will give me his pc *_*.

[hogsy]

Looks like what Doom3 wanted to be. Oh!
And open source??! wowsa!

I don't believe it said anywhere that the game was going to be open-source though I believe most of the game-logic is written out via lua scripts which should hopefully allow people to make plenty of modifications or their own gamemodes.

Personally I haven't played Natural Selection 2 as much as I'd like to purely because the game seems to be terribly optimised (but then this was ages ago when it was still in beta). I guess I'll give it another go when I get home...

[DeathToMericuh]

Death to americuhs video game industry!

[ezzetabi]

is there a non-steam drm free version legally available?

[Bloodshot]

It's multiplayer only, from a small, independent studio. Steam is pretty much their only option since it's nearing release.

Also, latest patch has improved performance amazingly, server browser works, hit detection is better, performance has increased significantly, it's actually the biggest performance increase so far (I can max it out now with barely any slowdowns) DYNAMIC INFESTATION TECHNOLOGY COMING TODAY as well, annnd....

Natural Selection 2 News - Refinery Reveal

[ezzetabi]

It's multiplayer only, from a small, independent studio. Steam is pretty much their only option since it's nearing release.

Too bad, they lost my money.

[Bloodshot]

Not to sound harsh, but that's a pretty dumb reason not to buy a game.

Oh well.

[ezzetabi]

It does sound harsh actually; and it is not dumb at all. Actually, the problem is that people do not see why it is not dumb. But it does not really matter, does it? I can live without playing a videogame, they can live without my money.

Just as the famous If Quake was done today youtube movie is a "(probably futile) attempt on making a statement about the quality of shooters this generation.'' Me not buying drm infected stuff is a probably futile attempt on making a statement about my right of not being considered a pirate when I buy legally.

I find funny that people are not sensitive about that. Oh well.

[Syluxguy28O3]

you know, i love the fact they merged rts and fps.

[Bloodshot]

I like it because the roles are heavily intertwined. The commander needs the ground troops and vice versa, without each other, they won't do well.

It does sound harsh actually; and it is not dumb at all. Actually, the problem is that people do not see why it is not dumb. But it does not really matter, does it? I can live without playing a videogame, they can live without my money.

Just as the famous If Quake was done today youtube movie is a "(probably futile) attempt on making a statement about the quality of shooters this generation.'' Me not buying drm infected stuff is a probably futile attempt on making a statement about my right of not being considered a pirate when I buy legally.

I find funny that people are not sensitive about that. Oh well.

"Dumb" in the sense that for an online game, steam DRM is pretty much the equivalent of a CD key - and CD keys don't stop you from buying games, do they? Especially if you like games that revolve around skill and teamwork instead of false depth through gimmicky unlock systems and poor map design that features battles that are essentially point-and-click.

I'm not trying to get you angry or anything, I just find it a little silly that you would refuse to buy an independent title solely on the fact that it uses steam (which is what 90% of independent titles have to use to help them survive) when the only way Steam becomes intrusive is when you play Offline games, and even so, they updated their offline mode to be way more reliable recently. I could understand if it was securom or something, or limited installs, but Steam for this game literally has the same effect as a CD key and punkbuster.

[ezzetabi]

I'm not trying to get you angry or anything, I just find it a little silly that you would refuse to buy an independent title solely on the fact that it uses steam (which is what 90% of independent titles have to use to help them survive) when the only way Steam becomes intrusive is when you play Offline games, and even so, they updated their offline mode to be way more reliable recently. I could understand if it was securom or something, or limited installs, but Steam for this game literally has the same effect as a CD key and punkbuster.

Not angry at all, I always like to discuss difficult arguments. And your point do have some sense. Bu hear yourself ``their offline mode to be way more reliable...''. An offline mode does not need any code at all; there should be nothing at all.

For MP games you can easily join the downloaded game with a unique key without using external software; I see the steam program as an aberration. Does valve want to sells games or cooperate with studios; they can what the want, but do not ask me to install a program different than the one I want.