Games Informer reveals XCOM... made by Firaxis Games

[QuantaCat]

It looks like Firaxis is finally making a strategy game that won't be completely crippled by AI or multiplayer shortcomings. This makes me happy.

Civ (and all 4X games) do a terrible job of executing their design competently.

Progression, difficulty scaling, asymmetrical gameplay should be much easier to get right

So its not just me that is having technical problems with Civ 5 multiplayer. Heck, its LAN and it bugs out every second round. very annoying.

[Endless Blockade]

Pre-ordered and awaiting the release, will probably avoid videos and such from now on so it all will be fresh and crisp for me.

Quite happy with Civ 5 though, I only played a few shorter games of Civ 4 quite a while ago and even though I get the sense that Civ 5 is a bit "dumber", or maybe it is just hiding some information/choices behind menus I haven't seen, I find Civ 5 easier to get into and focus on. Must say this will keep my strategy nerves calm until XCOM arrives.

[QuantaCat]

Quite happy with Civ 5 though, I only played a few shorter games of Civ 4 quite a while ago and even though I get the sense that Civ 5 is a bit "dumber", or maybe it is just hiding some information/choices behind menus I haven't seen, I find Civ 5 easier to get into and focus on. Must say this will keep my strategy nerves calm until XCOM arrives.

Civ5 has a better combat system, though. Dont feel like its dumbed down at all, especially with the Gods & Kings expansion.

[Giaddon]

All I need for the % to make sense is a good explanation of what determines them. I don't care how unrealistic it looks as long as there is a consistent and understandable numerical model running under the hood.

[QuantaCat]

All I need for the % to make sense is a good explanation of what determines them. I don't care how unrealistic it looks as long as their is a consistent and understandable numerical model running under the hood.

Yeah, I think its recruits = sux; shotguns = short range; rifles = medium range; snipers = long range.

And then theres the statistics and the special skills.

[Drake Sigar]

Any fans of the All Your History series here? They just released one for X-Com.

[duff]

So I'm pretty sure I had a dream / nightmare last night in which Tom Jones was singing Sex Bomb with the lyrics 'sex bomb' replaced by 'X-COM'. Yeah...

[Choca]

All I need for the % to make sense is a good explanation of what determines them. I don't care how unrealistic it looks as long as there is a consistent and understandable numerical model running under the hood.

Weapon used and range to target. Which kind of cover the enemy is behind (no cover is pretty much free shot). Whether or not the enemy is flanked. Class shooting (accuracy goes = Sniper>Support>Assault>Heavy>Rookie), etc, etc.

[Gorzan]

This video, man this video, as if I didn't want to buy this game badly enough, they make this damned video...

[QuantaCat]

all you need is to find someone to trade you a game for it.

[arathain]

I like his shirt and would wear it.

[QuantaCat]

I like his shirt and would wear it.

Id rather have the emblem as a pad I can put on any sweater. I still have an old army sweater lying around :D

[Choca]

Id rather have the emblem as a pad I can put on any sweater. I still have an old army sweater lying around :D

Heh, 2K sent me exactly what you just described the other day. If you really want it I could send it to you (if I can find it when I get back to work).

[auxout]

If you pre-ordered off GMG they just released the keys so you can pre-load through steam.

[soldant]

Flipping tables because staggered release dates suck, anyone want to join me?

[MadJax]

Flipping tables because staggered release dates suck, anyone want to join me?

Repels the flipped table with Shield of HotSpot.

[QuantaCat]

Heh, 2K sent me exactly what you just described the other day. If you really want it I could send it to you (if I can find it when I get back to work).

Really?! that sounds awesome! I honestly didnt know they had those made.

Thanks, even if you dont find it ;D

[Choca]

Really?! that sounds awesome! I honestly didnt know they had those made.

Thanks, even if you dont find it ;D

Found it, I'll post a picture of it there tonight and send it to you if you want.

NDA's off by the way so if anyone's got any question...

[Kadayi]

Found it, I'll post a picture of it there tonight and send it to you if you want.

NDA's off by the way so if anyone's got any question...

Good points, bad points? Stuff you'd like to have seen included/removed?

[Choca]

Good points, bad points? Stuff you'd like to have seen included/removed?

I like that it's hard without being unfair (I played on normal and classic, both good choices in my opinion)

The amount of maps is great too, especially for the random missions ; allows you to ignore the main objectives and just spin the globe until panic starts to be out of control.

You can also replay it until the end of days, even the main objective missions are randomized if you reload a previous savegame.

I think they should have added more progression in the technology you can unlock. There are a lot of science projects but you spend a long time with the starting weapons, a long time with the best weapons available and too little time with everything in-between. Same thing with aliens, really, you end-up fighting the starting ones and the best ones longer than anything else.

There are also a few camera problems, bugs and annoyance in the interface that could be corrected by a patch.

Art direction and characters are pretty bland, as expected.