UT2007: Thoughts?

[BeerNut]

Latest interview with Epic's Dr. Sin: http://ut4e.com/

edit: And 1 from Jeff Morris: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/r/?page=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/news/news_story.php%28que%29id=129254

Just wandering what everyone's thoughts were on the changes that will be made in the next incarnation of UT...

In case you haven't heard:
-Shieldgun gone; Hammer back
-Assault rifle gone; Enforcers back
-Lightening gun gone; Sniper back
-Movement toned down
-BR, AS, DD & bonus gametypes gone; Conquest added
-scaling changed
-etc...

[Houdini]

Latest interview with Epic's Dr. Sin: http://ut4e.com/

Just wandering what everyone's thoughts were on the changes that will be made in the next incarnation of UT...

In case you haven't heard:
-Shieldgun gone; Hammer back
-Assault rifle gone; Enforcers back
-Lightening gun gone; Sniper back
-Movement toned down
-BR, AS, DD & bonus gametypes gone; Conquest added
-scaling changed
-etc...

Interesting. I hope the movement change doesn't kill any game I may still have. I never recovered from the change from 2003 to 2004 where they took out that boost jumping thing you could do if you mashed your keys like a mental patient.

[BeerNut]

I still think that UT2003 is better than 2k4. Boost dodge, fast weapon switch, and a crisper 'feel' made it the ultimate skill game.

But by the sounds of it, 2k7 looks to be something of a departure from them both... I will miss the LG though

[nonstop]

Basically their trying to go back to the ut99 weapons/style of gameplay that was the most popular. The real question is rather ut99 was just so different and fun at the time based on the times or if that slower more noob friendly style really was one of the big elements that made it so wildly popular.

Think about it, the games that are popular online are q4/doom3/cs/(put any slow moving game here).

So UT2k3/2k4 is faster and takes a little more practice and dedication to get good which your average gamer is not willing to do. Combine that with many good players having it down and someone new comes in used to doom3 style of movement or CS style of movement and they don't have a prayer.

There is not doubt that ut2k3/4 takes more skill to be really good and to come into a game without being completely dominated. Being completely dominated does not = a good time for most people and most would just quit and say stuff in forums like "ut is to spammy" or "ut2k4 is for noobs" or "ut2k4 is just throwing shock combos around it doesn't require skill." The truth is, they sucked and didn't want to get dominated. Can you imagine someone new firing up the game, doing the tutorial and then logging into say Fractionary?

So Epic isn't doing anything new, their just following the same trail that other companies have forged like blizzard which is, make is more simple and you will have more people play. That's also why for every warcraft 3 or starcraft game out there you can find a good strategy game with depth like Civilization 3 or 4 or Rise of Nations and for every World of Warcraft out there you can find an EQ or a Neverwinter Nights for example.

Bottom line is... noob friendly =


If I have only saved 1 soul it was worth the paragraphs!!!

[BeerNut]

...Can you imagine someone new firing up the game, doing the tutorial and then logging into say Fractionary?

Yeah, I've seen that. I'll be playing on the Frac, and see a new player join the game... It becomes apparent in about .05 seconds that the poor bastard JUST bought the game and joined the wrong server. Right as he disconnects (usually quickly), I think to myself: "Well, I'll never see that guy again"

[Houdini]

I still think that UT2003 is better than 2k4. Boost dodge, fast weapon switch, and a crisper 'feel' made it the ultimate skill game.

But by the sounds of it, 2k7 looks to be something of a departure from them both... I will miss the LG though

Thats no crap man! I agree totally in fact I forgot all about the fast weapon switch I still shift between weapons all the time trying to fire to early. I used to have some quick combos. No wonder I suck now.

Good call.

[law.of.averages]

I for one can't wait to enjoy those view brief days (In Beer's case, prolly mere hours) where ya'll are just as bad at the game as I am

[Yrrek]

So you mean the LG is gun, and all we have is the sniper rifle? I hate the sniper rifle, that stupid puff of smoke always blocks your vision. I don't really remember the enforcers. Do they have grenades? Those come in handy many times. Everything else is just kind of eh. I'll definitely demo it first.

[BeerNut]

So you mean the LG is gun, and all we have is the sniper rifle? I hate the sniper rifle, that stupid puff of smoke always blocks your vision. I don't really remember the enforcers. Do they have grenades? Those come in handy many times. Everything else is just kind of eh. I'll definitely demo it first.

I imagine that the sniper in 2k7 will be balanced with a lot more teeth than the current joke of a sniper in 2k4... That gun is so inferior to the LG, I actually avoid it completely on certain maps so I don't accidentally switch to it using my LG binds.

Grenades are gone as far as know (which I'm OK with)... Enforcers didn't have them.

[Ace]

I'll wait until it comes out, mainly because I misjudged 2k3. When it came out, I hated almost everything about it. The LG? I couldn't believe they replaced the sniper with a gun that defeats the whole purpose of a "sniper" weapon. I also hated how even the playing field felt after switching from 99 to 2k3. People who I wouldn't have broken a sweat against in 99, could now match me kill for kill.

After playing it, it grew on me. Just took time to figure out how to play in 2k3's world. Double Jumping replaced strafing and single weapon fights became switching weapons mid-fight to gain an advantage. I'm a firm believer in who has the most tricks up their sleeve will win the majority of the time. Quick reflexes and aim are important, but in the case of me switching from 99 to 2k3, they played no part in moving to a new game. It was a level playing field, I didn't know the "tricks" of 2k3 yet and because of that people who I could beat easily in 99 (again because of tricks) were hard for me in 2k3 (until learning the tricks, then the spread was once again where it was in 99).

The UT series best feature has always been the weapons. I miss the ripper, that was an interesting weapon. The translocator was one of the best "unique" tools ever in the game in my opinion. Pro gamers shunned it, so it never caught on, but it made the game interesting because of how you could use it. Shield gun, again only game out there with something like that. People who know how to use it, do amazing things with it. I do worry when I hear what they are removing from the game because it seems like they are going towards Q4....not going for the interesting things that make UT, well Unreal.

Q4, the weapons are boring, nothing is new. I have absolutely no desire to play it. When 2k7 comes out, all I can say as it better have some "new" quality to it, otherwise I won't move to it. That really isn't a bad thing either because I don't feel like upgrading all my hardware. If they Q4ify 2k7, I will be fine cuz it's been a good run. If 2k7, does something to make the FPS games new, great I'll keep playing. Either way, Ace okay!

[nonstop]

I have absolutely no desire to play it. When 2k7 comes out, all I can say as it better have some "new" quality to it, otherwise I won't move to it.

Ace at present moment you can't move to it. Your video card barely supports the 3d version of tetris so all this talk is a big cover for you to avoid upgrading your video from a voodoo 3 was it?....


So to really come out of retirement you will need to spend cash ace... hard earned cash on at least one of these:

[BeerNut]

The UT series best feature has always been the weapons. I miss the ripper, that was an interesting weapon. The translocator was one of the best "unique" tools ever in the game in my opinion. Pro gamers shunned it, so it never caught on, but it made the game interesting because of how you could use it. Shield gun, again only game out there with something like that. People who know how to use it, do amazing things with it. I do worry when I hear what they are removing from the game because it seems like they are going towards Q4....not going for the interesting things that make UT, well Unreal.

Agreed 100% on the guns. The weapons have always been the primary factor that keeps me coming back to the UT series, and will undoubtedly be the reason that I give 2k7 a fair shot.
I still think that the shock rifle is the most original, and badass weapon to ever grace a FPS

As for the translocator, it is an absolutely standard part of the game - in CTF. I'm not much of a CTF'er, but I don't know if it makes sense in DM/TDM.

I'm not sure about the shield going away... I guess if the starting gun gives you the ability to defend yourself against spawn rape, it may be OK.

[ClownMajik]

SHIELDGUN GONE!!! WTF!!! OMG SUXORS TO TEH MAXORS!!1111
IM GOING TO QUIT UT IF YOU GUYS CONVERT!!111

GW anyone?

[pewterdragn]

I'm making a LG mod to GW and switching immediately.

[Hoss]

Funny this posted today - I have to have my dose of (real) sniper rifle once in awhile and last night I was playing pretty late on UT99. Still a lot of activity and clans on UT99.

This was a huge debate for many when UT2k3 came out and it broke up a lot of clans, including my own, when peeps didn't want to move on. Biggest complaints I remember were the fact that it took more hits to make a kill in UT2k3, the sniper gun was weakened and that smoke is ridiculous in UT2k3/4!

NS I don't understand your logic that it takes more skill in UT2k4 and less skill if movement is slowed down. If it is easier to kill - would it not mean more skill required to avoid being killed? Regardless - bottom line is everyone is on the same playing field and you have to kill before getting killed - period. Wouldn't matter if you had LG's or rocks.

I'm glad they are taking the Shield gun out! What kind of skill does it take to pull that out and avoid being killed for a little longer?

Perhaps UT developers are trying to win back all those die hard UT99 peeps and consolidate the community a little more. If this works and also brings more noobs to the game to stay - I think this would be a good thing. Were there not comments on this forum aforementioned that "everyone playing these days is already in a clan", and "online players are pretty thin these days"?

The game will still be fun and more ppl will play = great!