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[XCOM] This thread is old and weak and soon will spawn a zombie. Use the newer thread.
Durinia
Evolved from Space PotatoesRegistered User regular
Evolved from Space PotatoesRegistered User regular
This ain't the FPS, this is a straight-up, re-imagining/modernization of the original XCOM from our friends at Firaxis. We're going from this:
to this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNyhyzjYCksBecause of <reasons> I'm not familiar with 20 year old strategy games. What was XCOM, and why is this a big deal?
In 1994, Microprose released the original XCOM: UFO Defense. This game mixed real-time strategy with turn-based strategy. The RTS part, called the Geoscape, took place on a global scale. You started with one base (with the ability to build more) somewhere on the planet. You had to manage your resources, which included buying or manufacturing weapons, ammo, armor, outfitting your air force and troops, and directing research and manufacturing focuses. The money for all of this (including paying everybody's salary) could come from selling your supplies or manufactured goods, but mainly from the funding council of countries. If a country was happy with your performance, you'd receive more money from them the next month. If they were displeased (or infiltrated by the aliens) they would cut off their funding.
Meanwhile, the aliens are sending various UFOs to earth on specific missions. This might include attacking a major city, infiltrating a government, attacking your bases, or setting up their own bases. UFOs could be shot down, and their crash sites investigated. Actually putting soldiers on the ground triggered the turn-based portion of the game, called the battlescape. Missions in the battlescape started with your squad on the landing craft, ready to take on the alien menace. By directing your soldiers, you either killed the enemy, or led your soldiers to their permanent deaths.
The point being the game was deep, hard, and brutal. High casualties and squad-wipes were not only normal, but expected. It has remain well-played to this day. In fact, you should really just go read @Fishman's (still active) LP of the original right now. It's one of the best LPs in the history of forever.
Fishman LP part I: The Bastards have landed
Fishman LP Part II: No, it's not tear gas. It's Catfood.
Fishman LP Part III: It's my job to keep you alive. I will not succeed- not with all of you.
Fishman LP Part IV: I'm in the mood for a little vivisection.
Fishman LP Part V: One does not simply walk into Cydonia
UFO Defense had some sequels which some people have strong opinions about. There were other attempts to clone or revive the series, most of which failed in a spectacular manner. This is the first time that a dedicated, high-budget team has attempted to bring the classic into the modern age.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown was released in the US on October 9th, 2012 and abroad 3 days later.
How is this possible? Jake Solomon, GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER tells us.
Buy it already!
Steam
Amazon
Gamefly
GameStop Impulse
Players who pre-ordered the game (too late, people!) received access to the Elite Soldier Pack, which includes the following features:
Classic X-COM Soldier: A new recruit inspired by the original X-COM: UFO Defense, a blond soldier with the flattop hairstyle from the original X-COM.
Soldier Deco Packs: Several aesthetic upgrades to upgrades to armor suits, including the Hyperion and Reaper soldier armor kits.
Complete Color Customization: A variety of colors and tints for all armor sets to customize their squad's look.
The Elite Solider Pack is purchasable as a DLC for $5.
Players who pre-ordered from Steam also unlocked some TF2 items and a free copy of Civ5.
Prefer physical copies? The Special Edition of XCOM: Enemy Unknown includes the following content:
*Fold out poster of the XCOM base
*Art book detailing the conceptual journey of re-imagining the classic
*Patch of the XCOM “Vigilo/Confido” insignia
*Digital bonus items including multi-monitor desktops, soundtrack, and more
PC Requirements:
Minimum Requirements:
OS: Windows Vista
Software: Steam Client
Processor: 2 GHz Dual Core
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Hard Drive: 20 GB free
Video Memory: 256 MB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT / ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT or greater
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
Recommended Requirements:
OS: Windows 7
Processor: 2 GHz Dual Core (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or Athlon X2 2.7 GHz)
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Hard Drive: 20 GB free
Video Memory: 512+ MB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9000 series / ATI Radeon HD 3000 series or greater
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
OS: Windows Vista
Software: Steam Client
Processor: 2 GHz Dual Core
Memory: 2 GB RAM
Hard Drive: 20 GB free
Video Memory: 256 MB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT / ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT or greater
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
Recommended Requirements:
OS: Windows 7
Processor: 2 GHz Dual Core (Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz or Athlon X2 2.7 GHz)
Memory: 4 GB RAM
Hard Drive: 20 GB free
Video Memory: 512+ MB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 9000 series / ATI Radeon HD 3000 series or greater
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
HEY YOU - want to send fellow Penny Arcadians to their horrific deaths as members of your XCOM squads?
@jdarksun collected a list of forumers to kill recruit, and compiled them into an .ini list for the game to pull from.
Since XCOM tends to spawn interest in having PA forumers volunteer to be in other player's games, I figured I'd try to automate the process as long as we had access to the DefaultNamesList. So if you're interested in having your forum handle show up in other people's games, I put together a form to do just that. The result spreadsheet is here, but I'll write some code to automatically generate a DefaultNamesList from that spreadsheet and share that, too.
There are three files available:
Their Pick uses their selected nationalities.
Random assigns nationalities at random.
Equal assigns nationalities randomly, but with the restriction that there is an equal distribution across all nations.
Go to:
<Your Drive>:\<Your Path To>\steam\steamapps\common\XCom-Enemy-Unknown\XComGame\Config\
Find the file DefaultNameList.ini, and rename it to something else (like "LameNormalNames.ini")
Then, rename the file you downloaded to DefaultNameList.ini and place it in that directory.
Alternately:
UrQuanLord88 wrote: »Alternatively you can put the DefaultNameList.ini file in your Documents\...\X-Com\config folder. That would allow you to modify your settings without ever removing the default file in the steamapps folder
Also explosives. I love explosives.
Be sure to report on the exploits of fellow forumers! For example, @Lanrutcon died twice in defense of humanity in the first 12 hours.
That's him in the pink.
==================================================================================================================================
Holy chrysalid! There are spoilers ahead! If you want to go into the game unspoiled about enemies or changes to the game, I wouldn't read past this point.
Assume everything from here on is a spoiler.
Seriously. I warned you. No whining.
==================================================================================================================================
Information, Articles, Videos, etc
Confirmed Enemies:
Sectoid -- Sectoids have the ability to form a psionic link with each other, and once the link is formed, they all receive combat boosts. By eliminating the sectoid forming the link, both sectoids will die.
Muton -- Strong and fierce, they have the "Blood Call" ability that motivates surrounding Mutons. Never try to fight one hand-to-hand.
.
Cyberdisc -- They're transformers with at least two forms: a flat, saucer-like form and a spider-like assault form. They're nearly indestructible in the saucer form, forcing you to wait until they can attack.
Thin Man -- Very agile, capable of covering great amounts of land in a single move or jumping several stories in a single leap. They can vomit a deadly acid and explode in acid when killed.
Berserker -- Appears to be a heavily armored Muton squad leader. The Berserker has the Bull Rush ability, allowing it to charge towards its targets.
Floater -- A monstrous cyborg powered by a pair of twin back-mounted jets. It has the ability to teleport.
Chrysalid -- Rips your soldiers or any human it can get to with its claws and incubates an egg into their chest. The unfortunate victim is then turned into a zombie which gives birth to a new Chrysalid.
Chrysalid Zombie (left) -- What happens to your soldier or civilian after a Chrysalid gets to it.
Chrysalid Hatchling -- A baby Chrysalid, fresh from the zombified corpse of your comrade. It's not cute or cuddly.
Outsiders -- These Aliens appear to be deployed/materializing out of glowing orange crystals.
Sectopod -- Armored Mech.
No photo available.
Drone -- Small spherical robots; alone these robots are not much of threat, but they have the ability to repair other machines such as cyberdisks.
Things that are different:
* Squad sizes. You start with a squad size of 4, but can upgrade to 6. Robotic tank-type units called SHIVs can be built as well, which take up one soldier slot. They can do a variety of things and allow your soldiers to take cover behind them.
* Bases. There's no base defense, and you can only have one base. However, you can expand your coverage by putting up more satellites to watch the planet, and can build interception bases so your fighters don't have to fly all the way around the world to catch a UFO. Also, the way you interact with your base is new. Called the Ant Farm you see the base as a side-view and can watch your crew between missions while you dictate manufacturing and research.
Where you build your base matters. You get a different bonus based on the continent you build in.
North America: Aircraft and aircraft weapons cost 50% less to build and maintain.
South America: Alien interrogations and autopsies are finished instantly.
Europe: Laboratories and Workshops have cost 50% less to build and maintain.
Asia: Projects in the Foundry and Officer Training school cost 50% less.
Africa: 30% more funding.
*Aliens. The familiar faces may look different. There's also some newcomers.
*Plot. Most of the game is still procedurally generated missions, but there are some "tent-pole" plot missions that occur at certain points that include cutscenes or set-piece battles. Most of the game is still random in terms of missions, challenges, where/when UFOs appear and what enemies you see. National governments may also give missions or requests (ex: Send us 10 lasers for 5 scientists).
*Combat. Fog of war still exists, but TUs are gone. The movement system is "Move-action" where action can be shooting, reloading, moving again, or setting up in overwatch to shoot enemies on their turn. Ammo management is kind of gone; the game assumes you've brought as much normal ammo as you need, but you must spend a turn to reload. Special weapons like rocket launchers still have limited ammo. Also, the squad starts each mission already disembarked from the Skyranger. Soldiers take cover where appropriate.
*Soldiers. Still customizable, still nameable. They start as rookies, but after gaining experience they reveal a specialization. Assault, Support, Sniper, Heavy. As they continue to gain experience, they earn perks and abilities. Wounded soldiers will recover but may suffer permanent penalties as a result. Repeated missions will result in tired soldiers, you'll need more than one team.
Screenshots!
Soldier customization!
Research!
Officer Training school!
From some other video, these are the bonuses and requirements from the officer training school (I'll spoil them just in case someone is going info dark):
Squad Size 1 increases squad to 5. You need a soldier ranked to sergeant
New Guy was confirmed to increase your rookies rank to squaddie automatically upon hire, which also gives them their class.
Wet work is a +25% experience increase from kills.
Iron Will increases the amount of Will that soldiers gain from ranking up. You need a soldier with the rank of Major to purchase this upgrade.
Squad Size 2 increases your squad to 6 soldiers, as shown at the beginning of the thread. You need a soldier with the rank of Captain in order to purchase this upgrade.
Hero Soldiers
PC KB layout
Chrysallids
Articles you might want to read
Some Things You Should Know About the XCOM Demo
RPS: 5 Things Which Make Me Happy in XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Hands-On: Forty Hours with XCOM
Videos!
Note: Most (all?) of these videos and the current Steam Demo are using a previous beta-build of the game. According to Jake Solomon Gentleman Adventurer (JSGA), the wall hack issue has been addressed. So please stop bringing it up.
Interactive Trailer
PC UI Reveal
Multiplayer Match: Amazony vs. Jake Solomon, GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER
Joystiq: From X-COM to XCOM
Opening Sequence and First Mission
The first three hours of gameplay (in 4 minutes)
Joystiq Mission Walkthrough
Three new mission types:
Gamespot Plays a mission, shows some Officer Training School
For business reasons, I must preserve the outward sign of sanity.
--Mark Twain
--Mark Twain
Durinia on
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Posts
--Mark Twain
Alternatively you can put the DefaultNameList.ini file in your Documents\...\X-Com\config folder. That would allow you to modify your settings without having to worry about messing up the default file in the steamapps folder
Also explosives. I love explosives.
Streaming 8PST on weeknights
Thanks - added to OP. Including your love of explosives.
--Mark Twain
I'm pretty sure the game tells you the type and number of enemies when you're going after ships.
Rigorous Scholarship
Warframe/Steam: NFyt
I have 2 wounded guys right now so I'm just wondering how much more of a shit show I'll have to sit through before I'm done and easily minting 4 new titan suits and researching skeleton suits.
Because my current squad leader got the nickname "Congo".
He's a very blonde white dude.
Leading a squad that's comprised of about 1/2 black female soldiers from African nations.
I imagine certain conversations in the Skyranger get...awkward.
As far as I can tell, there's just a separate pool for each class.
--Mark Twain
Good thing it had just one hit point left. Pistol finished it off.
They're random to a point, but they always pull from the same list based on class and gender.
Its ok though, the world is just gonna end thats all.
I assume this will end my Ironman fascination for now.
Compared to normal ironman, I used more grenades earlier on and I make the enemy come to me. Teching up to lazers helped a ton too because I'm simply missing less shots
Streaming 8PST on weeknights
All my dudes have been running around getting their heads smashed in.
"Gah! Why don't I have any face armor?!"
As a follow-up, you can see (or edit) the entire list of nicknames in the localization version of the XComeGame.int file, located in:
<SteamFolder>\steamapps\common\XCom-Enemy-Unknown\XComGame\Localization\INT
There's a list for each class/gender combo.
--Mark Twain
Helmets are just an additional hair or face option, I believe. You can't actually get a helmet that gives you bonuses and such.
To be fair he totally looks it.
I think so. It happened for me, at least, and I was ready, just not on the continent that it appeared at.
I guess that means I wasn't quite ready.
How did they capture this and put it into game form?
This may not be the best thing, but it's pretty damn close.
Steam: Elvenshae // PSN: Elvenshae // WotC: Elvenshae
Wilds of Aladrion: [https://forums.penny-arcade.com/discussion/comment/43159014/#Comment_43159014]Ellandryn[/url]
Hit F1 and read the description of it. 4-turn cooldown, I believe it was.
One thing about it:
- The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (2017, colorized)
Well nicknames are usually given not taken soooo
Maybe the numerous African Females started calling him that like, ironically? A more sarcastic form of calling him cracker.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
All I can imagine is that all of the ladies teased him about it after he made some sort of "sexual tyrannosaurus" type of statement.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
- The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (2017, colorized)
Perhaps he really liked the Michael Crichton book?
Law and Order ≠ Justice
Ahaha oh Ghost Armor. Ghost Armor is heinously overpowered. In my first Classic game I used Titan Armor on a few guys but next time I know better. Ghost Armor for everyone. The +4 marginal health on Titan Armor just doesn't compare to +2 movement, +20 defense, a grappling hook, and invisibility. And might I remind you all that the cloak on Ghost Armor confers 100% crit chance, so it has offensive applications.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
I enjoy a challenge, but this is just a hard assed case of some BS right here.
Going to keep trying to crack that nut, but wow. I'd hate to see impossible.
The important thing to remember is that a 45% hit chance is also a 55% miss chance. What you're experiencing isn't a characteristic of Classic, the RNG just isn't on your side right now.
That's XCOM.
White FC: 0819 3350 1787
Everyone starts classic off this way.