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New Zerg Screenshots and Concept art

Posted 18th Feb 2009 08:04 PM by Medievaldragon

The StarCraft II Team has deployed a lot of goodie screenshots and details about their model changes with the 49th Q&A Batch. This shows they are polishing the game in preparation to closed beta. Awesome work on the units., and the best update since last month's 100 odd images.


Art Updates
The StarCraft art team have been making massive updates to the Zerg faction, adding various new animations and improving even further on the textures of Zerg units and buildings. A picture is a thousand words so check out the updates for yourself!


Zerg Drone (Before/After)

Zerg Overlord (Before/After)

Zerg Hydralisk (Before/After)


Zerg Overseer (Before/After)

Zerg Baneling (Before/After)


Throughout the development process, the team is constantly reiterating and improving on the game in every way. As mentioned before, the Infestor too is getting a makeover, becoming much creepier and intimidating – you definitely don’t want to end up helpless at the will of this thing!


Zerg Infestor Concept Art
The StarCraft 2 team has made a number of changes in each of the races as the game gets closer to Beta. These are some of the new weapons and abilities that are currently being tested on the battlefield.


Zerg Infestor artwork



Protoss Dark Pylon
Long used only by the Dark Templar of Shakuras, the Dark Pylon is now used by all as the Protoss war for survival becomes more desperate. In addition to providing supply and giving power to nearby Protoss structures, the Dark Pylon has several unique abilities that require energy to use.
  • Proton Charge: an area-of-effect ability that gives all targeted Probes additional charge for their Proton-Cutters. Probes that have an additional charge gather additional minerals per trip when collecting resources. The Proton Charge lasts only a short time before dissipating.

  • Null Shield: a single-target ability that causes a Protoss Shield to shimmer and warp, cloaking the targeted Protoss unit. The Null Shield lasts only a short time.

  • Argus Link: a single-target ability that transfers energy from the Dark Pylon to any energy-using Protoss unit.



Screenshot: Proton Charge in Action

Proton Charge on Probes



Terran Orbital Command
The Terrans rely not only on the troops they can train on the battlefield but also on troops called from deep space. The Orbital Command allows the Terrans to make use of their orbital assets to support their fight on the ground. As an upgrade to the Command Center the Orbital Command can create SCVs and serves as a drop location for collected resources. In addition it has several abilities that require energy.
  • Calldown Mule: sends a single automated mining robot by drop-pod that assists SCVs in collecting resources by working around current SCV mining operations. Unfortunately the Mule is still in the prototype phase and has a limited battery supply (timed life).

  • Calldown Extra Supplies: sends additional supplies to a targeted Supply Depot. Generally used by Terran commanders only in an emergency to allow them to support additional troops.

  • Scanner Sweep: using a satellite in high-orbit, the Terrans reveal a large area anywhere on the map and detect all cloaked units within the target area.



Screenshot: Mules Everywhere!

Terran Mules in action



An interesting thing to note here is that Xordiah already mentioned this before at the ESL. She said it in the same little "fan interview" as she mentioned that they have set a (secret) StarCraft 2 Beta release date!


Zerg Queen
The Zerg Queen has continued to evolve over the last few months. She is a fierce defender of the Zerg Hatcheries and can often be found in small groups defending the larger Zerg infestations. In addition to defending her Hatchery from ground and air threats, the Queen has several special abilities that require energy to use.
  • Build Creep Tumor: with a mighty push from her bowels, the Queen creates a cluster of organic tumors that generate additional creep. In recent months the Zerg have mutated to move more quickly on creep, making this an important function for the Queen.

  • Spawn Larva: by injecting Queen ichor into a Hatchery, Lair or Hive the Queen can cause the Zerg structure to undergo a startling metamorphosis. The Hatchery starts to throb and green sacks swell up on the structure. Eventually four additional larva burst out of the Hatchery and land next to whatever larva are already wriggling around nearby. While a Hatchery hosts more than 3 larva, the Hatchery will not spawn additional larva, until that number drops below 3.

  • Razor Plague: with a great breath the queen exhales a cloud of tiny Zerg creatures that create a vast swarm nearby. These creatures attack all enemy creatures within their swarm, doing additional damage to biological targets. What makes it worse is the Zerg player can control the swarm, moving it around to attack whatever enemies he wishes until the swarm becomes exhausted and dissipates.



Screenshot: Incoming Swarm!

Tumor Larvae

Mutalisk Hatch

Mutalisk Attack



Another interesting observation is that the queen is regaining some of her original skills. Check out the old Queen Preview we posted back around the Zerg Reveal that we recently revived to know more about the original queen.


Filed Under: Beta, Artwork, Renders, Screenshots, Q&A's

« StarCraft 2 Q&A Batch 49.5
Starcraft 2 Q&A Batch 49 »

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alien_
Posted 18, Feb 2009 08:48 PM
(0)
 

The guys ‘ve done a good job with the updated unit models!

15 eggs around the hatchery? WTF?!

Reply
 
c0de
Posted 18, Feb 2009 09:57 PM
(0)
 

how did you come to that? 3+4 = 15?

 
c0de
Posted 19, Feb 2009 12:53 AM
(0)
 

o i didn't know you were referring to the ss =/ i wonder what's the energy pool on the queen and if the energy regen rate is the same. . . can the queen still hop around from hatch to hatch or is that only w/ the nydus network?

 
alien_
Posted 18, Feb 2009 10:18 PM
(0)
 

c0de: I see 15 eggs on the picture called "Tumor Larvae", and 15 mutalisks later on. Correct me if i'm wrong...

 
archon256
Posted 18, Feb 2009 11:37 PM
(0)
 

3 larvae from Hatchery + (4 larvae from the Queen)*3 = 15 :) Remember, no cooldowns in SC, just energy costs. I see they've added a lot of macromanagement features. Much better than the stupid Gas Mechanic.

 
Medievaldragon
Posted 18, Feb 2009 09:15 PM
(0)
 

heh, a whole new meaning to Zerg Rush.

Reply
 
c0de
Posted 18, Feb 2009 09:59 PM
(0)
 

It’s NEWS like this is WHY I come to Starcraftwire daily! A trend of boosting workers seems to be appearing. Also calling in terran units from deep space? That seems an awful lot like warp in. . . I fear a meshing of the two! And to all those that were worried about mbs. . . LOL!

Reply
 
Cyrax
Posted 18, Feb 2009 10:33 PM
(0)
 

i was looking at the before/after pictures before i knew that they were before/after and i was thinking how for each 1 of them the second picture looked much better lol. i guess gw to the art team.

Reply
 
Freelancer
Posted 19, Feb 2009 12:16 AM
(0)
 

Judging by the updated unit models its clear that the Zerg are still evolving. I love the new models :D

Reply
 
Mackan
Posted 19, Feb 2009 01:21 AM
(0)
 

I love the desert theme screenshots. I hope it is available for multiplayer as well, and not only campaign.

Reply
 
humanpersonguy
Posted 19, Feb 2009 01:43 AM
(0)
 

wow awesome, something i didnt know! Great find!

Reply
 
west4sider
Posted 19, Feb 2009 07:35 AM
(0)
 

Great new content smile

Reply
 
Leord
Posted 19, Feb 2009 12:00 PM
(0)
 

I added a few comments in there, check them out!

Edit:

Added them here:

An interesting thing to note here is that Xordiah already mentioned this before at the ESL. She said it in the same little “fan interview” as she mentioned that they have set a (secret) StarCraft 2 Beta release date!

Another interesting observation is that the queen is regaining some of her original skills. Check out the old Queen Preview we posted back around the Zerg Reveal that we recently revived to know more about the original queen.

Reply
 
Leord
Posted 19, Feb 2009 05:29 PM
(0)
 

Another big point!!!

Do you remember the previous talk about Battle Reports and delays? Well, they did mention that they wanted to make art updates before making the videos, and the question is now not whether they have done them, but whether they have done all they wanted. Since they update Zerg, it’s pretty much a given that Zerg will be in the next Battle Report!!

Might need to make a speculative news item about this!

Reply
 
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