New Zerg unit revealed - Baneling

After over two months of waiting here is a new Zerg Unit - Baneling. This is not the first time we saw this unit. It was shown in gameplay videos but that was about it.

Now we know more about this unit. Here is official brief about it:

At first the baneling was identified as an unstable zerg mutation of an unspecified genus. Subsequent observations have revealed it to be a morph of the zergling, the most numerous zerg subtype.

This is a good, very good news for Zerg players. Zerglings are cheap unit and can be produces in large numbers. This is giving a great opportunities for some aggressive gameplay.

As expected there has to be a downside.

Zerglings have been seen entering a brief chrysalis phase before emerging in their new form.

I guess during this phase chrysalis will be reasonably vulnerable and they will have to be defended by units like Hydralisk.

Banelings can be exploited as very effective offensive unit. Since they are produced from Zerglings potential numbers can be huge. Of course they have to be used wisely since they self-destruct and in the process produce a lot of damage to units and buildings. Combine this with burrowing and you are in for a treat. Just imagine a choke point with dozen or more baneling burrowed and second after a convoy of Terran tanks passes Bunelings pop up from ground and waste all tanks... 

These living bombs are highly effective against both structures and ground forces; in fact, a clutch of them is capable of wiping out a group of vehicles and infantry in the blink of an eye. The banelings' lethality is further enhanced by the zerg predilection for burrowing. An apparently safe area can soon turn into a deathtrap as these monstrosities emerge and roll into the midst of their foes, giving them virtually no time to react.

Modeling for Unreal Tournament 3

UT3 is very good FPS game based on very powerful engine. Unreal engine 3 is driving a lot of games and few of these you may be playing yourself. It provides highly detailed models, textures, effects and everything in between. More about is available at Unreal Technology site.

 

Games like UT 3 come with smaller or larger number of maps with very detailed and crafted meshes and models. Creation of meshes or models can be is very demanding and creative process. Unreal Editor is quite good editor but it can get you only to a certain level in map/character design. To release your full potential use applications like Maya or 3D Studio Max.

Guys at 3D Buzz have always been great in providing detailed tutorials for a whole range of applications and among these are Maya and 3DS Max.

 

Now they have released a brand new 6 part tutorial how to create an AT-AT walker for Unreal Tournament 3. Videos are available here.

 

If you are interested in modeling in 3D Studio and UT3, grab a cup of coffee (you'll need more than one if you are going to watch all of them) and keep your eyes peeled.

Oh, there is one more thing -you need to register to see videos 2 - 6.  Registration is free and I believe you won't regret it, so go on and register.

Lengths of videos are:

• Part 1, Getting Started - 26 min
• Part 2, Base Foot Shell - 57 min
• Part 3, Toe and foot pad   - 33 min
• Part 4, Underside of foot - 26 min
• Part 5, Ankle track - 49 min
• Part 6, Foot/Ankle details - 35 min

This shows how to create a attractive model that can be placed in the game and with good textures used it's a sure thing!

Doom IV is coming

Two days ago id Software has announced that the work on Doom IV has begun. The news is quite short (read it here) but if you are high caliber programmer or an artist and have a passion for first person shooter horror games you can apply for a position at id Software. 

 

In some of earlier interviews (released when id Tech 5 engine was demonstrated - see my earlier post) John Carmack said that id will stay away from horror/shooter games. Therefore they started working on Rage. I don't know if Rage is still in the works but definitely id wants to cash in on the legendary Doom series.

I have do doubt that Doom IV will look amazing and feature plenty of new features from modern games like very high poly count for player models, world textures (mega textures used in Quake wars), dynamic lighting (maybe radiosity and ray tracing) and something new John Carmack is hiding in his sleeve.

 

Let's hope Doom IV will not be repetitive as Doom III was. I did enjoy playing it in the beginning (first several levels) but then it became quite predictable - dark corner means there is an imp hiding, shoot him, another monster behind you, shoot him, few more from the front, etc. Also, levels close to the end of the game were to gruesome for my taste.