KickStarter Phoenix Point - the new game from X-COM creator Julian Gollop

[Latelistener]

edit.
Alternative picture upload for those who don't see original.

Spoiler

Shikkoku no Shaga

 

[ArchAngel]

I got an email. BB3 is being released on Monday, 19:00 CET

 

[Shog-goth]

You still haven't sufficiently explained how an UI retaining all the relevant functions or expanding them (additional abilities, keybindings, enhanced free aim, etc) would be considered dumbed down.

Because it's not just a matter of "what" but "how" are you doing things. It's possible to retain the same number of functions but, at the same time, simplify them for the controller and, consequently, dumbing down the whole interface. Take a look at the inventory for example, and there are still many other mechanics (with related icons and sub-menus) we know nothing about. Also there are icons and font sizes, designed for TV and controller rather than monitor, mouse and keyboard.

If this were not true, then a PC-centric only UI would be exactly the same of the current one: you'd be ready to bet on it?

 

[Shog-goth]

I finished multiple runs of X-com on hardest difficulty and ironman (Open Xcom supports ironman) without ever doing a single suicide run with my soldiers. Just like I did multiple playthroughs of BG where I didn't pickpocket anyone.

But you could have done it, if you wanted to. It's all about possibility and flexibility.

 

[ArchAngel]

I finished multiple runs of X-com on hardest difficulty and ironman (Open Xcom supports ironman) without ever doing a single suicide run with my soldiers. Just like I did multiple playthroughs of BG where I didn't pickpocket anyone.

But you could have done it, if you wanted to. It's all about possibility and flexibility.

I could have but since it is completely not needed and not even a best tactic, it is not important that it exists in all versions of Xcom or X-com.

 

[Latelistener]

I could have but since it is completely not needed and not even a best tactic, it is not important that it exists in all versions of Xcom or X-com.

It's called emergent gameplay. The more simple mechanics exist in a game - the more creative player can be by combining them for their own advantage, and these combinations usually aren't designed by developers.

By removing something that doesn't look important, you're gradually removing this creativity.

 

[Shog-goth]

I could have but since it is completely not needed and not even a best tactic, it is not important that it exists in all versions of Xcom or X-com.

I didn't say that those tactics have to be possible in PP too, but that a controller/console-centric UI it's possible only at the expense of flexibility.

 

[Israfael]

- Tiny fonts
- A ****ing list of 4 elements

It seems only our Russian razrabotchiki have decency to do game for PC, as promised in Kickstarter pitch, and only then think about consoles

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

Backer build 3 gameplay stream.

 

[thesheeep]

They cancelled the linux version:
https://phoenixpoint.info/linux


And with the typical just not true bullshit reasoning:

Linux requires a large amount of specialised graphics programming as it uses OpenGL as opposed to DirectX on Windows.
As driver support for Linux is not as comprehensive as for Windows and Mac, we would be required to make a number of adaptations to graphical shaders for them to work correctly.

Easy solution: Use OpenGL on Windows, too, which has exactly 0 problems. Or Vulkan, which is the future solution anyway for anything not Apple and can easily be converted to DirectX, too. And the other way around.
Also, they use Unity, so that excuse rings even more hollow (Unity compiles DirectX shaders to OpenGL automatically, iirc, and other games work just fine with that).

In order to release on Linux we have to build and test many different distributions, each with their own set of complications and adaptations required. As of this time we do not have the studio resources to adequately create and test all of these.

Utter nonsense.
You need to release on Ubuntu (and Steam OS, afaik, for Steam, but that is basically Ubuntu anyway). Nobody expects releases for the smaller distributions, absolutely nobody. And devs keep bringing this bullshit up time and time again as an excuse. It is aggravating.

We also have other issues such as complications with input devices, especially game controllers along with some Linux specific Unity bugs, such as not being able to correctly render the video player.

Game controllers... for this type of game. As a reason not to support a platform. Right.
And videos have been rendered just right in all the Unity games I've played, so ??????
That said, this is the only reason that rings somewhat true, as Unity is indeed known to have some issues on linux due to using outdated libraries.

We would still like to support Linux and we will re-evaluate the possibility of a Linux release in the future.
If you pre-ordered Phoenix Point for Linux, please email contact@snapshotgames.com so that we may assist you.

Requested a refund already, of course.
If they would've been honest, at least, and just said "we don't want to spend any kind of resource on this small player base" right from the start instead of coming with the typical, easily refutable nonsense, it would have been much better.

 

[CyberWhale]

Linux version didn't fit with the new narrative direction.

 

[ArchAngel]

Fuck Linux
If you want to play games, get a real platform instead of your hipster bullshit

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

Easy solution: Use OpenGL on Windows, too, which has exactly 0 problems. Or Vulkan, which is the future solution anyway for anything not Apple and can easily be converted to DirectX, too. And the other way around.
Also, they use Unity, so that excuse rings even more hollow (Unity compiles DirectX shaders to OpenGL automatically, iirc, and other games work just fine with that).

I wonder what role X-box release has on this.

 

[ushas]

Please be joking thesheeep

 

[lightbane]

Our Microsoft overlords don't like that shitty system that is not theirs.

Fixe-

I wonder what role X-box release has on this.

Ninjaed, welp.

 

[Latelistener]

If they would've been honest, at least, and just said "we don't want to spend any kind of resource on this small player base" right from the start instead of coming with the typical, easily refutable nonsense, it would have been much better.

A simple explanation that fits the narrative: MS paid for this. They really don't like Linux, Vulkan and Valve financing DXVK and VKD3D.

 

[geno]

After looking the video I noticed a several lack of features in the geoscape. 2019 is a very optimistic ETA.

 

[ArchAngel]

After looking the video I noticed a several lack of features in the geoscape. 2019 is a very optimistic ETA.

And if you watched the video you might have heard UnstableVoltage saying lots of stuff is being implemented.

UnstableVoltage if you are going to be reading this, can you forward to the team a UI suggestion. Can there be an option that will show when moving how many AP are left if you move to certain location (it can be in % of full AP since shooting also is using %). I know you already show that on the AP bar on the bottom of the screen but my suggestion is to show it next to pointer, just a small number inside the movement cursor square, kind of how Open Xcom does it.

Spoiler

Kind of like how you can see in above picture but only show the AP % we will have left in the square we got targeted with the square movement cursor, no need to show the whole way like how Open Xcom does.

It is way easier to follow our AP spendage that way instead of moving eyes to the bottom of the screen all the time.

Also please forward to your team that based on your video, aliens seem to have this irritating delay between moving and attacking. Get them to reduce this delay, it just needlessly makes the combat slower.

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

In backer build 3 recruiting new soldiers gives you randomized class.
They better to get rid of that BS ASAP.

 

[Galdred]

I could have but since it is completely not needed and not even a best tactic, it is not important that it exists in all versions of Xcom or X-com.

I didn't say that those tactics have to be possible in PP too, but that a controller/console-centric UI it's possible only at the expense of flexibility.

Wasn't the Playstation 1 adaptation of X-com faithful to the PC version?

 

[Taka-Haradin puolipeikko]

I could have but since it is completely not needed and not even a best tactic, it is not important that it exists in all versions of Xcom or X-com.

I didn't say that those tactics have to be possible in PP too, but that a controller/console-centric UI it's possible only at the expense of flexibility.

Wasn't the Playstation 1 adaptation of X-com faithful to the PC version?

Lots of things were done with PS1 that would be complete no-no today.
Its impossible to imagine that something like Gunship would be released on modern console.

 

[thesheeep]

Actually, I expect the game to play fine using Steam Play/Proton by the time it comes out (the support of that is already surprisingly good, over 50% of previously unplayable games).
And if they hadn't announced a linux version to begin with, I probably would have done either that or just used Windows as I do for a few other games.
But after an announcement and then a bullshit cancellation like that, I'm just too pissed to consider supporting them until a native version comes out.

Please be joking thesheeep

Wish that I was.

I could have but since it is completely not needed and not even a best tactic, it is not important that it exists in all versions of Xcom or X-com.

I didn't say that those tactics have to be possible in PP too, but that a controller/console-centric UI it's possible only at the expense of flexibility.

Wasn't the Playstation 1 adaptation of X-com faithful to the PC version?

Lots of things were done with PS1 that would be complete no-no today.
Its impossible to imagine that something like Gunship would be released on modern console.

Yeah, controllers themselves could be used for playing a game like this, I don't see why not.
Of course it would suck in comparison to kb&m, but if someone wants to play like that, I won't prevent them.

 

[UnstableVoltage]

UnstableVoltage if you are going to be reading this

I just come here to read the conspiracy theory fan-fic

Can there be an option that will show when moving how many AP are left if you move to certain location

I'll pass that on.

 

[Latelistener]

This should play amazingly well with a controller without dumbing it down:

 

[CyberWhale]

You guys have gone in a completely different and wrong direction with this control input debate. It is completely irrelevant if the gamepad UI can do every single thing a complex TB game needs, playing a PC game with a mouse+keyboard PLEASENTLY requires a completely different interface. This is a question of CONVENIENCE and has nothing to do with COMPLEXITY/HARDCORE ELITISM. I don't mind the console/gamepad UI where it belongs - on consoles and as an optional setting for people who use a gamepad on PC.

The default UI on PC SHOULD ALWAYS be hand-tailored to it. This is self-evident even if we are talking about a proper console-to-PC port, let alone a game that took people's money while presenting itself as a PC oriented experience. Simply put, you shouldn't try to justify this, because there is no way to do it without looking like a complete cuck and/or a sleazy shill.