Screenshots updated..

(This comment appeared on a separate thread. It was moved here to minimize exposure and promote relevance.)

Overall, VERY impressive work on the diplomatic shots! My compliments to the design team. However, I must confess that I find some of them to be -- well, they could stand some modification. Of course, I know that these images are not likely to be the final, but I do have some thoughts on each which I would like to share.

A.) The Arcean: Very Big Guy here! I get a sense of the race's physical presence for certain. Also, the facial appendages being longer and clearly separated from the creature's cheek and jawline is a nice touch -- they remind me of a spider's pedipalps, and add a somewhat arachnid look to an otherwise primate-like race. One off note, however -- the model's eyes strike me as a bit piggish, and too close together. Having seen the race selection screen and remembering the portrait from GC1, I would argue that wider eyes would lend a more grim, forbidding look to the model (think of the granite face from GC1 with its heavy brow and broad features -- that's a warrior, my young Terran!)

B.) The Drath: Whoa. Not at all like the race select portrait. The first depiction showed a clearly reptilian-looking figure with a feral, jutting face atop a trunk-like neck, complete with subtle scales on its tawny hide (a fitting look for the "reptilian" race that was originally the dominant lifeform on the Altarian homeworld.) The diplomacy shot looks... well, cartoonish by comparison. With its baby blue irises (with white sclera, no less) and exaggerated, pouty humanoid facial features (Those JOWLS!), it almost looks like it's upset about the loss of its bushy white beard, pointy red hat, and position on my lawn. Now if the first idea is to be ditched and this droopy, baggy look embraced, I would at least suggest making the eyes less human-looking. I think luminous yellow would really help eliminate the laughability of its expression (remember the puffy, slack faced Druuge from Star Control 2? Those saggy old man faces with eyes that glowed red like the furnaces that burned the crew of their "Mauler" warships to fuel their weapons? *shiver*)

C.) The Iconian: Nice. Very nice. Somewhat more pebbly-skinned than I'd anticipated, and a bit drier, but still very eerie. One minor suggestion, though -- with the creature's eyes being situated so far to the sides of its head, a front-on shot would be of little use to it. Binocular vision would be impossible with so little of its eyes showing. Perhaps a more sideways expression (like a bird?) or a little more eye showing toward the anterior of its "face?" Other than that, wow.

D.) The Korx: Now THOSE are nostrils! This shot is one of my favorites, because it showcases the utter lack of a mouth in an otherwise humanoid face. Do these guys talk through their noses, I hope? And do they have eyes? Currently the facial features seem more like a crude waxen representation of the humanoid standard, and looks very disturbing!

E.) The Human: Ah, what a wonderful expression of slick self-confidence. This face combines the best (or worst) expressions of the politician, the big-time business exec, and the televangelist. I love it. Nice collar brooch too!

F.) The Thalan: Superb! Utterly flawless! The thing that really makes this shot sing for me is how HUMAN its eyes look (despite the red coloration.) I am so thrilled to see a departure from the predictable compound eye that has dominated every other depiction of an insectile race in other games since my earliest memories. Having eyes like that in such an alien. inhuman frame is wonderfully jarring and creepy (I'd hang this as a picture in my study if I could!)

G.) The Torian: A wonderful evolution of the concept. It looks alot less like E.T. now. I particularly like the facial folds above the mouth, and how they extend around the creature's head like gills. The smile is so cute, and yet somehow alarming too -- as though it could unhinge that round little jaw and display teeth that would shame a shark, and go back to that placid little smile in the same breath.

H.) The Yor: Nice to see some things don't change. I always liked the look of these guys in the first game, and I'm pleased to see they're almost exactly as I remember them. The eyes are more menacing though, and I love the use of shadow on the model.

Well, I know I've said alot, but I think that quality work deserves quality discussion. I'm eager to see how things progress! Thanks for your time, and keep up the amazing work! (I would, however, love to see more ship models posted, preferably an example of each archetype!)

Best,
KIY

Hey KIY,

Thanks for the feedback...we're definatly trying to keep the game true to the first, but also change some around to reflect the new spirt of the game.

I'll only talk about the Drath beacuse there's so much to get done before the beta    It was my call the change around the Drath to make him more wise-old-man looking.  The one from Altarian Prophacy was more vile looking because they were the new villian in the game.  This time around there's been a change of heart and the drath are one of the more neutral race in the game (we already had enough evil ones).  If you look back at the old drath, he didn't look quite right from the front either, due to the long necks.  Once you see him animated he'll look alot better 

OK, my Beta 4 list aint getting any shorter    Thanks again for the great feedback!

You are most welcome, BoogieBac, and thank you for your conscientious response and explanation! I'm eager to see the perspective shift that the animation will bring. The "change of heart" you mentioned goes nicely with the new look -- I was still thinking of the devious brutes they were. The "wise-old-man" could prove just what the game needs (although I confess I'm still not sure about the eyes... then again, it's not my call! ) I hope that my critique didn't come across as too harsh, and I must say that you've done (in a fraction of the space it took me) a great job of bolstering my faith in the design team.

On a slightly different note, will there be vocalizations in the diplomacy animations this time around, or will they still be mute? I'd love to hear the noises that these creatures make (assuming of course that they use sound to communicate!)

Good luck, all; I know that the pressure is on, but we're all behind you.

Question: What's up with the little maple leaf next to the Stardock logo on the ship images at the bottom. Is there some Canadian connection that I am unaware of?

(Also, should your copyright year be updated to 2005? Sorry to be nitpicking.)

A lot of the ships and art are made by Stardock Canada.

Hmm, KIY, You played SC2 Too? Great game wasent it..

Anyhoo, I have to say that I most loved the Yor, He looked..well..more *real* than before, That and the eyes were awsome!

I cant wait for beta 4!

P.S, KIY, Is your name a reference to "Hastur" from H.P Lovegoods (sp?) books?

H. P. LoveCRAFT, yes. Although it was really August Dereleth that "created" (or rather "named") Hastur. Still earlier, though, is the book/play "The King In Yellow" by Robert W. Chambers, which deals with the return of a beggar-tyrant that is actually the harbinger and avatar of a far older evil (old He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, don't ya know, although it never comes right out and says it.) Good eye, friend, but remember -- some names shouldn't be spoken (or typed) as you never know who's listening.

And yes, SC2 was one of my all-time favorites, even with (and arguably because of) the arcade-style ship-to-ship combat. I thought it had a great overarching storyline, and plus it was really interesting to see all the alien ships and feel out the personalities of the races via diplomacy. The Druuge were some of my favorites though -- like Douglas Adams' Vogons only more sinister. Plus, any race that constantly calls you "child" earns creepy points in my book.

Never gave the third a chance, sadly. I consider it a lost opportunity.

Nice REALLY nice Pics but i noticed:What about the dregin? what is your intentions for them? i like the dregin because they normally become my freinds in GC1 because i "For some Reason" turned Pure Evil and, The arcean surrendered to me and gave me a HUGE advantage i then gained "Temporary" control over the most powerfull military in the game! It was short-lived however and either the altarians or the dregin became stronger and they would get angry at me im gonna enjoy using fleets to a new level! and also just as a note I was curious to see if Military fleets could be automaticly controled and would intercept the nearest Enemy Ship hopefully destroying it... i envy the AIs abitlty to deal with it! but seriously what about the dregin? *Gets angry* *and starts muttering about how its all the U.S. Governments fault* one more thing how would the atlantrains look compared to the humans?

ALLY nice Pics but i noticed:What about the dregin? what is your intentions for them? i like the dregin because they normally become my freinds in GC1 because i "For some Reason" turned Pure Evil and, The arcean surrendered to me and gave me a HUGE advantage i then gained "Temporary" control over the most powerfull military in the game! It was short-lived however and either the altarians or the dregin became stronger and they would get angry at me im gonna enjoy using fleets to a new level! and also just as a note I was curious to see if Military fleets could be automaticly controled and would intercept the nearest Enemy Ship hopefully destroying it... i envy the AIs abitlty to deal with it! but seriously what about the dregin? *Gets angry* *and starts muttering about how its all the U.S. Governments fault* one more thing how would the atlantrains look compared to the humans?

Ladies & Germs, the incomparable Lowa11; give 'im a hand, won't you, he works so hard for your entertainment!

Oh, and to address the two queries buried in your stream-of-consciousness writing, I think that the Drengin are still set up to be the ultimate baddies -- just read the catchline from the game box at the top of the website. They're still being called the "evil empire," so I'm sure they'll be happy to buddy up with another tyrant (at least until the proper time to pull the huge sneak attack that is) Also, I expect that they'll still look like green-skinned monkeys from Hell, only more so. The Altarians may, judging from the databank entries so far (which I hope are continually updated, as it's a wonderful read,) have a less "Mad Max" look this time around, and be slightly more "priestly" in appearance. Plus, I'm sure they'll be as "good" as ever, so watch out Lowa11!

Bad atlartain this how The Lowa Federation does Business!! *spanks Atlantarain Leader* damnit im sorry i keep doing that... *spanks self* anyways who thinks i should rape the Drath because they so ugly?

uh... ahem. Well then.

uh... ahem. Well then.

*Smiles* *Pokes King*