Zhab

You wont have to buy it on steam but you will need to install and connect to steam anyways. Because Xcom is confirmed to be "steamwork".

Edit: Steamworks confirmed I understand that. All I'm saying is that evidences seems to indicate that Xcom wont be a "steamwork" title. But nothing is confirmed yet. They are very tight lipped about any information concerning DRM. So we are relying on leaks for now.

Edit: Steamworks confirmed. They said steam and other digital distributor partners. It is already confirmed to be available on EBgames download network and I also heard that you can also buy digital copies from amazon. While it could still be the case, this does not look like a steam only or a "steamwork" release at all.

Jake says that the AI is on "brakes" unless you play classic mode or harder. Which means that the AI should be better on harder difficulties. Also, one can also deduce front stuff that he said that a number of factors will increase lethality. Less HP, higher alien damage, small HP bonus with levers. Who knows.

Personally, I think that adding more depth to base customizations by implementing bonus trade-off is a nice idea. Originally, there was 2 concerns. What modules are available to the base and invasion defense layout. Now, where modules are actually placed and what you place next to them would have some importance. Adding depth to base layout design. I welcome this. Specially since it is optional. I mean, there was people who could not be bothered to redesign the original base so that it is less of a nightmare to defend. Some player leave the original base as is on purpose to get more exciting base defense missions. So people could not be bothered to create specialized and optimized base. Just extra stand alone base with a little bit of everything in it. Why ? Probably because people did not care much about that aspect of the game. They preferred to focus their time and thoughts on some other areas. Like combat for example and that is completely fine. But the thing is, that the depth was actually there for those who enjoy that aspect of the game. Now improving on this does not harm anyone. If someone does not like to make a pretty base like anotherdevil says, by all means they don't have too. The original X-com was a game that you could easily win without being optimal everywhere. So long as you compensate in other area. For example, it is possible to finish the game with a single soldier. It is possible to finish the game with a single base. It is possible to finish the game with only the original "earth" weapons (not even lasers). I don't expect the new firaxis X-com to be different in that department. Don't feel like taking the time to optimize base layout ? That's fine, don't do it. I don't see how this could make the game worst for someones. Enough to complain about it and suggest this feature being removed. I, for one, welcome that with open harms. Removing this would be similar to what they did with ammo. I don't recall ever running out of ammo in the original. Many many people can't recall ever running out of ammo in the original. They removed ammo management in the new game. This does not bother me much because ammo management was just not part of my experience in the original. The feature was there, but never became a issue for me. So not having to worry about ammo did not feel like a big lose to me. But for some this is a very big deal. Because a feature that was not important to me was crucial to others. Now to be honest, ammo management was never a pain for me in the original. I never thought "damn these ammo clip... I wish we just had infino ammo". That never cross my mind. So having ammo removed was not something I ever wished for. I doubt anyone ever explicitly wished for that. Yet the developers felt the need to remove this. To "streamline" that seemingly useless feature away. I think this was a mistake. The feature was harmless at worst and love by some at best. Why no keep it ? If only to keep people happy. If the firaxis xcom had ammo I doubt anyone would have ranted about that. "damn those devs... weapons should have infinit ammo". I don't see that happening. I wonder what thought process lead them to think that removing ammo would significantly improve their game and most importantly make the community more happy. But my point here is that base layout bonus is a similar feature. It is harmless for those who can't care less about it, yet it bring extra enjoyment of the game for those who do care about it. Why not include it ? Why such a feature is such a bad idea ? That is the kind of feature that can increase the general appeal of a game. By actually adding depth instead of streamlining it away... No I welcome this feature with open arms and I think that everyone should do the same whether or not they actually care about it or not. Two cents.

Great... a world treaty now. It came to that quicker than I expected. Well I guess this will answer anotherdevil's question about how USA's actions could possibly affect the rest of the world.

I don't intend to argue anymore. But since you ask me a question directly, I will answer briefly. Like I told anotherdevil, I'm at fault here. I described similarities in to general therms. General enough to be taken for something else that I did not meant them to represent. I had something very specific in mind and wrote something general. Too general. My bad. Therefore, according to the specific criteria inside my head, I can easily tell why game A is similar to game B while game C is not. Now I could post an other heavy wall of text describing in fine details which elements makes an "authentic" X-com experience for me and why the FPS seems (have not played yet personally myself) to fail miserably at this (but not necessarily as a game. It could be fun "in it's own way"). But I wont, because I lost the will to do such things. Instead, I will admit the the poor descriptions of similarities worded in too general therms can indeed be applied to a variety of game. side note: This reminds me of my philosophy classes at college. You would be asked to write a definition of something in a way that it fits and define only that and nothing else. There would always be someone who would find weakness in your definition and how elements of it can fit something else. Writing a truly uniquely defining definition is something extremely hard to do.

sigh... what do you think I meant Sherlock ? You really need to deny everything I say as much as you can don't you ?

Depends what you are talking about. If you are talking about xenonauts, then no you wont be able to do this. But if you are talking about firaxis, I expect this to be possible. But there is no official information on this as of yet.

As previously mentioned, I wont argue about anything you brought. I will simply comment on the following. When I was thinking of a custom title, I wanted something that would really fit me. I wanted something that would make people think what you just said just now. "Text Wall Mason" is the best I could find. It's not that I'm trying to type huge posts, it just always seems to turn out that way almost every time. Take my last post for example. It was intended to be short and straight to the point. Yet, it still ended up rather large wasn't it ? I am done here. But if I would have argued about the other things in your last post, this would have undoubtedly turned into an other wall of text. PS: If you enjoy reading my wall of texts. You can still find them on other forums. Like 2k Game. My way of thinking simply seems to alien to this place. My point of view have never been rejected as much as they have on this forum. My opinion on "build an sell" for example. That was truly baffling to me. I never ever expected anyone to called this cheating and I did not expect that opinion to get that much support. Because else where this seem to be generally viewed as common sense tactic. And I am starting to get the urge to argue here. So I best stop at this.

Ok... I almost posted a inflammatory post just now. But I resisted. I will be short and straight to the point. Let's just say that the only post that ever caused any frustration in me in the last 2 weeks was one of yours. The one were you said that you refused to click on the link I post because you don't like me. I did not think to much of it at the time, but the truth is that I never digested that. I admit that, a while after the fact, that it really has gotten to me. I am normally not someone to keep a grudge. But for some reason I just can't get over this. Now you want something really bad from me a bit like I wanted something from you. Well... consider this my revenge. Petty, I admit. But it makes me feel better. You are not going to get any links from me. But, if I could find the information, so can you. The information is still available. You will simply have to look for it on your own. You know what ? I have finally came to therm with this. I no longer care what you think about the what I say. You don't believe me ? Fine, suit yourself. That you accept or reject my information does not change a thing in my life. I know what what I know. You can call bullshit if you want. No you got it wrong. Those people said that they wish to could tell us more, but they could not because they are not allowed to. But they still told us plenty. I mean the reason those "press people" were told anything in the first place was to go out there and speak about the game. But. behind closed doors, they learn a bit more than they were supposed to on the condition that they would keep that to themselves. No spoilers. Like I said, the sudden delay of the game to 2013 is suspicious. My bet is that the game was suddenly delayed to do just that. To change a number of things the fans have complained about in mass. PS: You know what ? While typing, I changed a mind a bit. I feel like throwing you a bone here. I believe that I have posted a link to one of my source on the 2K game forum. But I don't remember the thread. But I think I remember you posting in that thread. My guess is that you did not click my link because we all know that you don't click random link and especially not if they come from me. Right ? Well now that you finally seem interested in my links. Feel free to look for it. To those who will reply to this telling me to come down: I admit that I typed this post in a frustrated and vengeful mood. But believe me when I say that I really held back here. Also, you don't have to tell me to calm down or to stop. Because I don't intend to argue anymore on this forum. Looking back, I think that we will all agree that my posts are generally not well received or welcomed here. I don't think that people care much about my opinion around here. My posts have received very little support (if any). So in the end, why do I even bother ? I am not doing anyone a favor (including myself). One could even claim that all I did was to bring chaos and strife to an otherwise harmonious community. So the best thing I can do for everyone is to simply stop wasting my time posting. So yeah, if you intended to tell me to stop, don't bother. I will probably keep reading. I can't defeat my undying curiosity. But I wont post argumentative posts anymore. I may occasionally post some information that I have. But if anyone disagree or otherwise deny what I say. I will simply ignore such posts and let them deny to their heart content. This should put a definitive end to my "vitriolic posts" as iamkyon puts it. I'm done posting and defending my opinions. Edit: Langy, you are one of the very few that ever shown any form of support or appreciation for my posts here. I thank you for that.

I simply listed all the elements of my original comment that did not match the FPS. Including things that you mentioned. You are in charge of one squad of only a branch of some bigger organization. In charge of a "big chuck" of the FBI ? Not even close. If you don't answer directly to elected people, you are not in charge of a governmental organization. As for research. Like I said... you take pretty pictures. That is your research. Just like in Bioshock 2. As for manufacturing, no items are produced if you don't bring back stuff. However what is produced when you do bring back stuff have nothing to do with you. I suppose you could trick the game into giving you what you want by only bringing back was is needed for what you want. But I am not sure you can even do that. Your agents are TOTALLY immortal (right emoticon...hmmm ). The very worst that can happen to your agents is being unavailable for two weeks. That is it... and only if you failed to pick them up on the battlefield. When they get hit badly they fall on the ground a bit like in left 4 dead. Like in L4D you have some time to pick them up. But if you wait for to long you lose them for the mission. Then after the mission you have to wait for 2 weeks before you can use them again. The game is very very forgiving about it's agents. I guess you technically have to please USA. But the thing is, you can't fail a mission. Because while your agent can't die, you on the other hand can. If you die it is game over. Not a bad mission report. It is game over. Try again. So Displeasing USA is impossible without a game over screen. The FPS is unlike the original in which you could have your entire squad obliterate and still be able to carry on with the game. Done. recheck mine. Not really, the missions are extremely linear and do not contain anything procedurally generated. They will always be the same. I would post a link to a video that does a very good job at explaining how linear the missions are despite their petty effort at including strategic elements... but I know you would not watch it because you don't click random link. The missions are more like interactive puzzles then truly strategic. I did not say you can't. Like I said, that is the only point of my comment that could still be applied. But I'm at fault it. I have worded my comment in to general therms. In any cases, I later said that while you can customize your soldier, you will be able to do so far far less extent than you will be able in Firaxis. Heck, Firaxis let you customize even their appearances and even let you select their voice... Hows that for customization ? The FPS is so far from this it is not even funny. My information comes from people with insider information on the FPS. They actually played the game. They are not guessing like we are doing with Firaxis for example. They know. In fact, they know stuff which they are not allowed to tell us because they signed none disclosure agreements. As for sources... I don't remember where I got all my information from. I have a vague idea but I don't feel like digging it out and posting a link. Mostly because you don't click random link anyways. Right ? So posting links for you is useless. In your own words... Given the last couple of post from you, I don't feel like pandering you. sorry To tell the truth, I feel like I have been spending to much time on forums as of late. I am trying to reduce the time I spend on forums. But my curiosity get the better of me and I just have to read the latest posts. But you and some people have a knack for getting me to type away long posts for hours on end... But my determination to do something else of my time is growing stronger. So yeah, I really don't feel like digging out my sources for you.

Yes I am sure about the research. This was confirmed by stuff that spoony and angry Joe said to each other. Apparantly the research is similar to the research in Bioshock 2. Not surprising coming from the makers of Bioshock 2... Now what is that exactly ? Taking pictures of stuff. That is your research. As for the missions. It is ultimately the "lady upstairs" that tells you what missions you are allowed to tackle. But as an experience squad leader, you are given some credits and allow you to have your say. After all, you are the one who will risk your but on the battefield. You have the right to accept or reject missions. But in charge of the whole thing ? No even close. As they say themselves in the video, they are the brain you are just the muscles and only the muscles. Now the FPS did suffer some horrible back lash of a scale that I had never seen before. Before we knew it Firaxis came out of the shadow and the FPS was delayed to 2013. Why was it suddenly delayed ? I am willing to guess that they got the hint and decided to significantly redesign a thing or two. We have not heard a thing from 2k Marin since. So maybe the FPS will be significantly different from what was known till now. Who knows ?

Hold on... In the FPS, You are not in charge of secret organization. You are a squad leader. You don't manage assets at all. You deal with whatever is given to you by main base or what you manage to find/capture in missions. You don't have to please funding countries at all. Not even USA. You don't do research. All you do is bring back stuff to base. You have no control on what scientist focus their time on or what they will give to you. You don't fight back aliens in a strategic turn base combat. You don't hunt down UFO on a global earth map. You also do not take part in any form of air combat. Of all the point listed above. The only one that can still be applied is the ability to customize soldier and load out. But to a much much lesser degree. You are also stuck with fix permanent immortal agents that will never die that have an equally fix story about them. In short, don't try to apply my comments on the FPS because it doesn't match all that well at all. PS: emoticon... right... hmmm :cool: I think this will do.

Ah. That make sense. Yeah I really did needed to do that didn't I ? Nope that part is correct and I have already posted a link to a proof. I think that we have stopped talking about that for a long long time now. I personally admitted (at several occasion, +1 with this) that Firaxis is not the threat I thought it was as soon as the first information came out. That impression have been reenforced with each new additional information. The vast majority of posts (mine or others) in the last few days had nothing to do with with that. That is about the same for me. Except that I would rather rent the FPS if possible. I may buy it on steam in one of their super holiday sale or something (around 5 $). Yes and we have for a good while I might add.