Infested Arena 2
Now On B.net NA and EU!
Welcome Back...
It has been 43 years since your last encounter with the Infested, which took place on a space station in a remote part of the Universe. You thought you were victorious after defeating the Broodmother. Little did you know that the Infested followed you back to your home planet in the Galminus system and have since been mutating, evolving and multiplying directly above you. It is clear to you that the Infested are far more powerful than they were last time. Mutant strains and cross breeding has brought about new and terrifying Infested units. But, you are not easily discouraged...43 years has brought about advancements of your own. Prepare yourself the Invasion is about to begin...
Evolving from Infested Arena to Infested Arena 2
New Arena Invasion Dynamic
Infested Arena had 4 hallways which spawned the same amount of Infested units (a total of 2 different types: ranged and melee) at the same intervals with randomized Special Infested Units (SIU's) spawning at 1 of the 4 hallway locations at set times.
Infested Arena 2 has a randomized Invasion dynamic where at the beginning of each round randomized Drop-pods will fall from the sky in random locations. Once the Drop-pod lands it will begin generating eggs which after a short time will hatch and release the Pods designated spawn unit (i.e. Spewer Pod will spawn several infested spewer units). There is also a % chance based on active players and difficulty selected to generate new Drop-Pods at varying locations and varying times into the Arena. There are 4 basic Infested units (Infested Arena only had 2) each has it's respective Drop-Pod. Furthermore, you will easily be able to identify, with the "Infested Pod" dialog, all the current pods found within the Arena. In addition, Special Infested Cocoons will drop from the sky into the arena and after the duration will hatch a random SIU, all of which can be tracked using the "Infested Pod" dialog.
New Special Infested Units
There are now 10 SIU's including new ones, such as: Behemoth, Vile Imploder, Stalker, Desecrator. Some of the SIU's from Infested Arena were removed because...,well, they just weren't any fun.
Infested Blood Transfusions
Infested Arena 2 Introduces "Infested Blood Transfusions." Each time a Special Infested Unit or Boss is killed there is a chance for them to drop "Infested Blood" when one Specialist picks this up all specialists receive 1 Infested Blood. You can use a new menu to load up a stat tree in which you can further modify your Specialist by injecting yourself with the Infested Blood - Things ranging from increased movement speed, damage, extra shields, armor to having a chance to apply the "plague" or chain explosion reaction each time you attack.
Each available stat change found within the Infested Blood Transfusion Tree is modeled after Infested units you are fighting (Infested Bulwark Plating - Increase Armor +1/2/3/4/5)
Specialist changes
My original plan was to incorporate several new Specialists in Infested Arena 2, but after consideration and plenty of feedback I decided to change the fighting mechanics with each specialist. In Infested Arena everyone had energy and all abilities had close to a 10-15 second cooldown. Many times people would run until there ability was up. This wasn't to much fun. How could I make battle more fun and enjoyable? I decided to go with an action game battle dynamic. Each Specialist now has a total of 6 abilities (up from 4) and cooldowns are down around the 1-3 second mark.
Infested Arena witnessed 5 specialists who almost were identical in operation but with different special effects.
In Infested Arena 2 each Specialist is completely individualized everything about them operates differently from other specialists. Read on for details
A Few Examples of The New Battle System
Seifer's New Battle Mechanics
Built for Tanking.
-Seifer uses fast regenerating Energy to perform his abilities.
-Seifer has a "charging up" mechanic known as Ravager's Roar to boost his attack power and armor. With each roar Seifer receives 1 Ravager's Mark which will keep Seifer's damage and armor up until he uses "Igniting Wave." Once used all Marks will be removed. How do you get the most out of your Igniting Wave? Keep charging up with Ravager's Roar.
Fulgore's New Battle Mechanics
Built for damage from the shadows
-Fulgore uses Fast regenerating energy for a few of his abilities
-The rest of Fulgore's abilities operate off of a combo system known as Marks of Death. Each attack Fulgore executes has a 20% chance of awarding 1 Mark of Death. Other abilities and upgrades can apply additional Marks of Death just by using them. Fulgore can then choose to use his other abilities powered by Marks of Death. Once a Mark of Death ability is used all Marks of death are consumed. Depending on how many Marks of Death Fulgore had when executing the ability will determine the effectiveness of that ability (i.e. Vexing Shadows requires at least 1 Mark of Death. For each Mark of Death consumed when Vexing Shadows is executed Fulgore will teleport and deal extensive damage to 2 enemy units. If Fulgore has 5 Marks of Death then a total of 10 enemies will be warped too and attacked).
Blaze's New Battle Mechanics
Built for Siege and AoE
-Blaze uses Fury to power the majority of his abilities. Blaze's Fury meter starts at 0 and as Blaze attacks his Fury meter will begin to rise reaching a maximum of 100. As Blaze reaches certain thresholds of Fury he will be able to perform various abilities. Blaze also has abilities that require no Fury and will actually add a certain amount of Fury to Blazes Fury meter when used.
-Blaze utilizes "Presences" - Blaze can only have 1 Presence on at any given time and depending on which presence Blaze has on they will positively/negatively effect him (i.e. Fury Presence grants 150% additional Fury increase with regular attacks, Increases damage by 40%, and movement speed by 10%, but at the cost of degenerating Shields, and 50% increased damage from all Infested attacks.)
and much more.
Dead Eye's New Battle Mechanics
-Dead Eye uses Fast regenerating Energy to power his abilities. Dead Eye has the capability of dealing extreme damage to single targets as well as using superior crowd control abilities to protect his teammates. Dead Eye has access to Critical Strike Upgrades which allows every attack and ability a chance at dealing 200%, 205%, 210%, 215%, or 220% damage depending on critical strike upgrade level.
Salv's New Battle Mechanics
Salv can be used to focus directly on damage and AoE or Healing. Salv has access to Quick Access Heal buttons which allows him to cast his healing spells (via buttons on the leaderboard) at great distances. This way Salv can keep track of his teammates health and still remain an effective damage dealer.
Salv uses fast regenerating Energy to power his abilities and has great Crowd Control abilities such as "Mind Sync" which allows Salv to convert up to 10 Infested Units (SIUs included) to his side for a duration. This ability can turn the tide of battle quickly if the right units are "Mind Synced" (i.e. Mind Syncing a Special Infested Behemoth - sends the Behemoth to do massive AoE damage to all nearby Infested Units).
NEW SPECIALIST Psion's New Battle Mechanics
Psion is a new addition to the team and although requires a persistent player level of 7 Psion is a power addition to Infested Arena.
Psion uses fast regenerating Energy to power his abilities. Psion's main purpose is to rain down destructive electrical magic from above. All of Psion's abilities have some form of electrical attribute. Although Psion's Health and Energy starts out low Psion Energy Reserves start out higher than the rest of the Specialists.
Psion is capable of enabling "Flight Form" which increases his Electrical damage and increases his movement speed. Psion can traverse cliffs and has the ability of summoning his favored ally "Arc." Arc's weapon is increased along with Psion's weapon. Whenver you upgrade Psion's weapon the benefits transfer to Arc.
Psion is also capable of restoring teammate shields via the Quick heal keys located next to the leaderboard. Instantly clicking on the appropriate team icon will heal the corresponding teammate.
Persistent Player Level
All of your kills are permanently recorded within Infested Arena 2. Whenever you start a new game of Infested Arena too you will notice that your kills refelct all prior kills you have recieved while playing Infested Arena. As you Level up (via your Persistent Player Level) you will be granted access to exclusive Hero Specialist Units. In addition, you will partake in the Persistent Level Player Stat Menu.
The Persistent Player Level Stat Menu allows you (upon starting Infested Arena) to add upgrades (dependent on your Player Level) to your Specialist. In other words, the longer you play and the higher your Player Level the more initial upgrades you can make to the Specialist you have selected.
I just have one question about the Projectile Reflectorate:
It looks great, and all. But say the shield encompasses a ranged unit, say right next to a vile imploder. Will the reflectorate bounce back projectiles within the shield or just stop them like normal? I assume there's a form of collision detection used to make that particular item work. I'm not sure how this is being implimented, but as much as I'd like to see reflections from inside the bubble, that also seems, not only OP, but just down right wrong, from a realistic approach.
Yeah... dont change anything but put what Carbon Steel is for near that loading bar
@Oddlot0930: Go
I'll second that. At least put it on the loading screen what carbon steel does and what's coming up. Since I've started, very few games passed without someone asking what carbon steel is. That would also cut down on the spam on the boards asking about it.
@Etravex: Go Could you at least do a 1.87a and just put the link to the youtube in the load screen?
I'd think that would be a rather quick thing. I mean, at the very least, it'll help more people realize what's coming up, as not all people are coming to the site or hanging in the chats to figure out what's happening with the game.
@Oddlot0930: Go
Sorry everyone 2.0 is tied in with my current work and would be close to impossible to seperate out specific things to post a smaller update. It would actually take me more time isolating everything to put a smaller update in, and I don't want to spend time doing that. 2.0 is well underway and like I've stated many time I can't give an ETA at this time. When I feel comfortable about a release I will give an ETA.
For 2.0 video previews of specific items please visit my youtube site as I will hopefully add a few new videos here and there to let everyone know that 2.0 is very much a high priority.
http://www.youtube.com/user/Etravex
Yes getting kinda hard to find game anymore im waiting like 10 mins and the game wont fill.
After not playing for about a month (and having my stats get reset T_T ) I've come to like the changes that I've seen so far. Blaze is actually useful on the later levels now, Salv doesn't have to BH whore in order to get kills, and unfortunately I haven't been able to check out my favorite, Psion (2 lvls to go!)
The new blood tree is spectacular though the fast time ability doesn't seem to affect weapon speed like the tool tip says. I'd also like to say thank you very very much for adding in an up that just boosts spell damage. The new 3rd tier upgrades also spectacular. My only complaint there is that 6 seconds may be just a bit to short for most players to get to the max buff.
As for the item system that you're planning on implementing, I can't wait to see it. I'm hoping by then i'll have a respectable level again.
I'm also loving the fact that bosses pop up every 5 levels in no mans land. great improvement.
Do you have a list of all the items you'll be putting in game or do we have to wait till the update comes out to see it? also do you have an ETA of the update?
and finally (for now) will you be making changes to the plvl stat screen?
@Dukewin: Go
I don't see why not. If I'm on, I'm in the infested arena chat. Look for me, and we'll play a game. (Char code 686 ftw)
u guys wana get a game of it goin sometime soon? O.o i could use some ppl who kno wtf they r doin
btw... im Terminus with char # 320, add me if u wana play IA2 lol
Yeah it's not an issue but it's still a little annoying.
Well, there is a really easy way to fix the lack of popularity, I think. That is, put out an update saying 2.00 is coming with items, items will cost XXX steel and include a rudimentary display for how much steel you have. There, the grind can continue like nothing happened and it shouldn't set you back much at all to put that in.
As for blood not displaying, that's not really much of an issue if you play with other people. Just open the star menu and see how much blood they/you have spent and figure the difference as your unspent blood.
Indeed, it is in desperate need of SOME update, even if it's not 2.00.....
i agree, the game has gotten unpopular because of the way the list goes, and if it hits page 3, it may never come back up again, when i started playing it was page 1 then it dropped off after ur updates dropped off
I'm not asking you to rush the whole project. But would it be possible to impliment one or two of the new game mechanics in a smaller update?
I mean, I'm sure there's multiple aspects of 2.0 waiting to be released, and I understand why you might want to wait for one big update, but I think if you even put in some of the little balance fixes, or maybe a new infested unit or something, would pull the game up in rankings a bit more. There's 2 types of people on B.Net now. Those who have gotton bored with ia 2, and those who just don't like ia 2.
A little teaser update's all I'm asking. And I'm sure the crowd would love to have something tangible to look forward to in the next update.
@Sandman366:
no guts no glory :P... btw nice Einstein quote... i will see ur quote and raise u a Sun-Tzu quote O.o
"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."
EDIT: srry if that seemed off topic...
EDIT (again): oh, and he said no release date a few pages back... only that hes workin on it... so no ETA just yet, but idk how long hes been workin on it
Aww man, I'd rather not have to max out resolution....if I window swap it already takes a bit to get back in, and my laptop runs pretty hot depending on the map (quite hot on IA2 lol). I'll think about it though...
When did you start working on 2.00? 2 weeks ago? A month? Anyway, it means we'll have next version out in under a month, right? Approximately? Maybe?
I will consider raising the party health/shield response time, not sure if the system can handle it; have to wait and see when I do some testing.
Sandman the game was built off of max resolution for widescreen. I believe the lower resolutions can't see the infested blood count. As for an estimate I'm still not a position where I can make a call like that. I'm spending alot of time for each item and making sure it works effectively in every situation. On top of that the most time consuming is figuring out ability modifications that fit into the style of the class and make sure it's balanced. I would say we are well over half way done though.
There's not much you can do about it, but when you heal low enough, it really doesn't matter how slowly it updates: if it's low, hit it.
The quick heal bar has a problem because it update the real value of hp slowly, It made calculating healing very hard
@Etravex: Go
1280x720, fullscreen. Do I need to be hurting my laptop by maxing it to 1600x900 or something? This thing gets hot enough when I play WC3, you could probably get serious burns from when I play SC2. No counter shows up for my blood, I don't see anything change when I gain/spend blood on the button.
Nice looking stuff on the items so far....can we get estimates on release/costs yet?