The Firaxis XCOM Series

The promises of spending more money on the game in the future was always there for certain types of games (usually RTSs). They were called expansions and sometimes they cost as much as the base game itself.

It's certainly a difference that I didn't hear many people disapprove of expansions on principle, though. I wonder why that difference.

Expansions usually nearly doubled the amount of content.

I get the feeling that most of the complaints about DLC is the cost per content.

That's a rose tinted view if I've ever heard one. Most expansions added MAYBE half the content of the base game, and those were the exception.

Thats still way more then modern DLC.

And (most) modern DLC is cheaper. So it evens out.

It might have to do with a convenience perspective, because it's definitely a tad more annoying buying several pieces similar to an expansion pack over eight months than just buying the expansion pack after eight months.

Timing of announcement is also a factor.

Hearing of a 40$ expansion is in development a couple months after the base game is released? Long after you already know whether you want more of the game? Alright.

Hearing about 20-30$ season passes as one of the first things to be available on launch, on an already 60-80$ game that won't be released for a few more months and you have no guarantee that said game will be good or even playable upon launch? Eh.

Hold up, what's up with XCOM 2? I worked my butt off to beat those aliens, spent millions on research, equipment, and training, raised the most badass army of hi-tech soldiers in the world, yet in the sequel the aliens have taken over?!

Well, it's an interesting alternate future look at it, I suppose. I loved the previous game, so this is already pretty much a buy for me. It'll be really interesting seeing how supply and manpower restraints will play into the strategy aspect.

Vuther: That doesn't really sound like a downside to me, really. I mean, I guess it's more annoying to have to make the transaction each time, but that also means getting the content sooner and in more manageable chunks. I know I liked that about WoW with patches coming through, where the subscription can essentially be considered a season pass.

Spirit: That does make sense. Enough developers have failed to deliver that I can see why people would be hesitant.

Danime: I see it like this: it's an opportunity for revenge. Winnin XCOM 1 is still winning. Playing XCOM 2 is avenging those campaigns that ended in failure.

From a pick-and-choose and carrot-on-a-stick perspective, it's obviously superior, but I'm just trying to guess why people will be saying about "nickel and diming them" even if the content would generally be regarded as worthwhile.

Hey guys, the PAX footage finally dropped. Let's talk about it.

edited 14th Sep '15 10:42:02 AM by Gault

re: Rotpar on psionics: You cannot win the game, at all, without a maximum ranked psi. That is, in fact, going to be the main thing stopping you from launching the final assault for a while. Add in the fact that the powers are very good, and allow psi-only gear which is also shiny.. They increase fatigue time, and take time to learn, but essentially, from the time you get the training facility, and that should be a priority, it should never, ever have an empty chamber. If you are not turning a particular trooper into a mec, stick him or her in there as soon as you have an open slot.

edited 14th Sep '15 1:04:08 PM by Izeinsummer

Speaking of Psionics, I guess it's all but confirmed that Psionics are not the secret fifth class. We saw a bunch of soldiers with psi abilities in that demo and they were each still their original class.

So, now that that most likely of possibilities is off the table, what do we think it'll be?

I am now hoping for some kind of android since mecs and gmods are gone.

And shivs seem to have been replaced by gremlins.

This would also explain why you cant train into it.

edited 14th Sep '15 1:22:36 PM by Imca

Man, hope my PC can run Xcom 2, I want this now, lol.

Does the footage include the Faceless?

Yes it does, a very quick look at it at the very end.

I find it highly odd the Heavy class was renamed Grenadier yet seems to have kept the same two conceptual tools unlike the newer, more-specific name would imply.

edited 16th Sep '15 12:16:51 PM by VutherA

I feel it was originaly JUST going to have the grenade launcher, because if you watch all the earlier things, the gatling gun is missing.

They probaly realized later that that would be too specific of a focus, gave them there gun back, but the new name had stuck.

I would be totally fine with them just going "Yeah, uh, guys, we're actually going to rename that to ...(Heavy Weapons, Fire Support, Heavy Support, Fire Superiority, Support Weapons, the possibilities are endless!...ish, not really), cool?" I promise you, Firaxis.

• deep voice* He is heavy weapons guy. And THAT... is his weapon.

edited 16th Sep '15 3:20:06 PM by Mopman43

DA, DA, DA!

Man, wish I heard about a Heavy voice-over mod. CRY SOME MOOOOORRRRREEEEE would be excellent accompaniment to Suppression.

I think there's a mod that replaces the sectoid model with the Pyro. Close enough.

Also I was looking through my multiplayer squad loadouts and realized that I named one of my berserkers "Uncle Bad Touch". I'm not sure if I want to change the name or not.

edited 16th Sep '15 3:49:01 PM by Spirit

Hm, yeah, found em'. Grandy12 is credit to team!

edited 16th Sep '15 4:03:48 PM by VutherA