What To Expect From STORMGATE? | Grubby's Thoughts

By now, many of you have seen the unveiling of what will be Frost Giant's first ever game, Stormgate! Let's take a moment and discuss various subjects, like the expectations people have of ex-Blizzard developers, what mistakes should be avoided, etc. We'll also go for an in-depth breakdown of the game's cinematic trailer!
Make sure to let me know what you guys and gals think and if you'd like to see this kind of video more in the future!

What To Expect From STORMGATE? (Live on 10-June-2022)

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#Grubby #FrostGiant #Stormgate

[hungrymusicwolf]

"I am a content creator and I will tell you how you should feel." this is some grade-A level meta youtube-ing.

[chrisg]

I like StarCraft. But I Love Warcraft. Honestly wish they made a Warcraft-like instead of a Starcraft-like. But if it has a good campaign I'll still enjoy it.

[gorodn]

Is the cinematic trailer underwhelming? Yes. Am I disappointed with the game? No. Cos I know a cinematic is not indicative of what the gameplay will be. Reserve judgement after we have played the Beta at least.

[alfybet]

"Though... looks may deceive, just look at me for instance, I'm pretty lethal."

LOOOL had to pause & comment. Never knew Grubby was all jokes. Had only really seen him through Artosis's stream going "WTF" at mario erotica.

[phoenixlich]

I agree the cinematic could use some polish and adjustments. It's missing some impact at moments, and at others the impact feels mishandled. But it does come off more like a modern moba trailer you'd see from Riot for example. As far as things soaking up so much damage in the trailer without harm could be a nod to something the dev said in the B2W interview about how they want their game to emulate the WC3 unit damage systems where it takes many hits to defeat a unit even with its weakness more than SC2 where things are defeated quickly and if you fail to react in a split second you lose your army.

It sounds to me like you are feeling "cautiously optimistic" and "hope for the best, prepare for the worst".

[Taznak]

Frost Giant released their trailer so early because they want to get a lot of feedback from fans, and they want to get that feedback at a stage of the game's development where player feedback can actually make it into the game.

They also said in an interview that the universe of Stormgate, is a universe that blends science fiction with fantasy; it mixes technology (human faction) with magic (demon faction), so they have a large toolbox of themes to choose from for new playable races, for campaign story arcs, for multiplayer stage design, etc.

[jarrakul]

It's worth remembering that the trailer is apparently in-engine, which suggests that it's probably /much/ lower-budget than classic Blizzard trailers, and makes it considerably more impressive compared to in-engine cutscenes in e.g. SC2. Now, does that mean it's particularly good /as a trailer/? No, not really, but pre-rendered trailers are notoriously non-indicative of the game anyway.

Which brings me to my actual stance, which is that the setting seems cool, if not massively unique (it looks very Doom, which isn't a bad thing), and we don't really have much to go on in terms of gameplay. The devs are saying almost all of the right things, and they have a good team, so I'm optimistic, but I don't think the trailer had any real effect on that either way.

I am somewhat concerned about the live-service model, though. That can be great if the initial launch is successful enough to fund continued development, but Steam is littered with the wrecks of live service games that released unfinished, didn't make money, and were quickly abandoned, never to reach their potential.

[RiffandRoll.]

I think demons in Stormgate should look more dangerous and scary. I like the concept of ancient powerful dark magic vs high advanced human technology

[andrzejkulakowski]

Incredible analysis! :D I was wondering the same thing about the "roar" in animations and you are the first one to question the same thing publicly - I'm so relieved to know i wasn't alone until today :D CHeers!

[OutsiderXE]

RTS with multiple races need humans. They represent the relatable part and are more approachable when looking at their tech tree.

[Xenonuke]

I'll be taking this one with a grain of salt. Ever since Mighty No.9 I've taken this stance whenever i heard "former staff from once prominent company "

[johnthefalcon]

To me the important aspects are core gameplay, game mechanics (path finding, unit behavior, unit response), story telling, and casual player content; mainly an extensive campaign, and a quality co operative game mode (I'll play some 1 v 1 player but I'm a casual player with other obligations in life). Monk one of the developers did a lot of SC2 co op design, so I have hope there. Game mechanics will a big thing; path finding, unit responsiveness, and unit behavior in RTS games has kind of gone backward since SC2 which was the golden standard. As for the graphics, I do want good graphics but more importantly I want graphics where I can distinguish the units during a game / fight; not just units that look good in a vacuum zoomed in . Ultimately I was neither overwhelmed nor underwhelmed by the trailer and the announcement. I'm going to have to see gameplay and see the content being offered before I decide my feelings on the game.

[pedroluiz]

i can't believe you managed to turn a 2min trailer into 20min content, you sir, is a content creator!

[westwolf]

18:30 - "The weather is 100% chance of angry dog with a 70% chance of teeth"

[GaugeEngage]

I dunno man, it seems kinda generic from what ive seen, art style is similar to LOL and other tencent games, we'll see how it is though, i just hope it has a really good editor. Custom games and making them was the best, i would spend hours just making fights between archimonde and other heros in warcraft 3. I hope theres a similar RPG like system in stormgate.

[DerMedivh]

You pointed out very effectively what makes me worried the most. The cinematic is in a style that gets used in movies as well. That "coolness above all" crap. Stupid moves and statements noone would do that ultimately destroy every bit of tension and give the whole action a shallow and non serious taste.
How really "cool" would that mech entry have been without the useless statements? Just enter to save the moment, a last second dodge to get the advantageous position and giving thr creature a lethal blow just to realise how bad the situation really is. It unsoftly grabs the scientist. While charging the jump jets to get out "we can't win this fight." During the flight out "I'm just glad you showed up. What happened there, I can't really explain yet, but..." mech pilot interrupts her in a very serious voice "...events were set in motion. Things happened, not just here. A storm is coming. And I don't think there will be shelter from it..."

Something like this. Cut that "I'm so hip and cool" nonsense! Look how epic arthas was introduced. That should be the goal.

[CC_Seig]

For me personally, i liked the visual of the Trailer. But the Sound and everything around it was so lackluster in my mind.
Non the less kinda hyped for this game!
Great analysis Grubby!

[trs]

Hey Grubby, long time following and enjoying your wc3 content, thanks a lot for your work!
Really happy you might try Spellforce 3.
Pros: great atmosphere & stories, interesting economy buildup, loved the rpg part.
Cons: pvp has potential, but still lacking polish and most notably players.

[ppgButtercup]

Your story idea was basically what Relic already made into an RTS in Impossible Creatures back in 2003. Was actually a pretty good game but clearly didn’t hold up to people’s memories (specifically yours).

[Richard-tjyh]

Stormgate and BFME Reforged make me excited about future of RTS :)