I'm new to the game, whats the fuss about formations?

[Maschinengewehr]

So I've been playing the remaster and I've seen people complain about unit formations. Is this because formations break up in combat or what? They seem to work fine when just moving about.

[Gummiel]

basically yes, in the original version the formations only broke up in combat if you had your ships set to evasive manevers, wher ein aggresive they stick to the formation and not evne care if they were getting shot at, and with defensive manevuer they would try to avoid getting hit, while still maintaining the formation

[zeshoot]

Watch this video - it will completely make you understand what is wrong with formations. Some people say it's not that important, or why most people rain trash on gaybox which they are right to, despite that, Man in that video done best work to show it so no one should have any doubts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icwqd2Q49uc

[the cup]

Critics like to point this one out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx0uxR2kZy8

[zeshoot]

Oh, I love that one :) I've seen it dozen of times and still makes me laugh like a madman :D But as I wrote - video I've posted is as much as simple and objective. Moreover he's commentary also stands on the topic (althougt I must admit, not as funny as Benny Hill :)
i r winrer - that is all sad but true reality about that game mechanics so far.

[osheamat]

Such sad, it will remain in my library, uninstalled until the dawn of redemption comes

[Maschinengewehr]

Are you guys more concerned about its effect on multiplayer more so? Im enjoying the singleplayer thus far. Its a great game, why so much hate for something that can be fixed?

[zeshoot]

Originally posted by ★Maschinen the Wehraboo Hunter★:

Its a great game, why so much hate for something that can be fixed?

If it wasn't that much "hate" they'd never ever started to fix what should be from the beginning. Moreover, at the beginning they said it's impossible to do proper movement and implement formations due to engine, code, bla bla bla...But it's god d.amn REMASTER with only new graphics. There was no need to change game essentials which makes is so special back in the days. Original had excellent ballistics, projectal physics, coordinated attacks...
And lastly, look how they care about that game. No patching for like 7 months including balance, glitches and still mechanic. If it goes to gaybox it's not that it can be fixed - it's will it ever be...

[PhoenixBorn]

Originally posted by ★Maschinen the Wehraboo Hunter★:

Are you guys more concerned about its effect on multiplayer more so? Im enjoying the singleplayer thus far. Its a great game, why so much hate for something that can be fixed?

A quick answer would be that it wasn't known if the formations could be fixed until recently. And yes, adding formations and balance fixes to the game would definitely affect multiplayer for the better.

The classic Homeworld 1 Classic is a great game for a few main reasons. It was one of the first attempts at a true 3D RTS, and one which got it right for many players. The story was (and still is in Remastered) one of the main reasons I love to play it. It also gave the user control over the tactics and formations of it's ships. These tactics and formations made Homeworld a game of intelligence, which in turn made you as a player feel intelligent when you won. The tactics allowed for you as a player to tell your ships in a few short commands whether you wanted them to try to survive as long as possible by dodging incoming attacks (Passive mode), or to focus on keeping their guns firing with devastating effect (Aggressive mode). Along with that are the formations, which allow you to select a formation for the scenario (Like a sphere of your ships surrounding a bigger ship, effectively adding additional turrets to protect that ship).

I love the Remastered game as is. But there is something missing to Homeworld 1 Remastered without formations. If Gearbox had not announced that they were working on formations, I would still have been happy with my purchase. The originals that these games are based on are old, and I appreciate that there is a company that is willing to bring back these games to the gaming community. The story alone is worth playing it now, but I really look forward to the addition of a formation system, which will affect both Homeworld 1 and Homeworld 2 ships.

If you want to get a glance at the difference that may/will be possible with formations, look at this post on Gearbox's website:
http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/t/update-and-a-bit-of-a-tease/1203614

[Maschinengewehr]

Originally posted by PhoenixBorn:

Originally posted by ★Maschinen the Wehraboo Hunter★:

Are you guys more concerned about its effect on multiplayer more so? Im enjoying the singleplayer thus far. Its a great game, why so much hate for something that can be fixed?

A quick answer would be that it wasn't known if the formations could be fixed until recently. And yes, adding formations and balance fixes to the game would definitely affect multiplayer for the better.

The classic Homeworld 1 Classic is a great game for a few main reasons. It was one of the first attempts at a true 3D RTS, and one which got it right for many players. The story was (and still is in Remastered) one of the main reasons I love to play it. It also gave the user control over the tactics and formations of it's ships. These tactics and formations made Homeworld a game of intelligence, which in turn made you as a player feel intelligent when you won. The tactics allowed for you as a player to tell your ships in a few short commands whether you wanted them to try to survive as long as possible by dodging incoming attacks (Passive mode), or to focus on keeping their guns firing with devastating effect (Aggressive mode). Along with that are the formations, which allow you to select a formation for the scenario (Like a sphere of your ships surrounding a bigger ship, effectively adding additional turrets to protect that ship).

I love the Remastered game as is. But there is something missing to Homeworld 1 Remastered without formations. If Gearbox had not announced that they were working on formations, I would still have been happy with my purchase. The originals that these games are based on are old, and I appreciate that there is a company that is willing to bring back these games to the gaming community. The story alone is worth playing it now, but I really look forward to the addition of a formation system, which will affect both Homeworld 1 and Homeworld 2 ships.

If you want to get a glance at the difference that may/will be possible with formations, look at this post on Gearbox's website:
http://forums.gearboxsoftware.com/t/update-and-a-bit-of-a-tease/1203614

Thanks for the constructive response. I appreciate it mate :)

Its a great game though. Quite difficult with a steep learning curve, which I love in older games.

[Shriker]

Gearbox is extremely lucky they released this game before Steam changed its refund policy, or a lot of us Homeworld 1 fans would have returned this abomination after playing for an hour.

They couldn't get away with it today.

[Metal_Bard]

Originally posted by Shriker:

Gearbox is extremely lucky they released this game before Steam changed its refund policy, or a lot of us Homeworld 1 fans would have returned this abomination after playing for an hour.

They couldn't get away with it today.

Eh, being a Borderlands player, I got mine for "free" for the one-time purchase on community day. I really only play single player. This game didn't really rub me the wrong way with formations. It did irritate me and still does for the random and sporadic crashes that occur during the game. That is what should be fueling the fire under the devs seat. I prefer that they handle technical and stability issues first before gameplay issues.

[Migz - DH]

Originally posted by Metal_Bard:

It did irritate me and still does for the random and sporadic crashes that occur during the game. That is what should be fueling the fire under the devs seat. I prefer that they handle technical and stability issues first before gameplay issues.

Have you contacted GBX about the problems you've had? As far as I'm aware of, this game is fairly stable for most users, so your situation might be something unusual.