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I'll try and clear it up, but I think I may have said this earlier. What we are given is the map, as is on screen, and the whole system map in the bottom left of the screen that Ghostly has kindly enlarged. If you look at each planet in turn while bearing in mind both, there are some things that don't match. We'll start with Naboo and Tatooine. In the video, Naboo and Tatooine are Imperial and Rebel respetively. So they appear on map as blue and red. Surrounding the planets on the main screen, there is the icon showing a symbol of a group. Around Naboo, this is an Imperial logo, Tatooine a Rebel logo. I came to the conclusion these symbols represent fleets because these symbols are shown to be used to move the imperial fleet from Naboo to Tatooine where they deploy the death star and star destroyers. It also explains why above many planets the symbol doesn't match the minimap, because it represents the fleet in orbit. Now, let's check the planet left and down a bit from them, Dagobah. On the minimap, this appears grey. Hence, you say, it must be unexplored. Why then, on the main screen does the planet have a rebel symbol above it? How do the imperials know this if they've never been there? This applies not just Dagobah, but Hoth also appears like this, and there's the neutral symbol hovering over the asteroid field due south of Naboo and Tatooine. The asteroid field is an important one. The neutral appears to have something in orbit despite there not being a planet for them to be present on, so it must be some sort of fleet or starbase. So no, I haven't played rebellion, but I'm no stranger to the RTS genre. You've got to put both minimap and actual main screen map information together to understand where I'm coming from. I'm basing my conclusions on fact, even if the conclusions themselves turn out to be proven wrong in time.

I only used to do it as a hobby. I was very good at History and Maths, believe it or not, but enjoyed writing so much I decided to go for one of my slightly weaker subjects. I hadn't had a single creative writing lesson either until 12 months ago, so the things I mention are mainly just things I've learnt from criticism of my own writing. I like the way this is going, as you really get into your stride. It is considerably better than the prologue. So much so, there isn't much criticism I can give. But I'll try. A much better balance of sentence sizes. I don't know if you notice it or not, but the whole piece flows much more easily than the prologue, despite being switching between different characters and locations. Again, great with the way you handle speech. Might want to consider using 'said' a little more. It sounds very basic and like it won't work, but as long as you vary it like you are now it can fit much better than some of the elongated pieces you use instead. I'll give an examle: “I agree.â€

I can't see your avatar either. I just get the no pic symbol. Ok, I read it all through. It's not bad, there are a couple of things that bug me, but overall pretty good. Before I begin, bear in mind first I'm 3rd year at university studying 'English and American Literature with Creative Writing', so if I offer criticism it doesn't mean it's bad, it' just means i'm being honest and trying help you to make it better. You do a thing I used to about 3 years or so ago, which is to elongate your sentences when shorter ones are much more poignant. Basically the best form of writing mixes the sizes of sentences, so a few longer sentences will be best followed by a short punchy one. It helps keep attention. Show, don't tell. In one or two places it felt like you were controling the piece too much. By showing, the reader is able to form their own picture of the events, as opposed to being told how every little event was. Occasionally you would have something which wouldn't necessary be explained, or connected well to the prior sentences. I'll give an example: "The face was a total picture of fear." What face? I can guess whose, but it's one of those connections which would work better with 'His' in place of 'The' As narrator, try to avoid colloquialism and informal language. Also, try not to contradict yourself. It's ok if you're going for an oxymoron, but one sentence contradicting the one right before it just doesn't usually work. I like the way you handle speech throughout the piece. You manage to do this very well, and it helps. There is only one instance I would change, but that's just me being picky. Overall, this is by far the best element of your style, and really makes a difference to the characters. I enjoyed the first paragraph after the initial Star Wars part, basically the first two papagraphs of the prologue (Usual typed format is double spaced paragrahs, as opposed to single). I like these first two because it does help explain the setting, and at the same time retains a very artistic feel about it. You also manage to get in at least one of those punchy sentences I mentioned which make all the difference. What else can I say. I enjoyed it, and in the end that is the most important thing. Aquiring a reader's attention early in a piece is vital, and it does that. Don't take my negative criticism too strongly, because there are many, many good points that offset it. I'd really like to read more when you get around to it.

They probably stick to the worlds they've created because they know how to do them well. It's also like any idea, you get attatched to it personally. Blizzard not only make good solid games, but they really engage the reader in the story. There's a whole history of warcraft now that I can't begin to comment upon, and with this Starcraft Ghost, they're expanding upon that story. This is what they do, create realistic story worlds. That's why I don't know if branching out and trying something new is really the right idea for them. If they were to go on to create other games and forget about the old ones, they would become just like any other of the smaller games makers out there.

I suppose. I just figured that there wouldn't be a lot of work done on creating warships of neutral factions, that's all. Maybe if their neutral fleets consisted entirely pre-existing models, models that could then be added to the Rebels/Imperials when they conquered a planet, it might explain it. I'm also not sure about grey being unexplored. How would the Imperials have information about fleets in orbit somewhere the Imperials have never explored. Even if the game includes some form of spy work or subterfuge, why revel only fleets in orbit. Also, that would mean the planet had then been explored. I don't know. Something just doesn't sit well with me regarding that.

And neutral has a fleet now? You're probably right Sidious, but it still doesn't explain why neutral has a fleet, or at least a station in orbit. Can anybody identify that emblem they have?

you could probably achieve something similar by distracting the attention of your enemy with a small force from a seperate direction. It's a tactic used in many RTS'. Mixed sensor signals? No, just distraction from the important one. You basically fool the enemy into believing you're going for one target when the true aim is to get their defense forces away from your real one. While they're busy chasing the fighters on one side of the map, you're bombing their transports to hell and back, and even if they notice they haven't got enough time to get their fleet back and stop it. It means splitting the two squadrons up, so I'm not sure how protected the bombers would be if your opponent doesn't take the bait or keeps some ships defending, but that's a risk you take.

I've got a great respect for Blizzard. I've been a follower of warcraft since the original, in fact I believe it was one of those games that eased the transition for me between Atari and PC. Though at first a little disappointed by the warcraft 3 'cartoony' look, the gameplay was (and still is) out of the league of many others. Once you get over the lack of realism it is great. I've had many a fun hour into the night battling my housemates here. Starcraft. I never really got into it until two years ago, and by that point I was facing a community of people who had years of experience. From the brief period I played it I could see why it remained popular. If there's something Blizzard does, it's to get gameplay spot on. How else can you explain the popularity of these two RTS' when others have faded into nothing. As long as it remains to be played in such numbers, Starcraft 2 will always be a possibility. On another note, I also play Diablo 2. I know it's not RTS, but it help in emphasising the fact that I've never had to complain about blizzard to this date.

I'm new, so Hi everone. Been watching for a while and only now decided to register and speak up. If there are problems understanding anything I say,sorry. I know English isn't the first language for many of you and I tend to get a little verbose. Anyway, I've been trying to work these colours out for a while now, and discovered something a little unusual in the process. This is what I found. Blue is definately Imperial. Tatooine there is definately controled by the Rebels. Of this we can be absolutely certain, no question about it. The battles and symbols surrounding planets make this quite clear. Grey. Now's where it gets a little odd. The grey dots are most likely non-aligned planets, the neutral ones. However, from the footage, at from least the symbols around the planet, there is a Rebel presence there. My guess is that these symbols show the fleet of ships in orbit, since a planet can't be neutral and be controlled by rebels at the same time, surely. This would suggest the rebels control the space above dagobah and Hoth, despite them actually being neutral. So this can be explained. Now the gold/yellow dots. Something you've perhaps missed is the symbol that accompanies these planets. Check Ryloth around 28:54 in the film, and you'll see a symbol above the planet that doesn't represent the rebels (a red rebel symbol) or the Imperials (Blue imperial one. Both can be seen around 28:43). Now I'm no fanatic, so I don't recognise this symbol, but if what I've said about these symbols representing ships in orbit is true, we have a new fleet on our hands... It might just be a 3 player match, but I get the impression it isn't. I doubt they would have designed the E3 demo that way. I would take screenshots to show you the symbol, but I don't know how I'd go about capturing Divx like Ghostly, so everyone will just have to make do with the times I gave and a pause button.