Simple StarCraft 2 mod? Other ideas?

Hi guys! :)

I've been checking TBCS regularly ever since PCGamer featured it a few years back. I am buying an awesome new PC soon (around $2000 in parts), and was thinking... it should not only be awesome, it should look awesome! I've done a couple mods in the past and would consider myself in between a rookie and intermediate. So...

I haven't yet picked out a case for this PC, but I am thinking one of the HAF series cases. I kind of want to do a StarCraft 2 mod as I've invested so many hours in it, but I am not nearly skilled enough to do any sort of advanced molding/remodeling. I can handle fiber glass (i.e., hoodscoops) and creative solutions (i.e., PVC exhaust pipes), but anything like vacuum molded rocks are way beyond me. Anyone have some thoughts on what I could do to make an awesome case for my skill level? Here are some of my case mods to give you an idea of what I can do...

http://forums.gamersnexus.net/downlo....php?id=30&t=1
http://forums.gamersnexus.net/downlo....php?id=31&t=1
http://forums.gamersnexus.net/download/file.php?id=143

If you can't handle simple vacuum-formed rocks, then you shouldn't be modding computers. A mod will be around shortly to delete your account, rookie...

Yes, I'm just kidding.

What do you love most about StarCraft? Do you have a favorite race or unit?
You can peruse StarCraft 2 artwork here for some inspiration as well.

First off, welcome aboard! I have tried playing SC2 but just can't get into it. That said....ODIN!

I was THIS close to ctrl+w-ing when I saw mDust's response :) Thanks for the welcome, guys! I do love the Odin idea, but psssh... I couldn't do him justice.

My personal favorite would be anything Zerg or Protoss based, though I'm going to have to say for purpose of modding a case, Protoss/Terran would be easiest. The case I linked to above is the one I bought, and due to its boxy nature, I feel like those races would be easiest.

That said... I have a feeling that there is a Thor in this case somewhere. It's just so boxy, I know I can turn it into some sort of Terran building or structure, the question is, how? What kinds of tips or tricks would you recommend to a rookie that don't involve anything way beyond my ability - for example, what tricks might you employ to make the HAF case look terran-esque (or for those who don't play StarCraft 2, mech-like)? I think if anyone can give me a few seedy ideas to get going, I might be able to come up with more than "paint a marine on the box and call it a mod" :)

I'll be back later tonight/tomorrow with some ideas, gonna get my supplies organized! Edit.: Checking the artwork now

I would suggest studying what others have done here and here. And then taking it one (or ten) step further with the materials and tools you have available.

To make it look Thor-like, you'll have to add a bit of material and bulk to the case. How you go about doing that depends on what your tastes are and how big/heavy of a case you're willing to deal with. I'm not saying you need to model the whole thing out...a car mod often only needs a hood-scoop, pinstripes and a couple details to be recognizable. That Thor is a hulking SOB though, which is one of its main characteristics.

http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/Thor

Thor is quite the hulk. I would be the happiest person in the world if I had the skill to make my own chassis, which of course would be in the shape of a PYLON!!!

Ideas so far:


-Use foam or fiberglass (or something?) to create a bunker out of the top fan, add LEDs that flicker every X seconds to look like gunfire.

-High-res decal sticker of the Marine's shoulders and up, slap it on the right side of the case... OR

-Stencil the right side of the case with some sort of red spray paint, in the shape of the Ghost's nuclear launch indicator. The big red bio-hazard thingy. Maybe add a button attached to a soundbox that broadcasts ghost quotes, "Ghost reporting," "Nuclear launch detected," "Never knew what hit 'em" etc.

-Get some fancy green LEDs and model out (mesh?) the ghost's mask. My case has PERFECT notches sticking out of the sides that would be the 3 little eye/targeting reticules that the ghost has on his mask. Would go on the left side.

-Make an SCV case. Oh yeah, I said it.

Thoughts?

I haven't played 2 yet and it's been at least 10 years since I last played the first game. I don't recall much of it at all to be honest. I can't really suggest any specific ideas.

Where are the other StarCraft fans at? Come out of hiding guys...

^ Probably playing StarCraft 2, like I've been for the last few hours ;)

I get my new case within the next few days. As soon as I get it I'll start sketching out some design ideas... Once I start on my mod, if I decide to post any pics, should I post them in this thread or start a new one in the WIP area?

Thanks :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lelldorianx

^ Probably playing StarCraft 2, like I've been for the last few hours ;)

I get my new case within the next few days. As soon as I get it I'll start sketching out some design ideas... Once I start on my mod, if I decide to post any pics, should I post them in this thread or start a new one in the WIP area?

Thanks :)

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Post them in the WIP area and link to it in here.

Sorry for hijacking the thread a bit but if anyone is interested in playing with me please PM me :D

Now back to the original topic of the thread:
I like the bunker idea, having one on top of your case would look awesome. Painting a nuclear launch symbol on the backside would also look great, maybe you could print out a high res sticker and just ctrl-v it on the side of the case. You could also print out Kerrigan or whatever other motive. I'd ditch the sound effects though since they're probably gonna drive you nuts after a while. The ghost mask idea also sounds neat but you'd probably want to keep it as uniform as possible and not have too many different things going on.

Thanks for the ideas!

I still like the bunker idea, but when you say paint the nuke symbol on the back of the case, do you mean the right side or the actual back? Any thoughts for what would compliment those 2 ideas but also add to the left side?

Maybe the marine high-res decal?

I meant the right side.

I took a look at the case you linked to get some ideas for the left side and I figured that, continuing on the the ghost theme, that area of smooth glossy metal or whatever is a good shape for a picture of an aiming ghost, maybe Nova? (standing and aiming towards the back of the case with the rifle along the horizontal area of glossy metal).

Oooh, I like that idea. I'm going to get to work and photoshop a couple mock-ups, I'll post them when I have something semi-respectable.

Nova might raise the temp of my system a bit too much though! haha. I think a Nova case would get a lot of attention from the SC community if I do it right. :)

That is a good idea. SC ghosts are awesome and universally popular (or at least feared and respected). I also like the bunker mod idea ... mind you, I also like the idea of a marine or seige-tank or battlecruiser or carrier mod. Maybe make some kind of command centre or nexus or hive mod ... even the drones and SCVs are kinda cool.

I kind of agree with above ... pick something you like from the game and make a theme around it. Terran and Protoss are very different things, and Zerg is just plain bizarre - I can't really think of any theme built around elements from more than one race unless it somehow depicts them all trying to kill each other.

The hero characters have always had important roles, and that's apparently emphasized in SC2. Raynor actually looks like a badass now, Zeratul rocks, and Kerrigan is a sexy little nightmare - a theme featuring any one (or more) of them would rock!

Zerg were the most popular in SC, hard to say if it'll stay that way in SC2 since Blizzard likes to tinker around with their opinions about "game balance", maybe the Zerg will just suck in SC2, who knows?

Take a look at SC2 accessories. What immediately comes to my mind is the Razer Marauder keyboard (with "APM-Lighting System", take a look here or here) ... it might be something you can work into your theme or perhaps inspire you in a slightly different direction. Maybe a pair of headphones that look something like the ones the Terran comm people wear? Pulsating lights on a translucent reservoir with that special Protoss glow? SC themed panels or buttons depicting the various little icons for things? I'm even thinking that - with a little bit of cosmetic change - the Cyborg R.A.T. 7 or (aptly named) Gigabyte Ghost Xtreme mouse products I've been looking at would work nicely into a Terran or Protoss SC theme.

When can we hear your mod shout out "UPGRADE, COMPLETE"?