Hey all old and new wormers alike. I'm an oldie, for the record, though not trying to sound like I should be treated like a God or anything. Just want you to know my perspective.
I, like Strat, enjoyed the HELL out of WA for a few years when it was "new", and miss the old days. I got excited about Reloaded's announcement, was even considering getting the Wii "Battle Islands" game. Just to have a new game that's Worms. I got WA to work while waiting for Reloaded, and while it's still fun, I do long for the community integration that Steam will provide, and for everything to just "work" without having to worry if my colors are off (the color patch is patchy for me).
I really REALLY appreciate the work that users have done in maintaining WA and was actually really surprised to see how many people are still playing it! Very cool. But also really hoping that Reloaded will bring a new wave of people to the game.
It's like this - I love worms, and always have. But now a lot of new players will get a chance to see what it is all about. People that wouldn't otherwise just go buy an old version of WA and patch it and hack their PCs to allow it to work. People who say "hey, 20 bucks isn't too bad. Let's see what this is about" and who will get to have a really good time.
No, it won't be WA - and some people will never know what WA was like. Even if they got into it now. It's just a part of the internet gaming world that is a closed (mostly) chapter for many of us. But a new chapter has been written. I hope it is similar enough to WA that we can all enjoy it, but I don't expect it to be exact.
Hell, I even really enjoyed Worms: Open Warfare 2 for the DS. It was pretty different, but played so well! I think Reloaded will be like this. I hope so. Really looking forward to playing with all you old and new wormers alike that give this game a chance. Team17 has earned my respect and I want to support them. Think of it as alumni dues if nothing else
Now stop arguing on the internet and go play some worms!