Armada 2 Files Modding Contest

[Joelteon7]

Hey guys. I know some of you will have seen this before (I know Majest has) but I want to try and spread the word to try and get it to be really successful, so if it's okay, I'll put all the details here for it (if not, that's fine, but if there is a way it can be put down somewhere, please let me know ).

Also, for Majest, I have 2 people (including you) who want to allow TMP ships. If you can get 3 more people to say so, I'll widen it up to include the TMP era.

Modding Contest – Prize = The winner, acclaimed in status of being the constructor of the Armada II Files Flagship!
-The contest is very simple. It can be for any of the Star Trek (keeping to the roots of the game) Alpha Quadrant races. However, it's not quite THAT simple, it never is You have a set of requirements, as decided by me, on making this ship. Whilst the size of each is entirely upto you, you must include them and have a working ship by the end of it (bonus points awarded to those mods which have ALL the works, such as build-buttons, not just a SOD, textures and working ODF). So, what are these requirements, you ask?

- Must have 2, 3, 4 or 5 nacelles. No more, no less. Bonus points awarded to those who use a more interesting choice of those amounts AND pull it off well.
- Must have at least 1 assault cannon on the ship model that is visible. (My idea is a big-stinking gun that stands out, of course it doesn't have to be quite as noticeable )
- Must be able to fit into the TNG time period (say, upto and including Nemesis).
- Must be of a grand design. Whilst we do love the good destroyer and scout ship, we want something that can truly represent the site, so cruiser upwards should be your thinking.

As for how you go about making it, that is entirely upto you. It could be a brand-new ship that you start from scratch or you could do a funky kit-bash. That being said, there are some rules to follow. Breaking them will result in an automatic disqualification.

- If you're kit-bashing someone else's parts, make sure you receive permission to do so AND provide credits. Similarly to standard rules, breaking this will result in standard procedures coming into effect. C'mon though, it's for fun, so we shouldn't have any of this.
- Do not submit ships that already exist! The contest is to create new-ones, not to re-introduce older ones!
- Follow the set-of requirements given to you. They're there for a reason
- All standard rules for submitting a mod.

To submit your entry, to be done before May 25th send it in the usual way, but when you send the e-mail, PLEASE put in your subject header "Contest Entry". Whilst your file won't be added till after the winner is put up on the 30th as to give it time to glory, all ships will be going up, just like normal submits. So, the more you throw into this, the more you'll get out. Ahem, start your modding!


(Wrath of) Achilles asked about poly counts and I suggested no more than 2500. Considering the craft are to be cruisers up wards, I believe this would be possible.

If there are any issues, feel free to contact me.

 

[Majestic]

Hey guys. I know some of you will have seen this before (I know Majest has) but I want to try and spread the word to try and get it to be really successful, so if it's okay, I'll put all the details here for it (if not, that's fine, but if there is a way it can be put down somewhere, please let me know ).

Also, for Majest, I have 2 people (including you) who want to allow TMP ships. If you can get 3 more people to say so, I'll widen it up to include the TMP era.

Yes guys speak up, TMP era rocks.

Nice to see you posting again Joel its been too long.

 

[Joelteon7]

Additionally, if you guys want me to expand it to more of the main races in ST, so to include the Dominion, Cardassian, Species 8472 (being in the game an all) say again. I would draw the line at the Borg though....because they're lame

I hope we can get some models in from this end of the universe

 

[Syf]

I would like to vote include the TMP timeline.

And count me in, and possibly the 2A-A2 team.

 

[EAS_Intrepid]

I am really looking forward to the outcome of this!

Myself I won't take part, as I cannot model Trek ships for life. Even if I could, my textures for it would suck large scale .

 

[Joelteon7]

And some breaking news, changes and ammendments to the rules and requirements:

- Entrants can submit more than 1 ship for the compeition if they wish (although not mentioned before, this now confirms it).


- Entrants ships can be from any ST race that is commonly featured or part of the game (ie. including Species 8472) but DOES not include the Borg. Bonus points given to ships that are NOT from the Federation.


- TMP to late TNG era ships also accepted.


- Aim to keep poly counts 2500 or lower. Bonus points awarded to those that can keep to this.

I don't think the rules will change again, but it will be known if they do.

 

[Syf]

Well, I was designing a Federation Ship that would have been an "Alternate" runner up for the sovereign class. Like how the US does it's contracts for fighter planes. The best design wins the contract. It was to be approved as a new class that was contracted just before the end of the Dominion War, And field tested at the same time as the movie Nemesis.

But if it's automatically going to lose points for being a Federation ship, then I'm scraping the idea. I did have a new idea on lighting the windows I was going to test out with this, but I guess not now.

Edit: I just want to point out that this seems a bit unfair. You should just removed the Federation from the contest altogether. I spent 3 hours drawing up design plans for the ship I "would have" entered. I can see giving bonus points on things like quality, poly counts, Textures, or originallity over Kitbashing. But this, this upsets me to the point I have decided I will not take part in such an unfair contest. If I make a flagship, it would only be a Federation ship. After all, ALL Star Trek is about the "Federation", not some alien-non-human race. This is a shame really.

But don't feel too bad, it's not the first time I misunderstood what people were looking for and wasted a full 3 hours of my time for nothing!

 

[Majestic]

Bonus points given to ships that are NOT from the Federation.

I do think this should of been posted in the first post (and when the contest was first announced) as I know a few people have just wasted a fair amount of time and effort on making or kitbashing a Federation ship(s) that will now lose a uncertain amount of points due to being Federation.

 

[Hellkite]

that a little unfair to give Bonus points given to ships that are NOT from the Federation.

 

[Syf]

Well, I suppose it's only fair to show the drawing...



Specs: This ship was rejected from Starfleet command at the time of the Sovereign contract hearings because of it's size, and over militaristic nature. I was to measure 1,546 m long, 892m wide, and 627m high. 62 decks, crew 3,272 + 475 officers. Emergency evac capacity = 18,400 . It has 4 independant warpcores powering 8 coils. Max speed was estimated at 9.999967 for 86 hours, cruise speed of 7.982 for 8,245 hours. It's weapons would have been 3 primary hull mounted MK-Ic pulse phaser/plasma hybrid burst cannons, 2 secondary hull mounted MK-IIb pulse phaser/plasma hybrid burst cannons(2x power of a MK-Ic), 8 forward quantum launchers, 24 standard launchers, 2 rear quantum + 4 standard, and a 5th generation multi-vector phaser array (taget tracking of over 2,000 hostiles, and 32 simultanious beam output). 8 Shuttle bays house 8+ runabouts, 18+ shuttles, 24+ fighters. Cost would be equal to 4 official Sovereign class starships.

Atleast, that's the BS I had in mind.

 

[Majestic]

She is a great design.

 

[Joelteon7]

For reference, 'bonus points' is a respctive term given to say, "if two ships aer hotly contested, we ask taht they consider the fact that one was non-Federation first". Considering there's still 3 staff voting on what they think is favourite, it doesn't mean that it will be totally rejected, it simply means that the staff can consider it further (they don't have to listen).

If it makes you feel better, I'll add a 'may' in there

(Ps. Love that design. Finally, someone has made the Intrepid look cool)

EDIT:

It does seem as if I've created a bit of a stir with this one, apologies if you feel as if your ship has been discriminated against.

Rule change, last one, I promise!

- Entrants ships can be from any ST race that is commonly featured or part of the game (ie. including Species 8472) but DOES not include the Borg. Bonus points given to ships that are NOT from the Federation.

to

- Entrants ships can be from any ST race that is commonly feature or part fo the game (ie. including Species 8472).

All ships welcome (but try not to pick some obscure Delta Quadrant race that people have heard or seen of once).


Posts merged - EA

 

[Syf]

I am pleased that you have corrected this error. Now I will plan to enter.

She may have a shape like the intrepid, but she is not... She will be equal to 10 intrepids. Just wait for the actual model.

My entry will actually be an Entry of the 2A-A2 Modding teams. We will use this to display our modding skills. I will make the model, Majestic will be the coder.

 

[Syf]

Here's an update to entry Majestic and I are doing. There's been a bit of a change to the design. The original design had 6 nacelles in it.

Ortho View:

3D View:


There's still a bit to add, but it's well within the 2500 poly limit.

Edit: Image link corrected.

 

[Majestic]

Hey Syf, both images are the same, was there was a problem with copying the links to the browser?

 

[Syf]

Link error corrected.

 

[Hellkite]

look good Syf

 

[Majestic]

Indeed, she looks great.

EDIT:

Joel, about the Cardassian ship I am thinking of adding, well the thing is Cardassian ships don't use nacelles so what am I to do?

Anyway here is the ship I intent to add, she stands at 1992 pollies. If she can't be added due to the contest rules she will join the rest of my Cardassian fleet I am making.

Cardassian Damar Class Battleship
Based off the older Borad class troop carriers, the Damar class was first put into production in the 2380's after the Dominion war. The Damar class battleship was designed as a go betwen the Galor/Keldon heavy cruisers and the Hutet class dreadnaughts filling a much needed gap in the Cardassian fleet, who was always vulnerable to such ships as the Federation Galaxy and Sovereign classes, the Klingon Negh'Var class and the Romulan D'deredix and Valdore classes.

Plans to these cruisers were discovered in Dominion databanks at the end of the Dominion war, they had infact been recovered from the Cardassian rebellion by Dominion agents shortly before the rebellion was crushed by a massive Dominion attack in late 2376. Information included with the plans were discovered, indicating that Legate Damar himself was involved with designing this class and was intending on building a fleet of these to use against the Dominion, so it was fitting the class was named after him.

Thumbnails


Direct Links
http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/3769/damar001lo0.jpg
http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5291/damar002we7.jpg
http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/7195/damar003ui7.jpg

 

[Joelteon7]

Hmm, never really thought of it being a problem with Cardassian ships...

Ah, it'll be fine to submit. As long as it looks as if it COULD have 2-5, seems good to go wtih me

 

[Syf]

Other than textures, the ship I'm working on is built.

Here's some beauty shots of the model... And it's "untouched" sister ship.



That's all for now.

** No, the Sister ship is not going to be entered.

 

[Majestic]

Hmm, never really thought of it being a problem with Cardassian ships...

Ah, it'll be fine to submit. As long as it looks as if it COULD have 2-5, seems good to go wtih me

Thanks.

Other than textures, the ship I'm working on is built.

Here's some beauty shots of the model... And it's "untouched" sister ship.



That's all for now.

** No, the Sister ship is not going to be entered.

Looking great Syf, can't wait to get this ship to hardpoint her.

 

[Cylon]

I think i might give making a ship a shot, never done a federation ship before so it should be quite hard

 

[Cylon]

heres my first attermpt , i need to make a new texture butmy trial copy of photoshop ran out.

 

[Syf]

An interesting ship there Cylon. Keep it up.

Now for the hard part. I am not going to have time to complete my entry into this contest. I've been having to do extra work at (of all places) work. When I spend 60+ hours working, It leaves little time to do anything else, period. I have a full plate until July (at work). So, My entry(s) is now going towards the MSFC MOD. I had also planned on entering more than one ship, so they will all be made for the MSFC mod. I have plenty of time to complete them for that project. This way they are not a total waste of my little modeling time.

 

[Joelteon7]

An interesting ship there Cylon. Keep it up.

Now for the hard part. I am not going to have time to complete my entry into this contest. I've been having to do extra work at (of all places) work. When I spend 60+ hours working, It leaves little time to do anything else, period. I have a full plate until July (at work). So, My entry(s) is now going towards the MSFC MOD. I had also planned on entering more than one ship, so they will all be made for the MSFC mod. I have plenty of time to complete them for that project. This way they are not a total waste of my little modeling time.

Well that is a shame. No way you can 'pass the buck'?

 

[Syf]

I am sorry, but no. I'm the super-do-it-all-because-no-one-else-wants to-or is-to-lazy-to guy. The place would come to a grinding halt without me (so I envision).

And gee gooly Joelt, I think you would have loved my NON federation entries... I was only planning one Fed entry, and 3 others. :Y :zipped

 

[Jasoneagle]

For reference, 'bonus points' is a respctive term given to say, "if two ships aer hotly contested, we ask taht they consider the fact that one was non-Federation first". Considering there's still 3 staff voting on what they think is favourite, it doesn't mean that it will be totally rejected, it simply means that the staff can consider it further (they don't have to listen).

If it makes you feel better, I'll add a 'may' in there

(Ps. Love that design. Finally, someone has made the Intrepid look cool)

EDIT:

It does seem as if I've created a bit of a stir with this one, apologies if you feel as if your ship has been discriminated against.

Rule change, last one, I promise!

- Entrants ships can be from any ST race that is commonly featured or part of the game (ie. including Species 8472) but DOES not include the Borg. Bonus points given to ships that are NOT from the Federation.

to

- Entrants ships can be from any ST race that is commonly feature or part fo the game (ie. including Species 8472).

All ships welcome (but try not to pick some obscure Delta Quadrant race that people have heard or seen of once).

Why are the Borg the only race not allowed? (not that I can really make a ship that works ingame but I was drawing up one for the next contest)

The ship I was Drawing up would fit into the Stock Story Very well as it was to be a Combination of Federation and Borg Tech.

I am sorry, but no. I'm the super-do-it-all-because-no-one-else-wants to-or is-to-lazy-to guy. The place would come to a grinding halt without me (so I envision).

And gee gooly Joelt, I think you would have loved my NON federation entries... I was only planning one Fed entry, and 3 others. :Y :zipped

Do you got any Drawings of them as teaser for the Mod?

 

[Joelteon7]

The rule was changed, so now any race can be applied. But to date I've never seen a Borg ship that would look like it could represent the Borg (ie. a flag-ship) without it looking like a ship from another race.

That and the fact that Borg ships are boring, no two ways about.

 

[Syf]

Do you got any Drawings of them as teaser for the Mod?

Actually, yes I do... But they are now saved away for the mod. The Romulan and Klingon designs are very...Big. But now this is off topic. SO, let's not speak about those here anymore.

JasonE, I honestly don't think anything outside a Klingon or Romulan design really has a chance in this contest. But Because of others and myself, the contest was "opened up" to all canon trek races, including the borg.

 

[Joelteon7]

JasonE, I honestly don't think anything outside a Klingon or Romulan design really has a chance in this contest. But Because of others and myself, the contest was "opened up" to all canon trek races, including the borg.

Then you are/were wrong. The idea was to promote a bit of imagination and to try something different (is that not what a mod is?). If there was a Federation model that was truly outstanding, it would've won. I also explained that 'bonus points' was a vague term as for the staff to decide, should it come down to it, who has had a better imagination and has really put more thought into it, rather than "another Federation ship".

What I'm more surprised about is how you don't seem to understand why I did it The fact is, you could put together all the other races worth of ships on A2F and you still wouldn't get to the amount of Federation ships there are and will be for the history of the site. My aim was to provide more to people who use the site. That means putting aside my personal thoughts and trying to provide more for the users (hence the line, "the more you do, the more you get back"). That meant picking on two of the more popular, but under developed races: the Romulans and the Klingons. Thanks to the contest and entries, my aim has succeeded.