Doing Some Work

[Terra_Inc]

So, it's official now - I'm rebuilding my install from scratch. I've been waiting a long time for this opportunity. My old main install - an abandoned install of the AoW beta - was only good for screenshots at the end and I don't like it if I have a game installed I can't even play anymore because it's overloaded with stuff.
But what does that mean for the community? Two things.
First: From now on I may bombard it with questions about this and that...
Second: I'll have to do more artwork. This artwork will probably find its way to the Download section of MSFC. Plus, I may now have the chance to finish my toolbox.
So, I think it's a good bargain, eh? Let's start!

There is one thing about the stock Klingons that I didn't like. I'm sure many of you remember the old intro video... Here's a snapshot.

Spoiler:

Yup - the Ion Cannon used by the Negh'var. I always wanted to have such a "Cardie Killer" (I don't endorse the killing of Cardassians, it's just because of how cool it looks!).
Unfortunately, those who wanted to use this weapon in stock A2 were pretty much disappointed:

Spoiler:

Nothing against the torpedo sprite - it's one of MadDoc's better artworks. But the Ion Cannon is simply not supposed to be a torpedo!
Now that I am working on the Klingons, I've begun to redesign the Ion Cannon to make it look like the one in the intro.
This is what I have now:

Spoiler:

It does look better, doesn't it?

Now for the question. Rebuilding also means that I have to balance stuff. Now I'm definitely not unexperienced when it comes to balancing, but I've never done it on such a large scale. So my question would be: How do you do the balancing when working on something like this? Do you make a chart? Do you calculate everything? Or do you go through the ODFs like "Hmm... that could work"?

 

[Jetfreak]

Looks to be a pretty spot on recreation there, so top marks for you again

Though it could use a bit more tweaks though. It needs more yellow and bright orange spots within the beam.

 

[thunderfoot]

Yes it does look better! I think you will probably make it look better still. I would suggest making it match the intro avi version a little closer in color and brightness. I would also suggest making sure it does not have the phaser flare ball at the point of origin. One more thing to make it a true terror to the spoonheads. Add this line to the ODF:

ignoreShields= 0

This will make it a true Special Weapon and not just another hopped up, fancy-schmantzy phaser variant. Obviously this will need to be balanced out somehow. Maybe by extending the reload time to reduce the number of times it can be used or by only allowing one Negh'Var to fire on a target at a time or both. I have been impressed with both of the weapons you've released lately and I look forward to seeing what you do with this one.

 

[Terra_Inc]

Though it could use a bit more tweaks though. It needs more yellow and bright orange spots within the beam.

Yeah, I'm still experimenting. I started this morning (which means, a few hours ago) and did a first version which was just ****py. The second version (the one you see) looks better, but it's a beta at best.

Yes it does look better! I think you will probably make it look better still. I would suggest making it match the intro avi version a little closer in color and brightness. I would also suggest making sure it does not have the phaser flare ball at the point of origin. One more thing to make it a true terror to the spoonheads. Add this line to the ODF:

ignoreShields= 0

This will make it a true Special Weapon and not just another hopped up, fancy-schmantzy phaser variant. Obviously this will need to be balanced out somehow. Maybe by extending the reload time to reduce the number of times it can be used or by only allowing one Negh'Var to fire on a target at a time or both. I have been impressed with both of the weapons you've released lately and I look forward to seeing what you do with this one.

Aaaah! Thanks. *fed up with himself for forgetting the code snippet*
As stated above, I'm still working on getting the colors right. The phaser flare was included because it does look a bit like this in the intro. Maybe I should make a new one...
And of course - this thing will be balanced. The Union would not let the Empire possess such a powerful weapon, you know?

 

[EAS_Intrepid]

Good work so far. Aside from the flare, I agree with thunderfoot's suggestion.

The "laser flare" does fit, in my opinion. The problem is, that the hardpoint of the ship should be moved a bit forward, so that the flare is not half-covered by the mesh.

 

[thunderfoot]

Okay then, keep the flare. Just make it smaller.

 

[Majestic]

Wow! beautiful work Terra. I love it.

I also hope you are planning to release your toolbox files here as well. Many here don't visit A2Files for one reason or another and you do fantastic work that people here would appreciate and enjoy.

 

[Dan1025]

I started to rebuild my own install from scratch a while ago, doing it race by race (the rebuild was one of the reasons I created my Cardassian mod; to replace all the stock models that there weren't replacements for at the time).

It's a big job, depending on how indepth you want to go with the rebuild, I'm redoing my game system completely, new research structures e.t.c as well as replacing all the models and adding new ones. Sufficive to say I still havn't finished it lol, I've got the Federation, Romulans and Cardassians done, and I'm working on the Klingons at the moment.

Now for the question. Rebuilding also means that I have to balance stuff. Now I'm definitely not unexperienced when it comes to balancing, but I've never done it on such a large scale. So my question would be: How do you do the balancing when working on something like this? Do you make a chart? Do you calculate everything? Or do you go through the ODFs like "Hmm... that could work"?

Yeah I had this problem when I started, what I did was create a spreadsheet containing the complete information about each unit, so I can see what I've done for each race and balance them based on the ones I did previously. If you have Microsoft Works I can send you the spreadsheet if you like, so you can see what I've done with my install so far (I'd post a screenshot, but the spreadsheet is too large to get it all into a single pic).

Best of luck with your rebuild anyway

 

[Terra_Inc]

Yeah I had this problem when I started, what I did was create a spreadsheet containing the complete information about each unit, so I can see what I've done for each race and balance them based on the ones I did previously. If you have Microsoft Works I can send you the spreadsheet if you like, so you can see what I've done with my install so far (I'd post a screenshot, but the spreadsheet is too large to get it all into a single pic).

Best of luck with your rebuild anyway

Thanks, that would be very helpful. I started something similar with excel (excel-sior LOL) and it's quite okay. I'll drop you a PM about the eMail thingy.

The new texture is still being worked on, I'll finish it this or next week. When I'm done with the Klinks, I'll do the Cardies (and release a Cardassian Defense Torpedo, Majestic! LMAO). The Borg and the Crazy Tripedal Predators Of Doom (that is S8472) will be done last, not sure how to balance them, yet.

All of you other guys, thanks for the ideas!

 

[Terra_Inc]

Okay, there's a new version now. Doesn't look much brighter, but a lot more similar to the intro version.

Comparison:

Spoiler: Old version

Spoiler: New version

I won't get it much brighter without ruining the texture, so if you people think it's fine, I'll finish the ODF stuff and submit it.

Side note: Dan, thank you very much for that spreadsheet, it really helps me organizing my own balancing concept!

 

[Dan1025]

I think it looks good to go, doesn't really need to be any brighter. Nice work

Side note: Dan, thank you very much for that spreadsheet, it really helps me organizing my own balancing concept!

You're welcome, it took me ages to find a good way of balancing everything properly, so if I can save someone else some time/work then all the better

 

[thunderfoot]

The latest version of the weapon looks much better, Terra. It is useable now.
The following may help with the coloring and brightness you're looking for. Something I do which transferred over to A2 from painting lead miniatures. If I want the colours to be noticeable and a near perfect match to a picture or illustration, I have to exaggerate them a little. Usually about two or three shades brighter or darker than the actual color of the item I am trying to duplicate. As with all things textures in A2 it is really, really easy to overdo this. Maybe also selectively applying an alpha channel to the very brightest parts of the textures for the beam as well, so it appears to scintillate and pulse. Now this would be a cool effect!

 

[Terra_Inc]

The latest version of the weapon looks much better, Terra. It is useable now.
The following may help with the coloring and brightness you're looking for. Something I do which transferred over to A2 from painting lead miniatures. If I want the colours to be noticeable and a near perfect match to a picture or illustration, I have to exaggerate them a little. Usually about two or three shades brighter or darker than the actual color of the item I am trying to duplicate. As with all things textures in A2 it is really, really easy to overdo this. Maybe also selectively applying an alpha channel to the very brightest parts of the textures for the beam as well, so it appears to scintillate and pulse. Now this would be a cool effect!

Sounds good, but I thought alpha channels on weapon sprites didn't work?

 

[thunderfoot]

Alphas do not work on sprites, due to the way the game engine is set up. I mistakenly thought this is a SOD based weapon.

 

[Terra_Inc]

Alphas do not work on sprites, due to the way the game engine is set up. I mistakenly thought this is a SOD based weapon.

Unfortunately it isn't, I'm not a modeler. Although I can imagine this as a great model-based weapon, that is a few levels too high for me. This is my first beam-type weapon texture that actually looks good. You wouldn't want to see my earlier textures...

 

[SciFiFan]

Looks good.

 

[Majestic]

When I'm done with the Klinks, I'll do the Cardies (and release a Cardassian Defense Torpedo, Majestic! LMAO).

So you are planning on doing one, that's great.

I am eagerly looking forward to any weapon you release.

 

[Jetfreak]

Really great progress there man, any ideas for the proper sound effect though?

 

[Terra_Inc]

Really great progress there man, any ideas for the proper sound effect though?

I don't have one yet, but if the stock game doesn't have a good one, I'll try and modify some of the stock sounds. Shouldn't be too hard, Thunderfoot did something like that for his version of my old cardie disruptor.

So you are planning on doing one, that's great.

I already had a sprite, but it didn't fit. The problem is that it's meant to be a torpedo, but it looks more like a pulse. I'll have to experiment a bit.

 

[FahreS]

Unfortunately it isn't, I'm not a modeler. Although I can imagine this as a great model-based weapon, that is a few levels too high for me. This is my first beam-type weapon texture that actually looks good. You wouldn't want to see my earlier textures...

No this is pretty good, i dont think that a mesh could improve this weapon. meshes dont work for phaserbeams.

 

[Majestic]

Qa'Pla fine warrior of the Empire.

Lord Terra has brought glory to the Empire, one of the Empire's key weapon specialists, Lord Terra has given you Captain the singular honour of testing this new weapon in combat. Report to the MSFC Shipyard immediately to have your vessel refitted with this new Ion cannon then head to the Cardassian boarder.

There you are to engage any Cardassian junk-pile they call a warship in combat using the Ion Cannon. Your mission will be recorded and transmitted to the High Council and the Chancellor himself. Your success will bring honour to Lord Terra, you, your house and the Empire. Your failure, will dishonour us all.

Don't fail. Victory to the Empire and Qa'Pla.

 

[Terra_Inc]

Qa'Pla fine warrior of the Empire.

Lord Terra has brought glory to the Empire, one of the Empire's key weapon specialists, Lord Terra has given you Captain the singular honour of testing this new weapon in combat. Report to the MSFC Shipyard immediately to have your vessel refitted with this new Ion cannon then head to the Cardassian boarder.

There you are to engage any Cardassian junk-pile they call a warship in combat using the Ion Cannon. Your mission will be recorded and transmitted to the High Council and the Chancellor himself. Your success will bring honour to Lord Terra, you, your house and the Empire. Your failure, will dishonour us all.

Don't fail. Victory to the Empire and Qa'Pla.

Thank you for your kind words, Lord Majestic. I am sure the Warriors of the Empire will bring honour to us all. The Chancellor himself once said that "war is much more fun when you're winning". I hope the new weapon will prove that the Empire can defeat every threat our time has to offer.
In the meantime, my work is not done yet. The recent breakthroughs in weapon technology have opened many paths that must be explored. We may soon develop new technologies for the Warriors to employ in battle. The overhaul of the Empire's forces has just begun. As the saying goes: yay chavlu' 'e' bajnISlu'.

 

[thunderfoot]

Oh Boy! Just D/L'd this! Can't wait to try it out! May just pull an all nighter to do so! Thanks, Terra! Dude, you rrock!

 

[Terra_Inc]

I've been playing around with my balancing concept for a month now. I think it's quite okay as it is. I'm still working on the Klingon fleet, some ships just don't want to fit into the concept.
Anyways, I've been thinking about making a new generic Klingon pulse. Originally I wanted to use Rake's textures but some of them are not what I had in mind. So I gimped one. At the moment I'm not sure if I should use it, maybe it turned out a bit more fiery than I wanted... but I'm still working on the details so I can still change stuff.

Here's what I have now:

Spoiler: My new kpulse

What do you people think?

 

[thunderfoot]

Izzat based on your Cardie pulse? I like it. Rake's textures are nice, but I too felt the need for something a little more thlInGan. So I went back and reset all the Klingon pulse weapons to use the sprite which Starfox gave me for the TOS Adversary mod. Looking forward to this one though. You've turned into quite the weapons master, my friend.

 

[Terra_Inc]

Izzat based on your Cardie pulse? I like it. Rake's textures are nice, but I too felt the need for something a little more thlInGan. So I went back and reset all the Klingon pulse weapons to use the sprite which Starfox gave me for the TOS Adversary mod. Looking forward to this one though. You've turned into quite the weapons master, my friend.

Thanks for the nice words, TF. You're right, I wanted it to look a bit like the cardie's pulse weapon. It's not exactly based on it, but it tries to keep true to the style. I mean, both of them are disruptors. They are SUPPOSED to be similar. However, if you compare the two sprites, you'll see that the cardassian version is more red and white, while the klingon version looks more yellowish and warmer. It does also steal a bit from my Ion Cannon (who knows, maybe the Klinks charge their Disruptors with ions?)...

 

[Starfox1701]

I like the shape but I think it need to be greened up a bit. Klingons use different Emmision substrate then cardasians. In this case a different gas. This leads the photon emmisions from the bolts having a substantaly different wavlength.

 

[thunderfoot]

Watching you post about rebuilding your custom install has gotten me to thinking the same way. I've added things willy nilly without any real sense of purpose or underlying concepts. So, I've decided to follow your lead. All of your weapons will definitely be included in this one. Should be fun to rebuild one from Stock.

 

[Jetfreak]

I agree with fox, I always thought that Klingon ordance had a distinct green hue.

Still doesn't detract from the quality though.Could be some sort of long range "sniping" beam or something.

 

[Terra_Inc]

I like the shape but I think it need to be greened up a bit. Klingons use different Emmision substrate then cardasians. In this case a different gas. This leads the photon emmisions from the bolts having a substantaly different wavlength.

I agree with fox, I always thought that Klingon ordance had a distinct green hue.

Still doesn't detract from the quality though.Could be some sort of long range "sniping" beam or something.

Yeah, the Klingons do have green weapons in most of the TV shows. I really thought about doing a green one. But green is the Romulan trademark, so I decided to make it red. I sacrificed canon for playability. I think that's okay.

Fox, that weapon tech stuff sounds really interesting. Could you tell me more about that?

Watching you post about rebuilding your custom install has gotten me to thinking the same way. I've added things willy nilly without any real sense of purpose or underlying concepts. So, I've decided to follow your lead. All of your weapons will definitely be included in this one. Should be fun to rebuild one from Stock.

Good luck with your project then, TF. Rebuilding your install can be a lot of fun. If you like, I'll drop you a beta copy of my reworked toolbox, it helps me a lot with scaling and adjusting stuff.