Let Me Talk to You About Homeworld 2

[Amateur]

Some of you may have seen the thread I just made regarding Clone Assault. To summerise, I've cancelled it and moved on. This is what this thread is about.

I intend to make a mod for Homeworld 2. There, I said it. Now this mod is not Star Trek, it's not Star Wars, it's not Babylon 5. In fact, it's no major science fiction genre you can imagine. It's completely original.

Recently, I've taken a liking to the sort of realistic future ships of spinning wheels and what not. This is my starting point. No aliens, but rather human factions fighting amongst each other in space. Sounds good eh?

This project, though, is a community one - at least in part. It works a little something like this:

Amateur's idea -> Community reaction -(good)-> goes in
-(bad)-> goes out

Any input is welcome, even if it just design suggestions. Until then, I welcome your reactions.

 

[Majestic]

I remember back in the early days of Star Wars Empire at War, that EAS_Intrepid created a entirely new universe with just Humans in it. Originally it was for Armada 2, but he then decided SW EAW was a much more suitable platform.

He had various factions, like the European Union, America, the Russians etc.

I do really like this idea and have in the past explored it myself, nothing more than text documents with ideas and histories.

It sure is an interesting concept, I would be happy to through ideas for such things as histories, faction names etc. However I am not a fan of Homeworld, I found it too awkward to play preferring Armada and Empire at War and even Sins of a Solar Empire over it.

 

[Terra_Inc]

Shame with Clone Assault. I do understand it, though. I can't model at all, and my texturing capabilities are restricted to editing (and the occasional weapon texture).

That idea you have sounds great. I'm not familiar with that game though, never heard of it. Is it still available?

 

[Majestic]

Shame with Clone Assault. I do understand it, though. I can't model at all, and my texturing capabilities are restricted to editing (and the occasional weapon texture).

That idea you have sounds great. I'm not familiar with that game though, never heard of it. Is it still available?

You can occasionally find it at some places like EB games or Game for like $10-20AU. It was released in I think 2002, about the same time as A2 but has much better graphics than the stock A2 game that we all play and love.

 

[Amateur]

I remember back in the early days of Star Wars Empire at War, that EAS_Intrepid created a entirely new universe with just Humans in it. Originally it was for Armada 2, but he then decided SW EAW was a much more suitable platform.

He had various factions, like the European Union, America, the Russians etc.

I do really like this idea and have in the past explored it myself, nothing more than text documents with ideas and histories.

I didn't know EAS had done anything like that. I can understand it though - it is certainly an intriguing concept and one that allows almost unlimited creativity what with the ever changing face of politics and whatnot

It sure is an interesting concept, I would be happy to through ideas for such things as histories, faction names etc.

That's exactly what I mean, getting input on all sorts of things. Any assistance is welcome and all comments will be considered

However I am not a fan of Homeworld, I found it too awkward to play preferring Armada and Empire at War and even Sins of a Solar Empire over it.

I can understand the feeling. Empire at War's mix of the grand galaxy map and the battle scene is lovely; Sins of a Solar Empire feels epic and A2 keeps with a tried and trusted formula. At the same time though, the Homeworld engine simulates a dynamic universe with fast moving fighters and graphics that still stand up even now years after it's release. Still, to each their own

Shame with Clone Assault. I do understand it, though. I can't model at all, and my texturing capabilities are restricted to editing (and the occasional weapon texture).

It's more disheartening than anything, to have this grand idea and then see what results from three hours in Photoshop . Still, what I can do I will -and I fully intend to release what I managed to get done.

That idea you have sounds great. I'm not familiar with that game though, never heard of it. Is it still available?

Thanks . As for the game, it's quite old now (2003-2004 was original production I think) but I have seen it on preowned sections in the likes of Game and Gamestation. Failing that, Amazon have them from about £1.70

 

[Majestic]

Well then, lets see.

Ideas for factions, I just made this up as I was writing this post:

Earth Based:

• European Union - Basically what it is today, just gone militarily.
• North Pacific Alliance - Basically nations like America, Canada etc.
• Russian Federation - Russia is back and ready to fight the Red Army is back in full swing.
• Oceanic Coalition - Australia, New Zealand and the sorts have banned together for mutual protection. More a defensive group whom have alliances with several other factions.
• Asia Empire - Japan, China and a few others have joined forces, conquered the Middle East and formed a Empire that rivals their adversaries.

Space Based:

• Martian Colonies - A group whom broke away from Earth and declared their independence. A group that uses mismatched tech and vessels. Some consider them pirates, others see them as heroes and freedom fighters.

Other less solid ideas:

• A space born parasite that is much like a insect or cockroach that attacks everyone and breeds rather than builds. A little like 8472 from Trek. I know not quite human, could always have it that they were a biological weapon created by one of the factions that went haywire and is now a threat to all including their creators.
• A Group of Humans, whom during the early space days of Humanity were displaced to another solar system by a subspace phenomena and have expanded and survived in this system and has returned for blood believing that Earth was behind their exile.
• A sentient AI, I Robot meets Terminator. Was an accident that attacked it's creators but was stopped by a temporary alliance by all factions on Earth. However part of it escaped and left known space but has now returned with alien technology ready to kill it's creators.

I'll leave it at that for now. A lot of these ideas could be developed more quite easily.

 

[Amateur]

I'm planning to flesh out a few ideas today. Trawling through the old history books at the mo' reading up on relations and such like as much as I can to add an extra layer of veracity.

North Pacific Alliance I like the sound of; although I'm unsure whether they'd use that lightyears from Earth. With colonies and what not then 'The Pacific' may sound like a distant memory more than anything.

I like the Terminator type idea though. Methinks a map object will serve it well. Perhaps an advanced ship gone AWOL...

 

[Adm_Z]

Hey, I would play a good HW 2 mod. I haven't found many good ones that are finished, so if you plan to do one, I will definitely download it.

I tried to mod it, but I was a bit to lazy to figure it out(or just spoiled by a2) so more power to ya' man.

 

[Terra_Inc]

North Pacific Alliance I like the sound of; although I'm unsure whether they'd use that lightyears from Earth. With colonies and what not then 'The Pacific' may sound like a distant memory more than anything.

Personally, I love the idea of having something named after something from Old Earth, but people just forgot what it really was. It's just like that today. Ever heard of the Treaty Of Tordesillas? It's the reason why Brazil is the only country in South America where Portuguese is spoken. Named after a town somewhere in Spain. Now 'we' still know that Tordesillas was a town in Spain, but I guess you didn't know it. Right? Most of the people don't know. We preserve our knowledge, but people can forget parts of it. I would find it fantastic if there was something like a "Pacific Alliance" even though the people don't live on Old Earth anymore. It shows you how people will stick to things that Have Always Been, even though they don't understand them anymore.

 

[Amateur]

Personally, I love the idea of having something named after something from Old Earth, but people just forgot what it really was. It's just like that today. Ever heard of the Treaty Of Tordesillas? It's the reason why Brazil is the only country in South America where Portuguese is spoken. Named after a town somewhere in Spain. Now 'we' still know that Tordesillas was a town in Spain, but I guess you didn't know it. Right? Most of the people don't know. We preserve our knowledge, but people can forget parts of it. I would find it fantastic if there was something like a "Pacific Alliance" even though the people don't live on Old Earth anymore. It shows you how culture changes when people live far away from the planet they came from.

...

:Y

...

That has just added a whole new dimension to the idea. Sort of a remnant of Earth that is kept despite most people not knowing or having only sketchy details. I love it!

 

[Atlantis]

I am amazed.

Ever heard of the Treaty Of Tordesillas? It's the reason why Brazil is the only country in South America where Portuguese is spoken. Named after a town somewhere in Spain.

In my whole life, this is the first time I've seen anyone talk, or even KNOW, about that topic. I was beginning to think I'd dreamt about it, that it's not real, or that it was a conspiracy nobody was supposed to know.

 

[Terra_Inc]

I am amazed.

In my whole life, this is the first time I've seen anyone talk, or even KNOW, about that topic. I was beginning to think I'd dreamt about it, that it's not real, or that it was a conspiracy nobody was supposed to know.

No, it's true. The Treaty of Tordesillas was signed in 1494 IIRC, and basically divided the world into Spanish and Portuguese areas. Portugal and Spain were arguing back then because of Columbus' discovery. It was decided that most of America should belong to Spain, while Brazil and Africa were taken by the Portuguese. Of course, that did not include the other major powers of that time. I think you can find maps of the demarcation lines on wikipedia.

It really pays to have History as advanced course in school.

Enough of this OT, let's get back to Amateur's ideas.

 

[Amateur]

Have to say that I never heard of it, but then I did Ancient History so it's a bit too recent for me

Anyway, just thought I'd say that I have decided on the first 'race' that I shall be doing. I won't say anything now, but I'm going to do a pdf type info document and upload it soon.

 

[StarBlade]

In my whole life, this is the first time I've seen anyone talk, or even KNOW, about that topic.

Outside of a university classroom, I could've said the same thing.

(Inside of a university classroom, there are many know-it-alls who love the sounds of their own voices....)

 

[Amateur]

I've attached the overview of the first nation I intend to work on. This thread is where all of the information will go so if you want to know something look here.

If you don't, look here anyway

As I said before anything that anyone wants to say or add I will listen to

 

[Majestic]

Wow, I am really liking what I am reading. I see that the Pacific Alliance and Cho Dynasty (Chinese I assume).

I am excited to read more as you post it. I am really looking forward to this.

 

[Amateur]

Thank you

I was in more of a modelling mood just now, so I meshed out the first ship of the mod. Well, Fighter...

Spoiler: Picture

The one on the left is facing forward

Name: Mig(S)-17
Role: General Purpose Interceptor
Armament: Two anti-fighter autocannons

Feedback welcome, as always. When I get a minute or so I'm going to start doing some info documents for the actual units as well.

 

[Adm_Z]

Dude, thats awesome! Great job!

 

[Majestic]

Indeed some quality stuff.

 

[Starfox1701]

Great model but you might want to change the number as it's already taken

 

[Amateur]

Great model but you might want to change the number as it's already taken

Thank you . I know, that was one of the things I used as a reference. When I typed it out though I put the (s) in the wrong place. It should read MIG-(s)17.

The (s) means spacebound. I may go around and change numbers and whatnot later, but at the moment it's just a simple designation .

Thanks guys, I've got a texture for it - but I won't show anything until it's ingame later

 

[Jetfreak]

Neat design, at least you'll have more freedom with the workload for textures, seeing as there's no specific reference. I'd love seeing this with a Silver color, like the 15's in the Korea.

 

[Dan1025]

Very nice design & modelling work Amateur! I realise we're not talking about A2 here but what's the poly count?

Looking forward to seeing more

 

[Amateur]

Just shy of 1200. Mainly, I used a couple more slices in the cylinder and gave the geospheres another iteration, but other than that I'm still doing the old 'make it look like the thing in the smallest amount of polies possible'

I know I said I'd post pictures, but I'm going to redo the texture, I think. I was aiming for a bare metal look but I ended up with more of a plated metal hull than shiny sleekness.

Oh, alright then - one pic of what it's like at the moment. This is from the Cold Fusion HOD Editor, basically the Homeworld version of the SOD editor Armada 1 had - but this thing has more fuctions than you can shake a stick at.

Spoiler: Picture

As you can see, I ended up dirtying the textures a bit too much and didn't make the spec map properly. On the plus side, it all counts towards texturing experience.

 

[Dan1025]

I think it looks pretty good as is, obviously it's entirely up to you if you want to redo it but you may not need to start from scratch - just remove the panelling effect and some of the dirt and you'd already be a lot closer to the 'bare metal' look you're going for.

Like you say it's good experience either way

 

[Adm_Z]

If I were you, I would do as dan said, and also add a bumpmap'd lighting to it. It makes it(in GIMP at least) look like hammered steal.

Edit:
I"m not very good at explaining it though, so if you want, you could post the texture and I could show you what I mean.

 

[Starfox1701]

You talking about bump maping or embossing?

 

[Adm_Z]

bump mapping. it adds a light source and makes it look metallic. I did it to my last avatar to make it match the metal look.

Edit:
Here is an example. I tried several different ways to make an avatar. The first attached image has the plane in the middle just color matched. The second one has the section bumpmapped. It still didn't turn out the way I wanted, but it does look more metallic.

 

[Amateur]

I know what you mean (I'll be honest, the avatar pics helped )

Problem is, is that Homeworld handles lighting in a dynamic way - ships and such are moving and rotating across the lightsource. Having something built into the texture simulating a reflection is good enough for a static image - but when that starts to move it looks a bit odd. (I tried it in A2 when making a Naboo fighter. It looked weird then and that's without the conflicting lightsource that Homeworld would provide)

However, I may be able to duplicate the effect by embossing the spec map area. Then, only when the light hits at the right angle will the spec map react. I'll have a look when I have another go at the texture

Thanks for the suggestion, though

 

[Starfox1701]

In my experiance bump maping alone will not make something look metalic. What it does is tell the render engine that that the flat textured surface is supose to apear 3d. The engine reads the bump map and then makes minute adjustments to the highlights, shading, and the way light moves across the suface to help give that look from beyond a certain distance.