Mod Updates

[EAS_Intrepid]

Hi there!
B5:Age Of Expansion might be renamed to the simple title "Babylon 5: The Dilgar War", as I finally decided to focus on this war. There haven't been many updates on it in the last few weeks, that may change, as I will now work on several Drazi designs (take also a look at the Images And Artwork Section).

Currently I have three playable sides: The Dilgar Empire, the Drazi Freehold as well as Earthforce. Additional one might encounter the Centauri Republic (with a maximum of four ship designs) and the Narn Regime (with about six designs). I am not yet sure if I will include the Minbari (even if, then only as a Multi-player race)

The Dilgar Empire:
Currently I have the Meshakur class battleship (design as in the I&A thread), the Dilgar Operations Base and a fields shipyard. I assemble some B5Wars design and mix them with the designs of the canceled Into The Fire game.
The Dilgar will have a quite normal fleet structure, with all the non-combat and combat ships. How many combat units the Dilgar have will depend on the number of designs found.

The Drazi Freehold:
As said before, I have some Drazi designs, that I made some time ago (I think I posted them over at A... another forum). There is a Drazi base, there that I will refit to a mining station. As for Drazi ships I will see what I can kitbash there or what Atlantis comes up with.
Drazi will also have a normal fleet structure.

Earthforce:
The Earth Alliance itself will be present, but divided into civillians and Earthforce. In the campaign I think you will have some base-building, but mainly fleet tactics (if I do it right). So Earthforce will be the fraction that the player controls in the campaign.
The Earth Alliance's Armed Forces will have a different fleet structure, more orientated on what we saw in Babylon 5 and what the United States Navy is like today (as JMS said: "A future army in battle" - Yeah, I know, Army is another branch, you know what I mean).
If there is base-building, you will be in control of a civillian ship or a pioneer unit.

The Campaign
No, this is not another fraction. :lol:
Federation campaign will be replaced by the Dilgar Empire, the Klingon one by the Drazi and last but never least the Borg missions by Earthforce.
The EA campaign is already quite clear, major battles around League worlds and pre-emptive strikes as well as a very clear frontline and many vessels. I try to make the EA campaign something very special, as I also try to depict a little how this "future army" is to be managed etc. Yes, a little of MSC is in this, too.
For the Dilgar the player can come into the concept in the first two or three missions (that will be of expeditionary and/or reserve nature), but then the player will find itself in the massive Dilgar war machine rolling over the League.
As for the Drazi, we have the hard struggle against the Dilgar menace... further info may follow.

At last I'd like to remark, that this mod is not about the amount of ship classes. I want to have a realistic B5 mod that is fun to play. But I think with the ship classes I have for Earthforce right now I can do some nice firework already.


Intrepid

P.S.: Please feel free to make any suggestions in the General Chat thread. I am happy to answer and see what we can do!

[EAS_Intrepid]

I am getting the Earth Alliance working now. Besides the stations and weapon odfs, Earthforce is combat ready. Some alterations to the physic files here and there. Next one up will be the Dilgar, where I am now right into developing some new designs for ships and stations as well as building ships from the B5Wars board games.

[EAS_Intrepid]

Time for a little update.

I have some Dilgar designs from AoG together (not yet as model, but as three-side-views). I am currently figurung out how the most Dilgar stations should look like.
The Drazi are currently a secondary of the secondary issues of this mod, as they have fairly simple design basics.

For the Earth Alliance is there a new Nova DN model and I am thinking about doing a new Hyperion model. Also the models of the Nova, Tiger and early Aurora Starfuries should be due soon, as I, without revealing too much, will do some of the for Parallels, too (in the near, near future).

I decided to put the weapons of the different ships into classifications:
Class 1: Fighter based weaponry (eg. Starfury pulse guns)
Class 2: Anti-fighter based weaponry (eg. AA railgun turrets, Interceptors)
Class 3: Light anti-ship weapons (also anti-CapShip-weapons mounted on fighters, eg. Railguns)
Class 4: Medium anti-ship weapons (eg. Hyperion main guns)
Class 5: Heavy anti-ship weapons (eg. Nova pulse guns)
Class 6: Super-Heavy anti-ship weapons (eg. Dilgar Meshakur main laser, Minbari Sharlin main laser as well as nuclear weapons)

The equipment of most ships of the Earth Alliance will consist of two main parts:
defensive (E-Web, Interceptor Grid, Hull Armor, AA guns) and offensive (Class 4 to Class 5 weapons) equipment.

The Hyperion might do less damage to a target, but is faster than a Nova. Here I think I can implement the different uses for the ship classes.

I am not yet totally sure about the hyperspace jump engines. Shall I do ones like those in the B5A2 mod? Or shall I just place a few jumpgates at tactical positions (or at positions that get you in trouble :p ) or even do hyperspace as map object?

[Majestic]

For the Earth Alliance is there a new Nova DN model and I am thinking about doing a new Hyperion model.

I am not yet totally sure about the hyperspace jump engines. Shall I do ones like those in the B5A2 mod? Or shall I just place a few jumpgates at tactical positions (or at positions that get you in trouble :p ) or even do hyperspace as map object?

Are you also thinking of a new Midwinter (Hyperion subtype/refit) model?

Hyperspace, yes that is something I myself am not too sure of in Parallels. I was just thinking of doing it like B5A2, but your idea of jumpgates in certain areas sounds like a good idea for this mod, as its purely a Babylon 5 mod.

[EAS_Intrepid]

Are you also thinking of a new Midwinter (Hyperion subtype/refit) model?

If I do that it would be highly possible. But I have to see how it turns out. I started already, though I might restart again.


Hyperspace, yes that is something I myself am not too sure of in Parallels. I was just thinking of doing it like B5A2, but your idea of jumpgates in certain areas sounds like a good idea for this mod, as its purely a Babylon 5 mod.

Wormholes will be replaced by Jumpgates anyway. And there we have different types: The Standard Four Pylon EA Gate, the 3 Pylon Narn Gate (that I will use for non-frequented jump areas in Leauge space) and the Dilgar Gate I developed. I think I will also do a Centauri one, as they are jump capable for quite some time.

[EAS_Intrepid]

September 15, 2006

Currently it looks like AoE is more advanced than MSC!
When Parallels is finished we start the major work.
Again: Topic is the Dilgar War in all it's battles and fights.

1. Dilgar: Invade the League and gt used to the mod
2. Drazi/Leaguen support: Defend yourself and keep the Dilgar at bay at the best you can
3. Earthforce: Show who's the boss on the block!

[EAS_Intrepid]

October 10, 2006


Babylon 5 Age of Expansion will be in the upcoiming new A2Files mod center. :)

I introduced some new things to my current EA warships:
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/8374/novaglowec7.th.jpg (http://img220.imageshack.us/my.php?image=novaglowec7.jpg)

Engine glows, so that it looks like plasma is exhausted.
Refit of all recen Ea shiops will take some time. Noe that full production of the mod will be up and running as soon as Parallels is finished.

[TM150]

They are rocking good work, how avanced the mod is? In porcent.

[EAS_Intrepid]

They are rocking good work, how avanced the mod is? In porcent.

Thanks.

5% overall

Dilgar 1%
Drazi 0.5%
Earth Alliance 50% (ships 75%)

Game Environment 10%
Campaign script (the storyline) 50% read the Dilgar Wr chapter of efni.org for some Dilgar War impressions.

Campign itself: Not yet started

[TM150]

quite low... anyway do you think I cna be useful on anything? PM me rememerb i don't have any Modelling skills but there must be a lot of things more to work.

[EAS_Intrepid]

quite low... anyway do you think I cna be useful on anything? PM me rememerb i don't have any Modelling skills but there must be a lot of things more to work.

Currently I am trying to get some basic models together, so that we have a solid basis of models when fully starting (I say again: Full start of he mod is when Parallels is finished)

until then there is no much to do

[TM150]

So ATM nothing?.. Right

[EAS_Intrepid]

right

Shiplist
EA Nova Dreadnought - done
EA Hyperion Cruiser - done
EA Tillman heavy battleship - nearly done, Dilgar War refit still to be made
EA Endurance-Hyperion gunship - Hyperion conversion to be made
EA Sagitarrius - done
EA Oracle - to be made
EA Artemis - done
EA Avenger - done, minor tweaks to be made


Dilgar Meshakur advanced battleship - done
Dilgar Jumpgate - done
Dilgar Starbase - done
the rest: still to be designed

Drazi SkySerpent - in preparation
Drazi Sunhawk - in preparation

NPC:
Centauri Primus warship - done
Centauri Vorchan attack frigate - done

Narn Th'Nor Heavy cruiser - done
Narn T'Loth Cruiser - done
early Narn G'Quan battleship - done

[Lord_Trekie]

This looks pretty good Intrepid. I was never a fan of B5 and I played the last B5 mod that came out but thought it was pretty poorly done... This on the other hand looks great.

[Majestic]

This is one of a handful of mods I am looking forward too. Looking forward to seeing more from this when the time arrives.

Excellent job Intrepid. :wink:

[EAS_Intrepid]

Thank you all :ty:

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3840/oracle1os4.th.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/my.php?image=oracle1os4.jpg)
Oracle class ECM scout

I finished texturing the Oracle class ECM scout:
http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/9733/oracle2ax1.th.jpg (http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=oracle2ax1.jpg)http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/5233/oracle3vm2.th.jpg (http://img159.imageshack.us/my.php?image=oracle3vm2.jpg)

The bow needs still some work, though.

[Majestic]

Some really great textures on her. :)

[Syf]

Any updates about your mod?

[EAS_Intrepid]

Yep, working on some special EA warships and also a Dilgar Design!!

No images as of now.

[Syf]

I'm glad to hear that your making progress. Keep up the good work and keep us updated.:thumbsup:

[EAS_Intrepid]

Dilgar Construction ship WIP:
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3736/dilgarconstrion1ri9.th.jpg (http://img261.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dilgarconstrion1ri9.jpg)
http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/3934/dilgarconstrion2iu3.th.jpg (http://img360.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dilgarconstrion2iu3.jpg)


I just thought I post something again...

Upcoming: Earthforce Tillman class warship

[Lord_Trekie]

Very nice model Intrepid, I look forward to seeing AoE completed :D

[Majestic]

I really nice solid design you have there mate. :thumbsup:

[EAS_Intrepid]

Thank you, people.

Textured version:
http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/8844/dilgarconst1xl6.th.jpg (http://img442.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dilgarconst1xl6.jpg)http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/2590/dilgarconst2wl7.th.jpg (http://img253.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dilgarconst2wl7.jpg)

As with all Dilgar ships, it will have full glow of the engine components (the Dilgar use, similar to the Minbari and Centauri, gravitation drives).

EDIT:
A first glance on the Tillman battleship, Dilgar War refit:
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/3514/tillmand1pl7.th.jpg (http://img74.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tillmand1pl7.jpg)http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/8741/tillmand2xs6.th.jpg (http://img506.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tillmand2xs6.jpg)

[EAS_Intrepid]

Aside polycount reducing and applying Syf's engine textures, the Tillman is ready:
http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/8287/tillmand4yu3.th.jpg (http://img373.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tillmand4yu3.jpg)
http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/6227/tillmand3sn4.th.jpg (http://img144.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tillmand3sn4.jpg)

[Majestic]

Looks great Intrepid. :thumbsup:

[Lord_Trekie]

Beautiful ship Intrepid. I almost, almost want to watch B5...

[EAS_Intrepid]

Thanks to both of you!

You really should, Trekie :wink:
It was the first TV show to use CGIs on a larger scale nad it has no copy-paste story like in Star Trek :lol:
No offense to the Trek fans.

[Lord_Trekie]

lol, I shall have to get cracking then :D And I have heard the stories in B5 are quite good ;)

[Majestic]

Thanks to both of you!

You really should, Trekie :wink:
It was the first TV show to use CGIs on a larger scale nad it has no copy-paste story like in Star Trek :lol:
No offense to the Trek fans.

You will find most members here are fans of both. :wink:


lol, I shall have to get cracking then :D And I have heard the stories in B5 are quite good ;)

Indeed they are, very well done. :)

[Max_Max]

hi can we please have a current update thanks

[Dan1025]

Yeah, it would be nice to know how the mod is progressing

[Zpm!]

progress????

[Majestic]

Intrepid has gone quiet again, I haven't seen him in over a month so obviously something in real life is taking up most of his time. Hopefully he will be back soon with updates.

[EAS_Intrepid]

I am working on ODFs, concepts and reexporting ready SODs with new engine glow sprites. It is quite a tedious work and I only progress slowly.


Sorry that I did not post any updates. So much to do, so little time.

[Muad'Dib]

It's good to see you around the boards again Intrepid. Are you still working on a demo or are you saving everything for a full release?

I would love to see any kind of unit list whenever you have the time to post one.

[EAS_Intrepid]

Please read the last news items about that. I am working on a demo of the mod, though I am not too sure if it is really a demo or the mod already... hm....

however, I am still working on it and I take all the time I need... I can only say it will take quite some time.

[Max_Max]

hi i cant wait for this mod im a BIG B5 fan great work any idea on a realease thanks8-)

[Muad'Dib]

I wasn't asking for any kind of timetable Intrepid, I was merely wondering if you were going to do a demo like you said ways back or you had chosen to hold off on the demo and work on a full release.

That and that someday I'd like to see what ships you were planning to add is all.

[EAS_Intrepid]

Okay, I can only repeat myself:

I am working on it. Definately not full time. Modding is not my primary hobby...
I will not answer ANY "when will it be released" questions.
Again: the work on this mod is to a large part the editing and testing of weapons and other odfs. Many of the ships are built already.

What ships are in the mod:
AoE Demo - Progress Thread - Majestic Sci-Fi Central (http://www.majesticscificentral.com/forum/showthread.php?t=972)
last post in the abovementioned thread

[WrathofSpanky]

God I wish somebody would get another good B5 mod out in the community. B5 is my favorite sci-fi. It doesn't get nearly enough attention. I can't figure out how so many people could be crazy about something as dumb as star wars and not even know that there is such a thing as B5. It boggles the mind.