More Detailed Models?

[junk2drive]

BA has a 3D poly limit and a suggested size. All the provided units are very low poly. This is to keep the game requirements low and help the game run smoothly. I assume that Lordz tried higher poly units and made their choices.

Looking at Panzer Corps and how they take a nice 3D model and make the 2D sprite for that game, got me thinking about the inventory of nice 3D models they must have. It sure would be nice to see BA with more realistic graphics.

Back in 2000 (remember Y2K?) Combat Mission had better 3D, low res bmp skins, and min reqs of 500mhz cpu with around a 64mb gpu. And you could have a battalion plus on each side with maps a lot larger than ours. Plus it ran in real time during the wego phase.

I would like to see BA have a higher level version or mod. Anyone else?

[Merr]

Could start with "normals" to give it the 3D look.

Frankly, I don't zoom in enough to need higher poly's. Even PC uses LOD's when zoomed out at almost the same zoom level as BA.

When the need comes to where I have to get down and dirty next to a unit then yeah, high poly, high res.

[adherbal]

Surely if you increased the detail of units, you would also had to do that for other objects. Especially trees and buildings which are higher and thus closer to the camera. Not to mention redoing all tile textures to match the more realistic style of the units.

All in all not something I would be doing as a "free mod" More like a BBC BA 2. But BA is hardly about the graphics, so unless there are substantional gameplay changes/additions/improvements doing a sequel seems a bit pointless.

Obviously I'm just speaking for myself/the Lordz, not Slitherine. Or any modder out there

[junk2drive]

Don't get me wrong, I like the game and am enthusiastic about the design and presentation. Especially if it appeals to a young audience to introduce them to WWII wargaming.

I do also enjoy more detailed graphics in other games. I do not go out and buy the latest hardware to run the latest graphic intense game.

I agree that good graphics does not make a good game.

I have seen people post elsewhere that they won't buy/play the game because of the graphics.

I did see the nice inventory of models already done for PC.

A sequel to BBC BA would probably be the best way for all concerned. I will look forward to it.

[tim1966]

I was thinking that someone may make a higher poly or particularly higher res/more realistic skins mod - lots of skins were made for Combat Mission. I know the game is made to run on any spec rig and thats a good thing but it would be nice to have higher res options perhaps. Although as adherbal says that would be a big job.

The few models I've made are higher poly. Perhaps one day we could do a 'realistic' graphic mod. I actually really like the design now and seeing the level of polys they have worked with its an amazing job.

Re normals - these aren't always the magic answer they seem - if you have a very low poly model the silhouette is important and using normals can look very odd and ugly. Best to use textures in that case to get a good detailed look.

[IainMcNeil]

The Lordz didn't build the models for BA, they are all by Richard so its a completely different art team to Panzer Corps. The Lordz helped with scenario design. BA has a very specific style which is by design. We didn't want very detail units but the engine can support and level of detail. High detail models will slow things down but within reason you can do what you like.