Custom modded graphics in MP skirmish games?

[the_iron_duke]

Currently, user-made graphics can only be used in user-made scenarios. Will they ever be allowed to be used in multiplayer skirmish battles?

While core game files should obviously be sacrosanct for multiplayer games, I can't see any reason why things like unit textures should not be allowed to be modded. Since local files are used, it would not affect how the opposing player sees or experiences the game in any way.

Fantastic as they are, I consider the base game's unit graphics to be only 99% complete. For one,there is a lack of unique graphics for MF vs LF archers and Indian Forest Tribesmen. Also, the Indians have a special theming thing going on, with different colours for different sides (and which I like since Indians vs Indians is my favourite "civil war" type game, and probably the only one I actually specifically set up). However, this colour theming is muddled as the elephants use both colours on each side.

Also, the textures for terrain. The game uses identical graphics for some differing terrains, like deep streams. I think these should also be able to be modded by the player.

[pipfromslitherine]

Global mods will allow something like this. We are working on more ways to allow players to customise the look of the game, without breaking MP etc.

Cheers

Pip

[Patrick Ward]

Currently, user-made graphics can only be used in user-made scenarios. Will they ever be allowed to be used in multiplayer skirmish battles?

While core game files should obviously be sacrosanct for multiplayer games, I can't see any reason why things like unit textures should not be allowed to be modded. Since local files are used, it would not affect how the opposing player sees or experiences the game in any way.

Fantastic as they are, I consider the base game's unit graphics to be only 99% complete. For one,there is a lack of unique graphics for MF vs LF archers and Indian Forest Tribesmen. Also, the Indians have a special theming thing going on, with different colours for different sides (and which I like since Indians vs Indians is my favourite "civil war" type game, and probably the only one I actually specifically set up). However, this colour theming is muddled as the elephants use both colours on each side.

Also, the textures for terrain. The game uses identical graphics for some differing terrains, like deep streams. I think these should also be able to be modded by the player.

99% complete! I can assure you the actual number of unique unit textures is now way over 800 and add to that the equivalent number of Normal, specular and gloss maps and thats quite a lot. More than 60% above and beyond the original brief. 99%! Man. I've never been so insulted!

The Indian 'theming' is a left over from an earlier look at highly colouring each side of a civil war. While I really like them they look too sci-fi and are really quite bad as historical representations and should be changed. As for the elephants .. yes thats my mistake .. if you really hate it swap the textures around from folders texture1 and texture3. They've just been put into the wrong place. Don't know if they'll make it to the next update but they're now fixed. Thanks for the heads up. It almost negates the previous insult.

As for deep streams . . tbh I was not even aware they were a thing until after release. As it is, at this late stage it would require a lot of changes to scripts, random map generators, artwork in three different location styles (likely a change to the other rivers and streams to accomodate a 3rd version), premade scenarios etc. and then months of testing so I can't see it ever being high on the list for the first DLC
Thats really not ideal and is something we should of caught early on but right now there's much bigger fish to fry.

And as for the rest .. well if you're on the beta you'll know.

[the_iron_duke]

I'll consider the unit graphics to be in a state of completeness when each unit has its own unique graphic.

Considering there are currently already many dozens or hundreds of models, and only two units that share graphics with others, this does not seem like an unreachable aim, especially since all that is needed is some unit texture modification, rather than the creation of news 3D models.

Regarding the Indian army, the "pink" side Cavalry also have white-fringed dhotis, while the "green" army has green-fringed dhotis, so if the theming of the rest of the army is to be followed, they should have pink fringes. You mention that the Indian army "should be changed", though, so I don't know if you have alternative plans for them.

In the mean time I would still like to see a new texture for Indian Forest Tribesmen, though. I gave them brown dhotis, used a different colour for the bow case and scabbard, and gave them plain bows, rather than the coloured ones of the MF archers. I was thinking of giving them plain undecorated bow cases, and, to fit with the army theming, the coloured tinges of their dhotis might be better restored to pink/green rather than brown. I've attached the skins I made (as PNGs as DDS not allowed), which you are welcome to use all or part of if you decide to complete the Indian army yourself.

It's a shame about the streams and I hope this can be addressed in the future.

[jomni]

The realease notes for latest patch states there’s new Forest tribesmen texture.

[the_iron_duke]

The realease notes for latest patch states there’s new Forest tribesmen texture.

Oh, that's good to hear.

[Patrick Ward]

As I said, the Indians are an anomaly left over from a previous, more distinct factional system, that doesnt follow many of the conventions set down later. While they should change, they likely won't because they're kind of unique, I like them and, more importantly, because its not on the huge to-do list. So the new Tribesmen are as unconventional and as colourful as the rest of the Indians - more so since they cost nearly double that of regular archers.

I'll consider the unit graphics to be in a state of completeness when each unit has its own unique graphic.

You know how to make yourself popular!

[the_iron_duke]

You know how to make yourself popular!

My desire for creative projects to achieve perfection overrides such sensibilities. Like I said, I think the graphics are fantastic, but I won't consider them to be at a technical state of completeness until the LF Indian Forest Tribesmen/MF Indian Archers and the LF Archers/MF Massed Archers are not sharing identical graphics.

[Patrick Ward]

You know how to make yourself popular!

My desire for creative projects to achieve perfection overrides such sensibilities. Like I said, I think the graphics are fantastic, but I won't consider them to be at a technical state of completeness until the LF Indian Forest Tribesmen/MF Indian Archers and the LF Archers/MF Massed Archers are not sharing identical graphics.

That was all done a while back. It just takes a long time to filter through testing and then updates. Perfection can't be rushed.

[the_iron_duke]

I've updated my game and seen that there are new Indian Forest Tribesmen unit textures for both Indian armies. So well done for getting them done - they are right bobby dazzlers! Here they are in all their glory:

[jomni]

Gotta love the blue-skinned "Shiva" body paint.