25 replies to this topic

[Radspakr Wolfbane]

In the Community Project Topic I raised an idea of a TC Mod called Mechs vs Aliens.
It was rejected because of the workload,but I'm never one to let a good idea to die.
So I'm making it it will be a side project I'll work on when I'm not working on the other mods I'm making/helping with.

I'm going to keep this low key just showing work when it comes up.

So far I have set up the basic coding,Buildings,units etc for both factions as well as some basic concepts.
The lists have been updated since the Community Project thread.

Contributions will be readily accepted because a TC mod is a big project even part time so any help is welcome.
I'll try and get an update up sometime soon.

I'll likely be doing the needed animations some modelling Texture work and of course coding.
I'll probably get DIGI to contribute some stuff as well.

Now here is the post from the Community Project thread.

MVA
Mechs Vs Aliens.

It is exactly as it sounds it's Mechs vs Aliens.

Here's the story I'm working with -
QUOTE
In the year 2220 the Human Race technology has increased with Hover Technology finally becoming mass produced for Military purposes.
For the last 50 years Mechs have been the mainstay of Military forces with multiple variation being developed.
The world continued to War as it has for thousands of years.
In the year 2210 Alien life made contact with Earth,they at first were peaceful.
In 2216 they suddenly declared war on all of Earth.
For the last 4 years a ceaseless war has been waging leaving a lot of Earth desolate and inhospitable.
The Aliens have pushed the Human Race to the very limit of their defences so all the countries of the world ceased their wars in favour of defended against the greater threat.


This is a rough story and needs some polishing.

In my idea there are 2 Factions: Earth Alliance (Mechs) and the Synosis (Aliens).
They are very different factions gameplay wise.
The Earth Alliance use Mechs (Mechwarrior style Mechs) and Tanks and the usual stuff you expect.
The Synosis use powerful units that are more suited to melee (they will be a little Zerg-like).

The Mechs will have simple designs the Aliens design will be a bit more complex.

This idea is for BFME 2 allowing the use of the Build Anywhere system(though one faction may use plots).

I came up with this idea because I have been in a Mech Mood lately and I want to blast some aliens smile.gif
So if you guys lie this idea post,if not and you have a better idea I'd love to hear it.

I have edited the first post to add some more information.

Attached are the updated unit list for both factions.
This are still WIP lists.

 Mechs.txt   1.8KB   45 downloads

 aliens.txt   2.12KB   57 downloads


I am looking for a writer to help out with setting up the story.
I'll be developing the story with the writer to develop it further.
I may also introduce some short stories that will go along with mod.
Creating a "mythology" for the project.

Edited by Radspakr, 12 April 2009 - 02:56 PM.

[Radspakr Wolfbane]

A little extra info on some of the units.

The Z334-B series is also called Dash because of it's speed it is armed with 2x Dual Laser Guns mounted on it's sides.
It is a very simple design and very lightweight.

The G997 is known as the Gorilla.
It is Medium size Mech with Twin Gatling Guns and Twin Missile Pods.
Called the Gorilla because of it's long "arms" the Gorilla is used to bombard the enemy.

The 9920 G aka the Biggun is essentially walking Gun.
The Mech has the single high powered Long Range Cannon as well as dual Machine Guns.
When the Big gun is armed the Mech can not move or fire it's other weapon.

M558 - Bombardier is armed with Dual Missile Pods and a basic Laser Gun.
It can be upgraded with extra Missile Pods doubling it's fire power.

I have plans for other Mechs as well.

There will be weapon upgrades like more powerful Lasers different types of missiles armour piercing bullets.

I am looking for mappers for this project as well.
These maps will be very different from your usual BFME mapping affair and will involve building City maps,map of industrial wastelands,ruined cities and Alien planets.
So if you're up for a challenge and want to do something different let me know.

MVA needs some sort of Iconic hero like what Master chief is for Halo.
So if anyone has some ideas be sure to post them up.
The best will be used as the Mech Faction's main hero.

[Mathijs]

You've gotta be kidding me.

[Kwen]

A "side" project? A mod of this sort is much more then something that's in the back of the mind. A project like this will require new models, skins, animations, and coding for ever single unit and building going into it. Bfme is a fantasy medieval style game, and your talking about transforming it into a future-war game. there's no structure in bfme (savor turret logic) that supports a transformation like this. working with CnC would be easier imo.

There's only one full set of animation that works with guns. And its certainly not very human-like. Very bulky and un-coordinated. I think this is far more then a "side" project.

Don't get me wrong. It can be done. But take into consideration all the Star Wars mods that have been started and stopped. There's so much work going into a transformation like this. It would require an extremely devoted team with much skill.

[Radspakr Wolfbane]

I have no time constraints on this project so I can take as long as I want.
It isn't that big a workload really not compared to say a Star Wars mod.

Mechs will be easy to animate (easier then humans at least),there are some anim sets that will work for some of the Aliens.

I have worked out that with the exception of Building anims I need 8 animation sets.
1 for each of the main unit types ie 1 for Rexelor units,1 for Synos etc.

I decided on BFME2 because I'm not a fan of CnC,Generals doesn't have a lot of what I want.
CnC3 is more difficult to work with,and finally I want to see if it's possible.

Work on Lone Wolf is mostly small things,AON is progressing ok and there's not much I can do until my team get back to work.

As for the Star Wars mods that have failed,how many were actually started by an experienced modder with the time to actually make them.

As I said above I have already laid down the base work in coding (which will be challenging,but doable).
Doubtless DIGI will be helping me out with somethings like the Mech's models (scifi is more his area).

And lastly I'm not asking for Hosting (at least not yet) and i'm not asking for permission if this mod fails it fails but i'm going to try.

I'm a bit tired of the same mods being made everytime adding the same units/heroes with the same names,using the same ideas.
The community in general needs something different to invigorate the scene.
Which is the reason I started the community project.

There's a reason we got nowhere in the MOTYs it's because we haven't done anything drastic,exciting or major to the game.

Edited by Radspakr, 13 April 2009 - 02:52 AM.

[Florisz]

You've gotta be kidding me.

[Neutron4ever]

I'm all for this thing
The more mods the better

[Radspakr Wolfbane]

I have been working on MVA coding and planning tonight and have gotten a fair amount done.

I have got some information on stuff like Command Points resources etc,straight from my list.

-------------------------------------------

Command Points

Mechs gain CPs by building Barracks.
Aliens gain CP by building Dorinys and a larger gain when they build the Mothership

----------------------------------------

Resources

Mechs gain resources from the Reactor and Supply Base
Aliens gain resources from killing and the Cage.Dorinys give a pillage bonus.

--------------------------------
Balance lists

Arascor=Marines (Marines will win at range,but Arascor at close range)
Scyryth>Marines
Arasys>Spec Ops,Marines
Arasys>Rocket Launcher (at range)
Bazooka>Structures
Salax>Troop Carrier,Lynx
Rhino Tank>Salax
Dash>infantry
Gorilla>Pscyros
Pscyros>Infantry
Synos Ryxx>Infantry
Psyos>Vehicles,Mechs
Psyconisys>Infantry,Vehicles
Biggun>Everything (It's a big gun not much can survive it's blast )
MVA Buildings

When Built Mech buildings rise from their foundation.
The base consists of a Base,4 building foundation,6 turret foundation
the base can be upgraded to support 6 building foundations.

Aliens buildings will be "dropped" on to their plot.
Their base will have will have, 4 buildings,a base.
Aliens will be able to build Hovels anywhere using one of their ships (not sure which one yet).

All Faction buildings will fit on their Plot.
-----------------------------------------------------

Hopefully I can balance these 2 very distinctive factions.

I'll also be making a new look UI.
If I can I'll have a custom soundtrack.
As well as a campaign.

The Campaign will revolve around Characters that hopefully be introduced by the Writers.

On that topic I should say that I have not made any Heroes as yet (except Synosis Khor) because I have left them open for the writers to create.
So if you want to try your hand at writing short stories,creating a hero and conceiving a kick ass campaign be sure to post below.
The full stories aren't needed right away.

[Florisz]

You've gotta be kidding me.

Yes again...

[The 10th Rider]

You've gotta be kidding me.

Yes again...

A "Side Project"?!?!

[Námo]

You've gotta be kidding me.

... agree ...

[Florisz]

The Lone Wolf, Age of Numenor, Comunity Project, TEA...

Removed Echoes

Edited by Florisz, 13 April 2009 - 06:33 PM.

[Mathijs]

Not Echoes.

[Lauri]

So I'm making it it will be a side project I'll work on when I'm not working on the other mods I'm making/helping with.

When your not working on one of your mods, you should do something for another mod you're already on
'else those mods will take longer time, in favor for a mod that's never going to get completed... Sorry Rad, but this just needs a hell of alot more work than a side project would have

[Florisz]

Exciting.

[Námo]

...
In the Community Project Topic I raised an idea of a TC Mod called Mechs vs Aliens.
It was rejected because of the workload, but I'm never one to let a good idea to die.
...

To me it looks like you did just that, let a good idea die (the community project), because what you wanted was to make the MVA mod.

Maybe I'm evaluating the situation like the devil reads the bible, but how can you say, that the idea of MVA was rejected? You never made a poll, it looks like you just abandoned the community project, and didn't even care to announce that in the topic! I don't dig that.

Was the idea of the community project just to get some people working on that TC mod? Sorry, I'm just asking a plain question, because the community project looks like deceased now!

If there are some truth in the above, then just a little quote from the rules/guidelines for decent behavior:

...
- Make your mod yourself, don't ask others to do it for you. We generally don't do requests.
...

... and btw, good luck with your mod(s)!

EDIT: don't misread this Rad, sometimes straight talk are better than concealed critique, and a little creative conflict is not bad!

Edited by Námo, 13 April 2009 - 08:56 PM.

[Radspakr Wolfbane]

I haven't cancelled the Community Project it was just that the idea of a TC Mod wasn't suitable for the project (I do agree on that).
The Community Project is my idea but not my mod.
Which is the point of it I will help run it but I won't be doing all the work.
I didn't start the community project so I can create this mod,this idea came after and I needed to put something up to provoke discussion so that the Community Project wasn't forgotten before anything was done.

MVA is a challenge I think I need something to stretch the game a bit.
I was starting to lose the will to mod again then I started working on this project and it is exciting turning the game on it's head.

[Námo]

... I needed to put something up to provoke discussion so that the Community Project wasn't forgotten before anything was done.

... exactly my reason for posting above - to provoke some (re)action from you! Well, I got it, so for my part, the case is closed.

I was starting to lose the will to mod ...

If modmania is running too wild, I guess you will always get that feeling. One cure is taking a short break from modding games, and do some modding of life! Real life is beautiful, really!

with the best wishes for your modding, and your life ...

[Radspakr Wolfbane]

Modding life is hard have you ever tried to reskin a friend?,they don't like it .

[Námo]

Good point, Rad! I would not do so to my friends, either ... not even to my enemies.

... as for myself, I've been a skinchanger most of my life (I also did mod things like behavior and special abilities, I did mod structures a lot, and I even changed faction a few times! (political, that is))

back on topic:
... good luck!

Edited by Námo, 15 April 2009 - 11:20 AM.