Lord Adherbal
09-25-2005, 11:21
This mod was announced as being primarily a multiplayer oriented mod (and it still is) but this preview should take away any doubt that this mod's singleplayer experience will be any less fun then any SP oriented mod. On contrary...
THE CAMPAIGNMAP
https://img243.imageshack.us/img243/4498/mapfe6tk.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
THE MAP
Let's start this preview with a selection of screenshots from the campaignmap itself. These will show the brand new textures and models for almost everything you can see on the campaignmap, including armies, ships, settlements and terrain textures. Also note the completly renewed interface graphics, all in complete medieval style. The only thing these screenshots cannot show is the new sound effects, such as the sound of ravens replacing singing birds - which help recreating the darker athmosphere of the middle ages (and MTW).
Loading screen
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/4117/loading5gt.th.jpg (https://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=loading5gt.jpg)
Managing England
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/7315/campmap16ob.th.jpg (https://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=campmap16ob.jpg)
Invading Ireland
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/6647/campmap29ey.th.jpg (https://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=campmap29ey.jpg)
The Byzantine Empire
https://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7550/campmap33ax.th.jpg (https://img352.imageshack.us/my.php?image=campmap33ax.jpg)
The land of the Vikings
https://img299.imageshack.us/img299/6593/campmap45nn.th.jpg (https://img299.imageshack.us/my.php?image=campmap45nn.jpg)
Egyptian Desert
https://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1874/campmap57lg.th.jpg (https://img85.imageshack.us/my.php?image=campmap57lg.jpg)
Hiring Mercs
https://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4869/campmap67bb.th.jpg (https://img83.imageshack.us/my.php?image=campmap67bb.jpg)
BUILDINGS
The following pictures and descriptions can be found in the building info scrolls. They are an example of the completely revised techtree ChivalryTW will offer. We are attempting a more realistic approach then the original TW games, while trying to make each building more worth the money - and making it harder to construct every building in every town. Deciding what building construct where and when should actualy become an important strategical decision. A more limited selection of buildings will be less overwhelming at the start of a campaign, and will make the AI more competitive.
Jousting Field
The spectacle! The brave Knights charging upon one another, their heraldry proudly proclaiming their noble status flashing on their shields! Ah, the clash of arms, the spectacle of violence! The venue of the jousting tournament is also a way of publicly humiliating one’s enemies and adversaries, without going to all the expense of invading and killing them! Apparently it entertains the serfs, as well – nobles swinging sharp things at one another can only be seen as a good thing…
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/jousting_field.jpg
Armoury
An armoury is a store of the high-quality armour and weapons for issuing to the more elite troops in service of an areas’ king – his personal bodyguard especially. Only the most loyal of a King’s fighting troops will receive such status, though the armour and weapons issued are the highest quality that the region’s blacksmiths can produce – intricate detailing on helmets and sword bosses and flowing plumes separating the King’s men from the regular scum.
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/armoury.jpg
Monastery
A monastery acts as a refuge from the distractions and temptations of normal day-today life, seclusion allowing the resident to contemplate their positions as relates to the almighty. Monasteries also make highly lucrative targets, stuffed full as they are of ancient manuscripts and golden trinkets left by wealthier patrons. A prince who constructs or patronizes a Monastery will be viewed as a most worthy and god-fearing man among his subjects, improving their loyalty to him, also increasing the chances of a learned scholar from among the residents becoming a member of his advisors.
The first monasteries developed in Egypt in the fourth century AD, drawing on eastern ascetic traditions of austere self-discipline, in renouncing the physical world for the spiritual world, deemed of higher worth. The practice of monasticism spread throughout the Roman world, and as the collapse of empire led to upheavals in society, monasteries acted as beacons of light and learning in the gathering darkness – ancient manuscripts were preserved by the monastical brothers, as well as knowledge of medicine. Monasteries also owned large areas of land, used in cultivation by the monks – monasteries often formed the nucleus of developing settlements in Europe.
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/monastery.jpg
Dungeons
Whispered rumours of the horrors foisted upon the Kings’ enemies (or those he possibly didn’t like the look of) send shivers down the spine and help dispel rebellious thoughts – equality is all very good, but only if you have your eyes, and …legs…
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/dungeons.jpg
Keep
The keep emerged to provide the same function as earlier Mottes and Donjons – to provide a strongpoint for housing of the local nobility. Keeps were stone constructed and massively strong – often with several subsidiary gateways leading into them lined with murder holes, while the main internal hall housed the court of the local noble. The most famous example of a Keep is the White Tower at the Tower of London; when William the Conqueror decided to make London his capital, he constructed a keep inside the old city walls constructed by the Romans. At ninety feet tall and with walls at up to twelve feet thick it was an overawing spectacle to the subjugated local population.
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/keep.jpg
Pallisade Wall
A simple palisade wall will provide some comfort to the inhabitants of a settlement, providing shelter from wild animals and roving bands of brigands. However, against an enemy determined on taking the settlement these walls provide a minimal stumbling block, due to the ease with which they can be battered down. A palisade wall will increase the area in a settlement available for grain and food storage, and as those besieging it must construct siege equipment, it gives some hope of the settlement being relieved in event of a siege.
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/palisade.jpg
Fortified Wall
A fortified wall is an imposing sight. Often up to twelve meters tall, these constructions are almost impossible to batter down with mere battering rams and mangonels. The circuit of the walls will encompass the central keep of a fortification, providing cleared killing zones both inside and outside it for marksmen positioned along it. Crenellations allow great protection for defenders stationed at the top, while also allowing good visibility of those attacking. The main gates will be greatly reinforced, and have strong towers overlooking them. Often a large area is defended by the walls, allowing greater storage of provisions, and longer duration of siege.
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/fortified_wall.jpg
INDEPENDANT FACTIONS
At the start of the campaign a lot of regions are controlled by the rebels, or "Independant Nations" as they are called in Chivalry. These include factions that did not make it into the 20 playable factions. These "minor factions" will have a great number of unique units, and will often be a force to recon with. Underestimating an independant nation's army could be disasterous to an invading force.
Unique rebel units is one of the few things we still need to do a lot of work on, so we can't show too many of them yet. But rest assured that each rebel group will have atleast a few unique units.
The Irish & Scottish
The Gaelic armies are made of tough warriors, ready to defend their freedom against invaders.
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/6448/irish14yy.th.jpg (https://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=irish14yy.jpg)
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/6853/irish26ze.th.jpg (https://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=irish26ze.jpg)
The Flemish
It appears the Flemish have always had something with anti-cavalry weapons. Brabançonne Spearmen in the Early era - known for their dense hedge formations, Goedendag Spearmen in the High era - carrying a weapon that is a combination between mace and spear, and Flemish Pikemen in the Late era - known from various battles against the french.
https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2350/flemish3io.th.jpg (https://img51.imageshack.us/my.php?image=flemish3io.jpg)
The Italian City States
The rich italian city states care little for war and conquest. However they are proud of their independance and will take up the sword against anyone who tries to take that away!
https://img366.imageshack.us/img366/6646/italians5ul.th.jpg (https://img366.imageshack.us/my.php?image=italians5ul.jpg)
Tuareg Tribes
The Tuareg tribal armies are a danger to any army invading the arabian deserts. Their warriors ride camels or fast horses and are skilled in raiding and hit & run tactics from a lifetime in the saddle.
https://img221.imageshack.us/img221/6553/tuareg5qp.th.jpg (https://img221.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tuareg5qp.jpg)
OLDER PREVIEWS
A list with links to the previous previews, in case you missed any:
Castles & Sieges (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=54170)
Northern Europe (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=53933)
The Byzantine Empire (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=53563)
THE CAMPAIGNMAP
https://img243.imageshack.us/img243/4498/mapfe6tk.jpg (https://imageshack.us)
THE MAP
Let's start this preview with a selection of screenshots from the campaignmap itself. These will show the brand new textures and models for almost everything you can see on the campaignmap, including armies, ships, settlements and terrain textures. Also note the completly renewed interface graphics, all in complete medieval style. The only thing these screenshots cannot show is the new sound effects, such as the sound of ravens replacing singing birds - which help recreating the darker athmosphere of the middle ages (and MTW).
Loading screen
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/4117/loading5gt.th.jpg (https://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=loading5gt.jpg)
Managing England
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/7315/campmap16ob.th.jpg (https://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=campmap16ob.jpg)
Invading Ireland
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/6647/campmap29ey.th.jpg (https://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=campmap29ey.jpg)
The Byzantine Empire
https://img352.imageshack.us/img352/7550/campmap33ax.th.jpg (https://img352.imageshack.us/my.php?image=campmap33ax.jpg)
The land of the Vikings
https://img299.imageshack.us/img299/6593/campmap45nn.th.jpg (https://img299.imageshack.us/my.php?image=campmap45nn.jpg)
Egyptian Desert
https://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1874/campmap57lg.th.jpg (https://img85.imageshack.us/my.php?image=campmap57lg.jpg)
Hiring Mercs
https://img83.imageshack.us/img83/4869/campmap67bb.th.jpg (https://img83.imageshack.us/my.php?image=campmap67bb.jpg)
BUILDINGS
The following pictures and descriptions can be found in the building info scrolls. They are an example of the completely revised techtree ChivalryTW will offer. We are attempting a more realistic approach then the original TW games, while trying to make each building more worth the money - and making it harder to construct every building in every town. Deciding what building construct where and when should actualy become an important strategical decision. A more limited selection of buildings will be less overwhelming at the start of a campaign, and will make the AI more competitive.
Jousting Field
The spectacle! The brave Knights charging upon one another, their heraldry proudly proclaiming their noble status flashing on their shields! Ah, the clash of arms, the spectacle of violence! The venue of the jousting tournament is also a way of publicly humiliating one’s enemies and adversaries, without going to all the expense of invading and killing them! Apparently it entertains the serfs, as well – nobles swinging sharp things at one another can only be seen as a good thing…
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/jousting_field.jpg
Armoury
An armoury is a store of the high-quality armour and weapons for issuing to the more elite troops in service of an areas’ king – his personal bodyguard especially. Only the most loyal of a King’s fighting troops will receive such status, though the armour and weapons issued are the highest quality that the region’s blacksmiths can produce – intricate detailing on helmets and sword bosses and flowing plumes separating the King’s men from the regular scum.
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/armoury.jpg
Monastery
A monastery acts as a refuge from the distractions and temptations of normal day-today life, seclusion allowing the resident to contemplate their positions as relates to the almighty. Monasteries also make highly lucrative targets, stuffed full as they are of ancient manuscripts and golden trinkets left by wealthier patrons. A prince who constructs or patronizes a Monastery will be viewed as a most worthy and god-fearing man among his subjects, improving their loyalty to him, also increasing the chances of a learned scholar from among the residents becoming a member of his advisors.
The first monasteries developed in Egypt in the fourth century AD, drawing on eastern ascetic traditions of austere self-discipline, in renouncing the physical world for the spiritual world, deemed of higher worth. The practice of monasticism spread throughout the Roman world, and as the collapse of empire led to upheavals in society, monasteries acted as beacons of light and learning in the gathering darkness – ancient manuscripts were preserved by the monastical brothers, as well as knowledge of medicine. Monasteries also owned large areas of land, used in cultivation by the monks – monasteries often formed the nucleus of developing settlements in Europe.
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/monastery.jpg
Dungeons
Whispered rumours of the horrors foisted upon the Kings’ enemies (or those he possibly didn’t like the look of) send shivers down the spine and help dispel rebellious thoughts – equality is all very good, but only if you have your eyes, and …legs…
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/dungeons.jpg
Keep
The keep emerged to provide the same function as earlier Mottes and Donjons – to provide a strongpoint for housing of the local nobility. Keeps were stone constructed and massively strong – often with several subsidiary gateways leading into them lined with murder holes, while the main internal hall housed the court of the local noble. The most famous example of a Keep is the White Tower at the Tower of London; when William the Conqueror decided to make London his capital, he constructed a keep inside the old city walls constructed by the Romans. At ninety feet tall and with walls at up to twelve feet thick it was an overawing spectacle to the subjugated local population.
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/keep.jpg
Pallisade Wall
A simple palisade wall will provide some comfort to the inhabitants of a settlement, providing shelter from wild animals and roving bands of brigands. However, against an enemy determined on taking the settlement these walls provide a minimal stumbling block, due to the ease with which they can be battered down. A palisade wall will increase the area in a settlement available for grain and food storage, and as those besieging it must construct siege equipment, it gives some hope of the settlement being relieved in event of a siege.
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/palisade.jpg
Fortified Wall
A fortified wall is an imposing sight. Often up to twelve meters tall, these constructions are almost impossible to batter down with mere battering rams and mangonels. The circuit of the walls will encompass the central keep of a fortification, providing cleared killing zones both inside and outside it for marksmen positioned along it. Crenellations allow great protection for defenders stationed at the top, while also allowing good visibility of those attacking. The main gates will be greatly reinforced, and have strong towers overlooking them. Often a large area is defended by the walls, allowing greater storage of provisions, and longer duration of siege.
http://users.skynet.be/Carthaginian/RTW/fortified_wall.jpg
INDEPENDANT FACTIONS
At the start of the campaign a lot of regions are controlled by the rebels, or "Independant Nations" as they are called in Chivalry. These include factions that did not make it into the 20 playable factions. These "minor factions" will have a great number of unique units, and will often be a force to recon with. Underestimating an independant nation's army could be disasterous to an invading force.
Unique rebel units is one of the few things we still need to do a lot of work on, so we can't show too many of them yet. But rest assured that each rebel group will have atleast a few unique units.
The Irish & Scottish
The Gaelic armies are made of tough warriors, ready to defend their freedom against invaders.
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/6448/irish14yy.th.jpg (https://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=irish14yy.jpg)
https://img354.imageshack.us/img354/6853/irish26ze.th.jpg (https://img354.imageshack.us/my.php?image=irish26ze.jpg)
The Flemish
It appears the Flemish have always had something with anti-cavalry weapons. Brabançonne Spearmen in the Early era - known for their dense hedge formations, Goedendag Spearmen in the High era - carrying a weapon that is a combination between mace and spear, and Flemish Pikemen in the Late era - known from various battles against the french.
https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2350/flemish3io.th.jpg (https://img51.imageshack.us/my.php?image=flemish3io.jpg)
The Italian City States
The rich italian city states care little for war and conquest. However they are proud of their independance and will take up the sword against anyone who tries to take that away!
https://img366.imageshack.us/img366/6646/italians5ul.th.jpg (https://img366.imageshack.us/my.php?image=italians5ul.jpg)
Tuareg Tribes
The Tuareg tribal armies are a danger to any army invading the arabian deserts. Their warriors ride camels or fast horses and are skilled in raiding and hit & run tactics from a lifetime in the saddle.
https://img221.imageshack.us/img221/6553/tuareg5qp.th.jpg (https://img221.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tuareg5qp.jpg)
OLDER PREVIEWS
A list with links to the previous previews, in case you missed any:
Castles & Sieges (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=54170)
Northern Europe (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=53933)
The Byzantine Empire (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=53563)