Request to CA: 3d models editor; modding tools

[KLAssurbanipal]

I have an important request. I'd like to ask CA to create a modding tool - a 3D models editor for ETW. It is a fundamental tool for every skinner's work. Actually creating many units is hard and often impossible. Changing the textures only is not enough as the texture from the beggining of the 18th century will look weird on a 3d model in uniform from the late period. For example I would like to make Austrian grenadier in bearskin cap from the early 18th century but it is impossible as all units with bearskin cap in the game, wear uniforms from the middle or the late 18th century. To create an early-period grenadier I would have to use an uniform from unit Wild Geese and the British grenadier's hat. It goes the same for many other units like hussars (I'd like to add new jackets and shoes). Only the general's model has long hair. Many skinners would like to add long hair to units from the early 18th century to make them more historically accurate. Cuirassiers from the beggining of the age should have helmets similar to those worn by Polish Winged Hussars. I could quote many, many other examples. Some of these are given in the pictures below. To make such changes, skinners need appropriate modding tools. Please, examine my request positively. Thanks to this, the mods will get even better.

Examples:

https://img689.imageshack.us/img689/8596/modding1.jpg (https://img689.imageshack.us/i/modding1.jpg/)

https://img22.imageshack.us/img22/5931/modding2.jpg (https://img22.imageshack.us/i/modding2.jpg/)

https://img682.imageshack.us/img682/6060/modding3.jpg (https://img682.imageshack.us/i/modding3.jpg/)

https://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5831/modding4.jpg (https://img20.imageshack.us/i/modding4.jpg/)

[pevergreen]

If you could spoiler pictures:

picture link here

Otherwise: Totally agree. We need dedicated modding tools, would make everything so much easier.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

But then CA can't sell you DLC and their families starve!

[Krusader]

But then CA can't sell you DLC and their families starve!

Depends if its CA not wanting to make mod tools or SEGA who have no wish to make mod tools.
Fallout 3 and Dragon Age: Origins have both DLCs for sale, but both also have modding tools released by the developers, who potentially can make content just as good. That's what CA ought to have aimed for. Let the modders make mods and make sure their own DLCs are worth the money.

[Durallan]

I find it hard to believe CA would release a 3D models editor, that would be like giving away a free copy of 3dstudio max with every box of cereal. Alright not quite like that but I really just don't see this sort of thing happening unless the game gets a large enough modding following like oblivion and fallout 3 where the modders will make their own programs to modify the 3d files.

[antisocialmunky]

Depends if its CA not wanting to make mod tools or SEGA who have no wish to make mod tools.
Fallout 3 and Dragon Age: Origins have both DLCs for sale, but both also have modding tools released by the developers, who potentially can make content just as good. That's what CA ought to have aimed for. Let the modders make mods and make sure their own DLCs are worth the money.

I've always been under the impression that CA were planning to release them pretty quick but plans changed for some reason later... So in my mind, it was probably Sega or some sort of unforseen problem. I can't really believe that they wouldn't have realized DLC vs Modding Tools is somewhat problematic beforehand so I kinda doubt that was the main problem unless there was some grade A weed going around over there.

[Durallan]

amazingly even though there are tons and tons of mods out there for Fallout 3 some of which i use, I still bought the DLC's because they were just worth the money, damn fun and plenty of content, it means I've spend around 160 bucks on Fallout 3, but seeing I've probably sadly enough played that many hours in the game, 1 dollar an hours worth of entertainment is pretty damn cheap.

[pevergreen]

1 dollar an hours worth of entertainment is pretty damn cheap.

Empire: Total War
42 hrs on record

(Just over $2 an hour)

Left 4 Dead
60 hrs on record

(just over $1 an hour)

Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War® II
45 hrs on record

(between $1 and $2)

Left 4 Dead 2
13 hrs last two weeks

($3 an hour, but I havent even played every level yet. Damn that game is fun)


Compare things to warcraft 3...I'd have 400+ hours on that...:no:

Up the game Total War. Even RTW has a crapload of hours.

[antisocialmunky]

What about Starcraft?

[pevergreen]

You know, I've played that game for a grand total of about 5 minutes. Ever.

Its a shame, but I was introduced to Blizzard with Rock n Roll Racing, then Warcraft 2.