Epistolary Richard
04-06-2006, 02:06
An irregular column to gather up some of the recent events of the Org modding community. Got news? A mod update? Recruiting for your team? Has your mod been overlooked? Send Epistolary Richard a PM to get items included next time or post it below.
https://img106.imageshack.us/img106/4407/pahlavavseleukidgardens1bm.th.jpg (https://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pahlavavseleukidgardens1bm.jpg) https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/2691/mauryanempire0am.th.jpg (https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/2691/mauryanempire0am.jpg) https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3683/screen2engliscspearcavalry4rh.th.jpg (https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3683/screen2engliscspearcavalry4rh.jpg) https://img489.imageshack.us/img489/9799/locrianhoplite8ww.th.jpg (https://img489.imageshack.us/img489/9799/locrianhoplite8ww.jpg)
The Seleukids protect Babylon from the Pahlavi in Europa Barbarorum (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=70) ; Mauryan army from RES GESTAE (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=116) ; Englisc Spearcavalry from Age of Vikings & Fanatics (ttp://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?p=1104979) ; Locrian hoplite from Hegemonia City States (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62964)
Rome Total War (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/index.php)
Modding News Roundup
March - month of Mars!
The Future of Total War Modding - planning for Medieval Total War 2 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62981)
Here on the Mod Discussion forum, we've started to try and take stock of the lessons learned (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62981) from how the modding community for Rome Total War developed and to see how they can be applied for Medieval Total War 2.
Already Medieval Total War 2 with just the features announced so far looks more of a challenge than any before. Along with the main discussion (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62981), there are some spin-off discussions to focus on important areas such as the policies behind hosting specific mod forums (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=63125) and how we'll approach mod copyright and resource sharing (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=63126).
Members are encouraged to develop each thread further and spin-off further specialised threads as they emerge.
Wheel stopping turning? (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62860)
To our great sadness, the Org's own Myrddraal has announced he'll be taking a sabbatical from modding. As well as being RTW Mod Mod since Duke John's retirement - Myrddraal's been a leading research figure near single-handedly bringing the field of scripting and custom tiles to where they are today.
His absence also, however means the likely halt of any progress in the Wheel of Time (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=36491&page=1&pp=30) mod based on the bestselling books by Robert Jordan and dashing the community's hopes of playing the long-awaited demo which was previously planned. Myrddraal and the Org asks that any modder who's able to help out and contribute to this project to PM Myrddraal and stop by the Wheel of Time forums (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=99) to see what can be done.
RTW Modding Assistant Moderator position vacant (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/announcement.php?f=119)
The RTW Modding forums has an assistant moderator position vacant. If you'd like to know more about what the role entails please PM Epistolary Richard.
New on the Scriptorium
How to: Give Roman family members different surnames (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62388) from Atilius
How To...Modify Siege Tower Aspects (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62498) from Seasoned Alcoholic
How to easily balance unit statistics (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62532) from Nero
editing banners/icons with photoshop (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62708) from satanea juda
Mods Released
For BI 1.6
INVASIO BARBARORUM-FLAGELLUM DEI V5.0 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62519)
The latest version of this BI mod started by Atilla Reloaded
https://img464.imageshack.us/img464/3616/berbers9tk.th.jpg (https://img464.imageshack.us/my.php?image=berbers9tk.jpg) https://img156.imageshack.us/img156/9251/0001large7kl.th.jpg (https://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0001large7kl.jpg)
Romano-British 1.0 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=63046)
Another mod that puts the Romano-British on the map at the start of the game and makes them playable
For RTW 1.5
The First Triumvirate v1.8 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62607)
The latest version of this mod which provides different campaigns for each of the three men who led Rome during the First Triumvirate: Caesar, Pompey & Crassus
DarthMod 7.0 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62547)
Darth Vader's ever-evolving mod focused on improving gameplay. DarthFormations 12.0 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62552) is also available as a separate download.
https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5458/darthmod76ub.th.jpg (https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5458/darthmod76ub.jpg)
Terrae Expugnandae 3.0 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62749)
The latest version of Lusted's mod
https://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6797/stratmap7we.th.jpg (https://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stratmap7we.jpg) https://img108.imageshack.us/img108/6651/war51oa.th.jpg (https://img108.imageshack.us/my.php?image=war51oa.jpg)
For RTW 1.2
Rise of Persia (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62768)
A new version of the public beta including many bug-fixes.
Europa Barbarorum 0.7.4 patch (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62651)
A patch to this mod's open beta greatly improving mod stability
https://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5685/aeduivcassestones8yt.th.jpg (https://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aeduivcassestones8yt.jpg) https://img138.imageshack.us/img138/8050/romanipyramids35ln.th.jpg (https://img138.imageshack.us/my.php?image=romanipyramids35ln.jpg)
Latest Mod Previews & updates on the Org
RES GESTAE faction previews Seleucid Empire (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62510) : Numidian Kingdom (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62578) : Mauryan Empire (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62515) : ScythoSarmathian Tribes (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62983)
Europa Barbarorum News - Tuesday, March 14 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62485)
Citadel - latest screenshots (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=38801&page=19)
Age of Vikings & Fanatics - Englisc (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=63025) : Almoravides faction (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62728) : Magyar faction (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62714)
The Crusades - latest screenshots (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=61091&page=2)
Ran no Jidai - latest screenshot (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=55145&page=8)
Iberia Total War update (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=63097)
Rome: Total Gameplay (RTG) News Update (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62973)
Hegemonia - City States, Faction Preview - The Locrian Cities (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62964)
Arthurian TW Preview 17th March: Ui Neill & Rheged (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62569)
The Asian Project (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62237)
Ilsamiren Wars Music and Models (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62231)
Byzantium TW Update #4 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62072)
Some New Mods announced
Age of Darkness Total War (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62986)
Previously known as AC Barbarian Invasion
ROMAN LEGACY (From Caesar to the End) (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62344)
Roman Ingenuity Mod (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62548)
Baltic Crusade (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62705)
Hidden Features Total War (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62802)
Mod Recruitment
Modding in a team can be an awesome, exciting experience allowing its members to develop a mod far greater than the sum of those it could individually.
The brightest, most innovative mods today are being produced by teams of modders - each working and developing in their own specialities – even where a mod is particular brainchild of a solo modder, they will often want help in specific areas or through lack of time. Teams can be great places to learn skills from the masters of the field, get to know new people and make those vital contacts with modders who you can then interest in your own modding ideas.
If you're keen to work with any mod team just contact their leader and see if you can help out. Here are a sample of just of few of the mod teams that have been recruiting this last month.
The Wheel of Time
https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/8779/bannerlightsupport3on.jpg (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=99)
Based on the series of fantasy books by Robert Jordan
The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
https://img318.imageshack.us/img318/6931/normalilliansailors11ww6rv.th.jpg (https://img318.imageshack.us/my.php?image=normalilliansailors11ww6rv.jpg)https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2451/illianarmouredpikemen6xs9cm.th.jpg (https://img51.imageshack.us/my.php?image=illianarmouredpikemen6xs9cm.jpg)https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5005/myrddraal8zy8yk.th.jpg (https://img51.imageshack.us/my.php?image=myrddraal8zy8yk.jpg)https://img154.imageshack.us/img154/2063/normalillianroyalarmsmen11ah2p.th.jpg (https://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=normalillianroyalarmsmen11ah2p.jpg)
As reported above, with the sabbatical of mod-leader Myrddraal, any experienced modder able to take over a leadership role or just help out others is urged to visit their forum (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=99) and see how they can help.
**********Are you a modeller?*********
There is a huge shortage of modellers within the community and virtually every mod team desperately needs more (or even one!) as modelling is required to make any significant changes to units within the game. If you are a competent modeller you would be welcome in pretty much any project in which you had an interest, and you would be able to make sure that any personal project of your own could be completed and fail because of this lack.
The community strongly encourages everyone able to take an interest in modelling and you'll find several guides available to help on the Scriptorium (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=77).
The only programme currently able to create models for RTW is 3DSmax, however it is $$$ :(. A free 30 day download is available - however that's not nearly enough time to get useful results. You can extend the length of your trial by uninstalling it when not in use. Also, there are means by which models can be converted from the now-unavailable Gmax into 3DSMax, so if one team member has 3DSmax he can convert models from several different team members.
Previous Modding Roundups
3 March - Hina Matsuri 'The Dolls Festival' (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=61991)
2 February 2006 – Groundhog Day (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=60666)
5 January 2006 – Twelfth Night (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=59244)
4 December – Mexico Day of Artisans (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=57702)
1 November 2005 - All Hallows Day (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=56478)
https://img106.imageshack.us/img106/4407/pahlavavseleukidgardens1bm.th.jpg (https://img106.imageshack.us/my.php?image=pahlavavseleukidgardens1bm.jpg) https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/2691/mauryanempire0am.th.jpg (https://img134.imageshack.us/img134/2691/mauryanempire0am.jpg) https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3683/screen2engliscspearcavalry4rh.th.jpg (https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/3683/screen2engliscspearcavalry4rh.jpg) https://img489.imageshack.us/img489/9799/locrianhoplite8ww.th.jpg (https://img489.imageshack.us/img489/9799/locrianhoplite8ww.jpg)
The Seleukids protect Babylon from the Pahlavi in Europa Barbarorum (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=70) ; Mauryan army from RES GESTAE (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=116) ; Englisc Spearcavalry from Age of Vikings & Fanatics (ttp://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?p=1104979) ; Locrian hoplite from Hegemonia City States (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62964)
Rome Total War (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/index.php)
Modding News Roundup
March - month of Mars!
The Future of Total War Modding - planning for Medieval Total War 2 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62981)
Here on the Mod Discussion forum, we've started to try and take stock of the lessons learned (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62981) from how the modding community for Rome Total War developed and to see how they can be applied for Medieval Total War 2.
Already Medieval Total War 2 with just the features announced so far looks more of a challenge than any before. Along with the main discussion (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62981), there are some spin-off discussions to focus on important areas such as the policies behind hosting specific mod forums (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=63125) and how we'll approach mod copyright and resource sharing (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=63126).
Members are encouraged to develop each thread further and spin-off further specialised threads as they emerge.
Wheel stopping turning? (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62860)
To our great sadness, the Org's own Myrddraal has announced he'll be taking a sabbatical from modding. As well as being RTW Mod Mod since Duke John's retirement - Myrddraal's been a leading research figure near single-handedly bringing the field of scripting and custom tiles to where they are today.
His absence also, however means the likely halt of any progress in the Wheel of Time (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=36491&page=1&pp=30) mod based on the bestselling books by Robert Jordan and dashing the community's hopes of playing the long-awaited demo which was previously planned. Myrddraal and the Org asks that any modder who's able to help out and contribute to this project to PM Myrddraal and stop by the Wheel of Time forums (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=99) to see what can be done.
RTW Modding Assistant Moderator position vacant (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/announcement.php?f=119)
The RTW Modding forums has an assistant moderator position vacant. If you'd like to know more about what the role entails please PM Epistolary Richard.
New on the Scriptorium
How to: Give Roman family members different surnames (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62388) from Atilius
How To...Modify Siege Tower Aspects (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62498) from Seasoned Alcoholic
How to easily balance unit statistics (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62532) from Nero
editing banners/icons with photoshop (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62708) from satanea juda
Mods Released
For BI 1.6
INVASIO BARBARORUM-FLAGELLUM DEI V5.0 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62519)
The latest version of this BI mod started by Atilla Reloaded
https://img464.imageshack.us/img464/3616/berbers9tk.th.jpg (https://img464.imageshack.us/my.php?image=berbers9tk.jpg) https://img156.imageshack.us/img156/9251/0001large7kl.th.jpg (https://img156.imageshack.us/my.php?image=0001large7kl.jpg)
Romano-British 1.0 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=63046)
Another mod that puts the Romano-British on the map at the start of the game and makes them playable
For RTW 1.5
The First Triumvirate v1.8 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62607)
The latest version of this mod which provides different campaigns for each of the three men who led Rome during the First Triumvirate: Caesar, Pompey & Crassus
DarthMod 7.0 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62547)
Darth Vader's ever-evolving mod focused on improving gameplay. DarthFormations 12.0 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62552) is also available as a separate download.
https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5458/darthmod76ub.th.jpg (https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5458/darthmod76ub.jpg)
Terrae Expugnandae 3.0 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62749)
The latest version of Lusted's mod
https://img101.imageshack.us/img101/6797/stratmap7we.th.jpg (https://img101.imageshack.us/my.php?image=stratmap7we.jpg) https://img108.imageshack.us/img108/6651/war51oa.th.jpg (https://img108.imageshack.us/my.php?image=war51oa.jpg)
For RTW 1.2
Rise of Persia (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62768)
A new version of the public beta including many bug-fixes.
Europa Barbarorum 0.7.4 patch (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62651)
A patch to this mod's open beta greatly improving mod stability
https://img205.imageshack.us/img205/5685/aeduivcassestones8yt.th.jpg (https://img205.imageshack.us/my.php?image=aeduivcassestones8yt.jpg) https://img138.imageshack.us/img138/8050/romanipyramids35ln.th.jpg (https://img138.imageshack.us/my.php?image=romanipyramids35ln.jpg)
Latest Mod Previews & updates on the Org
RES GESTAE faction previews Seleucid Empire (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62510) : Numidian Kingdom (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62578) : Mauryan Empire (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62515) : ScythoSarmathian Tribes (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62983)
Europa Barbarorum News - Tuesday, March 14 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62485)
Citadel - latest screenshots (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=38801&page=19)
Age of Vikings & Fanatics - Englisc (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=63025) : Almoravides faction (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62728) : Magyar faction (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62714)
The Crusades - latest screenshots (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=61091&page=2)
Ran no Jidai - latest screenshot (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=55145&page=8)
Iberia Total War update (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=63097)
Rome: Total Gameplay (RTG) News Update (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62973)
Hegemonia - City States, Faction Preview - The Locrian Cities (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62964)
Arthurian TW Preview 17th March: Ui Neill & Rheged (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62569)
The Asian Project (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62237)
Ilsamiren Wars Music and Models (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62231)
Byzantium TW Update #4 (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62072)
Some New Mods announced
Age of Darkness Total War (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62986)
Previously known as AC Barbarian Invasion
ROMAN LEGACY (From Caesar to the End) (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62344)
Roman Ingenuity Mod (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62548)
Baltic Crusade (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62705)
Hidden Features Total War (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=62802)
Mod Recruitment
Modding in a team can be an awesome, exciting experience allowing its members to develop a mod far greater than the sum of those it could individually.
The brightest, most innovative mods today are being produced by teams of modders - each working and developing in their own specialities – even where a mod is particular brainchild of a solo modder, they will often want help in specific areas or through lack of time. Teams can be great places to learn skills from the masters of the field, get to know new people and make those vital contacts with modders who you can then interest in your own modding ideas.
If you're keen to work with any mod team just contact their leader and see if you can help out. Here are a sample of just of few of the mod teams that have been recruiting this last month.
The Wheel of Time
https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/8779/bannerlightsupport3on.jpg (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=99)
Based on the series of fantasy books by Robert Jordan
The Wheel of Time turns and Ages come and go, leaving memories that become legend. Legend fades to myth, and even myth is long forgotten when the Age that gave it birth returns again. In the Third Age, an Age of Prophecy, the World and Time themselves hang in the balance. What was, what will be, and what is, may yet fall under the Shadow.
https://img318.imageshack.us/img318/6931/normalilliansailors11ww6rv.th.jpg (https://img318.imageshack.us/my.php?image=normalilliansailors11ww6rv.jpg)https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/2451/illianarmouredpikemen6xs9cm.th.jpg (https://img51.imageshack.us/my.php?image=illianarmouredpikemen6xs9cm.jpg)https://img51.imageshack.us/img51/5005/myrddraal8zy8yk.th.jpg (https://img51.imageshack.us/my.php?image=myrddraal8zy8yk.jpg)https://img154.imageshack.us/img154/2063/normalillianroyalarmsmen11ah2p.th.jpg (https://img154.imageshack.us/my.php?image=normalillianroyalarmsmen11ah2p.jpg)
As reported above, with the sabbatical of mod-leader Myrddraal, any experienced modder able to take over a leadership role or just help out others is urged to visit their forum (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=99) and see how they can help.
**********Are you a modeller?*********
There is a huge shortage of modellers within the community and virtually every mod team desperately needs more (or even one!) as modelling is required to make any significant changes to units within the game. If you are a competent modeller you would be welcome in pretty much any project in which you had an interest, and you would be able to make sure that any personal project of your own could be completed and fail because of this lack.
The community strongly encourages everyone able to take an interest in modelling and you'll find several guides available to help on the Scriptorium (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=77).
The only programme currently able to create models for RTW is 3DSmax, however it is $$$ :(. A free 30 day download is available - however that's not nearly enough time to get useful results. You can extend the length of your trial by uninstalling it when not in use. Also, there are means by which models can be converted from the now-unavailable Gmax into 3DSMax, so if one team member has 3DSmax he can convert models from several different team members.
Previous Modding Roundups
3 March - Hina Matsuri 'The Dolls Festival' (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=61991)
2 February 2006 – Groundhog Day (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=60666)
5 January 2006 – Twelfth Night (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=59244)
4 December – Mexico Day of Artisans (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=57702)
1 November 2005 - All Hallows Day (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=56478)