~~~~~~~Mediterranean Total War~~~~~~~~ for BI 1.6

MEDITERRANEAN TOTAL WAR
https://img454.imageshack.us/img454/4900/coast11of.jpg

Lentonius presents, mediterranean total war, a new mod for RTW and BI.
Although only just announced, I have had it in concept for over 7 months now, and consequently have produced a high knowledge of the time period, factions and units.

I chose this as a base as although I have enjoyed many mods, I have felt that this period and ideas were never represented, rather most timelines have focused later on in history, and I felt this time and place would make for a good mod.
Mediterranean Total war is set in the Ancient Mediterranean, the dominating battlefield of the world's superpowers. The map will stretch from corsica and sardinia in the west, to the persian gulf in the east. It is going to be set at 527BC continuing to around 200BC, in my mind the greatest period in history.

The persian empire has only recently overthrown the Assyrian empire, dominating itself as the superpower of the world.

In Egypt, the slowly dying New kingdom of the pharaohs still exists, although the persians look onwards at the grand monuments of the pharaohs with their expansionist eyes. The pharaohs can never be as great as the likes of Ramasses the great, but can the Mediterranean still have the potential for a revived egyptian empire.

In hellas, the time for the greeks' glory is still being awaited, and the bustling city states are constantly at war against each other. They look to the east as the persians are slowly conquering asia minor. When will they reach the Aegean?

However, west of Hellas lies Italia, where the etruscan kings rule throughout. Their rule is beginning to falter as The ancestors of the greek colonists begin to forge empires of themselves.

To the far north, in the plains of Latium, a new power is growing. Although unknown to most, it is growing, and will eventually rule all the powers of today.

On the isle of sicily lies the syracusians, an independant colony, with great technologies. Here the first catapaults will be made not so far in the future, and the great Archimides will construct the world's first crossbow. For a state free from the power struggles of hellas, there is great opportunity for a large empire. However, it is only a matter of time before hostile contact emerges with the ancestral states and the phoenicans...

However, on the west coast of sicily the Phoenicans, founders of Carthage have a great naval empire, and are complete in their control of the western mediterranean. In their military are huge elephants, whom can decimate entire bodies of armoured men and horses. Their troops come from all parts of the known world. If the greatest components of foreign mercenaries can be combined with great leadership, they can potentially rule the world.

In this world there is no knowing who will seize power...



Factions;

The Persian Empire

Kingdom of Sparta

Athens

Egypt

Corinth

Syracuse

The Etruscans

The Phoenicans

Thebes

Euboea

Thessaly

Macedon

Thera

Epidamnos

Ionian states

Argos

Senatus Populus Que Romanus

Barbarians

Campaign Map:

https://img454.imageshack.us/img454/916/factions2hd.jpg

I plan to use this as a draft map, although there will not be only an imperial campaign. There will be at least four provincial campaigns, following the lives of such as Alexander The Great, or focusing on a particular map.

Units:

There is currently a unit list in development, and 100% of the models will be new units. There will be around 13 unique units for the factions each, and at least 60 regional units. All skins will be made to be fairly unique, and I will try to make each model different.
https://img454.imageshack.us/img454/...esert020fv.jpg draft egyptian general



https://img137.imageshack.us/img137/...amoodai8db.jpg Spartan Neodamoodai (new citizens)



https://img137.imageshack.us/img137/...yphoroi7zb.jpg draft Athenian doryphoros (guards)


Buildings:

I will also plan to extend each factions technology tree by adding more buildings to make what i believe to be an origianally poor tech tree into a more influential part of the game.

Other FAQ's

Isnt this similar to Hegemonia mod?

Althothough hellenic factions play a huge part in this mod, It is as much based on powers such as egypt and the persian empire, along with the etruscans and phoenicans. Also, the campaign map may look similar, but this is only a concept map

Why isnt Iberia included. Afterall, it is in the mediterranean?

Iberia, although crutial for Carthaginian reasons, would have to include at least two new factions to include it, along with having to scale down larger warzones such as hellas and sicily. Also, the presence of barbarians is limited to the bare minimum, to allow for a more 'city state' feel. Having several iberian tribes would be rather pointless in that sence.

Why is so much of the arabian desert included?

In a way that is for two reasons. Firstly, the persian empire was huge, and that needed to be shown. Going up to the edge of turkey would mean perisa would be in a more fragile state, and the persians had only recently conquered babylon. Also, the large extra landmass will help in terms of mapping, as the rest of the map is very sea-orientated.

Thanks, and please post your comments, i like to know what the general feel is for the mod.

For now this mod is a one man mod, and although I may need help in the future, for now I am planning to do most of the mod by myself.

Work in progress of the Athenian Marines:
https://img108.imageshack.us/img108/...smarine8ki.jpg

ahhh! now i understand your sig! keep it up lentonius :2thumbsup:

is this mod actully gonna happen or is it just gonna get our hopes up for a few minths then flop

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bar Kochba

is this mod actully gonna happen or is it just gonna get our hopes up for a few minths then flop

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Sorry to be sceptic (in fact this is a realistic attitude) but i'm 100% sure that the second one.

Although i'm not sure about the historical accuracy of the unit i must say that you did a nice job on them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bar Kochba
is this mod actully gonna happen or is it just gonna get our hopes up for a few minths then flop

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I assure you, if it does raise hopes then I will deliver. If it doesnt raise hopes and starts to fall rapidly onto page 11 i will not deliver.

Quote:

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Posted by uranos
Sorry to be sceptic (in fact this is a realistic attitude) but i'm 100% sure that the second one.

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the last mod was done before I even had MAX and photoshop, so i was hard strapped, and the second reason was because when only one person replied to the thread you really begin to not want to bother with the mod.

Well, good luck with it. :nice:

I'm making another copy of vanilla 1.0 for when it comes out, hopefully.

Good luck lentonius!

[FONT="Georgia"]As soon as I replace my old BI (disk corupted and can not install, which sucks and can only go up to 1.4:no: ) And I will replace it, I want to try this mod, FONT]

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lentonius

I assure you, if it does raise hopes then I will deliver. If it doesnt raise hopes and starts to fall rapidly onto page 11 i will not deliver.


the last mod was done before I even had MAX and photoshop, so i was hard strapped, and the second reason was because when only one person replied to the thread you really begin to not want to bother with the mod.

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You didn't get my point - it's extremly hard to make a mod - hegemonia team has almost 20 members and it will take us many months finish that mod, and a singel person if so talented as you are is not able to complete such project in a reasonable time.

There are so many mods that have troubles with lack of members, why don't you help them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Uranos

You didn't get my point - it's extremly hard to make a mod - hegemonia team has almost 20 members and it will take us many months finish that mod, and a singel person if so talented as you are is not able to complete such project in a reasonable time.

There are so many mods that have troubles with lack of members, why don't you help them.

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now i understand:2thumbsup:
your point is if anything, completely valid and realistic, it will mean i have to put as much into this as i can.
it sounds very selfish but i like to work at my own pace and be my own boss. I know other mods need members also, but i would much prefer to to do a mod that i can call my own. I also know the reason I am doing this is that i feel it is a mod that can be accomplished and also one that is unique but also will be popular when released. I dont plan it to be anywhere as big as some others, but i am working hard on it to be perfect.
Also, this is not going to be a purely one man project, but really for the first main chunk of work i want to control it completely, and ensure that the main game turns out to be just how good i envisioned it to be. After it gets going I will seriously consider getting a team of people to help, but at the moment i am getting along fine. Time is also an issue, but with other mods I have seen sometimes one determined individual can be doing most of the work.

Also, thanks for expressing any views you have, as any opinion counts in something like this.:2thumbsup:

Draft Mercenary Cretan Archers:


https://img105.imageshack.us/img105/...narcher2uk.jpg


these are only work in progress and are likely to change throughout the mod:2thumbsup:

Persian Aristabara. This term is translated as 'spear bearers', and they are adequate light infantry...

This unit is probably final:2thumbsup:

https://img163.imageshack.us/img163/...stabara8ky.jpg

Draft egyptian slingers:2thumbsup:


https://img130.imageshack.us/img130/...linger23ve.jpg

Draft Thanvasbara, persian cavalry bowmen:2thumbsup:


https://img113.imageshack.us/img113/...earcher0xi.jpg

Samnite Spearmen:2thumbsup:


https://img527.imageshack.us/img527/...pearman3xp.jpg

Keep up your efforts, even if people don't respond. At least be ready to put out a demo. Your concept is neat, and I think I'd like to play it, but don't expect people to come flocking unless you adverstise like a madman.

I'm working on a mod myself, and don't even have pretty pictures to put up! The best I can do graphically is some crude stuff in gimp, but even though I lack the flash and flare to attract people, I'm still plodding along until I can put out a demo. Then, I hope, things will pick up big time.

When do you expect to have something playable produced?

Looking good so far! :)

On a side note: Aristabara means "Apple bearers"
You probably confused them with Sparabara.

*EDIT* If u need any help on historical accuracy, i can help. As i saw a few other mistakes as well. I'm offering my help.

A Work- in progress of some Hastati, please excuse the waste texture:2thumbsup:


https://img517.imageshack.us/img517/7913/hastati6eo.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by HalfThere

When do you expect to have something playable produced?

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unfortunately I am at school monday to friday, but at weekends and most weekdays myself i can churn out around 7 new modelled & skinned units a day. For now things are going to go fairly smoothly for around a month, and then by the time it will be well playable, i will begin to make a BETA.

The answer to your question is variable, but I would say by the time I have done around 30 units or so i will begin to make a team and then a BETA will come very soon, so i would say around late march- mid april a BETA will be released if that is the common desire:2thumbsup:

Is this mod going to be historicaly accurate?
In what time frame is the mod going to be played?
I might be able to help...

It will be historically accurate

It will start at around 530BC and continue towards the end of the punic wars, also i will try to do a military reform around 380BC Just before Philip of Macedon ascends...

The signature now speaks for itself! ~D Nice concept Lentonius, you've obviously been busy in many areas of modding already judging from your screenshots ~D

I'm sure you know these things by now, but I'll list them again anyway:

* Potential CTDs are almost inevitable through modding. If you run into a problem, firstly try to correctly identify it. If you can't see a clear solution to it, try the forums for useful information - this may be contained in the tutorials or may well be fragmented across numerous posts (the search tool is what you need in this case).

* -show_err, as you know this doesn't always identify the problem area - sometimes you wonder why it hasn't when you see where the problem lies. At least it will sometimes advise of where problem areas lie, and provides specific location and line reference.

* Use shortcuts to speed-up editing, such as (in Notepad) Ctrl+F to bring up the search dialogue box, Ctrl+G to bring up the line number specification dialogue box.

* Take breaks from the project when necessary. You will be able to assess what you've accomplished so far and review any potential changes. This also takes your mind off the project for a while, which should help to avoid burnout.

* Use a progress list. This will do 2 important things: (1) keeps mod followers upto date with the mods progress, (2) lets you keep track of the mods' progress, which areas to focus on etc.

* Keep going ~D Major projects are a marathon, but you will feel the benefits of achievement and success once a project is completed.

Good luck :medievalcheers:

Thanks for your support seasoned alcoholic.

I always like support, and i am working hard, and there is a growing chance that myself and Dionysios II The Great will make a team.

Things certainly seem to be progressing at quite a pace, Lentonius. Are you the only one making these skins and models that you're showing us or is there other people's work included as well?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lentonius

Here the first catapaults will be made not so far in the future, and the great Archimides will construct the world's first crossbow.

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Lentonius: the Chinese were the first to produce crossbows, and were actually used in a battle in 341 BC, before Archimedes was even born.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Epistolary Richard

Things certainly seem to be progressing at quite a pace, Lentonius. Are you the only one making these skins and models that you're showing us or is there other people's work included as well?

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Well, since i'm no good at modelling and skinning, he has to do that on his own. I'm the one responsible for research etc.
I'm currently working on unit lists.

All the things that you see above(most of them actually) have been changed.
I'm not going to tell too much just yet.

BTW if anyone with modelling/skinning skills has free time, be sure to join us. PM me.:juggle2:

Quote:

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Lentonius: the Chinese were the first to produce crossbows, and were actually used in a battle in 341 BC, before Archimedes was even born.

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Altough your right about this, he was talking about the first European "crossbow". And actually this wasn't a crossbow, but a "belly-bow"--> Gastraphetes
It was actually a siege weapon.

very very nice mod.... i like "greeks"

If this is going to be historically accurate, I think calling the Spartans Lacedaimonians would be better: the Spartans called themselves that.

The Cretans should also be included. They would probably resemble the Greeks, but they would not have diplomatic relations with them.

As i mentioned before, most of the things you see above have been changed since i became historical advisor, factions, units, etc.

For example: Phoenicians-->Carthaginians