Preview : The Generals

Greetings Europa Barbarorum fans.

Today we are proud to present some of the generals that we will feature in the upcoming version of our mod, Europa Barbarorum II.

To be an inspiring leader, accomplished tactician or courageous fighter was not enough in order to be recognised as a great general. You had to look the part too! For EB II, we have researched, concepted, recreated and implemented these units with armour and regalia used by the generals of the ancient world. We want these men to stand out in the field of battle, to be recognized apart from their soldiers, and be the central point in the battlefields of Europa Barbarorum II.

In this mini preview you will see the generals of the Kart-Hadast, Boii, Aeduoi, Auernoi, Pritanoi and Romani, accompanied in some cases by part of their entourage. Enjoy!


Carthaginian general
https://img502.imageshack.us/img502/1425/carth.jpg
https://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9642/carth2.jpg

The Carthaginians as a people may be better known for their talent in trade than their mettle in battle, but their leading families produced many capable and even brilliant generals. The most famous of these is of course Hannibal Barca; yet he is only the foremost of a great many sons of Carthage who led conquering armies far afield.

As members of wealthy families, the generals of Carthage could be lavishly equipped. In EBII, the Carthaginian family-members are a testament to the influence of Hellenic and Italic traditions in armour and art. All the same, these may be easily distinguished from Hellenistic commanders by their Iberian swords and the Phoenician motifs emblazoned upon their armour and shields. Regarding the latter, the motifs you see here are Melqart tackling the lion and a griffin subduing a hind.

Carthaginian general with standard bearer and officer
https://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8227/command2.jpg


Boii general
https://img228.imageshack.us/img228/3278/boiil.jpg

As in all the 'Celtic' La Tene peoples that are represented by factions in Europa Barbarorum, the Boii are a warrior society; not a military one. Every man was at least potentially a warrior -- especially during the great migrations that occurred during this period. Thus, a 'general' is a man who, through personal prestige, noble birth, wealth and force of personality, leads the clan or tribe at all times. Whether this is in peace or in war. However, the Boii are more often at war than not, and the leaders of their war-bands have acquired through experience a level of professionalism that goes beyond the usual requirements of a cattle-raid or family feud. Nevertheless, they must still lead by example, and must still stand out with the finest regalia.

In the example above, the general wears the famous 'winged bird' helmet from Ciumesti and an embossed leather cuirass studded with bronze. To lead the fighting men of the Boii into battle means to fight harder and more gloriously than anyone else.



Pritanoi general
https://img208.imageshack.us/img208/6752/pritanoi.jpg

The Britons, like all the Celts, did not make distinctions between the leaders of their families and clans and their leaders in battle. The very definition of a war-leader is that of a man who, through prestige, wealth, and family position, can command the respect and devotion of his men in war -- many of whom are part of his extended family or his dependents. According to the scale of the battle, the commanders may be the king of the tribe himself or one of his sons. For smaller conflicts, the leader would be the head-man of the village or the chieftain of a small hill-fort. Whether a high king or a village chief, when it came time for blows the war-leader would bear the finest arms he could; even if their intricate and costly decorations made them less effective as armour and weapons. Shields would be decorated with bronze ornaments, rare coral and even golden or silver badges. The object was to be as visible as possible to his men: a living, shining beacon for the clan to rally around.

Our example here shows some of the most famous examples of British artifacts: the Battersea shield, the Waterloo helmet, the Kirkburn mail shirt, and the Stanwick scabbard.


Aeduoi general and carnyx player
https://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9647/aedui.jpg


The Aeduoi confederation is among the most powerful Celtic political bodies. Located in central Gaul, their position enables them to exert influence and project power over their immediate neighbors and often even further afield. The risk of such an advantageous position is exposure. Thus the Aeduoi carefully elect capable magistrates to manage their affairs in both war and peace.

As with all generals in the Celtic world, the leading men of the Aeduoi went into battle equipped with the best arms and armour their culture produced. The korionos depicted here wears the typical Celtic mail armour, with doubling to protect the shoulders -- a combination of proven design and superior craftsmanship which afforded the wearer excellent protection against most blows. His shield is painted with typical Celtic motifs and totemic animals such as the boar. Finally, he wears a splended, horned helmet based on helmets depicted upon both the triumphal arch in Orange, France and coins found in Carnute territory.


Auernoi general
https://img521.imageshack.us/img521/606/arvernis.jpg

The Auernoi confederation is a serious candidate for acquiring dominance in Gaul. Its coffers are rich from the exchange with the southern Greek poleis and from the trade routes that pass through its lands. Its leaders are shrewd, carefully forming alliances and pressing tribes into their hegemony in order to acquire dominance in Gaul. Yet diplomacy and trade are not the only ways, for there are grimmer methods to gain such control among the celts and other peoples. The leaders of the Auernoi know this well, and are thus well versed in and equipped for the art of war.

The Auernoi korionos uses a lavishly decorated leather armour that provides extra protection over the shoulders. This piece has been modeled and skinned after the seated warrior statue found in Roquepertuse, which is a Celtic santuary located north of Masallia. He also wears an iron helmet with cheekguards and plume designed for greater protection against descending blows. His weapon is a high quality Celtic sword with a richly decorated anthropomorphic hilt.


Roman general and triarii officer
https://img197.imageshack.us/img197/404/rome1b.jpg

The generals of Rome were celebrated for their austere lifestyle, grit and determination. Those who lacked such stoic qualities might well suffer ignominy. Still, a little style on the battlefield just cannot be helped ! While Cincinnatus was praised for his simplicity and near-poverty, the Roman generals of the later Republic -- particularly after the Second Punic War -- became marked more by wealth than by poverty; by ostentation than austerity. In EBII, we have aimed to represent some elements of this transition. Though, as you can see, the scales have tilted toward display.

The Roman field commanders retain both the traditional popanum shield and the spined round shield rather than insisting solely upon the more illustrious clipeus. One of these last has been included as well and featuring a painting of the dioscuri Castor and Pollux, who are favorite cult heroes of the Romans. Additionally, in the image below you can see the griffin-spined and winged helmet widely depicted on 2nd and 1st century Roman coinage, and descended from the elaborate helmets of wealthy Italic warriors of the 4th and 3rd centuries. Note that you may also see in the image above an officer of the triarii. His tinned helmet is topped with a transverse crest and his clipeus bearing the visage of the sun god. This was known as Helios to the Greeks, Usil to the Etruscans and perhaps simply Phoebus to the Romans (and much later as Sol Invictus). Coins minted in the early third century at Roman military settlements in Umbria feature round shields bearing his image; so we have chosen to depict him on one of the officer shields.

https://img213.imageshack.us/img213/6600/rome2o.jpg


We hope you have enjoyed this mini preview of the generals in Europa Barbarorum II.

Please note that unless stated otherwise, ALL pictures, names, and descriptions shown in our previews are works in progress. We continue to improve on all parts of EB, and we will continue to do so long after our initial release.

Since some areas where these news items are posted cannot handle wide images, we appreciate your restraint from quoting full-size images.

As always, if you have questions or comments, the best place to post them is here, where the EB team is most active:

Europa Barbarorum ORG forum

Europa Barbarorum TWC forum

A special thanks to JMRC for his excellent models, Tux for his great models and his skinning work on the carnyx player, Gustave for the skins and renders, and to Atilius, Paullus, Tanit, Abou, Oudysseos, power2the1, -Praetor-, and Zarax for the historical info and text work.

We give an additional thanks to Image Shack that provides us with a simple, foolproof, and free way to show you all these pictures.

Have a great day!

Wow.

I'm liking the variety in generals. Is this early and late periods or can you have more than one general model at a time?

Also, am I right in observing that we have here the first description of the two old factions of Gaul in EB2?

Great work on the generals guys!!!!!!!! It always makes my day when there is a new preview!!!

Guys, what can i say?

AWESOME, MAGNIFICENT....... etc.

Thx, just a BIG THANKS for all you are doing.......

GREAT quality!! congratulations for the team :)

great, you have to love/fear them

Amazing models! Just stunning work!

This is pure overkill in beauty... Awesome work... The details are just amazing...

That boii general looks marvelous.

stunning graphics guys!!!
for once a completly unexpected preview :D

Oho! Beautiful as always. Excellent work!

Astounding attention to detail.

thanks for your comments !

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Originally Posted by Maeran

Wow.

I'm liking the variety in generals. Is this early and late periods or can you have more than one general model at a time?

Also, am I right in observing that we have here the first description of the two old factions of Gaul in EB2?

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No we can only have one general model and skin at a time, as far as I know.
And yes you're right its the first time arverni and aedui appear on previews, I don't believe they will be previewed, but all their units for first release have been done.

So does that mean you *may* be *remotely* close to a first release?!?:beam:

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Originally Posted by Populus Romanus

So does that mean you *may* be *remotely* close to a first release?!?:beam:

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ptêtre ben qu'oui, ptêtre ben qu'non !

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS LANGUAGE IS NOT IN THE TRANSLATOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3: :furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3:

Awesome.

Random observation, there's a lot of beard in there. Might the later Roman generals at least be clean-shaven?

Fantabulous

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Originally Posted by QuintusSertorius

Awesome.

Random observation, there's a lot of beard in there. Might the later Roman generals at least be clean-shaven?

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I don't believe the Roman generals have more than a 5 o'clock shadow at most.

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Originally Posted by Gustave

ptêtre ben qu'oui, ptêtre ben qu'non !

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Well, ancient Aeduoi speech :grin:?

Very nice preview BTW, I hope the release is pretty... soon...

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Originally Posted by Gustave

thanks for your comments !

No we can only have one general model and skin at a time, as far as I know.
And yes you're right its the first time arverni and aedui appear on previews, I don't believe they will be previewed, but all their units for first release have been done.

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Then for the Carthaginians, is one a general model and the other a captain?

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Originally Posted by Populus Romanus

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THIS LANGUAGE IS NOT IN THE TRANSLATOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3: :furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3::furious3:

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It sort of worked for me...

French to English translation
"maybe it ben that yes, maybe it ben qu'non"

Which translator were you using? I guess Microsoft Translator isn't very good.
What is up with the helmets for the Pritanoi generals? I thought that that type of helmet was only for parades and ceremonial purposes, never battle.

Cool.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Populus Romanus

Which translator were you using? I guess Microsoft Translator isn't very good.
What is up with the helmets for the Pritanoi generals? I thought that that type of helmet was only for parades and ceremonial purposes, never battle.

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Google Translate.

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Originally Posted by Brave Brave Sir Robin

Then for the Carthaginians, is one a general model and the other a captain?

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Oh, I think I misunderstood your question. All our generals have variations in their models, which means that if several generals are present on the same battle they will all be different. The first 2 pictures of carthaginians are generals indeed.
However we cannot make different generals for early and late periods.

Quote:

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Awesome.

Random observation, there's a lot of beard in there. Might the later Roman generals at least be clean-shaven?

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Hehe, in fact the second roman one is clean shaved. The first one is a well-known guy...

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

https://i981.photobucket.com/albums/...ldinar/2-3.jpg

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It sort of worked for me...

French to English translation
"maybe it ben that yes, maybe it ben qu'non"

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Exactly. You can simply translate it to "maybe yes, maybe no". Its not really french, more like my grandfather's patois actually...

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Originally Posted by Chuchip

Google Translate.

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Google wins again.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gustave

Hehe, in fact the second roman one is clean shaved. The first one is a well-known guy...

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I won't tell if you don't.

Haha... The resemblance is astonishing! Great addition

Trully a collection of works of art right there!

Again another amazing preview, can't expect any less from the EB team.

So which general has your face Gustave?...

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Originally Posted by stratigos vasilios

Again another amazing preview, can't expect any less from the EB team.

So which general has your face Gustave?...

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hehe, none of them actually. But my face is in the mod... I won't tell you where though :beam:

It'll be the EB character with the most elaborate and expensive armour, made out of solid gold, encrusted with jewels and carried into battle on a chair by four men... :-P

Gustave had some time ago a very funny personal signature...just a hint...

That was smashing.

Thank you

Cool I bow to the TEAM of the teams...

:jawdrop:

Really amazing.

Can MIITW support this sort of stuff though?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVyeHhlbFZ8

I can also distinctly imagine a group of undergraduate celtic anthropologists go out for a wild Saturday night and drink out of one of those horns.

https://img80.imageshack.us/img80/9647/aedui.jpg

So my legions will be commanded by Russell Crowe? Cool. I can only pray for the face of Gerard Butler in a Spartiatai unit...

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Originally Posted by antisocialmunky

Really amazing.

Can MIITW support this sort of stuff though?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVyeHhlbFZ8

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Yes but it would require adding two new bones to the models skeleton and changing all it's animations, which I'm sure you agree is way too much work for something that would barely be noticed.

Amazing work! I especially love the Carthaginian and Boii generals!

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Originally Posted by bobbin

Yes but it would require adding two new bones to the models skeleton and changing all it's animations, which I'm sure you agree is way too much work for something that would barely be noticed.

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You could always post of list of cool things for people to sub-mod in if you want. Kinda crowd source all the stuff you don't have time to do like TATW is doing with settlements. WE have many talented people.

Oh my goodness.....had a father jack moment there.....works of art.....especially the Auernoi and Boii generals.....thank you

The new intels are out, the graphic cards too; some 8 gigs ram and SSD - i hope that would be enough to run the game smoothly, then... ^^
So, do i get it right: it is not possible to give each general ( depending on his heritage, for example ) some unique bodyguards?

Damn, just beautyful!
It made me shiver...

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Originally Posted by Iskander 3.1

:jawdrop:

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Ditto.

And also:

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Originally Posted by Gustave

All our generals have variations in their models, which means that if several generals are present on the same battle they will all be different.

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:jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

Darn this is beautiful to look at.

If only mods like this could be built in a day...but at least it will be worth the wait. :beam:

By the way, what's the maximum number of general models per faction in m2tw and how many are you planning to make?

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Originally Posted by Paltmull

By the way, what's the maximum number of general models per faction in m2tw and how many are you planning to make?

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1 (or any number with scripting). We will only be doing 1 for each faction.

Foot

But... but...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gustave

Oh, I think I misunderstood your question. All our generals have variations in their models, which means that if several generals are present on the same battle they will all be different. The first 2 pictures of carthaginians are generals indeed.
However we cannot make different generals for early and late periods.

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Wow, amazing! Beautiful

Btw, the faces of the Roman General and the triarii officer also kind of mistakable for Rome's Titus Pullo and Lucius Verinus, no?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paltmull

But... but...

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Yeah, modding for MTW2 is fun...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Divinephyton

Wow, amazing! Beautiful

Btw, the faces of the Roman General and the triarii officer also kind of mistakable for Rome's Titus Pullo and Lucius Verinus, no?

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Not at all, but I agree there's a similarity.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Paltmull

But... but...

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I don't understand your question. I'm sorry if you misunderstood me, my english is not the best. There is one general unit per faction, but each of them features several faces, bodies, etc., just like any other unit.

Can you make a fat body?

You know, for diversity.

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Originally Posted by antisocialmunky

Can you make a fat body?

You know, for diversity.

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No Fatties Allowed in Europe of the Barbarians!
http://bighollywood.breitbart.com/fi...no-fatties.jpg
Anyway, I do not think a fat person could fit inside one of those linothoraxes.:laugh4:

Wow, this looks awesome...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Gustave

I don't understand your question. I'm sorry if you misunderstood me, my english is not the best. There is one general unit per faction, but each of them features several faces, bodies, etc., just like any other unit.

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Ahaaa, i get it now. I didn't know that you could have varieties in the same model for generals. Sorry for confusing everyone.

Outstanding work as always :). I especially like this Boii chief. He look like real bad ass.
I also have two question. Firstly, why you change the Arverni name ? I’m looking something in Google about Auernoi but I don’t have any record about this new name.
Secondly, in Carthaginian general’s description you write something like that “All the same, these may be easily distinguished from Hellenistic commanders by their Iberian swords…” but Iberian swords (falcata??) have only officer and standard bearer. In general’s hand is something else. What is that, Greek xiphos :) or Celtic sword?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by nazgool

Outstanding work as always :). I especially like this Boii chief. He look like real bad ass.
I also have two question. Firstly, why you change the arveni name ? I’m looking something in Google about Auernoi but I don’t have any record about this new name.
Secondly, in Carthaginian general’s description you write something like that “All the same, these may be easily distinguished from Hellenistic commanders by their Iberian swords…” but Iberian swords (falcata??) have only officer and standard bearer. In general’s hand is something else. What is that, Greek xiphos :) or Celtic sword?

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Hehe well spotted my friend. This is indeed a xiphos, maybe we should have edited the description. In fact the carthaginian general uses either a xiphos or a falcata, same for the officers.

Hehe. Thx but this is not my note :) In this case I'm only transmitter :)
Once again thank you for the answer.

How about Arverni = Auernoi? I guess that this is some Celtic name.

Auernoi gives a better representation of its pronunciation...

in latin u and v are interchangable at least in juridic terms it is

Thx for the answer :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by moonburn

in latin u and v are interchangable at least in juridic terms it is

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In written latin as well... It's because v and u were very simmilarly pronounced in classical latin, so they didn't feel the need for different letters for a while, until they saw that stuff like SERVVS could be written better with Servus... It took them a long time tough...

I do wonder if this was the case with Gallic language as well?

My :daisy: goodness. You guys are masters. The level of details on those units is amazing!
Gustav - felicitations mon pot, you've surpassed yourself with your work.

You might want to edit the swear from your post, you'll get an infraction from the moderators otherwise.

From the in-progress Latin Pronunciation Guide:

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i – although generally thought of as a vowel, it also acted in a consonantal role similar to the y in the English young. This would be seen often in the beginning of words when followed by a vowel. In the Middle Ages this became the English letter j. Hence, the Latin name Julius was originally written as Iulius. Furthermore, i also separates syllables while acting as a diphthong. An example is the city Troia pronounced Troy-ya.

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Quote:

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v/u – the same with i, both a consonant and a vowel. The Romans only had the letter v, but in modern texts you will find written a v for the consonant and u for the vowel. Similar to the rules for i, v was pronounced as the modern English w. Although in the official names for Roman units, we will write using only v, for the pronunciations we will differentiate for you.

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Okey, thanks Bobbin.

Wow,

I'll need... Bigger...Better...graphics card.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by fireblade

Wow,

I'll need... Bigger...Better...graphics card.

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You forgot faster...

Indeed, faster as well :)

With speed holes in it... to make it go faster.

The Pritanoi helmets look cute. I guess the Pritanoi would worship Rabbits instead of gods :freak:

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Originally Posted by Gaius Septimus Severus

The Pritanoi helmets look cute. I guess the Pritanoi would worship Rabbits instead of gods :freak:

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hehe, actually I believe it's inspired from pikachu.

Very cool stuff, I admire the work put into this project. I wish the team was signed by a developer to produce their own game :)

I personally find it an irony that the British ascribe horned helmets to Danish pirates who never wore the things. That helmet really was dredged up from a British river and was made by pre-Roman Britons. I'd consider it a parade piece, but am not one to complain.

Those Generals are stunning to look at.

... is it just me or does the roman general look like Russel crowe from gladiator?

The team did model the Roman general on him, yeah.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Vasiliyi

Those Generals are stunning to look at.

... is it just me or does the roman general look like Russel crowe from gladiator?

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Si. Oui. Yes. Ja. Da.

Everything beautifull! Gourgeous Carthaginian General! But quite tired of staring I want to Play!