Ancient TW3 - Roman Wars

[macsen rufus]

I've created a new scenario for Roman Wars, using an entirely new campaign map - this is why I've been a bit quiet online recently...

Anyway, here's a sneak preview:








There's still a lot of work to be done, but it will incorporate many of the innovations first aired in Eastern Empires, and of course lots of new units for the new factions.

The campaign map is the largest yet for the Roman Wars mod, with 76 provinces, and it's working fine. There are 14 factions, with new ones including the Bosporan Kingdom, Parthian Empire, Palmyra, Lusitanians and Galatians.

It is not quite as strictly historical as some previous scenarios as it was an era of great flux, so I wanted to br9ing in some factions which would rightly have just been considered rebels by this time (such as the Gauls), but the general rule of 'Gameplay trumps history' has been applied for more fun.

Contrary to previous campiagn maps I didn't use LMM to make it - just started from a map of the terrain then created the LBM overlay by hand (well, Photoshop...) and all the data from a spreadsheet. It has proved to be just as easy this way, and it was all working within a couple of weeks.

I'm porting over units from Eastern for the eastern factions, and there will be more left to create (the Parthians are going to be fun ) and this will include some based on the oversized BIFs, so as to clear up BIF folders for new units (again, mostly for the benefit of the Parthians).

I was considering making a patch for this, but the changes are so wide-ranging it will be easier to make a new complete install, so when it comes out it will be a full-blown v2.0. No time-scale yet, but I would like to get it done before the end of the year if possible.

[western]

That looks super-cool. I love new maps - and conquest of the map always made a lot more sense in the Roman period than it does for medieval

[macsen rufus]

Thanks, Western

conquest of the map always made a lot more sense in the Roman period than it does for medieval

Certainly they had the most extensive Empire on the European map, historically - I'm toying with the idea of making the 'victory' provinces just those conquered during the Republican era. Admittedly, that is most of the map

The biggest problem with this scenario is how to deal with 'royal families' for the two Roman factions, as both were really run by collections of 'heroes' - it might be I need to implement the Caesar side of things as a dynasty, but the Optimates really need Pompey etc just being hero-generals with a fairly anonymous 'Consular family' heading up the faction. I'll keep mulling it over, but it's going to go way off the historical line anyway.

It's not quite so clear-cut as the Hellenic Successor kingdoms were for EE - in this scenario the only one of those left (Ptolemies) throws up a few problems for rendering in MTW - ie they were in civil war themselves, with one side led by a queen. Why oh why oh why couldn't they just run their kingdoms in a manner suitable for MTW

[dimitrios the samian]

Great work Mac .......

Why oh why oh why couldn't they just run their kingdoms in a manner suitable for MTW

why not just create a statrpos/Campaign scenario that's purely a "what if" to suit the MTW engine

[macsen rufus]

Hmm, perhaps I didn't flag the joke clearly enough....

[dimitrios the samian]

The campaign map is the largest yet for the Roman Wars mod, with 76 provinces, and it's working fine. There are 14 factions, with new ones including the Bosporan Kingdom, Parthian Empire, Palmyra, Lusitanians and Galatians.................................
>> Brilliant macsen !! How nice it would be if those darned 2d Bif Plates did not take so long

I'm porting over units from Eastern for the eastern factions, and there will be more left to create (the Parthians are going to be fun ) and this will include some based on the oversized BIFs, so as to clear up BIF folders for new units (again, mostly for the benefit of the Parthians).
>> Mac , If you get the time let me know how you picture the Parthians to look like ....... & an idea for you to ponder , you could use some of the Bronze Age troops just as temporaries , until we can skin up or mod some Parthians etc etc .
Also take a look at Fall of Rome , could be a few we can use with permission .

[Leith]

Hello, friends! I am so happy that you are going to create a new scenario for your Roman Wars mod. Roman civil wars have always fascinated me. I can only commend you, Mac, for your dedication. Having said that, I do hope you will consider the following:

1-In all the Roman war scenarios the AI of the Roman faction was extremely disappointing.

2-The Roman Legionary didn't look so Roman at all.

I might be able to help with the second issue in the future but for now I cannot wait for the release of your mod. I wish you all the best in this endeavor.

P.S I forgot to ask something:"Are we going to have a more varied unit roster for the Roman factions?