I am at a point in my development of Mod X where I need to know what is more important to the players of the mods out there - having extraneous graphics to add to the feel of the mod, or having a leaner download size. I already plan on having a graphics add-on pack with interface and terrain graphics you can install if you want, but what I am referring to are the unit and improvement graphics in the Civilopedia and build screens. Should I have them point to items already in existence within Conquests, or include all new graphics for the new items. These things are hardcoded in the .biq and .txt files, and need to be determined beforehand.

Please vote for what you would prefer to see, and post why. If you want to get an idea of what Mod X is about, just follow the link in my sig.

Detail is everything. On of the things that made warhammer so popular was how iorned out it was. Even If I didn't have DSL (or the equivilet of) I'd much rather dowload through the night for a good mod to download a lowerquality one quicker.

I have to say that for me diversity in a mod is very important. One of the things I don't like about the original Civ is that every civ has the same unit graphics and stats. I would definitely enjoy a mod with more graphics even if it means a bigger download.

Keep in mind the only graphics I am referring to are the ones in the Civilopedia, City Build screen, and tech tree screen. Gameplay would be the same in both versions. There is going to be hundreds of new units, improvements, and techs either way.

I like the Civpedia icons, building screen icons, etc. to all be different. It adds just that much more to the game. Hmmm, although, I might think differently if I had dial-up, but since I have cable....the more the merrier.

I have DSL so i want as much in the game as will fit.

Being on a 10/10 line, 100MB or 1MB makes little difference to me, so I prefer nicer gfx.

Wosrt case, split it into multiple files, but I love the frills...the small details...

THe Bells and Whistles man...

Well, if it's about PCX only, it won't make a big difference with a good compression.
A new unit is 400-700ko and a new PCX is 50-120.

I tend to agree, but we are talking hundreds of extra Civilopedia entries, additions to the tech tree, units_32 file, buildings, etc. If everyone still thinks its worth it, then that is how I will do it. :D I am not surprised at the winning option, but I am that it is such a shutout.

Let's be generous and say a PCX addition is 50kb (Only Splashes take really more, +- 100kb). Multiply by 200. Divide by 2 with WinRAR.

5000kb. 5Mb. It's a no-brainer for me ;)

variety is the spice of life...I always thought Civ3 should have at lest 4 different types of warrior/worker/settler etc for each of the Culture groups...and I personaly am adding UU for every civ in my MOD from scout/settler/worker on down...so go for it...besides the more units.buildings/wonders you add, the more hidden touches...

At one point I would have begged for a small download, but now I use the campus wireless network. :evil:

for me (and i guess for most players) the download isn't that problem, it's only one (possible long) download, but that doesn't influence gameplay actually.
the bigger problem is the waiting time between turns and that isn't influenced by the number of new graphics ...

The more frills the better I say.

I usually enjoy mods with as much new stuff as possible.

And if you do too, make sure you check out the European Fury Mod! :)


And some comments/suggestions would be nice on it also...

Well, just remember - you guys asked for it! I was considering releasing a 'lite' version with reduced civilopedia and city screen graphics enhancements, but seeing as how it is still unanimous I won't bother - too much work for something no one will use. The terrain, interface and music enhancements will still be available as a seperate download, since they are not only unnecesary but many people may choose to go with their own mix.

Mod X is already going to have multiple units, buildings, and techs unique to each trait, culture group, government, and religion - not too mention a few hundred new items available to all. So yes, the DL will not be small.

the bigger problem is the waiting time between turns and that isn't influenced by the number of new graphics ...

There are a few things you can do to reduce that - smaller map size, fewer civs, turning off AI exploration, impassable terrain, increasing hardware, making sure nothing else is running on your machine, restricting growth, etc. Very little can be done from a modding standpoint, but I am throwing in a few tricks to help with that. I don't plan on restricting terrain, map size, or civs allowed, however, as I see those as the players choice.

if you don't planning including a world map, like in Rhye's mod, than of course you're right.
i'm looking forward to your mod!

Thanks. It's been a long time coming.

There will be a mapped version (deciding which world map now - looking for an accurate Earth about 160x160) as well as a full mod with no map. The mod will be released first, the mapped right after. It will contain some preplaced LM terrain, resources, and units that will delay that release.

Check out the link in my sig for more details - there is a seperate thread on the mod itself there. ;)