Bts "DUNE WARS" {Development Thread}

[keldath]

well,
alright,
i can limit the nukes the way you describe,

also for the missiles, i will deny them from bombarding imp and city - jusy normal suicide cheap attack, nukes will be limited,
i dont like global warming aswell, will disable it.

glad you like thefarming thing,

well i guess i will do the same with the concept of mines,
somthng like a few levels of mines,
but i see no reason to make the base terrain not put our some hammers, and commernce,

the hamlets - what name do you have for them?




update:

i got 5 more uu to do ( ferning and bene gesserit)
and im finished with the units totally (just have to do the upgrade tree).

i used alot of final frontier models - some for thopters , kinds of heighliners, and so on.

any name suggestions for the last units:
ferning - 2 are needed
bene gesserits - 3 are needed

then im moving on to buildings! yeah!
note on building graphics :
in order to save size of the mod,
i will convert all the vanilla buildings into new models, alomng with ubs (2 each civ),
but,
the added buildings will use the smae building models from the variation ill choose,
this is done in order to ise as less graphics models as possible -
the reason - the less graphics, the less size - the better stability -
huge modpacks - of sizes of 250mb and more - are more likely to generate ctds, which i must avoid in dune wars at all costs.

in addition, i was considering a shared button for each unit according to its combat feature,
also , to save on mb.



if my progress will be as it is now , perhaps, we will be able to release the first version within month-two month tops. maybe less,
depends on how much h.w i get form the university

 

[Ajidica]

Perhaps Fedaykin could be a promotion that gives massivly increased strength, but removes withdrawal and the said unit has a chance of dying even if victorius.

I'm not saying remove Fenring completly (he actualy is one of my favorite characters, right up their with Pieter DeVries and the tleilaxu reasercher (from the prelude books) Hidar Fen Ajidica.

As to atomics, perhaps make each faction start with only a few, and they can't be built. Also, add a python function that if anyone uses a nuke against a civ, all civs have a high chance of declaring war, in addition to a very high negative diplo modifier, bucause the Great Convention of the Landsraad, same one that prohibits AI, also prohibits nukes used agaisnt people.

Bene Gesserit:
Sayyadina
Panopilia Propheticus
Missionaria Protectiva
Abomination

Fenring:
I'm still staying by my assertion that they should be a complete hybrid of Bene Gesserit and Corrino, but perhaps:
Imitation Sardaukar(I can imagine Fenring copying the Imperial Sardaukar)
Infiltrators(Fenring did assasinate Elrood and kill a couple Face Dancers during the making of Ajidamal during the prelude books)

 

[Phoenician]

well,
alright,
i can limit the nukes the way you describe,

also for the missiles, i will deny them from bombarding imp and city - jusy normal suicide cheap attack, nukes will be limited,
i dont like global warming aswell, will disable it.

glad you like thefarming thing,

well i guess i will do the same with the concept of mines,
somthng like a few levels of mines,
but i see no reason to make the base terrain not put our some hammers, and commernce,

the hamlets - what name do you have for them?




update:

i got 5 more uu to do ( ferning and bene gesserit)
and im finished with the units totally (just have to do the upgrade tree).

i used alot of final frontier models - some for thopters , kinds of heighliners, and so on.

any name suggestions for the last units:
ferning - 2 are needed
bene gesserits - 3 are needed

then im moving on to buildings! yeah!
note on building graphics :
in order to save size of the mod,
i will convert all the vanilla buildings into new models, alomng with ubs (2 each civ),
but,
the added buildings will use the smae building models from the variation ill choose,
this is done in order to ise as less graphics models as possible -
the reason - the less graphics, the less size - the better stability -
huge modpacks - of sizes of 250mb and more - are more likely to generate ctds, which i must avoid in dune wars at all costs.

in addition, i was considering a shared button for each unit according to its combat feature,
also , to save on mb.



if my progress will be as it is now , perhaps, we will be able to release the first version within month-two month tops. maybe less,
depends on how much h.w i get form the university

I'll have the building names and icons for you fairly soon.
I know you want 2UB for each civ, but wouldn't that hurt the balance of the game?
All the UB are already really strong and frankly I cannot think of anymore to do.

In terms of names of cottages, I was looking through my book and I don't see anything that would work. I'm fine with the names of cottages, Dune is set in the future but it has a pretty ancient feeling to it so unless someone can come up with a name that fits well I would just leave it alone.

 

[Melinko]

Alright I double checked by changing the tag canMoveAllTerrain to 1 on the warriors (And the lions as a side note heh), and then gave the Ai tons of warriors to attack me with with a city that they knew where it was at. They did exactly what they were supposed to do, and attacked my city with their warriors (And the lion worked also heh )

Perhaps the problem you are running into is they no longer need transport to get from point A to point B. For example if you put a land unit that was a transport I don't think the AI would use it, it would just walk its units there. But that is something for after the worm, storm system, etc to work on

 

[keldath]

Melinko,

hummm...well in my checks, the ai did move all terrain units o me,

but you are currect, i just didnt use transports,
so whats the point of having carryalls??

this aint so much fun,
i didnt see even one ship just scouting the seas, except the desert scout unit,

meliinko, try to do some tests with the version i gave you,
use auto ai there and ran a few gamesm, see the ai movement on water, most units that ive made for all terrain are on late stages.

the problem is that in early stages, the ai wontuse transport and just wont attack.

well anyway, we'll see what happens.


Phoenician,
well 2 ub, ok ill delay that for later,
as for balance, well we could make it balance if we want too

if you can make buttons for theunit classes i wrote before that would be swell.

Ajidica,
thanks,
isee what i can do.

 

[Melinko]

Melinko,

hummm...well in my checks, the ai did move all terrain units o me,

but you are currect, i just didnt use transports,
so whats the point of having carryalls??

this aint so much fun,
i didnt see even one ship just scouting the seas, except the desert scout unit,

We will just have to change the priority of some things, maybe add in a few more conditions, but if we know the specific condition on when we want them to use carryalls it shouldn't be 'that' bad to add it in. When we look into getting the transport ships made, I will check their sea transport code, and hopefully this will give me something just to copy and change.

Once you wanted to make it a desert that anyone can walk on and not the water, we pretty much took out the AI using boats and etc. We will have to put something back in to make it work like previously, but that requires some changing so given time carryalls will be useful again.

Is this going to be something you need before the weather, because as is that is the next project I was going to move to. But if this is something you need sooner I will get to this as soon as the worm is done.

 

[keldath]

hey m,

see my pm...

i dont like the no water , cause the map wont look nice , just a jumble of the land terrain the wtaer gives us possibility to make different set of "land"..the cast deserts ha ha!

ok,
im now goinf to finish the units!

wish me luck!!!


******************

guys, check out the new picture of the units - they are for now the final models for the first version.

im now starting to work on the improvment system.

 

[The_J]

guys, check out the new picture of the units - they are for now the final models for the first version.

Where's the SonicTank from?

im now starting to work on the improvment system.

Go on .

 

[Ajidica]

Keldath, looking nice, a few (relativly major) spelling things for units and such.
Deviator, Sardaukar, and Maula are the ones I noticed.

Its looking good. For Leto/Paul I would reccomend using the 03 sci-fi channel miniseries characters as opposed to the 1984 one. Same goes for Fenring, Gaius Helen Mohiam, Stilgar, (IIRC, Esmar Tuek, you see him whisper to one of the Dukes men about the Emperors Sardaukar), and Children of Dune for Edric as a navigator. As much as I like the new Shaddam, the old one looks cooler. I personaly feel that for pictures, we should tend more to the new film as opposed to the old one for the simple reason that the pictures are generaly of better quality.

As to echo The_J, good luck with improvements.

 

[Phoenician]

I finally finished Wonders, National Wonders, and Projects.
All structures are same building cost as their replacement.
All structures go obsolete as their replacement unless otherwise stated.
If "Default" is listed, that means nothing changes about the replacement except the image and name. If I list changes, everything else I do not list about that structure is default. If no icon is provided, then the default icon/animation is used.

Projects:

Spoiler :

Apollo Program-Removed
Spaceship parts-Removed
The Internet-Removed

SDI-same, default

The Atomics Project - replaces The Manhattan Project-default

Dune-opedia: aka, The Great Convention is a regulatory doctrine on the use of Atomics.

7 Holy Shrines - required for Spiritual Victory-check previous pages for icons and info.

National Wonders

Spoiler :

Colony House - replaces Forbidden Palace-default

Dune-opedia: A representational authority of the House.

Bakka - replaces Globe Theater-Default

Dune-opedia: In Fremen legend, the weeper who mourns for all mankind

Legend of the Mahdi - replaces Hermitage-Default

Dune-opedia: In the Fremen Messianic legend, "The One Who WillLead Us to Paradise."

Art of Kanly - replaces Heroic Epic-Default

Civopedia: Formal feud or vendetta under the rules of the Great Convention carried on according to the strictest limitations. Originally the rules were designed to protect innocent bystanders.

Spice Silo - replaces Ironworks-Default

Dune-opedia: Great silo that stores refined spice.

Kiswa - replaces Moai Statues-Default

Dune-opedia: Any figure or design from Fremen mythology.

Crysknife Monument - replaces Mt. Rushmore-Default

Dune-opedia: The sacred knife of the Fremen on Arrakis. It is maunfactured in two forms from teeth taken from dead sandworms.

Water Discipline - replaces National Epic-Default

Dune-opedia: Harsh training which fits the inhabitants of Arrakis for existence there without wasting moisture.

Forbidden Forest - replaces National Park - Default or use other terrain type for benefits.

Dune-opedia: A legendary magical, mystical forest.

Dar Al-Hikman - replaces Oxford University-Default
Dune-opedia: School of religious translation or interpretation.
Palace - same,Default

Alam Al-Mithal - replaces Red Cross- Scouts start with Medic 1,2,3.

Dune-opedia: The mystical world of similitudes where all physical limitations are removed.

CHOAM - replaces Wall Street - Default
Dune-opedia: Acronym for Combine Honnete Ober Advancer Mercantiles-the universal development corporation controlled by the Emperor and Great Houses with the Guild and Bene Gesserit as silent partners.

War of Assassins - replaces West Point - Default

Dune-opedia: The limited form of warfare permitted under the Great Convention and the Guild Peace. The aim is to reduce involvement of innocent bystanders. Rules prescribe formal declaration of intent and restrict permissable weapons.

 

[Phoenician]

Wonders!!!

Spoiler :

Istislah - replaces Angkor Wat -
priest +1 in all cities (instead of 1)

Dune-opedia: A rule for the generalwelfare; usually a preface to brutal necessity

Intergalactic Theater Company - replaces Broadway-Default

Dune-opedia: A guild for theater entertainment around the galaxy.
Chichen Itza - Removed

Air Force Academy - replaces Cristo Redenter-
+2 experience points for all Air units in all cities.

Dune-opedia: For thousands of years, Cadets have been training here to be elite pilots and officers.

David Lynch Museum- replaces Hollywood-Default

Dune-opedia: The David Lynch museum was built in honor of the greatest film director that ever lived.

Harg Pass- replaces Mausoleum of Mausollos-Default

Dune-opedia: A Mausoleum that holds the remains of Duke Leto Atreides.

Sayyadina Monastery - replaces Notre Dame-Default

Dune-opedia: A monastery for female acolytes in the Fremen religious hierarchy.

Intergalactic Music Company - replaces Rock N' Roll-Default

Dune-opedia: A guild for musicians across the galaxy.

Hajj Monument - replaces Shwedagon Paya-Default

Dune-opedia: A monument for those who take the Hajj, the holy journey.

Aql Monument - replaces Stonehenge-Default

Dune-opedia: A monument to the concept of the test of reason. Originally, the "Seven Mystic Questions" beginning: "Who is it that thinks?"

The Bene Gesserit Palace - replaces Apostolic Palace-Default

Dune-opedia: The palace where the Proctor Superiors of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood meet to discuss religious and political doctrine.

The Fedaykin Monument - replaces the Colossus-Default

Dune-opedia: A monument to the famous Fremen death commandos known as the Fedaykin.

Intergalactic Com. Tower - replaces Eiffel Tower-Default

Dune-opedia: The supreme tower which provides communication anywhere and everywhere.

The Great Filmbook Library - replaces The Great Library-Default
Dune-opedia: A great library of filmbooks. Filmbooks are shigawire imprints used in training and carrying a mnemonic pulse.

The Imperial Space Port - replaces The Great Lighthouse-
Merchant +1 in all cities. +1 free merchant. Never goes obsolete.
(These benefits replace the trade route bonus)

Dune-opedia: The Greatest and largest Space Port in the entire known universe.

Advanced House Shield - replaces The Great Wall-Default

Dune-opedia: Advanced defensive barrier.

Hagia Sophia-Removed

The Great Mushtamal - replaces The Hanging Gardens-Default
Dune-opedia: A great Garden annex.

Feufreluches Law - replaces The Kremlin-Default
Dune-opedia: The rigid rule of class distinction enforced by the Imperium. "A place for every man and every man in his place."

The Oracle of Hajra- replaces The Oracle-Default
Dune-opedia: The oracle of "seeking journey."

Temple of the First Moon - replaces The Parthenon-Default

Dune-opedia: Temple built in honor of the major satellite of Arrakis, first to rise in the night; notable for a distinct human fist pattern on its surface.

Ya Hya Chouhada Academy - replaces The Pentagon-Default

Dune-opedia: A military academy built in honor of the soldiers of Muad'Dib. It's named after the famous Fedaykin battle cry: "Long live the fighters!" Ya (now)in this cry is augmented by the hya form (the ever-extended now). Chouhada (fighters) carries this added meaning of fighters are not struggling for anything, but are consecrated against a specific thing-that alone.

Obelisks of Muad'Dib - replaces The Pyramids-Default
Dune-opedia: Religious shrines for the prophet Muad'Dib.

Chakobsa Temple - replaces The Sistine Chapel-Default

Dune-opedia: The so-called "magnetic language" derived in part from the ancient Bhotani. Dialects modified by needs of secrecy, but chiefly the hunting language of the Bhotani, the hired assassins of the first Wars of Assassins.

The Space Elevator-Removed

Mihna - replaces The Spiral Minaret-Default-never goes obsolete

Dune-opedia: The season for testing Fremen youths who wish admittance to manhood.

Fai Revenue Service - replaces The Statue of Liberty-Default

Dune-opedia: Service in charge of water tribute, chief specie of tax on Arrakis.

The Great Revolt Memorial - replaces The Statue of Zeus-Default

Dune-opedia: A memorial dedicated to the fallen soldiers of the Butlerian Jihad.

Hagal Palace- replaces The Taj Mahal-Default

Dune-opedia: A palace made mostly from jewels from planet Hagal.

Pillar of Fire - replaces The Temple of Artemis-
+1 free merchant (instead of 1 free priest)
+1 trade route in all cities (instead of +100% trade route yield)

Dune-opedia: The pyrocket for signalling across the open desert.

Holtzman Field Generator - Replaces Three Gorges Dam-
provides power in all cities(instead of cities on this continent)

Dune-opedia: An advanced generator.

Landsraad Embassy - replaces the United Nations-Default

Dune-opedia:The Landsraad is the assembly of all the nobles in the Imperium, representing Houses Great or Minor.

University of Arrakeen - replaces University of Sankore-Default
Dune-opedia: The great religious university of Arrakeen.

Palace of Carthag -replaces Versailles-Default

Dune-opedia: A palace that presides over the judicial authority over Carthag.

 

[Ajidica]

Looks nice, the effects can be changed later. One thing on the graphics, if you want to keep using graphics from 1984 Dune, could you find higher quality pictures? They are a bit grainy and dark. Although some of them, such as the Landsraad, I dont see them as being on Arrakis, IIRC it is on Kaitian. Perhaps it could be replaced by the Residency? And as to house shields, perhaps it could replace Chichen Itza and be named Large-scale shields or something.

 

[Phoenician]

Looks nice, the effects can be changed later. One thing on the graphics, if you want to keep using graphics from 1984 Dune, could you find higher quality pictures? They are a bit grainy and dark. Although some of them, such as the Landsraad, I dont see them as being on Arrakis, IIRC it is on Kaitian. Perhaps it could be replaced by the Residency? And as to house shields, perhaps it could replace Chichen Itza and be named Large-scale shields or something.

You won't find these pictures anywhere. I took these pictures with my digital camera.
It's a very good camera. And I edited them on photoshop. It was a lot of work!
The film is old, so you can't really get better quality than that. But the images are mainly icons, they will be so small and they will look a lot better when they are small.
They are also Dune-opedia images.

As to the Landsraad. I will rename it Landsraad embassy so it makes sense to be on Arrakis.

And, WOW, the units look amazing! I can't wait to play with them. Great Work!

 

[Ajidica]

Ah, didn't realize that they were from the movie. Its a pities that it wasn't a very sucessful movie, so they won't be releasing a digitaly remastered version of it. They look good for buttons, but for any larger icons, could you make some of your art? I personaly feel it is important to maintain a universal art style in a mod.

Keldath, if you need any art to be reskinned or 'dune-ified' I could do that.

Slightly OT, but I read a while ago that someone from Paramount (IIRC) is working on a new Dune movie, has anyone heard any progress on that? Hopefully the Director goes with the old Dune atmosphere (but new movie harkonnens) and takes full advantage of modern CGI graphics. (No offense to the old movie, but some effects shots, and costumes (noteably the Sardaukar) were a bit strange to say the least.

 

[Phoenician]

Ah, didn't realize that they were from the movie. Its a pities that it wasn't a very sucessful movie, so they won't be releasing a digitaly remastered version of it. They look good for buttons, but for any larger icons, could you make some of your art? I personaly feel it is important to maintain a universal art style in a mod.

I disagree with you. I really like the images.

It is consistent. All the UB are painted and the 7 holy shrines are painted. This will make them stick out over the photo-shopped images. So when you are playing the game, when you see a painted image you will instantly realize that it is a UB or a Holy Shrine.
And yes I do believe the Wonders are consistent. They are consistent in that they use photo-shopped photos from David Lynch's awesome film.

The regular buildings I will mostly use photo-shop images from C&C.
So when you play the game you will easily tell the difference between a regular building and a wonder.

I'll probably paint icons for Units, if Keldath wants icons for units that is.

 

[Ajidica]

I'm not saying that I don't like the images. I suppose at button size the 'grainyness' will be hardly noticable. As to graphic style and such, I'll defer to you as you got the degree in it.

Sorry if I was a bit dogmatic, its just that I have wanted to see a Dune mod for a while, but I had my own view of it. Its just a bit odd to see the mod finaly taking off after having been 'dead' since 05.

 

[Phoenician]

Any building I did not list doesn't really need a replacement.

Buildings:

Spoiler :

Weather Scanner - replaces Lighthouse

--------------------------
Airfield - replaces Airport

--------------------------
Prison Camp - replaces Jail

--------------------------
Granary

---------------------------
Spice Refinery - replaces Forge

--------------------------
Space Port - replaces Harbor

--------------------------
House Shield - replaces Walls

--------------------------
Assassin Bureau - replaces Security Bureau

--------------------------
Wind Pass- replaces Levee

--------------------------
Reception Hall - replaces Colosseum

-------------------------
Communication Satellite - replaces Broadcast Tower

------------------------
Qanat - replaces Aqueduct

------------------------
Frigate Transportation - replaces Public Transportation -default imagery
-----------------------
Factory-use Assembly Plant image/graphics
-----------------------
Spice Plant- replaces coal plant - use Shale Plant image/graphics
-----------------------
Hierag -replaces grocer - default imagery
----------------------
Atomics Plant - replaces Nuclear Plant - default imagery

 

[Phoenician]

I'm not saying that I don't like the images. I suppose at button size the 'grainyness' will be hardly noticable. As to graphic style and such, I'll defer to you as you got the degree in it.

Sorry if I was a bit dogmatic, its just that I have wanted to see a Dune mod for a while, but I had my own view of it. Its just a bit odd to see the mod finaly taking off after having been 'dead' since 05.

I understand. No apologies needed.
Realistically I can't paint ever single icon for every single thing for several reasons:

1. It's far too time consuming
2. It's expensive. Paints, inks, and quality paper costs add up.
3. It's better to paint things that are distinctive so you can recognize that they are distinctive.

 

[Ajidica]

Oh, I didn't realize that you were doing the art on paper, I thought it was photoshop. By all means, save your art for when you want to use it.

Do you know if they even sell the Dune computer games any more? They likely wont be that expensive considering they're old and will likely run on XP. Also, are they worth buying?

An idea for an interesting Harkonnen unit, would be the Artillery they used at the siege of Arrakeen. Function as normal artillery with a chance to have a 'fear' function like in FfH to scatter enemy units? Represents the fact they drove the Dukes men into the hills and blockaded them there.

Keldath/Phonecian: If you would like help XMLing the buildings when the mod is at that stage or help with stats so as not to make the buildings clones of vannilla ones, just ask.

Some ideas for diplo music that Phonecian provided: ( havent dled all of the Children track, but I'm working on it)
Atreides: 03_Main_Title_(House Atreides)
Corrino: Either 02_Main_Title or 26_Child_Emperor
Harkonnen: 06_The_Floating_Fat_Man with the barons voice cut off.
Bene Gesserit: Either 21_Sins_of_the_Mother or 27_Signs_of_Bene_Gesserit
Bene Tleilaxu: 14_Face_Dancer
Stilgar Fremen: Either 16_Trap_the_Worm or 23_My_Skin_is_Not_My_Own.
Jihad Fremen: Either second part of 09_War_Begins or 18_The_Jihad
Fenring: 15_Paul_Kills_Feyd
Ix(when added): 03_Robot_Fight
I don't really know for Ordos as I really don't know much about them. Any that I missed?
Main menu music I reccoment either 02_Main_Theme, 01_Summon_the_Worms, 16_Trap_the_Worms, 11_Rya_Wolves, 08_Inama_Nushif(Montage), [according to wikipedia, the lyrics for the song are bits from the fremen language]. The 1984 track would be good background music. Any opinions?

32_The_Fremen_Qizarat would work for either fremen group.

 

[Phoenician]

@Ajidica,

Great idea about the diplo music. I agree with your choices +100%. Although I would keep the Baron's voice on in that track. It's funny.

About Buildings XML, ask Keldath.

About old Dune games, go to command&conquer.com for info, last I checked they were being sold on amazon.com. Be careful, there is some buggy issues. Ask people at the C&C site.