Et Cetera... [Graphics Modpack WIP]

[Dark_Jedi06]

Et Cetera...
A complete graphics modification for Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword v3.19

"and the rest (of such things)"
~Latin expression
Post Last Updated: March 28th, 2010

Available Downloads:
Flag & Civ Color MOD [F&CC MOD] v1.0

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» Introduction...

More then anything, Et Cetera... is the end result of my enduring desire to create a complete and functional modpack for Civilization IV, something I have attempted numerous times in the past but never followed through with. At its most basic, this is a mod tailored for my own personal use, in that my goal is to create the mod which I have always wanted to see implemented. However, considering how much this community has given me I also consider it a way to give something back. Some will say that with Civilization V right around the bend that its foolish to begin work on a new mod for what will be an outdated game, but of course history has shown us that people still play and mod Civilization III. On the other hand, some people will point out that we already have Varietas Delectat and Diversica out there, so why another graphics modpack? I would simply point out, as avain says, "variety is the spice of life".

I will of course seek to provide features that will distinguish Et Cetera... from the rest of the pack but will ultimately attempt to achieve the goal of giving the player more options, and how is that a bad thing?

» Description...

The mod will be completed in several stand alone parts that will be released separately. My current goals with the mod are essentially an entire overhaul of the graphics, from editing flags/civ colors to providing a thorough set of ethnically diverse units. Each part will be available as a stand alone as I finish it, making it easier for others to grab the more basic parts of my mod should they decide to include elsewhere. When (or if) the mod is complete, I may step into the realm of including gameplay changes, but for now I'm sticking to an "unaltered gameplay" approach. The final product will include the fabulous works of other members to whom I will be sure to give the ample credit they deserve.

» Components/Images...

I. Flag & Civ Color Mod [Complete]
My goal with this component is to create a set of high resolution, quality flag images for the standard 34 BTS civilizations and to revamp all of the border colors to match. Instead of the system used by the designers (bicolor "decals" with the alpha creating the image) my flags will be high resolution and take advantage of quality source images.

Before & After

Several before and after shots, the left being the default and the right my versions.

Flags Preview

All 34 flags shown alphabetically.
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[Dark_Jedi06]

Might need this spot...

 

[Dark_Jedi06]

...and this one.

 

[The_J]

Let's see, how the result will be .

 

[NikNaks]

If you want any help with the buttons or flags, let me know.

 

[Dark_Jedi06]

Thanks for the offer NikNaks.

I've pretty much finished the flags and the matching colors (still have a little too much green though!). I'm on to the buttons now...only problem is that at some point I mistakenly deleted the original Beyond the Sword_Atlas.dds.

If someone could just attach the file to a post or message it my way, I'd be extremely grateful. That way I don't have to reinstall the game.

 

[Dark_Jedi06]

I've finished the Flag & Civ Color MOD and uploaded it to the CFC database:

F&CC MOD v1.0

Includes all 34 flags redone (as well as a new barbarian flag), matching border colors as well as appropriate buttons.

Tell me what you think. I have a feeling future versions will have to rework the border colors...

 

[KrugerPritz]

I've finished the Flag & Civ Color MOD and uploaded it to the CFC database:

F&CC MOD v1.0

Includes all 34 flags redone (as well as a new barbarian flag), matching border colors as well as appropriate buttons.

Tell me what you think. I have a feeling future versions will have to rework the border colors...

Does it change flags during the eras?...

 

[Dark_Jedi06]

Does it change flags during the eras?...

That sounds like something that requires knowledge in Python or SDK or some other scripting language that I don't know. If you or anyone else can point me in the direction of how this can be done, I would be more then willing to expand the mod to include era-specific flags.

 

[Highwayhoss]

Downloaded your F&CC mod...FANTASTIC! I will use these from now on. BTW how did you the buttons and flags the "cloth" effect?...I want to add that to my flags.

 

[Dark_Jedi06]

Downloaded your F&CC mod...FANTASTIC! I will use these from now on. BTW how did you the buttons and flags the "cloth" effect?...I want to add that to my flags.

I used Photoshop for the buttons...essentially I created a black to white gradient the size of one button, used Filter > Distort > Ripple with the settings on Medium and 100% then set the opacity to 40%. I then copied and pasted for each button...it takes some experimenting to get it just right.

Hope that helps.

 

[Rubbaduck]

Those flags look very good, but I wonder why you have a flag that looks a lot like the flag of the European Union for what seems to be America . I also think you shouldn't use the Iranian flag for Persia since that kinda implies that they're an Islamic civ, whereas CivIV focuses more on pre-islamic Persia. I would suggest adding some anti-aliasing or using less contrast on the Greek one as well. It also seems that you have quite similar 'main colors' for some civs, it will be hard to read the advisor graphs if you have many of those in the game.

Otherwise they're great, and look much better and less blurry than the defaults.

 

[The Capo]

Those flags look very good, but I wonder why you have a flag that looks a lot like the flag of the European Union for what seems to be America .

That's because our original flag looked like this:

We add a star each time a new state joins the Union. Which begs the question, why did the Europeans create a flag that looks so much like the US flag?

 

[GeoModder]

We add a star each time a new state joins the Union. Which begs the question, why did the Europeans create a flag that looks so much like the US flag?

Ask the Council of Europe.

 

[Rubbaduck]

That's because our original flag looked like this...

Okay, I guess that makes sense, but I'd still reconsider it since it hasn't looked like that in a while and will undoubtedly cause confusion to others as well.

IIRC the stars on the EU flag also represent the member states, so I guess they just copied since the meaning is somewhat established already .

 

[phungus420]

The "Betsy Ross" flag is the most commonly used flag for America in Civ4 mods. It most definitely does not cause confusion, it is an iconic and quintessentially American image.

 

[Rubbaduck]

The "Betsy Ross" flag is the most commonly used flag for America in Civ4 mods. It most definitely does not cause confusion, it is an iconic and quintessentially American image.

In case you didn't notice it already did cause confusion. Most non-American people will not recognize an old variant of its flag and many Europeans such as myself will instead notice how it looks like the EU flag, which notably also consists only of the circle of stars as does the flag in this mod, whereas as you surely have noticed the US flag also has stripes. Now I don't want to get into an argument about this, I was just pointing out how it is easy to mistake the two for each other, and I think this exchange has only strengthened my position.

 

[Dark_Jedi06]

I chose the original Betsy Ross for a few reasons, the first of which being that as an American I consider it to be the most iconic symbol for the nation. The second reason is that the stars and stripes are not conducive to the way flags are represented in Civ4, it doesn't look right horizontal or vertical. The EU flag also has yellow stars.

As for the Persian flag, the difficulty was in finding a suitable symbol to represent them and on top of that finding a quality image of that symbol. I'm certainly open to suggestions here.

I'm also open to suggestions on civs that colors that are too similar...feel free to post those that are causing problems (I know I used a little too much green and red ).

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Le Sage]

To me, that American flag poses no problems and no confusion, but that is because I knew straight away where it comes from and what its traditions are. Us Europeans are proud of our history and traditions, but let us then also try to show some open mind about other cultures and traditions as well; finding out what the US symbol on the flag presented here means, whould have taken a Google search for anyone confused.

I can indeed see that it may be confusing though. We have the Twelve Stars on everything around here these days. It's on our banknotes, driver's licenses and Passports. It's actually quite interesting, for children growing up in Europe, grow up as Europeans, not as during my childhood when we were Finns with the Finnish Lion on our banknotes.

I love the flags. I use the Viking flag in my Fairy Tale mod! I however, think the Russian one should be the Double Headed Eagle, since I think that would be much cooler!

 

[Dark_Jedi06]

I love the flags. I use the Viking flag in my Fairy Tale mod! I however, think the Russian one should be the Double Headed Eagle, since I think that would be much cooler!

I considered using the double headed eagle, however that would make it very similar to the Holy Roman flag. I decided that since Russia had alternate symbolism available, I would give the eagle to the HRE.