More SMAniaC faction makeovers

[Maniac]

I've attached a screenshot of your empath image turned into a button for Civ4. Looks awesome!

Below is a screenshot of the specialist list in the City Screen. Here the Empath kinda falls out of tone with the rest of the specialists. Too square etc. I'm not sure how this could be solved. One thought I had was to let the aura on the empath's forehead get weaker the further from the empath's face, with which I mean it becomes more transparent, so that there is fluid transition to the background.

 

[Buster's Uncle]

Here the Empath kinda falls out of tone with the rest of the specialists. Too square etc. I'm not sure how this could be solved. One thought I had was to let the aura on the empath's forehead get weaker the further from the empath's face, with which I mean it becomes more transparent, so that there is fluid transition to the background.

I wonder if cropping the icon slightly would help- turn some of the blue background I added to the edges of the image black with a simple select/delete- I could try, but I can't check the look in-game...

Delighted to have been of help; I'll be glad to try the changes you suggest if someone can tell me how, and if Photoshop 5 or GIMP 2.6 will let me.

Skree, I've downloaded and opened the files, and will comment when I've looked them over. (Photoshop refused to open them for some reason and GIMP doesn't like them, BTW).

 

[Buster's Uncle]

Having real life distractions right now, so I only just confirmed that the Strategist .pcx file Sreeblios posted won't open in GIMP for me either- I'd accidentally opened two copies of the Templar one- I had wondered why I couldn't see any difference at a glance.

Both zips have the .pcxs named TemplarRedux, BTW. I'm going to try re-downloading the Strategist one, and will edit this if that works.

I'd suggest re-posting the Strategist stuff in the [graphics] thread here, and the dedicated thread at 'poly.

 

[Buster's Uncle]

Something odd is going on. I did redo, and got a folder named Strategist this time; I can get it it to open in Lexmark Photo Editor, of all things, but not in Photoshop or GIMP. But now I can see it. I'll comment in the dedicated thread at 'poly.

The TemplarRedux redux was seemingly me still brain-tired and in the wrong subfolder...

 

[skreeblios]

So I've redone the Templar graphics again. I'm much more fond of this version. The leader portrait is from a Cthulhu RPG... But the Cthulhoids in the background sort of look like mind worms. Perhaps she's suppressing them with her free empath song ability... Base graphics are again from Buster's Uncle's site; minor color / water edits.

As far as her background: one thing I liked about SMACX was the attention paid to evolution of planetary society; rather than trying to define Earth origins for all of the new characters. How about say she's 'Leader of Greater Zion Riots.' Believers seem reasonably anthropocentric.

Also attached is a sketch of an idea I've been using for the Atlanteans - underwater bases. Problems: 1) illustrating base defenses --> solution: I've given them free perimeter defenses; since they are clearly submerged. Might not be balanced, but it works for me. 2) Bases on land --> They actually look better than you think. If I add some green color on the outside it looks kind of submerged in a swamp / jungle.

Even if you don't want it for the Atlanteans; I could work on something for the Ghosts with a similar feel. The base graphics for that obviously came from the Pirates, but there's no reason something else couldn't be used.

Please also note when you have trouble opening the files. I don't notice anything; but could be overlooking something simple when saving the final version.

 

[Buster's Uncle]

I'm making a folder to keep skreeblios stuff in.

Have downloaded, and I'll have a look as RL permits today and post back.

Probably just a bad upload or multiple bad downloads. Both of yesterday's drafts had a couple of extra characters added to the beginning of their filenames, too. All this new stuff has opened fine...

 

[Buster's Uncle]

For portraits, you might want to save/post as a ,jpg, which would display an actual thumbnail at bottom. At 'poly, they even display at 100%. For 100% stuff here, or anything I want displayed in the body of the post, I have to upload a copy elsewhere and insert a link.

 

[vyeh]

Another fix for SMAniaC. I'm bothered by the spelling of the word "qaser". I think it should be "quaser" if the idea is to combine quantum with laser. Or "quasar" which is a pulsating star if the idea is a pulsating weapon with the impact of a star.

 

[Buster's Uncle]

I don't recall that one- you don't suppose it could be a typo for gaser, short for gas-laser, do you?

 

[vyeh]

From the SMAniaC alphax.txt under #WEAPONS

Quantum Laser, Qaser, 10, 1,10, -1, QuanMac,

Are you a spelling nazi as well as a grammar nazi? The lack of a "u" after the "q" bothers me.

Will you agree to a spelling change?

If two of us agree, Maniac says he will make the change.

 

[Maniac]

Well personally in my mind I always pronounce Qaser as Kaser, not Kwaser. But if you guys insist; I can always change it.

 

[vyeh]

It is not the pronunciation; it is the lack of a "u." It just looks strange in English.

 

[Buster's Uncle]

Yes, I agree.

I can think of no spellings in proper English that do not have a "u" after any "Q".

I guess I am a spelling nazi- as if I can talk.

You know, I write in conversational English, for the most part, but I really do have strong feelings about people bothering to write like they can read and are not 12. I could make myself very widely disliked if I didn't bite my tongue a lot, and I think SMACers are the most literate group I've encountered in the innerwebs.

YouTube commenters are the worst, of course. Why do you suppose that is?

 

[Buster's Uncle]

skreeblios, I can see a little more of the waterbase-type smootz surrrounding the waterbases, and really no other difference. I guess that's the water you mention adding, but I can never make out that stuff in the game at all... Could just be my poor eyesight, though, and I hope others will chip in.

If I get around to looking at your Atlantis bases in-game, I may change my opinion- not a fan of the original Atlantis bases, BTW- but I have trouble believing these don't look like something wadded up to throw away. I think I'd indeed better do a game-check tomorrow- your stuff is good enough that I want you to be right.

The portrait you posted is visscerally gripping and the central figure nice to look at. But it looks like a lady getting flamed from behind by a dragon, down to the wings sticking out on either side. And I've declared against flame backgrounds before, and I'm not in love with it here. While it's a nice shot, I think it screams fantasy, not science fiction- maybe not the best choice for AC...

 

[skreeblios]

Hmm. I suppose the open corset is a bit too fanboy. I'm not wedded to it; so if something better comes along I'll certainly swap.

About the underwater bases: it's definitely not finished; but seems like a workable (and possibly flavorful) solution. Again, either for Atlantis or the Ghosts.

Attached is a Council pic from one of the games. For Genesis; I'm using some half life 2 concept art; and calling their leader 'Specimen Forty-Six Seven,' who is an 'escapee, New Arzamas Sentience Research Project.' There's something enjoyable about having a scary floating posthuman brain being one of the friendlier factions in-game. No idea what to do with Genesis base art, except maybe working off of the Caretaker bases.

I've also redone the Republic, for personal games. I liked the idea of a Protectionist based society; but aren't all of the factions trying to 'establish a sovereign planetary government'? Currently I'm using 'Director Brien of the Alpha Centauri Energy Combine' - the 'Corporatist.' It's still weak ideologically, and simply represents the alternate side of Morgan - authoritarian capitalism when economic interests explicitly capture the state. Any idea how to give them a 'bailout' ability? =P

As of right now; I have them with (any balance advice would be appreciated, even if you don't end up incorporating them): +1 Probe (Industrial Espionage), -1 Planet, -1 Commerce, Free Genejack Factory with disc. of Eug. (Massive industrial complex), Free Nerve Staplers with disc. of Psi. (Ruthless corporate mercenaries), Hurry costs 80% (Efficient bureaucracy). They are fun to play as, but the AI doesn't yet do very well. How would I give them a Free Colony Pod - 'Unit, 1'?

Again, any advice on that would be appreciated.

Let me know what if you like anything else graphic wise and I'll touch it up and post. I'm going to add proper shields to those redone Bree bases I posted a while back. Any idea of where the original photo for the Bree leader is? I also want to touch up the background.

 

[Darsnan]

Let me know what if you like anything else graphic wise and I'll touch it up and post. I'm going to add proper shields to those redone Bree bases I posted a while back. Any idea of where the original photo for the Bree leader is? I also want to touch up the background.

The Specimen fory-six seven pic looks very intrigueing. Can you post those graphics? Also, I'm assuming anyone can use them? Reason I'm asking is that I am replacing the 8th faction in my mod, and I think this pic would do nicely.


Edit: if you could actually replace the mindworm pcx pic with Specimen fory-six, then that would be perfect, as that is what I would be using it for.

D

 

[Buster's Uncle]

D, you haven't looked at my graphics (and datalinks changes, too, for that matter) for the Mindworms with Minds, have you? It's not the way you're going or anything, but there's some simular thinking. It's on my page with the first set of factions, and the bases, logos and D.Landscape are customized, too. First faction graphic I did, actually...

skree, that's an arresting Planetary council line-up. I saved a copy. (I've never mentioned that, notwithstanding that she looks good, your Empath portrait is also too fantasy-looking- but still. They all look great together, though it points up that your Templar is really too small in the frame to go with the rest.)

Like Darsnan, I'm intrigued by Specimen Forty-Six Seven. I think that works well. Really well, maybe.

I'd say that the Genesis bases are a thing about the faction that works. Already too clear where the stilts come from, if anything...

 

[Buster's Uncle]

Oh- I'd like to know where the original pic of Bre came from, too.

skree you just have to nip over to 'poly and look at the AC downloads page- Maniac posted a huge zip with all the Network Node factions there after NN's site went dead. It's a resource to poach from no faction artist should be without. An earlier version of the Bree is among them.

There's also a lot of other good stuff there and in the AC downloads section at this site- though far too many factions without graphics or with, say, the unaltered Drones graphic or something-

But you want those too- that's a project opportunity for artists like us. It's something I was going to do before I got caught up in collaborations- it's how I got started, with the Mindworms with Minds, and later I did also create a graphic for someone's Texas faction, (which looks fantastic, mind you). I like collaborating better, but you might like the greater, no-waiting-for-feedback, freedom.

I will be sure to comment on your efforts, should you accept this assignment. This post will self-destruct in five seconds.

 

[Buster's Uncle]

...And what you'll probably have to do with Bre is use some sort of "de-interlace" function to remove the scan lines, make your changes, and then put the scan lines back.

You've never mentioned about your graphics program resources- mine are pretty primitive/antique, but Photoshop 5 will remove scan lines for me and leave a good-looking picture, though I have to put them back manually. See the [graphics] thread for more on what I have and my process. You should post about your same there- I want to know.

 

[Darsnan]

D, you haven't looked at my graphics (and datalinks changes, too, for that matter) for the Mindworms with Minds, have you? It's not the way you're going or anything, but there's some simular thinking. It's on my page with the first set of factions, and the bases, logos and D.Landscape are customized, too.

No, I've been too engaged in RL plus trying to get my mind around the Progs having two starting techs hardcoded. Probably stop by this weekend and peruse.


D