Author Topic: New Screenshots (Read 7716 times)

Demonic_Emperor · « **on:** April 01, 2003, 06:23:58 AM »

It seems like the wheels are really in motion with the Imperium project, the new screenshots look nice. What are those little black clumps (apparently 3 in most regions), are they cities?

Strategy · « **Reply #1 on:** April 01, 2003, 10:20:07 AM »

So much for my graphics abilities.

The 3 "humps" in several of the regions are supposed to be hills, signifying rough terrain. The big blob in the middle of each territory (where the Rome blob is bigger than the others) is the city icon (each territory can only have 1 city).

Barkhorn1x · « **Reply #2 on:** April 01, 2003, 08:32:09 PM »

Strategy;

Here is some feedback - hope this helps;

1. Have region highlighted when selected.
2. Have army highlighted when selected
3. Have box on small map in right corner which represents view on large map
4. Use comma or "K" format for numbers / $$ - makes it easy to quantify at a glance.
5. Assume that "factions" will be color coded so that Pyrrhus doesn't look like Scipio, etc.

I assume youv'e dropped modified your approach to strategic movement (judging from your ealier screenshots). I applaud this decision as - IMO - PC games should not look like board games. Of course this raises the question - how will strategic movement work?

You still need an artist, yes?? Would you like me to spread the word to the various boards that I visit?

Regards,
Barkhorn.

Strategy · « **Reply #3 on:** April 01, 2003, 09:13:23 PM »

Thanks for the feedback.

1. I'm still considering this; because the map is "data-generated" (i.e., it is possible to replace the background map and reshape the borders completely by changing the underlying data files rather than "painted" (e.g., as in EU or Legion), I have to be a little careful on how I implement this. But I think this is probably best.
2. In the works.
3. In the works.
4. Good idea; it's a little additional work, but probably worth it.
5. Yes. Still haven't decided on precisely how this will be done though; the problem with having 60+ factions in a game is that you really don't have enough colors for all of them. I'm thinking that I may have to use 8-12 color schemes, and then leave it up to the player to assign colors as he wants.

Strategic movement is actually exactly the same now as it was before (EU style); the only difference is that now the "paths" are hidden.

When (if) I get the time, I may post something about this on the Design forum.

We can always use an artist, so you are welcome to spread the word. However, since there is no pay forthcoming on the project for the foreseeable future, I'm not sure there is that much point. Working on a project like this takes a lot of time and dedication, and most artists are not interested enough in the period to put in the effort required.

Locke · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2003, 07:36:51 PM »

This is my first time posting so I'd just like to say Hiy'a to everyone. Anyways, Strategy, you'd be surprised at how much effort some people would put in just for the heck of it. Out of all the games and game mods I've seen, the best ones are usually completed by people who are just doing it to do it.

Strategy · « **Reply #5 on:** April 03, 2003, 08:54:42 PM »

Welcome to the board, Locke.

In general, think, that there is more fun on working on an existing game that people are playing (e.g., Civilization III, etc.), than on working on something that one can't share with others straight away.

I am always willing to be pleasantly surprised however, and I'm also fairly certain - assuming the game is playable

- that Imperium will receive a lot of mod attention when it is completed -- if I haven't mentioned it before, the game is (almost) a modders paradise.

But if you know someone interested in and skilled at working with game art for historical games, feel free to give them a friendly nudge in the right direction. If nothing else, it would be nice to have the development screen shots look a little better.

Demonic_Emperor · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2003, 02:33:59 AM »

Quote from: Barkhorn1x on April 01, 2003, 08:32:09 PM

I assume youv'e dropped modified your approach to strategic movement (judging from your ealier screenshots). I applaud this decision as - IMO - PC games should not look like board games.

I'm not sure I agree with this. I kind of prefered the cities connected by roads look to the current province/region look.

Sneer · « **Reply #7 on:** May 05, 2003, 02:29:05 PM »

Hi
I was very busy last month and have little time to login but as I see progress in Imperium is quite nice :-)
Screenshots are cool
I was more interested in strategic then tactical aspect and last report is a great thing to me
Can't wait to get more detailed info about game system

Strategy · « **Reply #8 on:** May 16, 2003, 07:59:05 AM »

Hi all,

Had hoped to have some more new screenshots up by now, however, I've delayed this until I get the underlying engine details done. Have coded in most of the main administration and recruiting algorithms by now, as well as the GUIs for same (main province window and main army/recruiting window). However, these windows get crammed with information and functionality, so I am really having a lot of work figuring how to lay them out intuitively and simply so that one has all the functionality and information one requires at one's fingertips - without getting the player overwhelmed with numbers.

That's a very fine line to tread, but once I've gotten the last elements falling into place and coded, I'll put up a few more new screenshots.

/Strategy

pictoria · « **Reply #9 on:** June 09, 2003, 01:01:38 AM »

Hi Strategy,

Well I've been working on my portrait drawing, collecting images of Roman personages... I have great intentions but between kids, uni study and job time is at a premium. I must admit the sheer volume of portraits required for the project is a bit off-putting - its a task that seems 'bigger than ben hur' as they say. $:-\$

regards
Pictoria
http://drawsketch.about.com

Strategy · « **Reply #10 on:** June 11, 2003, 10:05:04 AM »

One reason why I have considered creating a "portrait" maker; i.e., a little program that puts together head shape, nose, ears, mouth, etc., to form a wide variety of faces. Not sure how well it would work, though.

On screenshots, I'm still working. For some reason the period up to summer is always extremely busy, but in a few weeks, things should quieten down again, and I will hopefully get a lot of stuff done on the project.

pictoria · « **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2003, 12:47:27 AM »

Sounds possible. The basic structure of a face is standard, with variations working within a set range, I don't see any reason for it not to work. I suppose I could use the same concept for drawing though - do a set of resource drawings on paper then manipulate them in the paint program. That way I'd only have to do half a dozen togas/cuirasses/tunics etc then stick different heads on and so on. My latin exam is in three weeks. (along with two overdue assignments....) After that I'll do some test examples and see what I can come up with.

Pictoria

Strategy · « **Reply #12 on:** June 17, 2003, 08:49:13 AM »

If you can make some component system that works nicely, then I can make a program which puts them together. Took a look for the older program I mentioned; turns out it was a system used to build avatars for Shogun:TW forums - you can take a look at ithere.

Let me know how you progress - and feel free to send an e-mail (you'll get faster responses that way).

Strategy · « **Reply #13 on:** July 22, 2003, 09:48:05 PM »

Ok - it's been a while since I promised some new screenshots. However, there really hasn't been that much work being done on the interface, as almost all my work has been concentrated on coding the underlying game engine, and get things working correctly. Which is what this is all about - of course - but which doesn't really make for very interesting screenshots.

Here, though, are two new ones, which show some of the commands you issue to your characters in the tactical game view.

They're in the Game Gallery.
http://www.fenrir.dk/imperium/gallery/index.php

Note - the map was in the middle of being edited when I took those screenshots, so it looks a little strange.

Philj · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2003, 12:45:00 AM »

Thanks for the new screenies.

I like that attrition has varying grades - and that the player has a bit of knowledge before traipsing (sp?) through unfavourable areas. Can these base attrition rates change either randomly or systematically? Or will that be handled solely through the random factor each time?

How far ahead are those red/green dots known - perhaps that's why Hannibal went through teh Alps. He didn't know they were very bright red until he was under them.

Wisdom · « **Reply #15 on:** July 23, 2003, 10:26:29 AM »

Good question....I guess Fenrir.dk will make all empires or small minors own color, so it would be easy to view who.....Or all will red color to agent/spy found who the country, will color alt?

It is up to Fenrir.dk...........

Strategy · « **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2003, 12:26:58 PM »

@ PhilJ
Attrition is dependent on the "Food Value" of the area that you move through, as well as the "March setting", etc. (check the post in the Game design forum). The game interface will calculate the expected attrition from your march route and display it in two places - through the colour of the march line (green through yellow to red) so that you can see which places are bad, and by calculating an expected percentage loss on the army.

This can never be 100% certain though - e.g., if an enemy pillages a province before you arrive, it is obviously going to be much harder to forage.

At the moment the calculation is as accurate as it can be, but the final version will hopefully take into account (lack of) intelligence as well.

@ Wisdom
Each empire can - potentially - have their own banner. Whether we will have the ressources to draw individual banners for each of the 80+ powers involved in the Grand Campaign is another question entirely... But that will be something that modders will be able to play around with as well.

The Red Lines show "State" boundaries; the yellow in the second screenshot indicates that the province is selected, the black (not easy to distinguish on the screenshot) shows regional boundaries and the grey is just the usual area borders.

Fog of war determines how much detailed information about the area is available; such as number of armies, current population, etc.

Wisdom · « **Reply #17 on:** July 23, 2003, 01:10:52 PM »

So it is no matter okey as you said

Wisdom · « **Reply #18 on:** July 24, 2003, 12:43:05 PM »

Just question.......How control the sea..... Can I order of the groups ; warships, transport and tradeships on the sea?

Strategy · « **Reply #19 on:** July 24, 2003, 08:05:15 PM »

First person to ask about the naval aspect of the game.

Warships are organized into fleets, that can be put on patrol orders. While on patrol, they will attempt to intercept any enemy fleet that moves through their area. As with armies, the commander of the fleet will of course consider the odds before committing to a combat. One can also pursue enemy fleets, etc. Where it differs from land warfare is in the limited maneuverability (best to hug the coast lines) and in the long travelling distances.

Trade ships are not directly represented in the game.

Transport ships are represented; they can either be built, or "impressed" from the traders of the Empire (hurts trade, but allows the mobilizing of a large fleet fairly quickly).