SteelMeister SteelMeister

Alpha Centauri For GC2: TA

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Alpha Centauri For GC2: TA

A Total Conversion

from GalCiv2 Forums
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As you can see two of the factions didn't make it, The Data Angels & The Cult of Planet. Why? Because of the race limit 12. The Data Angels were cut because it would be hard to make a faction that depends entirely on spies(probe teams) in GC2. The Cult was cut because we already have an environmental faction in there in the form of the Gaians.
NOTE: The race bonuses and super abilities are not final. Also ignore the starting tech, I have not begun doing the techs yet.

What is it?
A total conversion for GC2 featuring 12 of the factions from the 4x TBS game Alpha Centauri. Each faction will have unique techs & improvements. A completely unique tech tree for each faction is impossible for obvious reasons. If it takes months for the dedicated and hardworking Stardock team to create and balance 12 tech trees what do you expect from one person. A lot of freedoms had to be taken however in order for it to work in GC2. I will try to do my best in order to preserve as much of the unique feel from the game. Just yell STOP! if you think I've gone too far. A lot of the stuff in the original game was rather free for interpretation. Therefore many things will reflect my vision of the AC setting.

What is it not?
A pure AC conversion. Because of the difference between AC and GC2 (AC took place on one planet, GC takes place in a whole galaxy.).

GOALS
-- 12 new civilisations
-- A (almost) new tech tree (some techs will remain such as Extreme Colonisation & Logistics but with new descriptions)
-- Unique technologies for each faction
-- Unique improvements for each faction
-- Unique ship templates for each faction
-- New invasion tactics (Mindworms, Planetbusters) & 1 unique tactic for each faction (Example: Oceanic insertion for the Pirates)
-- Replacing most of the pictures in GC2.

PROBLEMS
Good & Evil doesn't really fit in the setting and should probably be removed if not for the problems that arise if you do so. Such as non-stop alignment events (lots of new ones have to be added in order for it to feel fresh) and diplomacy.

How did the factions invent FTL travel? Stolen, traded and/or reverse engineered progenitor technology?

What is the corresponding ability for efficiency and support in GC2?


I will not try to create a modding team because I'm unsure in how long it will take to complete. Plus I cannot ensure that I will work non-stop with it either because of school and personal life. However this will not be a one man project, everyone is free to contribute if they want to. Comments, ideas and constructive criticism is appreciated.
modding
21,456 views 38 replies
Reply #26 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Nice menu, glad I could help ;) .
Reply #27 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hi Steelmeister, why you don't join I-Mod (www.i-mod-productions.com) and work in your own forum with own filespace with your guys?

You won't regret it, ask Macmatt, thestormweaver or Aggie for reference ;)

cya!

-Stefan
CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #28 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
To be perfectly honest its not really that hard and the credit should go to Macmatt for his UI tutoral found here...
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Gotch'ya!

All i want, now, is more personal free-time to study this further.
Cuz, i will need to adapt the Title-Screen(s) too.
Thanks.

- Zyxpsilon.

Reply #29 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well, i just got out of the "Twilight Zone" and realized i HAD previously read that same tutorial by MacMatt back in mid-November when i was blitzing my way into CoSH first attempt.
Fairly useful, if one actually has good memory (i've heard of copy-pasting, but it didn't cross my mind at that time!) and DOES take it to work when necessary.
I guess my point was more about getting *Extensive* help on the DXPACKS modeling code itself and its somehow elusive structural language, including procedural methods and variable hints on the actual editing options.
Mind you, there is such a "document" at SD... but what i could grasp wasn't really helpful then. I'll return there and figure if the complex understanding wasn't another Twilight experience i suffered through. ;)
Cuz, programming even such a simple screen as an entirely new (offering more features and specific functions to playback multiple small biks in a dedicated box via clickable menus in similar fashion of -say- the diplomacy reports for minors, btw) takes exact skills and better knowledge of SD's native ObjectX.

In the meantime, i must concentrate on some 39 (*usual 13x3/UTA races) times worth of small/neutral/angry/happy biks instead of trying to set my mind simultaneously on the huge video editing stages of the many upcoming intro videos for the title_screen.

Much'a'do.

- Zyxpsilon.
Reply #30 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Your Forum has been created, everyone who wants to join the Alpha Centauri Mod Team, please register on I-Mod and use our free service ;)

Link to Forum: http://www.i-mod-productions.com/forumdisplay.php?f=169

only for member subforums: Private, meeting room, breakthrough, workin Plan

Public subforum: GC2AC News

Steelmeister, please send me the names of your mates to Stefan (Director) registered on I-Mod


Good luck you all!

-Stefan
Reply #31 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

This is one of the most interesting mods in a long time! I loved Alpha Centauri and I've been wishing for a Civ4 final frontier AC mod.

These may be a few helpful suggestions:


-You are right Good & Evil don't realy play a role in SMAC, it's not black and white, its about conflicitng ideologies.

-What if you simulate Social Engineering and interactional ideological strife through events? Just make a new set of choices, and tie each decision to an ideology. Its bonuses and penalties would reflect this, plus make these decisions affect relations. Eliminate the Good vs. Evil aspect of them. Make the events more frequent.

-separate tech trees aren't needed and aren't logical. Only a few uniqe tech's for human factions, like perhaps the Gaians get the Chiron Life tech, since other factions didn't bother bringing along the pesky mind worms, this tech could allow the Gians a new invasion option "release mindworms", that would work like bombardment.

A separate tech tree may be warranted for the Progenitor races.

-concerning the hive: their underground cities lend themselves naturally for defense don't they? Plus the Hive influence might not need be nil, just small. Don't forget even Yang's totalitarian ideology can have an appealing or "enlightened" aspect to it. Just check put some of the fan fiction on apolyton.net or take a look at the wonder videos.

Also planet buster bombardment might be a very damaging but effective invasion option. ;)


Reply #32 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Im looking for people interested in working with the Alpha Centauri Mod.

Right now all i can do is XML editing and graphics editing (pictures & UI).
I need people with the following skills:

- Someone with in-depth knowledge of the data files in GC not only the XML but also some knowledge about the .str and other files.

- Someone that knows a lot about the game itself (GC) and knows how things works in the game. For helping with game balancing and general ideas.

- Someone with modeling experience and/or are good at designing ships in the in-game editor and a great deal of imagination since there isn't anything to base the ships on. We probably need two or more for this in order to crate 14(!) new ship styles. Send an example of your work (pictures) if you are interested.

I want people that can spare time for this project and does not just quit or give up. Send me a PM if you are interested in joining. :) You know you want to.
Reply #33 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You might as well try contacting Smegma also since s/he made an earlier mod of SMAC back in March'07... may even receive some fair tips.

As for joining a team - quite clearly, i haven't got the time to spare (X-Worlds & CoSH tie all of the extra second hand glued to a wrist!), although i'll definitely be monitoring your progress & provide anything worthy to consider right here - if you should ever ask!
;)

- Zyxpsilon.
Reply #34 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Oh, I'm here...watching the progression with great enthusiasm. :D

I must admit, I was also beginning to prepare my own SMAC races update (the original seven) when TA officially gets released, but after browsing the thread and seeing how much more depth this mod could offer, I've put it on hold.

Like SteelMeister, my abilities are limited to graphics and XML editing. This mod could be something really cool...with TA's upcoming editors...man, this could really be sweet. I'd love to be able to re-create "natural dislikes" between factions...Gaians/Morgans...University/Believers...Spartans/Peacekeepers...if that's even possible.

I'd be glad to help in the way of ideas, opinions, brainstorming, etc. on anything at all. I have all three paperback books (no longer published) of the Alpha Centauri saga, three different PDF's of the SMAC technology tree, plus the original Prima strategy guide (though it doesn't reveal all that much). How pathetic is that?? :)

Smegma = SMAC nerd.
Reply #35 from Stardock Forums Top
yes you are but thats not a bad thing it could be alot worst trust me ive seen worst but steelmeister ill be glad to help I can make all the event movies or music can convert models now but still learning how to make them from scratch im very good at modding the game thats easy I mod the game more than I play it.I doint own SMAC anymore now I wish that I kept it wasint to long ago I gave it away. Ill check ebay to see if they have it.
Reply #36 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'd love to be able to re-create "natural dislikes" between factions...Gaians/Morgans...University/Believers...Spartans/Peacekeepers...if that's even possible.
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Too bad we can't ajust the agressiveness slider individually between races. It seems as though that would be doable.

Reply #37 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I've read somewhere (*can't recall exactly) that Virtual_PC is the most common response to such issues if you, of course, can spare the drive-multi-megabytes to install an alternate "older" OS - reconfigured to adapt at anything thrown towards it.
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There is a patch that will let you play with XP (I play occasionally on my P-4) You get a crash warning message but it works perfectly. Google it
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Thanks for the info both of you! I'll look for the patch first and if successful throw a link here - I don't think the virtual PC is a viable option for me just yet, but thanks for the tip!
Reply #38 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
WOW. This sounds too good to be true. Also SMAC is a pretty complex game, while GC2 is.. much less so. Is it even possible to convert it due to some hardcoded limitations?

Because of the difference between AC and GC2 (AC took place on one planet, GC takes place in a whole galaxy.).
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The only difference here is that GC2 has predefined base squares. So its not really a difference even.