Plans for a GS6 mod

[myrddin]

So is there any word from SNV, or are there alternate ways that we could add new models and graphics? I guess I'm just wondering what exactly the issues are with compiling new unit graphics (like the red dwarven warlord), when it seems to be simple enough with other graphics (e.g new portraits). Is it a matter of converting the files to some other format to edit them, and then having a problem converting them back to the original file type?

[Boaster]

Feb 15, 2013 19:06:57 GMT -6 myrddin said:

So is there any word from SNV, or are there alternate ways that we could add new models and graphics? I guess I'm just wondering what exactly the issues are with compiling new unit graphics (like the red dwarven warlord), when it seems to be simple enough with other graphics (e.g new portraits). Is it a matter of converting the files to some other format to edit them, and then having a problem converting them back to the original file type?

The issues are:

1. Sprite mirroring (this can be bypassed, but increases file size).
2. Selectable area of sprite (currently will make the full 512x512 pixels selectable).

Game becomes nearly unplayable if all you can select is the one unit on the screen.

[myrddin]

So the lack of mirroring the sprites would make 8 framesets instead of 5, which doesn't sound too bad, IMO.

Does the selectable area of the sprite have anything to do with the background color of the model? IIRC in normal LOMSE a unit can only be selected by moving over the actual graphics (or outline with faith color). Does the game simply not recognize that the new recompiled images have a blank background? Or is it an issue with a slightly different palette, such that it recognizes what should be a transparent background as opaque, at least for selection purposes.?

(I apologize for my ignorance of this matter, it just seems like it SHOULD be a simple problem, but is such that I don't understand where it went wrong).

[Boaster]

Feb 15, 2013 23:37:55 GMT -6 myrddin said:

So the lack of mirroring the sprites would make 8 framesets instead of 5, which doesn't sound too bad, IMO.

Does the selectable area of the sprite have anything to do with the background color of the model? IIRC in normal LOMSE a unit can only be selected by moving over the actual graphics (or outline with faith color). Does the game simply not recognize that the new recompiled images have a blank background? Or is it an issue with a slightly different palette, such that it recognizes what should be a transparent background as opaque, at least for selection purposes.?

(I apologize for my ignorance of this matter, it just seems like it SHOULD be a simple problem, but is such that I don't understand where it went wrong).

The only thing I can really suggest is that you try to extract an IMP file and then recompile it.

[orzie]

I also think transparent background lose its transparency because of improper compilation options.

[Boaster]

Feb 16, 2013 5:08:44 GMT -6 orzie said:

I also think transparent background lose its transparency because of improper compilation options.

It's still transparent, just fully selectable.

[Boaster]

I came across some new sound files. A bunch of them too.

Perhaps the rest of the Life Lord's unit sounds, and other additional ones.


Now that I think of it, someone may have posted these and I'm going through them again...

[Boaster]

Additional plans for sounds will be to add 20% faster, 20% slower and reversed SFX of all game SFX in addition to extra sounds.

[orzie]

Feb 16, 2013 12:25:04 GMT -6 Boaster said:

Feb 16, 2013 5:08:44 GMT -6 orzie said:

I also think transparent background lose its transparency because of improper compilation options.

It's still transparent, just fully selectable.

Maybe there are some scripts which make transparent part of a sprite non-selectable in lomse.exe or wherever.

upd. Ah, if so, sprites which are extracted and recompiled again under the same name would be okay. Nvm.

[orzie]

Speaking of additional voices for GS6, I guess you might hold some kind of voice contest, as some of users (me, Myrddin for example) may have the ability of recording acceptably good voice talents. Just as an option.

[myrddin]

Just out of curiousity, Boaster, what program did you use to make the red dwarven warlord?

[Boaster]

Mar 5, 2013 13:56:03 GMT -6 myrddin said:

Just out of curiousity, Boaster, what program did you use to make the red dwarven warlord?

I used paintshop pro.

[mummra]

Oct 2, 2012 15:40:43 GMT -6 Boaster said:

Here's a small layout of plans for the GS6 mod.


New colorized models and roster sprites.
New Building sprites, maybe?
More spell icons.
More artifact icons and portraits (Baldur's Gate, D1/D2).
      [The WC3 artifact icons and portraits will remain, but will go unused. They don't really fit.]
Colorized portraits (Elbus' work?)
Shins portrait pack
New SFX (includes sped up and slowed down versions of existing casting sounds, and other new misc. sfx).


No expected release date.

Will do an open Beta.

Other plans include scaling down Artifacts and Unit stats to return to a more raw version of LOMSE.

There are a couple of voice-over audio files that came with the original (not SE) version of Lords of Magic. Both of them, I believe, are Balkoth speaking of vengeance and taunting the player. They were well done, perhaps you could find a way to implement them?

[myrddin]

There are a couple of voice-over audio files that came with the original (not SE) version of Lords of Magic. Both of them, I believe, are Balkoth speaking of vengeance and taunting the player. They were well done, perhaps you could find a way to implement them?

So I have a hunch that may turn out to be very wrong, if I may play Mr. Holmes. My guess is that you are referring to the test audio played when the game is installing. I believe Balkoth says "Urak is mine" (which brings to mind the biblical phrase "vengeance is mine," hence your comment.)

Of course it would be cool if I was mistaken. I own the original LOM (I bought it to see if there were any goodies that were dropped in the SE). As far as graphics go, I believe their is little or nothing that is not in the SE (maybe just an old demo screen or the necromancer), so I have to assume that it would be similar with the sound effects. Do you recall anything else about where these files were (i.e. were they promotional files released outside of the game)?

[orzie]

Mar 6, 2013 2:09:19 GMT -6 myrddin said:

There are a couple of voice-over audio files that came with the original (not SE) version of Lords of Magic. Both of them, I believe, are Balkoth speaking of vengeance and taunting the player. They were well done, perhaps you could find a way to implement them?

So I have a hunch that may turn out to be very wrong, if I may play Mr. Holmes. My guess is that you are referring to the test audio played when the game is installing. I believe Balkoth says "Urak is mine" (which brings to mind the biblical phrase "vengeance is mine," hence your comment.)

Of course it would be cool if I was mistaken. I own the original LOM (I bought it to see if there were any goodies that were dropped in the SE). As far as graphics go, I believe their is little or nothing that is not in the SE (maybe just an old demo screen or the necromancer), so I have to assume that it would be similar with the sound effects. Do you recall anything else about where these files were (i.e. were they promotional files released outside of the game)?

Speaking of external materials, I can show ya this video, though it is a bit of off topic. (attention to the Death Warrior and the Life thief)
Also I have found another LOMSE fan on deviantart, he said that he might draw some actual fanart in future.

[mummra]

Mar 6, 2013 2:09:19 GMT -6 myrddin said:

There are a couple of voice-over audio files that came with the original (not SE) version of Lords of Magic. Both of them, I believe, are Balkoth speaking of vengeance and taunting the player. They were well done, perhaps you could find a way to implement them?

So I have a hunch that may turn out to be very wrong, if I may play Mr. Holmes. My guess is that you are referring to the test audio played when the game is installing. I believe Balkoth says "Urak is mine" (which brings to mind the biblical phrase "vengeance is mine," hence your comment.)

Of course it would be cool if I was mistaken. I own the original LOM (I bought it to see if there were any goodies that were dropped in the SE). As far as graphics go, I believe their is little or nothing that is not in the SE (maybe just an old demo screen or the necromancer), so I have to assume that it would be similar with the sound effects. Do you recall anything else about where these files were (i.e. were they promotional files released outside of the game)?

No; On the the original LOM CD there are two Balkoth audio files (rather long-winded) that were not used in the final cut of the game.

One of them goes something like "Your family and friends will scream for mercy before they meet their deaths... my troops will find it amusing to slay you... Urak is mine now! (Evil laughter prior to fade out)"

[myrddin]

Speaking of external materials, I can show ya this video, though it is a bit of off topic. (attention to the Death Warrior and the Life thief)
Also I have found another LOMSE fan on deviantart, he said that he might draw some actual fanart in future.

Hey, that's pretty cool. That has several images from the manual in color, plus a new one. I would love to get my hands on any LOM beta material or early graphics, inasmuch as they exist.

No; On the the original LOM CD there are two Balkoth audio files (rather long-winded) that were not used in the final cut of the game.

One of them goes something like "Your family and friends will scream for mercy before they meet their deaths... my troops will find it amusing to slay you... Urak is mine now! (Evil laughter prior to fade out)"

Well, so much for Sherlock Holmes. ["Watson, you buffoon! Someone has stolen our tent!"] I'll check my installation/any bonus stuff on the cd for them. Due to their somewhat unique nature, they would likely not be used as regular selection/attack sounds, but they could certainly be used in a quest. Alternately, parts of them could be cropped and used as selection/attack sounds.

Also, if you're interested in new voice material, stay tuned (as I have mentioned before) for some cool quests.

[myrddin]

Here are the two files you refer to.

As you see, they were originally intended to be win/loss voiceovers with music. The loss one is pretty good, the win is fairly weak (hence the change). In both cases, the laugh is a little weaker than I would have thought. They are pretty good nevertheless, so I will see if I can use one/part of one somehow in my someday-upcoming quest.

Attachments:

[orzie]

Yeah, the laughter is quite weak. However, this can be pretty usable not for Balkoth actually, but speaking about new spin-off stories, as there is always a bad guy who wants Urak to be his/hers.

I'm almost sure there are some unused sound files inside of sndfx.mpq as well. MPQViewer helps, allowing even to listen these files without extracting.

Hey, that's pretty cool. That has several images from the manual in color, plus a new one. I would love to get my hands on any LOM beta material or early graphics, inasmuch as they exist.

There is even the picture of an elven staffman in the Life capital, which reminded me of your idea for Life quest win cutscene
Need to work it out, by the way.

[mummra]

Mar 6, 2013 18:14:00 GMT -6 myrddin said:

Here are the two files you refer to.

As you see, they were originally intended to be win/loss voiceovers with music. The loss one is pretty good, the win is fairly weak (hence the change). In both cases, the laugh is a little weaker than I would have thought. They are pretty good nevertheless, so I will see if I can use one/part of one somehow in my someday-upcoming quest.

Glad you found them!