Alpha Centauri 2

Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri & Alien Crossfire => Modding => Topic started by: ComradeCrimson on December 24, 2015, 07:52:12 PM

Title: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 24, 2015, 07:52:12 PM

I've decided after playing Alpha Centauri after so many years and seeing so many lovely custom factions, that I'd like to try my hand at custom faction making.

However, I am also aware of other factions made, and I don't want to copy or otherwise fill roles already filled. Like a Geneticist faction already exists for instance as do Bolshevik style (I'd almost say Trotskyist given their whole aggressive "by the barrel of a gun" revolutionary style Communists (Sorry Jarl, I know thats gonna miff ya!), to revisions of the vanilla factions even, amongst others.

So I want to try something new.

I thought long and hard on this, and I came to this conclusion-

No one yet has made a City State faction. A singular city is all this faction would have. As for its bonuses I need to think about it; but essentially this would be a single city faction.

How would you make this ingame, or at the very least, encourage it by hindering expansion of colonists to the point making another city is just unprofitable to the extreme?

How would one go about this?

Please post your thoughts on how, and whether this would need some crazy coding outside of standard faction value editing.

And yes, I am aware on how to make custom factions in terms of notepad. So no biggie there- its just what would create the desired effects of this?

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Yitzi on December 24, 2015, 08:03:09 PM

Quote from: ComradeCrimson on December 24, 2015, 07:52:12 PM

I've decided after playing Alpha Centauri, that I'd like to try my hand at custom faction making.

However, I am also aware of other factions made, and I don't want to copy or otherwise fill roles already filled. Like a Geneticist faction already exists for instance as do Bolshevik style (I'd almost say Trotskyist given their whole aggressive "by the barrel of a gun" revolutionary style Communists (Sorry Jarl, I know thats gonna miff ya!), to revisions of the vanilla factions even, amongst others.

So I want to try something new.

I thought long and hard on this, and I came to this conclusion-

No one yet has made a City State faction. A singular city is all this faction would have. As for its bonuses I need to think about it; but essentially this would be a single city faction.

How would you make this ingame, or at the very least, encourage it by hindering expansion of colonists to the point making another city is just unprofitable to the extreme?

How would one go about this?

Please post your thoughts on how, and whether this would need some crazy coding outside of standard faction value editing.

And yes, I am aware on how to make custom factions in terms of notepad. So no biggie there- its just what would create the desired effects of this?

A huge EFFIC penalty would be key, as that will pretty much eliminate energy income from all non-HQ bases.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 24, 2015, 08:23:29 PM

Huge efficiency problems, check.

What else would prevent this? Mind, I still want it to be viable to play as so I don't mind it being extreme.

So far I was thinking:

The City State ideology and story wise, I am unsure of. I could make it mirror my own ideology, which is of a regionalist, communalist sort of mixed economy type society where capitalism exists but mostly for luxury and entertainment industries whilst natural resources and infrastructure is the responsibility of the state. Not a libertarian society or completely socialist society, but one that generally gives more power to regional and municipal decision making with a supportive socialist government handling vital areas of industry and infrastructure whilst the market, whilst regulated to some degree, has a degree of creative freedom and means to make a good solid enterprise, often having partnership options where one can get gov't support.

But there's already some factions kind of like this... so its questionable there.

So I mulled over it further, and came up with this conclusion:

This City State, instead of going out to conquer others or expand exponentially decided to follow a path where it'd create an independent, sovereign city state made up of people from various backgrounds (including defectors and refugees from other factions) where it wants to seek human perfection, and allow people to pursue their ideal of perfection and to, whilst not create a perfect society, allow every citizen to be transhuman and to reach their goals and ambitions and overall, pursue their passions. It would still require the initiative of said citizen of course, this is no nanny state really and work would still be performed by citizens here and there; (though many manual labour/low skill positions would likely be automated.) but overall everyone has their most basic needs provided for and the opportunity to proceed with their ambitions there for them.

The "visions of perfection" people may have may vary quite a bit, varying from physical desires and wishes to alter their bodies in different ways, perfecting a skill and accomplishing great works, being famous and renowned for something or simply living life the way they wish to, within the confines of the law of course.

It does this by ensuring each citizen has enough resources to survive so the economy is mostly socialist, providing natural resources and well funded education, healthcare and infrastructure for its citizens, but not prohibiting their financial ambitions of enterprise (with the exception of aforementioned industries/faculties, as the City State completely and uncompromisingly controls this) and if this faction were to be summed up:

It is a Humanist, Communalist City State. It's very insular about spreading its ideology, content on keeping it to its own city and allowing others the choice to embrace it, and its not particularly about Socialist (or humanist) revolution, nor is it completely about being a plutocracy either. And neither is it a true meritocracy either.

And as for a comparison, whilst I am aware the Free Drones are somewhat similar in this, the Free Drones are more of an industrialist welfare society that promotes the working classes. This city state I intend doesn't really have any social classes or real inhibitions, and it doesn't really discriminate against researchers or businesses necessarily; its welcoming of many different creeds as long as its not one of aberrant expansionism or the destruction of the sovereign power of the City State. 

As for its name? I do not know.

Proletaria is a name I thought of originally for my rather left leaning mindset but I don't know if that's really fitting. Given again, its implying a Proletarian social rule when that's not what the society is really about.

The faction is essentially a Metropolis. And whilst its not necessarily purely about being metropolitan as it has its own "local" identity, I wanted this city state to be a gem of human ambition, progress and community in a sense. It would, in its social policy likely be a bit humanitarian, but not to the extent it'd compromise itself I'd reckon. War wise I doubt it'd be very aggressive, but it would be a formidable defender- I want this faction to be able to hold out easily against other factions, and it'd take a Planet Buster or a serious effort to destroy them, or rush them incredibly fast.

Name wise, Metropolia could be a good name. But again, suggestions welcome.

In terms of stats:

Exceedingly high Talent bonus is a must. To what degree, I do not know.

Exceedingly high Efficiency malus, acording to Yitzi, is a must. I want them to be limited to one city.

I don't intend this city they have to be particularly small or limited in population, only that they cannot expand beyond their initial city. If possible I'd like them not to be able to fully conquer other cities either, only raze them or essentially "Migrate them" to the City State's population.

So, possibly growth bonus and free hab complex's off the bat.

Defence bonus is absolutely necessary as they need to be formidable, staunch defenders.

High probe ability would also be wanted, as I reckon they both got very good security and very good spies.

I am open to other suggestions of course.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 24, 2015, 09:06:01 PM

Also, in terms of story flaws:


Metropolia (name pending) would likely be very reluctant to expend on any big alliances, and it may very well be cold to the outcries of others, being accused of being a gated community of elites that is sort of a hermit kingdom despite itself claiming that its an egalitarian society.

One could also point out that the fierce independence of Metropolia is also its greatest weakness- it is unable to expand out of its own borders as any citizens founding a new city from Metropolia's population would likely strike out on their own and not want to be dominated by their former home, instead pursuing their own means of rule.

The fact Metropolia is so small too compared to other factions will mean it plays a very tense game of diplomacy.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Nexii on December 25, 2015, 02:53:25 AM

Well as long as you're playing the faction you can opt to play them 'in-character' and just not build colony pods or conquer others.

They sound rather pacifist as described, so probably -MORALE
Agenda: Planned
Aversion: Power?
Try the following modifiers:
-9 EFFIC, -1 MORALE, +2 TALENT, +2 GROWTH
Start with Hab Complex
+25% defense bonus

The power of a one city strategy depends a lot if you mod crawlers or not.  With unmodded you can still be quite powerful (since crawling doesn't get impacted by EFFIC).

Probe not as crucial since your HQ will be your one city, and everything will be close by

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: JarlWolf on December 25, 2015, 11:49:45 AM

Suggestion for this I have is maybe add police problem... your citizen of faction sound rather independent, maybe needy... it would be good to also stop more cities from being made.

I am not sure -morale would be necessary, from what you describe city is still motivated and well trained to fight... I would think some people would want to be skilled soldiers if that was their goal. Being a good soldier and being war monger is not always the same thing, after all.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Yitzi on December 25, 2015, 02:22:49 PM

By the way, making it so that particular modules/predesigned units (such as colony pods) are unusable by a given faction would be completely doable via .exe modding...though that would have to compete with other requests.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 25, 2015, 07:51:11 PM

Quote from: Nexii on December 25, 2015, 02:53:25 AM

Well as long as you're playing the faction you can opt to play them 'in-character' and just not build colony pods or conquer others.

They sound rather pacifist as described, so probably -MORALE
Agenda: Planned
Aversion: Power?
Try the following modifiers:
-9 EFFIC, -1 MORALE, +2 TALENT, +2 GROWTH
Start with Hab Complex
+25% defense bonus

The power of a one city strategy depends a lot if you mod crawlers or not.  With unmodded you can still be quite powerful (since crawling doesn't get impacted by EFFIC).

Probe not as crucial since your HQ will be your one city, and everything will be close by

Agenda Planned sounds reasonable, though Euidamonic sounds very much like their end game goal. I do notice a lot of factions have that as their agenda, however. And even though I am rather left wing/egalitarian myself, I don't want to limit players necessarily economically- someone might want to make a more environmentalist version of the Humanist City State, or a more Capitalist/Free Market one.

Even so, I reckon the mentality of the city state would render it more friendly towards planned economics. Especially considering the efficiency is so abysmal that you might as well ignore any positive modifiers for it because nothing is going to really improve it so that it is "good," so an efficiency malus wouldn't really change anything.

So, lets review each option.


-Government wise,

(click to show/hide)

they could follow suit with a Police State by being a bit more controlling and regulated of the liberties of citizens, claiming their best interests are within the confines and safety of the law and offering a more "guided" approach to their pursuits of passion and talent, for better or worse... but on the other hand it also somewhat conflicts with their rather relaxed attitudes towards what sort of path a person wants to take, provided it doesn't break the law.

They could easily follow Democracy, given that the city state would likely value their citizens welfare, happiness and overall progress as human beings, and thus respects their choice in decision making. And out of the three political choices I think this one would make a hell of a lot of sense, though oligarchies and more authoritarian groups could form.

As for Fundamentalism, a faith could spring up and convert the City State, but faiths tend to dictate the morals, creeds and the overall lifestyle a person follows so I highly doubt the government would adopt such an intrusive thing and remain for the largest part, secular...

-Economy wise,

(click to show/hide)

the economy of the city state could truly vary. Free Market could see wealthy patrons and organizations taking more steps in the society and reducing the government to a bare minimum of maintenance where the businesses fill the void, depending on a person's interpretation. If a problem arose as to where they are not adhering to the laws/constitution of the City State I'd likely see there'd be big outlash from both the government and citizens. Though with the safeguard controls I highly doubt enterprises would get so dominant in the first place.

Planned would make the most sense, as the state wants to ensure the continuity of the City State and its people in an organized and careful manner, and support their endeavours.

Green could also make sense if the government got a bit more protectionist over the environment of the City State and a more naturalist bent to its population and I'd like to keep it as a potential option for players.

-Values wise,

(click to show/hide)

the City State could take on Power if it wants to be a political enforcer, by killing rivals and razing them or by simply being a prominent regional police force. I do doubt they'd arise to be a global police force of any means though, and whilst they aren't complete pacifists I don't see them as any sort of aggressive or highly interventionist warlike faction any time soon.

Knowledge would make a hell of a lot of sense in this case, as would Wealth, because citizens may want to exceed the boundaries of knowledge or grow massively rich and live luxurious lives. So either or could work fine, as the ideal of one's peak status and potential will vary as to what it is depending on the person.

-Future Societies,

(click to show/hide)

Only 2 of these would really work. Thought Control is completely out of the question because the whole point of a person following their passions and taking initiative to get their potential (albiet with the resources provided to do it) is that they have the free will to do and decide what they want, otherwise its just forced application.

Cybernetic could work, as a cybernetic society could very well be fitting to the high technology, high talent society that is Metropolia, but there may be dissidence for those who feel like this community is way too sheltered and too much a gated community of talented elites, not sharing its progress with the rest of the world.

Eudaimonia would fit rather well because its the personal happiness and potential achieved through help by the city state and its community for all its citizens.

So, mulling it all over...

I think the stats and agenda would result in something akin to this:

Agenda: Torn between Planned, Eudaimonia or Democracy. Perhaps I could go with preferred Planned, but maybe have a bonus to using Democracy or some such, thought will be needed.

Aversion: Thought Control or Fundamentalism I would say.

3+ Talent

1+ Growth

9- Efficiency

Start with Hab Complex

25+ Defence Bonus

1+ Probe OR Research, or another bonus I thought of: Free Prototypes. I reckon Metropolia to be rather inventive as much as it is passionate over its ambitions and progress, and quick to adopt the fruits of its citizens labours.

Pacifist AI would likely be the smartest option; with a possible coding for no colony pods being able to be produced being another.

Quote from: JarlWolf on December 25, 2015, 11:49:45 AM

Suggestion for this I have is maybe add police problem... your citizen of faction sound rather independent, maybe needy... it would be good to also stop more cities from being made.

I am not sure -morale would be necessary, from what you describe city is still motivated and well trained to fight... I would think some people would want to be skilled soldiers if that was their goal. Being a good soldier and being war monger is not always the same thing, after all.

I wouldn't say that a huge parasitic culture would really develop on this environment because citizens are also, to some extent, pressured by pure social factors to have a sort of ambitious and hard working mentality due to both the state and peers being so supportive (and expectant) of them. Plus Talent bonus typically conflicts or cancels out Police negatives from what I understand.

Though I would say you are spot on for the soldiers; though I wouldn't say its enough to give them a morale bonus whilst in Combat. Merely a defence bonus due to the inspired loyalty to their City State.


Also the more I say "Metropolia" the more I kind of dislike it and find it weird. I am looking for name suggestions, if you folks have any.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: vonbach on December 26, 2015, 08:16:16 AM

You want some advice? Keep it simple. If your looking to make a mod don't get too ambitious.
I'd say minus to support for added talents. That handles the peaceful society genre nicely.
Though in real life socialist countries actually experience negative growth.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 26, 2015, 11:33:10 AM

Quote from: vonbach on December 26, 2015, 08:16:16 AM

You want some advice? Keep it simple. If your looking to make a mod don't get too ambitious.
I'd say minus to support for added talents. That handles the peaceful society genre nicely.
Though in real life socialist countries actually experience negative growth.

Well this is just a custom faction, not a full blown mod. I've done custom faction work before and know what I am generally doing, and have gotten great advice from many topics on this forum, digging around.

Even so; the concept of this City State isn't that its necessarily even completely socialist. It tends to lend itself to that but its more so focused purely on Communalism; its a very autonomous city state that focuses completely on the human development and welfare of its citizens, encouraging them to not only foster a sense of communal attachment and loyalty, but also fully invest in their skills, passions and give them the liberties to pursue such things.

As for the negative growth in Socialist nations, it fully well depends upon which nation we are talking about and their policies at the time... population growth has happened with government sponsorships to mothers and family support systems like government provided daycares and schooling, and talent has been cultivated in nations like Yugoslavia and Cuba and Sweden (and other Scandinavian nations) where university costs are mitigated (or in the case of the latter 2, completely free!) with various programs to support artists, scientists and other career paths and help people pursue improvement and development over their skills and passions, albeit often within line of the confines and desires of the state itself.

But regardless, the shtick for this City State is that it's so focused on its own, singular development, where all the control and development over infrastructure is condensed into a smaller, more manageable area that the immediate effectiveness and malleability of policy is much faster than that of a full blown, larger nation state. The city can grow large and it can become highly specialized as it becomes very centralized, and there is no real issues with centralization in this case because of the rather smaller scale this entity is.

Plus, I am ambitious. I go big or I go home, its just in my nature.


Further thoughts on this, I am thinking that with my revised stats I am going to rock with the following:

Agenda: Planned Economics- Through carefully guided measures, citizen growth and potential can be cultivated.

Adverse: Thought Control- Free will, even if under a system of guidance is of the utmost importance to citizens.

Impunity towards Eudaimonic- Citizens are motivated to defend the interests of the City State, and feel no fear towards shedding blood for their beloved city.

-9 Efficiency- Stupendous amounts of municipal independence creates massive problems for standardization and large scale management.

+1 Growth- A supportive community encourages family growth.

+2 Talent- Numerous programs and facilities exist to harness and cultivate development amongst citizens

25% Defence bonus-Citizens will defend the City State and their fierce independence with zeal.

Now this is an important bit I've been thinking over, and I am unsure that it would be overpowered or not.

Giving them Industrial Automation as a free technology instead of merely Hab Complex's. This would allow them a slight production edge and allow them crawlers, hab complex's and other nifty things off the bat, but I am worried that even as a singular city state, would this be too broken? If it is, what would balance this out?


Storyline of the City State, of which I have now named The Páthos Bastion as its faction name and its capitol, Komunumo, is the following:
 
The leader (who I may make a self insert, who knows) of this movement saw to it that the Peacekeepers with their burgeoning bureaucracy and rather stifling, stagnant society became too focused on expansionism and whilst it was a relatively democratic and at times, egalitarian nation state, the Peacekeepers were far too neglectful of the rights and needs of their various cities. Proper representation of the needs of various populaces was not being met, and the overall populist and seemingly overpowering Peacekeeper ballot power it had in the planetary elections was, back at home a relative oxymoron as voters were starting to feel that their local affairs were being ignored for more internationalist aims.

Thus a movement occurred in one of the more far flung Peacekeeper cities of a mixed population of former Hive citizens and newly mixed Peacekeepers, which aptly renamed itself Komunumo, forming the Páthos Bastion as a singular city state faction.

It had to fiercely defend its independence upon its birth from invading armies from both the Human Hive under Chairman Yang's despotic thumb and the returning forces of the Peacekeepers, who wanted the city to remain under the political dominance of the Peacekeeper UN council.

Komunumo did not waver, and held out admirably and managed through both diplomacy and gritty defence of their home, fend off and drive back the invaders.

Soon, various refugees and defectors flocked to the city and it grew in size and power, and it developed into a formidable fortress state that safeguarded the human development of its citizens, leading not through force or aggressive implementation of its ideology, but through defiance of will and serving as an example to others to pursue their passions, hopes and dreams.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Nexii on December 26, 2015, 08:00:55 PM

Yea I tend to agree.  Keep your faction +/- to like 5 things at the very most, like the originals.  Otherwise you're really losing focus on what makes your faction unique.  Right now you're sitting on 7 so I'd cut a little.

On making Ind Auto less overpowering, you can always mod the crawler crawling penalty.  I play with crawling off (-12/square) but you could do something more mild like -1 resource penalty on crawlers.  Or just increase their cost in the weapons modules.  I guess it's all how difficult you want the game.  Playing on one base is pretty challenging if crawlers are nerfed down.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: vonbach on December 27, 2015, 01:52:37 AM

Why does everyone here seem to have a fascination with Communism? All it ever produced was corpses
and poverty. Just ask the people of Eastern Europe. Just curious.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 27, 2015, 03:10:52 AM

Quote from: vonbach on December 27, 2015, 01:52:37 AM

Why does everyone here seem to have a fascination with Communism? All it ever produced was corpses
and poverty. Just ask the people of Eastern Europe. Just curious.

This faction isn't communist.

I was put into the Crimson Comrade's group as soon as I joined the forum. I don't very much care either way what group I am in, and Comrade Crimson is just my general internet user handle.

I am left wing and communalist, and I am such because of many factors has pushed me to this ideology over a number of years. Growing up in a rather right wing province dominated by oil industry and working for a number of years in said province, (Alberta, Canada) and witnessing the rise and fall of the oil industry and seeing it falter hard( of which has caused me great suffering and undue stress at various points financially and emotionally), especially as of recent and my predictions more or less coming true (lack of diversified industry for instance leading to a sharp decline in jobs across the province as oil related jobs shut down) I am skeptical of capitalism or more specifically, corporatism and corporate backed government; as the oil industry effectively bought out the government here and the former ruling political party that the oil giants had funded essentially gave them free reign over the economy with little to no royalties, and this overly corporatized environment essentially stagnated any growth of other economic sectors and industry. Having worked and been to Latin America and numerous other nations hasn't helped me grow a healthy opinion of large scale capitalism or federalism either. I abhor the Soviet Union's command economy for the very same reasons- negligence and serious problems in management, among other things.

Socialism, like any idea has done good in this world. Workers rights were implemented in many nations due to pressure from socialist parties, and whilst many said workers rights are abused even in nations sporting said rules, the notion of them and the proper treatment of citizens in the workplace and overall work conditions would be far more abysmal if the idea was not popularized. If anything socialism kind of defeated itself in taking root because Marx's original theory was that the conditions of the proletariat being exploited and abused would spur them onto revolution. That pressure and abuse was lessened due to numerous reforms governments made, like Teddy Roosevelt making many progressive changes in the economic sector to accommodate this due to fear of socialists achieving popular support.

I'll finish this conversation with this:

The reason you are probably seeing a rise in people who take an interest in socialism and related ideologies is because of a tangent of economical issues within society and recent events causing lots of stress on the world economy and its overall stability, some regions such as my own being hit rather bad from it. Ideological shifts tend to happen in periods of instability, because people become hostile to older establishment due to increasing problems that said establishment may be causing or at the very least, not really managing or bothering to fix. It's the same reason why autocratic socialism and the bureaucracy and bloated system of the Soviet Union fell and why corporate based capitalism is failing to really inspire anyone of a newer generation inheriting a decaying economy, one ruled by people who often have inherited their wealth and success from the painstaking sacrifices made by a generation before them, allowing them such a vibrant economy to use- when said new generation has to contend with the failing, dying industries that have been sucked dry by aforementioned rulers.

I would seriously like to keep off the topic of real world politics if you don't mind. From the way you made your statement you clearly are either yourself affected by some attachment to the subject or know someone who is, and I'd rather not tread that territory. Death and suffering can be attributed to any ideology; self proclaimed pacifists have in the past committed genocide and murder and those who say they'd protect freedom and liberty have installed tyranny and despotism.

Now, I'd like to ask you a favour and not continue this subject with me here in this forum thread. If you want you can PM me about this and we can take our discussion there, but I'd rather stay on focus here.

But back to the subject at hand.

As clarification, the faction is not communist.

It does not sport the equal distribution of resources or even equity between social class necessarily. And whilst it does fall into the category of supplying resources based on need and prompting someone based on ability, this faction believes that not everyone is of the same needs or abilities.All it offers is that for people who do wish to pursue their own paths of development that the state and community is willing to provide resources for people who showcase initiative and the talent to make themselves great.

If it were in Civilization 5, this faction would essentially be focused on pumping out Great People, if that makes sense.

All this faction is, is that it channels the human development of its citizens and wishes to invest in their passions, pursuits and overall skillsets, to invest in their talent.

If anything its more related to meritocracy than anything else, with a planned economic system to bolster it up; again though I didn't really forbid Free Market nor did I really state in its overall storywise plan that it is opposed to free enterprise. As a matter of fact it can encourage it at points, it just has fierce regulation because it has a fair degree of protectionism due to its rather local based autonomy, due to the way the game works it would probably help with AI behaviour and character, and it makes sense given the means to their ends- they want a planned economy to support their goal of creating a city state full of talented, intelligent and skillful citizenry. One could even say this city state is elitist; so more hard lining "Proletariat minded" socialists would probably have their feathers ruffled at such a social notion. The Free Drones for instance would claim that the Pathos Bastion is probably too keen on blue sky research and other such things, and isn't practical to the work force in a number of ways.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 27, 2015, 03:30:55 AM

Quote from: Nexii on December 26, 2015, 08:00:55 PM

Yea I tend to agree.  Keep your faction +/- to like 5 things at the very most, like the originals.  Otherwise you're really losing focus on what makes your faction unique.  Right now you're sitting on 7 so I'd cut a little.

On making Ind Auto less overpowering, you can always mod the crawler crawling penalty.  I play with crawling off (-12/square) but you could do something more mild like -1 resource penalty on crawlers.  Or just increase their cost in the weapons modules.  I guess it's all how difficult you want the game.  Playing on one base is pretty challenging if crawlers are nerfed down.

I'll have to think about bonuses, because I think Industrial Automation would be a good boon; but is it needed? Difficulty wise I play on Thinker level typically, and I don't plan to do any serious exe modding soon, mostly just the basic faction creation stuff unless someone proves kind enough to lend me a specific script for this faction and its specific need of no colony pods.

Playing with one city will be challenging enough I think, because this is far from the norm of Alpha Centauri Gameplay and it can be very hard, even with crawlers.

-9 Effic is also a very big penalty too.

Will need to mull over this more.

Edit:

After thinking, I believe the following would define the faction more and keep it relatively balanced.

Agenda: Planned Economics
Aversion: Thought Control

+3 Talent

-9 Efficiency

25% Defence bonus

Free Tech- Industrial Automation.

Talent will help their economy, and the defence bonus will keep them alive ingame, but the -9 efficiency will cripple them fairly badly and not allow easy expansion at all. And Industrial automation will help keep them competitive.

The only thing I am wondering over is whether or not to change their Agenda to Eudaimonic or keep it as Planned.

I will be creating the custom faction art soon enough! I may use some cities and buildings from the graphics section of the forum, for the theme of this city state I believe I want to go with a Neoclassical, almost Hellenistic look. Statues and Greco-Roman esque architecture and the like.

Leaderhead I will likely make myself.


I also have decided I may be making more custom factions- I have a very interesting one for Thought Control as their agenda in mind.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Nexii on December 27, 2015, 10:57:50 PM

Yea Cybernetic/Eud/TC factions can be interesting.  But those techs come so late that it feels odd.  I'd say a faction could maybe start with those techs

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: MercantileInterest on December 27, 2015, 11:41:21 PM

Hmmm... a city state...

Preposterously low efficiency. Perfect. Add extra talents. Sounds pretty good. You may want bonus support so you can actually support an army but mostly, I'd recommend forgetting social engineering in favor of a few free late game facilities, say a Temple of Planet to cut pollution and a factory to cause the pollution. If using Crossfire, perhaps the facility which counts as a sensor.

Nice concept. Never thought of a city state.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 28, 2015, 09:59:34 PM

Quote from: MercantileInterest on December 27, 2015, 11:41:21 PM

Hmmm... a city state...

Preposterously low efficiency. Perfect. Add extra talents. Sounds pretty good. You may want bonus support so you can actually support an army but mostly, I'd recommend forgetting social engineering in favor of a few free late game facilities, say a Temple of Planet to cut pollution and a factory to cause the pollution. If using Crossfire, perhaps the facility which counts as a sensor.

Nice concept. Never thought of a city state.

Thanks. I'm going to look into facilities as a potential boon; I also thought of immunities too recently; though I need to figure out some things... as it stands I think that given that the Pathos Bastion isn't necessarily industrialist nor environmentalist and focused on human development I'd rather give them something directly benefiting the generation of specialists or empaths even.


As for my Thought Control Faction, here is my basis for it.

Named the United Army of Humanity, or simply, Unity.

It's leader?

Marshal Humphrey Rodderick, former UN peacekeeper.

Hailing from Santiago's Spartan faction, Marshal Rodderick had over time grown wary of Planet's increasingly hostile behaviour and was horrified by its raw power. Fearing for humanity's continued survival and not trusting it due to how it had split in discourse even on a mission integral to their species survival and haunted by the armageddon of Earth, Rodderick decided the best course of action was to ensure humanity's survival through his control of it, augmenting his own body to ensure his immortality by integrating himself within an advanced algorithm. The process complete, he learned of Santiago's betrayal of Captain Garland, revolted and took his faction of followers and nerve stapled them with specific inhibitors, and created facilities as to channel and direct the growth of his faction.

Intending to save humanity both from itself and from Planet, Marshal Rodderick strode forth to conquer humanity and submit them to his guidance and leadership and ensure humanity survives the onslaught of planet, aggressively terraforming it and trying to kill Planet mind before humanity is destroyed again.



Name for leader: Marshal Humphrey Rodderick

Background: UN Peacekeeping Officer

Qoute:

"Ever since the tragedy of Earth humanity has at multiple points nearly underwent extinction. Whether its from our own hands from the nuclear fires of our beloved and lost home world, or the hostile alien world that is planet, we face a dire situation. Our petty rivalries, pride and ego blinds us to the truth. Death is imminent if we do not unite; we must unite as a species if we hope to brave the storm of destruction."

-Marshal Humphrey Rodderick, Thoughts on Extinction.

Agenda: Thought Control (Only through total control of will can humanity be directed to save itself.)
Aversion: Democracy (Humanity cannot be trusted with itself.)

Starts with the Cloning Vats (Citizens produced to specification for conflict)

Starts with Free Punishment Spheres (Citizens completely subservient)

-4 Economy (Social interaction necessary for trade is severely lacking.)

-3 Planet (Planet senses hostile intentions)

Penalties to Values choice: Knowledge (The free flow of information leads to anarchy and self destruction)

AI Personality: Warlike

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: vonbach on December 28, 2015, 10:37:32 PM

At this point you might as well just write a scenario. Its insanely OP.
I understand you have a grand vision of what you want to do but one
of the secrets to artwork is knowing when to stop painting.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 28, 2015, 11:09:55 PM

Quote from: vonbach on December 28, 2015, 10:37:32 PM

At this point you might as well just write a scenario. Its insanely OP.
I understand you have a grand vision of what you want to do but one
of the secrets to artwork is knowing when to stop painting.

And another secret to artwork is to know when to keep painting and push for that final improvement. You can always paint over accidents or "mistakes" and make them into improvements. And that's coming from a guy who actually paints too  ;)

(click to show/hide)

(http://pre14.deviantart.net/7a8c/th/pre/f/2015/049/4/3/4317d647d4a5826510224e96b176844a-d8ijjvi.jpg) Por ejemplo

I am aware that this faction would be incredibly powerful. My aim is for something interesting to fight against or with; with this specific faction.


I am still willing to balance it a bit though for a more balanced version of the faction; so give me suggestions. I could always make their planet rating even worse at -5 so they get demon boils getting thrown at them, which would be fun to see.

I intend to make a Lets Play of this so yeah, it will be a unique scenario in a sense. I'll likely be playing with the City State faction, import factions I like and roll with it; I saw some rather interesting factions floating about on this site so I'll likely dabble in a few.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: vonbach on December 28, 2015, 11:21:43 PM

Sorry its simply way to OP. No drones and starts with arguably the best wonder in the game.
Whats the point?

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 28, 2015, 11:41:01 PM

Quote from: vonbach on December 28, 2015, 11:21:43 PM

Sorry its simply way to OP. No drones and starts with arguably the best wonder in the game.
Whats the point?

What would you suggest then to make this faction then?

Say we remove the Cloning Vats.

What would you say would suit this faction better to make it more balanced?

In my playthrough its meant to be very, very powerful. I think a massive research penalty could work.

Here's some revised stats I've thought of for now.

Agenda: Thought Control

Adverse: Democracy

-3 Research

-5 Planet

-3 Economy (or possibly -4 Economy)

Free Punishment Spheres

Penalty to Knowledge

2+ Support

Thoughts? Keep in mind with the Punishment Sphere's and -3 Research and penalty to knowledge, their research is going to be abysmal, especially with a bad economy.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Nexii on December 29, 2015, 06:02:22 AM

Not sure if I'd rank CV as the best, it's up there but there are better wonders.  +6 GROWTH isn't that hard to hit for most factions especially by the time CV becomes available.  But having CV available from the start really changes things.

ECON -3 and below doesn't work that well because it means 0 energy in any base square, thus very RNG on whether you get a river tile / monolith / E resource bonus.  Otherwise you end up stuck on 0 energy and tech for a long time.  That being said lately I also mod to allow formers without Centauri Ecology but Centauri Ecology is required for Farm, Forest, Fungus remove.  So that factions like this can 'work' as you can still build solars on no tech and at least not get stuck for many turns.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 29, 2015, 06:48:17 AM

Quote from: Nexii on December 29, 2015, 06:02:22 AM

Not sure if I'd rank CV as the best, it's up there but there are better wonders.  +6 GROWTH isn't that hard to hit for most factions especially by the time CV becomes available.  But having CV available from the start really changes things.

ECON -3 and below doesn't work that well because it means 0 energy in any base square, thus very RNG on whether you get a river tile / monolith / E resource bonus.  Otherwise you end up stuck on 0 energy and tech for a long time.  That being said lately I also mod to allow formers without Centauri Ecology but Centauri Ecology is required for Farm, Forest, Fungus remove.  So that factions like this can 'work' as you can still build solars on no tech and at least not get stuck for many turns.

Planet pearls would give them some income due to the negative planet summoning up throngs of mindworms.

What would you suggest for this faction? I'd like to give them Cloning and Punishment spheres off the bat and I am willing to give them hideous energy/research penalties and planet penalties in return for it. In game I intend them to be a terrifying Big Brother type regime that sends hordes upon hordes of soldiers at your base, their own bases rapidly growing in population, and conquering other cities and immediately neutralizing any resistance with complete efficiency. Low tech level but breeding like rabbits and sending hordes of soldiers without any discretion. Almost similar to the Death Korps of Krieg really if were running 40k comparisons here.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Nexii on December 29, 2015, 09:13:23 AM

0 income isn't as much of a problem (though for maintenance it can be)
What the problem can be is having 0 labs, and thus unable to get Centauri Ecology to even start terraforming.  It's a bit of a game flaw IMO which is why I mod as described. 
For CV this is +6 GROWTH (or more) equivalent, plus you can run TC early with no negatives.  That's about +12 SE worth right there.  Punish spheres are probably worth a few SE but not a lot.

So probably ~12 in SE downsides
-5 RESEARCH
-3 PLANET
-4 ECON
I'd say that -5 RESEARCH is by far the worst of those penalties.  25 turns of no research.  Overall they would be really random.  If you can trade for Centauri Ecology or find it you'd do well; otherwise you'll be so far behind that it might be hard to ever catch up.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 29, 2015, 09:41:44 AM

Quote from: Nexii on December 29, 2015, 09:13:23 AM

0 income isn't as much of a problem (though for maintenance it can be)
What the problem can be is having 0 labs, and thus unable to get Centauri Ecology to even start terraforming.  It's a bit of a game flaw IMO which is why I mod as described. 
For CV this is +6 GROWTH (or more) equivalent, plus you can run TC early with no negatives.  That's about +12 SE worth right there.  Punish spheres are probably worth a few SE but not a lot.

So probably ~12 in SE downsides
-5 RESEARCH
-3 PLANET
-4 ECON
I'd say that -5 RESEARCH is by far the worst of those penalties.  25 turns of no research.  Overall they would be really random.  If you can trade for Centauri Ecology or find it you'd do well; otherwise you'll be so far behind that it might be hard to ever catch up.

What about a -5 Planet over a -5 research? Keep in mind Punishment spheres also halve research at bases.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Yitzi on December 29, 2015, 02:11:45 PM

Quote from: vonbach on December 28, 2015, 11:21:43 PM

Sorry its simply way to OP. No drones and starts with arguably the best wonder in the game.
Whats the point?

It also is horrible at teching, and has no MORALE bonus for an early rush, so if you can get enough of a tech advantage to outweigh its production advantage it can be beaten, and might even be underpowered.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Nexii on December 29, 2015, 06:53:49 PM

Well they would have TC off the start, so that is a MORALE boost (or in my set 2 IND / 1 POL), but whatever you set TC to it's a big benefit getting it early.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 29, 2015, 06:59:11 PM

Quote from: Nexii on December 29, 2015, 06:53:49 PM

Well they would have TC off the start, so that is a MORALE boost (or in my set 2 IND / 1 POL), but whatever you set TC to it's a big benefit getting it early.

Last I checked they don't actually get it in any of my versions I've posted here.

They got Cloning Vats and Punishment spheres as free project and free building- they don't have the techs for them necessarily.

They also don't have Will to Power to start off with. It's just their preferred ideology.

I'll post my revised stats for both factions as well as expansion to their backstory and other stuff. I might come up with a third faction; though I doubt I'll make too many more as I do got to make graphics for these babies.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 29, 2015, 08:06:06 PM

After much thought, here is the stats for both of my current factions.


The Páthos Bastion

First and only city name:

Komunumo

Leader: Statesman Maccus McKenzie

Background: Famous Actor, Unity Recreation Coordinator, Elected city governor of "Komunumo."

Agenda: Planned

Aversion: Thought Control

Qoute:
"One of the single most important things that matters in a person's development is the surroundings they live in. The neighbourhood, community that people live in can be a real defining impact on a person and their development... and whilst not the sole factor, a community can either inhibit or exhibit the talents and promise of their people. Simply put, we should make a nice place to live."

-Statesman Maccus McKenzie, Let's make a community.

3+ Talent "Cultivation of talent and skill through state programs and communal support, as well as wealthy patrons."

9- Efficiency "Extreme autonomy makes standardization beyond the first city an utter nightmare."

+25% Defensive Bonus "Citizens are empowered to defend their beloved city state."

Free Tech: Industrial Automation


The United Army of Humanity

Leader: Marshal Humphrey Rodderick

Background: Former UN Peacekeeper, former Major under Santiago

Agenda: Thought Control

Aversion: Democracy

Qoute:

"Ever since the tragedy of Earth humanity has at multiple points nearly underwent extinction. Whether its from our own hands from self inflicted Armageddon, or the hostile alien world that is planet, we face a dire situation. Our petty rivalries, pride and ego blinds us to the truth. Death is imminent if we do not unite; we must be unified as a species if we hope to brave the storm of destruction."

-Marshal Humphrey Rodderick, Thoughts on Extinction.

Starts with Cloning Vats- "Citizens are produced to specification for wartime measures."

Free Punishment Sphere for every base- "Citizens are kept obedient through nervous tissue implants from birth."

-5 Planet "At war with Planet."

-3 Research "Lack of free will restrains growth of ideas."

-4 Economy "Eradication of free will makes others reluctant to trade with."

Penalty to Knowledge "The Free flow of information leads to anarchy and self destructon."

1+ Support "Utilitarian focus."

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Yitzi on December 30, 2015, 04:39:06 PM

I just realized a potential problem with using EFFIC to limit to one base: EFFIC does not affect energy income from specialists.  So -EFFIC is better than nothing...but the faction can be played with more than one base.

Not sure if that can be fixed without .exe modding.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 31, 2015, 12:50:24 AM

Quote from: Yitzi on December 30, 2015, 04:39:06 PM

I just realized a potential problem with using EFFIC to limit to one base: EFFIC does not affect energy income from specialists.  So -EFFIC is better than nothing...but the faction can be played with more than one base.

Not sure if that can be fixed without .exe modding.

Well; at the very least- I will be playing it as a singular city state in my playthrough I plan for it. The only way to really prevent it from expanding is to ensure that it doesn't have the option to produce more colony pods.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Yitzi on December 31, 2015, 01:48:15 AM

Quote from: ComradeCrimson on December 31, 2015, 12:50:24 AM

Quote from: Yitzi on December 30, 2015, 04:39:06 PM

I just realized a potential problem with using EFFIC to limit to one base: EFFIC does not affect energy income from specialists.  So -EFFIC is better than nothing...but the faction can be played with more than one base.

Not sure if that can be fixed without .exe modding.

Well; at the very least- I will be playing it as a singular city state in my playthrough I plan for it. The only way to really prevent it from expanding is to ensure that it doesn't have the option to produce more colony pods.

And even that doesn't preclude conquest.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 31, 2015, 03:33:49 AM

Quote from: Yitzi on December 31, 2015, 01:48:15 AM

Quote from: ComradeCrimson on December 31, 2015, 12:50:24 AM

Quote from: Yitzi on December 30, 2015, 04:39:06 PM

I just realized a potential problem with using EFFIC to limit to one base: EFFIC does not affect energy income from specialists.  So -EFFIC is better than nothing...but the faction can be played with more than one base.

Not sure if that can be fixed without .exe modding.

Well; at the very least- I will be playing it as a singular city state in my playthrough I plan for it. The only way to really prevent it from expanding is to ensure that it doesn't have the option to produce more colony pods.

And even that doesn't preclude conquest.

Unless there was an "Auto raze/add population to home city" type thing.

Again though, I'll at least be role playing it this time round so it shan't be too much an issue. And I suppose it'd be some sort of confederal power/loose alliance of city states for when it does expand to other cities, the murderous efficiency keeps expansion slow at the very least.

Question, concepts for architecture for the Unity and Pathos Bastion?

I thought of a Hellenistic/Classical type style for the Pathos Bastion but I am unsure on what to use for them for certain. I just know I want them to have a very "cultured" look whilst looking somewhat monolithic and impressive, while the Unity should be starkly militaristic and very hostile looking, maybe with spotlights and very much looking like a barbed wire military zone.

Any other thoughts, or suggestions for graphics to use? I am willing to consider using ready made graphics if they suit my purposes.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Nexii on December 31, 2015, 03:47:26 AM

As long as you're not at war with everyone you can gift the base away.  Or let it starve to 1 and pod it to 'exodus' back to the capital.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on December 31, 2015, 04:24:35 AM

I added a poll for those interested. Please give me feedback people, I greatly appreciate your thought and advice and want to craft something interesting!

I should also add these factions, gratus given I am a voice actor, will have fully voiced blurbs/qoutes so you will be able to hear what these characters sound like.

I'll be working on images of these fellows soon enough, and I am considering thought of yet another faction, but I will need to think carefully, I want to approach a realistic avenue of approach for an ideal suitable to Planet, and to also fill a void that is not covered by existing factions. If you are interested in that prospect, please, I welcome all your ideas and suggestions. What would you like to see? What is something lacking in our custom faction database for thoughts and ideas, for ideologies or faction types not covered?

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Nexii on December 31, 2015, 07:28:39 PM

There's no faction that values Wealth in the original set - maybe you could create a faction that does.  I mod Wealth to be more growth/talent focus lately rather than econ/ind.  Depends how you interpret it I would see wealth more as putting focus into letting your population live well.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on January 01, 2016, 08:59:53 AM

Quote from: Nexii on December 31, 2015, 07:28:39 PM

There's no faction that values Wealth in the original set - maybe you could create a faction that does.  I mod Wealth to be more growth/talent focus lately rather than econ/ind.  Depends how you interpret it I would see wealth more as putting focus into letting your population live well.

The only issue with that is we already have custom factions though up like House Satori and a few others... though I might have a unique idea.

We have many different factions that are all about supporting wealth in some way shape or form and that they are often pictured as destructive to the environment in their pursuit of building wealth and capital, and even more socialist equivalents of acquiring wealth tend to have this similar slant.

So I got thinking... what has not been made before?

A Wealth faction that is rather green.

And thus the following faction is the result.


Faction Name: Planet Pioneers

Leader: Janvier Matapang

Background: Philippines Free Sector, Unity Oceanographer and Marine Biologist

Agenda: Wealth

Aversion: Power

1+ Green (Many followers are green thumbed and environmentally intuitive)

2- Police (dislikes despotism or strong senses of authority)

2+ Minerals for Fungus squares (Environmentally friendly and symbiotic resource extraction techniques)

Free Skimship Foil

Penalty to Police (Janvier dislikes despotic systems of control, as does his followers)

Starts with Doctrine Flexibility

Aquatic Start

Backstory and ideological focus:

Janvier Matapang was born in a turbulent time in the Philippines. Born to a modestly wealthy family, he grew up and had a strong passion for science and nature. The Philippines at the time of the late 2030's was a very unstable region. Climate change and political instability made the Philippines a rather split region constantly under aid by the UN and other organizations due to rampant flooding. The US had largely withdrawn as well due to pressing matters at home, and a power vacuum was left in the islands to where powerful despots and juntas arose in place of the American backed government.

His natural interest in science and nature along with the pressing matters of his country, Janvier underwent extensive education and was determined to help his nation and solve problems such as resettlement, food shortages and other persistent problems by founding a green corporation. He however met lots of opposition from despots in his country who hoarded over land and resources. Coming up with techniques to pioneer resettlement on aqautic settlements and his invaluable inexpertise with this led him to being selected for the Unity mission, much against his will initially as he wished to stay on Earth and help it.

Eventually though with worsening conditions he was forced to accept. After the Unity mission crisis Janvier took his own escape pod, not agreeing with Morgan or Deidre's camp, thinking that Morgan was too reckless to the environment and Deidre was too out of touch with her Earthbound ancestry and humanity.  Founding his own faction, Janvier's Planet Pioneers decided to etch their new civilization upon the principle of building up a stable economy and acquiring resources to advance their colonization effort, whilst keeping environmental damage to a minimum and if possible developing technologies to better accommodate to living on Planet's surface.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on January 14, 2016, 04:34:47 PM

Aiming to get the graphics for each faction done within this weekend at some point, what I want to know from you folks is what would fit for each faction, graphics wise and theme?

The one's I am having the most trouble figuring out is the city graphics for the Pioneers and Pathos Bastion.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on January 17, 2016, 03:41:05 PM

Here's the graphics for the Unity, or Army of Humanity as they proclaim themselves.

I wanted to make Rodderick a character who is both sympathetic, but also terrifying in his own right. A tragic character really, I wanted to make his faction ghastly as much as crushingly sympathetic: as he's a monster born out of the nuclear hellfire and societal collapse of what was Earth. A man driven to the utmost extremes, to remove human will and free thought to preserve humanity as a whole against planet mind and humanity's own self destructive tendencies. Someone who once was a good man, was driven to his complete edge and breaking point when the Unity mission failed. He would've been one of the people to vote to keep the Unity mission together to keep the mission united to ensure humanity was safe. The combination with the horrors of Earth, the hostility planet showed him and the fracturing of humanity as a whole would lead to Humphrey Rodderick, former UN peacekeeping soldier and a relative hero who was responsible for channelling people into the Unity project to save them and responsible for safeguarding it when all hell broke lose, to lose his mind and have it be replaced by a cold, psychotic paternalism that wants to eradicate free will as we know it. 

This is the Unity.

It is the Army of Humanity.

Submission is the only route to survival.

(http://i.imgur.com/wJo2rP6.png)

Let me know your thoughts and criticisms. I tried to honour the original style of SMAC with proper video lines and logo schemes to make it feel fitting to the setting.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on January 18, 2016, 04:18:06 PM

Any thoughts on this one folks? I'm working on the Pathos Bastion at the moment; still trying to figure out what'd be a good city for them. Keep in mind this will be the only city they have in the game so its gotta be an absolute pearl in terms of looks; something monolithic and impressive. I'm thinking of something very tall with a lot of arches perhaps...


Edit: I've decided to add another bonus to the Unity faction as well, a high psi combat bonus to help them survive against planet better since it's got -4 planet, which would summon demon boils and other nasty stuff to attack them relatively early on; but not make them too overpowered when fighting other factions.

I was also thinking of a potential bonus for the Pathos Bastion as well, something specific like free prototypes, a habitation dome or possibly some sort of research benefit because as a single city they are going to have a lot of issues compared to other factions what with a slow start, only having one city and a multitude of several city destroying and improvement destroying weapons and tools at a faction's disposal of which can hinder them; based on a few tests I ran with them.

Won't be a large bonus but I definitely think they need some sort of bonus to give them a leg up to catch up to and match other factions who can create more cities.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on May 04, 2016, 10:58:36 AM

Well, things have been tough real life wise but I am back baby! I will be picking this up and finishing this, and getting that youtube series out.

Just a question though, how does one edit the personal photos of the faction leader? I'm talking like the ones showing their child photos and career that flashes on the odd screens.

Also, where would I post a lets play for this? I'd like to make a proper forum discussion hotspot for when I do make the lets play, but I don't know where to place it.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 04, 2016, 01:34:10 PM

Search for .flc instructions - should be in the early pages of this folder.  It's an old obscured format, and it's murder to do anything with - I think only chuft and Kilkakon ever whipped it, though I spent a lot of time trying seven years ago.

We have an AARs sub, so you could do it there or Theory of Everything...

Tell Jarl I say hi...

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on May 04, 2016, 07:31:14 PM

Quote from: BUncle on May 04, 2016, 01:34:10 PM

Search for .flc instructions - should be in the early pages of this folder.  It's an old obscured format, and it's murder to do anything with - I think only chuft and Kilkakon ever whipped it, though I spent a lot of time trying seven years ago.

We have an AARs sub, so you could do it there or Theory of Everything...

Tell Jarl I say hi...

Roger that. I'll see if Kilkakon knows and look up different stuff. I heard he also knows how to make custom voice acting work, had something to do with file format is what Jarl told me but that was a while ago.

As for Jarl himself... he hasn't been responding to me. Was hoping to catch him here but it seems for naught. His computer may be down or something. Ain't too sure.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 04, 2016, 07:44:07 PM

The email he gave the forum has stopped working...

Lessee, Kil's asleep right now, but he'll be up in about five hours, and I left him a Skype message that you're looking for him - he's on regularly.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on May 04, 2016, 08:29:37 PM

Quote from: BUncle on May 04, 2016, 07:44:07 PM

The email he gave the forum has stopped working...

Lessee, Kil's asleep right now, but he'll be up in about five hours, and I left him a Skype message that you're looking for him - he's on regularly.

Thank you kindly. And yeah, it kept giving me an error when I tried emailing him.

Irregardless though, thanks for notifying Kilkakon for me. I will say that part of me is reconsidering the Pathos Bastion a bit in terms of ideology and preference, but I don't quite know what route to take them than their current one. All I know is that I'd want them to represent the idea of fostering talent and human development in a rather city state like format, sort of where either private individuals, the community or the state could foster and patron people in a sense and improve their abilities, harness the full extents of human potential. A patronage faction in a sense where one's talents and other such things are cultivated; the talents varying as to what they could be. In game terms it'd be a specialist citizen focus or empaths essentially.

And if they do make more cities, the goal with them really for anyone or the AI playing them would be that they wouldn't make very many cities, if any besides their capitol.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 04, 2016, 08:56:31 PM

...A little Vivaldi playing in the background, and think of it like a George Plimpton radio commercial for something toffy?  Talking about the audio quote, of course...

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on May 05, 2016, 05:03:14 AM

Quote from: BUncle on May 04, 2016, 08:56:31 PM

...A little Vivaldi playing in the background, and think of it like a George Plimpton radio commercial for something toffy?  Talking about the audio quote, of course...

Oh I don't mean about procuring the audio itself, I am a full on voice actor and can easily record that in nigh any voice I want.

I just mean inputting it into the game is all, I heard there was a specific file format it needed or something.

Edit: Speaking of which, here's a little voice reel I did for Marshal Humphrey Rodderick.

https://soundcloud.com/comradecrimson/marshal-humphrey-rodderick-speech-final

The soundtrack would not be present with the ingame version, I just put that there to give it more feeling/prevent straight rips. Even put a little gas mask filter on to get the full effect. And yes, the good marshal is indeed British.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 05, 2016, 12:46:59 PM

I don't think the audio file format is a major challenge, but I've never tried myself...

Done any animation voicing?  Do you have any good Vic Mignogna stories?

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on May 05, 2016, 01:20:26 PM

Quote from: BUncle on May 05, 2016, 12:46:59 PM

I don't think the audio file format is a major challenge, but I've never tried myself...

Done any animation voicing?  Do you have any good Vic Mignogna stories?

I indeed have done animation voicing. But not nearly as prolific as the man you've mentioned, I'm just dabbling in dubs and animation voiceovers; although I am in the works of negotiating for a few indeed!

Been voice acting since December of 2013, roughly. So nearly 3-4 years total experience, I had absolutely no background in it before then, I worked sheet metal construction and some welding at the time.

I've done voice acting for the Alfa Legion series of the Emperor Text to Speech Series, Behemoth series, Ravandil series and I've done some odd ones here and there like the Moonman Chronicles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTvPpSwydj4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTvPpSwydj4)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1cXYan0NQA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1cXYan0NQA)

Most of my work has been concentrated in video games, video game mods and similar projects. I've done a lot of RTS video game voiceovers for projects like Legacy of the Confederacy for Starcraft 2, Red March, Abandon (who I am essentially co developer for), Snowbird Studios Caribbean, Campfire Studios War of Rights... several command and conquer mods like Rise of the Reds, Mental Omega, Twisted Insurrection, Crystallized Doom. (Whom I am also co developer for)

Here's a full list of projects I've been involved in if you are curious.

- Antonis’s Greco Persian Wars- Fires of War modification for Mount and Blade Warband both for script writing and voice acting
-Perisno fantasy conversion modification for Mount and Blade Warband, both for script writing, concept work and voice acting
-Rise of the Reds modification for Command and Conquer Generals:Zero Hour for script writing, beta testing and voice acting and development consultation
-Mental Omega modification for Red Alert 2 for voice acting
-Crystallized Doom modification for Tiberian Sun (Now OpenRA) for voice acting, team co-leader and script writing, among various other contributions
-Twisted Insurrection modification for Tiberian Sun for voice acting
-Tiberian Odyssey modification for Tiberian Sun, voice acting and script writing
-Numerous Warhammer 40k mods such as Thousand Suns, Adeptus Mechanicus 30k, Firestorm over Kaurava, Ultimate Apocalypse, and others for Dawn of War 1 primarily for voice acting
-Numerous Alfa Legion related video projects such as the Emperor Text to Speech series, Behemoth series, Ravandil series primarily for voice acting and occasional script writing help
-North and South Civil War modification for Mount and Blade Warband, for script writing assistance and voice acting
-War of Rights promotional videos both for improvised script writing and voice acting
-Snowbird Studios Caribbean game based on the Mount and Blade Warband engine, voice acting and script editing
-Upcoming and to be announced RTS game “Abandon” project co-leader and voice acting manager
-War of 1812 modification for Mount and Blade Warband, voice acting
-Sayazn modification for Mount and Blade Warband, script editing and voice acting
-Indie game 88 Heroes by Bitmap Bureau Ltd, voice acting and script writing
-Rogue Republic game, voice acting and script editing
-Attacque Superior modification for Red Alert 2 (Now OpenRA!) for voice acting and script writing
-Red March RTS game, voice acting
-Mentorship for the following individuals in regards to voice acting tutorship, Gaëtan Cione, Bryce Lockwood
-Moonman Chronicles Animation, Restless Pete character voice over

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 05, 2016, 01:22:58 PM

Is the money doing that any good?  I spent several years performing in renfairs, but the money sucked pretty hard.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on May 05, 2016, 01:28:26 PM

Quote from: BUncle on May 05, 2016, 01:22:58 PM

Is the money doing that any good?  I spent several years performing in renfairs, but the money sucked pretty hard.

It's very hit and miss and sporadic. You can make some really decent money if you hit a really good project, or just make some nice padding money. One project might pay me upwards of a few grand in a short space of time, another might only pay me the odd hundred every month through commissions I do, another might just be a one time thing for like 20-30 bucks. It really varies and each and every single job is negotiated as indie voice acting is a frontier market that is barely regulated. And many times I work for free.

I would say it is not consistent enough to make a living off of entirely but it can help pay your bills, if you are persistent at it and modestly successful like me, if you work a part time job and then have this you can survive modestly well.

You only really can make it a real dough maker when you have connections to a studio and a talent agent. Both of which I lack nor can afford. Commercial broadcasting and voice overs in the commercial industry make a fair bit of money, standard rate for voiceovers, if you are curious is normally about 140 Canadian dollars (so like 120-130ish American) for a recorded minute's worth of dialogue for completely fair deal professional voice actor level payment standards. And again that also will vary upon role, length of overall recorded dialogue and so on and so forth.

In reality what you make can vary upwards and downwards. It's a bit of a random profession. There's no set rate, you got to constantly find work, negotiate and try and hit a jackpot.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 05, 2016, 01:42:50 PM

See, that there's the biggest reason I didn't stay with it -along with coming home and Momma needed help with caring for two senile people- I was a GOD out there in the lanes, and I loved the work.  -But renfairs are like that when you're nobody, no steady gigs, and I'm just not temperamentally suited to act as my own agent.  Rejection hurt too much.  The pay sucked, but when I had hat privileges, the tips -in a real sense, the best/only measure of how you're doing- were starting to make the pay a real non-issue, a trend that was still on an impressive upward curve when I dropped off the road.

I also didn't like working with other show people -they're lovely, the loveliest, when they want to be, but bad for having your back and frequently don't want to be lovely- because navigating the people politics was beyond me, and entertainment directors heard the backstabbing tales carried, but didn't see much of what you actually did.  I was good, and I was still getting better eight years in as I continued to learn my way, so a real shame.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on May 06, 2016, 03:10:33 AM

Quote from: BUncle on May 05, 2016, 01:42:50 PM

See, that there's the biggest reason I didn't stay with it -along with coming home and Momma needed help with caring for two senile people- I was a GOD out there in the lanes, and I loved the work.  -But renfairs are like that when you're nobody, no steady gigs, and I'm just not temperamentally suited to act as my own agent.  Rejection hurt too much.  The pay sucked, but when I had hat privileges, the tips -in a real sense, the best/only measure of how you're doing- were starting to make the pay a real non-issue, a trend that was still on an impressive upward curve when I dropped off the road.

I also didn't like working with other show people -they're lovely, the loveliest, when they want to be, but bad for having your back and frequently don't want to be lovely- because navigating the people politics was beyond me, and entertainment directors heard the backstabbing tales carried, but didn't see much of what you actually did.  I was good, and I was still getting better eight years in as I continued to learn my way, so a real shame.

Well if you have showmanship and true zeal for acting as what you say implies, voice acting is never too late to start with and its something you can do from the safety and comfort of your home; so no need to abandon caretaking any friends of family that may be under your stead. You just need to invest a bit into the microphone and so forth, and I know lots of  tricks and methods to accrue other gear and setup quite cheaply in order to get into the field. If you ever do want to spark off acting again, let me know, I'd be happy to help. It sounds like you enjoyed it fairly well despite the social issues behind the scenes of it, and I think one should utilize their talents and passions when they can to improve their state of being.

I've tutored folks before; including people who have acting experience which in that case would mostly be tutoring them with the technical side of things.

And I do it freely too, absolutely no cost; so hit me up if you ever are interested. Can always be a hobby too where you make a bit of extra money from time to time.

No need to navigate the intrinsic politics and social acumens, I know of many projects that just simply want people to help out, free modding projects or the odd paying indie project that will offer payment for such things. 

If you wish to contact me about this, I can be reached at [email protected] or via skype at Comrade.Crimson

Look for the guy who looks like this:

(http://pre01.deviantart.net/5c5c/th/pre/f/2015/027/7/0/70131b0004b43a33d140705722b87445-d8fpm4f.jpg)



But that aside for now, I've got some text editing done for Unity so far, I just need to do so for the Pathos Bastion and and do the hardest part for the Pathos Bastion, its graphics. I intend to utilize some of your graphics packs for the background scenes if that is ok. I definitely need to think on the actual base(s) itself, the style I want to approach it with. I definitely need something impressive, visually stunning that really speaks of its truly metropolitan nature. It's a city of big lights, of big architecture, and big talents.

For the Pioneers I saw some pretty bases in the graphics database, I will compile their graphics spread sheet at some point hopefully this weekend. Will keep you all posted.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Buster's Uncle on May 06, 2016, 04:39:46 AM

-Of course that's what those portrait/bases/diplomacy landscape files are up for -use away.  If you're looking at page three of my custom faction pages and see something you want that hovertexts "Coming soon" instead of taking you to a Downloads page, just ask, and I'll hook you up.

(I could see doing non-live acting -I did have a passion for it- but without audience reaction feedback and tips -the former, what I started renfairs getting off on, the latter, what I ended them getting off on, the best form of applause being paper-based- I'd just be doing it for the money, which I could use, but don't badly need.  -Of course, getting paid -and getting more paying gigs- is the best measure of success, but I'd really miss seeing/hearing the audience to know how what I was doing was working.  Too many years of doing live improv all day to not build that dependence on reaction informing my performance decisions...

That's not a no, exactly...)

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on May 06, 2016, 06:41:22 AM

Quote from: BUncle on May 06, 2016, 04:39:46 AM

-Of course that's what those portrait/bases/diplomacy landscape files are up for -use away.  If you're looking at page three of my custom faction pages and see something you want that hovertexts "Coming soon" instead of taking you to a Downloads page, just ask, and I'll hook you up.

(I could see doing non-live acting -I did have a passion for it- but without audience reaction feedback and tips -the former, what I started renfairs getting off on, the latter, what I ended them getting off on, the best form of applause being paper-based- I'd just be doing it for the money, which I could use, but don't badly need.  -Of course, getting paid -and getting more paying gigs- is the best measure of success, but I'd really miss seeing/hearing the audience to know how what I was doing was working.  Too many years of doing live improv all day to not build that dependence on reaction informing my performance decisions...

That's not a no, exactly...)

The offer always remains open. I know the feeling of entertaining a crowd and the thrill of entertaining people; acting and delivering a role and making people enjoy a spectacle. Voice acting might not get you the immediate glamour of a live audience but think of it like this; people will be watching and listening to your performance in their video games or the show they watch online, and you will bring a character they interact with or view to life. And as you collect more roles you build yourself a bit of an empire of connections, contacts and people you've worked for and provided your talents for; and the best way to equate a voice actor, especially an independent one is that we are like mercenaries. We jump from job to job, but our fan base and the people who appreciate our work grows and develops over time. People might not know what you look like off the bat, but they'll know your voice; or at the very least- know that you are the one who brought their favourite heroes, villains and all sorts of characters to life.

If you ever do want to reinvigorate your passion of acting voice acting is a comfortable medium to do it in.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: Kilkakon on June 09, 2016, 09:33:39 AM

Hi, I believe you wanted to know what format voice samples needed to be in? They need to be Mp3 files, 22050 hz and in mono. I don't believe the sample rate makes a difference.

Title: Re: My Custom Faction(s)
Post by: ComradeCrimson on October 06, 2016, 08:28:54 AM

Incredibly late reply from myself, but thank you kindly. Given that my life has calmed down with commissions and work a bit, I believe I can finally finish this baby.