Alpha Centauri 2

Other Games => Pandora's Box => Topic started by: BlackArchon on June 02, 2014, 10:00:15 PM

Title: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: BlackArchon on June 02, 2014, 10:00:15 PM
Hi there!

I just wanted you to know that I started a mod for Pandora: First Contact. Some days ago I released the first preview version with the 14 factions from SMACX. Currently I'm working on reimplementing the techs and buildings from SMACX as well as the units, weapons, armors and devices. If you want to have a look at it, here is the download site: http://blubb.najut.org/pandora (http://blubb.najut.org/pandora)

If you own Pandora and if you are willing to help, please let me know. Also post questions here, if you like. :)
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 02, 2014, 10:12:59 PM
Oooh!  This is SMACX on the Pandora Engine?

We've got a lot of competent artists here...
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: BlackArchon on June 02, 2014, 10:29:53 PM
Well, it's a beginning - just test this for yourself so you get an impression. I'm currently searching for people who could help me with:
- modifying the diplomacy texts to use their SMACX phrases
- creating icons for weapons, armors and devices
- creating 3D unit models from SMACX units like mindworms to import them into Pandora (there seems to be a way to export 3ds max models to Pandora's XML format)
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Buster's Uncle on June 02, 2014, 10:35:44 PM
Mylochka is a Poser artist, and has done models of some of the SMACX leaders...  Don't get your hopes too high, but I'll call her attention here.

How did you find us?
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Green1 on June 03, 2014, 12:47:42 PM

We've got a lot of competent artists here...

BU lies. You have a TON of competent folks here.

I would keep some of the Pandora aliens. From what I hear, it is Pandora's strength. SMAX could use more alien diversity.

I may just have to pick up Pandora just for this. From everything I have read about the system it would be closer to SMAX than Beyond Earth is. Beyond Earth will get all the hype, though.

Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: vv221 on June 03, 2014, 03:10:18 PM
I have no skill related to content creation or implementation, but you can count me in as a regular tester.
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: BlackArchon on June 03, 2014, 05:08:51 PM
Mylochka is a Poser artist, and has done models of some of the SMACX leaders...  Don't get your hopes too high, but I'll call her attention here.

How did you find us?
Thank you!
A friend gave me a hint that there is a website which is a platform for some heavy SMAC fans - so I found you.
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Green1 on June 03, 2014, 06:52:46 PM
Yes, this is the place for that. For SMAX, it is the most active on the web. Even compared to other sites that have Alpha Centauri in the "other games" category. Even though nowadays SMAC/X does not get cranked up as much for me nowadays. I have been on an AoW3 kick lately and thinking about some Eve Online later down the road. Also want to try to rescue an unfinished, crazy AAR I had with Morgan versus a whole bunch of crazy, over powered custom Aliens designed by folks here and legacy modding boards from a dead laptop.

It is also a good place for me to occasionally hang out on as you have some interesting folks here.
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: SenniTreborius on October 06, 2014, 03:15:44 PM
Good luck with this. Just posting to keep track of this. Didn't buy Pandora, but you may change my mind.
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: SenniTreborius on October 28, 2014, 03:41:26 PM
have you seen this:
http://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=279&t=47533&p=454562&hilit=alpha+centauri#p454562 (http://www.slitherine.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=279&t=47533&p=454562&hilit=alpha+centauri#p454562)
Pity it seems to have died there. Is it still going here?
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Yitzi on October 28, 2014, 04:34:38 PM
You know...at some point, it might be possible for all our modders and coders to work on an actual open-source SMAC2; the only problem might be one of rights for something that large, but I figure we could always just do the engine as coded, and make it moddable enough that the characters can be included as a mod.

(If so, there are definitely things that could be done better than SMAC/X; while I think SMAC/X has the best mechanics overall, there are things that could be lifted from Civ4 or even 5/BE, as well as a few other ideas, to make it better.)
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Green1 on October 28, 2014, 06:06:46 PM
You know...at some point, it might be possible for all our modders and coders to work on an actual open-source SMAC2; the only problem might be one of rights for something that large, but I figure we could always just do the engine as coded, and make it moddable enough that the characters can be included as a mod.

(If so, there are definitely things that could be done better than SMAC/X; while I think SMAC/X has the best mechanics overall, there are things that could be lifted from Civ4 or even 5/BE, as well as a few other ideas, to make it better.)

I would even lift from Fallen Enchantress this : faction/leader editor integrated into system.

I think what happens with these projects is without an in place rabid fan base (Pandora has too small a community) and without a charismatic leader (Maniac - Civ 4 Planetfall), just one or two people can not do this.

Plus, the skills required to do these things are friggin hard! The time to do so is long and you need folks with all sorts of disciplines from artwork to AI to UI to programming. And.. what is the reward? If you are not getting paid, I would hope it would at least be online fame. For many, that kind of reward is not worth the headache.
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Buster's Uncle on October 28, 2014, 06:14:34 PM
I'm a charismatic leader - Maniac says I have better social skills than him. ;nod
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Yitzi on October 28, 2014, 07:42:28 PM
I would even lift from Fallen Enchantress this : faction/leader editor integrated into system.

You mean, different leaders and factions each game?  Interesting idea, but I can't see a way to make it work with the well-written leader personalities that are necessary to be a true sequel to SMAC/X.
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: SenniTreborius on October 29, 2014, 08:50:00 PM
smac/x is a good game in itself. But just doesn't have the modder skill base of something like say OpenXcom. I myself am just learning C++, so for me there is a long way to go. A new C++ open source code for smac/x ala OpenXcom should eventually be doable, and would be legal as it is just a mod. Look how long OpenXcom took.
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Yitzi on October 29, 2014, 10:30:58 PM
smac/x is a good game in itself. But just doesn't have the modder skill base of something like say OpenXcom. I myself am just learning C++, so for me there is a long way to go. A new C++ open source code for smac/x ala OpenXcom should eventually be doable, and would be legal as it is just a mod. Look how long OpenXcom took.

Not sure about the legality...but it would eventually be doable.  Of course, if there's going to be an open source code, there's the question of whether to reproduce SMAC/X itself or create a sequel...
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: SenniTreborius on October 29, 2014, 10:41:36 PM
Not sure about the legality...but it would eventually be doable.  Of course, if there's going to be an open source code, there's the question of whether to reproduce SMAC/X itself or create a sequel...
Probably best to reproduce first as there is less effort, plus would then generate interest/input for a sequel.
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Yitzi on October 29, 2014, 11:17:57 PM
Not sure about the legality...but it would eventually be doable.  Of course, if there's going to be an open source code, there's the question of whether to reproduce SMAC/X itself or create a sequel...
Probably best to reproduce first as there is less effort, plus would then generate interest/input for a sequel.

I don't think reproducing the first would be that much less effort, but it could be better from a marketing perspective...

Or maybe not; after all, we'd have to make the open-source version so you can't play it without SMAC/X (as otherwise it'd be competing with GOG, and that's not fair to them and may pose legal issues), so it's not going to appeal to non-fans anyway.
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: SenniTreborius on October 29, 2014, 11:48:46 PM
I don't think reproducing the first would be that much less effort, but it could be better from a marketing perspective...

Or maybe not; after all, we'd have to make the open-source version so you can't play it without SMAC/X (as otherwise it'd be competing with GOG, and that's not fair to them and may pose legal issues), so it's not going to appeal to non-fans anyway.
Exactly as OpenXcom did. Only the exe, no other files. Modfoldering like OpenXcom would be useful too.
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Green1 on October 30, 2014, 06:10:20 AM
I would even lift from Fallen Enchantress this : faction/leader editor integrated into system.

You mean, different leaders and factions each game?  Interesting idea, but I can't see a way to make it work with the well-written leader personalities that are necessary to be a true sequel to SMAC/X.

Fallen Enchantress lets you make your custom factions/ leaders in game. It also has a art engine that does leaderheads, but I think the art could be external. That would be a bit much to ask of SMAX, and there are better art programs and artist out there than engines that have just 4 to 10 kinds of faces/noses/eyes/etc.

You could take ALL the possible abilities a faction can have and put on/off check buttons. For things with a numerical value, have an up/down key function. You could even limit this to adjusting only a certain amount of things, just like SMAX currently does for .txt. Then, it converts to .txt on the fly.

TLDR: Basically, Fallen Enchantress has a more modern form of aceedit/facedit built into the engine.

I wish I had Fallen Enchantress currently installed to give screenshots to show you. SMAX remake could use it.
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: BlackArchon on January 07, 2015, 10:05:05 PM
Here is version 2.0 for my SMACX factions for Pandora: First Contact: http://blubb.najut.org/pandora/ (http://blubb.najut.org/pandora/)
Please test these factions and post your opinions. :)

I halted the other features (technologies, buildings, weapons, armors, devices, terraforming) because of the disinterest of most other people and therefore, frankly, mine. :(
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Flux on January 19, 2015, 06:14:09 PM
Here is version 2.0 for my SMACX factions for Pandora: First Contact: http://blubb.najut.org/pandora/ (http://blubb.najut.org/pandora/)
Please test these factions and post your opinions. :)

I halted the other features (technologies, buildings, weapons, armors, devices, terraforming) because of the disinterest of most other people and therefore, frankly, mine. :(

I would use this mod without a doubt, but I don't have Pandora.
Title: Re: Work in progress: SMACX mod for Pandora
Post by: Eadee on July 04, 2015, 11:04:21 PM
Awesome. I have to give it a try... NOW!
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