ManSh00ter ManSh00ter

[MOD] Sins of a Solar Empire: INVASION (new screenshots, May 28th, 2012.)

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[MOD] Sins of a Solar Empire: INVASION (new screenshots, May 28th, 2012.)

Previously known as "The Last Stand"

from Sins Forums

 

 

Sins of a Solar Empire: INVASION is an addon project aiming to expand upon the existing universe of the Sins of a Solar Empire, providing original and high-quality content on top of the original game. Aside from the new content, the addon will also include multiplayer-friendly gameplay changes as well as reworked or new visuals/sounds.

ETA: To Be Announced

Planned changes/content will include:

  •  A new playable race, created to the highest quality standards. The Xin are a race of utterly alien origin, and the massive fleets of their living, semi-sentient ships have been ravaging the galaxy for millenia. Countless races have perished under their onslaught - and now TEC, Advent and the Vasari will have to face this terrible enemy and win - or die trying.
    Assume the role of the defenders and try to stem the tide of death and destruction, or take command of the invading armada and destroy the impertinent insects wherever they choose to make their last stand. 
  • Volumetric Explosions & Damage Effects, providing not only greater excitement to your space battles by transforming all explosions and persistent damage effect into true 3D affairs, but also better visual cues as to how the battle is going, enabling you to spot at a first glance the hotspots and even the level of damage on particular ships.
  • Dynamic Battle System, where each ship class' strenghts and uses are not determined only by its stats and abilities, but also by its flight characteristics. Certain ship classes will be able to move during fleet battles, which, coupled with the reworked stats of all ship classes should prevent "cookie-cutter" or "spam" strategies.
  • New Ship Classes for the new faction, ranging from specialist ships such as the Warmaster or Emperor Battlecruiser all the way to Titans acting as mobile superweapons capable of facing down an entire fleet on their own or even destroying an entire gravity well in one powerful surge.
  • Reworked Balancing, aiming to further focus various ship classes on their roles, removing any overlapping advantages which ultimately make one ship type or the other the ship to produce. Changes will also include increased gravity wells as well as greater class difference in turning rates and top speeds in order to further accentualize fleet placement, strategic positioning of forward bases and other such details which a great admiral make.
  • New Planet Types, which will also be visually enhanced, primarily by increasing their size in order to make them a true centerpiece of a given sector. New planet types will provide greater variety without providing game-breaking advantages to players.
  • Enlarged Gravity Wells which, coupled with the dynamic nature of space combat, will challenge players to an even greater level, requiring careful placements of planetary defenses and orbital structures, as well as fleets.
  • Unique Structures for the new faction, ranging from formidable Heavy Defense Batteries to deployable Outposts which will be capable of guarding even sectors around otherwise uninhabitable astronomical bodies such as stars or gas giants.

==MEDIA SECTION==

 

==SCREENSHOTS==

 

==TRAILERS==

DRONE SPOTLIGHT I

A short ingame exposition of the Scout, Assault and Siege drones.

 

 

 

==BACKGROUND LORE==

Pangalactic War Timeline 

Clicking the above link will lead you to the download of a .pdf document detailing the rich and dynamic history of the factions which will play a major role in the Last Stand mod, so if you are into background lore, be sure to check it out!

 

==UNIT INFORMATION==

 Pending.

 

modding
4,160,270 views 1,794 replies
Reply #126 from Sins Forums Top
And time has come for another little update. First of all, thanks everyone for the continued support. Its the fuel behind the effort so to speak. ;)

This time round, I bring you the snapshot of several Seeder Pods gathering before an invasion:



And the centerpiece, a brand new Attack Cruiser!





Lore: Ystra Attack Cruiser forms the backbone of Xin Central Fleets. Usually the first manned ship to appear when the drones prove ineffective, the Ystra is big, tough and exceptionally well armed, sporting six plasma launchers (simmilar in function to those used by the smaller assault drones) and dual proton beam emitters able to periodically inflict massive damage to enemy ships and structures.

However, it has a few weaknesses as well, though neither are easily exploited against a capable fleet commander. The Attack Cruisers rarely venture alone; despite their power they, like most Xin ships, were never meant to be deployed without a sizable drone escort. As such, the large vessel is ungainly and slow when compared to their counterparts from other races. Furthermore, their weapons require, unlike those mounted on the drones, for the ship to face the target directly - which makes it vulnerable to a fast enemy which would be able to simply outmaneuver it, or failing that, outrun it.


This model was very fun to make. I aimed to make it as organic-looking as possible without actually going full-curves (which would not agree with the technology-biology combo the Xin have; in other words, square plating on a fully organic shape look like crap). I've actually spent most of the time working on texturing. You wouldn't believe how simple windows can define the overall feel of ship size-wise. I must have redesigned them at least three times.

Anyway, this much for now. These are just bare models, when I get their weapon effects working I'll finally post that movie I was talking about...


bss08380, I don't know if scripting something like auto-colonization would work, not because it can't be done, but because the Pods are REALLY fragile. I am talking about two-three hits. Even if a neutral planet has only a few scouts around, they would have no problem in taking out a lone Pod. And as far as I know, you can't script it so that they pick random routes as a group. Though I personally like the idea. I may even put it in just for kicks if I can. :)
Reply #127 from Sins Forums Top
That looks great! I really like the "bridge" area at the top
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Reply #128 from Sins Forums Top
looks sweet. both models. once again, your skills at this stuff boggle my mind. seriously, i can't wait to get my hands on this. when do you estimate that this is going to be finished? I came here expecting to see a little seeder, which i got, what i didnt expect was to show up and find a freaking attack cruiser! damn, this is awesome. like ive been sayin' since the beginning, KEEP IT UP!!!

by the way, they kind of look like huge, space manta-rays, lol....that shoot lasers and beams and blow crap up. good work.
Reply #129 from Sins Forums Top
Needless to say; outstanding work once again. I can't really say much more than that. Your skills are sublime, and your work, amazing.
Reply #130 from Sins Forums Top
I have have four words for you:
IN CRED I BLE.

THAT battlecruiser is amazing!!!

Now, if only I had your 3D modeling skills.....

Simply put, the best 3D models of ships I have seen. Period.
Uzii, I am sure you agree.

Mansh00ter, keep it up man. I can't WAIT till this mod gets out.

DANMAN
Reply #131 from Sins Forums Top
Beautiful, I love the natural look, curvaceous like the Advent, whilst still feeling organic. I especially like the underside of the cruiser. Bravo sir, bravo.
Reply #132 from Sins Forums Top
Bru

This looks awesome!

I like things "standard", but this is definitely one of the few mods I'll be playing... The other being Uzii's mod, so far :)

Keep up the good work... :CONGRAT:
Reply #133 from Sins Forums Top
you'r work is fantastic!
i'm so excited about the Cap ships you'll be making for the Xin!

Just don't quit! ;) :CONGRAT:
Reply #134 from Sins Forums Top
Hey,
your mod is looking really cool..i like your new race.

ok..I will wonder if it could be possible and not too much trouble to make a two seperate mods. a Full mod of everything..and another with only race and graphic effect...unless you race uses alot of the thigns you implement..then i understnad. Do you ahve the new race and your new systems intermeshed that you canot make a serate mod?
thx
Reply #135 from Sins Forums Top
This looks amazing. I can't wait for all of these overhauls to get done.
Reply #136 from Sins Forums Top
Alexander013, I currently plan to release the mod as follows:

-standard high-resolution texture version which will however have slightly higher system requirements than the vanilla game (but not by much)
-a lower res texture pack for people with older systems

The Last Stand will also include some of the excellent improvements other modders already released, such as Uzii's planets and Bailknight's particle effects, with a few tweaks here and there if necessary. Whether it will be possible to release just the new race and effects - theoretically yes but it would very likely lead to the game being unbalanced. For example, the Xin have quite a focus on planetary defences, I even plan for them to have their static superweapon replaced by a mobile Titan and the building turned into a sort of super-defense platform. If the current races do not receive a corresponding buff to their planetary defenses, it would make the game unfairly tilted in the favor of the Xin.
Reply #137 from Sins Forums Top
omg i can't wait for this mod to come out...any thoughts on when it's gonna be released...not that im rushing you
Reply #138 from Sins Forums Top
Damn man everytime I take a peak on those thread I see something amazing. Great job man!
Reply #139 from Sins Forums Top
Rangerdude81, when its ready. ;) It may take a while.

I am dedicated to making the core assets of the mod as high-quality as possible. If that means a few extra months before the mod is ready, I believe its worth the wait. While it would be easier and faster for me to take shortcuts, in the long run I don't think either myself as the mod developer nor any future players would be satisfied by that... and since I don't have angry accountants dogging me with budget machettes, I can afford the luxury of not having deadlines and, you know, taking the good old vision toward total fullfilment. :)

As for core assets, I am talking about new models, textures, particle effects for weapon, explosions, props, new sounds etc. To give you an idea of the volume of work involved, there are around 34 models to be made per race, over a hundred research topics to be reviewed and modified, each unit has several sounds associated with it (luckily making those does not take as much time as making the model itself), and so on.
Once that is complete, there will be a few weeks spent on touching up the system, in other words kicking out any stray bugs and then a beta will be released for playtesting... this is where the fun begins. ;)

In the meantime, aside from regular updates on the progress of the mod, I plan to release several mini-mods, mainly dealing with enhancing certain visual aspects of the game. The first such will be the detailed explosion mod, with different explosion effects for each race, including more meaningful debris and Floating Frozen Bodies(TM). I don't think anyone has touched that yet, so it will be a little gift from me. :)
Reply #140 from Sins Forums Top
I am dedicated to making the core assets of the mod as high-quality as possible. If that means a few extra months before the mod is ready, I believe its worth the wait.


amen. i really, really, really wish that the rest of the gaming industry would freaking think this way. yeah, i'm looking at you Crytek...im looking right at you... by the way, the whole floating body thing....SWEET!!! i cant wait to see little vasari crewman floating about dead in space, lol. fun stuff. briliant.

i will wait as long as you wish and i am sure the rest of the community will as well. don't feel pressure. keep up the awesome work.
Reply #141 from Sins Forums Top
its mods like this that keep me coming to the forums to see what to look for when i finally start playing again after 1.1 and full mod tools released
Reply #142 from Sins Forums Top
Splendid, Your team's mods strangely remind me of Angels fall first (A grand HW2 mod in dev) in ideas and settings, looks great, is there any estimate on release date? (Not specifics, just want to now if it comes out this year or in 2012)
Reply #143 from Sins Forums Top
Ok I see.
thats ok..I understand..tahs ok..just release mod as whole..i will live with new options. np
: )
Reply #144 from Sins Forums Top
Loger, just FYI, I am a team of one. ;)

Estimates... based on the speed of progress so far, I would say definitely this year. ;) Its a bit early to set any specific dates.

I can announce the upcoming mini-mod though, the Carnage in Space, which will utilize the new explosion and debris art used in the Last Stand and is likely to be released sometime within the next couple of weeks.

A few higlihts:

-reworked explosion effects for all races; now each race has different kabooms
-more tiered effects; there is a difference between frigate and cruiser explosions now too
-more spectacular effects - the goal is to induce the irresistible urge to self-destruct one's own ships just so you could watch the pretty stuff
-Frozen Floating Corpses(TM)!

...and not much more... :p
Reply #145 from Sins Forums Top
AMAZING!!! :CONGRAT: When I see the models of your ships I think of the covenant ships from Halo. When you finish you should think about doing some modeling for a Halo mod.

F-ing sweet :CONGRAT: 
Reply #146 from Sins Forums Top
AMAZING!!!  When I see the models of your ships I think of the covenant ships from Halo. When you finish you should think about doing some modeling for a Halo mod.F-ing sweet  


you know, as cool as it would be to do this, and possibly even control Halo's themselves, and all sorts of other stuff. most of the halo universe is based on cool ground combat between covenant forces and marines. i am not sure if it would add up to be very fun, or if there is enough content to produce a legitamate halo mod. but the great thing is this: Halo Wars will be coming about before too long and we will all get to participate in HUGE battles with covenant and marine forces! lol.

as for ManSh00ter's last comment. i can just see myself building up a humongous fleet of ships, than smiling like its forth of july as i destory them all one at a time to watch bodies, debris and explosions spread across space....oh hell yeah, lol. im the kind of person who would do that...
Reply #147 from Sins Forums Top
Oh wow, ManSh00ter, you really know how to mod!

I myself am a modder at heart, I love changing the look of and feel of units in game. However, the funnest thing I think about modding is being able to make your own backstory to the things that you create, and you have done this 110% :CONGRAT:!

When I look at the artwork and the modeling that you have created, and then when I read the story that accompanies absolutely all them, I fall in love all over again with the richness that there is. I forget that I'm reading information about a mod, and I sometimes think that I am reading about an entirely new game coming out.

I cannot wait to try the first part of the mod, I know I am going to love it, but I really cannot wait to try out those Xin, they look wicked cool:LOL:!

I think that the auto-seeder idea is amazing and I hope that you will be able to use it, nothing spells fear more than something that you are unable to stop. You know what would be even more insidious? As a special ability of the seeder or the Ark, have a leech ability, which would only be able to target a populated planet and the planet has to be owned by another nation. What this [I}leech[/I], (insert any name for leech), ability would do is give the Xin player view of that planet's gravity well for a limited amount of time, and while it does this it could slowly damage the planet's health.
Reply #148 from Sins Forums Top
AMAZING!!!  When I see the models of your ships I think of the covenant ships from Halo. When you finish you should think about doing some modeling for a Halo mod.F-ing sweet  you know, as cool as it would be to do this, and possibly even control Halo's themselves, and all sorts of other stuff. most of the halo universe is based on cool ground combat between covenant forces and marines. i am not sure if it would add up to be very fun, or if there is enough content to produce a legitamate halo mod. but the great thing is this: Halo Wars will be coming about before too long and we will all get to participate in HUGE battles with covenant and marine forces! lol.as for ManSh00ter's last comment. i can just see myself building up a humongous fleet of ships, than smiling like its forth of july as i destory them all one at a time to watch bodies, debris and explosions spread across space....oh hell yeah, lol. im the kind of person who would do that...


Even though the Halo video game series doesn't give much info on UNSC or covenant ships, there are still te descriptions given in the novels and there are many ideas floating around at:

WWW Link

Check it out
Reply #149 from Sins Forums Top
Splendid, Your team's mods strangely remind me of Angels fall first (A grand HW2 mod in dev) in ideas and settings, looks great, is there any estimate on release date? (Not specifics, just want to now if it comes out this year or in 2012)


lol i wrote this in the wrong thread, still, great looking mod :)
Reply #150 from Sins Forums Top
Heh, I figured it out once I saw your identical post in the... other mod thread. :p

Jarquafelmu, yes I agree, making the backstory is very fun. In fact I consider a good backstory essential to immersion, and immersion essential to a good game. And I am glad you like it. :)

As for auto-seeding, I haven't tested it yet but I imagine that combining the existing auto-explore with the colonize ability set on automatic (default) will produce the desired result.
The Seeders got their bombardment ability, and there was no immediate problem... now its waiting testing pending me finding a colonized planet. :p

Every new faction in the Last Stand (Xin, Remnant, Hegemony) will have means of keeping tabs on their enemies (and friends). Mostly this will involve spy sattelites, but I am experimenting with other related stuff, like having an ability to "tag" an enemy ship and have it spy for you, and stealth ships the use of which would be more akin to "hunter packs" but which could also be used for pretty efficient spying.

I have to admit that I haven't touched Halo... I hear its a great series of games, but somehow never have gotten around to trying it out. I have checked out their ship designs (got curious when I saw people comapring my work to them) and I have to say I'm impressed with some. And I can see the simmilarities. That silver finish thing seems to be popular with aliens shipbuilders as of late... ;)