"Eye of the Beholder" SP Game

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

Darsnan,

I was just looking at your scenario. I strongly suspect it would be better with custom graphics. How would you like portraits for Kyong Shin and the others?

Hmmm. Time, once again, to test if my Google Fu is strong enough...

[Darsnan]

Darsnan,

I was just looking at your scenario. I strongly suspect it would be better with custom graphics. How would you like portraits for Kyong Shin and the others?

Heah, anything you could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Eye of the Beholder was one of my favorites - I've gone back several times over the years and replayed it. I actually have several good ideas to improve this specific game, so if you were to provide graphics I could see about updating the scenario,too (heck your graphics might even give me some fresh ideas on the game as well).

And depending on how far down that rabbit hole you might want to go, why I've been toying with updating a mod I worked on (and off) for a while called Beta Lyrae. In it xenofungus is replaced by xenoflora (i.e. alien plantlife), and I also used a graphic from wgabrie to replace the Unity Wreckage with an ancient city. If you think this is something you might like to supply some graphics ideas for, why I could PM you the details and you could look into further.


D

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

Well, if you can find it in your heart to forgive me...

Here's the first one. Prudence is played by the saucy Irish lass below.

Yes, I've had another pass at altering Oleksandra. I was working on it all last night and most of today, and just happened to make her a redhead. I know she doesn't look much like a nun, but what the heck. They're not all crones in habits.

-I also did my usual adustments to the small report logos, made slight hue-shifts to the bases and logos, and changed the faction color. I figure, just as well make it an all-purpose alternate Believers for those who want to play multiple iterations of a faction-- putting sunglasses on Yang, y'know?

-I found a Time magazine cover painting of the actual General Zhukov. This one shouldn't take near as long.

Do you care if most of these are just photographs dropped in w/scanlines? I suppose I could posterize them or something, but you know it'll end up taking 10 times longer, not least because I'll probably end up turning them into PhotoShop paintings with the smudge tool...

[Moved updated files downthread- keep reading]

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

If she was beauty, I got a beast for you now...

Would you believe that I de-uglified this portrait a bit? Yes, he was fuglier before. I saw photos while I was looking around and this looks like Marshal Zhukov but more wrinkled and beat-up. And zoom in on his striated brow ridges. His irises were red, too.

...I don't think the artist liked commies...


Other than that it's a pretty good-looking faction, and battle-scarred works for a Spartan. This just looks more like a proper faction portrait.

I made all the same changes as before. See previous post.

[Darsnan]

Would you believe that I de-uglified this portrait a bit? Yes, he was fuglier before. I saw photos while I was looking around and this looks like Marshal Zhukov but more wrinkled and beat-up. And zoom in on his striated brow ridges. His irises were red, too.
Other than that it's a pretty good-looking faction, and battle-scarred works for a Spartan. This just looks more like a proper faction portrait.

Thats quite interesting that you would choose a historical character to portray. One of the things I've done in the past (mainly in PBEMs) is to take historical characters and cast them into my role-playing. I've had Zhukov before (I used him mainly when I was repelling an invasion), JJ Pershing (in charge of my expeditionary forces), Patton, bor-Komorovsky (in charge of the Home Army), etc.

I agree he makes a great Spartan!

As far as the previous pic is concerned: if you changed the eye color to black, then I think she'd make a great empath (she's got that smug "I know what your thinking" attitude about her), which could be sort of a Gaian splinter faction.

D

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

(You left out how great I am. Hmmm? Hmmm?)

Well, I saw the splinter leader's name in the text file, and I'd heard of Zhukov. It was a gimme.

(To be fair, I've looked around the site I found the portrait on -it really is a gold mine- and that artist painted everyone with caved-in foreheads and invented wrinkles and such. So it wasn't not liking the Russian. Unfortunately, they used him a lot.)

As far as the previous pic is concerned: if you changed the eye color to black, then I think she'd make a great empath (she's got that smug "I know what your thinking" attitude about her), which could be sort of a Gaian splinter faction.

Is that a no, or what? Aw, c'mon; I submit to you that we should dare to have someone appealing running the Believers for a change. I submit that we should dare to have a cute nun. (To the extent the flawed portrait I made succeeds in being attactive, anyway.) I like the parallel of red hair with Miriam. And she's sooo Irish-looking, perfect for an O'Connor.

Besides, it's already done.

...But if you'd like to go another way, I saw a Time cover of Golda Mier that would be great once I took the Star of David out. Swapping in portraits that don't need much work is not a big deal, as sizing, cropping and scanlines can be knocked out in an hour or so. I'm not that interested in trying to draw a habit on her though, and have no idea how long it would take me to find a habited nun I could use...

Please enlighten me.


Now, which of the guys below is Kyong Shin? I'm going to bed now, so you've got a few hours top decide before I get back to work.

[Darsnan]

Is that a no, or what? Aw, c'mon; I submit to you that we should dare to have someone appealing running the Believers for a change. I submit that we should dare to have a cute nun. (To the extent the flawed portrait I made succeeds in being attactive, anyway.) I like the parallel of red hair with Miriam. And she's sooo Irish-looking, perfect for an O'Connor.

Besides, it's already done.

fair enough! Maybe I can give the background of her being fresh out of nun school (or whatever its called) on her first missionary experience when the event happends. Does that sound plausible?

Now, which of the guys below is Kyong Shin? I'm going to bed now, so you've got a few hours top decide before I get back to work.

The one on the right looks more inline with what I envision, which is a person younger than Yang, and more determined/autocratic looking. If I can find a better pic I'll let you know and see what you think.

btw are you aware Maniac posted a bunch of faction files a while ago in this thread:

http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?t=173993

A thought I had would be that you could steal some of the leaderhead backgrounds, and then post them into the existing factional pcx files. I think this would lessen your time in that all you would have to do would be to cut and paste the headshots from the Time magazine website onto existing backgrounds, and then paste this into the existing factional pcx files. Any thoughts on this approach?

D

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

fair enough! Maybe I can give the background of her being fresh out of nun school (or whatever its called) on her first missionary experience when the event happends. Does that sound plausible?

Sure. Tell you what, though; I'll turn down the color on her lips a bit- they're not quite right, anyway, and that lipstick is more than a bit much for a nun. I ought to give her an ugly haircut too, but that's too much work and I don't wanna. I will do some cursory research and google "nun".

I think she plays against type in a good way, you see. It's really a fair charge that the Believers are a negative portrayal of, er, believers. Miriam is the least attractive of the human official faction leaders, and she's up against some old men. Faith has its virtues, as do the faithful.

I've had in mind, for several days now, a project to see if I can make Miriam pretty!

The one on the right looks more inline with what I envision, which is a person younger than Yang, and more determined/autocratic looking. If I can find a better pic I'll let you know and see what you think.

My right? Tse-veng Soong it is, then.

I had the same immediate impression. A real shark, fierce cold and rapacious-looking, and 10-25 years younger than either of these guys. Chiang Kai-shek would probably be better if he was younger and had hair, not least because I've got three good shots of him.

(How do you suppose you managed to convey that with just a name?)

However, I'll begin work on Tse-veng Soong/Kyong Shin. Portraits I end up not using can be saved separately, and need not go to waste.

btw are you aware Maniac posted a bunch of faction files a while ago in this thread:
http://apolyton.net/forums/showthread.php?t=173993

Seen it. I totally have all of these. It takes forever just to look at all of them.

A thought I had would be that you could steal some of the leaderhead backgrounds, and then post them into the existing factional pcx files. I think this would lessen your time in that all you would have to do would be to cut and paste the headshots from the Time magazine website onto existing backgrounds, and then paste this into the existing factional pcx files. Any thoughts on this approach?

It has merit. but is work, work, work. It would take more time. Cutting figures out of their background is tedious, even with PhotoShop. Does this mean you're not in love with the Tse-veng Soong picture's background? I'm not, either.

***
I am interested in that Beta Lyrae thing...

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

-I wonder why no one's had a look at the files?-

Here. I think her lips are mostly fixed. She had big, fake eyelashes that a nun wouldn't wear still on one eye, and none on the other. Fixed.

I brought up the highlights on her face a little, which doesn't look quite as good but should fit in a bit better on the council screen. I did what I could to to soften the shading on her cheek, but that's frustrating with only 256 colors.

The file has been updated accordingly. Most of the changes are pretty subtle, though.

I'll google nuns before I commence work on Kyong Shin. I hope I don't find something I just have to change...



[I've updated the file again. See next post for my comments.]

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

I think I've fixed the anatomy/perspective on Prudence all I can, as seen in the third portrait above.

She has a pugnacious look about her, like her dad was a boxer and she grew up fighting with nine brothers. I think she's not going to be very pretty as she gets older, but she'll still have tons of spunk and personality. It's too bad the order won't let her wear lipstick.

-I'm sweet on Sister Prudence, but she won't leave her husband. I gotta walk away.-

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

Funny story that last line reminds me of.

About 12 years ago, I was entertaining in Rennaissance Fairs for a living. One of the main things I did in the street was kiss hands; I'd look into their eyes and drone some flowery crap in the deep voice and accent of an English actor I'd once worked with. Women ate it up, especially oldish ones and really young ones.

So it's a student day, and I'm doing what I mostly did on those- hitting on teachers. Teachers were another demographic who seemed to like it more than most. I'd accosted a clump of four and was working my way down the line, and at the end was a nun in dull habit. Older lady. I took her hand, (I'm a Protestant, and wasn't much intimidated,) saw her ring and thought, not in so many words, "Wedding ring. Bride of Christ".

I looked at her and said "Would your husband mind?"

She shook her head. So I gave her both barrels. She loved it, much to the amusment of all.

[Darsnan]

at the end was a nun in dull habit. Older lady. I took her hand, (I'm a Protestant, and wasn't much intimidated,) saw her ring and thought, not in so many words, "Wedding ring. Bride of Christ".

I looked at her and said "Would your husband mind?"

She shook her head. So I gave her both barrels. She loved it, much to the amusment of all.

A big to people who can take a joke!

Re: on Sister Prudence: OK, I'm sold. Is there anything else you'd like to contribute for my update to the EotB scenario?

Also, concerning Beta Lyrae: if I give you a high level overview as well as a wishlist for graphics, can you take it from there (i.e. you look over my graphics wishlist, and then let me know what you can contribute?)?

D

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

A big to people who can take a joke!

Durn tootin'.

Re: on Sister Prudence: OK, I'm sold. Is there anything else you'd like to contribute for my update to the EotB scenario?

Yessir. Tonight's chess club and I'm running behind, so it'll be late before I have the Protectorate ready for you, but see the portrait of Kyong Shin attached below. I about made him TOO young, and his jawline needs to be more symetrical, but I'm nearly done.

Should I look into pasting Yang's clothes on him? If I hear back by 7, 7:30, I can do it before I mess with scan lines. Any other feedback by then would be helpful to us both, too.

Also, concerning Beta Lyrae: if I give you a high level overview as well as a wishlist for graphics, can you take it from there (i.e. you look over my graphics wishlist, and then let me know what you can contribute?)?

Sounds like a plan. I've read stuff here and there about the mod.

[Darsnan]

see the portrait of Kyong Shin attached below. I about made him TOO young, and his jawline needs to be more symetrical, but I'm nearly done.

Wow! Thats pretty high quality. Oh, and as far as too young is concerned: think about the Longevity Vaccine. How young would that keep people? And generally speaking, in the future wouldn't people be presented as younger looking due to medical conditioning/ treatments? That thought sort of jumped out at me after reviewing your Kyong Shin.

Should I look into pasting Yang's clothes on him? If I hear back by 7, 7:30, I can do it before I mess with scan lines. Any other feedback by then would be helpful to us both, too.

If its not to much to ask, if you could put clothes that are less capitalistic on him? I originally patterned Kyong Shin after a North Korean ultra-communist, so say if you were to take Kim Il Sun's wardrobe instead? Otherwise I'm pretty sure I can use as is.

Sounds like a plan. I've read stuff here and there about the mod.

OK, will do. I've got a meeting to go to this evening (not as exciting as chess club unfortunately), and then will put it together when I get home.

Oh, and Prudence - I've got some ideas about how to present her as well: I'll include them for your review, too.

D

[Buster Crabbe's Uncle]

Wow! Thats pretty high quality.

(blush) Same technique I used on Sister Miriam, only more smudge tool & lots of bluring/sharpening. I actually smudged in some extra highlights badly to make it look a little more like a painting, as I understand the original facts portraits were, and less like I'd just dropped in a photo. I'd hate for people to think that after I blew hours redrawing him younger.

Oh, and as far as too young is concerned: think about the Longevity Vaccine. How young would that keep people? And generally speaking, in the future wouldn't people be presented as younger looking due to medical conditioning/ treatments? That thought sort of jumped out at me after reviewing your Kyong Shin..

Yeah but there's people who look old in the game. That longevity thing is really just a handwave to explain why Dierdre is still A.) alive, and B.) looking the same at over 500 years old at the end of a long game.

You should have seen him twenty minutes before I posted. He looked 17 before I inched the corners of his hairline back a little. Half an hour before that he looked Japanese, the fixing of which is why his features float on a freaky-flat-looking face, something you get often on Chinese folk.

If its not to much to ask, if you could put clothes that are less capitalistic on him? I originally patterned Kyong Shin after a North Korean ultra-communist, so say if you were to take Kim Il Sun's wardrobe instead? Otherwise I'm pretty sure I can use as is.

That suit jumped out at me, not in a good way, when I found the picture. I'll see what I can find in a quick search. I'll probably put Yang's collar on top of it, too.

I'm considering pasting him over the Pimp My Yang file- Setroc already hue-shifted the bases, and I already did the logos. On the other hand, people who want alternate Hives to play together will probably want seven, so I'd not save time, just put off the work. I know I'd end up going back and making one of them different...

Oh, and Prudence - I've got some ideas about how to present her as well: I'll include them for your review, too.

I'm thinking her order is "Sisters of the Divine Pioneer"- or "Explorer". We need a Catholic to chime in and tell us what has the right ring to it, or suggest something...

I'm thinking about drawing her a habit after all. A small one that covers Oleksandra's -whatever you call a hair bun that size- and hangs to cover the back of her ears and ends about there, leaving the ponytail, which doesn't stand out anyway and makes more sense without the bun.

On the other hand I need to declare her finished and walk away or I'll never get any other work done. I'll make it your call. Hmmm?



***
BTW, I've posted the two factions I've already done for this on my webpage- Would it be cool to add your text files, so as to make them complete faction zips? They would work independently of your mod if the file names were changed, right?

When I've done them all, I plan to set them apart in their own section, complete with the red pictures and the heading "Alternate Original Factions".