Ancient Scenario

[Locutus]

You know, I've been thinking. Gemini is already working on a WWII-scenario and even though it'll take him a while to finish it I'm not sure if it would be very useful for me to make a WWII-scenario as well. We'll have two WWII-scenarios around but nothing else. If I make a scenario about e.g. the Ancient World (more specifically, Rome - after WWII my favourite 'episode' in history), we'd have some more variety. The only real problem with this I see is that there aren't too many sprites of ancient units around (not the way it is with Harlan's WWII-units) and I'm have no experience in sprite-making (but, knowing myself, I expect I won't be very good at it).
So, what does everyone think of this? Are there any graphic-makers who can help me out if I decide to go through with this?

[WesW]

Morgoth has been working on an ancient mod for some time now. It is why he has been making all his units (though they did fit in well with my plans, too).
You could try getting in contact with him, and maybe you two could work together on this.

[Morgoth]

Locutus, WesW
Unfortunately I haven't done anything significant in making a mod yet. I've played my own 'early variation on Wes's Medieval mod 2 and will shortly try out the medieval mod 3. However haven't really found the time to make many sprites or play the game lately.

The mod I was going to do was a 'through the ages' mod which is sort of what Wes's Medieval Mod is turning out to be.

To be honest I'm also really waiting for a couple of other games to come out at the moment but they keep getting delayed.

[Lord Silvi]

A ROME scenario?
Great, I missed it for so long.
My sword is ready.
100 men are recruited.
Enough spears are sharpened.
We have wine for 20 days.
Lets go for gallia.
Salve!!

[Locutus]

Morgoth,

Too bad you're busy doing other things, you're graphics are the best (better even than Activision's). If you (and/or Katy) plan on making any more sprites that might be useful for my scenario, let me know.

Lord Silvi,

Glad to hear there's an audience for my scenario. But be warned, it'll take me a while to finish it, I've got lot's of other stuff to do as well.

All,

I did some research to find out what kind of units I need and what is already available and I think I'll still need the units listed below. A lot of my idea's came from Age of Empires, maybe someone could convert (some of) those units to CtP-format? Of course units that are designed from scratch (like Morgoths work) are generally of better quality, but for now I'd be glad enough to get anything. If anyone has ancient units that aren't on my list, I'd love to see and use them as well. Well, here's my list (as it is for now):

[*] Melee Units

[*] a Light Spearman (something in between the Phalanx and Morgoth's Egyptian Spearman)[*] a Very Heavy Spearman - more like a lanceman (is that the correct English word for it?), something like the Centurion in Age of Empires[*] a Light Swordman (something in betweeen the Legion and Morgoth's Swordman)[*] some kind of Heavy Swordman, a la AoE's Longswordman and/or Broadswordman[*] a Light Axeman, as a predecessor for Morgoths Huscarl[/list][*] Cavalry Units

[*] I'd really like to see the Elephant Archer from AoE converted to CtP format (as Harlan already did with the War Elephant)[*] a Chariot and/or a Chariot Archer (Harlan already made one but I don't really like the sprite, it doesn't fit all the other sprites I've found so far)[*] I vagely recall someone working on a Camel Cavalry Unit or something like that. I don't remember who it was, but that would be great to have as well[/list][*] Ranged Units

[*] one more Siege Unit, I already have the Catapult from the Apolyton Pack but I'd like one more[*] two or three Archers/Bowmen, now there's only one Archer available (plus Morgoth's Slinger), but I'll need a few more for my scenario[/list][*] Naval Units

I hardly have any ships yet, just the Trireme and Fire Trireme that went with the game (and I might use the Longship as well), but I will certainly need more ships

[*] some sort of Galley[*] a very Light Ship, a la AoE's Scout Ship[*] some very heavy attack ship, something like AoE's Juggernaught[/list][/list=a]
I'll try and make a tech/unit tree to show how I plan to fit all my (ideas for) units into my scenario and to make that available on my website so everyone can see what my idea's are and comment on them. But that will take me some time as I have plenty of other things to do as well.

Locutus
[This message has been edited by Locutus (edited April 10, 2000).]

[Krusty]

I believe the English Term is a "Lancer", but I could be wrong

[Locutus]

Thanx, Krusty, that was the word I was looking for. (Now why does my dictionary translate "Lancer" to Dutch, but not the Dutch word for it to English? )

[Locutus]

No-one has any graphics for me or is willing to make them?
That makes it a lot less attractive to make this scenario but I'll go on with it anyway. It will make the scenario a lot less good, but that's still better than no scenario at all And it's still not too late...

[Tuerkuem]

Hi,
I think the English term "lancer" only applies to mounted units armed with lances. E.g. The famous "Bengal Lancers" of the British Indian Army.

Phalanxes or Hopilites would be a better word for a heavily armoured spearman of the Ancient world.
Pikemen were also footmen armed with very long spears during late Medieval and Renaissance eras (I don't know why the swiftly obsolete CTP unit of the same name is depicted with what looks more like a halberd, plus Ancient Egyptian garb).

[Locutus]

Well, actually I wasn't really looking for the advances self (I have so many ideas for those I could fill three trees with that ) but rather the improvements that are enabled by these advances. But the Mint as a city-improvement is a really good idea. I'll probably include that in my scenario.
What does everyone think of the Masonry as an improvement to boost production?

[Morgoth]

Locutus
I can't promise anything but whatare the top few units you'd like. I've got a bit of vacation at the moment and (if the weather's crap and I'm not playing IG2) then I might have time to have a go at some sprites for you (don't tell Wes cause I'm suppose to finish some off for him too )

[Locutus]

Tuerkuem, (interesting name, does it mean anything?)
Thanks for the info, it seems even though there may not be a good name for what I was talking about, people understand what I was referring to and that's what it's all about. Yes, it is true the the graphics of CtP, although good-looking, are often historically inaccurate (sometimes even absurd in case of i.e. televangelist). Hopefully this will change in CtPII.

All,
I'm trying to put together a advances tree and I need some help with ideas for city improvements. I need a few ancient improvements that give production and one or two that give gold as well. Any ideas? I can only come up with the Forge for production and even that isn't my idea.

[Rick Elkins]

How about the invention of coins minted by the government? It was an incredibly important development because it allowed commerce and trade to develop between both individuals, and between nations.

[Locutus]

He, thanx a lot Morgoth (don't worry I won't tell Wes )
I made a list with the units with the hightest priority (it's probably more than you can do but it gives you some choice should you not like certain units for some reason). With the highest priority on top here it is:

1. Naval units (all have equally high priority but should you have time for several units I'd prefer you to make one (or maybe two) ships and then move further down the list)
2. Archer(s)
3. Chariot (and/or Chariot Archer)
4. Heavy Swordman
5. Spearman (either heavy or light)
6. Siege unit
7. Elephant
8. Light axeman

Everything else (more archers, light spear- & swordman, heavy spearman) is equally important and on the bottom of my list.
I could really use #1 & #2, everything else is somewhat less important.

Man, you're a lucky man. I can't even remember the last time I had a vacation and the only vacation I've got coming up won't be much of a vacation since I will have to redo some of my exams I didn't pass them in the first place because of CtP
[This message has been edited by Locutus (edited April 21, 2000).]

[Locutus]

Morgoth,
I sent you an email a few days back but I didn't get a reply, did you receive it?

Locutus (aka Wouter Snijders)