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| Thread: Villains of Might and Magic |  This thread is pages long: 1 2 · NEXT» |
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SonnyLaBatos
Tavern Dweller
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posted March 31, 2010 04:17 AM |
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Villains of Might and Magic
I have been playing Heroes of Might and Magic for almost 11 years. I’ve played every game, every mod, and every add-on. Each one is as unique and individual as the last. I’ve seen many promising projects go to waste that showed some great potential. This will NOT be one of those projects!
It is my goal to assemble a team of 20 or more people before April 25, 2010, and keep that team growing as week start working on this project. It is my goal to release before the start of the next year. This is NOT a mod, nor an update. It is an add-on like the Shadow of Death, or the Armagedon’s Blade add-ons, however, this will be the largest, most in-depth, progressive, enjoyable, and hardest to create add-on ever made for Heroes of Might and Magic 3. Here is a list of our goals, their progress, and descriptions. It will be updated frequently.
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1: Villains 0%
This will be the add-on's theme. An entirely new plot line and twist on the original game. There will be no more heroes. (I'm debating whether or not to center some neutral characters and monsters around them, but that will be a team decision) In their place, there will be Villains, and Vigilantes. (Bad vs. Good) This will come will several new things including new bonuses for a lower luck level and moral, burning down creature dwellings, and more to come. There will also be chances to do things Villains do, like robbing markets. (you would roll the dice for a chance of escape, and battle guards if you loose the roll. The markets will now have different levels. The higher the level, the more/better artifacts and loot you can buy/steal. They'll also have harder guards as their level increases.) We would also like to keep all Original HoMM3, WOG, HOTA, Grove, etc. Objects, monsters, castles, heroes, artifacts, etc. integrated into the system to play along side Villains, even though we'll have more things than all of those combined in the add-On. Villains would now have the option of having 13 monster slots instead of just 7 and more artifact space, to make up for having all the extra stuff. (This will be one of the hardest things we'll attempt, and if we can't get it to work with the system, it might not happen.)
2: Digging 0%
This idea came to me as I was debating whether or not to organize and go through with this project. We would completely re-do the digging system. It would be rare that you will find nothing when you dig a hole in the ground. Instead, you'll find gold or various resources/artifacts, or even monsters and bonuses. You could now scuba-dive in water, and there would be two new castles specifically for those two things. (Sub-Terrain and Sub-Merged Castle would have villains with abilities, like a no penalties for digging of diving, and unique creatures designed for them. Non-Walking creatures could dig/dive on the battlefield, depending on the terrain) You could also give up a few turns (one per square) to tunnel away from obstacles/enemies.
3: Transport 0%
In the years that I've played this game using mods, I came across one that changed your Heroes from riding a horse on the map, to walking on foot. This idea came from that. Every villain would start out on foot. certain castles, artifacts, and objects on the map would let the villains upgrade to different modes of transport. Things like castles and stable would allow you to upgrade to a horse. But adding on to that, you would now have the ability to fly without the spell. The artifact angel wings would give you wings and related artifacts would let you have other modes of transport. If all goes well with the digging system, we could have digging and swimming transporters as well. Then, we could continue upgrading the transporters for more movement.
4: Monster upgrades 0%
It was revolutionary when WOG came out with the famous Third upgrade for specific monsters. In this add-on, we will take it a step further. We will create 4-6 upgrades for EVERY creature. (even neutrals) This won't be hard in the aspect of scripting it, but keeping the system stable while integrating them in will be hard. Further more, you would now have the option to buy upgrades on the monster's stats. (The larger the army/ better the monster, the more it would cost.) You would now have the choice of upgrading creature dwellings as well.
5: Smoother system 0%
This will be a continuous process and after the everything's done on the list, we'll still do this from time to time. We'll just go through everything and make sure it runs smoothly. We'll try to improve the system so that it'll run faster, with no script errors and make the playing experience more enjoyable.
6: Higher graphics 0%
Along with improving the system, we'll be improving the graphics of all the objects, monsters, towns, artifacts, terrains... well, pretty much all the graphics. We'll also include the option of choosing whether or not you want higher graphics or not, so that if you want less strain on the system and make it faster and get less errors, you can.
7: Better God implication 0%
When WOG came out, it gave us a small introduction to the Gods. With the Emisaries and blessings/curses from the sphinx, they put a new system in. We'll improve on that system. Now, each town will have an individual god with a "favor" system. If you gain enough favor from your god, he will fight with each of your heroes' armies. On the other side, if you lose favor from your god, you'll be cursed. God's will send quests for their favor. (as events) You can also pray to your god for resources, creatures, or to curse your enemies. The spells Bless and Curse will have different properties depending on what god you worship.
8: Better Multi-player 0%
This will be a simple system. The only addition we would make is the possibility to send and receive quests, and offer to become allies.
9: 3rd Map level (Sky) 0%
This will be challenging. I propose we add a new map level. It can be sky, a sub-underground, or anything the map maker need it to be. With these two new levels (they would both exist on the same map until tested, because it will probably put a lot of strain on the game system as it is, but with improvements, they might be able to.)
there will be new terrain and objects, and different transportation methods. (E.G. In the sky, there wouldn't be water, but you'd have to fly instead.)
10: Improved battle 0%
If all goes well, you will now have 11 creatures in your army. (3 rows on a battle map) We'll have to improve the system to accommodate. We'll also improve to make it faster, and even give some creatures new attack abilities. (E.G. attacking all surrounding tiles, 3 tile reach, etc.)
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This will be a hugely Demanding project. I will organize a separate forum when the team has grown a bit. Please email me or post here if you would like to join. Tell me what you can/are willing to do. PLEASE don't ask to test this. We'll tell you when we need people to test. If you have any comments or suggestions, post on this thread.
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The Team So Far
1. Sonny La'Batos: Team Leader
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We need anyone who'll be willing to join. Please apply here or email me. If there is someone who would be willing to post this on the Russian forums, that would be appreciated.
~Sonny La'Batos
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OxFEA
Promising
Famous Hero
feanor on DF2.ru
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posted March 31, 2010 09:07 AM |
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And what can you do, except generating of ideas?
Quote:
2: Digging 0%
Digging - 70% =P
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AcidDragon
Promising
Famous Hero
who lost his body somehow...
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posted March 31, 2010 11:44 AM |
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You said that you have played every mod and every add-on.
And you didn't notice how they were created? Projects that start out as plain ideas are NEVER successful. Those that were successful were because of their main authors who came, showed their work, people liked the work and some decided to help seeing that it's not just another dead "idea-project" from a fan who doesn't even know what is possible to do and what is impossible (like creating 4-6 upgrades for every creature).
Everyone can make ideas. And fans (finally!) see that this is far too little for them to join a project.
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Ayreon
Famous Hero
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posted March 31, 2010 04:09 PM |
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It is funny however, that you first promise us this project won't fail/die/whatever unlike all those other projects, and then you proclaim this mod the hardest add-on ever thought of. Is there a harder thing to do than altering the *.exe file to add new towns or than re-creating HoMM3 in an entirely new engine?
Your project is not necessarily harder, just a ****load of more work and definitely not realizable for the release date you've set. And of course, you demand a team of 25 persons, and there aren't even 5 modders active on this forum. Experience has also learned that posting ideas like this results in the death of the posted project.
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gnollking
Supreme Hero
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posted March 31, 2010 04:44 PM |
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Yes. Sure, the idea sounds great and everything, but most of the stuff is not possible or very very hard. It's great to have active people, who want to do something, but this is too big/hard. 0% done - no one will join. If you say that you have done a lot and managed to do something, that others didn't, then you might get some followers. But when you have done nothing, no one will join..
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OxFEA
Promising
Famous Hero
feanor on DF2.ru
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posted March 31, 2010 06:22 PM |
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/me think that threadstarter started to celebrate "Fool's Day" too early.
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angelito
Honorable
Undefeatable Hero
proud father of a princess
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posted March 31, 2010 06:31 PM |
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Incredible how negative some users are. 
He asked for joiners, not for complainers. If you don't want to join, leave out. Why bringing such a bad mood here?
Let the guy start his project and let him make his own experience refering to H3 "add-ons".
I will clean this thread soon and will only keep contributing posts.
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Better judged by 12 than carried by 6.
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gnollking
Supreme Hero
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posted March 31, 2010 06:55 PM |
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I didn't mean to be so negative.. The projects sounds really good and actually I would like to help. I can do.. well I don't know, just tell me what to do, and I'll try my best  . Though some of the stuff planned are very very hard..
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Warmonger
Promising
Legendary Hero
fallen artist
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posted March 31, 2010 07:03 PM |
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ByteBandit
Promising
Famous Hero
Soul Merchant
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posted March 31, 2010 09:21 PM |
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The poster deserves a chance. The workload will be enormous for his team. Projects come and go. What's wrong with keeping an eye on another? When VCMI started for instance, not many people gave them a second thought, and now, they are the top dog in new changes for WoG IMO. So, let's see......and hopefully it will be compatible with VCMI.
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ChaosHydra
Famous Hero
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posted April 01, 2010 12:09 AM |
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Quote:
...
2: Digging 0%
This idea came to me as I was debating whether or not to organize and go through with this project. We would completely re-do the digging system. It would be rare that you will find nothing when you dig a hole in the ground. Instead, you'll find gold or various resources/artifacts, or even monsters and bonuses. You could now scuba-dive in water, and there would be two new castles specifically for those two things. (Sub-Terrain and Sub-Merged Castle would have villains with abilities, like a no penalties for digging of diving, and unique creatures designed for them. Non-Walking creatures could dig/dive on the battlefield, depending on the terrain) You could also give up a few turns (one per square) to tunnel away from obstacles/enemies.
4: Monster upgrades 0%
It was revolutionary when WOG came out with the famous Third upgrade for specific monsters. In this add-on, we will take it a step further. We will create 4-6 upgrades for EVERY creature. (even neutrals) This won't be hard in the aspect of scripting it, but keeping the system stable while integrating them in will be hard. Further more, you would now have the option to buy upgrades on the monster's stats. (The larger the army/ better the monster, the more it would cost.) You would now have the choice of upgrading creature dwellings as well.
5: Smoother system 0%
This will be a continuous process and after the everything's done on the list, we'll still do this from time to time. We'll just go through everything and make sure it runs smoothly. We'll try to improve the system so that it'll run faster, with no script errors and make the playing experience more enjoyable.
6: Higher graphics 0%
Along with improving the system, we'll be improving the graphics of all the objects, monsters, towns, artifacts, terrains... well, pretty much all the graphics. We'll also include the option of choosing whether or not you want higher graphics or not, so that if you want less strain on the system and make it faster and get less errors, you can.
7: Better God implication 0%
When WOG came out, it gave us a small introduction to the Gods. With the Emisaries and blessings/curses from the sphinx, they put a new system in. We'll improve on that system. Now, each town will have an individual god with a "favor" system. If you gain enough favor from your god, he will fight with each of your heroes' armies. On the other side, if you lose favor from your god, you'll be cursed. God's will send quests for their favor. (as events) You can also pray to your god for resources, creatures, or to curse your enemies. The spells Bless and Curse will have different properties depending on what god you worship.
9: 3rd Map level (Sky) 0%
This will be challenging. I propose we add a new map level. It can be sky, a sub-underground, or anything the map maker need it to be. With these two new levels (they would both exist on the same map until tested, because it will probably put a lot of strain on the game system as it is, but with improvements, they might be able to.)
there will be new terrain and objects, and different transportation methods. (E.G. In the sky, there wouldn't be water, but you'd have to fly instead.)
10: Improved battle 0%
If all goes well, you will now have 11 creatures in your army. (3 rows on a battle map) We'll have to improve the system to accommodate. We'll also improve to make it faster, and even give some creatures new attack abilities. (E.G. attacking all surrounding tiles, 3 tile reach, etc.)
I've fantasized about this late at night in my bed...srsly, nice thoughts, if I knew jack about modding or scripting I'd be more than glad to help.
One stupid question: all "new" creatures, will they have unique abilities (I like it very much)
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SonnyLaBatos
Tavern Dweller
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posted April 01, 2010 12:37 AM |
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Lol, the reception for this is really funny.
Right now, I'm working on learning the scripts and languages. That'll take a while, but don't worry. I don't put out ideas and expect other people to do them and then not help. As for my work,(you probably aren't familiar with most of it) this will be the first I do with HoMM3, however, I've re-made and hacked other games before. I was a member of various teams that have re-created basic online/server games from Artix Entertainment. I've made Mods for many games from the era of HoMM3. I've helped make mods tweaking and customizing most Sierra games (before 2003) and have Beta Tested as a hacker looking for coding holes and system clocking boundaries (This WILL be one of my most useful contributions to the project, as one of our main goals is to make the system run smoother) for the Valve, EA Games, Sony, and Microsoft companies.
I do understand your concerns however, this post was made to put the ideas out there, see who would be willing to join, see if anyone would like to add their ideas, or if anyone had some ideas on how to start. I'll need some time to learn the system and scripting code, but once that's done, I'll be ready to begin. I was HOPING (I'm a little discouraged from your responses now) that while I learned the code, I could get a team together. I'd like at LEAST 5 coders including myself. If we could get that number up to 10 or 15, this project would fly. We'll also need some graphic/pixel designers, animators, map makers, scenario/campaign writers, recruiters (you can never have too big a team), etc. Anything you guys would like to add to this project is appreciated. New graphics are always appreciated. Coders are desperately needed. If you guys have any suggestions on books or sites that will help me learn the new code, I could use that too.
I've got the impression that you guys are discouraged from the fact that this project has no progress. Let me be clear. I NEVER start a project without a team to back me up first. I've both lead, and been part of teams that leave one or two people to do all the work and those are the projects that have failed. (Look at what happened to the Forge Town project.) When I'm learning code, I'll center it around the progress of this project, so I might make something on my own in order to learn. In the private forum I'll make for team members, the team will post their progress, but the only thing we'll post here for the public to try out is a final project. We'll need some Alpha and Beta testers, that we'll ask for when they're needed, but for now, I just need people who are willing to help. It doesn't matter what you can do. I'll even take people who'd be willing to learn the code along with me.
Thank you for the feed back and for allowing me to clear those things up.
~Sonny La'Batos
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SonnyLaBatos
Tavern Dweller
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posted April 01, 2010 12:42 AM |
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@ KnollKing/Warmonger
I'll be messaging you if you're interested in helping. You'll be added to the list when I get a reply.
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AcidDragon
Promising
Famous Hero
who lost his body somehow...
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posted April 01, 2010 01:55 AM |
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Quote:
As for my work,(you probably aren't familiar with most of it)
Please - introduce it. Titles, links, anything with your name on it. I would really like to see it and I bet other potential "teammates" would also like to know what can you do exactly.
As for HoMM3 mods - as I have said - those based only on ideas without any work done FIRST all have failed.
True - some have failed despite having done something (like the Forge town), but this does not seem to be the rule (and BTW, the SECOND Forge Team failed because they first promissed and then they realized it wasn't possible).
And even if we believe your superb skills I still say it's impossible to do most of the things - like creating 4-6 times more creatures than the original authors have created.
And even if that was possible, your skills would have to be greater than Slava's. And even if that is true - there is no way in heaven or hell you will find 5 more coders interested in H3 with such skills.
And even then - a team of 25 people would have to work for years to get this half-way.
PS. if it's an AF joke, I would really shut up if it was posted on the right day 
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ByteBandit
Promising
Famous Hero
Soul Merchant
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posted April 01, 2010 04:24 AM |
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AC has pointed one thing out that's caught my eye. To get a project out like this by the end of the year, you'll have to do a much better job than Slava could do. He was always on his comp for 18 hours a day for months and months, and the codes he produced....everyone on the WoG team thought he was from a different planet. And this was just to get 3.57 released.
With my, so called negativity aside, I would consider helping out in time, once I get some other projects for H3 completed for other people I owe favors to. I'm more a proof reader, translator to English, and tester anymore these days, as well as map and campaign maker. If my services sound interesting enough for this project, then I would help out. If it's an April Fools joke, consider me punked! 
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SonnyLaBatos
Tavern Dweller
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posted April 01, 2010 04:41 AM |
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I'll cut you guys a deal. In two months, I'll have learned the code. Those of you who want to join post here, and I'll give you some jobs til then. However in two months (or less), I'll come out with one patch with one forth level upgraded angel. You can post all your, "hope this is and April Fools joke" and "this is impossible" threads til then, but when I post the patch, I expect those to stop. I also hope that that will get me some more people recruited. However, if you guys could help me out with telling me all the info you know about the third creature upgrade, that would speed me up a bit.
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srikandi2000
Hired Hero
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posted April 01, 2010 05:10 AM |
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Keep the spirit up..!
I agree with Angelito. I think the TS should be given moral support. Surely there are many project that seems to failed but it is a good thing that we still have someone with high spirit to add something to the game that we all love(?).
I don't mean to imply that the negative comment are wrong, but even if the project have 99% chance to fail, let him learn it the hard way. Because even if its fail, at least he would have learn something about heroes III modding.
So please keep it up. Don't mind too much about the comment.
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OxFEA
Promising
Famous Hero
feanor on DF2.ru
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posted April 01, 2010 11:31 AM |
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Edited by OxFEA at 11:32, 01 Apr 2010.
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Quote:
However, if you guys could help me out with telling me all the info you know about the third creature upgrade
Use Force^W ERM-Manual.
!!MA:U command
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gnollking
Supreme Hero
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posted April 01, 2010 03:45 PM |
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I would just like to say, that everything is possible, when you know how to do it . I would be more than glad to help you in any ways. With the right team and right tools, we can finish this  .
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E-J
Known Hero
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posted April 01, 2010 06:30 PM |
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May I ask you why you want to start your own project and not join one that despreratly needs a guy with the skills like you have. 3 examples:
1 - VCMI. they try to rewrite the game in a programming language you are probably familiar with. some of your ideas will be quite easy to implement in version 1.0
2 - The CoreWOG Team. [British accent]some say it's dead, some say it's alive but all we know is that they are russian[/british accent]
they know a lot about modding this game and without help 3.59 remains a dream forever.
3 - HotA. all the graphics are beeing made and everything is ready, except the part where you come in: the implementation in the game. they recently posted a request for programmers and i think you would fit in perfectly.
I agree that your ideas are quite good (somewat radical maybe.) but there are already so many good ideas and so many half work done. please consider picking it up.
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