Its been a little bit since I posted so thought I would share some updates:
Based on results of Poll for next unit, have decided to move forward with Egyptian Unique unit. I have included some reference images that will be used to inspire the design elements of this new unit.
Second, I have started working with another 3D artist to help with custom rendered and hopefully animated destructions for new buildings. Have started with Parthians as I do think this civ needs some work. First building will be a Market in the style of AOE 2 but more historically accurate for the period. Will share updates on both new unit and custom buildings as available. This first building project should help determine feasibility and cost of creating more original content for the Mod.
Thank you all for continuing to share feedback, praise, and enthusiasm for this project.
I would suggest to make Egyptian unique unit as unique version of chariot archer with two horses and more regal outfit or with bronze scale armor than current Aoe1DE chariot archer. Usually Egyptian unique units in Civilizations games have always been a better version of chariot.
I had considered making the civ Ptolemaic Egypt and blending some Greek and Egyptian components, but not sure how or what to include without losing some the iconic Egyptian feel.
Rather than changing units, I was thinking I might make a custom Wonder for Egyptians that is unique to kingdom, specifically I was considering the Lighthouse of Alexandria. This would need to be custom made and I think I would try to get a 3D Artist to help with render and destruction animation. What do you think?
Have not had a chance to work on this yet, right now Egyptians use African Stone walls and I have included AOE Egyptian walls with diagonal section (new) as scenario editor only replacing the City Wall in the game. However, if I can figure out how to create gates I will think about including. There are a couple challenges I see so far which has delayed me:
AOE Walls appear shorter in game compared to AOE 2 standard walls, specifically corner pieces are awkwardly short and wide at base compared to AOE 2.
To accommodate would either need to make gate short which creates issues for larger units that need to pass under, OR would need to redo Corner Pieces.
AOE 2 Gates have destructions animations for gates and Corners. Since there are several directions, it would make the work a little tedious
@Juggernaut8704 I agree, that would have definitely made the unit more unique and I had considered it. However, my focus has been to replace generic game spearman with ones unique to each civ. The Khopesh is more of a slashing/sword like weapon and would not fit the unit characteristics. However, such a weapon could be included when/if start to swap out sword units.
So have started to explore more custom modeled and rendered buildings to add to game. Here is a work in progress screenshot. Camera angle, lighting, and form of building is still a work in progress in terms of design and final look. However, wanted to showcase work completed so far.
The artist I am working with on this is from GC Trader, dovlex | CGTrader. You can take a look at his portfolio. Very talented artist, and am excited to be working with him.
sapsan008 | CGTrader is the 3D Artist who has been working with me on all my units. Also very talented artist that I have had honor of working with for over a year now.
I have been impressed by the level of interest other artists have shown towards working on this project, some of which claim to have been part of original studio that helped with AOE graphics.
In continuation with our work to add more unique civ specific units, we have completed a new Roman Spearman Unit.
Roman Auxiliaries
Auxiliaries (from Latin: auxilia = “helps”) formed the standing non-citizen corps of the Imperial Roman army during the Principate era (30 BC–284 AD), alongside the citizen legions. By the 2nd century, the auxilia contained the same number of infantry as the legions and in addition provided almost all of the Roman army’s cavalry and more specialised troops (especially light cavalry and archers). The auxilia thus represented three-fifths of Rome’s regular land forces at that time. Like their legionary counterparts, auxiliary recruits were mostly volunteers, not conscripts." Description from: Auxiliaries (Roman military) | Military Wiki | Fandom (wikia.org)
