DotS Progress Report
Updated 14th March 2011 by Hross
DotS Progress Report:
In an attempt to improve communication with our fans, we’ve decided to publish this progress report in hopes that it will help answer the questions of how far has this mod come and how much longer will it take before it’s released. Please note that progress percentages are rough estimations and basically amount to our being best guess.
Research
This area is the corner stone of Dominion. The mod is based entirely on history. No decision is made unless it is based on solid historical evidence or our best educated guess when only fragmentary evidence is available. While historicity is the main feature of DotS it has also been a factor that has continually slowed its pace of production since no decisions can be made arbitrarily. The good news is that research has been largely completed (about 95% for some factions) and the primary function of many of our researchers at this point is turning the raw information into instructions for the modders. However we still have a lot of work yet to be done on Kiev, Novgorod, and Sicily and could use some help with the tech trees for the HRE, Roman (Byzantine) Empire, Poland, Portugal and Bohemia. In addition, specialist researchers for any faction are welcome as we may not know what we don't know.
Status: 90%
Project
All areas indirectly related to the mod, promotion etc. This is a constantly evolving and never finished area of the Dominion and therefore lacks the percentage status. You can see results of this especially here at our TWC forums. Sometimes it actually cuts into our mod production efforts but we deem it necessary and are determined to provide continual support even after the mod is released.
Mod
And now what you were all waiting for - the actual production of the mod.
* Scripting and coding (75%)
This area involves campaign_script, traits, EDU, EDB and various other txt files. From these campaign_script has been largely done except some features related to other departments. Traits and ancillaries are being coded in, EDB is largely in and we are finishing the remaining tech-tree slots. Other txt files are being filled with our own content (names lists etc.). EDU is the only department still largely on hold with no actual coding being done.
* AI (100%/0%) - no change
We are closely cooperating with XAI team and we will use their AI for both campaign and battle modified to our needs. No AI tweaking has been done yet since the mod is not yet in the state to testing and modifying the AI as most of the aspects are yet missing. Since our EDU is more of concept than an actual file the XAI guys can work with, this area is currently stalled pending completion of work in the coding department. Obviously, EDU coders, particularly those familiar with Aradan’s Edu-matic tool, are encouraged to apply. We could use the help.
* Mapping (90%)
The map is the unique project. We are striving to make it as historical and real-world accurate as possible in both visual and gameplay aspects. Historical roads, regions' borders, cliffs, textures and many more. Such an endeavour however takes its price in form of time of completion.
6 months ago the huge Regions Review Project was concluded and the map modified appropriately. All we have left is fine-tuning areas with PSFs, resources, strat date characters and other miscellaneous features (labeled as post-processing). Naturally this is still a major task, and 90% can be a deceptive estimate since so much of the mod is dependent on the last 10% of the map -including extensive testing.
Bonus: * 3D Art (17%)
Unit models and textures. This is only really a bonus to the mod, though we have many guys working on this project, 500 new units is far too much for a first release. So DON'T expect a large amount of unique units in DotS, we will mainly have renamed, recoded units (historically-based) using vanilla units and units from top mods we cooperate with such as Magyar TW
* 2D Art (80%)
A huge area involving everything from custom menu/hud over splash screens/symbols to new map textures. Faction symbols are 100% done as are the UIs, produced by the award-winning Cedric. Splash screens, loading screens etc are 100% done. We currently have Space-Ed ploughing through event pics, and still some work to go on new building construction report pics, as well as an optional install of authentic medieval portraits.
* Music and Cinematics (90%)
Large amount of work has been done in both areas. Overall 50 original new movies have been made and others are being produced. All of the music has been included and coded in the mod.
* Testing (10%)
Naturally with a mod this big, EXTENSIVE testing needs to be done before we can release something to you all. Otherwise it would be extremely frustrating for you and impossible to play- ruining all the surprises and first impressions you should get from our mammoth epic work. The testing phase is perhaps the most laborious and scary part of the modding still left to be done. Even if 99% of the rest of the mod done, without 100% of testing done- it's pretty much NOT 99%!!!
Total Status: 80%
Current mod folder size: 8.25 GB (Including media)
Comparison to last update 5th September 2010 (6 months ago)
Total Status: 33%
Mod folder size: 1.65 GB
Actual mod production began in summer 2009. Prior to that, our focus had been on research and planning only, we had not even created a mod folder! The production speed is now only dependent on amount of modders working, an area were we are severely understaffed. Though we have an energetic and active research staff, we have only three full-time modders with a few more offering as much support as they are can. We would like to encourage anyone willing to offer additional modding not to hesitate since with each new modder our production speed increases significantly and gets the whole mod closer to completion!
This topic will be kept updated when significant progress has been made. We hope that it will create a better sense of transparency between us and the community and hopefully will encourage those with relevant skills (or the desire to learn them) to come forward and help us.
*Thanks to Resurrection for compiling and writing the first draft of this report.
Originally Posted by Enros
It seems to me that you and the team are working towards a possible ALL time master piece
