The developers here, of Victoria: Total War, love their fans. Plain and simple. Being voted the 'Most Anticipated Mod of 2011' has been a thrill to say the least, and we are incredibly grateful to all of you who have either helped the effort (be it through pictures, or general information), or simply lent a kind word to us to encourage us to keep going. So, as a show of appreciation (and to show stuff is actually happening!) I am pleased to present to you fans, the first official (one of probably several) Victoria: Total War preview. So sit back, relax, and anticipate the game!
****************************
Victoria: Total War will not feel like a simple conversion of Empire: Total War. It will not feel as though we've added a few new units, and switched some old flags up. Rather, the game is an immersion into the Victorian Era. The Victorian Era (the Gilded Age, Belle Époque) was a time of rapid technological advances, social reform (and in some cases, upheaval!), a time of Kings, Queens, Empires and, of course war. The developers have been hard at work attempting to create as much of an epic atmosphere as the Era truly deserves.
That being said, the developers have sat around and thought, long, and hard, about what may make the game slightly more.. pleasing to the eye. Aside from the obvious abundance of new units and factions, some 'minor' details, such as flags have been taken into account. So our faithful flag-makers Okmin and MatrixStorm have been hard at work, not only creating (most of the time, from scratch), new 'fancy' flags for every nation in the game, but also creating revolutionary flags for each faction. Wether, they're emergent, minor, major, we assure you, they have an alternative flag.
You may be shocked to learn that some nations take a rather.. different route, should their revolution run the correct course. By this, I of course mean Socialism and Communism will be represented in this modification, in the same manner Republicanism was represented in Empire: Total War. The spread of Marxist ideals was obviously fairly prominent in the later 1800's. The Paris Commune was one notable example of how the thoughts and works of Marx influenced the oppressed underclasses. While it wasn't until the Russian revolution in 1917 that the first true Communist State was actually successfully established, a Socialist France or Bulgaria in 1890 is much more believable then a Republican Prussia in 1720. The change itself, as of now, is going to be mostly in aesthetics. No major effect, or bonus will be given out, so their really is no major 'benefit' from your nation experiencing a wave of Marxist unrest. We just find it slightly more reasonable that the United States would look down a more Socialist/Communist Route, should it find itself gripped in a revolution, then look towards a monarch. Some titles of leaders may be changed, and repression bonuses may be given, but so far, that seems to be the extent of it.
That being said, a rampant Socialist revolution will not occur in every nation. We have deemed a select few (generally European) nations fit for a possible communist uprising. Others will have the same deal as in Empire. That doesn't make their flags any less interesting! Even the minor rebel/rebel armies, represented with the general "arm and sword flag", and "crossbones" will recieve a minor makeover, based off of what region the rebellion is occuring in.
Here are some screenshots of flags were guarantee you will see at somepoint in your Victorian Experience. And all but 3-4 of the revolutionary flags have been completed. Yet I'm only going to include a few in this preview. Don't worry, you'll see the rest soon enough.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
France.. after a revolution.
Russia too!
Haitian Revolutionary Flag
Persian Revolutionary Flag
Mexico
Even Colombia
Newly touched Up American Flag
Swedish Too
Props to our flag makers, MatrixStorm and Okmin. Seriously, rep these guys if you come across them. And remember, all of this includes distinctive Naval Jacks, and Regimental Banners.
Past of course, the beautiful works of art presented above, another change has been added to the game. The start date is now 1865. As America, the player will find themselves in charge of an immediate post-Civil War situation, with reconstruction still in the process of starting up. Mexico is in the midst of a violent war against a tyrannical French Monarch. On paper, they're a French protectorate, but the situation is certainly livening up, as more and more rebels are spreading through the countryside. The North German Confederation has to fend of Austria for true 'leadership' of all the minor German states, while Itay's slow reunification has paused outside the gates of Rome and Venice.
Politically, the game seems more volatile. More what if's can, and will occur. The Sioux Nation will be represented, and it could prove to be an interesting conquest for any would-be American or British/Canadian players. Relations between nations will have signifigant detractions, or bonuses, based off of politics at the time, while the remnants of the American Civil War will be very evident from game start.
Through it all, 4 new factions will be included.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
The Sioux, at war with the United States will prove to be yet another issue for American players to overcome.
Lombardy-Venetia, a protectorate of Austria, and target of Italian Arms.
Cuba, should Spain mismanage it's most important Colony.
And of course, the Papacy, still effectively independent from the Italian Kingdom.
However awesome they are, we don't want you to think that the flag work and time changes is all that's going on 'behind the scenes.'. As a matter of fact, the whole team (save for probably me ) has been hard at work changing a lot of script, and experimenting with a lot of ideas. Yet previews contain only guarantees, and as such, I wont post a lot of maybes. All those juicy scripting details, among other things will come in a later preview.
What I can tell you, is ♔Tango12345♔ has been working on some highly-informative and interesting Faction descriptions, while he and the rest of the team have been hammering out governmental details to as much historical accuracy as possible. Fortes has been working on loading screens, and the games character pictures, which of course, again, falls under the aesthetic's department. He has actually be quite busy with that lately, on the search for the most historically accurate information and pictures he could find. So far, his efforts have been fruitful though.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
And here's a quick shot of the map, as is.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
But by now, I'm sure you're wondering where our units are. Well, our hardworking unit makers, Geronimo2006, and Xwhyzed have been modelling and skinning some of the coolest units I've seen in quite sometime. They aren't quite done yet, but they are coming close to finishing some faction rosters. But all those images are to be saved for the next preview, which, in all likely-hood will be dedicated to the units we have finished. To show you work is getting done-
Serbian King's Guard (WiP)
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
What I can tell you, is that essentially, the idea is that every faction will have it's own units, or at least a majority of it's own unique units. Be it Cuba, Canada, Britain or Italy, each faction will have it's very own feel, not only in technology research, but in units overall. The Bulgarian roster will be different then the Russian roster. No more generic 'Line Infantry' unit will be prevalent in every nations military. While our work load is enlargened, it certainly makes for a much better game, wouldn't you agree? Mind you, for initial releases, the faction development, at least in terms of units should be fair from complete. But that makes the addons and ensuing updates that much more interesting, right?
And one final tidbit for all of you!
As you know, our mod leader, Fortes, along with countless others has been attempting to change the map for Empire: Total War. While no physical changes have occurred yet, Fortes has made it possible to change the way the map looks, as seen in some of his Minor-Map modifications. The map for Victoria: Total War is a priority, and he has continuously looked for ways to improve it. Here is a little something he's been working on.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
--------------------------------
That's really it for this update. No promise when the next one will be, but roughly in a month's timeframe is a fair guess. I hope you've enjoyed reading it, as much as I've enjoyed writing it.
It's been a while since I've been active on the Total War Center forums, but seeing that there was a highly anticipated E:TW mod out, I thought I'd take a look and see if it was worth downloading and trying out.. Still around, just very busy..
Now, usually I'm not one to gripe about credits and such, but those grand campaign map shots, the travel map, the terrain texture changes and the minimap on the campaign map are straight copies from my Grand Campaign Overhaul Mod.
A little bit of credit where credit is due would've been appreciated. I put a lot of hard work into it and to be mentioned as one of 'countless others' is a bit dissappointing.
Now, on the plus side; I like the way the flags and the portraits look and am very interested in seeing where this project is going! I'm sorry to rant and I apologize if I sounded rude, but I felt I had to express this. I can be reached for PMs, though my rate of reply has been a bit sloppy as of late, as I noticed when I came back here after this long hiatus..
EDIT: Right, now I feel really silly. After going through the list of unanswered PMs, I noticed that Fortes had sent me a request to use my modding work. I should probably put a disclaimer in there that says anyone can use it as long as proper credit is given, in order to prevent future problems like these arising.
In any case, feel free to use my mod, but I'd appreciate some credit. Thanks in advance! I will now skulk off to my dark little corner again..
Last edited by jarnomiedema; March 07, 2011 at 02:06 PM.
Reason: Had to edit because of a slight gaff..
Hi jarnomiedema, this version of the mod is for DMUC and DMUC as permission to use your mod right? If not than I'm sorry for use them. I think that I've sent you at least one message asking to use your mod in mine ones but I've never received a reply for them. But since you are here would you mind to anwer? Can we use them or not? Hope we can 'cause they are great.
And to make things more clear we weren't going to use them in the vanilla version, we will if you authorize though.
Edit: Credits aren't given yet, just after the release, that the way we haven't mentioned your name.
UNDER THE MOST HONORABLE PATRONAGE OF: Legio!
PATRON OF: Wangrin, ♔Sir Digby Chicken Caesar♔, Geronimo2006 and Narf!
EDIT: Right, now I feel really silly. After going through the list of unanswered PMs, I noticed that Fortes had sent me a request to use my modding work. I should probably put a disclaimer in there that says anyone can use it as long as proper credit is given, in order to prevent future problems like these arising.
In any case, feel free to use my mod, but I'd appreciate some credit. Thanks in advance! I will now skulk off to my dark little corner again..
Thank you very much jarnomiedema, your name will be in the credits I promise. Also I'll try to remember to send you a pm when we release it so you can enjoy a little of your work
UNDER THE MOST HONORABLE PATRONAGE OF: Legio!
PATRON OF: Wangrin, ♔Sir Digby Chicken Caesar♔, Geronimo2006 and Narf!
Whats the balance gonna be like?Will Britain dominate?Whats the difference to the map?
Looking nice guys.
Well historically Britain did dominate but it won't be that easy in the mod, the difference in the map it self is that apart of correct territories to every faction it will include my World Map Mod plus Suez Canal (as shown in the preview).
UNDER THE MOST HONORABLE PATRONAGE OF: Legio!
PATRON OF: Wangrin, ♔Sir Digby Chicken Caesar♔, Geronimo2006 and Narf!
It has no place in the Victorian era. Communist uprisings were impossible at that time and the Socialists were just successful in Russia because the German Kaiser supported them. It's the same as if you would be putting the Prussian state up with swastiskas. I bet none of your teammembers has grown up under the Soviet regime or really knows what it stood for. Apart from that, as I've said before, it's misplaced and never appeared in that timeframe. But, I'm trying not to get enraged by this, I will stay polite to this matter. Just lose the disgusting flag. It really makes me want to puke all over the keyboard.
Apart from that, +rep for your good work. It looks very interesting.
Best regards from Germany.
Last edited by Ritterlichvon86; March 07, 2011 at 04:47 PM.
It has no place in the Victorian era. It's the same as if you would be putting the Prussian state up with swastiskas. I bet none of your teammembers has grown up under the Soviet regime or really knows what it stood for. Apart from that, as I've said before, it's misplaced and never appeared in that timeframe. But, I'm trying not to get enraged by this, I will stay polite to this matter. Just lose the disgusting flag. It really makes me want to puke all over the keyboard.
Apart from that, +rep for your good work. It looks very interesting.
Best regards from Germany.
The reason of why the Soviet Flag is there is because the mod starts in Victoria era but it prolongs until the XX century as so if Russia rebels it will rebel with that flag. Also the government system is being discussed and the Communism may be a new government type, not decide yet though.
Last edited by ForteS; March 07, 2011 at 04:49 PM.
UNDER THE MOST HONORABLE PATRONAGE OF: Legio!
PATRON OF: Wangrin, ♔Sir Digby Chicken Caesar♔, Geronimo2006 and Narf!
Victoria: Total War Preview 2
) has been hard at work changing a lot of script, and experimenting with a lot of ideas. Yet previews contain only guarantees, and as such, I wont post a lot of maybes. All those juicy scripting details, among other things will come in a later preview.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Ferdiad
