The Official WIP Screenshot Thread

[Éorl]

It's been a while since the last previews, not because the team was idle, but because I was a bit preoccupied and the team was working on non-previewable (is that a word?) stuff A LOT.

I hinted at us re-vamping the campaign map (again), and we feel it's required to show the results to you, also as a thank you for your patience and confidence in us.

I'm also happy to be in a position now that allows me a) to spend a bit more time on the mod and b) to do stuff we would never have fancied a year ago. More on this here on christmas eve.

I hope you like what we did with the campaign map (textures and trees), plus note that all campaignmap models will be reviewed, improved or made from scratch what is still missing.

Everything WIP, of course.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

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[fireblade]

Very nice, great textures on the campaign map. Mordor especially looks awesome.

Are those a bunch of forts near Umbar?

[Aradan]

Are those a bunch of forts near Umbar?

Yes. The model is a placeholder.

[Blatta Optima Maxima]

It's been a while since the last previews, not because the team was idle, but because I was a bit preoccupied and the team was working on non-previewable (is that a word?) stuff A LOT.

I hinted at us re-vamping the campaign map (again), and we feel it's required to show the results to you, also as a thank you for your patience and confidence in us.

I'm also happy to be in a position now that allows me a) to spend a bit more time on the mod and b) to do stuff we would never have fancied a year ago. More on this here on christmas eve.

I hope you like what we did with the campaign map (textures and trees), plus note that all campaignmap models will be reviewed, improved or made from scratch what is still missing.

Everything WIP, of course.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

That has to be one of the prettiest campaign maps I have ever seen.

[Joar]

It looks fantastic!

[Legio]

Very cool!

[Stath's]

Awesome!!

[Beorn]

fantastic, maps are my soft point

[Nelduin]

Really impressive .

[Jagmodo]

What an amazing map preview. Seriously, I have never seen better campaign map for RTW ever. Textures, trees, mountain ranges,… everything’s so good.... I see tremendous effort invested in it and great dedication to details. I could look in those screenshots for days, so much to see here. I see that there is pipe weed resource in the Shire; Barrow-downs are also present. Also, there is so many villages in Shire to represent that it is densely populated region; great. I also see that you have changed the crown of Gondor to more authentic design (ships and... erm one more thing*). And I really like quite improved look of Isengard area.

I have few questions regarding the things I have seen on the map:

- What is the faction symbol of the Hobbits? Is it a quill or folded tobacco leaf?

- While Beorning’s faction symbol is bear claw as expected, Harondor Faction symbol is still a mystery to me since it is too murky on the screenshot; something yellow on red... Could you tell us what it is?

- On the third screenshot there are grey things on the fords across Limlight and Anduin forts (placeholders)?

- What is the pillar/tower on the fourth screenshot at the east-gate of Khazad-dûm? Is it Durin’s Tower?

- What will be the situation in Eregion? Could the Elves reclaim it for themselves or it will be populated by the humans?

* I think that you have actually showed more than you intended... I will only say that I accidentally click on the one screenshot and saw much more than you have probably intended to show... Really good progress on Gondorian units and GoT:TW.

[Éorl]

* I think that you have actually showed more than you intended... I will only say that I accidentally click on the one screenshot and saw much more than you have probably intended to show... Really good progress on Gondorian units and GoT:TW.

Oh boy, I didn't realize that until you pointed it out. Sneaky. That deserves some rep!

[Éorl]

Will there be a Caradhras Pass or is Moria the only crossing in these parts of the mountains?

The Pass of Caradhrass is there on the battlemap, but it's not accessible for armies. It's on of the many Landscape details which are in the mod, but they are barely visible because they are not accessible. It's just our love for detail.

You can actually see it in the second Dev Diary - time to watch it once more.

[Thangaror]

Wow, that looks really great!


Will there be a Caradhras Pass or is Moria the only crossing in these parts of the mountains?

- On the third screenshot there are grey things on the fords across Limlight and Anduin forts (placeholders)?

These are ungarrisoned rebel forts and the symbol on the flag is missing.

* I think that you have actually showed more than you intended... I will only say that I accidentally click on the one screenshot and saw much more than you have probably intended to show... Really good progress on Gondorian units and GoT:TW.

A gentleman never tells!

[Nelduin]

I'm really interested to know more about custom locations. We all know that Minas Tirith is being modelized, but what about those dozens of unique landscapes that Middle-Earth have ? Are you planning to improve again your already splendid new environnements with special structures, like Elostirion Towers, the Argonath, ruins of Osgiliath, etc ?

[Éorl]

Well, remember that we are a very small team. All of this, while doable, requires some time, even more so if we want to do it right. So it's way down on our to do list, if it's on it at all. Frankly, don't expect such things for the release, maybe, MAYBE such details will be included in some patches in the future. But I won't make any promises - we'd rather concentrate on getting the stuff that needs to be done right first before even contemplating anything like that.

[Nelduin]

Well, remember that we are a very small team. All of this, while doable, requires some time, even more so if we want to do it right. So it's way down on our to do list, if it's on it at all. Frankly, don't expect such things for the release, maybe, MAYBE such details will be included in some patches in the future. But I won't make any promises - we'd rather concentrate on getting the stuff that needs to be done right first before even contemplating anything like that.

Don't worry, I understand perfectly, just wanted to ask if it was in your mind, even down or not at all . Thanks for the answer anyway.

[intel]

Thanks for the answer and one last question: will all of former Mordor save from its southern areas remain desolate desert? It doesn't make sense for humans to settle such land... I think that some sort of flora could help- it doesn't have to be as lush and colorful as in other climates, but some kind of brownish grass and occasional bushes could help.

[Revelo]

Thanks for the answer and one last question: will all of former Mordor save from its southern areas remain desolate desert? It doesn't make sense for humans to settle such land... I think that some sort of flora could help- it doesn't have to be as lush and colorful as in other climates, but some kind of brownish grass and occasional bushes could help.

Wouldn't be the plains of Gorgoroth if it wasn't wasteland mate

The campaign map looks amazing, by the way! Great work guys.

[Jagmodo]

A gentleman never tells!

Well, I’m obviously not a gentleman .

Seriously now, I just thought it would be unfair to be quiet about it and further exploit Éorl’s unawareness. Now he can make further precautions if he wants.

Well, remember that we are a very small team. All of this, while doable, requires some time, even more so if we want to do it right. So it's way down on our to do list, if it's on it at all. Frankly, don't expect such things for the release, maybe, MAYBE such details will be included in some patches in the future. But I won't make any promises - we'd rather concentrate on getting the stuff that needs to be done right first before even contemplating anything like that.

Regarding the ruins of Osgiliath I think that you could use Osgiliath model from the ME:TW as it looks quite good. Only to give it as a suggestion, but you are probably aware of its existence.

[Aradan]

What an amazing map preview. Seriously, I have never seen better campaign map for RTW ever. Textures, trees, mountain ranges,… everything’s so good.... I see tremendous effort invested in it and great dedication to details. I could look in those screenshots for days, so much to see here. I see that there is pipe weed resource in the Shire; Barrow-downs are also present. Also, there is so many villages in Shire to represent that it is densely populated region; great. I also see that you have changed the crown of Gondor to more authentic design (ships and... erm one more thing*). And I really like quite improved look of Isengard area.

We have a thing for detail (the villages in the Shire are in their proper positions according to the JRRT maps, etc) and that combined with Eorl's skill results in wonderful things.

I have few questions regarding the things I have seen on the map:

- What is the faction symbol of the Hobbits? Is it a quill or folded tobacco leaf?

It's a feather; like what the Shirriffs would put on their hats.

- While Beorning’s faction symbol is bear claw as expected, Harondor Faction symbol is still a mystery to me since it is too murky on the screenshot; something yellow on red... Could you tell us what it is?

A sun on a red-ish background.

- On the third screenshot there are grey things on the fords across Limlight and Anduin forts (placeholders)?

What Thangaror said, flags of ungarrisoned forts. I'm contemplating removing settlement and army banners altogether to force the player to use spies more (RTR VII has done the same), so if that happens, those flags will be gone for good.

- What is the pillar/tower on the fourth screenshot at the east-gate of Khazad-dûm? Is it Durin’s Tower?

Durin's Stone.

- What will be the situation in Eregion? Could the Elves reclaim it for themselves or it will be populated by the humans?

Classified!

* I think that you have actually showed more than you intended... I will only say that I accidentally click on the one screenshot and saw much more than you have probably intended to show... Really good progress on Gondorian units and GoT:TW.

Whoops...