The First Triumvir for M2TW (TFT2)

[King Philip II]

General Mod Project Information, Dev Blog and Feedback thread

Project renamed from "The First Triumvirate 2 for M2TW (TFT2)" to "The First Triumvir for M2TW (TFT2)"

New project scope asof 15 May 2013: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...1#post12847200

Edit 05/14/13: Important note about TFT Mod ownership

;-------------------------------------------------
Original Post: (frozen)

I have discussed this project on and off with other core Mod Team members the last couple of years. It's about time we kick it off.

Project Brief*
1) TFT2 will be developed and implemented in the spirit that Orbital intended.
2) Scripting: TFT contains four scripted campaigns. We need skilled scripters on the team or this will not happen.
3) Units/Buildings/Map/Graphics/Skinning: we'll sort this out when we have gathered a team and agreed on the objectives.
4) It's not enough just to port the old BI code over to M2TW - we need to have some amazing new features that makes TFT one of a kind again.
5) We need an experienced Mod Leader.

Any feedback is much appreciated!

Best regards,
KP

<removed TFT installer logo by HIP63 and link to TFT>

* a Project Brief in the PRINCE2 Project Mangement methodology is .... zzz .... before the project initiation ...

[King Philip II]

Edit: added new logo image by Joar:


The First Triumvirate II on M2TW Mod Threads: (incl. TFT v1.92 information and links): http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...1#post12819542

;--------------------------------------
Original post content moved to "My Documents" for the time being. These discussions will be taken off-line once the core team has been assembled.

[King Philip II]

TASK LIST (public)

The following work is in progress:
1) Create a base installation of a clean M2TW Kingdoms based on Gigantus' Bare Geomod Kingdoms 1.07 - completed
2) Re-design/re-code all key Trait related features. Related projects: ProDeco2 and external Mod
3) Port building threes to M2TW and create new buildings. Related project: Master Masons Urban Planner (MMUP) - on-hold
5) Top-level Design Specification started (incl. scope and objectives)
8) Compile all TFT documentation, release files and PR material
6) & 9) Resource requirements and recruitment adverts - completed
7) Sub-Forum (M2TW Hosted Mods -> Mods in dev) - closed
12) Development environment and virgin M2TW base mod.
14) Design of "Caesar's Early Career" campaign.

The following work has been planned:
4) Porting of Map and/or creation of new map(s) (Gigantus)
10) Investigate the feasability for expanding this to include all FRRE mods i.e. FRRE for M2TW (FRRE2) - on-hold
11) Release plan - ideally before R2TW and after EBII - TFT for M2TW first and then work on TFT2? - on-hold
13) Contact Mod Leads from other RTW->M2TW migration projects and investigate possibilities for collaboration and/or knowledge sharing.

---

HUMAN ASSETS

Mod Team:
Mod Lead/Developer: King Philip II aka "KP" (Interim)
Scripting Lead/Developer: open
T&A Lead/Developer: closed (T&A: KP)
Graphics Lead: open
Test Lead/Developer: closed
SR Developer (Map) & Agony Aunt: Gigantus
Historian & Editor-in-Chief: closed (Bucellarii will be in the background)
Developer: in-progress (not accepting applications)
Trainee Developer: closed

Recruitment:
Posted on "Modders Classified Adds":

Mod Leader Vacancy for TFT2: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...cancy-for-TFT2
Developer/Scripting Lead: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...cancy-for-TFT2
Graphics Lead: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...cancy-for-TFT2
Developer Vacancies: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...ncies-for-TFT2
Historian/Editor-in-Chief: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...cancy-for-TFT2
Test Lead/Developer: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showt...1#post12838303

Edit 05/15/13: please see open/closed status in Mod Team before applying.

Credits, Contributors and Special Thanks:

- Orbital and Stuie - the former Mod Leaders of TFT
- TFT Mod Team, Past contributors, Testers, Featured Skinner's artwork and other contributors listed in the TFT Readme file; as well as: (omitted from Readme)

- Salvor Hardin and the rest of the FRRE Mod Team for supporting TFT
- Bucellarii for historical research

- Gigantus for Bare Geomod and advice
- Joar for TFT2 Logo graphics
- Razor for awesome ideas and support
- TWC for hosting and help

If this initiative does not get off the ground then i'll have a clean M2TW installation packed with features, but only one unit and two buildings. A good starting point for a new Mod.

[King Philip II]

Request: if some kind soul could create a cool banner for this project (forum use) I would be eternally grateful and will Rep you everyday for a week or more (the only currency I have).

/KP

Edit: I'm embarrased to post this, but I'm a clown with any sort of graphics.

[tomySVK]

Great idea! It will be great to see the second part of The First Triumvirate mod

[King Philip II]

Great idea! It will be great to see the second part of The First Triumvirate mod

Thank you! I'm getting really excited about this and can't wait to dig into the code. Rep duely delivered.

/KP

[amelius]

+ Rep for another Roman Era Mod!

[King Philip II]

hehe - we can't have too many of those (+ rep)

/KP

[King Philip II]

Task 1) complete - we have a clean base installation of M2TW




We'll add all the eye candy later.

edit: There is a wrong setting on the second screen. Find it and you get +1 Rep and a nice looking diploma

[AngryTitusPullo]

I am actually porting TFT Caesar's campaign with Alex.exe (just for my personal amusement) and planning to add Caesar's legion names.

This project certainly is more interesting ! Good luck.

[King Philip II]

I am actually porting TFT Caesar's campaign with Alex.exe (just for my personal amusement) and planning to add Caesar's legion names.

This project certainly is more interesting ! Good luck.

Hi LestaT, I remember you from a few years back. Did you work on RTR?

Very interesting. That would be a really nice feature to have, so I hope you'll share it

[King Philip II]

This thread is turning into a Dev Blog. In TFT we had an installer for each of the four campaigns: Caesar, Crassus, Pompey and Pathia (Vercingetorix is included in the Crassus install). It was far from ideal, not very user-friendly and caused a few file synchronisation issues, so it's my hope that we can improve this in TFT2. One option could be to use Custom Campaigns as seen below:



Edit: We (mostly Stuie and Orb) discussed this a great deal and I seem to remember that there was a scripting issue in using the provincial campaign feature in RTW (aka custom campaign), but I'm not sure. Would much appreciate input and ideas from other modders who have used multiple custom campaigns in M2TW.

Edit2: Feedback suggests that this is not the way to go. Batch files are the safer option. I tend to agree, but need to do a lot more research on this. We NEED to simplyfy it - managing four versions of descr_strat, a bunch of script files, EDCT, EDU etc is too complex.
/KP

[AngryTitusPullo]

Hi LestaT, I remember you from a few years back. Did you work on RTR?

Very interesting. That would be a really nice feature to have, so I hope you'll share it

I used to during the late stages of the (failed) RTR7 project. I quit after TIC is done. Hope you have someone to port the units or create new units. If you're porting then possibly to use the new RTR VII units which I believe are much prettier compared to TFT units which is based on earlier RTR versions.

[King Philip II]

I used to during the late stages of the (failed) RTR7 project. I quit after TIC is done. Hope you have someone to port the units or create new units. If you're porting then possibly to use the new RTR VII units which I believe are much prettier compared to TFT units which is based on earlier RTR versions.

I haven't started looking at the units yet and no, there is no Developer assigned to this - are you interested?

I really like Orb's units, they still look great, but I'll def have a look at RTR 7 units. In fact I need to talk to the RTR 7 Mod Team to investigate how much we can steal from them

[luzvimindo]

well done KP..excited for this! cheers!

[AngryTitusPullo]

Well I did try to port RTR to Med2 but only manage to complete the map. 3D units , 3dsmax/milkshape are out of my knowledge. You may try to contact ToonTotalWar as I believe he has ported many RTW units to Med2. Maybe if he's still active modding he probably can help.

As far as the RTR units etc from what I know those that already been released can be use in other modifications provided proper credits given.

[King Philip II]

well done KP..excited for this! cheers!

Thank you luzvimindo! +1 rep

Well I did try to port RTR to Med2 but only manage to complete the map. 3D units , 3dsmax/milkshape are out of my knowledge. You may try to contact ToonTotalWar as I believe he has ported many RTW units to Med2. Maybe if he's still active modding he probably can help.

As far as the RTR units etc from what I know those that already been released can be use in other modifications provided proper credits given.

Maybe you would like to work as Developer on the Units? DaVinci and I started working on unit stats balance a few years ago, but it was never finalized. We need another approach as the 2 HP's for AI is a little too tough making the mod too exclusive.

Thanks for the recommendations. I'll try to contact ToonTotalWar (I remember the user name but can't place it) and have a look at what RTR 7 has.

Edit: please copy this to your sig when you have accepted

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

[AngryTitusPullo]

I'm afraid I'm unable to commit myself nowadays to large projects anymore. Don't even have time to play games except late nights on weekends.

[King Philip II]

I'm afraid I'm unable to commit myself nowadays to large projects anymore. Don't even have time to play games except late nights on weekends.

My apologies for pushing this. If you change your mind later then you have an open invitation. It's also more important to play the games intead of modding them. I'm currently pushing ahead in a Caesar campaign and I must admit that it's not easy going. This mod is unforgiving

I'm very interested in your Legion names project so I hope you'll share it.

Keep in touch

/KP

[tomySVK]

Thank you KP for + Rep, you deserve it more

Maybe for the units you should maybe ask EB team for some units - I saw you contacted the EB for co-operation (just a quick idea).