Proposal to CA for unit graphics assets re: unit cards

[Dago Red]

Hey are you in favor of some basic graphics/image assets for the modding community!?


As we all know much of the community is unhappy with the current unit cards set for release in Rome II. This isn't a small thing, unit cards are the core UI visual of the game, and a much coveted component of Total War games over the years. Players rely on them constantly in battle, and in the campaign.

It was Antiochus' thread here that raised the idea of CA providing a DLC with alternate mosaic tile unit cards. Importantly, this thread also contains as ample and overhwleming evidence from him, King Louise Assurbanipal, and others as to why the current unit card art is not even historically accurate. Firstly though, the art style is visually unappealing to many in this role as unit card.

IF CA released a free optional DLC they would be loved. They could prepare it before release quite easily so it's available.

Modders on the other hand will have to wait for the release to see what/how it can be done and it will not be so simple for us.

Most importantly, we don't already have graphics assets for all the units of the game available to work with. This would be huge hours of work to get these images and begin making the cards.

So, short of CA making an official release, would they (or you, dear dev reading this) consider releasing the unit graphics assets to the modding community -- specifically what we would need to make our own unit cards? YAY!

This community has as many opinions as members, but one thing is clear. A large number of fans do not like these unit cards (to the point of hatred) and miraculously many agree on a mosaic tile style instead.

[IlluminatiRex]

Much of TWC perhaps, but not much of the community at large.

[✠Ikaroqx✠]

I'm fine with them, and although they're not my favourite I'm more than willing to work with them to see if they do their job of conveying what unit is what quickly and in the heat of battle. If they can do this, then the current unit cards serve their purpose, as I'm quite liberal in design and can put up with ugly UI for the sake of better gameplay. However if the design of them obstructs my ability of play well, then I'll look into modding them.

What I'm saying is what everyone else is saying: what to get the game and try out battles before you decided you don't like the unit cards.

[rogergargantua]

I think they look really awesome! Tests by CA showed that the use of the unit cards works best. I just have to play the game myself to see if this is true. I'm on the same page as IX Varangian Cohort who said about the same.

[The Great Montrose]

I'm perfectly happy with the cards and they keep growing on me the more I see them, I think you overestimate the amount of people that dislike them.

[panzerschreck]

Don't loose your energy, CA won't change them and the unit cards are the easiest thing to mod. I would worry more about bad physics or bad animations that noone is able to mod.

[Sebt1890]

I think the cards look rather nice. It's a simple matter of adapt and overcome.

[Rezza]

They look very nice! They just give me that Classical Antiquity feel.

[Captain W. Handberg]

They look very nice! They just give me that Classical Antiquity feel.

Agreed. Quite original idea too. I like that they stick to unit cards and UI familiar to the Era, even if it is greek pottery art from 200 years earlier. Shogun II having units drawn in a Japaneese manner was beautiful, and I would love to see stuff like this in future series. In Medieval 3, if they'll ever make it, it would be awesome.

[Revan The Great]

I personally don't like them, they remind me of the animated Disney movie, 'Hercules' and its 'Greek Pottery Art'... That said, I am willing to at least try them out in game first before I pass final judgment.

Still, I suppose this is what modders are for. I suspect a unit card add-on will be one of the first mods created.

[Clock]

Speak for yourself, they've really grown on me and I like them the way they are. Of course, until I get my hands on the game I won't really be able to judge how effective they are in practice and that's true of many things, such as the turns per year system. I'm sure mods will appear to cater to more specific tastes.

[Dago Red]

This thread isn't about your opinion regarding what you like or dislike. We've already been over that a dozen times in other threads including polls showing more DISLIKE.

It's about asking CA for some graphics assets for the modding community, that they have readily at hand (or will soon).

Are you in favor of assets for the modding community, or not?

[Clock]

This thread isn't about your opinion regarding what you like or dislike. We've already been over that a dozen times in other threads including polls showing more DISLIKE.

It's about asking CA for some graphics assets for the modding community, that they have readily at hand (or will soon).

Are you in favor of assets for the modding community, or not?

Yeah, but that's a bit of a redundant question isn't it? I mean who's going to say no? Of course we want Rome 2 to offer as much accessibility for modders as possible. Why wouldn't we? But I don't see CA responding to specific demands for very specific things such as this. Because there are a ton of small, specific things people may want to tweak or change more to their liking. It's more likely they'll release a toolkit as they for S2 and the rest will be up to the community.

[The Great Montrose]

YEs , for me they need to be changed Asap , I can live with them , and I 'd prefer more important things to be changed in the game , but if those can get changed its a real step foward the right direction , thse unit cards / UI Icons are a punch in the eye .

Theres never anything you actually like though.

This thread isn't about your opinion regarding what you like or dislike. We've already been over that a dozen times in other threads including polls showing more DISLIKE.

It's about asking CA for some graphics assets for the modding community, that they have readily at hand (or will soon).

Are you in favor of assets for the modding community, or not?

The majority of the TWC community isnt against the unit cards though, the poll shows more Like/dont care than dislike. So that means its not something that is in urgent need of change. Hell this thread shows that more people like them and that they've grown on people. As someone said above they will probably release a toolkit but they wont respond to these demands for "unit card DLC's" or stuff just for changing unit cards when its not an immediate concern for those who play the game, i.e us.

the games not even been released yet!! Cant you guys wait untill you've actually played the game and used the unit cards before you start asking for things?

[jsully16]

Much of the community

[nrthee2]

10 guys hate the unitcards on this forum lol, personally I like these new cards

[Zipzopdippidybopbop]

I suppose I'll be the only one who read the OPs post then, and answer it accordingly.

Yes; I am wholly in favour of your proposal - the more assets CA release to the modding community the more we can tamper with the game.

[Numidian Mercenary]

Good idea, not a fan of the unit cards.

[Manuel I Komnenos]

I don't like the unit cards at all either. Nor those from Shogun. In my opinion, the best were those from M2TW and ETW.

[PROMETHEUS ts]

YEs , for me they need to be changed Asap , I can live with them , and I 'd prefer more important things to be changed in the game , but if those can get changed its a real step foward the right direction , thse unit cards / UI Icons are a punch in the eye .