How total must be a Total Conversion?

an I-Mod Dev Journal

from Stardock Forums

As you know, the I-Mod Team is working on X3GC2 RotGR the past 2 years, and in this time, the biggest hurdles where the shipmodels. We had to find someone, who can make 1 texture out of 40(!!!), this is called texture baking and we had noone able to do that.

We were kinda overwhelmed by this problem and had a long pause in development. The last 4 month, my team and me was adding so much stuff to the mod that the last 2 years look like peanuts compared to that.
First we just wanted to replace all shipstyles and races. Then we thought there must be some new Techs, then Improvements. Lately we have replaced nearly every material of GalCiv 2.


Everything that was possible to convert from X3, we have converted it. Not in all Cases you have luck in a conversion, not all games have enough material to convert or are compatible (try to make a The "Sims" Mod for GC2 lol). Luckily, X3 - The Reunion has such a huge backstory, that it was easy to produce new content with a little help of our own imagination.

Technologies, Improvements, UPissues, Events and dialogues, out of a detailed backstory.

Over the whole 2 years, this became the most interesting job for my team and me, to create something new on our own, but related to the converted game.

Converting alone, can be boring after time, but to create new parts like technologies or United Planets Issues, out of a story, makes fun!

So this is a huge challenge for us, and still many things wait to be implemented or invented.

Never forget the power of your own imagination, when you create a conversion, it can makes it even more interesting!

This Topic is thought to be a look into our work and thoughts, so it might inspire you or give you another perspective.

We want to hear your oppinions!

gc2 x3gc2 mod i-mod stefan dev journal total conversion imagination thought convert
5,232 views 3 replies
Reply #1 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
When?
:)

I'd have to agree that any project which involves the principles of Total-Conversion must be a huge undertaking. Now, i won't try overshooting my own foot here... but anyone already playing with X-Worlds (05-F) as of today knows exactly how much extensive work has to be done to call it *complete enough*. Even, after eight months - i still find things to add while enhancing this and that or developping new ideas.

As a result, your X3 might also become an experience in itself, immersive and of great value to anybody wishing to have supplemental assets to GC2's gameplay.

We, as modders, indirectly provide absolutely free content to StarDock products.

And players, they get to have much MORE quality playtime for less than the bandwidth download usage and a bunch of generous offers by 'creators' like us.
Contributing our results to this community is simply a way to share files adding variety to an already complex and fantastic game.

And, then there are Super-heroes in CoSH.
But, that's only me.
foxthree's multiple packages!
AFRonin's Federation & Empire.
Plus, many more.

Even your X3 inspired me into tackling the X-Com UI just to keep up with the pace.
;)

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Sounds really cool! I'm a huge X fan as well! Keep up the good work! Shame though, the next expansion in the X universe is going to be coming out (hopefully) this September. more backstory for you guys to implement *whip**whip*

WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Hehe, thanks for your responses!

@Zyx: Yeah, I think Stardock knows that modders are important for a game, it's compareable to open source software. The more you can change it, the more it becomes famous and many people build their stuff upon it.

And total conversions are a try to build a new game, with all it's difficult mechanics, balancing etc.

@mentor: Thanks a lot ;) I am not sure if we will integrate the stuff of  X3 - Terran Conflict, we got rights to make a mod out of X3 - The Reunion, cause it's a bit older.

But we are having a conversation about this all with egosoft very soon ;)

more oppinions? :)