I'd like to show a few tiles I've been working on.
Short introduction; I really don't like how Elementals cities look and feel. On the one hand they can become way to large, covering huge parts of the map. And on the other hand when you look at them more closely, they don't really look like cities. There are hardly any houses, and buildings are just way to big IMO. I've been thinking about doing a mod for some time now, that would change how cities develop (and hopefully make them more interesting). A lot of the things I would like to do aren't possible right now, so I haven't really started.
But I have been playing with the tile editor the past few days, and created a few tiles that I'd like to show and maybe hear what you guys think. I'm not a very creative person or anything, so what I've done is mostly placing the buildings and some props that came with the game.
I'd like the housing tiles for each city level (outpost, hamlet, village, town, city) to have a different look, showing the town developing and becoming more densely populated.
Outpost houses http://img524.imageshack.us/i/elemental1294278612.jpg/
I first tried only big and small tents, but that looked to much like a festival. My second attempt was a lot better, a few permanent huts, and a small tent camp for people whose houses aren't build yet.
Hamlet houses http://img80.imageshack.us/i/elemental1294278643.jpg/
I quite like telling a story of how this neighborhood develops, so I started with the previous tile and expanded from there. The tents are gone, everyone is now living in huts. The house with the horse probably belongs to a merchant of some kind, and he is doing quite well for himself having build both a workshed and a small stable. The big hut below it is some kind of inn or pub.
Skipping over the village stage because I didn't have any inspiration and not enough suitable buildings. Would like to have more buildings with the wooden roof, but unfortunately there's only one such model.
Town houses http://img340.imageshack.us/i/elemental1294278688.jpg/
These buildings are still mostly wood. The merchant's business has grown, as has the inn. Again not a lot of building options (I wanted the slate roofs, not the tiles, saving those for the city), but I was able to turn the tree storey house into a two storey one.
Haven't done the city houses yet, as that one will require a bit more planning I think (needs to look good together with the city hub). I have done the first two stages of the 'palace', that will also develop along with your settlement.
Chief's house, goes with outpost http://img815.imageshack.us/i/elemental1294278778.jpg/
Yes it's small, but considering you're the lord of maybe a hundred people who are mostly living in huts and tents, so you shouldn't complain. The tile is very empty, wanted to add something but nothing felt right. Maybe a small military camp with a few tents?
Fort, goes with hamlet http://img529.imageshack.us/i/elemental1294278743.jpg/
Inspired by the early motte-and-bailey castles, and the original outpost tile. Note the blacksmith in the back. Next stage will be a keep, probably with a stone wall and some buildings surrounding it.
Below are some pictures with some of the tiles in game. First the hamlet with fort, works quite well I think. Ignore the way to big fence, trees, and buildings in the background obviously.
http://img713.imageshack.us/i/elemental1294277519.jpg/
http://img291.imageshack.us/i/elemental1294277448.jpg/
And four of the town housing blocks placed together, also not bad if I may say so myself. Just too bad that you can see the 'edges' between the dirt patches.
http://img801.imageshack.us/i/elemental1294277053.jpg/
http://img709.imageshack.us/i/elemental1294277086.jpg/
Edit: Can't seem to get the images working, figure it out tomorrow
