Armada2Files MOD News

[Aerilon]

Welcome Modders. A new feature for Armada2Files is to be that of MOD News Updates. How this works is simple: If you have a piece of news (related to a MOD of yours in progress) you post it here and it’ll get uploaded to the site.

The main reasons for this are as not all A2 fans use the forums, and some don’t use the site. So, with this they get the best of both worlds. Seeing as I was the one who started up the MOD Centre, I’ll be the one to sort through these news updates; however both me and Joelteon7 will be uploading them.

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There are however some rules to go with this.

* Firstly you aren’t allowed to post more than one update per month. Doing so will just render the second one pointless.

If you find you have left information out, then PM me or Joelteon7 and we will sort it for you. There is however a three day limit with this. If you find you have forgotten something after three days, it’ll have to wait till the next update.

* Next, images posted with these updates are to be in the pixel size of 800x600. Anything larger will be deleted (not resized). It is your job to get them the correct size, not ours. Also, be sure to make sure the Images are in a .jpg or .jpeg format. Anything else and they wont be uploaded.

* Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation! Check It! If your news is that important you will do so. There is a built in spell checker connected to the forums (though you have to download a plug-in). If not, you can simply type all up in MS Word first.

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Now, I’ve seen throughout that many people just post as they go, whilst this is fine to do, with this thread you’ll be required to organise it a little. Sorting out what you are going to say and screenshots to use are more or less a requirement. Don’t just post screenshots because you have it, post it because it looks good, or because it shows something good!

Please also note. This is a not a thread for MOD discussion, nor is it for commenting. All and any “comments” will go deleted. This thread is for MOD News ONLY. Once news has been posted, and if you feel you have a comment to add, then go to the news Article on Armada2Files and post it there.

News posted here doesn’t automatically go on to Armada2Files. Me or Joelteon7 have to add it. So patients will be required (especially if neither me or Joelteon7 are online.

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This thread should be checked daily by the A2Files Staff.

Resources:

• Armada2Files MOD Centre Information Page
• Armada2Files MOD Centre Project Profiles Page

[Aerilon]

Well, looks like I’m the first with this. A shame to be honest, I had hoped more people would be involved, but still…

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March Review: An overall update of what has so far been done, and what there is still to do.

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There isn’t loads to report upon, most of the latest news can be found here at my March Update. Nevertheless, I do have a few more ships compiled, and such. I’m still having trouble with the Breen & Dominion ships. There simply isn’t enough to go around, which, in turn is a shame. Though I do plan to get something done about that, whether it is down to me, or someone else!

The overall MOD progress is somewhat slow. I just haven’t been in the mood recently, and with not having a team, with a one-manned MOD, when not feeling up to it, nothing gets done (where you would have teams, and they would alternate their work).

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Also, news of the Xindi – They may not be making an appearance after all. The reason behind this is simple, I’m not advanced enough (with modelling) to create them. I’m still hoping for them, and do “plan” on including them it’s always been a long-term goal of mine, however as time goes on, it looks not to be happening.

However, The Xindi issue isn’t “official”. Until I say “they are defiantly not going to be included” then they are still a possible race. With this, (whether the Xindi are in or out) there are still going to be eight races in the final release. As to what may take the place of the Xindi is currently unknown. I will think about that closer to the time, and if I choose not to include The Xindi (for reasons stated above).

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The Federation: These are more or less complete (in a manner, are already). All the models are acquired, however there are some of which I feel I could use better models for (at the moment I’m not too fussed about them due to wanting the other races complete). Though all stations (bar the defence platforms and the Orbital Facility) are done!

The Borg: Are also in the same state they were with the last update. Complete with the two cubes – That’s all of what has been done for them. However these cubes are fully HP’ed and ready to go.

Cardassians, Klingons & Romulans are in a state of “waiting”. Some ships I have (mostly cannon), though some others have been obtained. Along with their stations (which aren’t as close as the ships). I have various stations in mind, just haven’t yet got around to sorting them out.

There are also some models of which I have, though they need to be polly reduced because of the size of the vessel and comparison for what It is going to be used for. An example of this would be the Romulan Scouts done by MaP. The ones I have current are more pollies than the Sovereign Class which I have. Seeing as they are scouts, then really don’t need to be that “complex”.

Additionally, there are several models (namely three) The Vor'cha, Melak & Akira from VR of which I have changed in the sense of textures. An example of this would be the Akira. With VR she used 10 texture sets. I have managed to get this down to 3, with various cropping and editing of textures, and then a change in the texture mapping has made this possible.

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Anyway, some images to feast your eyes on: Only a few included, the rest (and many past Images) can be seen at the Zero Hour Screenshots Page. Note too (as stated in previous updates) Models you see on the Zero Hour Screenshots Page are going to make an appearance in-game. I won’t have anything posted there that will be changed / edited.

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Related Forum Comments, Please Leave on the Zero Hour Thread.

[The Joelteon7]

Update will be uploaded within 24 hours, I appear to have found myself being quite busy lately.

[Aerilon]

Another one for you Joelt

Well Folks. I've got pictures to show

I'd first like to start by saying that Zero Hour is still alive, though for about a month, I didn't really do much (if anything). I was still looking about for ships and such, but in terms of modding / modelling, I haven't done anything.

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Nevertheless, that (as of early last week) changed. I got myself sorted, and have begun adding ships to a fresh copy of the game. Screenshots seen here those that have been taken as to date.

Note also. All screenshots that I do take, that I feel have value will be put up on the Zero Hour Screenshots Page. Anyway, for some spoilers (I trust you are all going to like these):

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These aren't all of them. Only two of the four I currently have. The other two can be seen at the MOD Screenshots Page via the A2Files MOD Centre.

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With this, I'm looking for someone to help me out. There are three ships that I really want in Zero Hour, those being an Intrepid Class, an Excelsior Class, along with an Excelsior Refit.

I've acquired the models in question, however they are each around 4500 - 5000 in Polly size, which as many of you know would be well too high for an Armada II MOD unless maybe used as a hero ship. These however aren't going to be used as Hero Ships, but as Cruisers thus their Polly count needs to drop a significant amount.

Any who feel they can do so, please let me know. Also note, I don't want any replies saying "that can't be done" or "I would, but haven't got the time" - A simply "yes, I'll do it" or nothing please.

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The ships in question (you can tell why I want them) -

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A final note also. I've reworked the Zero Hour area with the A2Files MOD Centre for Zero Hour. What I've decided to do as of last week is have in-game shots posted there, and single-ship images (such as three seen above) saved in the forum gallery.

Other single-ship Images can also be found there, though I haven't yet uploaded them all. These can be found here: Zero Hour Ship Images.

[The Joelteon7]

Done and done!

[EAS_Intrepid]

Having an update, too:
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MODERN SPACE COMBAT
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Well, MSC developed quite a bit!

Most important thing is, that MSC has now and own forum at www.majesticscificentral.com!
There I have lots of images and CGIs to take a look at. Come over and discuss the latest news of Modern Space Combat.
Every week I post there an overview about one faction of this STA II mod.


The Euro-Russian COnfederation
I redid all the hardpoints and lights of the ERC ships and reexported them to .sod format. Also I began the work on a couple of stations for the ERC, with a mining station the first regular station to be finished. Two new fighters have been added.
At the MSC forums is a detailed overview over the ERC ships and history.

The North American Alliance
The NAA ships are also under overdue. As many stations have already been finished for the NAA. I began implementing this site to the game. Also I commenced the work on the NAA fighters.

Militias
This site is still lacking major ships and stations, but some concept have already been set as guidelines for the Militias, such as they will have mobile stations etc.

Kennedy Liberation Front (Former KCN- Kennedy Colonist Navy)
I decided to do a name change, as Liberation front sounds more desperate and idealistic as Colonist Navy. The KLF has no single ship or station yet, but will share a lot from the Militias, as this is a special Militia.

Trimarii
Again, this is ***TOP SECRET***. (Naw, I do not want to take the mystery away.)


The possibility of a single player campaign (that will be very interesting to plan and to mod) is existent! But for that I would need some help and until that it is a loooong way to go!


VOICE ACTORS NEEDED!
I need voice actors (male or female) for MSC and a Babylon 5 project as I do not want to keep the standard A2 ones!
When a campaign is realized then these voice actors are even needed more urgently! People speaking Russian are also very much appreciated (also French.)
If you feel like it, contact me over at majesticscificentral.com under the Modern Space Combat forum, where I will soon open a threat for voice actors.

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new screens:

[The Joelteon7]

In the morning, one of the staff will get it uploaded. Thanks for posting this
EDIT:
Update done!

[Aerilon]

I'm glad to see someone else is using this thread.

[willsk8forfood15]

All this is on the site for the mod, abettermod.com.

The races will include:

Ganean
Federation
Klingons
Romulans
Borg
Cardassian Alliance
Species 8472.

The mod time setting starts where a2 left off. And yes there will be time travel.

The storyline will exist in the missions and not be spoiled. But there is a lead up to the storyline This is the storyline from abettermod.com where "The sands of Time" is hosted:

Following the ordeal with Species 8472, the Borg and Federation agree to a

treaty settling all hostilities between them. (Or so the federation believed) Within this treaty the borg must agree to restrain from attacks of any federation races or her allies. Normally the Borg would have fired up their holding beams at such an agreeance. But leaving fluidic space already weakened, the Borg were met with an armada of federation ships. It was then that Jean Luc Picard and the fleet forced acceptance of the treaty on the borg. For the survival of the collective, the queen reluctantly obliged. The small borg fleet retreated to what was left borg space. They were met by the Ferengi who were busy salvaging a peculiar section of borg debris. The weary Borg moved in closer as the Ferengi scattered, well except for a few small ships too slow to escape. As the Borg sifted through the remains of their once great base, they acquired a piece of dark matter. Further analyzation of this object revealed it was branched off from a collapsed Neutron star. The density and mass of this substance suggested it's possible uses. The borg experimented with small pieces of the dark matter but to no avail. After re-assimilation of the Borg Homeworld, one of the new colonies found a peculiar drone which they believed was a refugee from the federation attacks. He was brought to the Borg Queen immediately.

He stated his name was Sophos and he believed he was 276 years in the past. He revealed they were experimenting with technologies from the dark matter and during a certain test they were thrown out of the Space-Time-Continuim. His ship was destroyed but he escaped in a pod that landed on the planet.The Queen revealed the collective's posession of the dark matter. They began working a ship capable of harvesting such technology.

Meanwhile the Federation was dealing with the frenzy of the rallied

Klingons and their aggressions towards the remaining Cardassians who have

now allied with rebuilt Dominions. Conflicted with other matters, Starfleet was

oblivious to the borg who have now began experimenting altering Space-Time-Continuim were about to cause choas through out the entire galaxy.

A somewhat overview of the story within the missions.

Involves federation and klingons conflicting with the ruthless cardassian dominion alliance. Some borg resource collection missions at the beginning. Romulan covert operation and new weapon testing. The after the borg's "expirement" there will be encounters with all these races in there future form.

Only one problem. The future is an utter mess. Bases are few and far between. The United federation of Planets is a mere shadow of it's former self. The Klingon Empire has lost many of its prideful ways and is struggling to survive. The Romulans have secluded thereselves to a far corner of the alpha quadrant. And the cardassians are constantly uder siege by the even more powerful borg. What's worse is the weakened Ganeans having their vast resources being forfeited to the intruding Borg. You must battle through waves of new technologies and never before seen ships to restore peace to the once great galaxy.

One of the cooler features is that the mod is in a way two mods. Through the use of techtrees, you will have a certain ship and station set up for the present and a different one for the future.

The reason Species 8472 will not be included in the storyline is because in A2 they were destroyed and left stuck in Fluidic Space. The ferengi are up to their normal scavenging; in the future the Ganeans ally with them to gain their neutrality in the system. Plus the Ganeans and their advanced resource capabilities with the ferengi's constant foraging they make for one hell of a match. That extra race is just for fun and a way to include the community. any questions just feel free to ask.

Thanks all

[Aerilon]

It'll be posted up by tonight - Images not uploaded though, they are in .bmp format and we do ask that you have them in .jpg / .jpeg format.

Edit: Done - http://armada2.filefront.com/news/;26889