Roman BAT Project

[franky_83 8]

Realizing that I had started a thread in the wrong forum...I decided to restart it here. 

 

[SpartanBadger 4]

Oh, wow. That's awesome, I can't wait to see more, I'm guessing you'll be doing other Rome BATs?

[scififan68 23]

GREAT JOB!! Can you make them a ploppbles.

[franky_83 8]

Absolutely! I will be making more Roman BATs...I want to make all three levels of wealth and density houses as well as shops and markets.  Forums and baths will also be needed, so I will make these.  I'd also like to make at least 5 different landmarks (the amphitheater being one of them), as well as plazas and parks.  Also, even though they are disgusting, no Roman town would be true without a latrina (public toilets), as most people, especially that most Romans didn't have indoor plumbing, and had to use these public facilities.

Yes, I plan on making them ploppables, so it will be easier to test them in the game.

[franky_83 8]

I've updated the amphitheater pictured in the previous thread.  It's still in its initial stages of construction, but here's what I got so far:

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//amphitheater_updated.JPG align=baseline>

[Björn_1984 244]

Good work. That's looking great.

[franky_83 8]

Thanx all for the support.  What i've done is blend styles from the Flavian amphitheater in Rome and also from the ancient amphitheater in Pompeii.  The light arches on the top come from the amphitheater in Putuoli (Don't know if I spelled that right).  I hope to have this project on the STEX by Friday. 

Note** If anyone wants to take some credit for this project...I will/or might need someone who can make a custom UI for the lot.  PM me if interested

 

[franky_83 8]

Here's another one update...not much has changed but i've renedered this piece at a different angle.  Keep in mind that it's not yet finished...still have a lot of work to do on it:

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//amphitheater_updated2.JPG align=baseline>

[aldara6166 109]

My god, this is just...well...truly AWESOME!  Is this your first BAT?  If so, you are a natural...   How much time do you spend on this thing...it definitely looks great!

I definitely like the idea of a SimRome project, similar to the SimMars one...what does everyone else think? 

 

Yes, no...or am I just crazy like my wife says?

[franky_83 8]

Thanks Aldara6166

This is my second BAT, actually...I've been playing Sim City for 2 months now...but have recently downloaded the BAT from Maxis about a month ago because I got tired of the boring old buildings that kept popping up in the game. 

 

Actually, I'm not a natural...although I haven't made many buildings yet, I am not new to gmax. I taught myself how to use it through modeling tutorials...i've been using it for like 6 months now...mostly making objects for the Sims 2...but I do like making buildings better...there are fewer steps in rendering.  Meaning fewer programs to use. 

 

I also like the idea of SimRome...sounds cool...the only thing with that is...I am by no means a good modder...I can only add jobs to a landmark...that's it...so someone else would have to do the modding and UI editing coz I suck at it.  If someone else is willing to do the modding, I am totally for the idea of SimRome. 

 

I do like your idea you mentioned earlier about taking music from the Roman games...if it's possible to do so...that would be really cool. 

 

And I doubt you're crazy, lol

[aldara6166 109]

franky_83,

First of all, the idea of using the music is no big deal.  You can add your own MP3's to the game, it is just a matter of copying them into one of the game folders and they will be played randomly.  This is only an idea, and the idea was from your inspiration, but here is what I thought about the idea of a SimRome.

 

First, as for your comment about only being able to do the buildings, that is no big deal.  There are always people out there that do things such as nighlighting, custum UI queries, rendering, etc. etc.  I figure, if there is enough support for the project, there will be people that can do these things that will volunteer to help out.

 

As for the music, I envisioned that the whole package (if and when released) would be in the form of an .EXE installer.  That way, we could back up certain original game files and place them in to some sort of backup directory.  This would include the in-game music from Maxis.  We could replace the in-game music, while still being able to restore the originals if the player wanted to get rid of SimRome.

 

These are just ideas.  I agree, there needs to be a leader.  Someone with the quality that can get the project going and keep it going.  I have too much RLS going on to take the main lead.  I also can't create BAT's (I tried once or twice and man...did they stink! )  I can go in to the other games and get screen shots.  I can also convert the music and get that together.  Guess I could be the Creative Director or sorts.

 

Like I said, these are just ideas and by no way solid.  I guess you could just say I'm rambling on at the mouth...my wife says that too...guess I'll shut up for now and let people chew on this for a while.

[lollipop guild leader 0]

Oh nice, I love these kind of old landmarks.

[scififan68 23]

A Roman type landmarks and I like those same type. Those other 2 pics. are cool!!!! GREAT JOB so far!!

[aldara6166 109]

Ok, so here is the big question...

If there were a SimRome expansion, would you:

A:  Support It

B:  Not Support It

C:  Download (And Then Decide)

 

I think it could be a really cool expansion, just like the SimMars project.

 

Oh, and I've already begun music conversions...I would attach it to this thread the first MP3 for use in the expansion pack (if it goes that far.) , but unfortunately the board won't allow it... 

[debussyman 1,349]

Wow, your BAT is really coming along well, but don't you think that the arena is a bit small compared to the teather?

[debussyman 1,349]

@ aldara6166


I don't think you should get so exited about this, it hasn't become a project, and as far I can see, doesn't look like it's going to be one soon, we'd better not get thinking about the way of distribution an the modding issues at this point, it would only give us disappointment.

Righ now, the most we can do is help with the current BAT, and give some ideas; if this grows enough (remember there's only one BAT being built and no projects of others) we could start thinking as a possible project. Of course, it depends on franky_83 and the atencion it attracts from modders and batters.

[SpartanBadger 4]

Your work is incredible, I can't wait to see more. It sounds like you have quite a list ahead of you, good luck!


Scififan, I can't understand what you say in your posts, I don't want to be rude but are you not a native english speaker?

[Cjah 15]

I would support simRome....

Just slip me a Hungarain BAT or two on the side and I'll download it and say I like it....J/k

 

But if you were going for a simItaly project I think you'd get much more support,but hey thats just me....

 

Anyway that BAT has so much effort and talent put into it and you say it may be ready by Friday?!?

 

That'd be so great!

[franky_83 8]

Thanks everyone for their support...

 

Okay...I've thought about this...it would take a whole lot of work...including batting...which I might have to do most or all of it...not that I mind that.  As far as batting...I can do all the nightlighting and rendering...I can do wonders with lights in gmax.

 

Although SimRome does sound like a nice idea...I do support it...but we'd all have to keep in mind that this project could take well over a year to complete...so nobody should get too excited yet.  I can bat pretty fast (given I have a day off from work and studies), so it would help there.  And then if this project were to become a reality...there would probably have to be a leader...someone bossy probably...which is not me...so count me out there. 

 

And like mentioned...if this project were to take off...we'd need to know if people would support it or not...i'd hate to be doing this project for nothing...but I do feel people would support it.

 

Aldara6166...thanx for starting the music conversions...I love Roman music...so it should sound cool.  Better than the in-game music. 

 

Debussyman...I know it looks really small but this is just one end of the arena...it's gonna be in the shape of an elipse...exactly like one i've seen in Italy when I was there on my high school trip.  It had many seats yet the arena was fairly small in ratio to the theater.

 

I do like how the project is coming along...but I'm dissatisfied with it...I still find it lacks something...but I can't figure out what that is.  Maybe coz it's not done yet...I still have to add statues and props.

 

If anyone has an idea about what kind of building should be batted next...i'd like to know...so I can start that after this sucker is finished. 

 

Actually an Italy set sounds cool too...it might be easier for the transportation that is...it would illiminate having to convert the cars to horses and carriages. 

 

 

 

 

[timo 15]

Date: 6/21/2005 5:56:08 PM Author: franky_83

I do like how the project is coming along...but I'm dissatisfied with it...I still find it lacks something...but I can't figure out what that is.

quote>

 

I have the same feeling... Your BAT is really great, but there's something strange about it.

 

Roman theaters are now only stone ruins, but at that time I guess they had also wooden parts (seats?...), as well as decorative stuff : flags, banners, sun umbrellas... Maybe it's missing colors and details...

 

I don't think it's an exact/accurate example of roman history, but did you see gladiator (or other roman films)?? Maybe you could get inspiration from it...

[franky_83 8]

That's the exact feeling I have too...as wood deteriorates alot faster than stone...this could be a reason...it's hard to find accurate examples or Roman designs...even from movies as they don't show everything...or in great detail...i still have to find out what the flags looked like, as well as their parasols etc. 

As far as styles...the columns are ionic style...as you can see from the screenshots.  Also many amphitheaters in ancient Rome were built of wood.  And I can't seem to find anything that would indicate how these looked like.  This is definitely strange...but I guess I'll have to make do with the info I got.  Also the colors...I used colors that the current buildings depict today...but they could have been painted or colored differently back then. 

 

However, I didn't plan on making this an exact replica of a building...but more of a blend of styles...taken from Rome, Pompeii, and Putuoli...as well as others.  I like all these cities but I guess if it were to be truly exactly Roman...the style should come right from Rome.  But even there styles have changed over time so there are numerous types of architecture there. 

 

Also I'm trying to keep the building from looking run-down and in ruins.  I know houses in Pompeii and numerous Roman cities had wooden frame roofs.  I'll have to watch Gladiator again to see examples of flags, banners, etc. 

 

So far i've had to rely on ruin pics and my imagination...which might not be accurate at all.  I guess nobody really knows exactly how things were back then...I mean it was 2000 years ago.  I guess I could be inventing a certain style...hehe. 

 

 

[timo 15]

I searched google for roman theatre and amphitheatre images, and had a few results... Maybe you'd find interesting pics, inspiration...

(sorry if this is a stupid suggestion cause you did it already!)

[franky_83 8]

I initially wanted a smaller arena...but realized that it wouldn't support enough room for the other stuff I want to place around it...so I decided to widen it....here it is so far:

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//screenshot1.JPG align=baseline>

[debussyman 1,349]

Great IMO it looks much better (and more realistic) than the smaller onw.

[franky_83 8]

I've got the basic shape of the BAT now.  Still got work to do but here's another update:

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//amphi.JPG align=baseline>

[rp2005 165]

That looks great - it will help give a great sense of history to people's European cities.  Do you know what size lot this will sit on?

 

[EricPoehlsen 0]

what will be its lot-size i would guess something between 8x8 and 10x10.

[franky_83 8]

By the BAT's current size, and guessing plus what i'm going to add to it...it will sit on a 10x10 lot.

[timo 15]

Nice pic, this preview of the entire thing looks much better... Is it a theatre or an arena?? I'm not a roman expert but it looks more like an arena.

Anyways, I think you have an exellent basis, now all you need is add decorative items... But as a stone building it looks perfect!

[franky_83 8]

I've run into a problem...to render an object this size would so tax my system...so I changed it around again...I know I always try different things...can't seem to make up my mind...but it will be more eliptical and definitely smaller...about 2/3 the size...still needs more work...which now I might not be able to release it until Sunday...I'll still try to get it done by Friday but it still needs a lot of work...currently i'm working on the Gate of Death...which will be on the east side of the arena.

 

...the BAT is still in the works but here's how I changed it:

 

https://www.simtropolis.com/idealbb/files//dd.JPG align=baseline>