13-07-2001 04:55									#1
	Mod: Alpha Centauri: Aftermath Help yourself to an AD-FREE life

Hello, everyone. I'm a new user and long time Civ2 and SMAC player. Enough introductions.
A while ago I began to modify Alpha Centauri with the intention of making a mod. Last time I checked, no source code was available, but the possibility of simply modifying the .txt and graphic files to create a "pseudo-mod" became intriguing. A week ago, I resumed work on this project.
Dubbing it "Alpha Centauri: Aftermath", I began work on the faction files it would require. I wrote the plot, which dealt with the destruction of the original factions and the progenitors at the hands of anarchists and a... new... type of human race. 12 pages of plot later, I had most of the initial circumstances worked out, though not all the mid-game plot nor all the concepts.
In any event, I began to wonder what kind of reaction there would be to this "mod", and looked online for what remained of the SMAC community. I was dismayed to note that the official message boards were down (I had not visited them for a couple of years) but was delighted to see that this fantastic board was functional and very much alive. So my question is this: How much interest is there in these types of projects? Does anyone care? Has anyone attempted anything of the like? I notice a few faction files here and there, but nothing resembling the magnitude of what I'm attempting to do. To give you an idea, here is what I hope to include in the release:

- 8 unique, interesting new factions, complete with ALL NEW graphics including portraits, structure, and logos, and a new "alien" race
- A fully functional single player game with some new rule changes, a new plot, new graphics/powers for the mindworms, plus new endings, scripts, etc.
- Modifications to the existing governments
- At least one new special ability
- Several new technologies
- Maybe new secret projects
- Two new scenarios detailing the fall of the old factions, and the rise of the new

And that's that. The most difficult thing has been the plot and all the text files required for that, but none of the rest, while simple, has been anything less than very arduous. Which is why I want to know if anyone will care before I go ahead and finish it. So please respond if you are interested, have suggestions, know about anything like this done before, etc. If I find there is sufficient interest, I will not only finish it, but release information about the factions and storyline here, and churn out a quick web page so people can get detailed information about the project as well as be informed about the progress. So if there is any interest, please let me know on this board, or at aeschylusii@cs.com

	13-07-2001 08:27									#2
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization III: Complete

Aye! there's interest for sure. I too have been pleasantly surprised at how lively the Apolyton community has been. Unfortunately a lot of the tweaking-editing-mod discussion goes on over in the strategy threads, and it's kinda hard to find the kernals of ideas with so many great posts over there

There is one full Mod that I know of, and that is SNAC, by Shining1. I've only heard about it and havn't been able to track it down yet. I don't think it has altered graphics, but what do I know?

At any rate, I just posted a thread about...well you'll see. I'm interested and I know a lot of others would be too. I could name 10-20 posting members here that'd jump on it. Just look over at the threads about WW Smac in the strategy threads. Go for it!

One question: How have you been modifying the graphics? I've looked at them a bit and they seem in that odd game-format that is horizontally smushed. I'm no artist, but I had the idea to import pics in to substitute, but seeing as the format is unusual it's beyond me.

Another question: Have you successfully made a user technology? I've not tried yet, nor SP's, and wonder often about that. I have an interest in stretching out the techtree and doubling the available SP's.

Here's my vote for your project:

-Smack

Last edited by Avenoct on 15-07-2001 at 07:35

	13-07-2001 14:51									#3
	Support Apolyton, buy Civilization: The Boardgame

Great idea. Sounds even better than AX. Seems more like a sequel than a mod (they said AX was halfway, but it only seems like that about the first 3 times you play it).

	13-07-2001 21:36									#4
	Support Apolyton, buy GURPS/ Alpha Centauri

i like the idea, but are you sure it's possible to do all the things you mentioned. I hope it's possible and you continue working on the mod.

	14-07-2001 00:39									#5
	Increase the size of your Attachments

C'est fantastique!

Are you sure that you can make your own secret project? You need your own movie file or it. I know that you CAN make your own facilities, but they would either not do anything OR you can set maintendance -2 or something so they can generate energy!!!

Smack - for modifying graphics there is a GREAT tutorial about them on the Networknode Site, look under tutorials at http://networknode.topcities.com - I even posted a couple of my own factions there!

BTW Conquerer Worm, how do you put 8 factions in a standard game?

	14-07-2001 07:56									#6
	Inflate your Upload Space

Cybergod,

The Net node site hung for me but will try again later, sounds promising! If I fail to get to the site, maybe you could email the factiontext to me?

Concubine Worm (couldn't resist), I'm going to email you to see if I can get you to unlurk! If you do have info about modifying SP's, well that changes everything.

As to the 8 factions..they could be included and loaded as desired. It's an easy way to sub in your own factions for a game.

-Smack

	15-07-2001 07:39									#7
	Full PM-box? Change here!

Just wanted to say I got into the Network Node, all I needed was Flash for my browser...it's an awesome site! hehe..I found your factions there Cybergod...good stuffs.

-Smack