Thursday, January 27, 2011

Updates and Sikh Mod

Hi guys, yes, I could have blogged more but didn't feel motivated enough. I have been working on several paintings, both historical and fantastical one. (I actually started many more pieces but some were lost due hard drive failure. I have been much more careful about backing up my work since then.) I also started laying out some ideas for future games I might do. One of my dreams is to create some video games of my own, with characters that are designed by me, with Sikh characters, and so I regularly remember that dream and design characters and gameplay around it.

As I was in the process of doing this, I felt very motivated to work on a mod that I have been involved in. I started this back in 2009 when I felt like I had nothing to do. I always feel like that for some reason, even though I have a lot on my plate... it's full! When I first announced it, I made a new friend in the process and he got me started. I did not know squat about programming so I left that job to him. I would take care of the art, while he (enjoys math) would take care of the programming. He was actually thinking of a similar mod, and so was very quick to join me. With Sarbloh Warriors down, I saw this filling its spot.

We planned to mod the Sikh Empire for Age of Empires 3. Age of Empires is a real time strategy game where you choose one of many civilizations and take on the other civilizations in battle. The Age of Empires series is one of my favs and so this was very exciting.
Its second expansion has India already but a modern India. It has one Sikh unit to begin with, Chakram, a hoop thrower. That's right its main attack, it's only attack is to throw a Chakar (and to hit someone with it if they come close). Ridiculous, I thought to my self. The game was awesome, and Chakram was even cooler but it did not feel right when I played it. Udasi, a sub-civilization can train Chakram, a Nihang... a Nihang who does not use swords... you get the point...

So this winter, feeling very motivated, I got back to that mod, got back to playing Chakram, got back to altering the game files so that I could train more than 23 Chakrams! This winter, I took a deep breath and thought "This is it! If I can't give this guy swords..." I never finished the sentence, I don't think negative. "I can give this guy swords!" I thought positive and it paid off, Nihang was born. Though, this was just a Chakram with a sword. I later went back and 'modded' meaning modified the textures to make them look different.

This was a new step for me and I realized how easy programming this game was. Well, this was not REAL programming. This was modifying existing code (computer language that is translated into the game), well-written, easy to understand code.
So the next week, I was found living on my computer, except for maybe sleeping and bathroom breaks. I really got into it! I managed to create several units (the playable soldiers of a civilization) before that friend and I got back and shared code. (I still have to work with what he has already done, which was most units of the Sikh Empire). As an immediate reaction to his input, I started creating Maratha, Mughal and Afghan units. All of a sudden a rush in my energy levels and motivation made me very confident. I decided we will split the Indian civilization into Afghans, Marathas, Mughals and Sikhs. More units, more playing styles and more research that needs to be done... It is only now that I realize how big of a task it is to create even one civilization let alone four! However difficult it might be, my plan is to finish at least two. I am hoping we get a few other like-minded people to help us. If this ever gets finished it will be the coolest mod ever! Right now I am back at university and getting back to studying science but hopefully I will come back to the mod this summer.

Here's a screenshot of the mod, of Sikhs and Mughals in action. Click on it to see the full image. (We can only modify existing units, so I cannot make the different turbans more accurate than this)

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

yooo this looks amazing, is it finished yet ?

Bhagat Singh Bedi said...

There is a lot more to go once we have completed the units, we are half way through this stage.

We want to not only have new units but also their upgrades and textures that reflect those upgrades. Further we want to implement a civilization that has those units and upgrades, along with shipment cards that the player can send to receive the effect of the card. This times 4 for Afghans, Sikhs, Mughals and Marathas. So quite a bit to do still.

Spread the word.

Anonymous said...

i admire your work and the speed you complete it with

t90_india said...

Wow,thats awesome what you are doing,please do let me know i f i could be of any help??(t90_india@yahoo.com)

Bhagat Singh Bedi said...

Sure, you can be of help. But first purchase Age of Empires with its two expansions, and get yourself familiarized with the game.

Anonymous said...

I have the game and the two expansions
just want to know if i can help in any way
am not to familiar with modding
but i was wondering if you could use the udasi buildings as sikh ones

Bhagat Singh Bedi said...

Yeah I think it's possible. But since, they are never built in game, they are just there, they will have no animations... you know when the villagers build them. They don't have any flags either.
I think we are just going to work with buildings that do have build animations but we'll see. We're open to new possibilities. There might be a way to get other build animations to work with Udasi civ, perhaps a similar-sized building... at this point it's already beyond my capacity. I will have to get more experience before I tackle something like that.

There are modding tutorials available here: http://aoe3.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forums/display.cgi?action=t&fn=14&f=14,,0,10

The tutorials should get you started on the programming aspect of things.
Try to make this unit afterwards: "Qumanchi - Body of rajput, Bow of Tupi Blackood Archer, knife of XP Spy"
It's also one of the units I will be making eventually but see if you can make it after you read and try out some programming. Creating a unit should be pretty easy. Learning to program will allow you to create the base skeleton for a civilization. The technical aspects of it. Connecting "bone with sword", literally.

The other aspect of the mod is the visual aspect, the programming only provides the skeleton. It's up to the artist to flesh out the world that the player sees. Rendering the skin on the bone to look like a hand. How is your art?

t90_india said...

I am a hardcore gamer i have all the AOE collection with me,including their last one the asian dynasties....

Bhagat Singh Bedi said...

Sure T90 india, if you want to help or if anyone else wants to help just look at my response to anonymous.

A.Singh said...

ive just seen it
and i have to say this is one of the best things i have ever seen ... is it ready ?

Bhagat Singh Bedi said...

It will be ready when it is. There is a lot to be done. Read my first response to this post.

sher singh said...

is this project still going on or has it been abandoned ?
because this really looks amazing

taranjeet bakshi said...

Hi Bhagat,

I have visited your website by chance and became a huge fan of your work. I shall certainly try to make your work more popular within our community.

Long Live Khalsa!

Bhagat Singh Bedi said...

Awesome! Keep it up.

Anonymous said...

its been a while since you wrote about this ... have you given up on it :(

Bhagat Singh Bedi said...

Nah man. Still working on it. Though my partner is picking up the pace since I am now back in school.

soorma said...

have you given up on this project now :/
or are you still continuing it

Bhagat Singh Bedi said...

Working on it from time to time. Will do some updates on the mod this Christmas.