Sigma W.I.P. Screenshots

[Undying_Nephalim]

When Sigma first started I had never modeled before, and had no idea how to model. As such I had acquired another modeler who started with the V.R.A. and Zevestivan factions. Seeing as I'd like to use Sigma in my portfolio, I figure it would be wise to cycle out all his models for my own. Naturally I'll start with the V.R.A. Here's a comparission between the original Owl Missile Cruiser model (left) and the new one made by me (right). It's a little closer to my original vision of the ship, though I kept some elements from the old modeler's design:

Spoiler: Owl Missile Cruiser Comparison

 

[Zelph]

Love it, looks great man!

 

[Majestic]

Looking great, personally I was never a huge fan of the VRA's models, however your new one is much improved.

I'm curious what's the poly count of the two models?

 

[Undying_Nephalim]

Looking great, personally I was never a huge fan of the VRA's models, however your new one is much improved.

I'm curious what's the poly count of the two models?

The old model is 2698 polys, the new one 3088... just a wee bit more then the old one.

 

[Majestic]

Well worth it me thinks!

 

[Adm_Z]

Haha, wow. And I thought the original ones were good.:Y I can not wait to see the rest. Nobody will even be able to tell it ever was STA2.

 

[Undying_Nephalim]

A first look at the 7th race:

Spoiler: 7th Race

 

[Walternate]

Oooh, very cool and organic. Reminds me of something I can't quite put my finger on...

But is it a ship or a station?

 

[Undying_Nephalim]

Oooh, very cool and organic. Reminds me of something I can't quite put my finger on...

But is it a ship or a station?

This would be a ship so to speak, it's their basic worker/harvester unit.

This on the other hand would be one of their bases:

Spoiler: 7th Race Base

I've been playing Empire of the Ants a lot lately and I really want this race in particular to feel a lot like the ant hives from that game. Rather then just a handful of constructors building things they'll have hundreds of tiny workers zipping about gathering resources and repairing damage to the base. I believe I figured out a way to make it so mining ships automatically head to the nearest moon when they spawn too so while this race will obviously be heavily focused in economy most of it will be automated.

 

[Adm_Z]

Awesome, these are gonna be some of your best, I'm sure.

 

[Majestic]

Very skilled work and design. Top stuff TUN.

 

[Walternate]

This would be a ship so to speak, it's their basic worker/harvester unit.

This on the other hand would be one of their bases:

Spoiler: 7th Race Base

I've been playing Empire of the Ants a lot lately and I really want this race in particular to feel a lot like the ant hives from that game. Rather then just a handful of constructors building things they'll have hundreds of tiny workers zipping about gathering resources and repairing damage to the base. I believe I figured out a way to make it so mining ships automatically head to the nearest moon when they spawn too so while this race will obviously be heavily focused in economy most of it will be automated.

That's a really awesome idea - I love how Sigma's races are all unique.

And that station design, oh man... :Y

 

[Dan1025]

:Y I'm liking this race already! Fantastic designs!

 

[Undying_Nephalim]

A sneak peek of the 7th race in action (including new features such as automated miners):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNpR_1VDRvI

On a side note... where did the photo albums on MSFC go off to? I can't seem to find them since the update. Also will the youtube feature be coming back or not?

 

[Terra_Inc]

Also will the youtube feature be coming back or not?

It already is. [video] tags help.

[video=youtube;MNpR_1VDRvI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNpR_1VDRvI[/video]

 

[CABAL]

You can still get to the photo albums through the user profile page, but that whole bar is on the left now instead of the right.

 

[Starfox1701]

very interesting man

 

[Majestic]

On a side note... where did the photo albums on MSFC go off to? I can't seem to find them since the update. Also will the youtube feature be coming back or not?

You can still get to the photo albums through the user profile page, but that whole bar is on the left now instead of the right.

In the community drop down menu on the lower navbar, known as the navbit in vBulletin code is where you can access the albums, plus the memberlist and a few other options. I highly recommend that you go exploring as there is a lot of new features, and more on their way probably mid to late next week.

It already is. [video] tags help.

[video=youtube;MNpR_1VDRvI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNpR_1VDRvI[/video]

Yes, the video tags are now the old youtube ones. There is also a button in the post window/editor the has a popup window like the link and list ones.
The video button in the editor is in Middle row, 4th from the right.

 

[Undying_Nephalim]

Ahh there we go... don't know how I missed the albums as the first place I suspected them to be in was the user section. I actually tried the video tag (it actually automatically replaced the youtube ones when I clicked preview) but for some reason it was not working. I'm liking the new features of the website now that those are working.

Anywho, more VRA redo renders:

Spoiler: V.R.A. Utility Ships

These are the Utility ships (The Constructor, Miner, Support ship, and Scout Ship).

 

[thunderfoot]

Oh wow! Just when I thought this could not get any better, you go and make it better. You, Sir, are a bloody genius!

 

[Majestic]

Ahh there we go... don't know how I missed the albums as the first place I suspected them to be in was the user section. I actually tried the video tag (it actually automatically replaced the youtube ones when I clicked preview) but for some reason it was not working. I'm liking the new features of the website now that those are working.

Well it it doesn't work again let me know and I'll certainty look into it. I have have much to do.

Oh wow! Just when I thought this could not get any better, you go and make it better. You, Sir, are a bloody genius!

He wrote it and meant it! And I read it and agreed with it!

 

[Undying_Nephalim]

After long last the Intro Cinematic is done!

[video=youtube;Mkz8d0jUq_0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mkz8d0jUq_0[/video]

 

[Hellkite]

impressive to save the lest

 

[Majestic]

Um wow, this is amazing, I so what your clone now even more.

But in all seriousness you have dome some real quality work with this intro.

 

[Dan1025]

:Y I've said it before, and I'll say it again:

Most. Professional. Mod. EVER

I am blown away by the quality of that intro, I'd so buy this if I came across it in a shop. Amazing work

 

[CABAL]

Excellent work on the intro! The camera work in particular was very nice.

 

[Terra_Inc]

Would buy.

 

[Adm_Z]

Indeed, I think this would be an extremely marketable game if it were stand alone.

The ONLY critique I have is when the young alien shakes hands with the human, her eyes are kinda dead. They don't appear that she is looking at the human. A little movement might help, or blinking , or at least alter their direction so that she is looking at the other being. Just a minor critique. The humans hand is kinda firm and flat too, but I can imagine how difficult a shaking hands scene could be to render, so I wouldn't say that is more than me nitpicking.

Great work TUN, certainly rep worthy.

 

[Undying_Nephalim]

Long time no see.

Thankfully I'm not dead and have not been idle, though I've been quiet on Sigma stuff. I feel now is a good time to say the VRA redo is almost done. here's some of the new features that will be included with them, as well as some screenshots:

1) New Models: Every VRA model has been redone by me with more detail and better textures.
2) Redone weaponry: VRA flak cannons have received a major overhaul. They now fire dozens of rounds per second and unleash giant streams of fire. Think Battlestar Galactica.
3) Goodbye Complex Refit system: I nuked the complicated refit system. The VRA now can build whatever ship they want once they have purchased the blueprints for the design.
4) Defensive Orientated: All VRA bases are now armed with batteries of flak cannons, and most have missile launchers as well.
5) Green is good: The VRA have taken on a more eerie green color scheme, which was the original intent before previous modelers decided blue would fit them better.
6) LOD's: I just discovered that LOD's work in Armada, and my lack of LOD's was the reason the game lagged so badly compared to FO. This applies to all races and not just the VRA, every texture now has variable resolutions for LODs to reduce lag.

Spoiler: The VRA's new look

Spoiler: Flak Cannons tenfold....

Spoiler: Masses of Flak Cannons can tear down even large ships

Spoiler: VRA bases are all fully armed, making every station a defensive turret

Spoiler: A VRA base can quickly fill with fireworks when under attack

 

[Zelph]

Things look awesome dude, loving the new look for the ships/stations. And the increased armament on the stations. VRA are my favorite race to play as, so I'm looking forward to getting to play around haha.