Note: Feedback on the specific plans is welcome - To keep improving aspects of the game. The following is an estimation. Since the project isn't a financially sponsored or paid endevour, we have no strict deadline. The patch will not be a rushed product and the necessary time will be taken to fix issues and thoroughly test balance changes. Delays are possible and may take as long as a month. EXPECTED RELEASE DATE: This is meant as a patch for Age of Wonders-Shadow Magic. The aim is wide acceptance by the AoW-community. It can be seen as a modest mix of Magog's 100 units mod and Kris Lighthawk's mod. These changes are intended to become your default (if you want). When a certain amount of information is gathered, the plans will be made public. If feedback from the community is very negative, I will abort the project. We are at this point now... I have no idea how much time this process will take, but I estimate that [This message has been edited by swolte (edited 11-23-2005 @ 03:46 PM).]
- To keep the game interesting and dynamic on a competitive level.
- To dramatically improve the possibilities for mapmakers and modders.
- To enhance community involvement.
Balance changes will be modest and strongly in line with the standard version. Consequences for all types of play will be taken into account (Online, pbem and against the AI) and are aimed at promoting unit diversity and the use of creative strategies.
Balance changes to fix under- and overpowered units/races. Unit abilities may also be adapted, and expanded (entangle strike, gas breath, extra strike, longbow archery, etc).
Remove spells that do not work and tweak over- and underpowered spells.
Implement small changes to upgrades and make the classes play more distinctive (like giving warriors more hp, most existing mods have addressed this). Increase their role on the battlefield.
Change the effects of structures that do not work (archon special building) and tweak any over- and underpowered city buildings or rewards. Rebalancing shrines and their rewards and making the item-forge more competitive, for example.
This does not mean the addition of new units to the standard game, but the replacement of some of the current monks and priest by graphics that suit the race better. These are the units created by the monastery. For example, this means that a dwarven priest will look like a dwarf and have mountaineering.
These are maps that will come with the patch. They will show some of the new editor features that will otherwise not be available when playing the game.
Recolored units or those composed of in game graphics seem most suitable. Only the very best will be picked. Criteria would be that they must have a professional authentic look.
A lot of images are taken from the Age of Wonders series! Age of Wonders1 provides a nice source. Screenshots from the movies of all three series will be used as well!
This will mean the addition of new terraintiles and recruitment structures, like iglo's or inns. We will also have new Healing Houses, dungeons, income structures and ruins to explore!
This will mean the:
- refinement and elaboration of existing descriptions for abilities/spells and structure.
- The making of unit descriptions for the extra units.
- The translations into different languages.
Members will be picked in future.
This is an ongoing phase, but we must make sure that what we plan is possible and feasible to do. It should also be legal in terms of copyrights. The consequences for existing games and Mods should be very clear as well.
Small teams of experienced fans, developers and staff will start working on the changes. In the meantime, threads will be started where people can provide us with ideas for tweaks, additions and changes!
Suggestions will all be taken into account, but in the end, the team has the final say. People will be asked for help if it is needed during the process.
I will ask a few people (volunteers?) to test out the patch. Look for installation problems, balance issues, unforeseen bugs, etc..
Then the unofficial patch 1.4 will be released. It will come with a document listing all the changes!
Get the unofficial Patch v1.4. here!
My best AoW-Sm map: Drums of Death (This is the multiplayer version; for single player, or AI use different version)
Other proud AoW-sm maps: The Key of Kharzul, The Fight for Light, Waikiti Island, Goldrush Mountains
My proud AoW2 maps:The River Arne
Coordinator of the v1.4 and v1.5 patchteams, Seraph of AoWHeaven, PBEM Singles Champion 2008