With the end of this schoolyear, I've found myself in a well of free time and possibilities. This means that development of Clones of War will continue again. And coincidentally, I am taking a year off from my studies so I can build on my portfolio, this means that nothing can stop the development of the mod now for the next twelve months!
We've decided that its high-time for a release. With that in mind, I want to elaborate on the development plan for Clones of War, which we will be following closely to get a playable and fun multiplayer release out as quickly as the skills and free time of the team will allow. Last summer, I showcased several vehicle models in quick succession in what I referred to as 'The Modelling Blitz'. Looking back at the old alpha footage on Youtube, I realise that nothing can really whet someone's appetite for Clone Wars carnage than a moving, intense, explosion and laser-filled video of real ingame footage. Models and renders are nice, but seeing the stuff in action is of course always better!
Over 80 new vehicles have been planned for the final release, but that's a long way in a glorious Star Wars-filled future. So far, I model everything from buildings, vehicles and soldiers myself so you understand that the first release will not have nearly as many vehicles as the final release. Several fundamental gameplay changes have been planned which will change the entire dynamic of combat in Men of War and bring the entire thing closer to the depiction of arms and warfare in the movies. What these changes are, you'll have to discover yourself in the impending beta release ;)
So the current state of development and the development plan is as follows. There is no build at this moment. The old alpha build from the Youtube video is obsolete as it was mostly ment for experimentation of new features and the look and feel of the mod. For that reason, its also very messy. Its already removed quite a bit from the vision I have for the final release. The modelling blitz of last summer produced enough high-quality vehicle models (even a few that I have not shown yet) that I can safely say that we have enough vehicle models to provide for a fun, interesting multiplayer environment. All that is lacking is the infantry, the basis of Men of War. Therefore, the infantry is our next focus. All infantry models have gone through another remodel. Except this time using official model references from ILM, which were very, very, very, very hard to find. But the results show, as I would like to present the first model of the B2 Super Battle Droid, which I modelled and textured last week.
Basically, when the infantry models are done, it will not be hard to implement the new gameplay features. When the gameplay features are implemented and working, we will focus on getting the finished vehicle models in-game and setting them up properly. When that is done, we will begin a period of closed beta-testing to forge a balance between the units that will stay faithful to the movies and provide a balanced multiplayer environment. In the meantime, buildings and level props need to be designed and produced, which will take alot of effort. If we feel confident that we can provide you with a feature-full release that will not disappoint, you will have your first beta release. When this is, I cannot tell, but I currently expect it will at least be within the next nine months.
As some of you may have noticed, Recon11 has joined the development team and will help me in various ways, as will kirivolution, a concept artist. Here is one of the pieces he did for the mod, which elaborates on the look of the capital of the planet of Massana, the mod's main setting. Stay tuned for more!
I hope this update has instilled some insight in what to expect in the coming months. I am anxious to continue posting progress updates!
A question: As a Star Wars (and probably Men of War) fan, what would you value more? A fleshed-out single-player experience with tons of varied missions and a compelling fan-written story that tries to expand on the movies? Or an engaging, competitive multiplayer experience with plenty of interesting and detailed maps? We'd like to hear your thoughts on this, as your opinion will help to shape future production.
And finally, May the Force be with you.
Since I'm absolutely awful at competitive strategy games (RTTs like Men of War especially) I'd prefer single player personally. Either way, this mod is set for greatness.
Editor is all we singleplayer people need. :D
Also, that drawing reminded me of Umbara.
id love for this to finish into multiplayer :D it be great
It Won't Since The Gamespy Shutdown.
**** Gamespy, LAN is all we need! :D
I can't imagine the game devs would just abandon the Men of War multiplayer community, so you probably have nothing to worry... I think..
we think...
Always glad to see an update from your team, in my opinion an SP experience is vastly superior to MP in terms of variety, both in missions and content. Really allows you to make full use of the setting.
This is awesome, i prefer solo play than MP
Single Player definitely
Single Player, my only interest in multiplayer is to Co-op these missions anyway.
This was an amazing update its been a long time but glad your committed to your mod.
As for the question I would highly recommend single player. You could even make the missions like MOW:AS with less scripting if need be. There is just no one or very few playing multi these days.
The future of the mod sounds really promising!
I'd prefer the first release to focus on MP. Not because I play much of MP, but because it's easier to create than a SP campaign or missions complex enough to be worth playing more than once.
I'd hate to see this mod follow the example of the other SW mod which even three years ago it had enough content for a release but as it focuses on SP, the author won't release anything until he finishes the missions. Which is a shame because I could have done my own scenarios in the editor and keep being interested in the mod all this time.
You make a very valid point!
Honestly even though I love my single player more than multiplayer some times make the best multiplayer possible put all your work into that then after words make the best single player possible and last I checked you said the campaign will be the perspective of the 342 clone legion don't make it only about them also evolve the other well known clone legions like the 501 and put them in their own campaigns 342 as the first worked on then 501 second and so on and don't only evolve this one system for the 342 just have it as the first chapter of there campaign but if possible make the first chapter 8 hours long or longer then make the second just as long and so on also I know I'm asking a lot but I want this to be amazing and also maybe just maybe you could make your own indie game of this on a later date after this is the best mod it can be