Braggi
Seigneur
Registration Date: 2006.09.23
Posts: 287
Location: B.C. Canada
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 Development Plan (Updated on 29 09 2008) |
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This post is to give an outline of how the development of the current
incarnation of High Rock will proceed. Note that, as the mod gains
momentum and different areas are tackled, this announcement will be
updated.
The province’s previous modding attempt failed for a number of reasons.
Aside from having two of the core team pulled away due events beyond
their control, the mod itself was not as organized and well-planned as
it could have been. The old structure had strengths along with a number
of weaknesses. With the re-launch of the project, we are applying the
primary rule we learned in sifting through the original project,
namely:
Keep the project organized!
With that said, we have the following design goals to meet, and we
intend to do just that. As with any project, the development plan will
be edited and appended to as it becomes obvious we need to do so.
Each of the first three items given below is of equal and ongoing
importance. With the exception of the height map, we can use any and
all input you are willing to give, in order to get the mod rolling
again.
1. Generate a New Height Map.
The original height map created by Gyssar was an excellent piece of
work in terms of landscape shape and terrain sculpting. However, it had
some serious flaws, which we discovered in the planning and
organization period before the mod’s re-launch. These include:
- The Ilessian Hills are in the wrong place
- The peninsula containing Daggerfall, and Camlorn needs to be wider
- Betony Isle needs to be added (the original HR team had intended to
release Betony as a separate “prequel mod” with its own worldspace –
this has since changed, but we are keeping and integrating the previous
modding work that went into it)
- The Kurallian Mountains around Shornhelm are too shallow, forming a large number of plateaus
- The Bjoulsae River needs some serious work
- Balfiera Ilse and its island chain need to be redone for accuracy
- The eastern edge of the map near Farrun and Jehanna does not cover enough area
- Not enough room was allowed for LOD cells on the edge of the map bordering Skyrim
- Finally, the original map was generated without provision for
riverbeds, roads, too few lakes and no flatter areas added for cities,
towns and settlements.
The new height map will correct the above defects and add in the new
ideas in order to speed up the mod’s development and make development
easier overall. When is this due? A.S.A.P! Gyssar is developing the new
height map as this is typed. We have the original 4 quads x 4 quads map
(with LOD already generated) to use as a prototype to allow modding to
commence in the mean time.
A final note: When the new height map is ready to put into an
ESM for the CS, there may be a slowdown in posting activity by Braggi
and Gyssar. Do not worry about this – it has been allowed for in the
planning we have done! We will need to prep the map for use (E.G.,
fixing terrain flaws, generating LOD, defining and setting up regions).
Development will NOT stop here in the meantime however – we will
continue to offer and approve claims for those who want to tackle them.)
Update on 13 09 2008:
I have it from Gyssar that the new height map is approaching 2/3
completion. We will hopefully have more to post (including possibly
some visuals) in the next 7 to 10 days. Watch this space!
Update on 22 09 2008:
Gyssar is currently using a beta program to do the height map design
work. So we do have progress - we just need to do things by the book. A
quote directly from our busy height mapper extraordinaire:
"...Concerning the HM. I'm slightly hesitant to put up any visual
content on that because the program still hasn't been released. I have
contacted the creator of the program and he said that the release will
happen in a matter of days. He's just ironing out some interface issues
and getting an account set up for transactions. I'll buy the program
and then start posting info about the HM, as I don't want to offend the
author."
2. Get The Lore Correct
High Rock is one of the more heavily developed provinces in Tamriel,
through previous TES games, second only Morrowind and Cyrodiil in fact.
However, because of a number of changes, both dues to engine
differences and game events introduced after TES2 Daggerfall, we have a
few Lore issues and conflicts that need to be cleared up. The places
most affected by this type of thing are Daggerfall, Wayrest, Orsinium,
Camlorn, the Ilessan Hills, the Ykalon Forest and the Ilse of Balfiera
and Betony.
We also need to track down, organize and finalize any and all obscure
Lore references for the eastern half of the province, especially for
the areas around Shornhelm, Northpoint, Evermore, Farrun, Jehanna, the
Crypt of Hearts, the central and eastern Wrothgarian Mountains, the
Reach lands and the High Rock/Skyrim border.
Update on 23 08 2008:
A good deal of the Lore has been consolidated into a time line for the
province spanning the period of the Merethic Era to the current in-game
date. This can now be found as a sticky in the Lore Disussions forum. We have also seen major contributions from both the team members and the BC modders to get the Lore on track.
Update on 29 09 2008:
The High Rock city-states are open for Lore development and concept
work now. Currently we have the following open to any interested
developers/modders:
1. Farrun
2. Evermore (We have a good deal of previous development available to be added on to for this location.)
3. Camlorn
4. Northpoint
As for the other cities, Lore development for them is currently being headed up as follows:
1. Daggerfall - Gyssar
2. Wayrest - Tabber42
3. Orisnium - Deeza
4. Shornhelm - The Old Ye Bard
5. Jehanna - Braggi
If you want to contribute drop by here and join in! Contributions are welcome, both in cities that are currently not being developed and those which are.
3. Get Claims Started Now!
We have a number of items in several areas that can be claimed right
now. These are posted in the claims section of the board - browse
through and see what interests you. In many cases, items under
development are derived from existing resources/mods. When this is the
case, a link to item for development will be included in the claim
posting.
Update on 23 08 2008:
The basic claims system is undergoing refinement and should be ready to
use soon. The main issue remaining to address is settling up the
directory structure for files created in the CS.
Update on 27 08 2008
In preparation for getting the claims section launched we have added a
sticky listing the various resources that we have access to for the
mod. We will be adding the links and locations where the resource items
can be found as we get closer to being ready to start offering claims
for modding.
Update on 13 09 2008:
We have settled a major point in the Claims area. Further updates will
be coming in the next 5 to 7 days. Thanks for the patience!
Update on 22 09 2008
The basic directory structure for the Claims area is now posted. If you
have constructive criticism to add to it, please post it to the Tavern
area in the Officialle Suggestion Threadde.
Update on 28 09 2008
The Claims section has opened
for preparatory items. At this point we have one claim to start. More
will be forthcoming. we also have areas where concept art is needed,
specifically for the Orsinium city layout and any smaller towns or
settlements. See the appropriate threads in the Visual Discussions forums.
As we move along through developing the province, we will be adding to
this announcement regularly. Thanks for your patience as we get things
going!
This post has been edited 14 time(s), it was last edited by Braggi: 2008.10.04 07:17.
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