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Zophim

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Posts posted by Zophim

  2. ===[Eyecandy]== Crucifixes

    in Eyecandy, custom projects and misc.

    Posted

    This type of 0 A.D. structure had actually already crossed my mind recently.

    My opinion is that the crux commissa variation, the one shaped like a capital T (also called a Tau cross, after the Greek letter), should be the one featured in the scenario editor, since from what I've read, the most common, practical, and efficient type of Roman cross (and hence the type that Christ was probably crucified on) was the crux commissa.

    Here are some helpful links:

    http://www.bible.ca/d-history-archeology-crucifixion-cross.htm

    http://www.frugalsites.net/jesus/crucifixion.htm

    http://www.keyway.ca/htm2005/20050326.htm

    http://timenolonger.wordpress.com/tag/crux-commissa/

    • Like 1

  6. Civ: Assyrians

    in Aristeia

    Posted

    Possible civ emblems: Winged Bull and Star of Shamash

    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/Human_headed_winged_bull_facing.jpg

    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/Shamash-sun-symbol.svg

    Map of the Assyrian empire:

    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Map_of_Assyria.png

    Here I have a preliminary rough outline of the Assyrian civ profile.

    ASSYRIAN CIVILISATION PROFILE (preliminary)

    by Zophim

    Timeframe: Neo-Assyrian Empire, c. 900-605 B.C.

    Possible civ emblems:
    Star of Shamash or Winged Bull

    UNITS

    INFANTRY
    Shieldbearer (w/ spear)
    Archer
    Slinger
    (not sure about other classes yet)

    CAVALRY
    Cavalry Archer
    Cavalry Lancer
    Chariot (can upgrade from 2 to 4 horses)

    SUPPORT
    Assyrian Woman
    Priest
    Merchant (Camel)

    NAVY
    Fishing Boat
    Merchant Ship
    Light Warship
    Medium Warship

    SIEGE
    Siege Ram (basically the Persian unit: Assyrian Siege Ram)
    Siege Tower

    CHAMPIONS
    Royal Bodyguard Cavalry (spear)
    Infantry Guardsman (spear)

    HEROES (possible choices from these six leading rulers)
    Ashurnasirpal II
    Shalmaneser III
    Tiglath-Pileser III (definitely!)
    Sargon II
    Sennacherib
    Ashurbanipal

    FORBIDDEN CLASSES
    (possibly some forbidden infantry classes)
    Cavalry Swordsman
    Cavalry Javelinist
    Bolt Shooter
    Ballista
    Heavy Warship

    CIV CENTRE UNITS
    Shieldbearer
    Archer
    Cavalry Lancer


    STRUCTURES

    VILLAGE

    TOWN

    CITY
    Fortress

    SPECIAL STRUCTURES
    Cavalry Stables
    Assyrian Palace
    Wonder: Temple of Nabu

    CIV BONUSES

    TECHNOLOGIES

    SPECIAL TECHNOLOGIES

    • Like 2

  7. Suggestions for 0 A.D.

    in Gameplay Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Zophim

    I have some suggestions; I don't know whether or not some of them may have already been kicked around, but anyway, here goes:

    1. Enable each hero to be trained only once - in real life people can't normally be "resurrected", and players would be compelled to use their hero judiciously if they knew he wasn't expendable.

    2. Enable trade with both allied AND neutral players - again, true to life; I don't believe a player should have to be outright allies with another player in order to enjoy economic benefits; if a player is operating as "isolationist" in a particular game I think he should have the freedom to engage in trade with other civs without the obligation of military aid that an alliance would entail. Perhaps being allies with a player could grant someone a trade bonus, but I'd prefer not to bar non-allies from trading altogether.

    3. Grant siege towers and rams decreased speed but much greater armor - As things stand now, the siege tower acts as a mobile "offense" tower super-weapon, discharging arrows while scooting around the battlefield, and it can move almost as quickly as some infantry units (slightly unbelievable, to say the least). Rams, on the other hand, are too easily defeated by arrows. Basically, I'd like the rams to move a little slower than their present rate of speed, the siege towers somewhat slower, and I'd like the rams to have much more armor, and the siege towers somewhat more than at present.

    4. Grant archers and slingers increased range - These units' maximum shooting ranges are almost within the LOS of some enemy melee troops; I feel that ranged units should be given a greater effective distance to give them a better chance of getting some hits in before being rushed by enemy infantry.

    5. Speaking of archers - when several or more archers are in proximity to one another, their tendency (at least in my experience) is to all volley fire together at ONE target among many, a vastly ineffective way of damaging an enemy formation when time is of the essence. Is there a way to stop this behavior? I think it would be better if each archer aims at the nearest available enemy within his own range (or the nearest enemy that he is "bonused" against, if that has been implemented yet).

    6. Add a human figure to the Persian camel trader model (like the way the Gallic and Briton donkey traders are portrayed) - Camel units without at least one human in front for guidance/leadership/direction look odd. Perhaps the following idea isn't practical any time soon, but what if after training, say, 5 camel units from the Persian market, they had to be placed in a group via the Ctrl key to enable trading capabilities, at which point the 5-unit caravan would go into a single file formation, and a human figure would be generated at the front of the line alongside the foremost camel.

  10. Nubian Archer in Ptolemaic Army

    in General Discussion

    Posted · Edited by Zophim

    Mega Mania, for what it's worth, I found this bit from your second reference link, Army and Society in Ptolemaic Egypt, footnote 140, p. 96: http://books.google.com/books?id=F7TZxzZzbMUC&pg=PA96&lpg=PA96&dq=vandorpe+pathyris+nubia&source=bl&ots=wzs2wwHBFg&sig=w3WJqMqtbQWJSx3SGE9ER71jrg0&hl=en&sa=X&ei=-zC2UtCgPPTW2wWej4CAAw&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=vandorpe%20pathyris%20nubia&f=false

    I just thought I'd throw that out there; I'm not saying the info is definitely conclusive either way.

  12. (Bronze Age) Civ: Hebrews/ Israelites

    in Aristeia

    Posted

    Here is my first semi-complete United Monarchy Israel civ profile. I have uploaded the document to public Google docs, or you can simply view the document attachment below the Google docs link.

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1URgrmwd3qH0bNVgw0WrFLQovnC0iZIo7gh5m0f9GMLc/edit

    UnitedMonarchyIsrael.doc

    Like I said, it is far from finished, but one should at least get a somewhat clear idea of how the faction would work. Regarding the Hebrew names, I do not claim to be an expert linguist, so in case someone more qualified has input regarding names or spelling, feel free to comment.

    • Like 2

  14. (Bronze Age) Civ: Hebrews/ Israelites

    in Aristeia

    Posted

    i think: the scientists sayd "The Hebrews need some units under the walls, digging, we gan put that the units "disappear", and the walls lose health!

    Interesting idea; perhaps in the future certain factions could have the ability to use tunnelers/sappers in some way.

    I think that the "juedean slingers" need some bonuses, beaceuse "in the slingers world", was of the better forces in the world, as to the balearic slinger!, this units is the "champion slinger" of Ptolomeaic empire!, fight without protection, only a helmet, and for the faction, because the famous legend of the fail of cananean walls with only pay we can put a technology of "celt

    style", the healrs increase the armour!think that the hebrew facion must hace a slinger bonus!, as to the balearic slingers, was powerful!

    One of the United Monarchy champion units should be a slinger of the Benjamite tribe (Benjamite slingers are mentioned at least twice in the Old Testament as being very skilled.) Normal Judahite slingers will be available as basic civ centre and barracks units.

    the hebrews and the celts "gauls, britons and germanics" have a strong myth that the "god(s)" aid in the battle, and i think that this facions should hace a bonus with the healers, +2 armor is good

    and the judean slingers was of the most powerful slingers on the mediterranean!!, i think that the hebrew facion must hace a slinger bonus!, as to the balearic slingers, was powerful!

    I believe that Jehovah did indeed, at times, aid his people the Israelites against their enemies in battle, but I do not believe divine aid should play a factor in the game. This type of supernatural phenomenon occurred relatively infrequently in Israel's history, and I am very uncomfortable with the idea of “summoning” divine aid, even in a game, as though God were at our beck and call.

    i have a quiestion?

    on the tabernacle i can train healers??

    Yes, the Tabernacle (and Temple) should be able to train healers: Priests of Jehovah. In the Old Testament, one of the many offices of a Levitical priest was to serve as the “health inspector/physician”, if you will, of people's various ailments and diseases, giving prescriptions and remedies for them.

    i think that lost the temple should don't be suicide for faction, but converts the faction "unplayable" weak, expensive and unarmored units, expensive and weak structures, or at leat put as wonder as this wonder is obligatory for victory "mantain the style but avoiding polemics"

    So, in other words, building this wonder would be a condition for victory in some game modes?

    In fact!!, is a mithology, It has something indeed, but or the facts are exaggerated, or mystified, for which is prohibitive to use it, my must look for archaeological sources

    On the contrary, I think that the worst one could say about the Bible as a historical sourcebook is that many parts of it have not (yet!) been corroborrated by extra-Biblical sources such as contemporary accounts from other nations and peoples. However, up through the present day, the Bible continues to be confirmed by science and history, in a multitude of fields. Therefore, I believe it is an authentic primary source for a historical game researcher to use.

    i have a simple solution put the singoge as "civ centre", and the salomon temple as wonder,this structures have an aura that protects the strucure during 5 minutes of continue attack, after of the 5 minutes "of surrive" ........ or heal units as a temple for aid to surrive the strucures,

    The synagogue is actually a mostly New Testament-era structure, with its use becoming rather widespread by the first century B.C. It was basically the center of Jewish town or village's religious and cultural life (a civic centre!), but it is rather late for a Late Bronze Age timeframe. The civ centre I had in mind would basically be a “house of meeting”, but not called a “synagogue,” per se. As far as the wonder goes, I had already planned to use Solomon's temple for that purpose (but it should probably be rather difficult to destroy).

    With that point made, what about in the next part of 0 A.D. with pristine cathedrals being demolished. Christians will be outraged! (there may be a certain amount of sarcasm to the last sentence) Seriously, the temple was destroyed in history. How could having the possibility of destroying a currently nonexistent structure offend Jews that much? One could infer that since you do not include the miraculous deeds of Yahweh during the time of Moses, Joshua, and other Israelites, that would be completely heretical. I understand the concern over frustrating people, but I think that the problem is being taken a bit too seriously.

    I personally do not think that the destruction of a religious temple (or church, or mosque, or monastery, or any other place of meditation/worship/veneration) should be overly offensive to most people in the game-playing community. 0 A.D., by its very nature, involves massive amounts of simulated death and destruction. People out there who are offended about temple destruction also are probably squeamish about the “total war” concepts of annihilation and devastation (although, as a player, I would prefer to negotiate a peace settlement with my would-be foes before we come to blows). In that case, I think they would probably be happier not playing this type of historical conquest game to begin with.

    I have quistions:

    * How we implemente "miracles"?

    * There is some other religions "mauryans budhism, celts, equivalent to neopaganism" that means give to all factions "miracles"

    * that kills the style of 0AD, about that the historical presition?

    * if a miracle is "send planes during 15 seconds" "as hedgewars' napalm" all factions needs it "and that kills the historical presition too"

    Regarding the implementation of miracles: It is true that Israel, as God's chosen nation, at times experienced deliverance and/or victory via supernatural occurrences such as the plagues of Egypt, the parting of the Red Sea, the collapse of the Jericho walls, the hailstones striking the Canaanites, the thunder against the Philistines, etc.. But most of the time, deliverance occurred through the “mundane” or “everday” actions of a few individuals used by God to lead their people to victory using often unorthodox, but almost always very human methods of warfare: ambushes, stealth, trickery, negotiation, etc.. I am definitely against having miracles readily available in one's game arsenal; the Lord God is not a man that we should “use” him to perform acts of deliverance for us, and I don't think that these types of super-advantages should be available in a game, as they would be an incorrect portrayal of the nature of supernatural assistance. If God intervenes divinely on our behalf, it is to get glory unto himself, not because we randomly decided to avail ourselves of a “Jehovah cheat code”. So, for example, as Israelites, we shouldn't be able to call down hailstones on an attacking army in 0 A.D. I intend to treat the Israelite faction, and all others for that matter, from an almost purely human standpoint.

    • Like 1

  17. (Bronze Age) Civ: Hebrews/ Israelites

    in Aristeia

    Posted · Edited by Zophim

    Actually they have mastered chariotry during the time of King David, then why do they need mercenaries from Egypt and Canaan?

    In the chariot unit names, I meant "Egyptian" and "Canaanite" in the sense of the Achaemenid Persians having "Babylonian" scythed chariots: "Babylonian" as in the manufacturing, style, and/or usage origin, not as in the personnel makeup. Sorry if the names are a bit misleading; I wanted a concise way to differentiate the two kinds of chariots.

    Some time ago I had a single problem what is the wonder of Israelites that I can destroy in a videogame.?

    I like Thorfinn's idea from earlier this year:

    Actually, the Israelites did construct temples. For reference, read 1 Samuel's first chapters. The tabernacle can be a sort of wonder built in the village phase which is mobile and can later be upgraded to Solomon's temple.

    Except I would introduce the mobile Tabernacle in town phase. The player would have the option of either building the Tabernacle in town phase and upgrading to the Temple in city phase, or else holding off until city phase to build the Temple, at which point the Tabernacle would become unavailable.

    • Like 1

  18. (Bronze Age) Civ: Hebrews/ Israelites

    in Aristeia

    Posted · Edited by Zophim

    Update: For now, I am working on the design document for the United Monarchy Israelites, spanning the eighty-odd years of David and Solomon's reigns (10th century BC).

    Here is a map of David's kingdom from Wikimedia Commons, found at http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Davids-kingdom.jpg. It is a CC BY 2.0 licensed image, uploaded by Electionworld, from an original upload by Amoruso, derived from an image courtesy of Rusty Russell < rusty (at) wanned.net > from Rusty, Bible History Online, Oct. 30, 2006.

    Davids-kingdom.jpg

    Here is a map of Solomon's kingdom, found at http://www.preceptaustin.org/KingdomSolomon.jpg, courtesy of Penn State.

    KingdomSolomon.jpg

    I have decided on the pomegranate as the best Israelite symbol to use in the civ emblem. The pomegranate is fairly prominent in the Hebrew Old Testament, and incorporated artistically into both the Temple of Solomon and the priestly garments. Its rich symbolism in that era makes it, I think, a prime candidate for depiction on the civ emblem.

    Here are some supporting sources:

    http://www.israelstudies.umd.edu/AboutOurLogo.html

    11992-12626-1-PB.pdf

    The PDF file is from https://ojs.lib.byu.edu/spc/index.php/StudiaAntiqua/article/view/11992/11932

    Here is a link to an image of an ivory pomegranate, one which was possibly used in Solomon's temple.

    http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/69/Ivory_Pomegranate_Inscription_%283%29.jpg

    Here are the units I envision (details and sources are planned for later posts):

    Citizen Infantry

    Gadite Swordsman

    Judahite Spearman (CC unit)

    Zebulunite Skirmisher

    Benjamite Archer

    Judahite Slinger (CC unit)

    Citizen Cavalry

    Manassite Horseman (CC unit, javelin)

    Support Units

    Israelite Woman

    Priest of Yahweh (morale/attack booster)

    Son of the Prophets (healer)

    Merchant (donkey with cart)

    Maritime/Naval

    Fishing Boat

    Phoenician Merchantman

    Phoenician Light Warship

    Siege

    Battering Ram (simple, team-wielded)

    Champion Units

    Benjamite Slinger

    Philistine Mercenary Swordsman

    Israelite Mighty Man (spear)

    Canaanite Heavy Chariot (javelin)

    Egyptian Light Chariot (bow)

    Heroes

    David son of Jesse

    Benaiah son of Jehoiada

    Solomon son of David

    • Like 1

  20. Civ: Phoenicians

    in Aristeia

    Posted · Edited by Zophim

    A good Phoenician hero unit I can think of would be King Hiram I of Tyre, a 10th century B.C. contemporary of Kings David and Solomon.

    "Founded at the start of the third millenium B.C., Tyre originally consisted of a mainland settlement and a modest island city that lay a short distance off shore. But it was not until the first millenium B.C. that the city experienced its golden age. In the 10th century B.C. Hiram, King of Tyre, joined two islets by landfill. Later he extended the city further by reclaiming a considerable land area from the sea."

    http://www.middleeast.com/tyre.htm

    "Hiram, also called Huram, or Ahiram, Phoenician king of Tyre (reigned 969-936 BC) who appears in the Bible as an ally of the Israelite kings David and Solomon.

    "Hiram maintained friendly relations with Israel, supplying Solomon with men and materials for the construction of the Temple at Jerusalem and cooperating with him in Mediterranean and Red Sea trading voyages. Solomon gave him tribute and Galilean territory in return."

    http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/266762/Hiram

    sphere.gif King Hiram and King David

    King Hiram (also called HURAM, or HIRAM, Phoenician King of Tyre) (reigned 969-936 BC), appears in the Bible as an ally of the Israelite kings David and Solomon.

    The Biblical account of a growing friendship between King Hiram of Tyre and the Kings of Israel was an introductory phase for a more important events which included military alliances and cooperation not only during King David's time but also during the reign of King Solomon.


    ". David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 9. So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. 10. And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him. 11. And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. 12. And David perceived that the LORD had established him king over Israel, and that he had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel's sake."3

    King Hiram's enemies were the Philistines, who kept the Tyrians and Sidonians from prospering on the sea. They were King David's first enimies. The latter, by training the Israelite infantry, especially the bowmen, he proved more than a match for Philistine and other foes who employed horses and chariots. In addition, King Hiram made common cause with King David, forming a land and sea alliance that endured into Solomon's reign. Solomon, accordingly, inherited a considerable empire, along with a Phoenician ally of prime importance for naval and merchant-marine operations.

    sphere.gif
    sphere.gif King Hiram and King Solomon

    Hiram maintained friendly relations with Israel, supplying King Solomon (Hebrew SHLOMO (fl. mid-10th century BC), son and successor of David and traditionally regarded as the greatest king of Israel, with men and materials for the construction of the Temple at Jerusalem and cooperating with him in Mediterranean and Red Sea trading voyages. The Temple was the crowning achievement of Solomon's vast building program his capital, Jerusalem. Solomon turned to skilled Phoenician builders, who helped cut and assemble stone and wood for the Temple at Jerusalem (1 Kings 5). Today the best examples of Phoenician sacred architecture are the temple of Astarte at Kition, the sanctuary at Eshmun, and a small shrine at Zaraphath. Phoenicians often constructed stone walls with vertical piers of ashlar blocks laid in an alternating pattern of header and stretcher. The area between the piers was filled with irregular field stones.

    In return Solomon sent grain and olive oil to Hiram king of Tyre, and even Galilean territory was given to him (1 Kings 5), although it was not to his liking.

    The Biblical account of building the Temple:

    "I Kings 5:

    1. And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.

    2. And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,

    3. Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.

    4. But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

    5. And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.

    6. Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.

    7. And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.

    8. And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.

    9. My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.

    10. So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.

    11. And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.

    12. And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.

    13. And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.

    14. And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.

    15. And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;

    16. Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.

    17. And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.

    18. And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house."
    4

    Sources:

    1. The Politics of Aristotle, trans. Benjamin Jowett (Colonial Press, 1900), pp. 49-51.
    2. Aristotle on the Carthaginian State, The Politics Of Aristotle, J.E.C. Welldon, tr. (New York: Macmillan, 1893), bk. 2, ch. 11
    3. II Samuel 5: 4
    4. I Kings 5

    http://phoenicia.org/govern.html

    • Like 1

  21. 25 towers limit

    in Game Modification

    Posted

    Is there a way to place only wall towers, one by one, in 0AD ? Or do you need to build a wall and then destroy the curtain walls' underpinnings ?

    As far as I know, it is not possible to build lone wall towers in the main game. However... you CAN build double wall towers in the game, by first placing one tower, then extending its wall just enough so that a second tower emerges beside the first. At that point, you can left-click to lay the foundation. Double towers are probably much better anyway (mutual fire support and all that).

  22. (Bronze Age) Civ: Hebrews/ Israelites

    in Aristeia

    Posted · Edited by Zophim

    Just as a heads up, I've already begun the planning stages of the Israelite design document(s). Over the following weeks/months, as I have time, I intend to start putting out further info. If I may say so, I have a fair amount of knowledge of the ancient Hebrews and their history, and, as a Christian, I have read the Holy Scriptures a good deal. I've been tentatively thinking that we might ought to divide the Israelite civilization into three different periods: the Conquest and the Judges, the United Monarchy, and the Divided Kingdom of Israel and Judah (similar to how Empires Ascendant is planning to depict the Ptolemies and Seleucids along with their parent Macedonian civ). At some point further down the road, we could decide whether to depict just one, two, or all three of these proposed Hebrew phases. Also, I will need to further investigate other contributors' Bronze Age design docs in order to aid in deciding what hero units to include vs. theirs, civ balance issues, etc.

    I am excited to help bring the ancient Hebrews to the game.

  24. (Bronze Age) Civ: Hebrews/ Israelites

    in Aristeia

    Posted

    Another good resource I found recently at my school library is the book Ancient Israel: Its Life and Institutions by Roland de Vaux. The book is part of the Biblical Resource Series, and I am finding it to be an excellent source of information for depicting the Hebrew civilization.

    • Like 1
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