Scythian Wonder: Royal Kurgan

[Thalatta]

@Genava55 the point obviously is, as noted before, how something looks when it's freshly built. I mentioned the Colossus because it's a Wonder that came to mind that changed quite fast, thus the distinction between earthquakes and grass is quite irrelevant considering what the actual point is. And no, it was not "completely destroyed", it remained in the ground for centuries, still in its way a wonder, in words of Pliny the Elder: "even as it lies, it excites our wonder and admiration". But if earthquakes distract you so much, then another example more aligned to the grass issue: should the Statue of Liberty (assuming a game reaching the modern age) be built with the green patina already on it? Might look familiar, but it's inaccurate, which has been the point all along.

Now, another issue is, is the Wonder some generic kurgan? Because yes, some had pebbles, others not, so maybe it should be decided first which kurgan in particular should be represented (the largest?), and if it never had pebbles to begin with then there's not much discussion to be had, I think. Personally I might have gone for the mausoleum of Skilurus (which seems more unique).

[wowgetoffyourcellphone]

41 minutes ago, Thalatta said:

Personally I might have gone for the mausoleum of Skilurus (which seems more unique).

Mmm... A structure which inspires little wonder, honestly. 

[Genava55]

5 hours ago, Thalatta said:

But if earthquakes distract you so much, then another example more aligned to the grass issue: should the Statue of Liberty (assuming a game reaching the modern age) be built with the green patina already on it? Might look familiar, but it's inaccurate, which has been the point all along.

This is indeed a better example and a good question/remark.

Just adding food for thought, the Gallic Wonder based on the Sanctuary of Corent is not clean and fresh:

So maybe it is a general issue in how 0 A.D. portrays the ancient civilizations.

[Thalatta]

6 hours ago, wowgetoffyourcellphone said:

Mmm... A structure which inspires little wonder, honestly. 

Yeah, but in my opinion a Wonder should ideally be a particular structure, which should be the name of the Wonder, instead of a generic "Kurgan" (if regarded as more inspiring, which I can see why). This also would guide better how it should look like.

 

1 hour ago, Genava55 said:

Just adding food for thought, the Gallic Wonder based on the Sanctuary of Corent is not clean and fresh

And should be. For sure it was maintained (which I doubt for kurgans, mainly after a few years). These damaged versions I'd leave for the future for, well, damaged buildings.

[Genava55]

1 hour ago, Thalatta said:

Yeah, but in my opinion a Wonder should ideally be a particular structure, which should be the name of the Wonder, instead of a generic "Kurgan" (if regarded as more inspiring, which I can see why). This also would guide better how it should look like.

The only issue with Neapolis is that it is a very Hellenized town. There are some similar situations with the Saka (Eastern Scythians), notably Chirik-Rabat, a fortified town with Chorasmian architecture. 

[Grautvornix]

Should we provide multiple models of Kurgans and have a random selection which one to build and show? Or provide the user with options?  Or build a fresh one (with bpepples and let it "decay" over time of game into a grass covered kurgan?

I don't know....

[wowgetoffyourcellphone]

6 hours ago, Grautvornix said:

Should we provide multiple models of Kurgans and have a random selection which one to build and show? Or provide the user with options?  Or build a fresh one (with bpepples and let it "decay" over time of game into a grass covered kurgan?

I don't know....

I like having multiple actor variations for the Royal Kurgan. Good idea. 

 

14 hours ago, Thalatta said:

Yeah, but in my opinion a Wonder should ideally be a particular structure, which should be the name of the Wonder, instead of a generic "Kurgan" (if regarded as more inspiring, which I can see why). This also would guide better how it should look like.

Ideally, I would agree with you. But I think with some civilizations, cultures, factions, that it's more difficult to pick a specific structure (see: Cimbri). So, picking a type of structure is okay, in my mind, especially if it's one of that culture's iconic structures. Kurgans definitely fit that bill! I like @Grautvornix's suggestion of having multiple actor variations. 

[Thalatta]

1 minute ago, wowgetoffyourcellphone said:

with some civilizations, cultures, factions, that it's more difficult to pick a specific structure

Yes, that's totally understandable.

Regarding the "multiple actor variations", does that mean one chooses, or could it be that the mound evolves from pebbles to grass with time? That would be nice if possible.

[wowgetoffyourcellphone]

Just now, Thalatta said:

Regarding the "multiple actor variations", does that mean one chooses, or could it be that the mound evolves from pebbles to grass with time? That would be nice if possible.

I would love to have such a feature in the game for multiple things, such as wheat fields. But for now, what I mean is that we can have different variations of the structure so that it will look different sometimes when you build one (like how there are helmet variations).