I already made a thread on this topic, but it was more than a little sloppy and I have new ideas so I figured it would be better to make a new one rather than editing or cluttering up the old one with seperate posts.
For those who didn't catch the previous thread or wanted/needed a refresher I suggested a system regarding unit sprites that utilizes more than one line of models, instead branching due to certain choices. While likely impractical or impossible to implement (maybe even in future games, though one can hope), it's still an interesting concept to put forth.
Nations would start with a baseline model, like the ones they use now. These would represent that particular nation during the course of history as we know it (or in the case of non-European nations it would reflect their garb prior to European influence) and would also reflect the ethnicity of the nation by retaining the appearance of the actual person (a Han nation would always have a Chinese man wearing the outfit for example). Over time however certain inputs would prompt particular changes to them, seperate from the technology based alterations we see now. Some examples:
Westernization/Foreign Influence - This was the original prompt for this idea. A good number of nations end up throwing out their tradtional garb in exchange for Western uniforms (usually at the level 3 mark). My suggestion is that during the Westernization process (or in the case of Monastic Orders it would apply to the decision to change their government type) the player recieve an event detailing the dilemma of what culture to embrace, with the choices being:
1) Adopt Western Uniforms. This would change the original model into one utilizing whatever your nation's equivalent of western garb is. Ayutthaya's level 3/4 sprite is a good example of what that would look like.
2) Retain Traditional Culture. This would keep the traditional model fitting with their culture. The Buddhist Unit Pack is a good example of this. In the case of Monastic Orders (or should the Irish nations be changed to be more Gaelic or a Highlander one be added) they would be more in line with their origins, retaining armor and heraldry instead of becoming Line Infantry (or kilts and whatnot for the Celts [I have no idea what Irish soldiers looked like so bear with me if that's too sterotypical]).
This could also apply to the influence of non-European nations as well. Primitives would also be given the option to adopt Eastern dress as well, should someone from Asia begin to colonize the Americas or Sub-Saharan Africa (I figure that by this era the Europeans or Muslims would be too entrenched in their own culture to adopt somebody else's, though perhaps it could apply to them too under certain circumstances)
Religion - Certain religions mandate certain attire, and thus a similar option should be given. Nations that convert to Islam or a Dharmic religion would be given a decision to have their army reflect the choice and adopt turbans. Certain theocracies would have their units change entirely should you so wish;
* Catholic theocracies would be given the option to become Monastic Orders, adopting a knightly appearance.
* Buddhist or Shinto theocracies could adopt the appearance of the warrior-monks of the respective religion.
Ideas - Different Idea Groups could also dictate further the appearance of your units. Some nations would largely be exempt from this category of changes (Prussia or Nepal being prime examples, with their troop types large defined by their National Ideas)
* Quality would (obviously) use equipment of elite units. Westernized nations would don the equipment of Grenadiers or applicable special forces units, with cavalry appearing as lancers or cuirassers (or whatever the elite cavalry would be, I'm more of an infantry guy). Traditional nations would take a similar approach, with heavier or more elite units being represented.
* Quantity would also as obviously use cheaper units. Westernized nations would field Line Infantry. Traditional nations would use peasants or conscripts (Japan using Ashigaru for example).
* Aristocratic would primarily only affect Traditional nations with a strong history of warrior aristocrats. Traditional Monastic Orders would utilize their knightly regalia, while Japan would retain the traditions of the Samurai and similarly continue to fight in armor. Other nations could potentially use the model of a general instead of a soldier to reflect the emphasis placed on leadership and nobility.
* Offensive/Defensive I'm not actually sure about. It's been suggested that one of them use light infantry models and skirmisher cavalry, but I don't know for sure. I'll give it some more though (and suggestions are always welcome).
Region - Historically almost every nation has altered uniforms to fit the climate, so it would only make sense for them to do so here as well. Overseas territory would alter uniforms based on region
* Middle Eastern/Persian regions would cause units to adopt face-wraps or the like, much in the way that the British and the Crusaders did during their times in the area.
* African regions could cause units to adopt slightly lighter armor (I don't know a whole lot about the time around the Scramble for Africa so I don't know how much uniforms changed).
* American regions would continue to cause soldiers to adopt a more adventure-y theme, with things like packs and torn clothing (really this would just be an extension of what they already do, and just apply it to the other nations). This could potentially be applied to all overseas areas as well, though it may be best restricted to the Americas due to the abundance of open territory.
* Units recruited in regions of other cultures would reflect their native culture to a degree. Were Britain to recruit regiments in India then they would get auxiliary units of Indian ethnicities rather than standard Redcoats for example.
Unit Type - It always struck me as odd that the primary unit you chose had absolutely no bearing on what model you had. It would be nice if it did (possibly each unit available effected what the base model looks like). It could also be the basis for when the model advances to the next level (it was also a bit off-putting to get arquebus technology, but still use halberds).
If I can think of more ideas I'll add them here (or if anybody has any good ideas I may add those as well). I'm interested to hear your thoughts or feedback.
For those who didn't catch the previous thread or wanted/needed a refresher I suggested a system regarding unit sprites that utilizes more than one line of models, instead branching due to certain choices. While likely impractical or impossible to implement (maybe even in future games, though one can hope), it's still an interesting concept to put forth.
Nations would start with a baseline model, like the ones they use now. These would represent that particular nation during the course of history as we know it (or in the case of non-European nations it would reflect their garb prior to European influence) and would also reflect the ethnicity of the nation by retaining the appearance of the actual person (a Han nation would always have a Chinese man wearing the outfit for example). Over time however certain inputs would prompt particular changes to them, seperate from the technology based alterations we see now. Some examples:
Westernization/Foreign Influence - This was the original prompt for this idea. A good number of nations end up throwing out their tradtional garb in exchange for Western uniforms (usually at the level 3 mark). My suggestion is that during the Westernization process (or in the case of Monastic Orders it would apply to the decision to change their government type) the player recieve an event detailing the dilemma of what culture to embrace, with the choices being:
1) Adopt Western Uniforms. This would change the original model into one utilizing whatever your nation's equivalent of western garb is. Ayutthaya's level 3/4 sprite is a good example of what that would look like.
2) Retain Traditional Culture. This would keep the traditional model fitting with their culture. The Buddhist Unit Pack is a good example of this. In the case of Monastic Orders (or should the Irish nations be changed to be more Gaelic or a Highlander one be added) they would be more in line with their origins, retaining armor and heraldry instead of becoming Line Infantry (or kilts and whatnot for the Celts [I have no idea what Irish soldiers looked like so bear with me if that's too sterotypical]).
This could also apply to the influence of non-European nations as well. Primitives would also be given the option to adopt Eastern dress as well, should someone from Asia begin to colonize the Americas or Sub-Saharan Africa (I figure that by this era the Europeans or Muslims would be too entrenched in their own culture to adopt somebody else's, though perhaps it could apply to them too under certain circumstances)
Religion - Certain religions mandate certain attire, and thus a similar option should be given. Nations that convert to Islam or a Dharmic religion would be given a decision to have their army reflect the choice and adopt turbans. Certain theocracies would have their units change entirely should you so wish;
* Catholic theocracies would be given the option to become Monastic Orders, adopting a knightly appearance.
* Buddhist or Shinto theocracies could adopt the appearance of the warrior-monks of the respective religion.
Ideas - Different Idea Groups could also dictate further the appearance of your units. Some nations would largely be exempt from this category of changes (Prussia or Nepal being prime examples, with their troop types large defined by their National Ideas)
* Quality would (obviously) use equipment of elite units. Westernized nations would don the equipment of Grenadiers or applicable special forces units, with cavalry appearing as lancers or cuirassers (or whatever the elite cavalry would be, I'm more of an infantry guy). Traditional nations would take a similar approach, with heavier or more elite units being represented.
* Quantity would also as obviously use cheaper units. Westernized nations would field Line Infantry. Traditional nations would use peasants or conscripts (Japan using Ashigaru for example).
* Aristocratic would primarily only affect Traditional nations with a strong history of warrior aristocrats. Traditional Monastic Orders would utilize their knightly regalia, while Japan would retain the traditions of the Samurai and similarly continue to fight in armor. Other nations could potentially use the model of a general instead of a soldier to reflect the emphasis placed on leadership and nobility.
* Offensive/Defensive I'm not actually sure about. It's been suggested that one of them use light infantry models and skirmisher cavalry, but I don't know for sure. I'll give it some more though (and suggestions are always welcome).
Region - Historically almost every nation has altered uniforms to fit the climate, so it would only make sense for them to do so here as well. Overseas territory would alter uniforms based on region
* Middle Eastern/Persian regions would cause units to adopt face-wraps or the like, much in the way that the British and the Crusaders did during their times in the area.
* African regions could cause units to adopt slightly lighter armor (I don't know a whole lot about the time around the Scramble for Africa so I don't know how much uniforms changed).
* American regions would continue to cause soldiers to adopt a more adventure-y theme, with things like packs and torn clothing (really this would just be an extension of what they already do, and just apply it to the other nations). This could potentially be applied to all overseas areas as well, though it may be best restricted to the Americas due to the abundance of open territory.
* Units recruited in regions of other cultures would reflect their native culture to a degree. Were Britain to recruit regiments in India then they would get auxiliary units of Indian ethnicities rather than standard Redcoats for example.
Unit Type - It always struck me as odd that the primary unit you chose had absolutely no bearing on what model you had. It would be nice if it did (possibly each unit available effected what the base model looks like). It could also be the basis for when the model advances to the next level (it was also a bit off-putting to get arquebus technology, but still use halberds).
If I can think of more ideas I'll add them here (or if anybody has any good ideas I may add those as well). I'm interested to hear your thoughts or feedback.
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