View Full Version : Looking For Modders! Battle of Cuito Cuanavale Mod
Flangenimblick
26-01-2010, 01:49 PM
Ok, let me break this down quickly:
I'm doing a History thesis this year on the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cuito_Cuanavale) and, apart from the 10,000 word thesis I have to write, I also want to develop a mod that provides not only historical information for the player but also a bit of action.
If anyone has played HL2 with the developers commentary on, you would have seen that there are little commentary bubbles scattered about the game world, and clicking on them provides developer commentary (duh) while your still able to play the game.
Images:
http://pcmedia.gamespy.com/pc/image/article/704/704142/half-life-2-20060501053637276.jpg
http://blog.demodulated.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/ep1_citadel_040000.jpg
So, my intention is thus:
I want something similar for my mod based on Battle of Cuito Cuanavale. The reason I want to do a mod is because it's easier, less time consuming and serves my purpose nicely.
What I'm looking for is:
1) Some modders willing to assist. You will obviously get credited in my thesis and the mod itself. Also, if we need any specific software, the university might be willing to fork out some cash for it.
2) Advice on which game is easiest to mod. My idea was to use Far Cry 2, but I don't know if it's modable. Otherwise, HL2 / BF2 / COD, whichever is easier.
3) The intention is to make a short, playable mission(s) wherein the player is a SADF or UNITA soldier fighting against the opposing faction. Along the way, they can click on commentary bubbles that provide historical information about the battle or mission.
Any takers? Basically we'll have the year to do this. It doesn't have to be perfect, just playable.
dislekcia
26-01-2010, 03:42 PM
Interesting project! Is your university behind it or are you doing this on your own and then going to take it to them?
Regarding your points:
1. I don't know how many people you could find here to help, I'd imagine that you're going to need models and/or skins to make at least the soldiers involved look like their historical counterparts. Artists are thin on the ground here, ModDB might be more fruitful there... Coders to do scripting could come from here, I imagine that one or two of our school-age participants might see a way to make this a school project as well (hint hint).
2. Far Cry 2 sounds like it could work well, if you're looking at an outside battle scene. You'd already have the right sorts of models to create an african environment which would decrease your art needs dramatically! On the other hand, HL2's developer commentary bubbles are cool. You would need someone to write you something similar for FC2...
3. I would suggest first modeling the environment of the battle yourself in the FC2 map editor. That way you can prove to people that you're keen to work on this and that will pull people in to help you. Plus you'll have a really good feel for the structure of your missions and what you want to have happen in your mod, even if it ends up not getting any help and just being a flythrough of your map with sounds playing at the right time...
Flangenimblick
26-01-2010, 05:29 PM
Interesting project! Is your university behind it or are you doing this on your own and then going to take it to them?
Yup, university is backing me (or, at least my attending professor is). I'm told I can make it part of my thesis.
Regarding your points:
1. I don't know how many people you could find here to help, I'd imagine that you're going to need models and/or skins to make at least the soldiers involved look like their historical counterparts. Artists are thin on the ground here, ModDB might be more fruitful there... Coders to do scripting could come from here, I imagine that one or two of our school-age participants might see a way to make this a school project as well (hint hint).
2. Far Cry 2 sounds like it could work well, if you're looking at an outside battle scene. You'd already have the right sorts of models to create an african environment which would decrease your art needs dramatically! On the other hand, HL2's developer commentary bubbles are cool. You would need someone to write you something similar for FC2...
3. I would suggest first modeling the environment of the battle yourself in the FC2 map editor. That way you can prove to people that you're keen to work on this and that will pull people in to help you. Plus you'll have a really good feel for the structure of your missions and what you want to have happen in your mod, even if it ends up not getting any help and just being a flythrough of your map with sounds playing at the right time...
1. I'm just asking around in the hopes someone somewhere can assist me (much like you have right now! :) ) I'll take a look at ModDB then, and I'll ask around for artists examples as well if they're interested in the project. Indeed, if they wish to use this as a school project thingy, they are more than welcome :)
2.Yeah, I'm looking for the kind of landscape and sound etc that FC2 provides, I think it would make things easier. Worst comes to worst, I'm sure I can arrange some voice acting if we have to mod in another game. It depends, so I'll have to ask around and see what comes recommended. If need be, the info I need can simply be pre-filmed cut-scenes I can film in Grahamstown (the terrain is similar + we have a military base nearby) or scripted audio events.
3. Oooh, good idea. I'll get right on that!
Thanks!
PS, if anyone is interested in this project, please PM me or post in this thread, otherwise pass the info on to anyone you think would be interested.
Flangenimblick
26-01-2010, 09:40 PM
Is the Map Editor for FC2 part of the game, or must I download it?
FuzzYspo0N
28-01-2010, 01:29 PM
in order to use it, you must google it.
froogle
31-01-2010, 01:06 PM
Interesting idea.
Flangenimblick
22-02-2011, 04:51 PM
Sorry to rez this thread, but I thought I would let those of you who are interested know that I've completed my thesis on this topic.
Originally I was going to create the above game mod, but I couldn't find enough people with the time or expertise to assist me, so I made a documentary instead and it came out great!
So for those who are interested in some history, my thesis is here for you to check out. Hope you enjoy!
----------------------------
Forged in Flames:
The SADF experience of The Battles of Cuito Cuanavale
1987 -- 1988
Part 01: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fclRzi4E9TY
Part 02: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdO1EM3Fpso
Part 03: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsMmTDDUJYk
Thesis: http://www.scribd.com/doc/48564518/Forged-in-Flames
This is my History Honours Thesis & accompanying Video Documentary - 2010
It is on the experience of three ex-SADF soldiers who fought in the Battles of Cuito Cuanavale during the South African Border War.
For more info on this topic see:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_African_Border_War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cuito_Cuanavale
http://www.scribd.com/doc/48564518/Forged-in-Flames
I welcome any comments, questions or criticisms. Please email me at: eriksensa@yahoo.com or comment below.
This item will always be a work in progress as there are always aspects which can be improved upon and new information to include.
Fengol
23-02-2011, 10:46 AM
Very awesome to see a project completed! It's incredible that you managed to get footage of bush warfare (I've only seen the first video so far) is that specifically from the Battle of Cuito Cuanavale or a general Border War video?
Flangenimblick
23-02-2011, 12:27 PM
Surprisingly, M-Net had a lot of the old stock footage!
Some of the footage is general Border War and some is actual Cuito. There is one part where you see the Ratel driving over a bridge, that's Cuito, for example.
As a point, I still intend to make the mod project a reality one day, just need to get some interested peeps :)
The first video is about setting the scene, the second is of the deeds and the third is of the experiences. Each soldier telling their part. The third is the most hard-hitting though, he's still dealing with PTSD.
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