Paint Schemes

[ATC 1982]

After listening to Iron Agenda's Podcast EP 51 last night. I woke up thinking this morning about personalized paint schemes in this video game. Even though I am not working on the game and help with the forums or other stuff.

I look at Forza 2 and what it did for custom creations in the game of cars. Really some of those cars take hours of layering work to make. I am not saying for us to put decals on the minatures, but a way to paint them.

Maybe this has all ready been thought of, but if you had the option to repaint your Army would you do it instead of using the default? So what are your thoughts on this game having a customization on just paint schemes?

[saultydog]

Einherjar brought this up to Scott at Gen Con. He probably has more to add.

[Einherjar]

My thought was to do something like create 2-3 "zones" on each warjack which could have their color changed. A zone might consist of something like thigh pads, shoulder pads, and forearms all at once so changing one changes them all. Best example is probably to look at some of the Protectorate warjacks in on the Privateer Press home page in their gallery. You could choose to replace the white areas and/or the red areas with other colors, but you couldn't just go placing colors wherever you want on the model. Not that it's impossible with the technology, but limiting color customization to predefined areas would be an easeir interface on players.

Another option would be to just use the various color schemes in the Privateer Press books. IE Cygnar could have the default color or Fort Faulk. Protectorate could do standard or Umber Guard. More schemes could potentially be released as DLC as well.

If this weren't possible in the game I'd be happy using stock schemes but if I could customize things I would.

[GcFlash]

If they did add in the option to customise anything in the game I am sure we would all do it!

But I would not worry about it if I could not.

My thought had been that they could take the standard and varient options out of the books and that would be enough for me.

But yes I would love to be able to customise my battle group!

[Randall]

a way to costumizing battlegroups (or anything similar in other videogames)is always good, but specially in Warmachine could be awesome, if only to add variety to the online battles mode (it could be a custom mode only for the online, if custom-colored warjacks complicate the single player experience)

[Skyydragonn]

There are a lot of games that have done customization of massive hulking machince very well in the past. (think armored core and Front mission 4)

When it comes to WARMACHINE however, we all know the fanbase is going to be VERY picky on exactly how much customization is too little / too much.

My opinion on this would be to break the jack down into areas and then subdivide those areas into 2 or 3 changeable areas for example a Khadorian heavy would be broken down like so.

Torso
Main torso color /highlight color
Secondary Torso color / highlight color
Detail color/ highlight color

Arms
Main arm color /high light
Secondary color /highlight
Detail color /highlight

For the metal parts Limit it to two colors with a slider for darkness/light values and I think we'd be in a really good spot for customization, without drowing the poor developers.
Add to this the ability to add "decals" as insiginia's on select locations on warjacks and brands/tattoo's on Warbeasts.
So that self same khador jack I use in my example could be designated as a border legion warjack or a some other Force within the khador army.

Most of this could be achieved using color value sliders, and would work fine for any game format. RTS/RPG/MMORPG etc etc.

[DasGerg]

Especially with the modeling aspects of the source material, having customizable paint schemes in the game would be a great thing. I personally would enjoy using it.

[AliosSunstrider]

I know warhammer 40k did something alot like this. they had preset color schemes you could use for your faction or you could even customize and name your own color scheme. If you havent checked it our might want to, I thought that was wanna of the best custom aspects of any RTS/Adventure game ive played in awhile.

[Ruudje]

I liked Warmachine miniatures purely for painting and assembling.
Gameplay and Replay value will greatly increase when the player can customise anything at all.

I dont know if WhiteMoon Dreams is bound to restrictions by Privateer Press, but otherwise with an Editor, even "new" player created Warjacks can be created.


and whats better than your very own Warjack? :D


Crusader (http://privateerpress.com/files/products/the-protectorate-of-menoth/warjacks/crusader.png) + Flame Thrower + Spike Ball = Vanquisher (http://privateerpress.com/files/products/the-protectorate-of-menoth/warjacks/vanquisher.png)

or

Crusader (http://privateerpress.com/files/products/the-protectorate-of-menoth/warjacks/crusader.png) + Spear + Banners + Arc Node = Guardian (http://privateerpress.com/files/products/the-protectorate-of-menoth/warjacks/guardian.png)

-----------------

Forza 2 - Editor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0W2ol2MFIk&feature=PlayList&p=254E0E7398B207AA&index=29)

Dawn of War 2 - Editor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdSi_EWCuG0)

[dsjohns]

As many people wrote, I think a system where you'd choose 1-2 main colors and 1-2 detail colors would lend itself well to the game and personalizing. This could also be carried on to troops universally, so that your army would have a sense of cohesion. Although I personally wouldn't be all too excited to see Pink Cygnar and Yellow Khador prancing around the battlefield. The main thing I'd like to see is the different divisions of a different army. As someone before said, the more military greens of Khador's 5th Border Legion would be a cool thing to have.

[JediChris]

Custom colors would ge great. The Dawn of War series did it and it's fantastic

[AbesolutZERO]

My thought was to do something like create 2-3 "zones" on each warjack which could have their color changed. A zone might consist of something like thigh pads, shoulder pads, and forearms all at once so changing one changes them all. Best example is probably to look at some of the Protectorate warjacks in on the Privateer Press home page in their gallery. You could choose to replace the white areas and/or the red areas with other colors, but you couldn't just go placing colors wherever you want on the model. Not that it's impossible with the technology, but limiting color customization to predefined areas would be an easeir interface on players.

Another option would be to just use the various color schemes in the Privateer Press books. IE Cygnar could have the default color or Fort Faulk. Protectorate could do standard or Umber Guard. More schemes could potentially be released as DLC as well.

If this weren't possible in the game I'd be happy using stock schemes but if I could customize things I would.

This is a good idea. Aside from a default "Color/decorate certain areas" option, there should also be the option to throw in alternate heads/armor plates, etc etc in specific places. That way, if the game does throw in Jack Bonding/leveling/whatever the heck, you can really distinguish your personal Warjacks.

Think of it along the lines of the Blood Bowl game and the upgraded gear options.

That aside, the PC version in particular should have an option to entirely swap out skins, like many PC games used to. Aside from alternate color schemes that many books and NQ articles offered, aspiring texture artists can create their own. :)

Considering that you can stream your own music into many games on the PS3/360 nowadays, it shouldn't be too hard to upload custom skins from a computer in the same network, would it? From there it'd be a case of simply giving the player the option to either download custom skins when they join games or just stick to what they have. Consoles have the hard drive space and capability to easily do this now.

[ATC 1982]

What if there was Holiday Paint schemes / stickers for the different types of Warcasters / WarJacks? Like for all the holidays no matter in the Asia, EU or US? Do you all think this would be cool or just a fad?

[AbesolutZERO]

Holiday paint schemes would be cute. Honestly if the paint schemes end up being as flexible and customizable as I mentioned above, it'd be just a matter of coming up with emblems. People will probably just throw together holiday paintjobs themselves, whether it'd be paint settings or a brand new skin.

[Shalinor]

I love the idea of my Slayer running around with a santa hat and my Bonejacks dressed up like elves :D

I like Skyydragonn's suggestion, though if a decal system is implemented - having an import system would be great so that we can draw up our own badges (though this would need some form of moderation for online play)


Depending on the amount of choice, this could be one of the ways that the game could give back to the tabletop version by letting you try out new colour schemes before you start throwing paint around.

[Thomas]

I love the idea of full customization with the paint schemes, but it can get ugly real quick. Especially if people can upload their own images.
Do you really want to see Juggernauts emblazoned with swastikas, Power Puff Girls, or a picture of somebodies butt?

Some options in the color schemes would be nice though. And there is plenty of source material in the Warmachine rulebooks.