Looking for weapon concepts to replace stolen content

[Truewarrior]

I would like to redo some of our current stolen weapon models.

I don't know which one are ours and which one are stolen. and I would like to turn some of your concepts (add as many details as possible, colors/texture) into actually weapons to replace them into legit stuff.

 

[TheOysterHippopotami]

hooray! this is exactly what we need. The dark staff, I believe, is pretty stolen, for starters.

 

[Truewarrior]

which one is the dark staff again? Do you have a screenshot of it?

 

[Monika's_BFFEx0256]

The pew pew zappy lazer mana drainer one!

 

[Truewarrior]

you guys are overestimating my knowledge of ms:c -.-

 

[Monika's_BFFEx0256]

 

[Thothie]

Originally kept this in the developer's list for fear of what RKS might do with the Greenlight, but meh, I'm making it public, I suppose...

I'm gonna put this in the developer's corner, until whatever RKS is going to attempt to do with Green Light pans out.
------

Ye list of models that need replacing...

Should explain, first off, there's actually no *legal* reason to replace these as of this date. The law may change in the future, but, I have it on good authority that, at the moment, since the original data form doesn't exist within our distribution, this is the equivalent of tracing pictures of Mickey Mouse, or some other similarly copyrighted cartoon character: you can do that all you want, and even distribute said tracings, as long as you don't sell them. Visual artwork copyright likeness laws, thankfully, aren't nearly as cruel as musical ones - even in the US.

The reason to replace them is two fold: Steam's Green Light's process might not like it, and, it's just bad form. I'd add aesthetics as well, if not for the fact that our original models come from so many different authors that they lack any consistency as it is. So, unlike the music, it's basically a combination of a potential private policy conflict, and morals - rather than law.

Similar the music list, I am probably missing some. If you find one, please report it. Keep in mind, also, that some of our content is converted from other mods with permission, and is usually credited in the credits_betapack.txt. These mods include: Call of Cthulhu, Wanted, PVK, and Wizard Wars, among others.

I'm only taking meshes into account. Not bones, animations, or textures (unless they are specific logos).

That said... Let the list begin:

Format
<path and model> (as rooted from msc/models/)
- [submodel] (group# x index#, as indexed from 1, ala JHLMV)
[- desc: <description>]
- <reason>

Unlike the music, I am not listing "Fine" models - as there are WAY too effing many. This game uses nearly 1300 models, more than any other Half-Life Goldsrc game, retail or mod, and more than many modern retail games.

IFFY
animals/cow.mdl
- Part of pvk donations, original author and donator can no longer be contacted.

armor/p_helmets.mdl
- 1x29, 1x30
- From Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material

cal/corpse.mdl
- reason: uncredited

misc/blackhandflag.mdl
- Suspicious logo

misc/env_shroom*.mdl
- Possibly from Gunman Chronicles

misc/glassgibs_huge.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

misc/skeleton.mdl
- From base game materials

monsters/abominable*.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

monsters/abomination.mdl
- Have artist's permission, but is alteration of a base model from another mod (NS)

monsters/Beak.mdl
- Altered from Gunman Chronicles

monsters/Boar1.mdl
monsters/Boar2.mdl
monsters/Boar3.mdl
- Altered from Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material

monsters/Bat.mdl
monsters/Bat_large.mdl
- Altered from Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material

monsters/demonwing*.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

monsters/dragonfly.mdl
- from Gunman Chronicles (Dates to 1.0)

monsters/dragon_green*.mdl
- Altered from Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material

monsters/dragon_guard.mdl
- Altered from Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material
- (Also using weaponry altered from Morrowind @ 2x4 2x5 2x6 2x7)

monsters/firereaver*.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

monsters/garg*.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

monsters/gator.mdl
- Altered from Gunman Chronicles

monsters/gbear*.mdl
- Altered from Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material

monsters/giant_fire.mdl
monsters/giant_frost.mdl
- Altered from Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material

monsters/goblin_new*.mdl
- From FATE's free public modeling tutorial

monsters/guardian*.mdl
- Altered from Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material

monsters/hunter1.mdl
- Altered from Gunman Chronicles

monsters/ice_guardian*.mdl
- Altered from Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material

monsters/k_childre*.mdl
- Have artist's permission, but is alteration of a base model from another mod (NS)

monsters/k_larva*.mdl
- Have artist's permission, but is alteration of a base model from another mod.

monsters/kayrath.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

monsters/killie.mdl
- Altered from Warcraft - I suspect

monsters/khaz.mdl
- Altered from Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material
- (This model is as of yet unused, though the khaz statues in props are, and have the same issue)

monsters/leech.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

monsters/lumbering.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

monsters/maldora.mdl
- Is OC, but intended to represent copyrighted character from Warhammer 40k

monsters/pit_worm_up.mdl
- Altered from base game materials (act. Opposing Force)
- (This model is actually unused - see swamp_eye.mdl)

monsters/scorp*.mdl
- Altered from Gunman Chronicles (Dates to 1.0)

monsters/shark1.mdl
- Uncertain of source

monsters/skullcrab*.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

monsters/snowboar*.mdl
- Altered from Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material

monsters/spider_crystal.mdl
- Altered from Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material

monsters/Stukabat.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

monsters/swamp_eye.mdl
- Altered from base game materials (act. Opposing Force)

monsters/abyssal_worm.mdl
- Heavily altered from base game materials (act. Opposing Force)

monsters/Thuldahr.mdl
- Weapon and armor heavily altered from Morrowind

monsters/troll_armored.mdl
- Armor heavily altered from Morrowind

monsters/tube.mdl
monsters/tubequeen.mdl
- Altered from Gunman Chronicles

monsters/undamael.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

monsters/vemomwing.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

msc_riverwind/teleporter_green_sprites.mdl
- Altered from base game materials

props/charlie_plans.mdl
- Altered from base game materials (act DOD)

props/elf_mummy.mdl
- Altered from Oblivion (heavily)

props/goblin_hut*.mdl
- Looks like it *might* be from Warcraft, but unsure. Uncredited. (Dates to 1.0)

props/khaz_statue_full2b.mdl
- Altered from Lady E's NWN pack - may involve unoriginal source material

viewmodels/v_2hblunts.mdl
- 1x12
- Altered from Morrowind (heavily)
- Related world models in weapons/p_weapons*.mdl

viewmodels/v_2hswords.mdl
- 1x7
- While made completely from scratch, it was later discovered that the design concept represents an item from World of Warcraft.
- (also used by monsters/sorc_big.mdl)
- Related world models in weapons/p_weapons*.mdl

viewmodels/v_2hswords.mdl
- 1x9 1x10 1x12
- From a free modeling tutorial that gives permission for free use - but need to track and credit the tutor.
- Related world models in weapons/p_weapons*.mdl


NOTES:
• In cases of "Altered from base game materials": please note that Svencoop does this all the time, even to the point of being iconic, and gets away with a Greenlight, as are some other Greenlighted goldsrc mods.
• Opposing Forces models also appear in the Greenlighted Svencoop.
• Gunman Chronicles copyright status has not been renewed, and models from said also appear in the Greenlighted Svencoop.


STRAIGHT OUT

npc/elf_f_warrior.mdl
- Altered from Warcraft III
- (Also carries weapons altered from Morrowind @ 2x2 2x3 2x4 2x6 2x7 3x2 3x3 3x4)

npc/elf_m_wizard.mdl
- Altered from Morrowind
- (Also carries weapons altered from Morrowind @ 2x2 2x3)

viewmodels/v_1hswords.mdl
- 1x7 1x8
- (Also used by monsters/dragon_guard.mdl)
- Related world models in weapons/p_weapons*.mdl
- Altered from Morrowind (May have suitable replacements.)

viewmodels/v_bows.mdl
- 1x10
- Related world models in weapons/p_weapons*.mdl
- (Also used by npc/elf_f_warrior.mdl)
- Altered from Morrowind (May have suitable replacement.)

viewmodels/v_polearms.mdl
- 1x5 1x14 1x15 1x16
- Altered from Morrowind
- Related world models in weapons/p_weapons*.mdl and weapons/projectiles.mdl

viewmodels/v_shields.mdl (nixed)
- 1x5
- Altered from Morrowind
- Related world models in weapons/p_weapons*.mdl

NOTES:
• Altered from Morrowind: With the exception of the elf, the source materials for the Morrowind models used are not actually produced by Bethesda, but from the makers of the "Morrowind Rebirthed" mod, with permission. They are, however, clearly intended to represent Bethesda's work, and may involve unoriginal source material.

 

[Truewarrior]

I will give a shot at making a new staff to replace 'polearm 1x16', the one that lucifer posted. I see no one has any concepts so i'll just go with something that poped in my mind, starting from scratch but keeping the green crystal theme in mind.

i'll mess around with some tests and come back with something in a few days, I am working 2 12 hours shifts for the next two days

 

[Monika's_BFFEx0256]

If it's not too late, you could kind of make it look like the wabbajack from Skyrim... maybe a bit more twisted/grim. More tortured of a face on it or maybe 2-3 mouths screaming in "pain"...




This is the Wabbajack from Skyrim, it is definitely more mischievous and silly, but you get my general idea.

 

[Truewarrior]

mmm my idea was more of an emerald gemmed type of staff with crystal spires coming out of it. I guess that staff is evil in game?

 

[Monika's_BFFEx0256]

The wabbajack is less evil and more... silly... it turns enemies into a random (as in from a list) monster...

You could easily turn that idea into an evil tortured spirit wooden amalgamation of darkness though.

 

[Dridmar]

So instead of stealing weapons/armour/NPC models outright we're fine with having said models if they're made from scratch? :roll:

Yeah, Truewarrior, go with your ideas. Drawing a little inspiration is fine, but too much and we'll have people think we're ripping off other games regardless.

 

[zeus9860]

The current dark staff (while being a weird design) fits better as a necromancy staff, rather than a dark staff. The reason behind this is simple the skull, when i see a staff with a skull attached on top, it's usually connected to necromancy spells, not direct-offensive dark spells.

So my suggestion, if you are willing to rework the model is to create a pole with a floating dark orb (if possible, otherwise attach it). So the staff would instead have a dark orb rather than an alienized human skull with eyes that change color based on what spell you going to use. Also could use some sort of decoration around the orb that are attached to the pole, like curved spikes as if they were keeping the orb in place.





This image is a close example to what i'm trying to "picture" with my suggestion, a staff with a floating orb and something around the orb keeping it in place. (ignore the text, too lazy to edit images & upload)

As for the abilities it currently has, could always try assigning more proper colours for each spell when right clicking.

Current colour scheme vs new colour scheme suggestion:

-no glowing eyes (simply wielding the staff), instead it would be a dark orb, rigged with dark power to boot;

-green eyes (knockback aura), instead it would be a dark red orb (as a sign of power being drawn from the staff);

-shiny green eyes (lesser circle of death), instead it would be a red orb (even more power being drawn from the orb);

-red eyes (lesser circle of death), instead it would be an orange orb(...);

-shiny red eyes ([greater?] circle of death), instead it would be dark yellow(...);

-gold eyes ([greater?] circle of death), instead it would be bright yellow (colour neerly faded);

-shiny gold eyes (summon wraith), instead it would be a white orb (dark power depleted, as in reached the peak of it's capabilities, goes back to dark orb once wraith is summoned).

This is a more logical approach towards the dark staff, rather than simply making it an alien tool, why not make it simple and improved in such ways? Certainly the simplicity (look-wise) behind of a floating orb + stick + things that keep orb in place would look alot more attractive than the current thing we have, which looks like an alienized human skull with a mohawk of green crystals (dafuq?), makes me think some medieval punk died to aliens and was turned into the thing we so call "dark staff". :roll:

 

[Thothie]

Well, if ya'll can come up with a better concept that's fine, but... Really, if you're replacing an existing model, one would think said model would be the concept art.

Crystal staff with crystal head, with series of horns - one going straight out the top where the beam starts. I'd give ya picture, but you already have one.

I suppose, if you wanna instead keep the snake theme of the affliction staff, ya could do this:

But good luck keeping the poly count down on that sorta beast... Really, concept ya have at hand is easy enough, just a matter of putting your own spin on it.

If it's just textures for a new crystal demon head ya need...





<- ...or full on Skeletor

As for Zeus's suggestion, that type of orb staff tends not to render well in Half-Life (we actually have one or two, though I'd be loathed to replace the current model with em.) And Truewarrior would have no control over the sprite effect - it's entirely script side. Does involve two attachments, which he's gonna have to figure how to place on any replacement model though.

I don't much care if the Simpsons did it.

 

[D.Drew]

The current dark staff (while being a weird design) fits better as a necromancy staff, rather than a dark staff. The reason behind this is simple the skull, when i see a staff with a skull attached on top, it's usually connected to necromancy spells, not direct-offensive dark spells.

It does create a wraith, so it does have at least one function that fits the necromancy theme. Mana sapping/turning lifeforce into mana is also a thing commonly associated with liches, which are undead necromancers (although, this really depends on what game/universe you're talking about)

picture

The crystals make it look nice. I think it would look better if they were red (red laser), unless you decide to change the laser's color. It might look better blue, who knows!!!

Offtopic, but the dark staff's laser isn't on point with the hitbox, it's slightly off center. Bugs the shit out of me.

 

[zeus9860]

I know it creates a wraith, that alone doesn't label it as a necromancy staff. I picture necromancy as dark summoning spells, offensive/defensive spells on the other hand, on my book are called dark spells. Necromancy being related with having contact with the dead/spirits or simply by summoning them to serve you. So, in terms of appearence, a skull shaped staff suits better for necromancy, a dark staff could use something else, specially since this one shoots beams. An orb is what came to my mind, there are probably other ways...

The red laser was one of the issues i thought of while writting the suggestion, i was initially going to suggest a red/green orb, but logically, it makes more sense for it to be dark and deplete. Of course, this is just a suggestion. There are many other things in this game's content that make little to no sense (like dwarves becoming large in tundra, or bears shooting beams of ice). Eh... Yeah.

 

[Monika's_BFFEx0256]

Well, seeing as necromancy/summoning doesn't have its own class it makes sense to lump it under "Dark" magic.

 

[Thothie]

things in this game's content that make little to no sense (like dwarves becoming large in tundra, or bears shooting beams of ice). Eh... Yeah.

It's winter fresh polar bear breath, damnit! (Dun blame me for mega-dwarf though, not my doing... Seems to have become a thing now though.)

Also, it shouldn't be a beam - should be a cloud - are we getting a beam out of those somehow? ('sides, coulda been worse, coulda been winter fresh squirrel farts.)

In any case, it's a staff that rips out your soul so that the mage can rain more fiery death upon you, summons evil ghosts that do more of the same, and makes circles of death with giant runed skulls on them to boot, so... It's pretty damned evil, as weapons go.

 

[Truewarrior]

omg my attempts to make the staff are terrible rofl. I'm not good at making heads/snakes -.-

 

[Thothie]

There's a fairly good snake model in the monsters folder you could cannibalize, I suppose. Or, you know, give up the snake thing and go back to the demon head of the original concept.

 

[zeus9860]

Or make an orb.

 

[Everquest]

I assume you can not make the staff animated or at least make it seem like a tortured soul or two was actually used to create such a powerful weapon and thus they look like they are either trying to claw their way out if hell or to grab you and drag you down to the same sad fate...

And I have been seeing some of these zombie babies at Halloween shops and they look absolutely freakish and horror inducing. Could something like that be implimented into the staff or is that taking it a step to far? Even "supposed" black magic witches would use innocent babes in their rituals.

 

[Truewarrior]

Two years later
https://www.msremake.com/threads/wip-the-dark-staff.6918/