Contra - a Zero Hour Modification

╗ Second big block of news.
Posted May 27, 2008. By Creator.

Hi everybody. It is second big block of news about the part of work completed for some last weeks.

1) I completed B1 Lancer skining. It is my second attempt to draw 512x512 texture. This skin took very long time. I drawn it once, then I did not like it, I erased everything and drawn it second time, then I din not like it again and started evetything from scratch once more. At last, I completed it. This is the 3rd and the final variant.

Screenshots:
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/B1Bomber01.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/B1Bomber02.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/B1Bomber03.jpg

2) Woody completed skining of new 3D model for Iron Fist mortar. The model had been made long ago, but all this time it was waititg its turn. Now it is completed. It will replace old Iron Fist model.

Screenshots:
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/FlamMort_01.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/FlamMort_02.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/FlamMort_03.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/FlamMort_04.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/FlamMort_05.jpg

3) I completed new 3d model for Earth Shaker tank. It will replace old model.

Screenshots:
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Shaker_01.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Shaker_02.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Shaker_03.jpg

4) Our maper, GeneralGamer, finished all Challenge maps. Now Challenge Mode is available to play.

5) Contra 006 closed beta testing has been completed. Testers found many bugs and also made many suggestions. I have already fixed 99% of errors and made many news additions and adjustments. In general, I made over 100 changes including bug fixes.

6) Many players did not like previous versions of Contra because of rank system. It was hard for them to gain ranks and get access to new units. Contra 006 will be a bit different. I found out how to make buyable experience. Now experience and general's promotions can be bought for money in Command Center. I suppose that it will attract more players. This new addition will not ruin gameplay. The cost of experience had been calculated properly. For example, to gain rank 2, you need o destroy 16 Battle Masters. The cost of 16 Battle Masters is $12800. To buy second rank for money, you have to spend $12800 as well. That is, the cost of each rank is equal to the cost of units you must destroy to gain it. Also these 2 methods of gaining experience work together. You can destroy enemy units AND spend money to get promotions faster.

7) Web site has been updated. I completed all tech trees for all generals and uploaded them. You can take a look at them by clicking generals descriptions in left menu. New tech trees include all changes and additions.

| View Comments|

╗ Huge block of news
Posted April 6, 2008. By Creator.

I was very busy for some last weeks. So, I had not enough time to post Contra news. All this time me with Woody were drawing new models and textures. Now I want to represent all we made for some weeks.

1. I've got another level up. I've learned how to create infantry models. My first models are Col Burton with BFG-9000 and new weapons for snipers.

Burton with BFG screenshots:
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/BFG-0.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/BFG-1.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/BFG-2.jpg
New Snipers:
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Snipers.jpg

2. Also I remade some particle effects. In particular, new fire storm looks a bit better.
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Firestorm.jpg

3. Woody completed skining of GLA C-97 cargo plane. It will replace conventional GLA transport used for general's powers.

Screenshots:
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/C97-1.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/C97-1.jpg

4. I made new model and skin for Ka-29 Helix:

Screenshots:
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Ka29Helix-1.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Ka29Helix-2.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Ka29Helix-3.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Ka29Helix-4.jpg

5. I remade GLA aviation. I removed all Demo general aircrafts - Winged Missile, Transport Missile and Sky Scourge. They looked very bad. I decided to replace them with other units. L-29 moved from Assault general to Demo general. Assault has no aviation now. Demo general L-29 has another role. Earlier it was conventional plane armed with bombs. Now it is suicide bomber. Also I added new suicide interceptor for Demo general - Zipper. It rams enemy planes in air.

Screenshots:
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Zipper_1.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Zipper_2.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Zipper_3.jpg

6. Woody completed Iron Dragon skin. This new model will replace the old one for Nuke general. By the way, Iron Dragon weapon is remade too. It fired cannon earlier. Now it fires mini homing missiles and does not need to return to airfield for reloading.

Screenshots:
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/ID_1.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/ID_2.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/ID_3.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/ID_4.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/ID_5.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/ID_6.jpg

7. Air Force general has got new planes for its heavy aviation. Earlier he could build C-130, B-2 and B-52 at his special airfield. All these planes were scraped. C-130 had been replaced with C-27. I told about it a while ago. You can find C-27 in earlier news. Now we completed 2 other models: Wyvern - replacement for B-2 and Chimera - replacement for B-52.

Wyvern has the same characteristics as B-2 had. It is stealth, requires 5th rank, costs $4500 and armed with 5 powerful bombs. It lays all 5 bombs in a line which makes it effective versus large groups of enemies.

Chimera characteristics are very close to B-52. It requires 3rd rank, costs $3000 and plays the role of flying artillery. It is armed with AGM-86 cruise missiles which have the same attack range as Tomahawks had. The only significant difference - Chimera has 6 missiles (B-52 had 4). Single AGM-86 missile brings as much damage as Tomahawk. Thus, Chimera volley is 50% more powerful, but it takes 50% longer time for reloading.

Yes, I've got level up.
+1 to skining skill

Recently I learned how to make good textures. Thanks to Woody. Studying of his tutorials and textures allowed me to make a step forward. First of all I reskinned my old GLA L-29 gunship. It took 2 days. Look at the result:

And look at the old one. Feel the difference. I did not change resolution - new skin is 256x256 too. It looks much better because of proper unwraping and new drawing technique I used.

| View Comments|

╗ China AN-22 cargo plane
Posted February 25, 2008. By Creator.

Yet another piece of work has completed. An-22 will replace standard China cargo plane.

Model by: Creator
Skin by: Woody

Screenshots:

http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/AN22-1.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/AN22-2.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/AN22-3.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/AN22-4.jpg

| View Comments|

╗ C-130 Hercules transport
Posted February 10, 2008. By Creator.

Next model has been finished. It is C-130 transport for USA. It will replace original EA's cargo plane.

Model by: Creator
Skin by: Woody

Screenshots:

http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/C130-1.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/C130-2.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/C130-3.jpg

| View Comments|

╗ Hong-5
Posted January 14, 2008. By Creator.

At last. News after long delay. Woody have just finished China Hong-6 bomber skining. This plane will replace orininal China bomber used for special general's powers.

Screenshots:
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Hong5-001.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Hong5-002.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Hong5-003.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Hong5-004.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/Hong5-005.jpg

| View Comments|

╗ Super Weapon General Tech tree
Posted December 1, 2007. By Creator.

Super Weapon General has the most of changes in Contra 006. Many of units (such as Comanche, MLRS and others) had been removed. Many buildings (such as Fire Base, Cyclone and some others) had been added. New tech tree looks like this:

Designations:

Black arrow - building constructs or researches something.
Green arrow - building is requirement for something.
Blue arrow - unit has ability.
Red square - new thing.

| View Comments|

╗ B-52
Posted November 24, 2007. By Creator.

We continue strategic aviation remaking. Next 3d model has been completed. It is B-52 bomber.

Model by: Creator
Skin by: Woody

Yet another render:
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/B52-00.jpg

Screenshot.
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/B52-01.jpg

| View Comments|

╗ Tuning for Infantry general vehicles.
Posted November 14, 2007. By Creator.

I've made small tuning for Infantry general Troop Crawler and wheeled tanks. Take a look. They are much better now.

From left to right: ECM tank, Troop Crawler, Dragon tank. New Dragon fires incendiary grenades at short ranges instead of flame stream.

IPB Image

| View Comments|

╗ GLA Demolisher
Posted October 28, 2007. By Creator.

Just look at this GLA monster. This vehicle will replace Assault general battle dozer. It is made for the same purpose - early game rush unit for taking out enemy buildings.

Model by: Creator
Skin by: Woody

IPB Image

Screenshots:

http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/GLADemolisher01.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/GLADemolisher02.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/GLADemolisher03.jpg
http://contra.cncguild.net/Screenshots/GLADemolisher04.jpg

| View Comments|