Yeah, I'm pretty sure that using other people's art without their permission is illegal even if you say the source <_< And it isn't really creative if its "Hey, I found this cool pic, I'd think it'd be cool if something similar was in the game as well". I can understand the "I can't draw, but I found picture that might help illustrate what I mean" thing, but it still has some other problems with it.

Disclaimer:



Out of respect to the people of this website and the Development team, I wanted to warn individuals against using art from websites such as DeviantART and other gallery websites. These sites offer free Non-Commercial Creative Commons Licenses to their users, which means that any artwork from these websites are protected from plagiarism through US law. (and International law, I believe.) Images and artwork used from these websites can't be used to receive any form of monetary gain, which includes this competition since there is a reward involved that has a set monetary value. I just wanted to warn people against using these images since they can be sued for using them as references or even personal submissions in this competition.



Cited:



"Creative Commons"



"Wikipedia"

Rave wrote:
Disclaimer:



Out of respect to the people of this website and the Development team, I wanted to warn individuals against using art from websites such as DeviantART and other gallery websites. These sites offer free Non-Commercial Creative Commons Licenses to their users, which means that any artwork from these websites are protected from plagiarism through US law. (and International law, I believe.) Images and artwork used from these websites can't be used to receive any form of monetary gain, which includes this competition since there is a reward involved that has a set monetary value. I just wanted to warn people against using these images since they can be sued for using them as references or even personal submissions in this competition.



Cited:



http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creative_Commons_license

First link doesn't work and second one goes to wikipedia's main page for some reason. I can find article by google though

ResonanceMask wrote:
First link doesn't work and second one goes to wikipedia's main page for some reason. I can find article by google though

Fixed that. Wrong way of using url codes.

I mean, the winner is ultimately up to the community. I'm not sure how upset we should be getting about this. I think it might be a bit of a misplacement of energy. I'm willing to leave it to the community. If they want to see Phyrexian's more than something else, then that's the communities choice. Gotta take the good with the bad in a democracy. I honestly believe it has a lot to do with just how small the community is at the moment. There may be people out there who just are "no good" (going to use this phrase extremely tentatively, as I fall into the same category) at art who have good ideas. I wouldn't be too hasty to narrow it down to a limited show. Look at it as an opportunity to be able to show things that maybe you can't. Like Rave has some good pieces of concept art, but maybe there's some detail or something that he can't trust himself to get right that he's seen before. It doesn't have to be that way. You can use draw your own stuff AND use a reference image if need be. I'd look at it more as a tool rather than an enemy. Just my opinion, of course.

TheAmurikan wrote:
I mean, the winner is ultimately up to the community. I'm not sure how upset we should be getting about this. I think it might be a bit of a misplacement of energy. I'm willing to leave it to the community. If they want to see Phyrexian's more than something else, then that's the communities choice. Gotta take the good with the bad in a democracy. I honestly believe it has a lot to do with just how small the community is at the moment. There may be people out there who just are "no good" (going to use this phrase extremely tentatively, as I fall into the same category) at art who have good ideas. I wouldn't be too hasty to narrow it down to a limited show. Look at it as an opportunity to be able to show things that maybe you can't. Like Rave has some good pieces of concept art, but maybe there's some detail or something that he can't trust himself to get right that he's seen before. It doesn't have to be that way. You can use draw your own stuff AND use a reference image if need be. I'd look at it more as a tool rather than an enemy. Just my opinion, of course.

I have absolutely no issues with reference images as long as its more than someone just plummeting a bunch of neat looking images together with loosely tied together naming systems. I'm worried about the people that would abuse the system, although I doubt there would be many people that would do such a thing, it's still a possibility. Also I have calmed down a little bit and realized that there's also a very serious legal aspect that has to watch so that this works.

Rave wrote:
Disclaimer:



Out of respect to the people of this website and the Development team, I wanted to warn individuals against using art from websites such as DeviantART and other gallery websites. These sites offer free Non-Commercial Creative Commons Licenses to their users, which means that any artwork from these websites are protected from plagiarism through US law. (and International law, I believe.) Images and artwork used from these websites can't be used to receive any form of monetary gain, which includes this competition since there is a reward involved that has a set monetary value. I just wanted to warn people against using these images since they can be sued for using them as references or even personal submissions in this competition.

Out of curiosity, what is the set monetary value for winning? As far as I can tell, the rewards are:



The winner of each Quest will:



1. see their proposals* implemented in-game and get their name in the credits of the game.

2. receive a special G2G Forum Badge

3. be invited to Gamescom 2014!



Rewards 1 and 2 don't seem to have any monetary value to me. What exactly does being invited to Gamescom 2014 entail? Are tickets to the event, airline travel, or hotel expenses included? If so, then I see monetary value but if not I don't see any money changing hands to the winner. I am genuinely curious about this so if anyone has more information about the prizes please do share.



Personally, I can't draw very well but I do have some ideas floating around in my head that I am considering sharing. So I guess that puts me in this category of people:

ResonanceMask wrote:
I can understand the "I can't draw, but I found picture that might help illustrate what I mean" thing, but it still has some other problems with it.

I certainly wouldn't just browse Google, find nice pictures and post them saying I want them in the game. I already have my own unique ideas in my head. I would try writing detailed descriptions of what I am thinking about, but I know adding visuals would help others see what I am picturing. So I would probably do a Google search using my descriptive words to find something close to what I am talking about so I can give people an idea of the types of characters/cities I would like to see.



I find myself being dissuaded from doing so for two reasons currently. One is the legal issues that are still unresolved in my eyes as seen in the first part of my post. The second is some of the language being used in this thread towards people who want to share their own ideas but lack any artistic skill. To be honest, I'm reading a lot of hate and bitterness coming from some posts and it just turns me off to the whole idea of participating. If I see cooler heads prevail, and the legal issues are addressed, I'll be happy to participate with my own unique ideas. Until then, I think I'll just keep them to myself since I can't express them well artistically.

echo2361 wrote:
What exactly does being invited to Gamescom 2014 entail? Are tickets to the event, airline travel, or hotel expenses included?

If I read the pdf correctly, there should be a flight ticket + return from the closest airport to cologne and a hotel with up to three stars included, with an overall pricing of 3000€ or less.

echo2361 wrote:


Personally, I can't draw very well but I do have some ideas floating around in my head that I am considering sharing.

Honestly this community has great support in it and we all should help each other achieve greater heights with our creative submissions. If you need help putting pen to paper in terms of a visual aid, I'll be happy to help you draw something to help. My submission is on page two if you think what I can draw would help you.

Rave wrote:
Disclaimer:

I just wanted to warn people against using these images since they can be sued for using them as references or even personal submissions in this competition.

Woow, that escalated quickly ! I dont know if it is my contribution which brought all the debate but if it is i'm really sorry. Those pictures are just here to illustrate my idea (as any should do), of course they are not mine, I suck at drawing ! So, does that mean I should not compete ? Frankly if there is any problem with them I will just take them back !



But what i feel bad for is the logic behind the "dont use picture from elsewhere" comments. Because if we follow this logic that means only good pictures will win (I must say that i'm sure it will not), so the best drawer will win. That means if you are not a good painter you can't propose your idea. Well i dont feel like this is something good. By using content from the internet everybody is equal. And I did feel relief when I read we could. Then I tried to find the pictures that fits the best my idea.



If someone wants to draw something he can. And compare to many forum people actually think before voting. They will vote for the idea they think match the subject. I didn't just pick 2 pictures and put them here ! I searched for them. It took me some time (obviously less than if i had to draw it myself, thank god) and I explained how I imagine it working.



I understand people feel upset. But should I feel bad for picking beautifull pictures that matchs my idea the best ? I dont think so. And I must say, I even add one of my own !

It's not about your contribution, or really any other submission either. The disclaimer had been a warning since there is merit in having reference pictures to help you convey your ideas and I overreacted due to the amount of time and effort put into this competition already. I just don't want anyone getting in trouble if they use images that they aren't sure are protected by the Creative Common License. Use whatever image you believe you need to help you present yourself. Just be mindful.

Rave wrote:
It's not about your contribution, or really any other submission either. The disclaimer had been a warning since there is merit in having reference pictures to help you convey your ideas and I overreacted due to the amount of time and effort put into this competition already. I just don't want anyone getting in trouble if they use images that they aren't sure are protected by the Creative Common License. Use whatever image you believe you need to help you present yourself. Just be mindful.

Yeah, but you're right, the time i wrote my thing i saw Nos and Echo contribution. Indeed I feel concern now. To be totally franc i did not even know they were some cash involve in this.



And I feel really bad making people upset for those pictures, i will try to draw something by myself, especially the city and the daughter

Don't worry about it Bibool, nothing being said here is personal Anyways, we don't dictate the rules.



But if the images from other artists outweigh your written explanations and details, then you may inadvertently ruffle the feathers a few of your fellow contestants.



Honestly the contest shouldn't be off limits to people who are bad at drawing I guess, but when you have more I of other peoples art than your description of how You visualize the Cult, then it looks like you are using good artists to win while it should be about your imagination.



What I am trying to say is: If you can't draw, fine. But make up for it with writing.



that's all

Ok. Here is my submission. I've decided to go without visuals because I want to express exactly what I see in my own mind when I read Nos' description of the Cult. My ideas may not be as eye catching as some of the other great entries thus far, but I hope that others will give my thoughts a read and picture for themselves what I am describing. I want to keep things as close to Nos' original ideas a possible so here are some specific descriptions of the Cult that have inspired my ideas:



"By their very nature, cultists normally hide. They do not wear cowls or robes, save for ceremonial purposes."



"All cultists regularly undertake pilgrimages to provide the Queen with their offerings. The organizers of these trips through the lands of the dangerous Auriga are called the Harbingers. They spread the orders of the queen, organize her supply and enforce her will among the covens hidden in the converted villages. Next in the hierarchy are the Chosen, the assimilated cultist race living in the temple of cessation itself."



"Some of the servants still have functional loudspeakers and through those Heralds she broadcasts what needs to be done and whispers regularly about her hatred of the gods that abandoned them with her on this dying planet, that killed Auriga, that need to be punished."



"And when the city needs to grow, the OMCETS dissolve the inner side of the wall and paste it back on the outer side, moving the wall forward at a glacier's pace."



"Before he knew it, they stood at the gate itself. He couldn't see any hinges, so perfect was its fixture. Only the muted lights that outlined it and the countless bones ornamenting it would tell that there was any kind of entry."



Units:



The Chosen: These are the basic starting units of the Cult. They appear as a mix of major and minor races from Auriga, all in their regular cloths. So, for example, you would have a unit of Chosen showing a Delver, a Wild Walker, a Jotus, a Vaulter, and a member of one of the other unnamed minor races still to be revealed. If you zoom in close enough, you may be able to see small cult symbols or tattoos, but they aren't meant to stand out in appearance. The whole idea is that the cultists can remain hidden and easily blend back into their villages and cities.



It would be cool if the five races per Chosen unit created could be randomized each time they are built to truly show how deeply the Cult has infiltrated the people of Auriga, but if not I'd be happy to see all Chosen units have a similar mix of races per my example above. I imagine it would be easy enough for the dev's to create such a unit since they already have the sprites made for use in the other factions.



The Harbingers: These are the leaders of the Chosen. They usually act in an official and ceremonial role when they aren't infiltrating villages so they wear large, dark robes to hide their racial identity. To them, race is of no importance so it is something to be hidden and shunned. Instead, they devote themselves entirely to their role as Cult leaders charged with bringing the bounties of the converted back to the Temple of Cessation.



There are three Harbingers per unit and their robes are so large that they obscure almost all features of the Harbingers themselves. It would be impossible to tell if there is a Ceratan or a Sister of Mercy under the robe. All you can see besides the robe, which is tattered and worn from many travels with frayed edges, are purple glowing eyes and whatever weapons are equipped being held by metal gauntlets that further serve to hide the racial identity of the Harbinger.



The Heralds: Large, mechanized humanoids left behind by the Endless long ago. I picture them to look a lot like the Vaulter's Titans, but corrupted in nature. They feature multiple, spider-like arms and are covered in dark robes and Cultist symbols. They also have large loudspeakers mounted on their shoulders that are used to spread fear to the Cult's enemies and also convert willing servants to the cause.



These monstrous automatons could wield scythes or other curved and wicked looking weapons in their many mechanical hands, creating a very imposing presence on the battlefield.



Heroes:



I have no specific names or images to put forward for heroes. However, in keeping with the themes I've presented thus far, the heroes for the Cult would simply be re-skinned versions of other faction's heroes. These Cultist heroes would feature prominent Cultist markings on their faces or bodies and appear darker in nature to the heroes of the other races. There could also be minor faction races present as heroes like a corrupted Bos hero in dark robes or a massive Urces hero with Cultist markings tattooed on his body.



From what I can tell, the Cultist depend heavily on the other races of Auriga to fill their ranks, so their governors and generals are probably drawn from those races while the leaders like the Unspoken and the Queen would never/rarely leave the Temple of Cessation itself.



City:



The Temple of Cessation should feature a mixture of smaller dwellings that are taken from the buildings of the major and minor factions in the game with a central, black spire sitting at the city's center featuring purple crystals blazing with mysterious energy hovering above the obsidian tower. The tower would be surrounded by a solid wall made of black granite that features a grand gate decorated in bones. As the city grows, the black wall would expand, consuming the nearest surrounding native buildings. New local buildings would rise up after each expansion. So the overall appearance would feature a black core to the city, with a mismatching circle of native structures expanding outwards. So we could see a Delver's half-buried, sandstone-colored building next to a brown, wooden Urces hut along with a grey, ramshackle Vaulter structure and/or a green Wild Walker building.



This keeps with the general theme of the Cult attracting followers from all over. This would also be easier for the devs to implement, I imagine, because they already have other race buildings in the game.



Note: Should people with more artistic talent than me express a willingness to help me out, such as Rave so kindly did, I welcome any attempts to create visuals for the things I've laid out here.



Edit 5/25: After several failed attempting at drawing what I envision the Cultist units and city to look like I've decided to just add in more descriptive language to my entries. I've come to the realization that without proper classes or training, I'm just not the kind of person who can easily translate the imagery I have in my head onto paper. Hopefully my words will do my mind justice.

Stealth_Hawk wrote:


Honestly the contest shouldn't be off limits to people who are bad at drawing I guess, but when you have more I of other peoples art than your description of how You visualize the Cult, then it looks like you are using good artists to win while it should be about your imagination.

What I am trying to say is: If you can't draw, fine. But make up for it with writing.

that's all

I totally agree. I explained a bit more what i choose and why. I hope anyone will see that I did not just came with a bunch of cool pictures, but that I tried to fit the initial propose of Nosferatiel and add some cool stuffs



I do have one concern about how OMCET should look like, as i have no idea i just imagine them as microscopic orange or red bugs.

Bibool wrote:
I totally agree. I explained a bit more what i choose and why. I hope anyone will see that I did not just came with a bunch of cool pictures, but that I tried to fit the initial propose of Nosferatiel and add some cool stuffs



I do have one concern about how OMCET should look like, as i have no idea i just imagine them as microscopic orange or red bugs.

The OMCETS are inspired by the Amoeba. As, according to the ES artbook, amoeba have been concretes, originally, it wouldn't be too farfetched to say that the Endless were capable of creating such lifeforms for various purposes.

In this case, instead of being waterborn or floating, they can be imagined gliding on surfaces, even vertical ones, more or less like snails. In terms of size they're rather huge. Imagine them at the size of a car.

They're workers with the purpose of constructing buildings, so they need large bodies to transport lots of matter.



They are regularly fed by the Chosen and capable of dividing to increase the number of workers. After a division, they need lots of food and time to grow back to their standard size.

Wait, where is the best source for the endless lore in general?



My ideas are pretty much settled, I'm impatient to start drawing them ^ ^

Nosferatiel wrote:
The OMCETS are inspired by the Amoeba. As, according to the ES artbook, amoeba have been concretes, originally, it wouldn't be too farfetched to say that the Endless were capable of creating such lifeforms for various purposes.

In this case, instead of being waterborn or floating, they can be imagined gliding on surfaces, even vertical ones, more or less like snails. In terms of size they're rather huge. Imagine them at the size of a car.

They're workers with the purpose of constructing buildings, so they need large bodies to transport lots of matter.



They are regularly fed by the Chosen and capable of dividing to increase the number of workers. After a division, they need lots of food and time to grow back to their standard size.

Where that artbook can be found anyway?



Hmm, I gotta wonder if Cult tech is based on concrete or virtual tech though <_< I mean, I guess its possible that even though Sowers were by Virtual that Concrete had similar machines... Pity I have no idea how to combine my current drawing of executioner with sowers. I know it would have to be bipedal and not floating, but besides that no real idea.

it should be in the endless space folder as a .pdf if you have bought disharmony.

Add a draw made by my hand ! first of many, I hope.



Does anyone thought about the unspoken as a hero ? or even the queen ? It could be fun to play the queen, you couldnt move until city gets to level 3 , but then...! I'm really curious about how people imagine those two.

black spire sitting at the city's center featuring purple crystals blazing with mysterious energy hovering above the obsidian tower. This keeps with the general theme of the Cult attracting followers from all over."

I think purple is one of the best color (with dark blue & gold) to a religious faction. It reminds me the romanian and bizantium empire. And since the minors add some it's just perfect.