Alias for units

[Darkest]

I was playing with the dark elves when I had an idea: Wouldn't it be fantastic if there were alias for the units? (<- I'm not sure about the grammar in this phrase)
I mean, a random variable wich chooses an image for the unit between the existing ones. I know this would involve a big work for the artists, but if this feature existed, wesnoth would be more varied.

Just an estetical thing, but I think this would be cool.

[Jozrael]

If we had all of our bases covered with all necessary units having artwork because our spriting artists were churning out sprites faster than we could use them...

Yes, yes this would be a splendid idea.

Seeing as this is not the case, I think their talents could be better applied elsewhere. However, if they were determined and submitted sprites (of mainline quality) for an existing unit in the hopes it could be an alias, it's possible they could be accepted.

[Mabuse]

...

[Mabuse]

i dont like the idea, for me it would not look better if there would be tons of different spearman for example

[Longbow]

Great idea!
I think it may have been suggested before though. I agree that subtle differences in appearance of units would be really cool and more realistic, and, (as I posted in the last thread about this) perhaps aspiring sprite artists could try some edits of existing units as a training exercise for them and if the quality was high enough they could go in game. This would have the joint benefit of providing training for novice sprite artists and produce a selection of variations for units, say 2-3 variations max per unit.

[Darkest]

Great idea!
I think it may have been suggested before though.

I tried to search for this, but I had no idea on what I could have wrote in the search menù to find this.

perhaps aspiring sprite artists could try some edits of existing units as a training exercise for them and if the quality was high enough they could go in game. This would have the joint benefit of providing training for novice sprite artists and produce a selection of variations for units, say 2-3 variations max per unit.

This is a good idea, and this would solve the problem that the artists have more imortant things to do.

[thespaceinvader]

Bear in mind that ALL unit animations must have any variations propagated through them... So unless they're standing frame pose changes, it's a LOT more work than it seems...

In theory, it's a great idea. In practice, the lack of artists who are up to contributing make this difficult if not unworkable.

[chaoticwanderer]

I think it's a cool idea. Though I realise it could be a lot of work.

[Longbow]

Perhaps a good unit would be the Elvish Champion, a variation could be made with black chest armor like in Kitty's portrait.
What about, as heroes level, if they are resilient they get armor on their image, if they are quick they do not, and if neither it is chosen at random? 2 variations is just like male and female really except it doesn't have to be carried on through the levels and can be tackled slowly, 1 unit at a time as a bonus for the game...
Edit: What about the human ranger, simple edit with hood down could work easily? Or perhaps something for elf fighter, perhaps bow on back for dextrous?
Now where can we find a talented an willing artist? hmmm

[Mirion147]

I think this could be a good idea. But after having alias' people would be like "oh sine there's different sprites there should be different stats" and it would get all confusing. I think it would be better for Wesnoth if the artists and coders spent their time on more needed things. (It would be cool though)

[Darkest]

What about, as heroes level, if they are resilient they get armor on their image, if they are quick they do not, and if neither it is chosen at random? 2 variations is just like male and female really except it doesn't have to be carried on through the levels and can be tackled slowly, 1 unit at a time as a bonus for the game...

Well, this is even a greater idea.
But there's still the same problem: the lack of artist.
I could try, since I am a willing artist, but I'm not a talented artist....