Hello everyone. I am trying to create a heroes-like game and I am trying to make a town screen for Castle/Haven. For those unfamiliar of what it looks like, here is a screenshot of Heroes III Castle Town Screen:


Now here is my question
I was wondering if the architecture of the buildings correspond to how they would actually look in a medieval-fantasy setting. Here is me making it using the RPG Maker 2003 RTP:
V2 (l->r: Mage Guild Level 4, Tavern, Capitol, Marketplace, Archer's Tower, Pikeman Tower, Barracks, and Fort):


V1 (l->r: Mage Guild Level 4, Tavern, Capitol, Marketplace, and Fort):
http://i717.photobucket.com/albums/ww176/Z...titled-1895.png

Do note that this is a 20x15 map and I am using pictures to represent the huge buildings by shrinking them to 50%. If you want 100% size pictures, I shall post them. So any design critique?

I would say right on for even attempting to do this, 2003 RTP is VERY limited, and unless you wanna use game rips which I have issues with I would say just do the best you can cause its not gonna be 100% unless you gonna do a custom tile set.

I am aware of the limitations of the 2003 RTP, but it includes many different things in the same art-style. The only negative is that it doesn't specialize in things like inns, castles, etc.

Also, I can't really rip from Heroes III for I want to add a feature to make your own faction (Haven, Inferno, Necropolis, etc.) and if I rip it, it will be very difficult to do successfully.

Most ppl just rip from older sega and other game systems, of course I will not say this is a good or bad idea as I have mixed feelings about that, I am having the same map problems to.

I was also looking at some chipsets and here is some of what I found:

Castle
Town Map:

[Show/Hide] Castle (Heroes 3)

Tileset:
http://charas-project.net/resources/Chipse..._1164156782.png

Rampart
Town Map:

[Show/Hide] Rampart (Heroes 3)

Tileset:
http://charas-project.net/resources/Chipse..._1166584728.png
and/or
http://charas-project.net/resources/Chipse..._1148594196.png

Tower
Town Map:

[Show/Hide] Tower (Heroes 3)

Tileset:
http://charas-project.net/resources/Chipse..._1069178772.png

Thoughts?

Are these from english sites? Do they have terms of use? I mean they look good but its just not that easy.

It is from charas. Each user posts it themselves. They each posted it there, thus they agreed to the site's terms and agreements.

Ok well lets simplify this, are you making a game or a commercial game?

It is non-profit. It is basically a fan game.

Then problem solved, use em all just give credit, keep in mind that a lot of the rips you will see are from game companies and they dont give permission so just be aware of that.

I am aware and this discussion we're having is partly off-topic, imo.

What were we talking about again?? Oh yeah the design lol, it looks great for what you have to work with, not a easy task at all so id say you made a home run keep working on it.

Thanks, but what are your thoughts about these tilesets?
http://www.rpgrevolution.com/forums/index....mp;#entry561859
Think they would fit?

No they clash like crazy, one if fine quality and the rest just seem like to differnt of a style, you will find some nice tile sets out there but gathering up enough that match is hard, your best bet is to take them ALL from ONE ripped game.

I really need an artist, but for now, I shall use the RTP.

A tileset artist, thats a tall order, ive been trying to hire one for YEARS and still havent gotten one. its just such a narrow thing and a LOT of hard work to do.

Yeah, I know. My main problem with this is spacing. Mainly spacing for the towers. I need three towers.

It took me a while, but I managed to do it. I managed to get all three towers to fit:


Thoughts?

The small castle building next to the bigger house looks way to small and cramped in, not really realistic. The pic your wanting to make it like is a good base but I wouldnt try and make it to much like it cause it just isnt there.

Okay. Well, thanks to the grid being a pixel-large grid, I can easily adjust it, thus is this better?

It just doesnt make sense, and this is coming from someone thats spent more then a few days in forts ok, you do not have the towers one only one side and even if you do they would not be on the side thats already covered by a civilian house, it just doesnt make sense so It looks wrong.

That does make sense. So, do you think this fits better?

Much better but the single tower on the left doesnt make sense cause there is nothing to support it standing up, so it would just fall down. And there is nothing tactical about a tower without a defensive base around it.

There we go:

There we go, perfect

You are really helping with my architecture. It also looks more like the actual game (designs, not location). Now for the rest of the buildings!

Well if there is one thing I know its bases/forts lol for better or worse I guess, but im glad I could help.

Thank you! Now time for the other buildings: Shipping Yard, Monastery, Portal of Glory (Heaven-like Gateway), Training Grounds (Jousting Arena), Griffin Tower, Blacksmith, and Colossus. Let's hope I can fit them all. Luckily, a quite a bit of the structures can be small (Besides the Training Grounds), so I might be able to fit them.

I really dont know how you expect to put all that on one map, I actually dont think its even possible unless someone has made a master set. Or I completely forgot about something.

I can overlap structures if need be. Like the griffin tower, blacksmith, monastery, etc. If I need to, I can make the training grounds not a jousting arena.

Chain of Retribution was made using 2003 and its towns are very large and look great. I'm not sure how much of it is RTP and how much is ripped (I know the characters are from Bahamut's Lagoon), but I would recommend playing it for inspiration. You start the game in a town so you can jump right in. I'm sure the creators would be glad to give you some pointers.

I know how to build towns. I just need to see if I can get it close to Heroes III's town while making the town still look good.