WEST END

[bat]

Welcome to page 9!

Again a wonderful update, paroch! Also great pictues of Regent Island!

Looking forward to the next island!

[Jmouse]

Hey there, Paul, I like what you've done with Regent Island. The sparse population works well to give it the right kind of atmosphere.
And it looks like the view from Mouse Point is spectacular. I am honored to be a part of this lovely place!
BTW, congratulations to the latest winners. Actually I'm kind of relieved - now I can sit back and watch everybody else get walloped!

Until next time...
Joan

[sebes]

GO METS!!

I  was preparing a nice comment to prepare for the match while you were posting your update, and find out that De Mets already won their first game.

So instead of pictures from before the match, here a picture from the BlueWhite Legion cheering their goalkeeper after the shameless attack by the Shosalozan Belmont Rangers. 



And Paul, that are some great shots of the Regent Islands.

[Ennedi]

Congratulations Mr Sebes, one of our main soccer/Kung Fu principles in Shosaloza is to lose in a honourable way
But we are now in a group phase of the tournament, and maybe we will meet again...

There is a great mobilisation in Shosaloza now, we send the next group of our fans



All soccer fans from Shosaloza are carefully controlled before they go to West End, a few hours ago our police confiscated some interesting stuff:



"I think other teams can feel safe till now, but we can't guarantee 100% effectivity after the next lost match" said the police representative

[capo]

One of the more unknown Dutch masters "Stein Huysegems" has made a very famous painting of the day that VV Biroud scored a draw in their first official international match.



For many centuries people thought this painting was showing the storming of the Bastille. However, with new found documents it has now been proven that this was in fact history's first football riot in Biroud, that late equalizer really caused havoc here I must tell you. I'm really hoping that VV Biroud will win their next match (and with hoping I mean one giant crate filled with goldcoins for a certain tournament director...)

[Sober]

Holy smokes paroch, I kinda disappear for a while and I come back and find you in Special Interests! Whatever you've got, you have to give me the recipe 

Those are some really cool islands, though your shadows in your screenshots look a little weird. Can't wait for the next update and I can't wait to see who wins the Tournament!

[tooheys]

Paul, you are certainly expanding your repertoire. Nice work with the shorelines with the use of rock and vegetation.
The island looks great 

Audley End looks fantastic. I have a heap of mansions etc but I don't think I've seen that one before. Can I ask where you found it.

And finally, GO MARINERS.

Cheers

Dave

[paroch]

Before we get started, some quick replies:

Bat - thanks and yes, page 9 - wow.  I really wasn't sure how long this would run!

Joan - I am pleased you like the island, and Mouse Point seemed kinda appropriate.  It would be a nice spot to watch the boats and ships sail past.  Good luck for your next match.  I'm sure those Seagulls aren't done yet.

Sebes - LOL, glad that you and the Blue and White Legion are entering into the spirit of the tournament.  Great pic of that crowd - which one are you??

Ennedi - that made me laugh too!  You have some very nice ladies in Shosoloza.  I bet they all hang out at Amnesia Nightclub!  And I'm pleased your border control are doing a good job.  Interesting to see that football hooligans even get corporate sponsorship these days!

Capo - LOL, well at least they don't take football too serious then!!!!  Great post - I'm pleased that the tournament is bringing out plenty of humour!  Huysegems also plays football for Feyenoord I believe (I guess not the same Huysegems!).  I'll pass the gold coins onto Sir Bert Microchip and see if he can have a word with the referee.

Sober - Welcome Back.  Yeah, I think they got mixed up and let me in by mistake!!  And I know what you mean about those shadows.  Looks like those trees are really skyscrapers!  Not sure why it's doing that - have you ever seen that elsewhere?

Tooheys - Dave, good to see you.  I'm glad you've noticed my expanding "repetoire" (never thought of it as such before).  I think this is the beauty of MDs.  You look, you read, you decide what you like, you experiment and learn.  I hope West End is improving my SC4 ability but even if not - I'm really enjoying it!  More natural landscaping in the pics below.
As for Audley End, it's here on the LEX.  Category Search - Rewards BTE, page 8, CSX Mansion - Audley End by Colyn    http://sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=142

And good luck to the Mariners!!


Today is Day Three of the tournament.  Teams are in action for the second time and after this game you should start to get a feel for your chances of progressing further:


Group A - Wardour
VV Biroud  2-1  Los Pioneros de Canatlan
Those players from medieval times really excelled themselves this time.  That's a draw and a win for Capo's team and they are starting to look powerful.  Unfortunately for Heblem his team seemed to be distracted by their own group of cheerleaders!

Hopefully now the fans from Biroud will calm down and chill out with a glass of Grolsch (or Amstel!).  And I can let you know that no gold coins influenced this result at all!

Group B - Great Portland
Devotion All Stars  1-5  Fursan FC
Well, we knew Fursan were capable of destroying teams and that is exactly what happened today.  The All Stars were never really in this game.  Great Portland bars and restaurants were doing a busy trade after the game as the fans from Qumma celebrated their victory.  I have heard a rumour the team have received a good luck message from the Dawa Berber himself!


Group C - Regent
Wombats  1-1  Terrigal Mariners
Both these teams won their opening games, so this match was always likely to be tight.  The Mariners had the better chances and will feel unlucky not to have won but the Wombats defended valiantly to hold on for a draw.  The fans from Badger Bay and Balnavia hit the casinos in Regent after the match and had a whale of a time - I think they're enjoying the tournament so far.


Group D - Oxford
Republic Stars  2-1  Belmont Rangers
Both teams lost their first match, so now, having lost both games the Rangers look as though they will be eliminated from the tournament at the end of the Group stage.  They were unlucky in a close game.  Still the Republic Stars deserved their win, so well done.  Whilst Oxford doesn't have as many night spots as Regent, both sets of fans found plenty to do, and even had a kick about in the Central Park.


So on day three, congratulations go to Capo, Nedalezz and NASCAR_Guy  - well done to you and your teams.  It goes to show what a fickle and harsh game football can be.  Ennedi has one of the best MDs here on SC4D but his team has two defeats.


During the tournament I am also trying to keep you updated with developments in Regent.  Today we move onto Crown Island.  This is a small uninhabited island.

This is pretty unusual for me, because I love to zone, zone and zone some more!  I can't help myself.  But here, I concentrated on just creating something natural.  I took advice from Capo's tutorial on coastlines and how to make them smoother.  I won't pretend that I have achieved his level of creation, but I am quite pleased with it anyway.  I hope you enjoy too.


11.01  Overview of Crown Island

You can see where the island lays in relation to Regent Island and the mainland. 


11.02  Zoom in

Many people have applied for building permission here.  They always say, "only my house", but if you let one in, you have to let them all in!  The only way onto the island is private boat, or swim from Regent Island!


11.03  And zoom again!

A close up of the sea shore.  Joan, maybe your college student could paint those white rocks a more natural colour!!??
I've not installed a terrain mod yet and am not sure whether to or not - I'd be interested in any opinions you guys have.  After all you know West End nearly as well as I do!


11.04  Balloons

Sometimes I see something a bit odd and think "where did that come from".  Well, I spotted these balloons the other day.  They just floated up and up and up.  Has anyone else seen these and so you know where they come from??


'til next time.....

[Jmouse]

Crown Island is gorgeous just the way it is, Paul, so leave it alone!! If folks just can't stand it, let them swim!
For some variety in rock color, take a look at this: Linkie
Later if you have time, just enter the search word "rock" and you'll find all kinds of stuff.
Anyway, beautiful update, but I was wondering what setting you're using for shadows. I have mine on medium and sometimes they get chopped off so I have to fix them in PhotoShop. It will take someone a lot more experienced than me to explain this.
And Re: the balloons, you just might have discovered Lawn-Chair Larry, one of several "Easter Eggs" Maxis included in the game so I've heard.
Bear with me here because I'm trying to remember a post I saw a couple of years ago on ST. Larry was a real person who tied a bunch of balloons to his lawn chair, took off into the wild blue yonder and eventually was arrested for his trouble.
When he appears in the game, though, it's a good sign because it means the Sims are very happy.

Until next time...
Joan

[nedalezz]

5-1, thats more like it! Honestly, the boys were jetlagged from the long trip. That Qumma Airways chartered flight just wore them out! But they came back strong in the 2nd match. They were so impressive that Berber Dawa has been talking about going to watch the 3rd match in person!

paroch, what you are doing here is unbelievable. This is simply the most entertaining MD at the current time, thanks to your tournament AND the constant, large updates.

I loved Mouse Point for some reason, it just seems so calm and serene.

This is absolutely great stuff.

[tkirch]

Hey my Wombats are better then expected.  Look out here we come....

I love the pictures.  Regent and Crown Island look awe inspiring.  And I think to build on those beautiful islands would take away from their beauty.

[tooheys]

Well haven't lost a game yet, just lucky tkirch, another 30 secs of injury time and we would have had you 

Paul looking good as always  . Terrain mods are great, but finding the right one is difficult. Given your current island region, the current look works quite well. Perhaps something like urban's although that is more tropical.

Anyway, looking forward to see what you do with Crown Island.

Cheers

Dave

[capo]

Woohoo Biroud's first win! The people and it's ruler couldn't be more proud, instead of riots festivities have started in the small town of Biroud. Mayor, I'm also proud that Biroud has opened it's own travelling agency wich offers trips to West End. I guess organising that tournament will make a huge increse in commercial demand in West End, because all the residents now want to go there and support their team. A new feature is that you can now also fly to West End. The BLM (Biroud's Luchtvaart Maatschappij) has bought a fine catapult wich will be used in this new form of transportation. People who buy an economy class ticket will be shot with the catapult towards West End, no drinks will be served on flight. With a business class ticket a stewardess will acompany you with the flight and some nice soft pillows are given to ease the landing. It's still a bit tricky to let all the people land at the same place so I hope this new method of transportation will not frighten a West-Ender if a Biroud citizen lands in their front yard by mistake.

Stein Huysegems is indeed a football player, he played for Feyenoord last season. This season he plays for FC Twente, I'm surprised you recognized the name.

About your pictures:
11.01  Overview of Crown Island: It's really great to see that you used my tutorial and create something completely on your own with it. I really like these natural islands and what a great view you must have on them when you are at the top of the ferris wheel. A very nice overview of these two islands.

11.02  Zoom in: You are completely right denying building requests on this fine natural island. I know most people really want the best for this island, but unfortunately everywhere humans go, destruction of nature will follow. Perhaps you should request a 'special natural landmark status' for this island, so no smart lawyer can find a loophole for a building permit. Very nice touch in this picture: the natural lake/overlay close to the shore, that looks like a place where a lot of 'life' would be. I can already imagine people hiding in the bushes with their binoculars ready to spot the 'redwinged fisher king' that would probably reside there.

11.03  And zoom again!: Now I have to ask you, what is the rocky substance in the sea close to the island? Where did you get that plopable thingy? I downloaded all CP's and JRJ's plopable stuff and I never saw that before, you are making me curious. The placed white rocks look a bit out of place to tell you the truth, maybe a bit more variety with JRJ's plopable rocks (under dedgren in LEX) and the rocks that Joan provided in her reply would 'liven' it up some. Since a few weeks I am using the Italia Landterrain mod, it can be found on the PLEX and I like it very much. In Ennedi's MD you can find a great tutorial on modding the terrainmod, you asked for advice on a terrainmod. Well that one is the best imho

11.04  Balloons: No I've never seen that before but thanks Joan for explaining! I'm going to keep a keen eye on my town when it's in modern times, I'd like to see the balloons as well (and the gnome, I've never seen the gnome either!!)

Great update on a great tournament, what else is there to say?

[bat]

Crown Island is looking very nice! and also great detailing!

[sebes]

Tomorrow will be the big day: several thousand Blue White tyfosi have booked charter flights and ferries to Oxford, to support their team and party with the OXford locals, the Shosalozan ladies, and the Biroud Happy Landers.  Nieuw Amsterdam insurance companies even offer packages covering being hit by Biroud's Economy Cabin fans being mis-shot by BLM, and offer a premium bonus if a Business Cabin stewardess is landing on your lap. The Legion is now gathering at Oxfords central square for some Grolsch SABMillers and have a great time before tomorrows match:  GO METS!!





Oh - and the island and beaches shown are wonderful - a good place to relax after an exiting game and a few too many Grolsch SABMiller 

[Pat]

Paul wonderful stuff here and i cant belive i tied for my first game eeeeek i better run and hide now from Jsquad i here them boys are nasty if you lose lol........ BTW i love chicago fire they are a strong team and its a perfect fit as well....  Awesome update my friend and till next time see you soon - pat

[paroch]

Work commitments kept me out late yesterday, so Day Four is a day late - sorry guys!  Also, because I've been busy with work stuff I've not had as much time as I'd like to visit other MDs, so I apologise to those of you who I've not visited in the last few days.

I loved your replies - all very funny and really entering into the spirit of what I hoped the tournament would be - a bit of fun!!!

Replies:

Joan:  Where would I be without you Joan   Great comments, great answers, and some great suggestions.  The Larry thing is very interesting - never knew that.  I've heard about the gnome but never seen him.
As for my shadow settings - they were on medium but I recently cranked them up to high.  Can't remember if these pics were taken on medium or high.  I'll have to have a play around as I don't have photoshop.

Nedalezz:  Thanks for the kind words.  I must confess that I am trying to put as much into November as I can - OSITM is an honour I didn't expect, so I'm trying to do it justice!  As for Berber Dawa's visit, I'll make sure that Portland Airport has plenty of red carpet ready!

Tkirch:  Yeah, those Wombats are doing well - they could be the surprise package of the tournament!  After the comments received I can assure you all that Crown Island will remain undeveloped.

Dave:  The Mariners are looking good so far.  Hopefully they'll go further than the Aussies in the rugby world cup!!!  And thanks for the advice re terrain mod.

Capo:  It's official, you are insane!!!  Must be that orange madness!!!  I will try to build a swamp region for safe soft catapult landings.  I recognised Huysegems from that evil machine that is PS2.  My son and I have a mini league and one of my teams is Feyenoord and he scores plenty of goals.
Your tutorial was VERY useful.  Simple things like making the "cursor" smaller and treating it like a paint brush make so much difference.  I'll keep playing with it and see what else I can produce.
And your comment re natural landmark status and birdwatchers is interesting.  Near where I live we have a large resevoir with bird watching hides.  Do you know of any "hides" Bats/Lots that are available? They'd work well there.
As for the rocky substance, here'e the linkie  http://www.simtropolis.com/stex/index.cfm?id=17099
I use it quite a bit - I think it could work well in Biroud.  And yeah, the white rocks need to change.  I'm hoping the collage students from Pitchfork Pass will come over and either paint them or replace them!  And thanks for the advice re terrain mod.  I've also seen an eagle flying around before.

You ever seen him?

Bat:  Thanks, glad you like the island - bit different for me!

Sebes:  Big day indeed.  West End United have a place in my heart but I promise that it is all decided by the PS2.  And I'm glad it is.  If I tried to decide myself, how could I choose from all the great MDs, great support you guys give and great teams you've entered.  Oxford know that your guys will be in party mood, so the beer is ready and chilled.
Great comment by the way.  You and Capo seem to be having a Dutch humour competition!  I'm trying to work out which one in the picture is you and which one is Capo!

Pat:  Glad you're liking the Fire, the Chicago Fire that is.  And thanks for the visit and kind word.


Today is Day Four of the tournament.  Teams are in action for the second time and after this game you should start to get a feel for your chances of progressing further:


Group A - Wardour
The Seagulls  1-0  Wardouroda
A great result for the team from Pitchfork Pass.  Those young Texans scored early on in the game, after just 2 minutes and then had to work really hard to keep Wardouroda out.  The home side will be bitterly disappointed and know they have to win their last game to have a chance of progressing.

                               Points      Goal Difference
VV Biroud                 4                +1
LP de Canatlan           3               +1
The Seagulls               3                -1
Wardouroda               1                 -1

Biroud play The Seagulls in their final match, so The Seagulls have to win that to have a realistic chance of progressing.



Group B - Great Portland
PitchForkers  4-2  FC Portland
After their great result against Fursan, the PitchForkers record a stunning victory over the host team.  The PitchForkers were literally on fire - and then Pat put them out!  Great Portland was kept awake through the night as the fans from New Castia partied long and hard in the streets of the city centre.

                               Points      Goal Difference
Fursan FC                   4                +4
PitchForkers               4                +2
FC Portland                1                 -2
Devotion All Stars      1                 -4

PitchForkers have to play Devotion All Stars next and a draw will see them through.  The All Stars need to win by a big margin to give them hope.  Fursan play the hosts, FC Portland.  The situation is similar, a draw for Fursan and they qualify.



Group C - Regent
Westmountain Soccers  1-0  Regent Royals
The Royals continue their dismal form with another one-nil defeat.  Bat's team from Capporth did what they had to do, soak up pressure and convert one of their chances.  It was a very professional performance.  Rumours are starting to circulate that the Regent team are spending too long in the casinos in town!

                               Points      Goal Difference
Terrigal Mariners       4                +3
Wombats                    4                +1
Westmountain             3                 -2
Regent Royals             0                 -2

The Royals become the first team to be eliminated from the tournament.  Still, they don't have too far to travel home!  Terrigal are almost through to the next round, they'd need to lose heavily against Regent in their last game and also see Westmountain win big against Wombats.  Westmountain will need to beat Wombats by three goals to progress.


Group D - Oxford
FC Manhattan  0-1  West End United
De Mets can feel very upset after this result.  The referee awarded a late penalty that was hotly disputed.  Maybe it was the home crowd on his back that influenced him, who knows.  But Noble, the young West End midfielder, stepped up and slotted it away.  Tempers were frayed and the Blue and White army vented their frustration afterwards by painting Dutch slogans on the walls around the stadium.

                               Points      Goal Difference
West End United        6                +2
Republic Stars            3                 0
FC Manhattan             3                 0
Belmont Rangers       0                 -2

Belmont play West End Utd in their next game, so are also eliminated from the tournament.  Even if they win, the other match will mean that they cannot progress.  The Republic Stars versus Manhattan match is now a winner takes all game.  If it's a draw the Republic Stars will progress as they have scored three goals, whereas Manhattan have only scored two.  That will be a very nervy match!

The next round will shape up as follows:

Winner Group A  v  Runner Up Group B   - Regent
Winner Group B  v  Runner Up Group C   - Oxford
Winner Group C  v  Runner Up Group D   - Wardour
Winner Group D  v  Runner Up Group A   - Great Portland

I'm not going to be around for a couple of days now, so I'll post a combined update for Day 5 and Day 6.


OK, now some pics from the last island in Regent - Consort Island.

This is a bigger island than Regent Island and it is also more developed.  It even has some small industrial zones.

11.05  Overview of Consort Island

This gives you an idea of where the island sits.  You can see where the two ferries are sailing - this is the main shipping lane from the ocean into the River Dinnium.


11.06  North Ferry Park

Nice park, shame about the uninspiring town!  This town is somewhat functional I think, without looking that nice.  But still isn't that the case in RL sometimes?


11.07  North Ferry

Here is a close up of the North Ferry Terminal.  One of PEG's great creations.  I had some serious issues getting these to work properly - but a delete and reinstall to the plug ins seemed to do the trick!

That's all today,

'til next time.........

[Jmouse]

Absolutely stunning overview, paroch, which I might add shows off the lovely view from Mouse Point!
You've done a fine job on the islands - they're just right, not overcrowded the way I'd probably make them!
As for the tournament, I'm so pleased I could help in some small way. I can't believe the Seagulls won a game, or did they? This is all very confusing to me , and the coach has left town this week to play baseball!

Until next time...
Joan

[Heblem]

from the another game i'm sorry i was distracted, but wow!! i'm really surpired an honored for the results! 

Excellent work in the tournament really glad to see my team getting on it hurray
Today will be a special information in Canatlan about this success

Take care, go! The Pioneers

[Pat]

Wooooooooohooooo GOOOOOOO Pitchforkers!!! WOW im pleased to win the game out right that is soo cool and Paul you are doing a great job here, see you next update - pat