Want to help with Crimson Fields?
Even if you cannot write code there is a lot of stuff we would like to get help with. We list some of those areas and maybe even some coding tasks below. (Note that the list is most probably incomplete. I'm sure you can think of even more improvements.)
The best place to discuss any of the tasks is our mailing list
(http://crimson.seul.org/mailinglist.php).
Graphics
Tiles
The default tile set still contains a number of placeholders (marked by a small red dot in the lower left corner) and (black) dummy tiles. Most of these were added with a specific use in mind but we are still missing the proper images. For a detailed list of what we are looking for you should send a request to the mailing list. Additionally, there are still a few empty slots.
Also, some of the existing tiles need a makeover. The hills immediately come to mind. Others, like the water tiles, are not as annoying, but could be improved as well.
Units
One unit that is planned for addition is a Battle Ship. We need an image for it.
Crimson Fields also uses unit "portraits", larger unit images which are shown in the unit info dialog. At the moment these exist only for a handful of units in the default set (e.g. Infantry and Artillery). We'd like to have portraits for all the other units as well.
Maps
For campaigns or individual levels it would sometimes be nice to have "real" maps, displaying them in-game or using them as illustration for mappers. Details are open to discussion.
Sound
Soundtracks
There currently is a single (MIDI) soundtrack included with the game.
We'd ultimately like to have one for the main menu, and one for each
map (or at least close to it). Due to size considerations we'd like
MIDI or (preferably) MOD music to distribute with the game.
Ogg Vorbis (http://www.vorbis.com) will be accepted as well, but
it will probably be offered as a separate download.
Note that right now, the game only supports MIDI and Vorbis, but we'll add MOD as soon as we get a contribution in that format.
SFX
We only use sound effects very sparingly. We would like to add effects for moving and firing units, and possibly others you can think of. SFX should be in WAV format.
Mapping
Tutorial Campaign
We are always happy about new maps, of course. One of the features that
is regularly requested, however, is a tutorial campaign. It should comprise
a number of mostly small maps, introducing a new player to various aspects
of the game. For some ideas see
http://archives.seul.org/crimson/users/Mar-2004/msg00012.html.