***NOTE: A couple images labeled "Guide#" in here are early stage layouts that show how I build and what effects it has and I will be using for a guide. They are and are not representations of the final build, namely "Guide5"***
This build rivals or exceeds my previous largest and most detailed build.
Tepes is pronounced Teh-pesh
Theme:
This build is heavily architecture oriented and inspired by the Prince of Darkness. All pillar work is intentionally designed minus like 5 pieces that stick through a few spots. Basically, the theme is a Dark Fantasy based off of a Gothic / Dracula fusion, re-imagined for ARK and incorporating all the necessities from crafting to housing a reasonably sized dino army. The roof doubles up as basic but usable housing to support an entire village with enough space for all your crafting or living needs. There are a few rather dark concepts to keep in tune with the theme. Some of it is based on truth, and a good amount on games & movies.
Build Info and key features:
-70 hours + 15 hours for blueprints & planning + 3 hours for write-up, screenshots and editing.
-Piece count: 25,000+ - Basically a truck load of pillars, fencing (which doesn't snap to what I used), and truck loads of stone walls and stone floor.
-The roofing idea was based off an older times theme. The multiple sets of ramps add thickness basically and highlighted with black detail to make them stand out
-This was the most challenging build I have done (technical issues completely aside)
-Most advanced and architecture oriented build I have done. This really push my ability and creativity
-Most of this is done with pieces in the core game. The detail came from mods.
-Windows are from metal cage mod using doors
-Built with full functionality in mind for any and all needs of the game! Small dino's have full access to almost all of the base and a large housing area. Large ones have a useable section too all designed to fit the theme. Aerial dino's can safely park on the roof
-The entire roof doubles up as a "village" along with serving its architectural component
-The perfect pillar placement (not sticking through top or bottom) comes from using Aku Shima RWT ceilings, snapping the pillar into them and then placing the stone ceiling at the correct angle to sit on top which is pretty easy.
-The technical issues are no exaggeration. I had well over 20 crashes throughout, many times locking my PC with black screen or even uninstalling my video driver. The result was beyond worth it though.
Colors: Black walls and ceiling, Slate floor, Red floor carpet, White pillars (the difference isn't massive vs default, but definitely noticeable as a whole), Black highlights on roof ramps.
My comments on this build:
The end result is just beyond amazing. I was hesitant with the theme for quite a while because of how few parts are available to create theme and mood. It wasn't till the pillars, roofing, fencing and colors that I got some confidence. The torches and chandeliers though just made it perfect and exactly what I was envisioning. Other than the performance drop which in turn also removed 2.5 large elements, this build is my most favorite out of everything I have made.
The fire, fog effects, coloring and the specific set of decor amazed me. The effect of using lighting to turn the fog red just looked super creepy. I could go on and on about this build, it just really excites me that something like this is possible.
I love to design in terms of pretty much anything (scenery, building, fashion, decor, etc), so the performance drops and limitation are heartbreaking when I put such dedication in, especially this because the vampires, gothic and horror concept are my thing that make up my favorite genre's along with zombies. (I also finally got myself a set of gothic punk style clothing ^.^ Thanks Wildcard :3 )
Overall the most intense, challenging, exciting, frustrating, but also the most rewarding build I have done! It is amazing what can be accomplished in ARK and hopefully with heavy optimization down the road (especially for torches, lights, and most notably, the memory usage) and more building pieces please! :3
Mods Used:
-Mysterious Mysteries (The primary mod for almost all non-core pieces such as fog, fences, statues, graves, shelves, dark chests)
-Building Xtras (Primarily for the crosses, those fire states around the outside, and a few grave bits, curtain in the command room)
-Advanced Architecture (Chandeliers, Large Bed, Brown Chests, Chairs - the chairs are lovely and work with the default tables so I recommend these)
-Metal Cages - (For the "windows" and prison content. They really make epic windows even though they are doors actually. The file size is super small so it is a great choice without impacting performance for some alternative pieces)
-Stairs Mod with Rounded Walls (Stairs)
-Angled Railings (The railings for steps)
-Water Fountain (The "fountain of blood")
-Aku Shima RWT (few pieces in bedroom but I actually used the ceilings from this mod to place perfect pillars by snapping pillars into the ceiling, then placing a stone floor at an angle on top so it sits on top and removes the placeholder ceiling ). Kind of a creative way and unintended benefit of this mod :3
I also wanted to list my PC specs once for informational purposes so people get a sense of what I am running since it is not a weak PC or even of average grade I'd say. It runs everything just else just fine:
Video Card - GTX 960 2GB (most common video card and best performance:cost ratio)
CPU - I5-3570 overclocked to 4 GHz (I5 is all that is needed, I7 is only necessary for people who do a lot of video processing and editing)
RAM - 16GB Patriot Viper (Upgraded from 8 just for ARK and it still isn't satisfied :< no other game uses this much!)
-Settings are mostly high with medium shadows, some stuff turned off like sky
-Game was run in Low Memory 4GB mode. I am not how this works since I very cleared watched the memory rise from 13GB at startup to 15 then crash.
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