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Refreshed Race Images
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3.265 MB
21 May @ 9:20pm
25 May @ 12:57pm
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salemonz
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Refreshed Race Images

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Distant Worlds 2 Refreshed (DW2R) Mod Collection
21 items
Description
***Works with Atuuk/Wekkarus DLC***

The Refreshed Race Images mod adds new "race" images to the game, purely for immersion and/or variety.

<<< AI TRIGGER WARNING >>> Mod author is a dirty human sellout that uses generative AI to make aspects of mod content.

/========== CHANGE LOG ==========\
  • v1.0.0 -- 21 May 2025 -- Initial Release


/========== COMPATIBILITY ==========\
This mod only changes existing game assets. No .xml edits, which means this mod does not conflict with other mods.

XL users: No conflicts. Just load XL last.

/========== CONTENTS ==========\
I love feeling connections to the games I play. In 4X games, for me that involves feeling like I'm a part of the empires I create.

But in Distant Worlds 2, sometimes the art/images around the races leave me wanting more. What other types of clothes to the Zenox wear? Is a Mortalen burly enough to take an Ikkuro in a fight? Are there lady Haakonish?

Right now DW2 uses a static version of the faction leader portrait as the game's "race" image. This image shows up in ground battles as civilians, it's used in the population counter, it's put on diplomacy screens, etc.

While the single alien portrait makes sense in some areas, in others it doesn't (e.g. why are all human civilians gray haired white guys?).

Good news is this "race" image is mod-able. Bad news is I can only replace it once and it changes everywhere.

So--yes, I wish I could keep the single alien portrait in some cases and only change it in others. I've submitted it as a suggestion to the DW2 team. We'll see what comes of it.

In the meantime, if you're like me and like to see more of your favorite race, this mod might add a bit of spice to your playthroughs.

(I did take some artistic liberties with some of the races. DW2 Boskara are more slugs than bugs. I didn't care for the Wekkarus look, so I just did my own thing).















/========== HOW TO USE THIS MOD ==========\
  1. Subscribe to this mod here in steam workshop.
  2. Launch DW2.
  3. Within the game, In the Modifications menu, enable the mod.
  4. <<< IMPORTANT >>> You must EXIT and RESTART Distant Worlds 2 before the mod will work.
  5. After re-loading DW2, start a new game and enjoy!

/========== OTHER STUFF ==========\
Hey! I'm salemonz, the mod author.

The Distant Worlds 2 Refreshed mod series is my attempt to increase my skills with generative AI applications, 3D modeling and photo-editing programs.

I'm just a dad gamer who enjoys tinkering with his games. I hope these mods add to your enjoyment of DW2!
14 Comments
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Nightskies 22 Aug @ 4:47pm 
Impressive work with AI! Did you plug in some lore into Midjourney to get these results? Some of these are incredibly on point.
Mas 14 Aug @ 2:32pm 
oh good a mod to make it even easier to squash the Dhayut
salemonz  [author] 29 Jul @ 5:25am 
@james — thanks friend! I use Midjourney with DW2 race art as references.The recent versions have been crazy good at including reference images.

@disconnected — Glad you like the mod! There is a way to kinda “hack” the game into loading static images for leaders. But I would have to edit game files, which makes the mod incompatible with others (hate how they only let one mod edit game files at a time). Still might have a go at it!
james 21 Jul @ 3:18pm 
These look amazing. What AI model do you use?
Disconnected 21 Jul @ 3:43am 
Incredible mod, it would be awesome if you could improve the leaders to bring them in line with these, I would prefer them static but more detailed and realistic.
Oberst_Maler 23 Jun @ 8:06am 
my favorite dad gamer as of today :)
salemonz  [author] 30 May @ 1:22pm 
@Not creepy -- Very much agree. I know when developing a complex game with a small team, stuff like this gets de-prioritized and lost, but I'm glad modders are able to put a little bit back into the game.

The races in Distant Worlds are a known and loved thing to fans of DWU and DW2...why not show them off more, right? :D
Not creepy 28 May @ 12:17am 
Great mod! It is not just about the art for me but the design decision to show several individuals of every race works really great.
I think the presentation is the weakest part of DW2 and it could get to another level just with better design, art and music. Devs seem to underestimate this "subconscious" part of gaming.
salemonz  [author] 27 May @ 7:13pm 
@pupattolino75 -- Glad you like it! I do wish I could replace some places where the race images are used and leave the others. But all-or-nothing is what we have at the moment :D

Luckily the mod is very save friendly. If you yank it, your save will just put in the vanilla images again.
pupattolino75 26 May @ 5:27am 
Very cool indeed. I'll use it on my yt series from now on.