Malta: Visual Redesign

Pretty simple, really. The Malta Group are supposed to be one of the biggest high level threats in CityOf. They are the anti-meta paramilitary, the non-powered men and women who still have the equipment and funding and experience to go up against Super Heroes and Villains and win. They are cold, efficient, ruthless, dangerous people.


And, uh....yeah, they look terrifying...right?



Uh, not really, no. In fact, they look pretty old, low tech, a bit like bog-standard army grunts in blue outfits. No high-tech, no up to date equipment. Really, they look a bit of a joke.

So, while I don't claim to be up to the standard of the awesome David or his art crews, I did throw together something that was a little more modern for Malta;




Malta aren't the worst offenders when it comes to needing updates and redesigns, but they are one of the groups that doesn't really fit it's reputation when it comes to looks.
Just my two cents.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

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Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

Not to be rude, but I personally don't see much difference between their current look and your proposed one. At most, it's less baggy and a darker color.

I've got to say... malta, as it is, look like they fit the bill for what they're supposed to be. Paramilitary group not assigned to any nation. The look fits them. You've put obvious armor on them, but they look like a group with regular body armor in (or under) the jacket, etc.

Even the color is perfectly legit - and related to what's used in a few nations. (for instance: )


or






And... quite honestly, I agree with Kazz about the redesign. It doesn't really add anything to the group. It's rather... meh. Sorry.

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Agreed. I like the Malta Group the way it is. The group DOES look like a clandestine and sinister organization

Eh, fair enough I suppose. They still suffer, like all the original mobs do, from low poly and low-res texture issues, in my opinion. That and, well...they technically have a camo pattern, but both colours are the same blue. Kind of defeats the point

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zwillinger GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Captain_Photon NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.

Yeah, I think they just really need a texture update, not really a full blown costume alteration.

Yes. That is awesome. I really think Malta needs and deserves that.

I think the plans are to use Battle Maiden nanite tech to train and upgrade the Malta... So maybe the update is in the works.

Yeah, I just hope that doesn't result in them becoming Cyborg Malta X, but maybe they simply create better guns or use nanoweaves into their ballistic armors.

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Originally Posted by Samuel_Tow City of Heroes is a game about freedom of expression and variety of experiences far more so than it is about representing any one theme, topic or genre.

I think Malta's "fat" baggy clothes are perfect.

They look practical. They're above the superhero game of turning up dressed like a ballet dancer to a gun fight.

Look at the guys who invade the school in XMen 2 - they all looked a bit tubby because of the amount of equipment they're carrying on their person on top of loose fatigues.

I think a leaner tighter look would make them look like they were playing superhero/villain, which is not what their organisation is about.

Yeah, I mean it works well with police and standard military, but I think I'm just suffering from a case of "reality is unrealistic" sort of. I mean I know that's how it works in real life, but I can't help but think that as a Special Black Ops Group it looks a bit odd for each Malta agent to be equipped and geared up like they've got everything and the kitchen sink. (Technically is's a folding, plastic mess sink, but it still applies)

Like I said, maybe it's just me in the end, and to be honest, they don't even look that bad now, just sometimes think they could use a 'sleeker' look every so often.

In the end, as I've said, I think the real update Malta could use in appearance department would be "casually" dressed operatives seen outside or in missions where they're supposed to look like something else.

And I continue to pray when they get upgraded by Valkyrie they won't become CYBER MALTA X WITH NANITE SWORDS, NANO-CHAIN MAIL, AND TABARDS!

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Originally Posted by Samuel_Tow City of Heroes is a game about freedom of expression and variety of experiences far more so than it is about representing any one theme, topic or genre.

Well, here's the thing with that - to me, of course.

The casually dressed operatives - the guys in business suits, the Knives infiltrating somewhere - we don't really have "investigation" in the game. It would drive the "XP uber alles kill kill kill" folks crazy (which itself I would find amusing) to have to actually *root out* the Malta mole/spy, etc... but until then, it could well just be Oscar who just passed you on the street who's *actually* monitoring you.

I mean... look at Max.

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Personally, I think the 'ninja mesh' detracts from any type of futuristic feel the mock up has. It's rather passe compared to modern ceramic type body armor in functionality and usability.

If a redesign of Malta were to happen, I'd look less toward paramilitary and more toward futuristic cybernetics. Somewhat like the IDF but less super-mech with cable muscles and power connectors...thinking of a kind of cybernetic suit but mass produced and modular.

And it would probably be for a special group within Malta that uses the armor to varying degrees. The current Malta should be what most people see on the streets.