The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
Empire: Total War - More indepth 1700's information than you can imagine! [NSF56K]
DarkCrawler
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Empire: Total War is the newest entry in the awesome Total War series, and how come you guys aren't talking about it more? 
Information!
http://www.sega.co.uk/empire/index.php?t=EnglishUK
Pictures!
Videos!
talk, damn you!
NOTE: We don't advocate buying the version with extra units - they and more will no doubt be modded in as time progresses and honestly, for six units the offer is a total ripoff.
Information!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_total_warEmpire: Total War is an upcoming 2009 real-time tactics and turn-based strategy computer game. Developed by the Creative Assembly and published by Sega, the game is scheduled for release in March 2009. Announced in August 2007, Empire: Total War is the fifth installment in the Total War series, and focuses on the modern era period of the 1700s and 1800s. The game follows a similar style of play as earlier Total War titles: players choose a contemporary faction and set out to ensure their faction's domination over the known world through military force, politics, diplomacy, espionage and economics. Although the campaign element of the game is turn-based, players can direct battles in real-time. Empire: Total War is the first game in the series to allow naval battles to be conducted in real-time.
Command the seas, control the land, forge a new nation, and conquer the globe. Empire: Total War takes the Total War franchise to the eighteenth century Age of Enlightenment -- a time of political upheaval, military advancements, and radical thought, captured in stunning detail in Empire: Total War.
Empire: Total War introduces a host of revolutionary new features, including true 3D naval combat. For the first time in the Total War series, you will be able to intuitively command single ships or vast fleets upon seascapes rich with extraordinary water and weather effects that play a huge role in your eventual glorious success or ignominious defeat. After pummelling your enemy with cannon fire, close in to grapple their ship and prepare to board, taking control of your men as they fight hand-to-hand on the decks of these wooden behemoths.
In addition, Empire: Total War will see further enhancements to the Total War series’ signature 3D battles and turn-based campaign map. Real-time battles will pose new challenges with the addition of cannon and musket, challenging players to master new formations and tactics as a result of the increasing role of gunpowder within warfare. And the Campaign Map -- for many, the heart of Total War -- introduces a variety of new and upgraded elements, including new systems for Trade, Diplomacy and Espionage with agents; a refined and streamlined UI; improved Advisors; and a vastly extended scope, taking in the riches of India, the turbulence of Europe and, for the first time, the untapped potential of the United States of America.
http://www.sega.co.uk/empire/index.php?t=EnglishUK
Pictures!
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/38337.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/40753.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/41950.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43831.html
Released March 2009!http://www.gametrailers.com/player/40753.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/41950.html
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/43831.html
talk, damn you!
NOTE: We don't advocate buying the version with extra units - they and more will no doubt be modded in as time progresses and honestly, for six units the offer is a total ripoff.
DarkCrawler on
0
Posts
Those screen shots are in game. All of them.
The new engine breaks into a super detailed mode when you get in close. Zooming out the quality isn't much different than Rome or Medieval.
I preordered this but there are a few things you want to know particularly if you are having a Goomba like temper.
The collectors edition is 20$ more than the regular edition. It's called the Special Forces edition. Don't let game stop geek ( do they even carry new PC games now? ) tell you they are separate things they aren't.
The only difference between off the shelf and collectors is 5 units, and a detailed color campaign map. If you buy they collectors edition through D/L the prices is still 20$ more and you only get the units.
Yes.
5.
Units.
These units are unique, you can only have 1 of them and they are for different factions. They include the British Invincible, Scottish mercenaries, Deathheads and so on. The units are elite super units though I don't think they are on the Krogoth scale. They aren't available in mulitplayer (unconfirmed).
If you want to preorder, wasting money on the unique units or not, you can get additional units depending on who you order it from.
Steam preorders get Rome:Gold for free which is a pretty damn good deal. Play.com offers the Constitution and there is at least one more special offer out there if you want to look. As of this time you would need to buy the game 3 times to get all the special units. So good luck with that.
As disgusting as this is I wanted to stress that this stuff is out there so you can avoid it. There isn't a point. Mainly because while cool these units still have to be researched (Empire has a tech tree, separate from buildings) and you only get 1, and you probably can't use them in multiplayer. Also, they will probably be modded in 2 hours from release by hacker X and his merry men anyway so why bother?
Going away from that grousing you will not that the game is the biggest yet, America, Africa, Europe, Russia, and India. I'd be surprised if the East wasn't added in as an expansion.
This is also the first game to incorporate multiplayer campaigns. Only 2 people now but it holds hope for the future.
caffron said: "and cat pee is not a laughing matter"
But I also remember when Medieval 2 was supposed to be the last.
i thought so, at least from an interview they gave on the game.
Medieval 2 was almost a parody of a Total War game at release, although a fair few patches later it is in a more playable state.
As with all Total War games, I expect the best thing about this game will be the eventual mods....
I want my infantry squares!!!!
There won't be any sieges in this game thankfully. My enemies will take one look upon my gleaming visage as I approach their keep at the head of my unstoppable wave of troops and kill themselves to save me the trouble.
Basically every new title in the series is a big bunch of awesomeness that I can play forever and ever.
Dawwwwwwww. The cute little island wants us to obey it. Dawwwwwwwwww.
(Please do not gift. My game bank is already full.)
Apparently the AI now has an incentive to attack you outside of the settlements. Resources are now outside the city and these can be fortified with star forts for those with the spare cash. So if the AI is going to hide behind walls (which apparently it doesn't any more) they are going to loose all the economic and military benefits of that settlement when you just capture all the resources outside the cities.
Shit AI and how its been addressed and made less stupid
From what I hear the campaign AI and battle AI have been drastically improved. In previous TW games the diplomacy AI and the battle AI were always at odds and the battle AI almost always dominated the decision making. Basically if the comp had an army it was going to use it no matter if you had been allied for 100 turns. Now with both these systems working in tandem I think you are going to see a lot more meaningful alliances and lasting ceasefire and smarter moves by the AI.
Technology! Give me Spinning Jenny or give me death!
"Meanwhile, back in the turn-based part of the game, a tech-tree will allow you to research down the faster-moving technologies of the 18th Century. Obviously, it's no Civ in terms of scope, but there's enough to ensure that you won't max out your tree in one game; you'll be forced to neglect some branches if you want to reach the end of any others. A new way of winning is the Prestige victory condition, allowing you to succeed by becoming the most well thought of and thoroughly awesome leader. It's not like a culture win in Civ, though - part of the process of becoming so prestigious is to win a lot of battles, and defeat a lot of enemies."
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/empire-total-war-hands-on
Taken from the same article regarding ships
"The ships we're using are limited. The full game will have many more. Rocket ships (invented around 1780) will have the ability to spread fire across the deck of opposing ships, and in the final game, you'll control many more ships, such as frigates, sloops, brigs. First-rates like Nelson's 104-gun ship the HMS Victory (still preserved at Portsmouth) will feature, as will oversized versions of these mighty ships. These buggers can house 136 guns, giving them the power to properly muck up a bunch of junks - the downside being a turning circle with the diameter of Britain."
Personally, this is the next big game that I'm looking forward to and I'm hooked to every tidbit of info about the game. I just hope to God that they improve the voice acting from the previous two titles. The voice of the Roman announcer in RTW was fucking. piss. poor. (the day is oooouuuuuurs!). Way to make my victory sound like it was being commentated by an American with a terribly high pitched voice instead of a grizzly Roman general who is just off to fuck his slave to celebrate the slaughter he just orchestrated.
Also, the voice acting for the units you command need to be better than the generic "INFANTRY! HEAVY INFANTRY! ARCHERS! ARCHERS! CAVALRY! HEAVY CAVALRY!" And having them be the same across virtually every faction just seems a little lazy. I know with 50+ factions this is a big ask but shit just take a core of many 1 English faction, 1 French 1 German and 1 Spanish, give them the authentic voice attention they deserve and I'll be happy.
Take a leaf from CoH's book and give the units personality and commands to shout.
This was after all an age where drill and discipline on the battlefield were paramount to victory. Being able to turn and wheel whilst under fire and facing a bayonet charge, that took balls of fucking steel and the side that could not maintain formation would usually just melt away in the face of organized opposition.
Eg "Company, will fix bayonets!" "Company, make ready!" And add in authentic shit like I don't know, officers yelling encouragement to their men and sergeants barking orders. All you usually heard in the previous games was just the general clang of battle with a few screams thrown in. Give us a reason to connect with our troops and hear their suffering and triumphs.
Also it has to be said but if at a minimum these songs aren't included in the game I will be organizing a band of militia to march fife and drums to CA and force them to include them in the game in a patch at the point of bayonet!
SPOILERED FOR SIZE!
British Grenadiers
La Victoire est à Nous
Not exactly historical but its bagpipes and its fucking epic (from Last of the Mohicans
Also this game needs to have this guy and his big British Balls of Steel. Spoilered for size
And now to leave you all with a clip that will make the wait for this game fucking agonizing.
British redcoats doing what they do best.
EDIT: Multiplayer campaign mode to be added after release and beta available to all who buy the game. http://news.bigdownload.com/2008/12/12/empire-total-war-to-add-multiplayer-campaign-mode-after-release/
It was a stick.
Not that far. You can get technology of steamships if you pursue the naval technology heavily but we wont be seeing Martini Henry's anytime soon. I would say a lot of technology past 1820's would be out but a few exceptions here and there.
It was a stick.
I'd like to see a Total War visitation of the American Civil War. I'd also like to see Three-Kingdoms era China. Shogun was a lot of fun, but I doubt we'll see a graphical update on that now that Japanophilia is no longer in vogue.
I wonder if they'll ever take on WWI. Everyone does WWII... no one does WWI.
Do you DARE to impugn my honour. We shall settle this at dawn tomorrow you cur.
[slaps with immaculate white glove]
No-one calls our glorious and unrivaled Empire 'cute'. Don't make me come over there and colonize your ass again. You don't have Mel Gibson this time.
Does anyone know how they'll do government this time around? I was a big fan of the family trees (and always thought they could be improved) but that might be harder to pull off in the Empire period.
There's a reason for that. Trench warfare wouldn't be fun or challenging.
QEDMF xbl: PantsB G+
Set it on the east front, or have it during the early/late period of the war. Or have it be on the highly mobile operational level. WWI isn't all just chilling in trenches and drinking tea.
I'm glad that in this one lineage won't matter as much. It drove me crazy that Medieval 2 had wacky inheritance. If they can make the time scale make sense in this one, I will cherish it above the last few.
Three kinds of governments. Monarchy, constitutional monarchy and republic. I'm a little unclear on the details but I think with a republic Ministers are appointed to various posts. Defence minister, Trade etc and they have traits and virtues like previous titles.
This preview looks at the campaign features http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/2008/11/29/empire-total-war-hands-on-preview/5
No clue as to how the other governments operate specifically. Revolutions are possible too, there are separate tax levels for rich and poor. Show favour to one and you risk unrest and you have the option of fighting for or against the revolutionaries and the revolution is deemed to be won once the capital is taken.
It was a stick.
Basically what I'm saying is, I want a fantasy or sci-fi Total War game where I can more easily suspend my own disbelief.
I recall back just before M2TW was released, and they were hyping how much better the AI was than RTW.... I was so excited, because that was my biggest beef with Rome & Expansions. They lied, and lied badly - I'm not sure I could pick which AI was worse. I would really like to believe them this time, but somehow, I just can't.
Slightly off topic - for any that still play M2TW (I think you need Kingdoms for this), the Stainless Steel mod made the game much closer to how I felt it should have been. Revamps the battle AI, adds a lot of units, lowers all units attack (so battles last longer & flanking is more effective), elite units are hellish expensive in both cost & upkeep so you will always need lower tier units, makes the world map larger with more settlements, adds a lot of new factions, etc.
So basically Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri: Total war
QEDMF xbl: PantsB G+
I think they hired some of the modders that worked to improve the previous AI. Not that that's a guarantee, but at least they're trying.
hdenton: Holy shit, someone else who played Fields of Glory. I sunk a lot of time into that game, and I haven't seen a comparable Napoleonic RTS since then.
Sins of a Solar Empire sort of kind of approaches this. It's a little shallower in scope, but it's gameplay is still amazing, imo.
So I should go download it?
Maybe they could have you manage how many feet your units have, as trenchfoot sets in, monitoring their diseases and then attacking once you see you have an advantage versus the enemy, possibly due to malnutrition or somesuch. Or more mans with feet.
The game will have mulitplayer to be released in a patch after release. It is indirectly the reason the game is being released in March instead of Feb. However it will only be 2 people max. It's a start.
As to the next game, there's an interview with a team head saying he'd love to do a 1900 to 1940(ish) game but that was just his opinion and not a statement from the company. (He stressed that last bit.)
I'd love to see a remake of the original Shogun it was their first, I'd love to see it go back to its roots.
caffron said: "and cat pee is not a laughing matter"
Apart from beautiful 3d graphics what cold the add to Shogun in the remake apart from terrifyingly inappropriate complexity.
Shogun is a game that is a triumph of simplicity. Archers, Spear, Horse. Mess with the 3 units and you mess with the very essence of Shogun. There is no Horse unit that can defeat a spear unit in a head on fight unlike in Medieval, there are no battlefield artillery units like in Rome.
Shogun is a finely crafted jewel, perfect in it's simplicity, that should remain unsullied by a senseless remake.
I made a game, it has penguins in it. It's pay what you like on Gumroad.
Currently Ebaying Nothing at all but I might do in the future.
Hopefully it'll fix my dirty habit of abusing auto-resolve for battles in Medieval Total War.
Old PA forum lookalike style for the new forums | My ko-fi donation thing.
That'd be awesome. Vive le roi!
Nothing's forgotten, nothing is ever forgotten
Does anybody want to teach me online or something? I can play CoH decently, so i'm not completely strategically retarded, but I guess I just have no patience.
I mean, i line up all my dudes and then wait for the enemy, but apart from the cavalry, my dudes can't kill the other dudes.
HALP! I WANNA LOVE THESE GAMES!
I've been playing the TW series since Shogun, and I'd be happy to help. I'm moving house at the moment and won't have home internet for a week or so, but send me a PM or something and we can have a few multiplayer games where I can teach you the basics.
However, essentially it's rock/paper/scissors.
Heavy Infantry > Spear Infantry (apart from Phalanx Infantry in RTW)
Spear Infantry > Cavalry
Cavalry > Heavy Infantry, Light Infantry without Spears, Missile Units
Light Cavalry > Light Infantry, Missile Units
Missile Cavalry > Heavy Infantry, Light Infantry, can outrun heavy cavalry
Missile Units > Heavy Infantry (as long as you make sure not to send them into the melee)
Essentially you always try and match your strengths to the enemies weaknesses - if they have one side of their line defended by light infantry, you send in your heavy cavalry. If they have a wall of heavy infantry coming towards you, you send forward your missile units to pepper them with arrows and retreat in front of them before they can close.
Always attack from the flank if possible, or from behind if better. A unit being attacked from two sides very quickly loses morale and will retreat quickly.
Finally, take out the enemy general as early as possible, as soon as he dies, your enemy's army will take a huge morale hit and that can turn the tide of a losing battle.
There's a lot I've missed, of course, but that's a pretty good idea of the basics.