Hello all:
We're still plugging away. There are some re-writes that we're in the middle of right now. We're also doing some map changes and a few graphic / sound touch-ups. We're basically re=writing the whole combat system which will optionally allow more tactical control in combat. Sorry for the delay but I think it will be worth the wait...
Thank you
June Update ... Are we there yet?
Moderator: MOD_EIA
-
Marshall Ellis
- Posts: 5630
- Joined: Tue Oct 02, 2001 3:00 pm
- Location: Dallas
-
von Murrin
- Posts: 1611
- Joined: Tue Nov 13, 2001 10:00 am
- Location: That from which there is no escape.
Optional tactical combat?
That's an idea I really like.
I've been lurking on this particular forum way too long. Nice to hear from you, Marshall.
I've been lurking on this particular forum way too long. Nice to hear from you, Marshall.
I give approximately two fifths of a !#$% at any given time!
Sumemr or Fall?
The summer is really close now...
And rewriting parts seams like a substantial delay. Still you talk about "touch-ups" marschall...
So what is the most probable release season? Fall or Summer?
I understand that any answer is only your gueass and not an answer on when it will be... just that your educated guess will be better than ours Marschall...
And rewriting parts seams like a substantial delay. Still you talk about "touch-ups" marschall...
So what is the most probable release season? Fall or Summer?
I understand that any answer is only your gueass and not an answer on when it will be... just that your educated guess will be better than ours Marschall...
24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not.
Sense of honor
From what I've seen, having the project be sidelined or dumped would run counter to Matrix's sense of honor. I believe that they would find it intolerable to let that happen.
(Ooops! The message is still the same even though.....)
(Ooops! The message is still the same even though.....)
Vive l'Empereur!
Definitely Not On the Shelf
Hi to all on this forum.
For those of you whom I haven't met allow me to introduce myself - I worked on the UV map and I'm doing a similar job for WITP - I seem to be the resident Matrix "Map guy".
I know for sure that this game is not "on the shelf" because David Heath asked me to take a look at some final touch ups on the game graphics (nothing major jus tome tweaking here an there).
Anyways, this looks like its going to be a great game. I'm looking forward to being part of it.
For those of you whom I haven't met allow me to introduce myself - I worked on the UV map and I'm doing a similar job for WITP - I seem to be the resident Matrix "Map guy".
I know for sure that this game is not "on the shelf" because David Heath asked me to take a look at some final touch ups on the game graphics (nothing major jus tome tweaking here an there).
Anyways, this looks like its going to be a great game. I'm looking forward to being part of it.
Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"
- James Keelaghan
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"
- James Keelaghan
-
Marc Hameleers
- Posts: 25
- Joined: Fri May 05, 2000 8:00 am
- Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Contact:
Well, I have been looking forward to a Napoleonic strategy game for a long time.
After Frank Hunter s game got cancelled by legal matters, i was pretty dissapointed.
Can't wait to get my hand son this one!
Hopefully we get a chance to betatest the game. I know from EU 2 that a good Beta test REALLY can improve even a great game!!
Marc
After Frank Hunter s game got cancelled by legal matters, i was pretty dissapointed.
Can't wait to get my hand son this one!
Hopefully we get a chance to betatest the game. I know from EU 2 that a good Beta test REALLY can improve even a great game!!
Marc
Them bones
Hi Matrix,
It's nice that you announce that you are progressing with the game.
Would it be possible for you to update or add screenshots? I would like to see something showing what the maps are going to look like; political overlay, game play features etc. Also if you could show something of the user interface.
It should not be something you should use much time on, but you may get some valuable feed-back and suggestions.
It's nice that you announce that you are progressing with the game.
Would it be possible for you to update or add screenshots? I would like to see something showing what the maps are going to look like; political overlay, game play features etc. Also if you could show something of the user interface.
It should not be something you should use much time on, but you may get some valuable feed-back and suggestions.
Not quite there yet
We don't have anything ready for screenshots yet. I've only had the graphics files for a few days. As soon as we have something new, we'll get it posted.
ic
ic
Iain Christie
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"
- James Keelaghan
-----------------
"If patience is a virtue then persistence is it's part.
It's better to light a candle than stand and curse the dark"
- James Keelaghan
-
Uncle Toby
- Posts: 46
- Joined: Mon Jun 24, 2002 7:56 pm
Combat System
I’m looking forward to this game as well. If it is a computerized version of ‘Empires in Arms’ that will be good enough. The combat system in EIA was not one of it’s better points the tactical decision
was trivial for the most part, had little relation to the larger game and was largely guesswork. It would be considerably improved if made more relevant and if the decisions were given depth. The strong point of EIA were it’s excellent constrained multiplay (the diplomacy particularly) and it’s delayed consequences for strategic decisions made it interesting. The game was over-detailed to a degree with things like the combat system and army organization which added to the complexity without calling for intelligent decisions. I have no problem with adding historical color but there are plenty of ways to do it that add to gameplay without being a meaningless burden.
was trivial for the most part, had little relation to the larger game and was largely guesswork. It would be considerably improved if made more relevant and if the decisions were given depth. The strong point of EIA were it’s excellent constrained multiplay (the diplomacy particularly) and it’s delayed consequences for strategic decisions made it interesting. The game was over-detailed to a degree with things like the combat system and army organization which added to the complexity without calling for intelligent decisions. I have no problem with adding historical color but there are plenty of ways to do it that add to gameplay without being a meaningless burden.
no computerised version of EiA
I think I posted this once before. This game should not, and could not be a computerised version of EiA. I've been out of touch with this discussion a while, but last I knew that game was licensed to Avalon Hill and it was uncertain under what condition it was transferred to Hasbro. Finally, the right to EiA are with Harry Rowland of ADG and I know Harry was considering reeditation of EiA if Hasbro did not use the license right away (by now if Hasbro has not done so all rights will have reverted to Harry). Considering that ADG is currently beta testing CWiF I am quite sure CEiA will also appear at some time (if CWiF works out, it's a slow progress as one single person is programming, though there is a huge alpha and beta testing community).
Copying main features from a board game to a computer game is not only unethical, but most likely illegal. I am certain Matrix is aware of this and never planned to do any such thing. In any case the EiA system was not designed for the computer and much better systems can be designed now. I hope and am almost certain that this is the case with Matrix's project.
Marc aka Caran...
Copying main features from a board game to a computer game is not only unethical, but most likely illegal. I am certain Matrix is aware of this and never planned to do any such thing. In any case the EiA system was not designed for the computer and much better systems can be designed now. I hope and am almost certain that this is the case with Matrix's project.
Marc aka Caran...
Marc aka Caran... ministerialis
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Marc,
You're not a lawyer by any chance are you?
I don't remember that anyone said that NA will be a EiA copy or that features of EiA are gonna be copied. People are just talking about what they liked about EiA in order to give Matrix a helping hand. That is all.
Heck, we don't even have any idea about what NA is really gonna be like, so going down this path is premature (to say the least). :rolleyes:
The Napoleonic Wars isn't copyrighted and if one wants to make a strategic level game about them (that is really great), they'll have to at least consider what EiA is. I'm certain that there are features that are generic to both that aren't copyrightable. I'm not talking about copying it, I'm talking about surpassing it. AND to surpass something, one must know what it is they're gonna surpass.
I'd bet a lot that Matrix is more than well aware of your concerns. I'm even more certain that they are smarter than what you give them credit for.
You're not a lawyer by any chance are you?
I don't remember that anyone said that NA will be a EiA copy or that features of EiA are gonna be copied. People are just talking about what they liked about EiA in order to give Matrix a helping hand. That is all.
Heck, we don't even have any idea about what NA is really gonna be like, so going down this path is premature (to say the least). :rolleyes:
The Napoleonic Wars isn't copyrighted and if one wants to make a strategic level game about them (that is really great), they'll have to at least consider what EiA is. I'm certain that there are features that are generic to both that aren't copyrightable. I'm not talking about copying it, I'm talking about surpassing it. AND to surpass something, one must know what it is they're gonna surpass.
I'd bet a lot that Matrix is more than well aware of your concerns. I'm even more certain that they are smarter than what you give them credit for.
Vive l'Empereur!
no worries
No worries Le Tondu. I'm not a lawyer. But I consider myself an aspiring game designer. So I hate the idea of copying an entire game system. I know Matrix does not plan to do this (though other companies have in the past). I just wanted to make it clear once again that a copy of EiA is not an option for Matrix.
And just imagine what wargaming would be like if all we had left were cheap copies of old designs. That is what could happen some day if it really becomes uninteresting to work on new concepts as they will get stollen rapidly anyhow. As it is, only a handful of board wargame designers can earn a living working on games right now (HR of EiA by the way is not one of those).
I'll be going now, good to see that this project seems to be alive and kicking. I cannot wait to lay hands on this game once it's done.
Marc aka Caran...
P.S.: And though I speak a lot of Harry Rowland, EiA and Australian Design Group I have no direct link to any of those. I "beta" tested some rules for ADG's German branch, and for a while had email contact with HR and a bunch of other ADG folk. But that's about it. I don't work or cooperate with any otehr gaming copy at the time either. I'm just a regular, old style gamer with a dozen game designs in various states of completion on my computer and shelves.
And just imagine what wargaming would be like if all we had left were cheap copies of old designs. That is what could happen some day if it really becomes uninteresting to work on new concepts as they will get stollen rapidly anyhow. As it is, only a handful of board wargame designers can earn a living working on games right now (HR of EiA by the way is not one of those).
I'll be going now, good to see that this project seems to be alive and kicking. I cannot wait to lay hands on this game once it's done.
Marc aka Caran...
P.S.: And though I speak a lot of Harry Rowland, EiA and Australian Design Group I have no direct link to any of those. I "beta" tested some rules for ADG's German branch, and for a while had email contact with HR and a bunch of other ADG folk. But that's about it. I don't work or cooperate with any otehr gaming copy at the time either. I'm just a regular, old style gamer with a dozen game designs in various states of completion on my computer and shelves.
Marc aka Caran... ministerialis
To copy or not to copy
Hello Caranorn,
Do not misunderstand me - I do believe it is unethical and most often illegal to copy games.
I do not think this will be such an example.
- Yes it's a strategy game
- Yes it has a map of Europe as playing surface (Napoleons wars where not in Asia after all).
- Yes it has armies fighting each other.
It will without doubt be possible to find similarities in two games with the same theme. That does not mean it a copy.
I'm not a lawyer either, but it seems to me that the limits for similarity are quite wide in games.
Just look at C&C and the number of spin-offs that game created.
I haven't heard of a lot of law suits from Westwood vs. others.
It's clear that if someone makes a great game other people will try to move in the same direction, either because they get inspired or want to do it that bit better (the cynical businessmen are there as well of cause).
If we look at C&C again I don't think it hurt them one bit that spin-offs turned up. They had the original and best game concept (a bit worn thin by now imo).
If you produce the best game and promote it well enough (not necessarily expensive tv-commercials) it will be hard for other people to steal the fruits of your labour.
Do not misunderstand me - I do believe it is unethical and most often illegal to copy games.
I do not think this will be such an example.
- Yes it's a strategy game
- Yes it has a map of Europe as playing surface (Napoleons wars where not in Asia after all).
- Yes it has armies fighting each other.
It will without doubt be possible to find similarities in two games with the same theme. That does not mean it a copy.
I'm not a lawyer either, but it seems to me that the limits for similarity are quite wide in games.
Just look at C&C and the number of spin-offs that game created.
I haven't heard of a lot of law suits from Westwood vs. others.
It's clear that if someone makes a great game other people will try to move in the same direction, either because they get inspired or want to do it that bit better (the cynical businessmen are there as well of cause).
If we look at C&C again I don't think it hurt them one bit that spin-offs turned up. They had the original and best game concept (a bit worn thin by now imo).
If you produce the best game and promote it well enough (not necessarily expensive tv-commercials) it will be hard for other people to steal the fruits of your labour.
Talk about a full circle. I lurk here more often than not, but I remember posting about EiA some time ago.
All I can say is that I hope NAW uses EiA as in inspiration, and that NAW can bring the same type of following EiA did back in 1984 or whenever it was first released.
For the record, (whatever this mythical record may be), I don't think anyone is looking for a compputer version of EiA.
Thats what Aide De Camp is for anyway.
All I can say is that I hope NAW uses EiA as in inspiration, and that NAW can bring the same type of following EiA did back in 1984 or whenever it was first released.
For the record, (whatever this mythical record may be), I don't think anyone is looking for a compputer version of EiA.
Thats what Aide De Camp is for anyway.
Repo Man
Matrix, I hope I'm not sounding too pessimistic, but I find a bit odd that you cannot show anything new about the game. Other companies do it all the time to maintain the interest for their product. How can you not have anything to show us if you plan to release this year? Or is it so that you choose not to show your progress. I, for one, start to wonder if you will manage to release this year.
Let's not be too harsh on 'em.
ABP,
It is real easy to feel the way that you do. Yes, I agree that we need something to see and learn about NW. I can't disagree there.
However, it is just as easy to think that Matrix is some kind of huge software company like Microsoft when it isn't. It is really just a collection of smaller parts that make up a matrix of game developers called Matrix Games.
Look at Big Time Software as an example. They put out the incredibly phenomenal 'Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord' with only three employees! I think that they now have five employees and are about to put out CM: Beyond Barbarossa which will make even more inroads into higher wargaming qualities.
I am content with Matrix being as they are with NW. Yet, I am willing to be that your message gets some sort of result. What that'll be is beyond me. Maybe there is only one or two folks working on NW. Who knows.
In my opinion, Matrix Games, you should light a candle under the feet of the developers of NW and have them be responsive every now and again. Please?
Rick
It is real easy to feel the way that you do. Yes, I agree that we need something to see and learn about NW. I can't disagree there.
However, it is just as easy to think that Matrix is some kind of huge software company like Microsoft when it isn't. It is really just a collection of smaller parts that make up a matrix of game developers called Matrix Games.
Look at Big Time Software as an example. They put out the incredibly phenomenal 'Combat Mission: Beyond Overlord' with only three employees! I think that they now have five employees and are about to put out CM: Beyond Barbarossa which will make even more inroads into higher wargaming qualities.
I am content with Matrix being as they are with NW. Yet, I am willing to be that your message gets some sort of result. What that'll be is beyond me. Maybe there is only one or two folks working on NW. Who knows.
In my opinion, Matrix Games, you should light a candle under the feet of the developers of NW and have them be responsive every now and again. Please?
Rick
Vive l'Empereur!
-
David Heath
- Posts: 2529
- Joined: Wed Mar 29, 2000 5:00 pm
Hi Guys
We are working on the graphics now and lets just say we may have a very big development that I am sure will please everyone here. In either case we are hard at work on the project. Marshall you we are working on the game and plan to show it off at GenCon God willing.
This is the most we can say. Trust us Matrix Games always has someone somewhere working on a game.
David
We are working on the graphics now and lets just say we may have a very big development that I am sure will please everyone here. In either case we are hard at work on the project. Marshall you we are working on the game and plan to show it off at GenCon God willing.
This is the most we can say. Trust us Matrix Games always has someone somewhere working on a game.
David