New Public Beta Available v1.21.03

[Indirectlemon]

Greetings All,

We have a new version of Empire in Arms for you to try out. It fixes some bugs, and includes some AI enhancements. It is available in the Members Club.

Please give it a try and let us know how it works for you.


UI Enhancement

• Added home nation shading on large map. This shading is a cross hatch pattern which gives a little more darkness to it.
• Added ice display. When sea areas are iced over during winter, we are now filling the area in with a light gray shading.
• Pomerania (Pommerania) spelled wrongly resolved.
• City of Straslund in S.Pomerania should be named Stralsund resolved.
• Change color of the box in the top left corner of a besieging force to black (same as blockading fleet) resolved.

Game Bug

• Fixed issue with AI surrender calculations. It was improperly evaluating forces on map versus enemy forces when trying to decide to sue for peace. Bottom line is that the AI will probably surrender a little earlier to save their forces.
• Fixed issue that was locking cursor into move mode with a unit counter outline.
• Fixed memory issue that could cause stack movement to not work in certain situations.
• Fixed Victory screen alignment issues with larger screens
• Resolved some access violation errors introduced with v1.21.02 code development that necessitated a new version build.
• Fixed issue regarding lending money to Major Power
• In-game editor does not allow removal of leaders resolved
• Depot and city garrison have incorrect leadership rating displayed resolved.
• Feudal units created from non-Turkish countries using the editor have morale of 0 resolved.
• In multi-player (no AI) PBEM Log describes "Country X to Country Y Relations better, Nuisance Rating Cleared" resolved.
• Show money given from myself to other powers resolved.
• Game does not award defender of siege battle +1 PP if the attacker does not win resolved.
• Combat die roll modifiers can be shown to be +2 resolved.
• Resolved some access violation errors introduced with v1.21.02 code development that necessitated a new version build.

Game Enhancement

• Added land stack movement. This can be done by simply holding down the CTRL key AFTER selecting a unit in the stack then clicking the destination area while still holding the CTRL key.
• Cannot remove a depot with a depot garrison on it resolved.
• Added new directory for backup files for old data files and setups (players should also backup any custom data files and setups from prior versions).
• Added new data files (.ged and .tpj) and setups for a Classic 1805 Campaign based on EiA v3.1 (eianw001) and for an Alternate 1805 Campaign based on EiH v4.0 (eianw002).
• Resolved a screen resolution issue for displaying combat results on smaller (laptop) screens.

AI Enhancement

• AI Bonuses.
• AI DOWs on Minor Countries.
• AI Builds and Money for Supply.
• AI Ship Building – resolved.
• French corps at Paris chose withdraw (which should not have happened) resolved.
• AI never fights a second day of combat resolved.
• AI never commits guard resolved.
• Resolved several issues with AI builds, reinforcements and placing new corps units.

Rules Deviation

• 1.8.07 rules on Guerillas deviate from how they play in the game
• Unable to increase Austrian depots in game editor
• Syrian Cavalry at start up should be 6 factors instead of 5 resolved.
• Creating the Conf of the Rhine is wrong PP calculated resolved.
• Artillery casualties not being applied before battle die rolls resolved.
• Winter movement option not working as it should resolved.
• Update manual to note that while morale is shown to 100th decimal, it is rounded to the 10th decimal resolved.
• Confederation of the Rhine PPs resolved.

[pzgndr]

Excellent, we're up at long last. Thank you Lucas!

A quick note. Upgrading directly from v1.00 to v1.21.03 should be comprehensive. Just install v1.00 and then install the beta patch.

And an IMPORTANT NOTE FOR V1.21.03, from the release notes: This version introduces new data files and setup files for the 1805 Grand Campaign. During this transition, older games likely will not work. A new directory for backup files for old data files and setups is added, but players should also backup any custom data files and setups from prior versions. Renaming the old eianw001.ged and eianw001.tpj files to some other number (e.g., 011) may work and may allow older games in progress to continue. However, players are strongly advised to install a new and separate version of the game and upgrade to v1.21.03. Please do not use data file numbers 003 and 004, as these are being reserved for future data files for the 1812 Grand Campaign.

I'm interested in any feedback regarding the classic EiA and alternate EiH setups. They are different, but I want to ensure that each one is accurate, so if anybody spots something amiss then I can fix it now for the official release and not worry about screwing up games in progress later with further data file changes in v1.22 and beyond.

I would greatly appreciate a veteran PBEM group or two giving this update a quick playtest through an economic phase or two, to please verify PBEM still works OK and that the loan money bug is resolved for PBEM. Also, any suggestions for clarifying PBEM file exchanges as described in the manual would be helpful. I cannot do too much to change/improve the PBEM system as it is, but I do want to ensure that it works.

Thank you. Please enjoy!

[freyrod]

Hi, I'm not sure how this works. The posted beta only works if you have the core game installed. I'm registered for the game, but have a new computer. How do I install the core game?

[pzgndr]

Hi, you should be able to go to your registered downloads in the members area and reinstall the core game, then install the update. Contact Matrix tech support if you cannot do this? Good luck. Enjoy!

[freyrod]

Thank you. Yes, the core game link is not showing, only this beta. I have contacted support.

[76mm]

ORIGINAL: pzgndr
A quick note. Upgrading directly from v1.00 to v1.21.03 should be comprehensive. Just install v1.00 and then install the beta patch.
ase enjoy!

Hi, just to clarify, from the above it sounds like I can use the 1.21.03 beta to upgrade from the 1.05 that was installed after I bought the game? I think that elsewhere it says that I should first patch to 1.08, but I don't see that anywhere...

[pzgndr]

I know the beta patch is comprehensive and works from v1.00 or v1.08.07. It should work for v1.05 too. I recommend a clean install of the original game and upgrade to the public beta.

[Pans]

I will host a seven Players PBEM game with Version 1.21.03 starting right now. This will be a Team of veterans knowing all tiny bids. I am more than happy to give you an update here and there.

[pzgndr]

ORIGINAL: Pans
I will host a seven Players PBEM game with Version 1.21.03 starting right now. This will be a Team of veterans knowing all tiny bids. I am more than happy to give you an update here and there.

Very good! What I really really need is quick feedback that the PBEM file exchanges still work OK and the new loan money fix works, so a very quick "game" to step through the first few turns and Eco phase should verify that. The sooner I hear all is well, the sooner I can get the final files to Matrix for the official update. Then you guys can start a real game!

[Pans]

I just created a new 7-players PBEM game. First Thing we discovered was the new Setups. I first took the classic and recognised that there are no light or Transport ships, etc. Than I took the alternativ 1805 Setup and saw a lot of minors influenced or conquered. Have you any short discribtion of These Setups? I know the original one from the board game, but have you some Kind of table as overview for the different nations?

[Pans]

ORIGINAL: pzgndr

ORIGINAL: Pans
I will host a seven Players PBEM game with Version 1.21.03 starting right now. This will be a Team of veterans knowing all tiny bids. I am more than happy to give you an update here and there.

Very good! What I really really need is quick feedback that the PBEM file exchanges still work OK and the new loan money fix works, so a very quick "game" to step through the first few turns and Eco phase should verify that. The sooner I hear all is well, the sooner I can get the final files to Matrix for the official update. Then you guys can start a real game!

I would like to help you but we will not be as fast as you wish. Our PBEM game is a real Veteran one and it will take couple of weeks to see the first eco Phase. We are using yahoo for file Exchange and email for diplomacy. I believe this will neither help you. I can offer that we both run a quick two Player PBEM game, if you like.

[pzgndr]

ORIGINAL: Pans
I just created a new 7-players PBEM game. First Thing we discovered was the new Setups. I first took the classic and recognised that there are no light or Transport ships, etc. Than I took the alternativ 1805 Setup and saw a lot of minors influenced or conquered. Have you any short discribtion of These Setups? I know the original one from the board game, but have you some Kind of table as overview for the different nations?

Please check the updated v1.21 manual in the \Data\docs folder. Section 5.3 now has a subsection 5.3.1 for the Classic EIA campaign and 5.3.2 for the Alternate EIH campaign. Players of the original boardgame should be right at home with the classic setup, with the minor exception of the map. No light ships or transports, no minor diplomacy settings (although these can change as the game progresses if players choose to influence minors).

Up above in the Mods and Scenarios section I posted a while ago the EIA vs EIH OOBs that I used to develop the two campaigns. These appear to be the latest official versions of each? If anyone spots any discrepancies in the public beta, I can make some adjustments for the final official release. I did spot a couple of minor typos in the Alternate EIH description in the manual for Algeria, Cyrenaica and Syria that I will update later, but the rest seems ok.

[pzgndr]

ORIGINAL: Pans
I would like to help you but we will not be as fast as you wish. Our PBEM game is a real Veteran one and it will take couple of weeks to see the first eco Phase. We are using yahoo for file Exchange and email for diplomacy. I believe this will neither help you. I can offer that we both run a quick two Player PBEM game, if you like.

No problem. We have all waited about 4 years since the last official update, so a few more weeks won't matter too much. I would like to ensure PBEM and the loan money fix works ok, even if some host assistance is needed. Once we are good and get a new official update posted, it would be nice to see a few more games going again. We are close!

[sargemule]

I deleted the game and install a whole new core games without any updates, and tried it.

The screen resolution was perfect

Then I installed the beta v.1.21.03, but the screen resolution cuts off the bottom line

Am I doing anything wrong ?

[pzgndr]

ORIGINAL: sargemule
Then I installed the beta v.1.21.03, but the screen resolution cuts off the bottom line

Hello! Could you clarify what is being cut off or provide a screenshot? A clean installation and update with the public beta should work fine; it is working fine for others. Maybe verify you have WinXP SP3 compatibility mode selected in your program properties?

[sargemule]

Hi

Sorry for the late reply but something happened to the login.

I've posted an image to show what I mean

[pzgndr]

ORIGINAL: sargemule
but the screen resolution cuts off the bottom line

I got it now. Maybe try resetting the properties to run the game in normal window or maximized? Or maybe changing your screen resolution?

[sargemule]

I could play the game in the higest resolution before the update. now it cuts off the picture

[sargemule]

Here is the properties list

[pzgndr]

Your properties indicate 256 colors, and deactivate/disable visual themes or something?  I would uncheck the deactivate option and increase the colors resolution, for starters.  The other division by zero error looks like a bad installation issue.  Try an uninstall, reboot, and clean reinstall?