Questions about Empire In Arms

[Bart Koehler]

Good day to everyone. I am sure my name is new to most of you. I am in charge of the Beta testing of Empire In Arms, among others. While I have been reading these forums, I have been absent in commenting. As my role is expanding a bit, I thought it would be a good idea to create a thread to house many of your questions regarding Empire In Arms.

As Marshall indicated in his update, we are busily working on the AI/PbeM component of the game. This is quite an intensive process and is taking up just about all of Marshall's time. So, I want to take the monkey off of his back and put it squarely on mine. He can join the simian zoo that I have been hauling around. I will be your liason to the inner workings of EiA, at least as far as I can divulge. Matrix has prided itself in the past at having close ties with the gamers that enjoy their products and you have been able to shape the course of some of the games. If not for you, we wouldn't be here.

So, as we are now getting closer to a release, let me know what is on your mind. What can I answer for you? What are your thoughts?

Keep in mind a few things:

1) I am first and foremost trying to get the game to completion, so, I will answer though it will not be instantaneous responses.
2) While we will listen and try to address your concerns and hopes and dreams, things may not make it into the game. Many times, what sounds good on paper does not translate well to computer. Plus, we have to keep things on schedule so timing is critical. If we like something and think it would add value to the game, we will try to incorporate it, though likely in a patch.
3) Let's be nice. No need to get up in arms about a feature or function that is not to your liking. We can't please everyone, though we like to try, that is why our games get delayed. We listen to you, like your ideas, and try to incorporate them. But, I want to make sure we stay focused on our schedule and only slip when it is important to the game. I will try to communicate when this happens.
4) Our testers are doing a fantastic job. Their knowledge of EiA has proven itself time and again. Have no fears that we are going at this blind.
5) Some things I simply cannot divulge at this time. When that happens I will let you know. If you get upset, be upset at me as I am putting myself in the hot seat.
6) Finally, have fun. If it wasn't fun, I wouldn't be here and I doubt you would be to. We are doing our best and if history serves, we do a good job and bringing your favorite games to life.

With that, I have to go feed the monkey that is weighing me down. Let your voices be heard.

Bart

[Le Tondu]

Wow! Real cool Bart. Thanks a zillion.

1. We've heard that the units will be moddable, but what about the map -and menu & splash screens?

2. Is simultaneous movement gone for good or is there still a chance that it might make it?

3. Can we play the game alone against the computer or will we need 6 more players to play the game?

4. We've heard much about PBEM, but what about TCP/IP or internet play?

5. I know that the board EiA covered certain years, but will there be a chance for an extended campaign that starts before 1800 (like with the French Revolutionary Wars) that goes a little past 1815?

6. Is there any Fog of War? Will we have a satellite's view of all nations and know exactly where their forces are?

7. What is it about the game that you like and don't like? (You don't have to answer the second half of that question.)

Many thanks to you.

[Black Hat]

I take it some changes to combat have been made due to limited interaction of the PBEM thing. How will field combats work, are chit pulls and guard commitment gone in all versions?

On sieges, when a breach is achieved how will Honors of War, Surrender or fight be determined?

[Bart Koehler]

1. We've heard that the units will be moddable, but what about the map -and menu & splash screens?

No, menu and splashscreens will not be able to be modified.

2. Is simultaneous movement gone for good or is there still a chance that it might make it?

Right now it is gone for the initial release, but it is not gone for good. As we mentioned, Matrix keeps its eyes and ears open, so if the standard of change is followed by the masses, we will take notice.

3. Can we play the game alone against the computer or will we need 6 more players to play the game?

Yes, you can play alone against the computer.

4. We've heard much about PBEM, but what about TCP/IP or internet play?

TCP/IP will likely be done, though again, not for the initial release. Demand for this seems to have been low for this type of game, so this will likely be added in a patch when demand, well, demands it.

5. I know that the board EiA covered certain years, but will there be a chance for an extended campaign that starts before 1800 (like with the French Revolutionary Wars) that goes a little past 1815?

It is very possible that this will happen for the release. Most definitely after the initial release there will be additional scenarios.

6. Is there any Fog of War? Will we have a satellite's view of all nations and know exactly where their forces are?

There is no Fog of War in the Initial Release. Where this falls into the schedule, I can't say for sure. Is this something that you would like to see, give me a 1-10 scale, 10 being the highest.

7. What is it about the game that you like and don't like? (You don't have to answer the second half of that question.)

Right now, I like everything about the game. I know that is not a detailed answer, but it fits. We are working hard on getting this one completed, that is the only thing I don't like at this point, that it is not done...but in a good way. I would like to put it into your hands.

My thanx for your questions, I hope this shed some light.

Bart

[Le Tondu]

A couple more, but first, please let me echo Kung Karl:

8. Will this game be released in Europe? If yes, what company will release it?

9. Does terrain have any combat effects in this game?

Thanks again.

[ABP]

TCP/IP will likely be done, though again, not for the initial release. Demand for this seems to have been low for this type of game, so this will likely be added in a patch when demand, well, demands it.
Bart

????? I am puzzled how you have concluded that there is low demand for TCP/IP play. In all the information so far it has been implied that TCP/IP would definitely be in the game. The question mark has been if PBEM would be there as well. At least that is the way I have understood it. There is no reason to advocate for a feature you believe is in the game, or so I thought.
I - for one - want to object to the idea of eliminating TCP/IP play.

[peskpesk]

10 Which EiA Options are include in the game (I know some might not make it)

11 Which EiH Options are include in the game (I know some might not make it)

12 Is the Ai script based so it can be enhanced by every one?

13 How big challange (Very Bad, Poor, Normal, Moderat, Hard) is the AI now?

14 Which diplomatic choices can you make with a AI player?

15 Which new combat choices are added, if any?

16 How does the new Naval interception rule affect the game
and game balance?

[Bart Koehler]

I - for one - want to object to the idea of eliminating TCP/IP play.

Dully noted. I will have a conversation with the dev team and figure out what impact this would have on the schedule.

To give you some idea as to what goes through our heads with this type of thing. It is not so much that we want to take this out. Not at all. We definitely will have this support. It is a matter of creating a longer testing/QA process. The ultimate goal is to get the game in your hands in the best possible condition. And, in order to get things into a specific schedule it becomes necessary to make decision that will be unpopular, as the usually include removing a feature. So, it is a trade off and if we can live without TCP/IP for a while, it creates a shorter process to delivery.

Bart

[Nordiska]

Anxiously awaiting answer to # 10 and 11.

[Yorlum]

I would like to see this, but it is not sine-qua-non to the game. By all means, release a single player / e-mailable version first, and then put in the bells and whistles for TCP/IP and Network play.

That would give us all time to acclimate to the interface, and when it is available, we can jump right in.

[YohanTM2]

Bart,

Thanks for all the info.

With regards to FoW I vote 10 on a scale of 1-10. FoW is one of the best benefits in my mind of coverting a baordgame to the computer. The sense of partial/some unknown is great.

[shane]

Absolutely! Had to register to put in a vote for that!
Fog of war would be key on the computer. If it's not on the first release, fine, but hopefully in an upgrade. Also, the idea of France & Russia (for example) having absolutely no idea about the other's troop dispositions, etc, is unrealistic, which brings up the possibility of having a game "option" of setting up spy networks. There are a few books that have touched on the subject and it's pretty fascinating. Also would add a whole new dimension to the game.

[Le Tondu]

..............There is no Fog of War in the Initial Release. Where this falls into the schedule, I can't say for sure. Is this something that you would like to see, give me a 1-10 scale, 10 being the highest.



Right now, I like everything about the game. I know that is not a detailed answer, but it fits. We are working hard on getting this one completed, that is the only thing I don't like at this point, that it is not done...but in a good way. I would like to put it into your hands.

My thanx for your questions, I hope this shed some light.

Bart

Bart,

I am impressed! Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions.

You missed a tiny aspect of my first question and that was about the map. Can it be modded too? (My fingers are crossed.)

As for your question good sir, the answer is a BIG number 10. Actually, I am inclined to give it a 1,000.

I cannot imagine a modern day computer wargame without Fog of War. I mean look at the Invasion of Russia in 1812. One of the biggest problems for Napoleon was that he didn't know exactly where the Russians were when he was chasing them.

I respect the roots from which this game has come. The original creators deserve a lot of credit. No bones there, but wasn't it developed a long time ago? Wasn't it during the sixties or something? Yet, how could they put FOW into a board game back then. No blame there too. IMO, the time has come for it to be in the computer version of EiA.

I sure hope TCP/IP play eventually makes it too.

[Hoche]

I am looking foward to a classic game of EiA on the computer. FoW is not in the original game for obvious reasons and would seriously change how the game is played. But I don't have a problem with it as an option. I would give it a 2 for importance to me.

[Bart Koehler]

10 Which EiA Options are include in the game (I know some might not make it)

I think this is what you are looking for, if not, shout out.

EIA Options:
Economic Manipulation
Kingdoms
Guard Committment

11Which EiH Options are include in the game (I know some might not make it)

Options from EiH:
Version 3.0 Diplomacy (Influenced and Allied minors)

12 Is the Ai script based so it can be enhanced by every one?

Well, the AI is controlled by a custom scripting language that is a low level program and is not designed to be modified by the user and could create stability problems. So, at this point in time, it is not intended to be modified by the user.

13 How big challange (Very Bad, Poor, Normal, Moderat, Hard) is the AI now?

Not sure I understand the question completely. If you are referring to the current Beta version, the AI is not Mature, so if I had put a level on it I would say Poor to Normal. Rest assured it will not be released until it is ready. If you are referring to how you can set the AI each computer player can individually be set to Easy PC, MED PC or Hard PC.

14 Which diplomatic choices can you make with a AI player?

Can you clarify this for me?

15 Which new combat choices are added, if any?

Combat choices are the same.

16 How does the new Naval interception rule affect the game
and game balance?

What do you mean? Interceptions are still in the game but you simply give naval units orders on what kind of forces to intercept. Effects should be minimal.

Comments welcome...on to the next batch.

Bart

[Bart Koehler]

9. Does terrain have any combat effects in this game?

There will be some of this, yes. For example, swamps/forest affect artillery bombardment and crossing rivers and sea crossings cause different combat tables to be used.

Bart

[Bart Koehler]

I would like to see this, but it is not sine-qua-non to the game. By all means, release a single player / e-mailable version first, and then put in the bells and whistles for TCP/IP and Network play.

That would give us all time to acclimate to the interface, and when it is available, we can jump right in.

I am using this post to make my comments on TCP/IP, because this is how we feel as well. So, this is the word on TCP/IP...IP play will have to be a patch / update. After further review with the Dev team, the choices are to take what we have today (PBEM and AI play so that you can at least play the game) OR make EVERYBODY wait because of IP play.

Well, seems like a good decision, don't you agree? This will be included, fear not. You will get to cut your teeth on PbeM and AI before stepping up to TCP/IP.

Putting on flame resistant suit...

Bart

[Bart Koehler]

You missed a tiny aspect of my first question and that was about the map. Can it be modded too? (My fingers are crossed.)

I will recheck this for you, but my thoughts on this are no, maps cannot be modified in the initial version. Let me verify this for you though.

As for your question good sir, the answer is a BIG number 10. Actually, I am inclined to give it a 1,000.

So noted. Thanx for the input.

Bart

[peskpesk]

Well, the AI is controlled by a custom scripting language that is a low level program and is not designed to be modified by the user and could create stability problems. So, at this point in time, it is not intended to be modified by the user.

Can you as Matrix games to change this and make the script based AI public? In HoI has this been a good way to improve the AI for the game.
Check this link out.
http://www.europa-universalis.com/forum ... orumid=178

The changes needed are.
1) Put the scripted AI in a sperate file, so that all can edit it.
2) Publish the syntax of the scritbased language used.


14 Which diplomatic choices can you make with a AI player?

Can you clarify this for me?

Well, I wonder with humans you can make pacts and agreements
on what to do (Delecare war on Denmark, take Kiel, break your allaince with X if y happens etc. Is the only thing you can deal with a AI player
a alliance?

[John Umber]

The original game included this with its simplicity.

You knew the number of corps in an area and it's leader. But you never knew the actual corp or number of soldiers. It was like a given intelligence report. Then you attacked and the truth was revealed. It was a nice trick the Russian could play. Many small corps to hide the "big" army in the full corps. Only the garrisons were "on the map". It was a beautiful way to implement fog of war.

Options sounds good to me.

Thanks for the answers!
TCP/IP can wait for the upgrade (my opinion), but then soon please?