Empires in Arms Screenshots -01

[philjones62]

Hi, It's been a while since I've pulled out this game - what are rural units?

I've got no great problems with the counters - pick with a city is a garrison. I assume one of the icons at teh top turns on and off unit display, which might get around cities being hidden by Corps markers

[Capitaine]

Overall pretty nice looking. My comment would be is whether you could make the unit "counters" a little more 3D? You know, some shading to make them look like real markers?

Also, while most would probably not like this, was there any thought given to making the markers actual 3D soldiers (or on stands) akin to how Sid Meier's "Civilization III" is done? That would be fairly cool if there were even some animation to it! [:'(]

Looks good nonetheless, partic. the map. [8D]

[Sonny]

ORIGINAL: pasternakski

There's no "blasting" going on here. I merely suggest that the unit representations might be improved, but maybe it's just my aesthetic preference. As I said, I have no real problems with what I see, and would be happy to buy this game without graphic changes. I'm just trying to be helpful.

I really didn't mean you, I just meant in general when a company works to get screen shots posted and then the forum public starts to pick the shots and game apart. [8D]

[Von Rom]

Great screenshots.

Glad everything is progressing smoothly.

As to the unit icons, I would personally like to see them a bit more "3D". Perhaps along the lines of Medieval Total War's unit icons that are used for the Strategic map. This would make you feel like you are moving pieces on a board game. Plus the extra unit detail would be welcome.

Cheers!

[Bart Koehler]

I am afraid we won'tbe able to do 3d for the initial release. We are still working on the unit icons and designing in differences between garrisions, depots, etc. The Unit icons have been a topic of discussion for a while, so I know that we will continue to work on them.

Bart

[Bart Koehler]

I hear you about the unit icons. There is still work we want to do, however, it impacts the map in ways you don't see, so there are limitations. I welcome your feedback.

Bart

[Bart Koehler]

ORIGINAL: Sonny

Don't you hate it when we beg for screenshots and then blast 'em when you post 'em?

Tough being a game producer.

I don't see it as blasting, I appreciate your viewpoints. By no means do I think we are perfect, but with working with you and the gaming community, we can only improve. But, you are right. It is tough to produce these things because you can't please everyone and unfortunately, the detractors tend to be the more vocal. Bad feedback is just as good as long as it is presented proessionally. So I appreciate both sides of the equation.

Bart

[HordesOfSerbs]

Well, the units are just plain bad - they are too narrow and too tall. It's obvious it's not finished yet, but I don't really see the need for that "artwork" and 3-D crap.

What's wrong with the square-like counters as in original board game?... Ask any graphic designer, he will probably tell you that they fit heaps better from both aesthetic and practical point of view.

Aesthetic - they are bigger, so you can see them better and gives you nice warm & fuzzy feeling about the might of your armies when you see the flags around, as opposed to these undistinguishable blurred blobs. The mentioned blobs are also a horrible mismatch to the vintage map style, it's even visible to the amateur eye.

Practical - bigger counters, more space for the corps name. You can also easily distinguish the cavalry from infantry from garrisons etc. (by counter size and flag type) as opposed to searching tiny text or unit background on the screen to figure it out.

You're big boys, so would surely appreciate when someone tells you straight in the face it's crap, then to continue on this road to perdition. Vintage classic counters, please!

[mrgodo]

I must agree with HordesOfSerbs, albeit not quite as viciously.

Got any mockups with classic counters? Functionality over fashion. I need to find my guard, cavalry and leaders without too much effort. I need to know that the 10,000 serfs I'm sending at Napoleon are going to perish quickly and not accidentally send in my cavalry and guard (to perish quickly).

[jnier]

ORIGINAL: HordesOfSerbs

What's wrong with the square-like counters as in original board game?... Ask any graphic designer, he will probably tell you that they fit heaps better from both aesthetic and practical point of view.

Aesthetic - they are bigger, so you can see them better and gives you nice warm & fuzzy feeling about the might of your armies when you see the flags around, as opposed to these undistinguishable blurred blobs. The mentioned blobs are also a horrible mismatch to the vintage map style, it's even visible to the amateur eye.

Practical - bigger counters, more space for the corps name. You can also easily distinguish the cavalry from infantry from garrisons etc. (by counter size and flag type) as opposed to searching tiny text or unit background on the screen to figure it out.

I agree about the shape of the counters, but I don't think everyone will ever agree on the aesthetics of the counters. So let's hope that they will be mod-able, so that people can make their own classic counters if they like

[eg0master]

I can only agree that functionality is more important than "fashion".
If I remember correctly you are able to use the EiA name so using the original EiA counters should not be a problem. THey are simple and yiou easily see what is cavalry and what is not...

[Hoche]

I would prefer a classic look. I like the look of my cyberboard. But I won't mind if Matrix gets a little fancy with the counters.

What is important is a functional, bug free game with a challenging AI.

[Forward_March]

Great Screenshots, Bart! Thanks a bunch.

[Pippin]

I agree about the shape of the counters, but I don't think everyone will ever agree on the aesthetics of the counters. So let's hope that they will be mod-able, so that people can make their own classic counters if they like

I am pretty sure they will be mod-able. The question is, will it be legal to do so?

[Single Malt]

First off Thanks for the Screen shots.

I also prefer the classic look of square counters but designers will design.

Minor problem with Screenshot #3 the icon for the Outflank looks more like a tactical envelope as apposed to an Outflank.Minor but the Devil is in the details.

[oldtimer]

More screenshots at this location http://www.gamezone.com/gamesell/p21036.htm [;)]

[pfnognoff]

First, off course, thank you for letting us see the screens, that will keep the mouth watered for a bit longer...

Now, just one comment, judging form the third screenshot it is possible to pick your combat chits after the forces are revealed. This off course isn't allowed in the original EiA game rules, nor in the EiH. I would say it should be corrected if possible. I can't say how much influence this change, if not corrected, would have on the game balance...

Rules sequence is:
7.5.2.1 Step 1 - Selection of chits
---
7.5.2.6 Step 6 - Reveal forces

Thanks again for the nice pics, and all your efforts to give us the best game!

[oldtimer]

pfnognoff,

Just to clarify because from your post I got the impression you think I work for Matrix or something. I don't. I am just an old EiA fan who was searching through the web and found those screen shots. Thought I would share with the group.

I agree though I think it is a HUGE mistake to reveal corp strengths BEFORE combat if, in fact, Matrix does do this.

[Marshall Ellis]

Hello all from the dev team:

Just wanted to thank everybody for the comments! A few notes,

Yes, the font on the combat screen is pre-release and will be changed to something a little more readable. We thought the dot-matrix look was a little more accurate since they were first introduced back in 1805

The screens you see are dev screens so keep in mind that much of the information you see today will not be available in the released version. Hmmmmm???? Maybe there is a cheat code to turn force levels on and off ... ???

I agree with the post about the corps / garrisons and depots. We are looking at changes for the corps and garrison units to make them a little more unique.

Sorry about the text size BUT this game requires a ton of detail to be shown at one time or to be easily accessed and believe me, I could have used up another thousand pixels of screen space! My best advice ... ??? Get a 21" monitor!

Hope this helps and thanks again for the input.

Anyway, back to the dark depths of the dev-dungeon...

Thank you

[denisonh]

Once again Ellis, I like the progress (and the info, of course!).

Keep up the fire and ensure this game is ready when it is shipped.

Thanks for the bones!