Question from a possible new player

[Cardolam]

Hi!

I am a veteran of some full campaigns of tabletop EIA - best strategy game eva! - and certainly this computer game attracted my interest. I have, however, some questions I'd like some kind soul could answer me.

So, here they are in all their glory:

1) Is the AI... at least passable? Is the AI capable of planning complex diplomacy moves as we can engage in the tabletop version?

2) Is the game compatible with Windows 11?

3) Is the game only avialable in the 1024*768 resolution? If so, arte there any plans to bring it up to modern standards? Can I run the game in dxwnd? Is it easy to setup?

So, my 3 questions seem to grow into a bit more, but those are my doubts.


Thanks for any help!

[pzgndr]

1) Is the AI... at least passable? Is the AI capable of planning complex diplomacy moves as we can engage in the tabletop version?
2) Is the game compatible with Windows 11?
3) Is the game only avialable in the 1024*768 resolution? If so, arte there any plans to bring it up to modern standards? Can I run the game in dxwnd? Is it easy to setup?

Welcome!

1) Yes. Latest v1.26.04 about to be released as the next official update implements AI Grand Strategies and lots of AI improvements to help make them viable for all Major Powers. I took the Player Notes, Grand and Grandiose Strategy, and Campaigning in Arms material and made it happen in the AI code. It ain't perfect and it won't ever be "brilliant" as some players say they are, but it'll do.

2) Yes.

3) I'm running 1920x1080 resolution fine. I know some folks have newer larger higher-resolution monitors, but this old game won't scale up any further. I cannot comment on dxwnd; maybe somebody else can. But if you're running Win11 and 1920x1080 resolution then you should be fine.

[AbNormal]

Hello Cardolam,
I will try to answer some of your questions...
Game works great in Win 11 compatibility mode XP service pack 2. Install is easy.
The 7 human player hot seat games play well and are vary similar to original game.
(without having to leave game set up for months or recording positions)
AI diplomacy is erratic and not quite the same as the table top game.
(many thanks to pzgndr for improvements!)
Playing the AI is very entertaining but it doesn't always think like a human.
I totally recommend the Matrix pc game! It fills the void when there are no human victims! lol
Cheers!

[pzgndr]

AI diplomacy is erratic and not quite the same as the table top game.
(many thanks to pzgndr for improvements!)
Playing the AI is very entertaining but it doesn't always think like a human.

A lot of the AI diplomacy is just random, with additional modifiers to the Alliance Table based on difficulty level and in some cases now a modifier based on AI Grand Strategy. It will necessarily appear as erratic at times, but hopefully at higher difficulty you should see more historical behaviors. Trying to program every possible What-If based on specific game conditions would be very difficult.

As for the AI being entertaining, my hope is that with the implementation of AI Grand Strategies and other AI improvements that players will find their AI computer opponent(s) more competent and more challenging. Further improvements will be a topic of discussion for v1.27, once players get a chance to assess AI performance with the v1.26.04 update. I made several adjustments already in 1.26.04 based on AndrewV's comments from his game as France in v1.26.03. As more AI weaknesses get identified and reported, I can investigate and make adjustments. I may not be able to ever make the AI brilliant, but I can try my best to make it less stupid.

[Cardolam]

Thank you both for the clarifications.

I am almost convinced. A final question, will I experience the game in my 1920*1080 resolution monitor in a small 1024*768 window or can I increase the window size to fill all the monitor with the game interface?

Thanks!

[pzgndr]

A final question, will I experience the game in my 1920*1080 resolution monitor in a small 1024*768 window or can I increase the window size to fill all the monitor with the game interface?

As I said previously, I'm running 1920x1080 resolution fine - in full screen. It's the folks with larger higher-resolution monitors that find some of the text too small to read and need to scale down some.

[Cardolam]

Thanks for the confirmation Bill. You'll have a new customer pretty soon.

[Zovs]

I normally run at 2560 x 1440, but for this game (and a few others) I run 1920 x 1080. And this game runs brilliantly in that mode.

Bill has done a fantastic job of keeping this game alive.

[Zovs]

I normally run at 2560 x 1440, but for this game (and a few others) I run 1920 x 1080. And this game runs brilliantly in that mode.

Bill has done a fantastic job of keeping this game alive.

[ncc1701e]

How is the economy in this game? If I would like to compare it to Crown of Glory EE?

Thanks

[pzgndr]

How is the economy in this game? If I would like to compare it to Crown of Glory EE?

I cannot comment on COG. EIA has en economic phase every three months where Major Powers collect money and manpower for their home provinces, conquered minor countries, and controlled Free States. There is also trade from controlled ports, money lending, reparations from surrender conditions, etc. Using the available money and manpower, Major Powers and Free States can build land and sea forces. Different troop types have different arrival times; e.g., militia is available right away, infantry takes 3 months, etc. It all works well. You are certainly welcome to review the EIA rules available elsewhere online and make your own comparisons to COG.

[Emp_Palpatine]

From my scarce knowledge from the manual and couple of hours tinkering with the game :

EiA economy is way simpler than CoG, except perhaps CoG "simple eco" mode.
In EiA, you just manage Money & Manpower comparade to CoG half-a-dozen resources and wonky sliders (still liked CoG).

[ncc1701e]

Thanks, I am reading AARs to make my mind. There is also War And Peace. The 7th edition of the board game is coming and I must admit I don't know what to choose.

[pzgndr]

I must admit I don't know what to choose.

Heck, wait a bit until the next sale when EIA is like $10 or $15 and try it. I've got War and Peace (Napoleon's Eagles) but haven't had time to get into it. Back in the day (like 45+ years ago) I was playing W&P and never played EIA until this computer version came out in 2008. EIA has full grand strategy campaigns. W&P has mostly operational campaign scenarios plus a grand campaign to tie things together. I don't know about the W&P AI computer opponents, but I'll wager a dozen donuts that EIA is better. I don't know. One of these days if/when I retire from EIA, then I'll try to get back to some W&P. I still have the strategy articles from The General. So many games. so little time...

[Emp_Palpatine]

There is a sale right now (at least in Europe), in got the game for 8 bucks.