EIA v1.27.04 Beta Hotfix #2/Release Version Available

[pzgndr]

Attached is the v1.27.04 Beta Hotfix #1 for the next v1.27.04 official update. This should be applied over the comprehensive v1.23.08 SetupRelease Installer (10/11/2021) and latest official v1.26.04 Update (10/7/2024) game files and any previous v1.27.03 Beta files. You should be able to extract (copy&paste) the new Beta files from the attached zip file directly into your v1.26.04 install or previous v1.27.03 Beta install.

Release notes so far:
- fixed unit_unload_unit to verify loaded unit loc and sub_loc
- fixed unit_validate_all_unit_locs to exclude units loaded on transports
- fixed detect_unit_location to verify enemy sub_location to move friendly unit to other sub_location
- fixed unit_can_unit_goto_city to set ALallycity as default
- fixed area_find_over_garrisoned_city to verify if city undersiege
- added additional checks to shut down siege battles
- revised movetocityExecute, redundant checks added recently may not be working correctly so I commented these out for now
- added additional checks for AI creating garrisons (redundant garrison or garrison with enemy present)
- fixed combat_find_retreat_area for kingdom minor unit issues

There are two annoying graphics glitches that I am aware of that I cannot quite figure out. One is the Surrender Settings screen where occasionally the Conditions are not correctly displayed. Reloading the game turn generally corrects this. The other (unless I fixed this with the naval transports issue) is related to certain naval combats that cause fleets in port to not show on the map. Generally only one fleet is shown but all fleets are displayed in the Selected Area box at the bottom and may be selected there. This usually corrects itself in the next turn. So, be aware of these glitches and their workarounds.

The previous v1.27.03 Beta went through five hotfixes over the past four months. Lots of playtesting, lots of reported issues, and lots of resolutions to fix the lingering issues and continue to make improvements to the AI computer opponent. After some final playtesting over the past week, we're comfortable releasing v1.27.04 Beta as a candidate version for the next (final) official update. I've been at this for about 10 years now, having taken over code development from Marshall Ellis, and I'm ready for a break. I want the final update to be darn near perfect, or as close as possible, so we can step away and just enjoy playing the game with whatever minor blemishes or AI weaknesses remain.

I fully expect that there may yet be a few more lingering issues that need attention. The AI computer opponent will still need some fine-tuning as more gameplay reveals weaknesses. But, hopefully, we won't need more than a couple of hotfixes moving forward. (Famous last words...) And here's the plan for moving forward... I want to wait a couple of months before going final. I want players to play the game and verify that all is well, or, if issues are spotted, to report issues and provide good game saves (.dat and .sav files).

Thank you to my playtesters and all others who have provided feedback to keep this thing moving along over the years and over the past few months. Let's finish strong. Enjoy!

UPDATE 3/9/2026 - I want to share some news since last week. Marshall Ellis is back in the house! Right now, since there have been no serious gameplay issues reported, and Marshall just finished playing a game with no issues (other than the improved AI kicking his butt), I'm going to wrap up v1.27.04 next week and send files to Matrix, then hand off primary code development back to Marshall and I'll step back to assist. He has already made a couple of improvements for this version and has ideas for future development. There will be more announcements by Marshall going forward when he's ready.

UPDATE 3/16/2026 - Posted Hotfix #1/Release Version. (See later post with details and attachment.)
UPDATE 3/19/2026 - Posted Hotfix #2/Release Version. (See later post with details and attachment.)
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EiANW 12704 Beta[0].zip

(3.22 MiB) Downloaded 38 times

[pzgndr]

Hotfix #1/Release Version for v1.27.04 official update is complete. I have sent files to Matrix for them to prepare the official update installation package. When that's done, and I've tested it, and they're ready then it will be announced. Final changes include:
- AI improvements to optimize priorities for losses and to fight another day if no retreat area
- Implemented optional Third Party Combat for human vs AI combats
- Improvements
-- Added smooth cooler shading that does not drown the area so much to home nation provinces when shading is selected
-- Eliminated reinforcement warning for ships that are ready in an area but do not need to be placed
- Fixed issue when removing a Depot that contained some factors in it that was displaying a garbled message. Now will display “Depot Contains Factors that will be Eliminated if you Continue”
- Fixed issue with leaders not being captured in combat

Now, this Hotfix update includes everything going to Matrix except the larger game manual and in-game help files and full release notes. But players can go ahead and start playing.

These are 'final' changes for v1.27.04 but not Final for the game. Marshall Ellis is back in the house and we wanted to get this out so we can move ahead with continued code development and game support. At some point, Marshall will provide his thoughts and ideas about the road ahead. Enjoy!
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EiANW 12704 Beta[1].zip

(3.21 MiB) Downloaded 10 times

[pzgndr]

Hotfix #2/Release Version for v1.27.04 official update is complete with a couple of minor bug fixes for issues reported in the past few days. Changes include:
- Fixed port evacuation issue
- Fixed foraging modifier issue
- Fixed overgarrisoned city bug causing PBEM game hang

I will roll these fixes into the v1.27.04 Update with Matrix. They should get to this next week. When the update is ready, Matrix will announce it. Please stand by.
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EiANW 12704 Beta[2].zip

(3.21 MiB) Downloaded 39 times

[Naxias]

Naval bug

Spanish fleets attacking british fleet. This causes the game to consistently crash in naval combat phase.

If delaying the attack a month the same crash occours.
Savegame attached.

[pzgndr]

Naval bug
Spanish fleets attacking british fleet. This causes the game to consistently crash in naval combat phase.

Good news is that this bug is fixed. Not sure if you were using Hotfix #1 or #2, or something I already fixed after that, but the release version for v1.27.04 that Matrix has and will release early next week works fine. Just hold on a few more days. Thanks!

Naval Combat.jpg (262.08 KiB) Viewed 135 times