Will there be a demo?

[James Ward]

Well? [:)]

[ericbabe]

Not a demo. There will (we are planning...) be a Flash presentation that will walk one through the game, doubling as an advertising tool and a player tutorial.

Eric

[James Ward]

Thanks.

[ptan54]

Any idea which game will come out first - Crown of Glory or Empires in Arms? The latter has been in development for years, I believe.

[Uncle_Joe]

I've kind of given up hope on Empires in Arms for now. I first found about it last summer and the speculation was that it would be out in the Fall...then just before Christmas...then after Christmas...etc etc. They are supposedly closer now, but I've heard that before.

I'm hoping that Crown of Glory is a suitable replacement and that it actually gets completed some time in the Spring/early Summer. My only other 'period' games are EU2 and Imperialism 2, both of which I like very much, but neither does much to simulate the Napoleonic campaigns very well.

[ptan54]

Considering that EiA doesn't have a tactical mode, Crown of Glory looks more promising....but I get the feeling it won't be ready until 2007 at the earliest.

[sol_invictus]

The word is that CoG will be ready this summer.

[Reverberate]

ORIGINAL: ptan54

Considering that EiA doesn't have a tactical mode, Crown of Glory looks more promising....but I get the feeling it won't be ready until 2007 at the earliest.

Yes, Crown's tactical game and it sim-move strategic game make it look VERY promising. Yet, EiA is the only one that will ship with a PBEM mode.

[ericbabe]

Yes, Crown's tactical game and it sim-move strategic game make it look VERY promising. Yet, EiA is the only one that will ship with a PBEM mode.

The PBEM mode for CoG is now finished and will function in the release version. It is PBEM at the strategic level only.


Eric

[Reverberate]

ORIGINAL: ericbabe
The PBEM mode for CoG is now finished and will function in the release version. It is PBEM at the strategic level only.

Superb! Then let the game release race be on! (Not to worry, I'm sure to buy both--games are my only vice......)

[Le Tondu]

Both games indeed. "Crown of Glory" and "Black Powder Wars: Battles Of Napoleon" are certainly on my "To Do" list.

[Uncle_Joe]

Can you play the tactical battles if playing Multi-player using Direct Play?

Thanx!

[ericbabe]

ORIGINAL: Uncle_Joe

Can you play the tactical battles if playing Multi-player using Direct Play?

Thanx!

Yes.

Thanks for the interest,
Eric

[huzzah]

Just curious as to why the decision was made for no demo. It's just that it is a consumer friendly gesture to offer that most gamers really appreciate.[&:]

[Le Tondu]

I have to say that I support the decision not to have a demo. I know demos are great to have and all, but when I consider how much work it might take to make one, I am against it.

I am against it because the development team is only so big and I'd rather have them spend their valuable time releasing the game. We've waited long enough for a great Napoleo nic game like this. I want it now.

Fear not, huzzah. IF this game turns out to be a dud, rest assured that you will know it soon enough and your hard earned money won't be wasted. There are plenty of us who will go for it right away. ---And there are plenty of us who will not be afraid to tell it like it is.

[:)]

[Hertston]

ORIGINAL: huzzah

Just curious as to why the decision was made for no demo. It's just that it is a consumer friendly gesture to offer that most gamers really appreciate.[&:]

Probably because its also a time-consuming, expensive, consumer friendly gesture. Its also a rather trickier decision with strategy games than with shooters and RTS. The more complex a game/demo is the less people trying it are likely to put in the time to get through the initial learning curve - demos sell games on the basis on graphics and basic gameplay, not deep strategy. I know Panther think the original Airborne Assault demo lost them more sales than it gained. Downloaders wanted a pretty 3D RTS, not a wargame, and were busy posting "this game is crap" messages after 2 minutes play-time.

[huzzah]

Well, I'll sure be looking for those reviews. I am more of a "try before you buy" kind of guy, but if it's not available, it's not available.

[huzzah]

One thing I think is positive about a demo is the fact that you can get some consumer feedback about what might not be working in the game for the people you're actually planning on selling the game to. Personally, if I were a dev., I'd rather have bad press after a demo, rework the game based on carefully reviewed suggestions (say if 65% to 75% want a certain change or addition do it), and re-release the demo with a list of the changes.

I think a format could easily be constructed to support this, like using polls and a time frame. Maybe giving a month after posting the demo for people to make suggestions, conduct the polls, and gather the info. I think you'ld have a much happier customer base, and once the word got around about how responsive you are to your customers, you'ld attract a lot more people.

I've only been following the game forums for about 7 months so maybe this is done, but I haven't really seen it yet myself, just some unofficial polls put up by forum members themselves. The whole idea is if you listen to what your customer wants, and you give it to them, you'll make lots of money.

I think earlier on in pc gaming development it was such a new phenomona we didn't know what we wanted, we thought it was cool just because it was new. "Civilization" was basically an automated board game with visual and sound effects. Now we're all a lot more sophisticated as far as our knowledge of pc gaming. People do know more of what they want, or would like to see. Anyway, I'm speachifying now. I'll stop.

[Le Tondu]

huzzah,

Your ideas are valid and they are certainly one way to do "it."

We have to remember that Matrix Games is a collection of small game developers. A collection of small independent companies. With so many games being developed by Matrix Games, it is too easy to think that they're a single BIG company with deep pockets. Now, if they were a BIG company, it would be a lot easier to put out demos.

You know, you should keep coming back here and checking out what screenshots, etc... are being released. This way, your valuable input won't be missed.

[Le Tondu]

You know, on second thought there is another Napoleonic game beind developed by MG. It is called "Black Powder Wars: Battles Of Napoleon". It is a tactical game with a campaign sequel that has been forcasted. Check it out here :

http://www.matrixgames.com/default.asp? ... umid%3D186