June Update!

[Marshall Ellis]

Hey guys:

We're delayed in our PBEM testing and it just hasn't materialized as we had hoped. I've taken advantage of this lull to add more enhancements but at this point I cannot give a release date since we haven't made much progress in the last month. I've also been able to improve the AI a bit so again the lull in testing did help a bit.

Just to let you know my assessment:

1. AI / Hotseat Testing 95% complete
2. AI Improvements 90% complete
3. PBEM Testing 10% complete

Based on these figures, we're targeting late Summer to early Fall (Assuming PBEM testing improves) for release 1.

Thank you

[coregames]

Excellent... we are starting EiA after our current WiF, and should be wrapping it up about the time MEiA release 1 comes out.

[sol_invictus]

This works fine for me; leaves plenty of time to play BiI, CoG, and GoA.[&o]

[eg0master]

Great news. I hope you do not follow the old software engineering rule:
The last 10% consumes 90% of the time [;)]

[nukkxx5058]

?!?!?! I thought that PBEM testing started a long time ago ?!?!?!

You should release PBEM in a patch when it will be ready. That would let us time to master the game in solo before to start PBEM.

[Hanal]

As much as I want to agree with you, I think there is too large of a PBEM community for this game to allow that to happen......the bitching, moaning, and groaning would increase 50 fold if the game was released without PBEM capabilities.....best for everyone to be patient and play other games until this one arrives...

[sol_invictus]

I completely agree J P; I'd rather they make the solo AI a patch and work exclusively on PBEM. This game is simply not to be played solo; other than to get comfortable with the rules.

[NeverMan]

ORIGINAL: nukkxx

?!?!?! I thought that PBEM testing started a long time ago ?!?!?!

You should release PBEM in a patch when it will be ready. That would let us time to master the game in solo before to start PBEM.

What a great idea, it's too bad Matrix didn't have the foresight to think of that.

The only reason I can think of NOT to do that is if Matrix charges some silly price for EiA (60+) and then wants to charge some supplemental price for PBEM. I wouldn't put that past this company, so I guess I will wait.

[oldtimer]

The only reason I can think of NOT to do that is if Matrix charges some silly price for EiA (60+) and then wants to charge some supplemental price for PBEM. I wouldn't put that past this company, so I guess I will wait.

Neverman, why would you say something like that?? I have never known Matrix to do any such thing or even indicate such a policy. They are extremely responsive to their customers and put forth more effort then I have seen from any other company I have had experience with to resolve problems with their software. Andyes I have been browsing through most of the forums here for the past two years+.

I think they have done an excellent job here so far. I have only purchased one game from Matrix so far, GGWAW and from that experience I KNOW I will be buying additional games from them. I have also spread the word about them to friends of mine because they have been such an unusual company in their efforts to put forth quality products and customer service.

[NeverMan]

Well, this game has been in development for HOW MANY years??

There was another thread someone started that speculated that the reason Matrix hasn't released this game yet is because they recently released another Nap. War game and didn't want EiA to compete with it. It has also been rumored on this forum that Matrix is hoping to shelve EiA (although I don't personally buy that one).

This same company has given several release times (Fall, Spring, etc) and has failed on every occasion to deliver.

That is why I would DARE say such a thing. lol.

Actually, other than being frustrated, I don't much care when this game comes out because it's obvious that it is some EiA/EiH(which just sucks, some idiots sad interpretation of something he wished EiA was) hybrid and won't have TCP/IP and no matter HOW MUCH Matrix wants to believe this game will be released, be great and not need Patches (the reason it is taking so long, to put out a "quality, bug free game") it simply won't be the case. EVERY game needs patches, no matter how much they test it.

I will be waiting for the EiA, with Original rules, TCP/IP play and tons of bugs nicely patched up to come out. Should only take another 3 years. See you on the battlefield then.

[pooroldflick]

I first wanted a EIA computer version since `85 when I was hooked on Pirates for my Commadore 64, so waiting till the Fall (or next Fall) is no issue for me.

For me, the optional rules made the game and I'm trying to learn EiH. Building on the rules makes it a living and breathing game in my opinion. I'd love it if the American expansion was finished and added. So the extra "improved" rules only make it better for me.

The idea of spacing the two Napoleonic games apart makes sense. It would only force people to say "this one is better..." and not look at them as seperate ideas.

[ardilla]

What I really think, and I made Marshall understand, is that this is a very special game.

I was wondering why this games, since it was released still beeing so popular and so hooking....

One of the reasons are the rules and the way of playing, no doubt that the MP/$ procedure, the corps chit level combat, the leaders, etc...

A second one would be the open rules, while beeing one of the most difficult rules, having a regular version and optional rules, had made this game to grown over the years with "house rules" and of course into EiH rules.

And the third one is a mistery to me, I can not understand how people play this game (as me and my friends), finding 7 players and over a real time year to complete a game!!

So, I think that all of above together gives some "magic" to this game and I am sure that Matrix will add more once the first version is released, with new scenarios, optional rules, etc, to keep the "magic" of this game.

[Madcombinepilot]

I don't much care when this game comes out because it's obvious that it is some EiA/EiH(which just sucks, some idiots sad interpretation of something he wished EiA was)

Then why complain?

[NeverMan]

ORIGINAL: Madcombinepilot

I don't much care when this game comes out because it's obvious that it is some EiA/EiH(which just sucks, some idiots sad interpretation of something he wished EiA was)

Then why complain?

Just to annoy YOU, the Madcombinepilot!! [8|][8|]

[ravinhood]

This game is simply not to be played solo; other than to get comfortable with the rules.

Says you, I live on the complete opposite of that statement. I'd much prefer to have a good quality solo AI game myself.

[nukkxx5058]

Same here, I expect a good solo game ...

[Zap]

reading the discription of this game excited me[:D] then I saw 7 players![:(] Is there a way to play this solo?

[ardilla]

ORIGINAL: Zap
reading the discription of this game excited me[:D] then I saw 7 players![:(] Is there a way to play this solo?

Yes, you can play vs 6 AI computer players solo game at home, with a friend (per example one GB and another FR) vs 5 AI players by pbem, etc...even you can play with more than one nation vs the rest.

There are many posibilities.

Of course, the AI will never replace a human player (no sense of revenge or bad ideas even if your country is going to pay for it and you just want to have fun) but in the other hand they will make not mistakes (production, corps without supply depot lines, etc...) and play for winning, where some human players will not care at certain point of the game...

[nukkxx5058]

And I suppose that it's possible to play with a mix of AI and humans? for example a PBEM with 4 AI and 3 humans ?
Am I right ?

[YohanTM2]

ORIGINAL: nukkxx

And I suppose that it's possible to play with a mix of AI and humans? for example a PBEM with 4 AI and 3 humans ?
Am I right ?

Yes