Matrix Games Forums

ORIGINAL: Panzeh

I don't mind bad uniforms, as this really isn't the type of game that needs 'em. I can understand why people would want accurate uniforms in a 3d tactical game, but for symbolic units, the icon doesn't really matter as long as it is descriptive enough to tell me what sort of unit there is.

Many NATO symbols have Napoleonic roots, so it makes perfect sense to use them.

Well said! [8D]

..........the icon doesn't really matter as long as it is descriptive enough to tell me what sort of unit there is.

Panzeh,

I agree totally, even though NATO symbols are exactly what I am hoping for. [:)]

They're what I've grown up with I find them to be very easy to use.

I agree totally, even though NATO symbols are exactly what I am hoping for.

but NATO symbols are not good for marketing purpose.
that why I'm so upset by this project, all it's done for marketing purpose

ORIGINAL: 2gaulle

but NATO symbols are not good for marketing purpose.
that why I'm so upset by this project, all it's done for marketing purpose

I understand where you are coming from 2gaulle. I really do, but there has to be some sort of compromise. This is a small company and they have to pay the bills and their employees -somehow. It really isn't so much of a mass marketing approach. There does appear to be a pretty good approach in other important areas that looks to me to be a labor of love.

Don't forget that the option to mod things looks like a very good possibility here. It let's the game developer off of the hook, so to speak.

Let's keep our collective fingers crossed and hope for the best. Ok? [:)]

Rick

ORIGINAL: Reiryc


I've no doubt that many of these 'labor of love' developers would sure like to make the money that these 'big boys' make from their labor of "indifference"....

I can also see why so many of these 'grog-centric' game developers have gone out of business. No matter what they do, no matter how they try to please, some pain in the ass grog will find something, anything to complain about. A game could play quite well, be representative of an historical time period being represented, but have something as pointless to the gameplay (not game presentation, but gameplay) as 20 nails to the sole of a boot as opposed to 21 and the whiners and complainers will come out of the woodwork. Giving bad press to an already low margin genre which affects sales.

It's one thing to complain about a gameplay issue, such as a musket firing 60 rounds per minute. This would be a problem with gameplay as it would change the nature of musket and ball warfare.

Guys,

We do not claim that every game is for everyone. Please realize that the uniforms are most important as playing pieces and in that they have to be easily distinguishable. For most players, when looking at the map the current soldiers/cavalry/artillery are easily distinguishable, with or without a deep knowledge of the Napoleonic period. I think Napoleonic Era fans will really enjoy this game - including the look and the atmosphere - despite the symbolic/representative rather than precise uniforms on the map figures. Realize also that these comments came up very late in development and you can't change direction much when you're 900 miles into a 1000 mile journey.

The game design as a whole models a great deal of era detail and flavor very well and both the quick and tactical combats are enjoyable. The various experts make running your nation easy, you can do as much or as little as you want. Finally, multiplayer capability... there's a lot to like about this game and I would suggest that the uniform question has been asked, answered and at this point beaten to death.

As we near completion on Crown of Glory, I'd love to hear your questions on other parts of the game along with any other pre and post-release suggestions and ideas.

Regards,

- Erik

...

All my questions have been answered to my satisfaction and this makes CoG an easy buy for me. I am much more interested in the gameplay and whether CoG captures the feel of the Napoleonic Era than if the uniforms on every single figure is completely accurate for the entire period. Sure, I would love for every aspect of the game to be 100% accurate, but we all should realize that some things just have to slide a bit. If CoG captures the feel of the period, the Combat and Diplomatic AI provides a good challenge, and the game is fun to play, I think CoG will have achieved a remarkable feat.

I want to see an AAR with screen captures

ORIGINAL: Arinvald

All my questions have been answered to my satisfaction and this makes CoG an easy buy for me. I am much more interested in the gameplay and whether CoG captures the feel of the Napoleonic Era than if the uniforms on every single figure is completely accurate for the entire period. Sure, I would love for every aspect of the game to be 100% accurate, but we all should realize that some things just have to slide a bit. If CoG captures the feel of the period, the Combat and Diplomatic AI provides a good challenge, and the game is fun to play, I think CoG will have achieved a remarkable feat.

ORIGINAL: Arinvald

All my questions have been answered to my satisfaction and this makes CoG an easy buy for me. I am much more interested in the gameplay and whether CoG captures the feel of the Napoleonic Era than if the uniforms on every single figure is completely accurate for the entire period. Sure, I would love for every aspect of the game to be 100% accurate, but we all should realize that some things just have to slide a bit. If CoG captures the feel of the period, the Combat and Diplomatic AI provides a good challenge, and the game is fun to play, I think CoG will have achieved a remarkable feat.

I'm with you.

Matrix underestimate the power of having AAR's to help promote games.We need one.

Look for one of these later this week...

Excellent!

This epaulettes'color chit-chat on a europe-scale strategy game is pretty funny isn't it? [:D]

[;)]

[:D]All this talk of uniforms etc. concerning this upcoming apparent gem of a wargame reminds me of my Tactics II days where it was only Red vs. Blue[:'(]...I think we are going in the right direction and, IMO, the "uniform" is a non-issue. Something has to give but in no means are we being shortchanged when it comes to a wargame with 3-D units...when is the "chit" gonna stop?[;)]

We have taken the uniform concerns to heart. Mr Barish has come up with a sketch for a system that would allow for customizable color-replacing uniforms using 6 different colors on 14 different uniform templates that he believes represents most of the uniforms of the period. The notion is that players could pop-open a sort of "dress your soldiers" screen and could customize the look of each individual unit under his control.

The system would also allow for customizable heads (different helmets). This is all still quite in the prototype stage, so we would only consider it for a sequel product, or in an expansion to COG. Also, as such a thing would involve a not-small amount of work, I would like to get a better sense of the demand customizable uniforms might have among players relative to other ways in which we might improve the game: for instance, would players rather have customizable uniforms, or be able to play naval actions using detailed-level rules?


Eric

ORIGINAL: ericbabe
would players rather have customizable uniforms, or be able to play naval actions using detailed-level rules?

Eric

That sentence alone is a powerful reminder that in life, and in war, we must choose our battles carefully[;)].

ORIGINAL: ericbabe
would players rather have customizable uniforms, or be able to play naval actions using detailed-level rules?

Naval Actions, gameplay is more important to me.

ORIGINAL: ericbabe


We have taken the uniform concerns to heart. Mr Barish has come up with a sketch for a system that would allow for customizable color-replacing uniforms using 6 different colors on 14 different uniform templates that he believes represents most of the uniforms of the period. The notion is that players could pop-open a sort of "dress your soldiers" screen and could customize the look of each individual unit under his control.

The system would also allow for customizable heads (different helmets). This is all still quite in the prototype stage, so we would only consider it for a sequel product, or in an expansion to COG. Also, as such a thing would involve a not-small amount of work, I would like to get a better sense of the demand customizable uniforms might have among players relative to other ways in which we might improve the game: for instance, would players rather have customizable uniforms, or be able to play naval actions using detailed-level rules?


Eric

Eric,

Isn't there a third option?

It would entail having the detailed naval actions (great idea), simply doing nothing with the uniform thing and then simply allowing mods. To me, that brings even more detail to a wonderful game with an added bonus -the option to change things as the gamer would like it. Why go through all that work on the uniform thing? We don't need any fancy mod utility. Let the gamers come up with the mods. Odds are that someone with a lot of time will come up with something that everyone could live with if they didn't like how it was when the game is released.