Matrix Games Forums

Sorry I think I have misunderstood you. I thought you are for TCP/IP' over PBEM.

First about Deep Blue, ok it win the match but in the controversy : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Blue Remember the last part, not the win

After that iM for TCP/IP rather than PBEM for a simple reason. EiA was not designed to be played by a player at a time but by seven players at the same time.
They are alot of interactions in a turn : Call to allies, naval interception, retirement into a city, combat chit choice, call to the guard, withdrawal after a day of combat, reinforcement, insurection corps appearance ... and i'm forgetting a lot of others
In a pbem either you stop and send an email/wait for a reply so making the game running at turtle speed or brush those rules aside and so remove all the chrome making that EiA is EiA.

The only way to make CEiA look the same than EiA is by TCP/IP. AI and PBEM are changing CEiA in another game that will have very few in common with the original. It probably will look like Squad Leader Versus Advanced Squad Leader. The same core but two different games. And once you played ASL, you won't go back to SL very often.

And TCP/IP is like playing the tabletop version, but easier. Don't have to take care of distance and time to tr«vel, only having some hours in a dedicaced day per week/two weeks/month to mark in your agenda for play. What's the problem, crappy ISP aside[:@]

Why is this debate going on? All three features are in the game. None of them are going to be left out, so this is really pointless.

ORIGINAL: ktotwf

Why is this debate going on? All three features are in the game. None of them are going to be left out, so this is really pointless.

Yeah, well! You're right! If they're all in the game! Hey fine with me. But there were statements like: "No something - no buy!"
Replace the "something" with PBEM or TCP/IP.
And we were only discussing the advantages of the different playing modes.
From my point of view, TCP/IP is a must have (for I have the people at hand to play, but we're like 200 km apart). But still if there isn't (in reference to ktotwf: wouldn't be) TCP/IP for playing I'd still buy it!
I want this game soooo much! I'd buy it if it would only be a single player version against a rather stupid AI.

But there were statements like: "No something - no buy!"

Gollygee McGuire, it really bugs you for other people to speak their mind? I specifically said, quote, "For me, no AI = no buy." For me, and probably for a lot of other potential paying customers as well. Since Matrix has already considered this and has decided to include an AI, that's fine. And yet, this issue is worthy of arguing about?

If I wanted to buy the boardgame, I would. If I wanted to play it via email with other players using ADC or something else, I would. Frankly I do not have the time. And I do not expect to have the time in the near future even when EiA gets released. I have never played the game, but I am interested in learning as time permits. An AI computer opponent is, in my humble opinion, a required condition for me to consider buying this PC game. And probably for a lot of other potential paying customers as well. And Matrix correctly recognizes this little marketing fact.

And yet, you and others persist with the anti-AI remarks and unnecessary criticisms. So be it. Fortunately, Marshall and Matrix appear determined to eventually release a PC version of the game that should appeal to ALL of us, and that's a good thing. And I will be patient until they do so. [:)]

AI in this game is pointless, unless they can make it good. I am not going to pay a lot of money for a game just so I can continously pound the hell out of a silly AI, what is the point of that???? Just stupid.

TCP/IP is primary in my book. PBEM is boring and most games never get finished. Chess by mail/email is one thing, but EiA by mail/email is another thing altogether.

ORIGINAL: ktotwf

Why is this debate going on? All three features are in the game. None of them are going to be left out, so this is really pointless.

Not really, Marshall told us two weeks ago that there won't be TCP/IP at first; only if the game is a success... and i have like a doubt[&:]

Just tell him that without TCP/IP it will be a no buy for me. And if it's still the time, rather than trying the impossible and giving the artificial some kind of very limited intelligence or rather than redrawing the game to let it be played by email, it would be better IMHO to give a try to something easier like implent TCP/IP.

I definitely intend to buy this game. I hope that it has TCP/IP, or it won't be much fun. Like COG, EIA has too many different choices to make at different intervals of each turn for good PBEM play. Then there is the problem of getting a few guys together who will send out their turns relatively quickly.

Unless EIA comes out with TCP/IP capability, COG will be the only game that can fulfill the needs of those who want a Napoleonic wargame with a diplomatic aspect.

ORIGINAL: ktotwf

Well, AI is extremely important for those who are - sadly enough - not gifted with friends who share an interest in the Napoleonic period. [;)]

You know ktotwf theres a community here on this forum that loves gaming in this period-you can always find someone to play with. And then theres all the cyberboard EiA and EiH and Napoleonic minatures people.

What do you think Marshall; is the web site supporting the game going to have an opponents wanted section?

What about a ranking system? That would be nice!

[8D]

People have mentioned that AI is important for learning the game and cariying things for beginners and it also can be fun until the computer starts to get wupped each time. These are all excellent points and I will conceed that some games (Civ II, and Europa Universalis if you go a small African nation) provide AI that is always very enjoyable to play against.

I am mystified about the Tcp/IP thing being seen as so essential. Could someone explain, Ive found that the game takes a while to play and playing in real time over a conection-except in peace periods- would involvea bit of waiting for the next fellow to work out his turn.

Maybe us three are slow but we manage about 2 and a half years a day-on holidays at Mandurah in the fishing shack with a couple of slabs of beer.

Perhaps the strength of this game will be that it will be able to adapt itself to different styles of playing( pbem, TCP/IP) depending on the tempo of events and available time.

I knew that this is the best way to go, Ive said it all along. Keep up the good work mate you a doin a beut job of it im sure
The multiplayer format that no developer has ever properly tried, this guy deserves a medal, I mean it.
See most developers believe for some reason that there is a small number of people that want this kind of jonre. BUT THERE WRONG AS ALWAYS. There is actually a large quiet majority of people waiting for something like this.
Most people really dont realise the signifignace of the Multiplayer Campaign and how this can turn gaming around, from the mindless 2 dimensional strategy types games to something like this. This is what I call a dynamic strategy game which has virtual unlimted type results, its only limited by you own imagination.
I will be using this as a basis for campaign battles using a popular software currently being used and Modded

Quote
Marshall Ellis
Hey guys:

Just a wuick FYI...

PBEM was very much at the forefront of our design and is considered by Matrix as a primary method of play. I actually covertly played a few PBEM games before I coded and it helped greatly. We recognized right away that there is a large community of EIA PBEM players out there and we designed / coded accordingly!

Thank you

This has been some great dialog, but Marshall needs to satisfy a large audience and from the discussion on this thread, it looks like all should be incorporated.

By the way jama262, what the Hell is a "Slab of Beer"?

ORIGINAL: 1LTRambo

This has been some great dialog, but Marshall needs to satisfy a large audience and from the discussion on this thread, it looks like all should be incorporated.

By the way jama262, what the Hell is a "Slab of Beer"?

A slab of beer is not unlike a pitcher of beef.

I'm glad to see some progress. It's an awesome game and I'm sure it'll be a hit.

By the way jama262, what the Hell is a "Slab of Beer"?

Its an Australian coloquialism.

A slab of beer is a carton of beer containing 24 "stubbies".

A stubbie is a small bottle of beer containing 375mls (we went metric in the past-viva!)

A normal bottle of beer is also known as a "long neck".

Its all a bit like eskimos having 24 names for snow if youve heard that expression.

Thanks for the info. I always find language tid bits fun to learn, especially when they occur amongst "English" speaking peoples.[:D]