Is This Game Playable Yet?

[LarryP]

I've been on the tall fence on this since it came out. I don't think I have seen so many complaints against any one game here at Matrix. My question though is a simple one, and that is:

Is this game playable yet for a non board game owner? [&:]

[NeverMan]

If you are looking for Empires in Arms then no, its not.
If you are looking for a challenging AI then no, it's not.
If you don't have much experience with this game then the learning curve is going to be REALLY HIGH for you.

That said, I have experience with EiA (not so much with EiH, which is what this game really is). I have not found solo play to be interesting or entertainment at all, it's mostly just a time killer if you like wasting time. The PBEM games have been fun, as long as the pace is fast. If the pace is slow (I am in 1 game where the pace is VERY slow, ie 48 hour turnaround) then the game ceases to be fun.

All of this is, of course, JMO.

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: NeverMan

If you are looking for Empires in Arms then no, its not.
If you are looking for a challenging AI then no, it's not.
If you don't have much experience with this game then the learning curve is going to be REALLY HIGH for you.

Thanks for the quick response. [&o]

I am only looking for a good game to play, not Empires in Arms.
Challenging AI, yes that would be nice. [;)]
I have NO experience with this game in any way.

Well I guess I will move on then... thanks again. [:)]

[Mardonius]

I really like it in our <24 turnaround game... Lots of fun.

[pzgndr]

Is this game playable yet for a non board game owner?

This game has been playable since it was released. There are recognized issues with the interface, rules deviations, AI weaknesses and the rest, all of which Marshall Ellis and Matrix acknowledge and have resolved to fix. But the game is what it is, it is playable, and even the not-so-brilliant AI still provides a few challenges for players learning the game.

I never played EiA before, so despite all the complaints I've found it to be an interesting and fun game. Learning the interface itself takes some time, and then learning how to play each individual country takes considerable time. I've been enjoying the game at my own pace and patiently waiting for the ongoing improvements and enhancements. My recommendation for anyone interested in this classic turn-based Napoleonic grand strategy game is to get into it. Have fun with it. The fixes will eventually catch up and the game will be great. [8D]

[fvianello]

The game is playable via PBEM with other players; solo games could help you to get a grip on some rules but that's all.
Anyway, as you probably already know, this is a very difficult game; even an experienced player could be unable to evaluate the domino effects of his choices.

[Grapeshot Bob]

ORIGINAL: LarryP
Is this game playable yet for a non board game owner? [&:]

As you can see from some of the comments above and elsewhere in these forums, this is a niche game.

It is pretty much functioning as a PBEM game. And it is pretty much aimed at those who play and like the board game.

Those of us that own the game are currently functioning as non-paid beta testers, because the game has been quite buggy.

The AI will help you learn how to move the pieces around the board.

There is no in-game tutorial.

And there are some people in these forums (not the developers, though) who think that is a perfectly fine state of affairs.

One day they might get it right but the game is not currently ready for solo play.



GSB

[von altair]

I have been waiting for this game to be playable as well. I am a great fun of
Napoleonic era (played paper & sheet game called Austerlitz a alot). I am going to buy this game when it achieves a real "release status". It might take couple more months though.

So far I have been playing Crown of Glory which is quite similar game and quite good one. It also have ok AI.

[LarryP]

ORIGINAL: von altair

So far I have been playing Crown of Glory which is quite similar game and quite good one. It also have ok AI.

I too play Crown Of Glory and enjoy it very much. I am also eagerly waiting for the Emperor's Edition to come out.

I don't play much PBEM so I would be playing against the AI. It looks like this game might be too much trouble for the $70. I may just pass. [X(]

[Obsolete]

Some people prefer 48 hours.&nbsp; Particular those who want to micro-mange everything and spend as much time re-evaluating the board as possible, then asking for input in between moves at the same time.

[ndrose]

I'm curious what people think about the PBEM system at this point. I've been playing solo only (which I find pretty fun; yes, it's easy to beat the AI, but if you set yourself tasks that would be impossible in a real game, it can still be challenging), and holding off on PBEM until the game was stable. It seems like it pretty much is now.

I'm a little surprised that people seem to consider turnaround time so important. Granted, that was always the gamekiller when all you had was the board game and email. I tried it a couple of times, and we never got out of 1805. But the catch there was that you only had one map, so a single game monopolized it. If it didn't move fast, you got itchy.

But I would think that with EiANW, one of the chief advantages would be that you can save as many separate games as you want and always still have the game available. In that case, what's the time pressure? I'm thinking about jumping in on the PBEM side, and wondering what people's experience with this has been.

[NeverMan]

ORIGINAL: ndrose

I'm curious what people think about the PBEM system at this point. I've been playing solo only (which I find pretty fun; yes, it's easy to beat the AI, but if you set yourself tasks that would be impossible in a real game, it can still be challenging), and holding off on PBEM until the game was stable. It seems like it pretty much is now.

I'm a little surprised that people seem to consider turnaround time so important. Granted, that was always the gamekiller when all you had was the board game and email. I tried it a couple of times, and we never got out of 1805. But the catch there was that you only had one map, so a single game monopolized it. If it didn't move fast, you got itchy.

But I would think that with EiANW, one of the chief advantages would be that you can save as many separate games as you want and always still have the game available. In that case, what's the time pressure? I'm thinking about jumping in on the PBEM side, and wondering what people's experience with this has been.

Play a PBEM game where everyone waits 48 hours to post their turn and then come back and talk to me. You will quickly realize how uninterested you become in that game, especially if you have other games where the people are doing 1 month in 1 week (that's essentially a little over 1 phase per day, aka 7 turns altogether). You will quickly notice the difference and how much you think about one game as opposed to the other.

PBEM right now REALLY needs to be streamlined IN A BAD WAY!!! It's just too long. It's slower than F2F and it's a COMPUTER game...........think about it.

[Marshall Ellis]

Neverman:
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You forgot to add that it's still&nbsp;faster and easier than Cyberboard
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[Thresh]

PBem will almost always be slower in FtF games, especially mutiplayer games with this level of complexity and interaction...

Todd

[NeverMan]

Marshall: It's certainly faster than Cyberboard, mainly just due to the rules tradeoffs. I'm not sure it's easier at the moment, although I guess "piece moving"-wise, that is the case.

Thresh: I disagree. I think that with the current streamlining and more streamlining, enough tradeoffs can be made so that this game can be just as fast as f2f, IMO.

[Thresh]

Neverman,

Having played EiA Ftf and PBM(snail mail) and PBeM for quiteawhile now, I can honestly say that FtF is the fastest way to play.&nbsp; While you can streamline the process for PBeM, theres always going to be issues that crop up that slow the game down.

Todd

[NeverMan]

Thresh,

Like what kind of issues?

I have played ftf, PBEM and ePBEM now and have must say that CURRENTLY, yes ftf is the fastest, followed by ePBEM (although it has it's drawbacks with bugs and rules deviations) and then PBEM.

I honestly think (obviuosly we can't test this yet) that ePBEM (if streamlined, aka: eco and dip phases simul, would be faster if reinf was simul too but apparently this isn't possible) could be the fastest, simply by virtue of adding the rules deviations and making all MP dips and ecos go together. That coupled with skipping some players turns (like Au and Pr navs), the game can be quite fast.

[Thresh]

Diplomatic phases should not be simultaneous, as there are always events that crop up from time to time that players need to sort out.&nbsp; Random DoW's, call to Allies, and the like.&nbsp; And in a war, you might want to see where the enemies reinforcements are going.&nbsp; Depends on the situation.

PBeM is always going to go at the speed of the slowest player.

[NeverMan]

ORIGINAL: Thresh

Diplomatic phases should not be simultaneous, as there are always events that crop up from time to time that players need to sort out.  Random DoW's, call to Allies, and the like.  And in a war, you might want to see where the enemies reinforcements are going.  Depends on the situation.

PBeM is always going to go at the speed of the slowest player.

I agree about your slowest player comment. Some players feel that the max turnaround time is what their turnaround time should always be; however, I think that it's possible to play PBEM game (if streamlined) just as fast as a ftf. This is JMO. I could be wrong. Personally, I would love to see EiA implemented with IP play, but that's never going to happen (I don't mean EiANW in IP play, I mean EiA in IP play).

[borner]

Neverman, Agreed on all points
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Given that this is not a straight adaption of EiA to start with, I see no reason with Eco, and reinf phases being conducted jointly. That at least takes about 20% of waiting out of play.
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As for the Dip phase, it can also be combined in my opinion. If you are worried about issues, give players 48 hours to get the phase in to talk things out. that is still going to be far faster than waiting for 7 players to get things in one at a time. Again, a trade off from traditional Eia, but in my opinion well worth it.
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P.S. Marshall.... at the risk of sounding like I am __________, I personally would like to commend you for taking all out shots about the game (mine included), and keeping your cool.
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