Matrix Games Forums

I'm strongly considering purchasing this game. I was an original COG owner but to be honest kind of overwhelmed me. I'm hoping this one might be a little easier to manage. Before I do take the plunge, few questions:

1) How many turns does a typical game last? What time period does a turn represent? Does the game end at a specific turn or can you keep going?

2) Is achieving victory mostly based on conquering the world through war? Or can one win the game more peacefully?

3) I noticed on some screenshots that showed the recap of all battles and it showed casualties broken up by total casualties and my casualties in the battles. Any reason another column wasn't added to show the enemy's casualties instead of having to subtract that in your head?

4) Is the discount for previous owners a limited time offer or forever?

Thanks!

1) You can adjust victory conditions for any scenario. The default is that the first nation to obtain 1000 glory points wins, but if nobody does that by the default time limit (typically 6-10 years depending on the scenario), highest gp total is declared the winner.

2)You can get gp by having superior culture, superior national morale, etc, but the greatest number of gp's comes from victory in battle and winning wars. You also have political goals - set provinces that award gps every turn of you control them. They can be taken by conquest, but can also be won over if their country offers to become a protectorate. If you are big enough, you can declare yourself an empire and get gp's every turn for that.

Theoretically it's tough to win without fighting a single war, but I suppose it's possible. I'm playing the 1792 Poland scenario, and all you have to do is hold on to your core provinces and defend yourself from your aggressive neighbors. One year in, and I've fended off attacks by both Russia and Prussia, putting me solidly in the lead with almost 400 gp's

3 $ 4) Have no idea.

Hi Slybelle,

The Emperor's Edition is a new game in many ways, particularly in terms of usability. Interface improvements, tons of tooltips, in-game help with the F1 key and video tutorials as well as a simplified economic model make it a lot easier to handle than the original.

There is no expiration date planned for the previous owner discount, since each previous serial number can only be exchanged for one discount coupon.

Regards,

- Erik

Tgb summarized 1&2 adequately but to be frank, it would be extraordinairily difficult to win the game via peaceful methods.  You're going to have to fight a war or two or be extremely skillful and lucky playing off other nations against each other.  Which in all the games I've done, I've been able to manage once.  It was quite fun but it's hard to do.  Of course, diplomacy never was my strong suit, lol so you might have a bit more luck.
 
3) That was actually changed, it now shows total attacker and defender casualties

Thanks everybody for your responses.

Just one clarification on my comment about winning peacefully. I guess what I really meant is I know you have to go to war but was more concerned with having to completly take over the world to win. I would prefer to have wars and other non-war methods to gain victory without completly relying on one or the other. From what people have stated, seems like that is possible.

One answer I haven't seen yet, is what time period is representing by a turn? Week? Month?

Thanks!

Turns on the strategic map represent one month of time.

ORIGINAL: slybelle

Thanks everybody for your responses.

Just one clarification on my comment about winning peacefully. I guess what I really meant is I know you have to go to war but was more concerned with having to completly take over the world to win. I would prefer to have wars and other non-war methods to gain victory without completly relying on one or the other. From what people have stated, seems like that is possible.

One answer I haven't seen yet, is what time period is representing by a turn? Week? Month?

Thanks!

Nope, do not have to take over the world to win. I play Russia alot and have won many times while taking over less than 10 Provinces.

Each turn is 1 month of time.