The secret is out!!!!!!!!

Marshall Ellis · Post by **Marshall Ellis** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 7:38 pm

Hi Guys

We have been promising everyone a surprise for sometime, well here it is. Matrix Games and Australian Design Group have been working in silence for some time and have now signed an agreement that gives Matrix Games the license to publish the computer version of Empires In Arms. This will be made official some time early next week but I was given the ok to let me bring you guys the news.

Napoleonic Wars will be known as "Empires In Arms, the Napoleonic Wars 1805 - 1815". We are very excited about being able to design one of the all time best strategic level Napoleonic games ever made. The design features we have already completed will all still be in the game. Each feature will have ability to turn off or on at the players choice. There will be many new options and features such as enhanced combat, privateers and enhanced naval rules to name a few. EIA old diehard fans do not worry because since all of these features can be turned on or off this will allow you to play the Classic EIA as well.

We also have Michael Treasure joining our team. Michael is best known for his work on his Empires in Harm mod for EIA. Michael's years of dedication and many years of experience will be a major plus. More details to follow and thank you for your patience and support.

Thank you

Repo Man · Post by **Repo Man** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 8:25 pm

This keeps getting better and better!

Michael Treasure joining Matrix is awesome. His house rules do to EiA what EiA originally did to WAP. I haven't been this excited about a new game since I first discovered EiA back in 1984 or so.

I might add that I played a small role with EiH. When Michael lost his webhost, I was able to arrange a new host for empiresinharm.com at a great price. Unfortunatly, that company was sold recently, and EiH is now looking for a new home.

So I assume many of the new features will borrow heavily from EiH? I shall refrain from asking too many questions until the official news is released.

I was going to post this most wonderful news to the EiH Yahoo group, but I defer that privilege to Michael. I will however, post this to another gaming group.

pasternakski · Post by **pasternakski** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 9:03 pm

This is, indeed, great news.

I hope that everyone reads Uncle Toby's excellent advice on the "I've died and went [sic] to heaven" thread, however.

While EiA is an excellent board game, it does have its shortcomings, and seems to me not completely well suited for direct translation into a computer game.

To what degree does this void the design work that has gone into the game so far, and (here it comes) how much will this delay the projected release date?

In any event, as Steve Martin once said when playing Yorgy (or was he Georgy?) the Wild and Crazy Czech, "Hosed!?! Count me in!!!"

Le Tondu · Post by **Le Tondu** » Sat Sep 21, 2002 10:48 pm

I'm glad to see that the guy who did Empire in Harm is part of the picture. I hope it is a BIG part.

It's good that things are moving along. I can't wait for more info!

Will it be released in 2002? 2003?

Thanks
Rick

ABP · Post by **ABP** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 2:21 am

I am very exited of the new direction this game is taking.
I had a look at the new screen shots and think they look very, very good. Keep it up guys!
I hope the new features you are putting in will not delay the game too much.
Congratulations on the deal with ADG which certainly will give you a good "brand name" for the game.

sol_invictus · Post by **sol_invictus** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 3:58 am

OMG, I now have a reason to continue to live. I have waited for a strategic Napoleonic computer game for years and this is the answer to my and other Napoleoniacs dreams. Matrix and Battlefront are singlehandedly carrying the torch of computer wargaming, god bless us everyone. Thank you, thank you.

warlon · Post by **warlon** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 4:17 am

Hopefully they will concentrate on making a good AI and good
networking. Also a PBEM multiplayer and play directly thing would be
good....

Hopefully they will spend more time on this than extra features....

I would much rather like to have good network coding and AI than extra features. Of course extra features is nice, but the game is nice as it is. So good AI and network code is IMO top priority.

Marc von Martial · Post by **Marc von Martial** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 6:21 am

Well Marshall,

now that it is "official" let me say something that you as a Texan understand:

YEHAAAAAA !!!

U2 · Post by U2 » Sun Sep 22, 2002 12:34 pm

Fantastic news!!!:) Take your time and make it a classic just like the original game.

Dan

Chopain · Post by **Chopain** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 4:24 pm

I just wanted to pop in here and say that I can't wait! This game will complete me.

I've been telling everyone about it.

eg0master · Post by **eg0master** » Sun Sep 22, 2002 8:20 pm

I can just agree withe everyone here...
Now I have a problem; sjould I wish for a delayed release so the EiA game we are about to start will get somewhere before this computer version is released or should I wish for a release soon...

jnier · Post by **jnier** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 6:50 pm

Great to hear! I'm more than willing to wait the extra six months.

mbatch729 · Post by **mbatch729** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 9:12 pm

This is fantastic news. Put me down on the pre-order list now!!! Time to dust off the Campaigns of Napoleon tome to study up. I wouldn't be able to wait, except for UV. Oh uh, a problem. Both WITP and this game will be released next year. I'm gonna lose my job, my wife, and my kids.

denisonh · Post by **denisonh** » Mon Sep 23, 2002 11:03 pm

Got to pipe up as another Napoleonic period fanatic who is absolutely drooling about the prospect of a computer based EIA.

Way to go Matrix!

Marshall Ellis · Post by **Marshall Ellis** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 3:57 am

Hello all:

Needless to say we are all excited about the news but I wanted to share a few answers to a few questions...

1. What are some of the enhancements?

We are going to have a version for the Classic EIA game as well as multiple options such as enhanced combat which allows more tactical control during combat. Future scenario possibilities are absolutley endless...

2. What are some of the differences from the board game?

Movement will be a little different. We are going to make all movement simultaneous. That is, all movement will be plotted then the program will step through all of the unit moves (Stopping of course when enemies collide). This should also work better for PBEM / IP systems.

3. How will this impact the scheduled release?

We at Matrix do not see this as a major impact on our schedule. We have been planning this behind the scenes for some time and have been coding accordingly. There are some things that will take a little time but we all agreed that it is worth it! We see a possible target date for release spring/summer of 2003!

Thank you all again and stay tuned...

Sabre21 · Post by **Sabre21** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 6:28 am

You bunch of sneaks:D

denisonh · Post by **denisonh** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 9:20 am

Time taken upfront is time well spent.

I have no problem waiting if the time taken produces that much better of a product.

Just keep throwing us some bones now and then.

von Murrin · Post by **von Murrin** » Tue Sep 24, 2002 10:04 am

I stop by and check, and what do I find?

YEHAAAAAA !!!

Took the words right out of my mouth.

Does this mean we may eventually see an ACW game? :p

The secret is out!!!!!!!!

The secret is out!!!!!!!!

Good news!

Screen shots

Great!!!

Oh Yeah

What this means...

Sounds Good Marshall

Yeah Baby!!!