Well, here is what I have in its unedited glory - this is about 80% of the chat as my log missed the very beginning. Not sure what's been holding it up, Joe may be trying to remove his (or my) bad jokes. [;)] (j/k Joe)
[Mr._Z] Gee, we should really make the new manual available...
[Joe_Lieberman] (the one I could have gotten was 4 document files that hadn't been spell checked yet... so... heh)
[Mr._Z] Oh, maybe that's it...
[Joe_Lieberman] Ok, well, I hope SOMEONE asks how combat works in greater detail
[ErikRutins] Joe, you're such a Napoleonic noobie
(Not that there's anything wrong with that...
[Joe_Lieberman] I don't know my Prussia from Russia dude.
[ErikRutins]
[Joe_Lieberman] That said: Lets go to someone who DOES know their Prussia From Russia (I hope) Camcel City, any questions?
[CamelCity] yes-- the big question. And keep in mind my credit card is ready...
[CamelCity] Release date?
[Joe_Lieberman] haha
[ericbabe] we talked with matrix and it looks like we will release at
[ericbabe] the origins convention, end of june.
[ericbabe] done
[Joe_Lieberman] Best laid plans of mice and men. Any other questions Camel? That was a gimme question
[CamelCity] nope, not for now
[Joe_Lieberman] ok Cush, any questions for Eric?
[Cush] yes
[Cush] how exactly do you go about recruiting units?
[ericbabe] there are units you produce by spending resources.
[ericbabe] you spend the resources as an initial outlay. units are produced in a particular province.
[ericbabe] each unit has a base construction time, that is modified by
[ericbabe] other units already under production in the province and the presence of developments in the province.
[ericbabe] there is also a spring recruitment, from which feudalistic
[ericbabe] nations get a free level of recruits. done.
[Joe_Lieberman] (just to clarify: Does the training time you set in the economics screen affect that build time as well?)
[ericbabe] no, that's something different. there's a draft pool which is used to
[ericbabe] replenish depleted divisions.
[ericbabe] players can adjust the quality vs the quantity of recruits using mechanisms like the one you mentioned. done.
[Joe_Lieberman] No wonder I was doing so poorly as Sweden
JeffJ: Any questions for Eric?
[Joe_Lieberman] Well, his silence denotes no. Jimbo, before we get to you: Where'd you hear it had RTS components?
[ErikRutins] Hey Joe, what about me?
[Joe_Lieberman] oh, geez, ok: you can go after Jimbo
[jimbo10327] I thought it said that in the summary at this site
[jimbo10327] guess I was wrong
[ErikRutins]
[jimbo10327] combat question
[jimbo10327] can you please describe it in more detail?
[Joe_Lieberman] (Ok just wanted to make sure I didn't have to correct someone's website!)
[jimbo10327] simultaneous execution?
[jimbo10327] turn based
[jimbo10327] RTS? : )
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[ericbabe] quick combat is simultaneous placement.
[ericbabe] detailed combat is igougo turn based.
[JeffJ] Sorry about the delay - no keyboard (tablet pc) - any historical battle scenarios
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[Joe_Lieberman] (guess you'll go after Jeff Erik)
[ericbabe] no historical battle scenarios with the release
[jimbo10327] how would you describe the importance of economics/building v. war? is the game overall more war oriented or building oriented?
[ericbabe] but we are contemplating an expansion pack
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[ericbabe] that would encompass something like this. done.
[Joe_Lieberman] Jimbo: normally keep it to one main question, eric you can answer that one
[ericbabe] it's more war oriented than building, i would say, though the building aspect is important.
[ericbabe] done
[Joe_Lieberman] Erik Rutins?
[Joe_Lieberman] (whoever you are)
[ErikRutins] Ok, finally
Could you discuss a bit more the effect of the historical leaders you've included, both military and diplomatic?
[jimbo10327] not fair, you asked camel for > 1 question. : )
[ericbabe] sure. each leader has 3 ratings.
[ericbabe] military commanders have tactical, initiative, and morale ratings.
[ericbabe] diplomats have legal, influence, and espionage.
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[ericbabe] commanders affect the performance of units in detailed battle (and in quick combat abstractly)
[ericbabe] diplomats have about a dozen abilities they can perform. done.
[Joe_Lieberman] (Who said I was fair! lol)
[Joe_Lieberman] Mr. Z: Any questions?
[ErikRutins] Thanks Eric
[Mr._Z] Nope!
[Joe_Lieberman] and I really like the Coup ability... that's how I took over all of Denmark...
[jimbo10327] I'll ask one for him! : )
[ericbabe] the coup ability makes everyone hate you though. done.
[Joe_Lieberman] heheh Ok ok
[ErikRutins] Joe, how does it feel to rule all of Denmark?
[Joe_Lieberman] ... I lost the war. I blame Denmark.
[Joe_Lieberman] Jimbo: Go ahead
[ericbabe] something is rotten.... done
[ErikRutins] Sorry, I'll stop now.
[jimbo10327] what is the realistic end goal? for example, in Civ, you can conquer the whole map, how about here?
[ericbabe] very hard to conquer the whole map. impossible within the limits of the scenarios perhaps.
[ericbabe] goal is to be the dominant power, as measured by the glory score. done.
[Joe_Lieberman] What affects glory, real quick
[ericbabe] winning battles is the big thing
[ericbabe] culture
[ericbabe] winning wars
[ericbabe] meeting target goals: owning provinces
[ericbabe] and keeping them from falling into the wrong hands.
[ericbabe] good trade. strong national morale.
[ericbabe] done
[jimbo10327] If I can venture another, how skillful is the detailed combat? does the skill of it make a small diff, big diff, etc?
[ericbabe] it can make a big difference.
[Joe_Lieberman] Lol that's your last question for a while
[ericbabe] if you can win at 2-1 odds against you, it makes a big difference. done.
[Joe_Lieberman] Mr. Frag: Any questions for Mr. Babe
[Mr.Frag] What is the scope of the game? ie: to play the largest campaign is xxx days or hours of real time? Are there smaller campaigns planned? (beg beg beg - please make sure it runs in a window for us crazy folks with widescreen monitors)
[jimbo10327] hey, these are quality questions from a good customer! : )
[Mr.Frag] <gags jimbo>
[ericbabe] the main campaign is 1805-1815.
[ErikRutins] rofl
[ericbabe] when i play it, it's typically about 20 hours. but it really depends on how many detailed battles you fight. done.
[ericbabe] wait..
[ericbabe] there are smaller scenarios. 1792, 1796, 1815.
[ericbabe] there won't be a windowed version though.... directx doesn't work
[ericbabe] very well in windowed versions.
[ericbabe] done.
[Joe_Lieberman] My brother in law and his wide screen laptop will be sad.
[Mr.Frag] followup
[Joe_Lieberman] go ahead
[Mr.Frag] adjustable resolution?
[ericbabe] 1024x768 only. done.
[ErikRutins] Still looks very nice on my 1280x1024, FYI
[Joe_Lieberman] Strategie-Expert, any questions for you or your site (strategie-expert.com for you french speakers)
[strategie-expert.com] yes
[strategie-expert.com] how about multiplayer, can you describe it?
[Mr.Frag] i can play on my 20" normal monitor, just means no work and play 8-(
[ericbabe] multiplayer uses microsoft direct play libraries.
[ericbabe] all players submit turns at the strategic level
[ErikRutins] Ah yeah, check. I think this one's good enough that you won't mind, honestly. One of my most anticipated releases this year based on the beta.
[ericbabe] simultaneously. movements/combats are then carried out
[ericbabe] in a subsequent movement phase.
[Mr.Frag] yep, saw the screen shots and it looks like quite the game
[ericbabe] in detailed combat, multiplay is turn based - igougo.
[ericbabe] quick combat, both sides simultaneously setup their units
[Mr.Frag] anything with Arty hooks me
[ericbabe] and then battle is resolved.
[ericbabe] there is also pbem at the strategic level only.
[ericbabe] done
[ErikRutins] Yeah, the design, production values, AI, it's all there in my opinion. Looking forward to showoing this off at Origins.
[Joe_Lieberman] So it is both TCP/IP and PBEM?
coach3play4 has joine
[ericbabe] yes.
[Joe_Lieberman] Zimmerit, Any questions?
[Mr.Frag] gonna have to figure out how to get smuggled into the usa so i can show up
[Zimmerit] nope, just taking it all in
[Joe_Lieberman] Brady, latecommer, any questions?
[brady] No ty for asking
[Joe_Lieberman] Coach, very latecommer, any questions?
[coach3play4] no - i'm on a very slow machine tonight just "listening"
[Joe_Lieberman] Well, beware of people typing in all caps then... could cause perminent damage
[Joe_Lieberman] Ok, that gets through the main list
[Joe_Lieberman] anyone have more questions? We've got some time left
[Mr.Frag] looking at the screen shots, i see what looks like built up fortifications ... are they static or does the player build them like other features of a area (ie: production)
[ericbabe] they are generated when the map is generated based on development levels in the province.
[ericbabe] players can adjust the development levels, but can't place fortifications directly. done.
[Joe_Lieberman] (this would be the walls and guns development level?)
[ericbabe] yes. uses both of those. done.
[Cush] about how many different types of units are there altogher?
[ericbabe] you just made me reach for the list. there are 35 on the list.
[Mr.Frag] there are only 2 types of units, artillery and targets lol
[ericbabe] but i guess that includes "cities" and so forth.
[ericbabe] so maybe 32.
[ericbabe] done.
[Joe_Lieberman] Im the latter, sadly. Go Sweden!
[jimbo10327] to what extent are units or unit attributes country-specific?
[ericbabe] some countries have special units only they can build
[ericbabe] jager, for instance, landwher, janissaries.
[ericbabe] countries also have military upgrades -- from a list of about 65.
[ericbabe] countries start scenarios with a set list of upgrades, can
[ericbabe] develop new ones. upgrades determine a lot of the flavor of the units.
[ericbabe] done
[jimbo10327] can you give some examples of upgrades?
[ericbabe] sure. cannonball standards: artillery only use one supply level each time they attack.
[ericbabe] cavalry ferocity: cavalry +33% chance to displace defender during a charge.
[ericbabe] desert fighting: suffer no additional casualties in desert combat; no additional move penalty for rough terrain in desert combats.
[ericbabe] esprit de corps: morale restored 33% faster when rallying a unit
[ericbabe] levee en masse: increases draft training rate by 33%
[ericbabe] massed artillery (I, II, III): increases maximum strength of art. units by 25%
[ericbabe] done
[Mr.Frag] is there the ability to slant the multiplayer game to allow new folks to have a chance against the pros through weighting the dice?
[JeffJ] is march attrition(esp in winter a factor?
[CamelCity] sure. make the pros play as Sweden
[ericbabe] there's no dice weighting like this. but there is an economic and starting unit adjustment at the strategic level. done.
[ericbabe] march attrition is a factor for units out of supply. done.
[jimbo10327] same adjustment possible v AI?
[Joe_Lieberman] (heh, that was a little strange)
[ericbabe] same adjustment possible v ai, yes. done.
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[ErikRutins] What kind of trade and economic options does the player have when it comes to dealing with other countries?
[ericbabe] trade proposals are from province to province.
[ericbabe] can propose trade with minor countries (i.e. wurttemburg) as well.
[ericbabe] there are also merchant ships
[ericbabe] they generate revenue based on adjacent ports
[ericbabe] but compete against other merchants and privateers
[ericbabe] nations can embargo other nations (via treaty clause)
[ericbabe] to diminish merchant revenue and preclude trade.
[ericbabe] done
[Mr.Frag] are battles an isolated event, ie they play out until completed, or can reinforcements/supply/etc be brought in after the start?
[ericbabe] armies and corps in adjacent provinces can often be called in to reinforce after the start of a battle.
[ericbabe] calling reinforcements tends to be a common occurrence in battle.done.
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[Cush] whats the coolest battle you've had in testing?
[Joe_Lieberman] (For the record, merchant ships do NOT go down easy... the English eliminated my entire Swedish Pirate Fleet (of like 4 ships.... heheh)
[ericbabe] that's a great question.
[ericbabe] i had a huge battle where i was russia against france in flanders.
[ericbabe] i was trying to cross a river to get at them.
[JeffJ] do scenarios have random events occur? Are there political initive like continental system that can be used & have some impact?
[ericbabe] ended up getting my head handed to me. it's nice for the programmer when the ai works well. done
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[ericbabe] there aren't a lot of random events. continental system we model with the embargo clause of the treaty screen.
[ericbabe] done
[Mr.Frag] wow, thats quite a statement ... your own AI smacked you!
[Mr._Z] It kind of depends on the version. I had a fun battle as Austria vs. France, outnumbered in Helvetia/Switzerland, that lasted over two days, through rain at night! This was back when rain/night casualties were like 2 per attack.
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[Joe_Lieberman] is that a lot or a little?
[Mr._Z] That is not much. Makes for a very long battle!
[Joe_Lieberman] What happens if you conquer the capital of somewhere?
[Joe_Lieberman] I never did take Moscow... so I was curious what would have happened if I did
(I forced their surrender instead)
[ericbabe] occupying the capital cuts their econ production by 66%.
[ericbabe] that usually forces a surrender in short order. done.
[Joe_Lieberman] nuts!
[ericbabe] i think there's also a national morale hit every time your capital is occupied. done
[Cush] how do guerrila's/rebels work?
[ericbabe] every turn i mean. done.
[Le_Tondu] Will COG be moddable and will the NATO symbols be available at the Strategic level? (if this hasn't been asked yet.)
[ericbabe] guerillas have a chance of popping up when cities are occupied.
[JeffJ] do insurrections develop? what influences provence stability?
[ErikRutins] So who are your three favorite leaders in the game and why?
[ericbabe] spain and to a lesser extent turkey have a chance of guerillas.
[ericbabe] other nations can get guerillas, but chances are much smaller. chance for guerillas is greater if total war is declared against you.
[ericbabe] rebels pop up when your national morale is low in provinces with low levels of "court" developments.
[ericbabe] cog will be moddable to a certain extent. it'll be easier to add things like
[ericbabe] scenarios and modify the unit list, but harder to do things like make new maps.
[Le_Tondu] I was thinking about what we see at the Strategic level.
[ericbabe] no nato symbols at strat level... i use semitransparent nato symbols to show "unit under production" in a province. so showing nato symbols next to these would be very confusing.
[Le_Tondu] in terms of the units.
[ericbabe] there are insurrections when nat morale is low; presence of corps can prevent insurrection. also presence of court developments helps prevent this loss.
[ericbabe] favorite three leaders: i have a portrait of duke of wellington hanging over my fireplace.
[ericbabe] development for 6 years... gets under your skin
[Joe_Lieberman] What does your wife think of that?
[ericbabe] she went to bed ten minutes ago and i wouldn't dare answer for her.
[ErikRutins] Joe, you can't be dissing the Duke!
[Joe_Lieberman] Who's talking about John Wayne?
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[Joe_Lieberman] Ok: Real questio: How many possible diplomatic treaty combinations are there?
[ErikRutins] Oh man, excuse me everyone, I'm going to have to challenge Joe to a game for that
[ericbabe] there are about 25 treaty clauses
[ericbabe] a treaty is composed of any number of clauses
[ericbabe] involving any number of nations.
[Joe_Lieberman] So how many possible combiantions
[ericbabe] i'd have to check my code to see how big a treaty can be... i'm sure it's not infinite
[ErikRutins] Billions and billions...
[Mr.Frag] hows the AI with treatys? does it use them in a manner that you'd expect from a player
[ericbabe] ai really limited the creativity of the clauses.
[coach3play4] Is Ireland included - say for a French invasion?
[Joe_Lieberman] (yes it is Coach)
[ericbabe] the ai has about 20 different things it looks for
[ericbabe] which can trigger it to offer treaties.
[ericbabe] ai can evaluate treaties pretty well... it's just very cautious.
[ericbabe] there is ireland.
[ericbabe] no iceland though.
[Joe_Lieberman] yes, my poor Swedish invasion of Rejavik was ruined because it wasn't on the map... (ignore the fact I had no navy to get them there)
[Joe_Lieberman] well that about wraps up our chat.. any last questions?
[jimbo10327] sounds fun, ty for your time,
[ericbabe] welcome
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[Joe_Lieberman] I'd like to point everyone in the direction of a recent forum thread concerning our MAYtrix Chat Drive. I'd like to get as many people in chat as often as possible during the month of may
[Mr.Frag] digital download version?
[Cush] will the game be avaiable for digital download when its released?
[Mr.Frag] lol
[ErikRutins] Yes, and boxed copies as well
[ericbabe] i was wondering that myself
[ErikRutins] These chats are very informative
[Joe_Lieberman] I'd like to thank Eric Babe for taking the time to chat with everyone, to his wife for letting him have the duke above his fireplace
[Cush] lol
[ErikRutins] Thanks everyone, thanks Eric, thanks Joe
[ErikRutins] (DUUUUUKE!)
[ericbabe] i watch pride and prejudice whenever she wants... i get the duke
[Mr.Frag] lol -> Eric
[Joe_Lieberman] This chat was sponsored by Matrix Games, Western-Civilization, and Viewiers Like YOU.
[ericbabe] thanks joe!
[ErikRutins] Joe, see you on the battlefield
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[Joe_Lieberman] Eric, you have the short end of the stick on that one
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[ericbabe] gnight guys!
[Joe_Lieberman] Don't forget MAYtrix Chat Drive!
[ErikRutins] Thanks again Eric, thanks everyone for coming
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[Joe_Lieberman] get it? What an awesome pun! Maytrix... haha
[ErikRutins] <loads his artillery>
[Mr.Frag] g'night folks, back to my email queue
[Joe_Lieberman] <Run Sweden! Run!>
[Cush] hmm, maybe its a good thing i accidently closed the window...missed the pun
[ErikRutins] Yep, ditto, take care all
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