Early September Update

Empires in Arms is the computer version of Australian Design Group classic board game. Empires in Arms is a seven player game of grand strategy set during the Napoleonic period of 1805-1815. The unit scale is corps level with full diplomatic options

Moderator: MOD_EIA

User avatar
Monadman
Posts: 548
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2005 3:33 pm
Location: New Hampshire

Early September Update

Post by Monadman »


EiANW is still in need of the following before release:
1. Upgraded AI: The program is currently under going Naval and Land AI rewrites.
2. More Scenarios: Currently, there is only the 1805 Grand Campaign.
3. Print Manual: Completed but currently waiting on the editor to review it.
4. Graphics: New victory and title screens
5. Music:

Current Testing Update:
Most of the recent bugs showing up are;
1. AI related
2. Deeply nested rule issues, that requires more man-hours to identify, fix and test (and there are NOT many testers working this project).
3. From breaking one function while attempting to fix something else (common reoccurring problem).

The long march continues . . .

Richard
Frank McNally
Posts: 39
Joined: Fri Aug 29, 2003 5:04 am

RE: Early September Update

Post by Frank McNally »

Regarding point 2, this is especially probelematic if a game hits such a thing and cannot be manually forced to a specific game state. If the game originator has the power (perhaps with other players password protected aggreement) to assume godlike control and specify the location/strength of all pieces and the date, we won't find ourselves forced to abandon games in with 7 years into them becasue a nested rule created a situation the program cannot handle.
PDiFolco
Posts: 1195
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 8:14 am

RE: Early September Update

Post by PDiFolco »

Ouch it looks like there's still a loooong way to go, I don't expect anymore a 2007 release...
But thx for the info !
PDF
User avatar
PunkReaper
Posts: 1003
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 6:27 pm
Location: England

RE: Early September Update

Post by PunkReaper »

Thanks for the update...sad but we will cope[:(]
StCyr
Posts: 148
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2003 2:27 pm

RE: Early September Update

Post by StCyr »

thank you for the update. Do you think there is a chance for some more beta testers to join you ? (of course I still would love to do so, but I doubt that Marshall is waiting for my help.)
Whenever I look at the Wold in Flames forum, I get the impersion that there is a tremendous input/help/feedback, perhapse similar support is possible for EiA.
I really wonder how the AI will look like, how to handle this by a single person- but perhapse you did some kind of brainstorming in the beta forum.
User avatar
nukkxx5058
Posts: 3141
Joined: Thu Feb 03, 2005 2:57 pm
Location: France

RE: Early September Update

Post by nukkxx5058 »

That's rather bad news. I agree that it seems there is stil a long way to go ... :-(
Winner of the first edition of the Command: Modern Operations COMPLEX PBEM Tournament (IKE) (April 2022) :-)
hlj
Posts: 83
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:26 am

RE: Early September Update

Post by hlj »

Hey thanks for the update. I thought other scenarios would be added after the release. But the wait wont kill me.
 
What are the scenarios that are currently considered necesary for a release?
Regards

xXx
User avatar
Monadman
Posts: 548
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2005 3:33 pm
Location: New Hampshire

RE: Early September Update

Post by Monadman »

ORIGINAL: hlj

Hey thanks for the update. I thought other scenarios would be added after the release. But the wait wont kill me.

What are the scenarios that are currently considered necesary for a release?


There has been an effort by a couple of testers to make some of the original EiA scenarios but we need a working editor or all of Marshall’s attention to complete them, neither of which is available at this time. There is a “crude” editor that Marshall put together for his personal use but it needs significant attention (more code work) before anyone else can use it and he can not afford to give any time to it at the moment (for obvious reasons). Simply put, the scenario work is on the back burner while the AI gets worked.

I can guess where the course of conversation will go from here so I’ll ask this question in anticipation of the onslaught (but also out of curiosity): How much kicking and screaming would there be from those of you following this thread if EiANW was released without 1) ANY scenarios (allowing for post-release scenario distribution) or; 2) MANY scenarios (but still delaying game release to build them)?

For the record: it’s just my fingers on the keyboard, no decision has been made on this matter.

Richard
User avatar
PunkReaper
Posts: 1003
Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2006 6:27 pm
Location: England

RE: Early September Update

Post by PunkReaper »

IMO release now senarios to follow
User avatar
Irish Guards
Posts: 143
Joined: Fri Aug 13, 2004 5:09 pm

RE: Early September Update

Post by Irish Guards »

Is this for Real ....
IG
sabre100
Posts: 391
Joined: Sat May 22, 2004 10:54 pm

RE: Early September Update

Post by sabre100 »

IMO release the game with the one scenario you guys already have and then release the rest after the game.  This game has taken far to long to be released as is and now with the AI issue it can be another long wait then adding even longer wait on top of that for scenarios would delay this game into what year?? I am ok with the one scenario if made its release any sooner as long as other scenarios would be added down the road or an editor where released with a patch so users can add scenarios themselves also.

On the other hand keep up the good work, i personally appreciate the updates whether they are bad or good is is good knowing what is going on.
hlj
Posts: 83
Joined: Fri Mar 19, 2004 1:26 am

RE: Early September Update

Post by hlj »

The Grand Campaign is the only important original scenario for me.
 
But you wont see any kicking and screaming from me wether we have to wait for more scenarios before a release or not. 
Regards

xXx
User avatar
yammahoper
Posts: 231
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2004 7:14 pm

RE: Early September Update

Post by yammahoper »

I prefer to wait for editor (which I honestly may never want).

yamma
...nothing is more chaotic than a battle won...
WJPalmer1
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon Sep 20, 2004 6:34 pm
Location: Colorado Springs
Contact:

RE: Early September Update

Post by WJPalmer1 »

My vote is to release now with the single (grand campaign) scenario and follow with others later. This will satisfy the majority for a significant period during which other scenarios may be developed. In fact, this phasing approach could well drive additional interest and game sales as gamers' appetites are whetted. Just my $.02
eg0master
Posts: 162
Joined: Wed Mar 20, 2002 4:37 am
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Contact:

RE: Early September Update

Post by eg0master »

I agree on releasing with only the grand campain. And forme AI is not important. I think the majority ofmy gameswillbe 7 human player games anyway.
24 hours in a day, 24 beers in a case. Coincidence? I think not.
User avatar
jchastain
Posts: 2160
Joined: Fri Aug 08, 2003 7:31 am
Location: Marietta, GA

RE: Early September Update

Post by jchastain »

I suspect they aren't taking votes for what is or is not required for release.  And while most seem to be focusing on the scenarios, a "rewrite" of both the land and naval AI means the game isn't ready regardless of whether the additional scenarios are completed.  Since testers appear to be the driving force behind the new scenarios, parallelism isn't a bad plan IMO.  I do applaud the team for making tough calls to ensure the released product is at an acceptable quality level.  But, as others have already commented, it is clear that the game still has a ways to go.
yesman68
Posts: 16
Joined: Wed Aug 22, 2007 10:58 pm

RE: Early September Update

Post by yesman68 »

I'd be happy with only the Grand Campaign scenario with the initial release.
User avatar
dinsdale
Posts: 383
Joined: Thu May 01, 2003 4:42 pm

RE: Early September Update

Post by dinsdale »

Personally, I think it's an embarassment that Matrix have continued with this game. Christmas 2003 the game was in the pre-release pile on Gamespot until it was "postponed" and every year since then it's been "close."

This is about the 4th time we've been "really close" only to have dramatic silence then an apologetic post with a slew of issues crop up. The fact that there aren't many testers working on it is incredible. Who would think the management of the project could be as poorly organized as the development. All the more ironic IMHO as the call for testers went out in 2002, are any still alive from that phase?

No game these days ever works without numerous patches, I wonder how long the first patch is going to take to be delivered given the 6 years development and 5 years of really closeness to release.

I sincerely wish all those still planning to buy this game the best of luck. I have a feeling you might need it.
User avatar
Camile Desmoulins
Posts: 115
Joined: Mon Sep 15, 2003 12:35 am
Location: Madrid, Spain

RE: Early September Update

Post by Camile Desmoulins »

I'm according with you. Start with the Great Campaign, and more late will arrive others.
Is very important release as soon as possible


Camille
"Scis vincere, nescis uti victoria" (Maharbal)
JodiSP
Posts: 15
Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 12:14 am
Location: New Zealand

RE: Early September Update

Post by JodiSP »

I also vote to release now with the single (grand campaign), but the AI must be fixed before release, scenarios can easily be added later but the AI could be difficult to improve upon with a patch[:(]
Post Reply

Return to “Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars of 1805 - 1815”