Empire: Total War Summary Thread

[pevergreen]

Kind of expecting Martok to update this now.
Confirmed:

Battle map:

- New engine
- Naval Warfare included
- Weapons will jam and misfire, cannons will seize up and explode
- Bagpipes, drummers, flautists and trumpeters will fill the air with play out over the crack of musket fire
- Formations will affect units, line formation for better firing, square for receiving charges etc
- An overwrite of the fire command is implemented (hold fire, then all fire at button press)
- Siege Battles are less important
- Infantry can occupy buildings. They will automatically take up defensive positions and fire out of windows/doors.
- Wind will play an important role in the battles. You can set the sails of your ship according to your desired speed. You can choose between three types of ammunition, damaging hull, sails, or crew respectively. (chain-shot for sails, lead balls for hull , shrapnel for crew)
- Dragoon units -- mounted men that you can order to dismount and fire and attack the enemy as infantry. Then you can order them to mount up again and chase across the field on horseback.
- Artillery units, some of which can be limbered up and moved around the field at speed by teams of horses. You can develop all kinds of exotic ammo for them to fire.
- On the battle map (both land and sea), the increase in visual quality and the number of men on the battlefield is incredible. The new engine has allowed huge improvements in graphics, terrain & vegetation, destructible buildings, as well as more advanced unit behaviour and abilities.
General:

- The game will run from early 1700’s to around 1820
- The campaign map will be larger. It includes Europe, North and South America, North Africa, Central Asia, India, and Indonesia
- You will be able to build colonies. It will make a difference, whether you settle in the wilderness of the Americas, or whether you can use pre-existing infrastructure in India.
- Multiplayer battles are supposed to be improved. A ladder will be implemented.
- A technology tree that lets player's research pure technologies as well as construct and upgrade buildings. We have a host of different technologies that the player can choose to focus on. Some will give units new abilities on the battlefield, or allow your artillery to develop new types of ordnance. Some will improve ships' sailing and fighting performance, others will develop your economy and enable new buildings and infrastructure, and others will advance the educational level of your nation and speed up future research.
- really beefed up the diplomacy side of the game, and tried hard to make the AI factions behave in a more human way and respond to the player's treatment of them. Religion does play a role in terms of factions' attitudes towards each other, and it can be harder to maintain a close friendship with a faction with a different religion.



Campaign Map:

- Agents: Gentlemen who can turn their hand to increasing the speed of your nation’s research, steal enemy technology or duel with enemy Gentlemen and Rakes. Meanwhile Rakes will assassinate, sabotage and spy on armies.
- The campaign map is no longer tiled as RTW and M2TW
- You can now recruit units on Generals.
- Historic Generals will appear (given examples: Peter the Great of Russia and Charles of Sweden)
- All infrastructure built within a province, will be represented on the Strategic Map. You can upgrade buildings, by clicking on them on the Strategic Map (eg ports). There will still be a capital though.
- Enemy armies can plunder or conquer buildings within provinces.
- Revolutions can happen, leading to the separation of countries. (As an example, a rebellion of the Scotts was given).
- You can change the form of government between: absolute monarchy, constitutional monarchy, and Republic. This will directly influence how you can deal with revolts and how fast you develop new technologies. Other factions will treat you according to your form of government.
- Taxes can be set seperately for Nobles, Burghers, and Peasants.
- The AI system will be reworked and improved. An example given is that the AI will be unified, meaning that no longer the military AI will try to conquer a territory, while the diplomatic AI is working towards an alliance with the owner of said territory.
- Diplomats, Spies and Assassins will no longer be represented on the map. A new system will be introduced.
- The mercenary system will be reworked. While you can still hire mercenaries they won't be incorporated into your regular army. How this works out exactly is not clear yet.
Regions in the Americas tend to start the game with low populations, and CA do model the migration of people from Europe to the Americas as a result of dissatisfaction with their lives in the Old World. Therefore, American regions can see extremely fast development, with population and hence new towns growing much faster than is possible in Europe. Colonial regions also tend to produce exotic commodities such as sugar and tobacco.

If I've missed anything, PM me.

Thanks to:
Icek - information
Omanes - some pictures rehosted
Ituralde - a load of information from the gamestar preview
J0Be – information summary from the IGN Q&A.



Playable Factions:

Confirmed factions so far in Empire:

Britain
America
Sweden
United Provinces(Netherlands)
Poland-Lithuania
Russia
Prussia
Venice
Spain
France
Ottoman Empire

And there will be around 50 factions in Empire.
One of those is the Mughals of India.



https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/917/05shot03im9.th.jpg (https://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=05shot03im9.jpg)

https://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3910/05shot04sz1.th.jpg (https://img514.imageshack.us/my.php?image=05shot04sz1.jpg)

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/2431/05shot05cd2.th.jpg (http://img111.imageshack.us/my.php?image=05shot05cd2.jpg)

https://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2240/05shot06kt5.th.jpg (https://img218.imageshack.us/my.php?image=05shot06kt5.jpg)

http://s2.directupload.net/images/070825/aGVtVK92.jpg


http://s3.directupload.net/images/070825/eUlrVgig.jpg


http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/6apjmM4x.jpg


https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/ETW_announce_01.jpg


https://img405.imageshack.us/img405/6905/aaasmq2.png


https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/ETW_announce_06.jpg


https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/ETW_announce_07.jpg


https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/gc-2007-empire-total-war-concept-2.jpg


https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/gc-2007-empire-total-war-concept-1.jpg


https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/gc-2007-empire-total-war-concept-ar.jpg

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Hi pevergreen,
May I request that you replace those image's linking code with the selection below - the moderators have an aversion to bandwidth leeching. Don't worry BTW, they are the same images.

https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/ETW_announce_01.jpg

https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/ETW_announce_05.jpg

https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/ETW_announce_06.jpg

https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/ETW_announce_07.jpg

https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/gc-2007-empire-total-war-concept-2.jpg

https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/gc-2007-empire-total-war-concept-1.jpg

https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Screenshots/gc-2007-empire-total-war-concept-ar.jpg

[pevergreen]

Thank you Omanes, I was having trouble uploading.

:bow:

[icek]

you forgot about reducing the importance of siege battles.

[pevergreen]

if you can post a link, it will be moved to confirmed.

:bow:

[icek]

I cannot. it was mention in this interview witch is now removed due mostly fact that it spread false information about poland being totally in hand of germans. In this interview it was stated that all military buildings will stand outside city walls so defenders will have to sall out to defend them from destroying.

[kingbode]

1700 to early 1800? only 100 years, that's too short. why don't CA go from 1400 to 1860? i like long, long campaigns.

and it seems they are determined to make guns and muskets the major players on the battlefield. that sounds a little bit boring, as there's not much technique in gun fighting at that moment.

[Warluster]

It is actually 1700 t0 1820.

And they could do one turn is 6 months so 2 turns equals a year. This, I am sure, would legnthen it out. Or turns equal seasons, etc.

[pevergreen]

As before, link or it doesnt exist. The infomation I have is from totalwar.com. :shrug:

[Odin]

Or turns equal seasons, etc.

Just like STW. Also Im sure the turns sequence will be moddable anyway.

[pevergreen]

:bump:

New infomation posted.

:bow:

[icek]

if you can post a link, it will be moved to confirmed.

:bow: I luv google memory mode:
http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:Q7T2n7qXdFQJ:www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php%3Fid%3D170570+http://www.computerandvideogames.com/+empire+total+war&hl=pl&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=pl

quote: "Even better, they're aiming to draw armies out of the cities, removing the dominance of sieges. That's being done by making region improvements - structures such as barracks, mines and palaces - exist outside of the city, vulnerable to attack. Generals can no longer afford to hide behind their city walls in the event of an invasion. They must sally forth and chase the aggressor away."

[BoyarPunk]

Pevergreen (and others): thanks for the handing reference thread!
Nice work. :applause:

[Simmons]

I luv google memory mode:
http://64.233.183.104/search?q=cache:Q7T2n7qXdFQJ:www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php%3Fid%3D170570+http://www.computerandvideogames.com/+empire+total+war&hl=pl&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=pl

quote: "Even better, they're aiming to draw armies out of the cities, removing the dominance of sieges. That's being done by making region improvements - structures such as barracks, mines and palaces - exist outside of the city, vulnerable to attack. Generals can no longer afford to hide behind their city walls in the event of an invasion. They must sally forth and chase the aggressor away."This press release from CA also could allude to it

Empire Images And More Info! (http://www.totalwar.com/en/communityandforums/empire.html)

Here's the relevant section


Empire: Total War contains a revolutionised Total War campaign spanning 3 continents and featuring new, enhanced systems for Trade, Diplomacy, Missions and Espionage. There will be an all-new fully animated campaign map with all buildings and upgrades visible. The campaign will also feature a huge cast of historical figures including Peter The Great, Malborough and Charles XII of Sweden. The game will include 10 playable factions including Britain, Prussia, France, Spain, America and the massive Ottoman Empire.Of course that could just be referring to the UI and not a barracks somewhere in a province.

[BoyarPunk]

Pevergreen (and others): thanks for the handing reference thread!
Nice work. :applause:

Oops...that should read: "thanks for the handy reference thread"
Wish I could edit my posts ~:mecry:

[A Norseman]

You forgot the historical characters (Peter the great of russia and Charles of sweeden..

Aditionaly, there will be 50 factions, but only 10 playable, i suggest that you split them up accordingly.. (dubt that the polish - lithuanians will be in the playable section.. )

[pevergreen]

Already in :bow:

[pevergreen]

:bump:

New faction infomation posted.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

This thread needs pinning. Please Tosa?

[pevergreen]

:bump:

Loads of new confirmed information thanks to Ituralde.

[ninjahboy]

wow thanks for this great info :D

[Rodion Romanovich]

When is release scheduled for?

[Megas Alexandron]

Just like STW. Also Im sure the turns sequence will be moddable anyway.
In M2TW you can edit it modifying a file, i play with 4 turns per year instead of 2.

[pevergreen]

:bump:

Sorry, but until sticky. :shrug:

[I of the Storm]

Excellent thread! Thanks to all contributors. :2thumbsup:

Why isn't this stickied!?

[Eng]

- Infantry can occupy buldings. They will automatically take up defensive positions and fire out of windows/doors.


sweet :2thumbsup:



- Naval warfare will be included. Each side will be able to command up to 20 ships within one battle.

why is that? there were battles with more then 40 ships.

[OliverWKim]

Which mag posted that extensive preview you posted in the screenshots section? I desperately need to read that article.

[woad&fangs]

http://www.euratlas.com/history_europe/europe_map_1700.html (http://www.euratlas.com/history_europe?europe_map_1700.html)
Thats a link to a map of europe in 1700(which if I'm correct is the start date) if anyone is interested. Oh, and thank you Pevergreen for having the sense to make this thread. It is greatly appreciated.

Edit: the link isn't working for some reason but the site is working.

[Aide de camp]

Which mag posted that extensive preview you posted in the screenshots section? I desperately need to read that article.

It's Gamestar, a german mag.
Luckily I live in Germany, so I'll be able to buy it!

[Lord Zimoa of Flanders]

Anyone knows of other magazines doing previews?

LZ

[pevergreen]

None as far as we know get.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

I bought it and of course already read it and it's very interesting.

One already said here "in the magazine there is a screenshot with soldiers fighting in a dry channel and others firing from a bridge." That's what the description of the screenshot in the magazine says, but it is wrong though. It's not a dry channel but a massive fortress's dry trench it seems. So it looks like we're going to fight for really massive forts with bastions and trenches I think.

[Lord Zimoa of Flanders]

You are looking for these:





http://s2.directupload.net/images/070825/aGVtVK92.jpg (http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/6apjmM4x.jpg) (http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/6apjmM4x.jpg)


http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/6apjmM4x.jpg (http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/6apjmM4x.jpg)


(http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/6apjmM4x.jpg)http://s3.directupload.net/images/070825/eUlrVgig.jpg (http://s3.directupload.net/images/070825/eUlrVgig.jpg) (http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/6apjmM4x.jpg)


(http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/6apjmM4x.jpg)http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/8r8GCGTf.jpg (http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/8r8GCGTf.jpg) (http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/6apjmM4x.jpg)


(http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/6apjmM4x.jpg)http://s3.directupload.net/images/070825/ZUYy78Co.jpg (http://s3.directupload.net/images/070825/ZUYy78Co.jpg) (http://s1.directupload.net/images/070825/6apjmM4x.jpg)


LZ

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Yup.~:)

[Fisherking]

I just this morning saw a German Magazine with about a dozen pages dedicated to Empires...but I forgot to get the name of the publication...maybe later in the week if someone else doesn't post it before I get back there.

The Campaign map was a world map and there was something about Australian Colonies founded in 1788...I didn't realise it was that lately settled.

Sorry I don't read enough German to give a more compleat report but it sure looks like it is going to be a beautiful game if nothing else.

[pevergreen]

Was it gamestar?

[Lord Zimoa of Flanders]

It is one of the biggest German Game magazines, very good actually.

LZ

[Fisherking]

Was it gamestar?

Yes, it is very likely that it was. Sorry I didn't see the other post! But it should expand our knowledge a bit once we have a translation and some screen shots.

http://www.gamestar.de/magazin/heft/thumbnails/

this does not seem to be the full article so there may be more info there.

[Warluster]

I hope this isn't Piracy, but couldn't someone please quote from the mag about what it says on AUssie, pretty please!

[pevergreen]

If you quote it, it has already been linked, so its fine. I cant read german, so you'd be best off IMO asking Ituralde.

[ratbarf]

Sir? That looks royally bitching.

[ratbarf]

In a good way.

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

I hope this isn't Piracy, but couldn't someone please quote from the mag about what it says on AUssie, pretty please!
Australia, China, Southern Hemisphere Africa, Antarctica are excluded as stated in GameStar. We can only wonder how weird their map would look like.

https://img175.imageshack.us/img175/6678/weltkartevonempiretotaloy0.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

Map taken from Wikipedia.

Disclaimer: The map was put together by myself, taking into account the mentioned exclusions of regions in the GameStar-article. The red line is an approach and not a definition of supposed map borders in ETW.

[ratbarf]

Actually I think the picture may be a bit backwards. I f they have india and some of the east indies on the side of the campaign map that Eastern europe is normaly on then you could expand over land with the Ottomans. And on the other side where the americas are now on the M2 map they would have the far east indies. That way you could take the seroiusly hard overland route to make it too the east. Or you could go west. @_@

[Warluster]

Well lets hope you can conquer The Northern bit of Australia....
I can already see a expansion, one with new factions and a extension of the map to include Siberia, China and Australia....

[Bijo]

Reading this summary thread I think my possible appreciation for the upcoming ETW is increased :yes: (Of course I maintain skepticism.)

The fact that a large part of the world will be represented (according to that magazine) is good and that alone scores many points with me.

[lancelot]

Going by that map how are you supposed to get to India by sea if the bottom of africa is cut off??? :help:

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

Going by that map how are you supposed to get to India by sea if the bottom of africa is cut off??? :help:
I wonder about that too.

Disclaimer: The map was put together by myself, taking into account the mentioned exclusions of regions in the GameStar-article. The red line is an approach and not a definition of supposed map borders in ETW.

[Daithi MacGuillaCathair]

not trying to insult but Australia ? i dont think they have any hope of making an apperance, i did australian history for a year in school (most unfortunatly) and they didnt do a thing until world war 1 (got shot to bits at gallipoli) , there was never any massed rebelions or wars, just a slow genocide , mainly through desease, but with the odd skirmish between natives and settlers

i couldnt really see what kind of units they would field anyway

any one have any idea if there will be any previews in any uk magazine soon?

[pevergreen]

Australia will not be in this game.

[ninjahboy]

Gallipoli was really Churchills fault ( the 'mastermind') behind the plan :P
but hey, thats what you get from a totally dependant Foreign Policy i guess :P
hmmmm Australia would be a good tax place as well as a place to recieve Europes prisoners :)
i can see it now... a convict army :)

[Galapagos]

I have a question....Will the timeframe include 1878?

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Sorry Galapagos. The timeframe is 1700-1800, although some sources do claim that it extends 1820. Sorry.

[Galapagos]

I wasn't sure they said early 1800's.It would have been to good to be true to include late 1800's.

[Csargo]

I don't see why they don't extend the end date to the late 1800s. I don't think warfare changed too much until WWI when multi-shot rifles came into the picture, but I'm no expert I could be wrong.

[Shahed]

Anyone know what the release date is/ is estimated to be ?

[Jeroen Hill]

I'm kinda disappointed that the American Civil War wont be in cause of the timespan.

[SaFe]

I'm kinda disappointed that the American Civil War wont be in cause of the timespan.


Well, that makes sense in my opinion.
First from a marketing point, they can sell a expansion
Secondly - let's imagine the Americans are wiped out already by the British or a vassal.
Would anybody like a event Civial War then? Would make no sense!

Additionally the U.S. doesn't belong in the vanilla game, because they were just a colony by the start of the game - so leave the U.S. for a expansion like kingdoms.
A Napoleon/Civil War(but you would need railroads for this) expansion.

[Ferret]

argh! :daisy: you lucky german's!

[Martok]

Anyone know what the release date is/ is estimated to be ?
Well nothing's been officially announced yet, but I would be shocked if the game didn't come out around this time next year. Thus far, CA has faithfully stuck to a schedule of releasing new games in late summer of even-numbered years, and expansion packs in late summer of odd-numbered years. Ergo, ETW will most likely come out August/September 2008.


I'm kinda disappointed that the American Civil War wont be in cause of the timespan.
I highly doubt CA will ever make the Civil War for the TW series regardless. With only two main factions, the American Civil War wouldn't translate very well to the TW style of play.

[woad&fangs]

I don't see why they don't extend the end date to the late 1800s. I don't think warfare changed too much until WWI when multi-shot rifles came into the picture, but I'm no expert I could be wrong.
A great deal of military advancement happened in the American Civil War so I think the latest they could go would be about the 1850's.

[Mouzafphaerre]

.

Confirmed:

- Real-Time 3D Naval Warfare



If this aint no reason for BIG celebration, nothing is! :2thumbsup: Away for a couple months and CA surprises with my greatest wish in a TW. I'm happy! :egypt:
.

[Caius]

.


If this aint no reason for BIG celebration, nothing is! :2thumbsup: Away for a couple months and CA surprises with my greatest wish in a TW. I'm happy! :egypt:
.
Welcome Mouza to the TW.org! I know some members will be happy to know that you are alive!

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
LOL! Thanks mate. ~:)
.

[Boyar Son]

1700-1800

meaning 4 turns per year?

[derfinsterling]

I highly doubt CA will ever make the Civil War for the TW series regardless. With only two main factions, the American Civil War wouldn't translate very well to the TW style of play.

Wouldn't need to be two factions, though. If it's done like Kingdoms, with one "mod" among others, you could have:

USA and CSA, are of course set, but you could have various allied states representing the border-wars of kansas and missouri and the like.

British, French, Prussians (as allies for one of the two Americas)
Mexicans threatening the South after the Civil War has settled in 1861. Just imagine if Juarez wouldn't have served as President and/or the French came a little sooner...

And of course: Indians! The Cherokee in the South, the Sioux in the North... Claiming indepence from the paleskins.

Not necessarily 100% accurate, but I'd play that. ;)

[Vuk]

Nappy will be in. You may want to add that.

[lancelot]

I highly doubt CA will ever make the Civil War for the TW series regardless. With only two main factions, the American Civil War wouldn't translate very well to the TW style of play.

Not necesarily, a part of the problem of the US civil war was strategy had not evolved much since napoleonic times, generals were still modelling themselves on such men- having one arm in their coat etc etc.

Close order combat was still the norm- the problem was that while strategy and tactics had not evolved the weapons had- meaning that ranges were a lot longer in the ACW. You needed close order to have a chance of hitting anything in napoleonic times. Hence casulaties were much higher.

Combat-wise, Id say you could take the game to about the ACW times- not that much later tho. Of course- politically and map wise, perhaps not.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

By the end of the ACW there was rather complex trench warfare.

[paladinwarir]

Wow, that looks like a really cool game, i know im going to get that when it comes out :beam:

[A Norseman]

A thing i am shure off is that the CA have two options for expantion "naplonic wars" and "american civil war" .. well, as a Europeean i dont give a crap about your war, and wuld much more have a realy fun campain as the british defending my borders from the french, or french allie Denmark - Norway depending on the french sucsess in the war for my own suvival.

[Martok]

Combat-wise, Id say you could take the game to about the ACW times- not that much later tho. Of course- politically and map wise, perhaps not.
It is indeed the political/diplomatic aspect that'd prevent CA from making an American Civil War game/expansion. (I concede that the combat itself could be interesting.) With only two primary factions -- the Union & Confederacy -- an ACW:TW game would be pretty boring.


A thing i am shure off is that the CA have two options for expantion "naplonic wars" and "american civil war" .. well, as a Europeean i dont give a crap about your war, and wuld much more have a realy fun campain as the british defending my borders from the french, or french allie Denmark - Norway depending on the french sucsess in the war for my own suvival.
As an American of primarily Scandanavian descent (Syttende Mai is a major celebration in my mom's hometown), I'll assume you meant no offense by your words. ~:)

In any case, I largely agree with your assessment -- a Total War title based on the American Civil War would be extremely uninteresting to me. Not that I don't find the Civil War boring in & of itself, but (as I've said before and will continue to do so) it's a period that doesn't lend itself well to the TW-style of gameplay.

[A Norseman]

http://shoguntotalwar.yuku.com/topic/21848
Dont know if this have been posted before, nice little heap of info there

And yea, i did not mean any offence to americans, i youst dont care enogh about their internal wars to buy a game about it.

[Caius]

http://shoguntotalwar.yuku.com/topic/21848

DSunno if thius have been posted before, nice little heap of info there
Thats a lot of info!

pever, update the first post.

Is this info oficially?

[RoadKill]

I didn't care much about this game, as I thought it was just gonna be another failure, but I was bored and stumbled in here, and holy !@#!@ I want to get this, the ideas and stuff sound amazing, dang I can't wait till this comes out, I'm hyped.

[Csargo]

A great deal of military advancement happened in the American Civil War so I think the latest they could go would be about the 1850's.

I'm not very good with technical parts, but what advancements? I've read that there is going to be earth walls in the game, which I assume is basically a trench.

[Anonymous II]

1700-1800

meaning 4 turns per year?

That would have been great in terms of seasons and all. But 400 turns? That would be a loong campaign. :juggle2:

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I'm not very good with technical parts, but what advancements? I've read that there is going to be earth walls in the game, which I assume is basically a trench.
Gatling guns, small unit tactics, and balloon reconnaissance, to name a few. Much changed on both tactical and technical aspects of warfare.

[Sheogorath]

Gatling guns, small unit tactics, and balloon reconnaissance, to name a few. Much changed on both tactical and technical aspects of warfare.
Gatling guns and small unit tactics are pretty out of the scope from what I've heard. 1700-1820, right?
Gatling guns were first used seriously just after the American Civil War. Small unit tactics came a little bit before, but I gather that the idea of this game is grand musket battles, and that we wont be seeing a significant rifle presence, which is what you need for small unit tactics to work.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Gatling guns and small unit tactics are pretty out of the scope from what I've heard. 1700-1820, right?
Gatling guns were first used seriously just after the American Civil War. Small unit tactics came a little bit before, but I gather that the idea of this game is grand musket battles, and that we wont be seeing a significant rifle presence, which is what you need for small unit tactics to work.
Yes, I was talking about why the American Civil War couldn't be included, as tactics and weaponry changed over that time frame.

[rajpoot]

Crazy crazy, I'm going to get crazy waiting till september next year, I don't know how'll I pass the time, maybe by reading all these threads over and over again :wall:
Anyway, does anybody know what might be the approximate system requirements for this game?

[Vuk]

Crazy crazy, I'm going to get crazy waiting till september next year, I don't know how'll I pass the time, maybe by reading all these threads over and over again :wall:
Anyway, does anybody know what might be the approximate system requirements for this game?

No, but one can guess from the screenshots. Probably, lots of RAM, good vid card(s), lots of processor speed, etc.

[Warluster]

Here is eom new info if it hasn't been posted: New ETW Info (http://blogs.sega-europe.com/blogs/totalwar/entry/11)

[Defender]

Wouldn't need to be two factions, though. If it's done like Kingdoms, with one "mod" among others, you could have:

USA and CSA, are of course set, but you could have various allied states representing the border-wars of kansas and missouri and the like.

British, French, Prussians (as allies for one of the two Americas)
Mexicans threatening the South after the Civil War has settled in 1861. Just imagine if Juarez wouldn't have served as President and/or the French came a little sooner...

And of course: Indians! The Cherokee in the South, the Sioux in the North... Claiming indepence from the paleskins.

Not necessarily 100% accurate, but I'd play that. ;)

The American Civil War was mostly about the Union and the Confederacy. What most people do not realize that in that period the west was being colonised. One of the main reasons the war broke out was the question if slavery should be abolished or approved in the Wild West. The Union said abolish and the CSA said approve.

Of course there were more factors that leaded to the conflict, but from an historical point of view, all states were seen as a seperate country. Hence the name Confederation. (wiki it if you need a defenition, compare it to Union and you see the difference).

Don't forget that the Mexican war, for instance, was fought only a few decades earlier (1846-1848 to be exact) or the Spanish-American war (1898) or the indian wars (intermittently from 1622-1890).

So factions should me more than enough, Union, Confederacy, New-Hispania, Mexico and several Native American tribes (wich should be enough, since M2TW:K campaigns only have about 5-10 factions each)

I will give no storylines, timelines whatsoever, I am just trying to make my point that a Civil War expansion (or In game Inclusion) is possible.

- Pierre

[Lorenzo_H]

I love this Period of history.

[KLAssurbanipal]

For members who can't wait for Empire TW I am making new mod. :)

SWEDEN UNITS (Part 1)

Cavalry:

https://img227.imageshack.us/img227/1179/swedencavalrynp7.th.jpg (https://img227.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swedencavalrynp7.jpg)

Grenadier:

https://img65.imageshack.us/img65/4340/swedengrenadierpm4.th.jpg (https://img65.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swedengrenadierpm4.jpg)

Musketeer:

https://img240.imageshack.us/img240/2223/swedeninfantryuz0.th.jpg (https://img240.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swedeninfantryuz0.jpg)

Tomorrow: Russian Units - Part 1

[Vuk]

For members who can't wait for Empire TW I am making new mod. :)

SWEDEN UNITS (Part 1)

Cavalry:

https://img509.imageshack.us/img509/623/swedencavbf0.th.jpg (https://img509.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swedencavbf0.jpg)

Grenadier:

https://img505.imageshack.us/img505/9015/swedengrenadierik8.th.jpg (https://img505.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swedengrenadierik8.jpg)

Musketeer:

https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/3487/swedeninfantryyi2.th.jpg (https://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swedeninfantryyi2.jpg)

Tomorrow: Russian Units - Part 1


Are it just a collection of units, or will it be a complete overhaul?

[Irish Soldier]

Can someone explain to me, exactly what you mean When you say the Campaign map will no longer be tiled?

[pevergreen]

At this point in time, the map is a grid. The Army/City/Boat occupies one grid. Thats like a giant chessboard. You can only go in certain tiles, and those tiles influence the battle map that they have. This is how you can surround an inquisitor with 8 stacks of 1 unit, then bring a final one on top of it. Because the enemy unit has no where to go, it is destroyed.


On another note, please, I asked in the original post: Can this thread be posted in with only information with sources.
I check this thread during school, and while i love the discussion and such, i would prefer another thread be started, and keep this one clean. If it gets worse, I may ask Tosa to clear a few posts, to keep this thread clean.

[rajpoot]

For members who can't wait for Empire TW I am making new mod. :)

SWEDEN UNITS (Part 1)

Cavalry:

https://img509.imageshack.us/img509/623/swedencavbf0.th.jpg (https://img509.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swedencavbf0.jpg)

Grenadier:

https://img505.imageshack.us/img505/9015/swedengrenadierik8.th.jpg (https://img505.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swedengrenadierik8.jpg)

Musketeer:

https://img136.imageshack.us/img136/3487/swedeninfantryyi2.th.jpg (https://img136.imageshack.us/my.php?image=swedeninfantryyi2.jpg)

Tomorrow: Russian Units - Part 1


Hallo, this for M2TW???? If yes, when can start downloading it?? I'm one the guys who can't wait for ETW!!! :help:

[KLAssurbanipal]

Ok. it is my last post in here :)

I made thes units for mod 'Europa pod Bronią'.
This mod will be for RTW or MTW 2... I think, which game will be better? :P

New my unit from Empire TW period,
Life Guard Cavalry (Peter The Great's Army)

https://img266.imageshack.us/img266/3277/russiacavalryct6.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

for discussion about these units.: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?p=1733252#post1733252

[Mac Clan]

http://www.euratlas.com/history_europe/europe_map_1700.html (http://www.euratlas.com/history_europe?europe_map_1700.html)
Thats a link to a map of europe in 1700(which if I'm correct is the start date) if anyone is interested. Oh, and thank you Pevergreen for having the sense to make this thread. It is greatly appreciated.

Edit: the link isn't working for some reason but the site is working.
It says I am not authorized to view the site.

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Hi Mac Clan,
I'm not quite sure, but I think that this was the map that was linked to:

https://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb89/Omanes/Miscenellous/europe_map_1700.jpg


Hope this is useful to you!

[Mac Clan]

Yes, it did thank you. Do you know how to get a bigger picture of each of those pages from the magazine the OP scanned in? It's ok if it's one big picture, but maybe each individual page enlargened?

Thanks alot. And hello to you to. :P

[Mac Clan]

Anyone knows of other magazines doing previews?

LZ
PC Gamer UK had a preview. PC Gamer US had a smaller preview.

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Yes, it did thank you. Do you know how to get a bigger picture of each of those pages from the magazine the OP scanned in? It's ok if it's one big picture, but maybe each individual page enlargened?Sadly, posting or displaying any higher resolution in a public place is not legal. To gain the full article, you will probably have to purchase the relevant magazine issue. Sorry.

[Mac Clan]

Sadly, posting or displaying any higher resolution in a public place is not legal. To gain the full article, you will probably have to purchase the relevant magazine issue. Sorry.

With all due respect, I find it ironic that you are discoursing of irony when in fact a couple of scans from the magazine up close and personal from the magazine are in this very thread. At the same time, yes it probably isn't moralistic, but the magazine issue no longer is on stands, and is I think a couple months old. Therefore, legally, there is no longer any real binding, because the issue has ceased to be.

[Omanes Alexandrapolites]

Sorry to disagree Mac Clan, but the image posted originally isn't actually a scan created by forum members - its taken from the magazine's official website, henceforth is legal.

The magazine, as far as I know, can still be ordered or requested from relevant German newsagents. Although I doubt many individuals will wish to do this, I would expect that making it available to non-buyers probably still is an offence.

[Lorenzo_H]

When is Empire due for release?

[Mac Clan]

Sorry to disagree Mac Clan, but the image posted originally isn't actually a scan created by forum members - its taken from the magazine's official website, henceforth is legal.

The magazine, as far as I know, can still be ordered or requested from relevant German newsagents. Although I doubt many individuals will wish to do this, I would expect that making it available to non-buyers probably still is an offence.
I don't want to offend, but I was referring to the scans that are up close and personal, like the scans of the Grenadiers, the action on the bridge, and the battle for the hillock. I was referring to those...are they from the mag?

[rajpoot]

When is Empire due for release?

October 2008 I think..........

[Mac Clan]

So, anyone know what they mean by having a "tileless" campaign map?

[Matt_Lane]

Found the following whilst cruising the web http://www.totalpcgaming.com/. Some of the screen shots have been kicking around for a while but I'm not sure about the others. I'd be interested to see if they reveal anything new in the magazine as its been a while since they released anything.

Sorry Templar Knight, I took so long gawping at the images I finally posted this after you'd posted your comments in the thread below.

[Templar Knight]

:beam:

I must say I like the sound of this new parliament feature.

[pevergreen]

been asked, answered already.

[johnmcd]

I don't believe a word of it frankly.

If the last game couldn't give us shields for the soldiers there is every chance they'll forget the gunpowder for the muskets in this one.

I really want this to be good, but there is no evidence of quality control at CA.

[Mac Clan]

been asked, answered already.
If you're responding to my question about how the tileless campaign works, no, there has been no answer. I have searched this thread a couple different times now, and no.

If it's already been answered feel free to enlighten me. Thank you.

[pevergreen]

https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=90568

[Furious Mental]

More screenshots

https://img89.imageshack.us/img89/917/05shot03im9.th.jpg (https://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=05shot03im9.jpg)

https://img514.imageshack.us/img514/3910/05shot04sz1.th.jpg (https://img514.imageshack.us/my.php?image=05shot04sz1.jpg)

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/2431/05shot05cd2.th.jpg (http://img111.imageshack.us/my.php?image=05shot05cd2.jpg)

https://img218.imageshack.us/img218/2240/05shot06kt5.th.jpg (https://img218.imageshack.us/my.php?image=05shot06kt5.jpg)

[pevergreen]

added

[Sheogorath]

Hah. Figures. The controls are an almost exact copy of Imperial Glory. Even the broadsides buttons.
I hope that they change that in the final version. Having to micromanage all your ships at once ruined the naval combat in IG.

[Mac Clan]

If the last game couldn't give us shields for the soldiers there is every chance they'll forget the gunpowder for the muskets in this one.

What in the world are you on about? No shields for soldiers in M2? WHAT?


Well, I took the two scans from Gamestar, and I translated them into English:

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb289/teh_Mac/TroopTypes.jpg

https://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb289/teh_Mac/ShipBattlesEng.jpg

I hope this helps, although I suppose it was rather self explanatory. ~_~

[pevergreen]

not really, that was very helpful to me at least

:bow:

[S.Selim_1]

Hah. Figures. The controls are an almost exact copy of Imperial Glory. Even the broadsides buttons.
I hope that they change that in the final version. Having to micromanage all your ships at once ruined the naval combat in IG.

yeah i thought so too..they look like imperial glory in many ways (judging from the screenshots from IG) and they also look a bit borring...i think it's permanent..i hope it is

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

From that screenshot it looks like organized withdrawls are out, at least for naval combat. Maybe they'll be in for land combat, but I doubt it now.

[Mac Clan]

From that screenshot it looks like organized withdrawls are out, at least for naval combat. Maybe they'll be in for land combat, but I doubt it now.
It's hard to say, I translated that with my own knowledge and with help from German relatives (alot of it was them) so it's hard to say.

I didn't catch anything about being able to retreat, but it's always possible.

[Vuk]

yeah i thought so too..they look like imperial glory in many ways (judging from the screenshots from IG) and they also look a bit borring...i think it's permanent..i hope it is

Trying to do all the commands on 20 ships? Giving the boarding crew orders? I bet it could be a LOT more exciting than land battles. Also remember that when you are controlling 20 and fighting 20, anymore complex controls could make it impossible. I trust them.

[Sheogorath]

Trying to do all the commands on 20 ships? Giving the boarding crew orders? I bet it could be a LOT more exciting than land battles. Also remember that when you are controlling 20 and fighting 20, anymore complex controls could make it impossible. I trust them.
Try controlling 20 ships in IG...its utterly impossible. The main issues for me where simple:
Its nearly impossible to form a line of battle
If you DO manage to form a line of battle, by the time you've organized your ships your group has sailed off/nearly sailed off the battle area
The computer has no idea how naval combat works, but even so, it can command multiple ships at once with ease and thus can destroy you in any engagement with more than say, two ships, simply based on the fact that it manipulates all its ships at once, while a mere human simply cant effectivly command four ships across a whole map at once. Especially when they 'retreat' if they sail out of the battle area.

Unless theres some way to automate/command multiple ships at once (in an effecient manner), naval combat is screwed.
IG's naval combat had the EXACT same commands as I see in the screenshots here.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

It's hard to say, I translated that with my own knowledge and with help from German relatives (alot of it was them) so it's hard to say.

I didn't catch anything about being able to retreat, but it's always possible.
I never bought the magazine (I subscribe to them, never buy from newsstands), but the interface itself seems to have only the classic R:TW button for "withdrawing" your troops. We can always hope the land battle ones are different.

[derfinsterling]

Unless theres some way to automate/command multiple ships at once (in an effecient manner), naval combat is screwed.
IG's naval combat had the EXACT same commands as I see in the screenshots here.


I hope it's just as with land battles. Select a ship and right-click where it goes. The pathfinding should take care of the rest. Going against the wind direction will take longer, of course, and you'll have to take that into consideration, but I just want to select 5 ships, right-click and draw a line and wait for them to get into formation.

If the wind's bad, then that's just the consequence of my bad decision. I don't want to navigate my ships myself, I'd play Pirates if I'd want that.

[Vuk]

Try controlling 20 ships in IG...its utterly impossible. The main issues for me where simple:
Its nearly impossible to form a line of battle
If you DO manage to form a line of battle, by the time you've organized your ships your group has sailed off/nearly sailed off the battle area
The computer has no idea how naval combat works, but even so, it can command multiple ships at once with ease and thus can destroy you in any engagement with more than say, two ships, simply based on the fact that it manipulates all its ships at once, while a mere human simply cant effectivly command four ships across a whole map at once. Especially when they 'retreat' if they sail out of the battle area.

Unless theres some way to automate/command multiple ships at once (in an effecient manner), naval combat is screwed.
IG's naval combat had the EXACT same commands as I see in the screenshots here.

After reading what they said about the wind and stuff I doubt that they will make it to simple/unrealistic. Knowing Sega though, I don't that they will make it too complex.

[Mac Clan]

I never bought the magazine (I subscribe to them, never buy from newsstands), but the interface itself seems to have only the classic R:TW button for "withdrawing" your troops. We can always hope the land battle ones are different.
Hey, is it possible to scan or something like it, the screenshots of the Campaign Map?

I take it you still might have the ETW cover story of game star, those are screenshots of the Campaign Map, right?

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I don't have a scanner, unfortunately. Sorry. Perhaps I may get one for my birthday, but that's still quite a ways off.

[Mac Clan]

I don't have a scanner, unfortunately. Sorry. Perhaps I may get one for my birthday, but that's still quite a ways off.
No worries. Happy pre birthday. :D

[KLAssurbanipal]

Some units to European Wars mod (Empire TW period for RTW):

French Cuirassier, early 18th century:

https://img211.imageshack.us/img211/4269/francecuirassierxb9.jpg (https://imageshack.us)


British Redcoat:

https://img507.imageshack.us/img507/5993/redcoatkf2.jpg (https://imageshack.us)


Mousquetaire, First Company, mid-18th century:

https://img507.imageshack.us/img507/4746/mousquetairefirstcompanhe0.jpg (https://imageshack.us)


Prussian Musketeer, mid-18th century:

https://img220.imageshack.us/img220/8614/prussianmusketeerfw3.jpg (https://imageshack.us)


more here: http://twcenter.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=533

[Mac Clan]

That looks pretty damn good.

[Fisherking]

In the review of the Russian PC magazine article someone making a translations said that they have begun work on the second title for the game engine.

Hay! It is interesting that they are already working on the second game with the engine. Doubtless they have already planed the expansions for both too. So now we have not one new game but two….and no release date for the first one, just speculation.

It could be in error but some how I doubt it.

Do you think they will soon announce a working title for the next game or keep it secret until this one is released, when ever that is.

I won’t go further as it would only be unbridled speculation…

[Vuk]

In the middle of development for M2TW, they announce that they were working on something completely different. It wasn't untill long after M2TW that we found out what it was. I think that they will probably wait untill Empire has been out for a while and they have time to get the new game looking presentable.
The good news is that nearly all of the engine development is probably done now. :P

[Boyar Son]

I cant believe it...after reading all these things in the forums...

this game is gonna be so Huge that I dont think any computer from a middle clas person will be able to run it...

All these nations, troops, voices, graphics, research, naval battles...

ALL those cities across the world!!!!!!!!!!!11111


doesnt any see that this game will be a HUGE monster and will require __ALOT__ of upgrades!??!?!

[LadyAnn]

I cant believe it...after reading all these things in the forums...

this game is gonna be so Huge that I dont think any computer from a middle clas person will be able to run it...

All these nations, troops, voices, graphics, research, naval battles...

ALL those cities across the world!!!!!!!!!!!11111


doesnt any see that this game will be a HUGE monster and will require __ALOT__ of upgrades!??!?!

How could you not mention those fantasy units? :)

Annie

[Quinn Inuit]

50+ factions?!?!

*Drools*

*Faints*

[Boyar Son]

Ok really no disrespect to CA, just overreacted when I saw that this game is gonna be BIG.

[Mac Clan]

50+ factions?!?!

*Drools*

*Faints*
Yes, but only 10 of those 50 are planned to be playable.

[pevergreen]

Around 10 factions have been announced, all playable. Others will be. Even then the ETW version of desc_strat will unlock the rest.

[Jolt]

Sweden? Poland-Lithuania? OMFG Venice? And Portugal's not even confirmed? What a joke.

[Martok]

Sweden? Poland-Lithuania? OMFG Venice? And Portugal's not even confirmed? What a joke.
I wouldn't worry about it just yet. Unless you know something the rest of us don't, CA hasn't confirmed the list of factions for ETW (of which approximately 10 will be playable and another 40 or so will be non-playable). At worst, I'm fairly confident all 4 will at least make it into the game as non-playable factions in some form. More specifically, I would guess that at least 1-2 of those nations you just mentioned will be among the playable factions as well.

[Jolt]

I wouldn't worry about it just yet. Unless you know something the rest of us don't, CA hasn't confirmed the list of factions for ETW (of which approximately 10 will be playable and another 40 or so will be non-playable). At worst, I'm fairly confident all 4 will at least make it into the game as non-playable factions in some form. More specifically, I would guess that at least 1-2 of those nations you just mentioned will be among the playable factions as well.

What I was surprised about was that supposedly...Poland Lithuania, which never had an empire, unless you consider Lithuania being Poland's empire, is going to be a playable faction. Sweden never had any significant colonies, which can be resumed to a couple of islands and forts, either lost quickly or sold. Venice..Heh, By 1700 it held little political power, having lost it's economic power, by that century it lost the few colonies left they had to the Turks, and were invaded by Napoleon and subsquently annexed by Austria. This is more fanboyage of the Old Greatness of Venice.
Whereas Portugal which was in pair with Great Britain, Spain, France and the Netherlands, the primary colonial empires which this game is seemingly based upon isn't even confirmed as a playable nation. That's why I'm calling it a joke.

[pevergreen]

Confirmed factions so far in Empire:

Britain
America
Sweden
United Provinces(Netherlands)
Poland-Lithuania
Russia
Prussia
Venice
Spain
France
Ottoman Empire

Confirmed.

[Mac Clan]

And how have these factions been confirmed? From my experiences, nothing is confirmed until it's installed in my hard drive.

Another thing is that CA has a habit of hardlocking stuff that is too heavily coded into the game--which is why the Papal States were available to play as, but the Mongols weren't.

[Martok]

And how have these factions been confirmed? From my experiences, nothing is confirmed until it's installed in my hard drive.
Well given Lusted/Jack Lusted works for CA now, I'd say he should know what factions are in if any one does.

Of course, we don't yet know which of those factions will actually be *playable*, so feel free to continue speculating on that part. ~;)

[Captain Fishpants]

Well given Lusted/Jack Lusted works for CA now, I'd say he should know what factions are in if any one does.

Jack does indeed work for us, and like the rest of the staff is bound by the terms and conditions of his contract. That means, in this context, not saying things out of turn. So be nice to him: he can't tell you things that he can't tell you.

[Mouzafphaerre]

.
I think Martok means what Lusted posted as confirmed faction list should be taken granted.
.

[Martok]

.
I think Martok means what Lusted posted as confirmed faction list should be taken granted.
.
Exactly. :yes:

I understand NDA's, CF, and how they limit what you can (and cannot) say. I wouldn't expect you, Lusted, or anyone else from CA to devulge information you're not supposed to. ~:)

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

Exactly. :yes:

I understand NDA's, CF, and how they limit what you can (and cannot) say. I wouldn't expect you, Lusted, or anyone else from CA to devulge information you're not supposed to. ~:)

TBH, I wouldn't like it if they did reveal too much at once. I like the suspense.

[pevergreen]

They should be allowed to reveal everything...to me in a PM :tongue:

[Herkus]

New Empire screenshots are available on the IGN site. Mostly new artwork and some screenies from sea battles.
http://media.pc.ign.com/media/958/958390/imgs_1.html

[rajpoot]

Wow man, those screens are totally awesome!!! Specially those ships and the water. And I'll wager this is still not the highest graphic quality! This'll be soooo good! :bounce:
But, I hope they do something to the guys on the ships. It'll look a tad bit weird if they keep standing rigid while the ship sways like hell......and about the variety, I mean, they made some improvement in M2TW reducing the similarity between the soldiers, but still it looked a bit too uniform and unrealistic when viewed from above...........I hope they do something more about it here.

[snorky]

I dont really understand why people want to play as huge empires, personal the factions i enjoy the most are the ones that start out with max 4 regions i want to build an empire not getting it served on a silver plateau. If you make your own empire you know its strengths and weaknesses

[eddy_purpus]

I COULD NOT THINK WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF THE GAME COMPLETELY IS FULL OF BUG AND ANTIPIRACY SOFTWARE LIKE SOME OTHER GAMES.
I MEAN . . .
THIS GAME IS THE MOST AWAITED 08 GAME :P
SO DONT LET US DOWN CREATIVE ASSEMBLY AND DEVELOPERS :tongue:
OK ?:leo:



C YA :shakehands: :unitedstates:

[adamsleath]

http://s3.directupload.net/images/070825/ZUYy78Co.jpg

i want this game sooo bad !!!!

best period wargame of all time?

btw i will own those garrisons with my artillery!! :)

[rajpoot]

Woha!!! That's a real time battle shot??!! :jawdrop:
This is just so awesome!

[Herkus]

Some new unseen Screenshots with usual navy warfare :P
http://www.canardplus.com/jeux-833-empire___total_war.html

[Martok]

Interesting. I kinda like the last screenshot, with the one ship's rearward mast breaking and falling towards the water.

That said, I wish we would get some more screenshots of the land battles and campaign map. Even better would be hearing some info on diplomacy and AI. :yes:

[Csargo]

That said, I wish we would get some more screenshots of the land battles and campaign map. Even better would be hearing some info on diplomacy and AI. :yes:

Agreed.:smash:

[Rhyfelwyr]

That screenshot with the building is amazing. Can't wait to fight through the streets during sieges...

Although it is a little strange why some soldiers are not sheltering behind the walls.

[Flying Pig]

Is artillery going to be divided into cannons, horlwitzers and mortars? Because you can keep a mortar behind youyr line, but trying that with a cannon would be messy :creep: :hmg: ! Ouch!

Can't wait to show those Frenchies why Britannia Rules the Waves!

[Captain Fishpants]

Is artillery going to be divided into cannons, horlwitzers and mortars? Because you can keep a mortar behind youyr line, but trying that with a cannon would be messy :creep: :hmg: ! Ouch!

Can't wait to show those Frenchies why Britannia Rules the Waves!

There will be guns, howitzers, mortars, carronades (in naval battles) and a couple of other things that you'll find intriguing on the artillery side of things.

I've said too much.

I'll be locked in the cupboard for the rest of the day. :laugh4:

[rajpoot]

Please say a little bit more, when are we going to have the next comprehensive update? I jump everytime I see anyone has made a post in the summary thread, and have been dissapointed each time. ~:(

[aimlesswanderer]

As long as the diplomacy is actually linked to the military AI and you don't get things like:

- "we'll invade you with 1 our peasant VS your stack of knights". When the smallest, crappiest faction attacks you with a force which couldn't fight a militia unit.
- stacks of troops from neutral factions who either roam your lands or just camp near cities, and you can't get rid of the buggers without declaring war. There should be a "get your troops out of our lands" option in the diplomacy screen. If they don't you should be able to attack them without a reputation hit.
- being able to choose the faction heir, so the stupidest, most useless relo isn't always the next Faction Leader
- there are often times when I didn't want to wipe out a small faction, but the idiots attacked me and wouldn't quit. Total War is all well and good, but I don't want to have to attack every single faction I have a border with

If they can fix those problems I'm sure it will be a great game. All the previous games have been great, this will hopefully continue the trend.

[pevergreen]

I have no doubt all of that will be fixed.

[Belgolas]

you should update the first page....
http://pc.ign.com/articles/866/866990p1.html

The time span is going to be from 1700 - early 1900. So that means even the first world war might be in it.

[Jack Lusted]

you should update the first page....
http://pc.ign.com/articles/866/866990p1.html

The time span is going to be from 1700 - early 1900. So that means even the first world war might be in it.

That's not what the article says, Empire will go from 1700, and carry on through the 18th century(eg the 1700's), and touch on the 19th century(the 1800's).

[Matt_Lane]

That's not what the article says, Empire will go from 1700, and carry on through the 18th century(eg the 1700's), and touch on the 19th century(the 1800's).

Hay Jack, don't you know its Saturday, don't tell me SAGA have got you working weekends this far from the launch date. Back to topic, when is CA going to come off the fence with the time period and replace terms such as 'touch on the 19th century' with the game finishes at '18XX'

[Jack Lusted]

I'm at home and in due time should answer your 2 questions.

[PBI]

we have dragoon units -- mounted men that you can order to dismount and fire and attack the enemy as infantry. Then you can order them to mount up again and chase across the field on horseback.

We have artillery units, some of which can be limbered up and moved around the field at speed by teams of horses.

Units can hide behind walls and deploy various protective devices; we've also added occupiable buildings, and you can order units inside them on the battlefield.


:beam: :beam: :beam:


The campaign map for example is treated in a completely different way, and is no longer based on Rome's grid system -- it's completely freeform. We've also taken buildings out of the region capitals and placed them on the map itself, so they are visible at a glance, easily upgradeable straight from the map -- and they are individually attackable.

I'm still intrigued as to exactly how this will work; I suppose I'm just going to have to wait and see.


the gunpowder magazine can be hit, wiping out the ship in a massive explosion

This worries me a little; will it be possible to have my brilliant battle plan go catastrophically wrong because a lucky shot blew up my flagship at the very start?


The campaign map now encompasses not only the whole of Europe and the middle-East, but also North America and the Caribbean, and the Indian subcontinent.

Does this mean South America and South East Asia are definitely out? ~:(

[pevergreen]

I have heard quite a few people say the game will end at 1820.

[Martok]

I have heard quite a few people say the game will end at 1820.
Yeah, I've read that in a number of places as well. In fact....



The game is set in the years 1700 to the early 1800’s, a turbulent age of gunpowder, revolution, discovery and Empire Building.

Granted, it doesn't list the exact end-date, but it does correspond with what has been said elsewhere. Here's the link (http://www.totalwar.com/index.html?page=/us/communityandforums/empire.html&nav=/us/6/8/) for those who want to read the whole thing.

[Belgolas]

That's not what the article says, Empire will go from 1700, and carry on through the 18th century(eg the 1700's), and touch on the 19th century(the 1800's).
whoops my bad. Ah still going to be awesome though I would like my trench warfare :p.

Anyways this game is looking better and better with every single piece of info we get.

[Jedi Bruno]

Aaaahh... The more I hear about those artilleries, the more I can smell those burnt frenchies...
I just love barbecue!:laugh4: :laugh4:


One thing I would like to see is better formation options. Maybe even a customizable formation. That would for sure help to deal with the terrain. And stop with those annoying formation bugs.:yes:

[pevergreen]

First post completely redone. Much easier to read.

[Csargo]

Looks great pever :2thumbsup:

[Herkus]

New video about ETW
http://www.sega.co.uk/games/?g=238&v=696
And also new blog entry
http://blogs.sega.com/totalwar/2008/05/23/empire-total-war-mo-cap-shoot/

[Praxil]

Is the music on the background of the recently released motion capture video from the Empire: TW soundtrack? Question is directed at the developers.

About the music in that video, sounds good to me whether it's in the soundtrack or not.

I wonder who is behind the soundtrack in general... If one of the names happens to be, Jeff van Dyck. Well then I know what to expect, an enjoyable soundtrack!

[mikec1088]

This worries me a little; will it be possible to have my brilliant battle plan go catastrophically wrong because a lucky shot blew up my flagship at the very start?

Probably, but as far as realism goes, I think that's a good thing. After all, lucky shots and the like did happen in real life, and perfectly-conceived battle plans often were screwed up terribly once the battle actually happened, so it would certainly make the game more interesting.

[rajpoot]

That doesn't sound good to me. Such lucky chances were one in a million, even lesser I believe. Quite like a large rock from a trebuchet hitting the enemy general, and that has happened too often to be realistic with me.

[PBI]

Indeed, I'm no expert but it is my understanding that the gunpowder magazine was designed to be almost impossible to breach; the only cases I've read about were instances where the ship was already heavily damaged and on fire, and the crew were unable to stop the fire, rather than a cannonball breaching the magazine directly. In fact, would that even cause it to explode if it did happen, unless the cannonball were heated?

Though it should certainly be possible for one side to get lucky and kill the admiral, a la Nelson at Trafalgar. I'm just a little concerned that it will be happening in every battle.

[Rick]

Indeed, I'm no expert but it is my understanding that the gunpowder magazine was designed to be almost impossible to breach; the only cases I've read about were instances where the ship was already heavily damaged and on fire, and the crew were unable to stop the fire, rather than a cannonball breaching the magazine directly. In fact, would that even cause it to explode if it did happen, unless the cannonball were heated?

Though it should certainly be possible for one side to get lucky and kill the admiral, a la Nelson at Trafalgar. I'm just a little concerned that it will be happening in every battle.

I agree. Lucky shots didn't sink a ship in the age of sail. They did sink much quicker when shells were used instead of cannon balls, but even then the target ship would take several hits before it sunk.

I understand it did quite a bit in the age of the pre-drednaughts.

[PBI]

I agree. Lucky shots didn't sink a ship in the age of sail. They did sink much quicker when shells were used instead of cannon balls, but even then the target ship would take several hits before it sunk.

I understand it did quite a bit in the age of the pre-drednaughts.

I wonder whether these will sneak their way in to the late game?

[rajpoot]

They're sure to have a lot of weapons and techs ingame. I'm sure they're having primitive machine guns in the game, the shells are going to be there too.

[mikec1088]

That doesn't sound good to me. Such lucky chances were one in a million, even lesser I believe.
Oh well don't get me wrong, I certainly wouldn't want it to happen with any regularity. However, I do think that if somehow it was randomized in such a way that it would only happen very, very, very rarely, it would be a good thing, just to simulate the "one in a million chance" of happening in real life.

[PBI]

But was there really such a chance? Hopefully someone more versed in the history will correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding was that the powder magazine was generally heavily armoured and below the waterline, making it almost impossible to penetrate with a cannonball.

If this is the case, then magazine explosions should be in the game, but in the form of fire reaching it, when the ship is heavily damaged and burning out of control. Decapitating the enemy fleet with a lucky shot should still be possible, but in the form of taking out the enemy admiral, which should be much easier than hitting the magazine, especially if he is standing on the quarterdeck with all his medals on a la Nelson. Maybe you could have a choice of where to have the admiral stand, with a more visible position inspiring the sailors but also exposing him to harm.

[georgeman51]

my comp will never run this game all i got acer aspire 5315

[The_Reckoning]

This worries me a little; will it be possible to have my brilliant battle plan go catastrophically wrong because a lucky shot blew up my flagship at the very start?

I hope there's a separate 'realistic' mode where this can happen. I guess it's the equivalent of a critical hit from D&D. If it's not on hardcore difficulty, the player can't be hit critically.

I mean, if it really could happen, it shouldn't be omitted. Providing that the probability it happens in the game is realistic. Maybe 1/2000 cannon hits.

[KLAssurbanipal]

I added 7 new units to Spanish faction. :)

Here is Full Preview: https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=100942

https://img237.imageshack.us/img237/8717/spaincarabiniervf8.jpg (https://imageshack.us)

[Herkus]

Empire Total War teaser trailer
http://uk.gamespot.com/video/942966/6193647/empire-total-war-official-trailer-2Thumbs%20Up

[Flying Pig]

Do we know if the 'Waterloo Principle', in which a huge field battle leads to the surrender of the Head of State thus ending the war in massive favour to the agressor, and topples the other government, will ever work?

Also, will the gap between agressive and defensive tactics narrow? I mean, in 1487 a British army defended by offering an agressive battle while the foe did likewise (I refer to Bosworth), but in 1899 a Brisih army held position against attack relying on firepower (Omdurman). None of the previous games have made the latter happen when I've played them.

[Pinxit]

I hope there's a separate 'realistic' mode where this can happen. I guess it's the equivalent of a critical hit from D&D. If it's not on hardcore difficulty, the player can't be hit critically.





I mean, if it really could happen, it shouldn't be omitted. Providing that the probability it happens in the game is realistic. Maybe 1/2000 cannon hits.

It is realistic. I mean, Sweden lost an entire war because of this "oopsy with the flagshippy". Pure chance should be a part of the game, it should by no means be dominant but always be effectively in the background, and sometimes emerge in something extremely unlikely that changes the course of the battle in the most extraordinary of ways. As in this case: From Wikipedia:

"Kronan ("The Crown") was a Swedish warship, built in Stockholm by the English shipwright Francis Sheldon and launched in 1668, commissioned 1672. She was one of the largest ships at the time and the most heavily armed warship in the world.

Maneuvering to face the enemy during the battle of Öland in 1676 and lead the attack on the danish naval forces, Kronan turned sharply without closing her gunports or reefing her sails. This caused her to heel over and water started pouring into the gunports, capsizing her. As she was sinking, a lamp in the gunpowder store fell off its hook and ignited the gunpowder, causing a violent explosion that killed most of her crew (an estimated 800 men were on board). Only 42 men survived the sinking".

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/07/Slaget_ved_oland_maleri_av_claus_moinichen_1686.jpg:oops:

[Alerion]

Yea but that story isnt talking about a lucky hit with a cannonball. That was just stupidity by the captain or whoever...

The question is still: Was it really ever possible to hit thepowder storage with a cannon hit?

and the other question: Where will I get a Comp. that will play this game for not too much money? ^^

[pevergreen]

Here is not really the place to discuss that.

:grin2:

Hey mods, shouldn't you be updating this? :whip:

I would, but exams in 3 weeks.

[Wausser]

Great I can finally play with my own people(the Dutch) and dominate the world :smash:

[Genaral Julis]

Great I can finally play with my own people(the Dutch) and dominate the world :smash:

My thoughts exactly. Nice to see the Dutch getting their dues!

[Aradan]

Finally some great news for us modders. ETW will have no hardcoded region limit.


The good news for modders is: There will no longer be a hard-coded limit on regions.

Source: http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=214676#Thamis

[Martok]

Good find, Aradan! :thumbsup:



Also from that same interview with Thamis:


Q: how many regions are there in E: TW?

A: At the moment, there are 137 regions in the game. This might still change before we release the game, but not drastically.


Q: There has been a bit of confusion as to how exactly players will get from Europe to India and vice versa, since South Africa is said not to be included in the game. How exactly will players get to India?

A: There will be transition zones between theatres. You sail into the transition zone, and some time later your ship arrives in the next theatre. To sail from Europe to India, for example, you would sail to the Canary Islands, transition of the Ivory Coast, transition of the Straits of Madagascar, and then transition to India. If you simply select India as target destination, your fleet will do all this automatically, but it can be intercepted on the way.

[Sir Beane]

Excellent find! In addition to what Martok already posted that little interview also clues us in to one of the non-playable factions.


Then, diplomatic relations are two-directional: While France might quite like Savoy, the dukes of Savoy might really hate France. This will make for some really interesting gameplay.

It also seems to suggest that a few areas will appear as sea only regions.


There are also some sea-only trade regions off the coasts of Brazil, Africa, and the East Indies (the Dutch Spice Islands).

[I Am Herenow]

There will be no hardcoded regions limit, according to this (http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=214676).

Edit: oops, it's already been mentioned. Several times. Ah well.

I Am Herenow

[Emperor of Graal]

So if there is no limit we can make lots of regions through modding!

[Megas Methuselah]

Yeah. This is supposedly going to be the most mod-friendly Total War game yet. Awesome, eh boy?

[Emperor of Graal]

Yes, Every other one seems to be awkward

[Megas Methuselah]

Awkward? No, boy; they're all unplayable.

[Sir Beane]

Unplayable? Thems be fightin' words sir. CA prefer the term 'Differently playable, filled with features'.

Total War games aren't that bad for modding really. I think the games series do quite well for the number and quality of mods produces for them. If Empire can be better then we might really see the modding community explode (either literally from excitement or figuratively from an increase in numbers, your pick).

[Polemists]

sail to the Canary Islands, transition of the Ivory Coast

So does this mean we can play on Canary Islands? Or we just get a little pop up side message of

"Your fleet sails through the ivory coast."

I assumed it would be a mini event. Aka small side pop up, you click it, if your fleet gets intercepted you click check and go into auto battle or you command battle. Etc, Etc.

Clearly, we need a demo to see how this feature works...(I'd really like a demo :P)

[Fisherking]

Clearly, we need a demo to see how this feature works...(I'd really like a demo :P)

Yep! A demo, an informative article, almost anything ; you might think that a game this far along would have fewer questions to ask about its workings.

But then again we never seem to be satisfied , do we? Even after the game is in hand we are going to want more information…

[Megas Methuselah]

If Empire can be better then we might really see the modding community explode (either literally from excitement or figuratively from an increase in numbers, your pick).

We're going to have to set up immigration laws for all those new modders. :clown:

[Sir Beane]

We're going to have to set up immigration laws for all those new modders. :clown:

Hah! :beam: You can be in charge of that :P Since I'm English I have a natural inability to deal with immigrants properly (atleast our government certainly does.)

(Oooh biting political satire, I should be a comedian :clown:)

Let's hope the influx are the good kind of modders, and not the kind who turn up and go:

"Hai I m tryin 2 start a mod that turns Empire in2 Halo. I kant mod or model or rite tho but I have lots of gud ideas and wud be projekt manger. Contact me if you wunt 2 do all mi work for me."

It's really annoying when someone turns up with a lame idea and tries to get actual talented people to do all the hard work for them.

Of course I can't really complain since I can't mod at all but still have loads of ideas for mods, I just resign myself to hopnig someone else has the same idea and makes it happen.

[Megas Methuselah]

In RTW Heaven (back when it was alive), some kid asked for "the modders" to make him a ww2 mod. Upon being told ww2 wouldn't function with the RTW engine, he asked for a ww1 mod.

*sigh*

Well, one of the guys lost patience and directly told him in a very angry tone about how it would take years for that to happen and that it is generally unpopular for someone to ask another to make a mod for him, and that if he wanted it that badly, he could do it himself.

:laugh4:

[Martok]

Gentle hint: If you want to discuss modding, perhaps a new thread is in order? ~:)


:focus:

[Megas Methuselah]

Perhaps.

Y'know, I'm beggining to wonder about whether CA can fill out all the provinces with factions in North America. Maybe they might just take the easy route and make one big rebel faction to take up all the extra provinces?! Gawd, I hope not...

[Martok]

Perhaps.

Y'know, I'm beggining to wonder about whether CA can fill out all the provinces with factions in North America. Maybe they might just take the easy route and make one big rebel faction to take up all the extra provinces?! Gawd, I hope not...
Well CA has already stated that there will be no "rebel" factions this time around, so I don't think we need worry about that at least.

Now as to how they *will* fill out all the provinces in NA, your guess is as good as mine. :shrug:

[Megas Methuselah]

They had better not start rolling the dice. That'll piss me off. When I looked on the map and found the Ojibway didn't seem to make it in as a faction, I was surprised. They were the local powerhouse of the time, having acquired firearms earlier than the neighbouring tribes through trade. They went on to drive off their rival tribes and secured for themselves a considerable amount of territory.

Where are they, CA? This is like a Europe without France. Of course, I'll be lenient and give you guys more time. Fill up North America. Now.

[Fisherking]

They had better not start rolling the dice. That'll piss me off. When I looked on the map and found the Ojibway didn't seem to make it in as a faction, I was surprised. They were the local powerhouse of the time, having acquired firearms earlier than the neighbouring tribes through trade. They went on to drive off their rival tribes and secured for themselves a considerable amount of territory.

Where are they, CA? This is like a Europe without France. Of course, I'll be lenient and give you guys more time. Fill up North America. Now.

Let us hope they used Chippewa instead of Ojibway, Anishinaabe, or Ojibwa.

I am sure Pontiac‘s War would not be the same if you were going against the Apache.

I don‘t think CA understands that to those in North America it is the equivalent of confusing York with Bath, or London with Glasgow.

There are places where strict accuracy can be overlooked, but with the Tribes they had better watch their Ps and Qs.

If there are 50 factions they just need to double check their facts.

Lets just see what they give us and then we will see if we scalp them or burn them at the stake.