Empire Total War -- Special Forces Edition [Archive]

Martok

10-29-2008, 17:43

Well this is interesting:

Link (http://www.sega.com/empire/gameinfo/news.php?n=2440)

In a time when a soldier’s life could be given easily and quickly, it took extreme courage and determination for a true hero to forge a reputation for themselves.

Whether through harsh and highly disciplined training, generations of successful military tradition or world-leading technology, the units available as part of the Empire: Total War Special Forces Edition are among the very best of the best.

The Special Forces Edition introduces six of the most influential military forces of the 18th Century. True to the period, these exclusive elite units become available on the campaign map via a certain faction or once a specific geographical region is under control.

Each elite unit brings with it the potential to open up dramatic new strategies and turn the tide of your campaign. A cornerstone of your Empire’s land or naval forces, each has the potential to be used to decisive and devastating effect.

The following elite units are included as part of the Empire: Total War Special Forces Edition. This premium packaged edition for aficionados of the Total War series comes complete with an illustrated campaign map and unique Steam unlock code. Once the game is installed and verified by Steam, players can enter their code and unlock these elite units which will then appear in the single player game.

HMS Victory:
The Royal Navy’s most distinguished and formidable first rate ship of the line; Lord Nelson’s 104 gun flagship is one of the most heavily armed ships of the 18th Century.

Rogers’ Rangers:
Major Robert Rogers’ company of rangers are highly trained elite light infantry, specialising in reconnaissance and special operations. They are extremely mobile in even the most challenging environments.

Ottoman Organ Gun:
A viciously powerful field gun, able to inflict incredible damage on the opposing army. Emphatic proof of the Ottoman Empire’s advanced knowledge of gunpowder and firearms technology.

Ghoorkas:
"Better to die than be a coward" has been the motto of these elite Nepalese soldiers for centuries. Disciplined, tough and courageous, they carry a deadly 18-inch long, curved knife known as the kukri.

Corso Terrestre Guerillas:
An independent light infantry guerrilla regiment, experienced in skirmish and stealth tactics. Surprise raids and ambushes are the guerillas’ favoured tactics, a way to compensate for their limited number and light armour.

Bulkeley's Regiment:
A French unit of Irish mercenaries with a fearsome reputation for hardiness. Exceptionally tough and resilient, they make for a highly flexible and dependable regiment.

Mailman653

10-29-2008, 17:52

In other words if you put down extra cash for the Special Ed, not only you get a nice box and other fancy stuff, you get special units that might not get included in the normal version. Hmm....
Well, at least the article states this is SP only, that would prevent any unfair advantages in MP between people with the SE and the normal version

Decisions, decisions decisions...:study:

batemonkey

10-29-2008, 18:47

i don't like it, too gimicky

rajpoot

10-29-2008, 19:05

By the soundof it, the units are there in all versions, but you need a special code from the special forces edition to unlock them.............kind of.....funny....:sweatdrop:....what of the modders? They tinker around with game files, what if one of them unlocks the units? Will it be illeagel? Or piracy? :clown:

Mailman653

10-29-2008, 19:13

I recall a game like that not too long ago, I forgot what it was where if you pre-ordered it you got access to some special item or map, and once it was released modders eventually figured how to get without the pre-order code. If I'm not mistaken, the publishers eventually included the special pre-order content in a patch I think.

Marius Dynamite

10-29-2008, 19:20

I won't buy it out of principle. :no:

I don't mind buying special editions for things like artwork, but the actual software shouldn't be touched.

Pantsalot

10-29-2008, 19:25

I recall a game like that not too long ago, I forgot what it was where if you pre-ordered it you got access to some special item or map,

It's a variety of places like play & Amazon that you can pre-order it from, it's shown on a list
in the pre-order section of the Empire website. The item you get for pre-ordering is US ship
called the USS Constitution.

I like the special edition units & it's good their adding something that will actually make me want
to get it instead of just posters & stickers & a nice shiny box. But me & another 70% of the world
personally h8 the US so I don't like what's included in the pre-order, Y don't they make it something
like a new mercenary unit? or a unit that all countries may have? I'm never going to play as US but
I may fight them..

Nice to hear that they're making a demo & you will only need to install with the disk & won't need to
play with it :2thumbsup:

Mailman653

10-29-2008, 19:45

Hosakawa Tito

10-29-2008, 20:20

Can one pre-order the Special Forces Edition? I only see a pre-order for the regular edition.

TevashSzat

10-29-2008, 20:23

Methinks that what'll happen is that these extra units are packaged along with the normal copy, but simply not accessible and it'll just take some file alterations to let those with regular copies use them

Vuk

10-29-2008, 20:34

Sol Invictus

10-29-2008, 20:56

I would prefer that ETW wasn't "STEAMified" as well, but what is your main complaint with Steam Vuk?

hellenes

10-29-2008, 20:56

I will buy nothing Steam related. I certainly hope that Empire Total War will not require STEAM... :{ I remember when I was the biggest HL fan ever, and dying to get my hands on HL2. When I heard it had STEAM on it I wept like a baby for 2 years and would not buy it (still haven't and never will unless a non-STEAM version is released). I hope Empire is not STEAMified, or else I will be out another game that I am greatly anticipating...

EDIT: Ouch, I see that I will be missing out on this one. Darnnit, they just had to go and do it...

This is the problem with these insane and futile "antipiracy" attempts....it breeds more pirates instead of vanishing them...because any pirated Steam game comes as a hassle free simple install form with STEAM being ripped out of the system....

Sabuti

10-29-2008, 21:37

No sir, I don't like it. I don't like it at all. How much more will it cost? For what? An illustrated map, which is just fluff, and 6 elite units.

1. Assuming you bought the SF edition. Can more than one of these elite units be trained? If you can have only one, can you bring them back to full strenghth with retraining?

2. It says the code unlocks the units, so obviously the units are already in the game, making two different CD's would be wasteful cost-wise. If I'm already going to pay you $50.00 for a game, how much more should I pay you to use content I already have?

[EDIT: No CA-bashing, please. -- Martok]

PS In general, with online game downloads vs buying the CD copy, shouldn't the onlie one be about $10.00 cheaper since you are not also getting the CD's, box, booklets and other related production overhead items?

Mailman653

10-29-2008, 22:07

http://www.sega.co.uk/news/?n=2427

A bit more that may have been missed.

also this: http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/empiretotalwar/news.html?sid=6200119&tag=nl.e579

Good article.

As for the SFE, sounds interesting because the news states its only in regards to the UK. So it seems like its an UK exclusive, sounds a little unfair not to include the rest of Europe with that edition.

I don't mention the US since it's possible they might have their own thing going as with someone stating earlier that the US version might have a special ship unit.

Sabuti

10-29-2008, 22:27

Good article.

As for the SFE, sounds interesting because the news states its only in regards to the UK. So it seems like its an UK exclusive, sounds a little unfair not to include the rest of Europe with that edition.

I don't mention the US since it's possible they might have their own thing going as with someone stating earlier that the US version might have a special ship unit.

The SFE info is on the main Empire site. It's not a UK exclusive.

PBI

10-29-2008, 22:48

Am I right in thinking it doesn't actually mention anywhere how much more it'll cost?

If it's a couple of pounds extra, I might consider it (mostly cause of the map, I do like a good map to plan my conquests on). If it's twice the price, probably not.

Rhyfelwyr

10-29-2008, 22:51

I will be getting the limited edition. :yes:

Ibn-Khaldun

10-29-2008, 23:37

Nice, special units!

It's like flaming pigs and Arcani in RTW and Battlefield Assassins in M2TW!

darrin42

10-30-2008, 01:36

Interesting? I think its a bloody disgrace! Just another money making scheme. They could just as easily, put them units into the normal game. Deff shall not be buying this.:thumbsdown:

Martok

10-30-2008, 05:05

I have to admit, I'm halfway tempted to get the SF Edition (assuming it's available here in the U.S.) simply for the box art. It looks much cooler than the regular cover. ~;) I've also always liked the idea of a paper map, even if it is superfluous -- I'm just a sucker for maps. ~D

Mailman653

10-30-2008, 06:02

Sheogorath

10-30-2008, 06:12

Play nice. :focus:

I have to agree with Martok, I'm half tempted for the SFE, what would have me sold is if it came with some kind of DVD extra from the History Channel or AE, like what they did with RTW and MTW2.

Bah. While we were on the subject of countries we hate, I had a thing or two to say about Lichtenstein. The bastards. :laugh4:

Anyway...the units aren't very tempting. It seems like they took the regular approach and focused on Western European nations, throwing in a generic 'organ gun lol' as a sort of bone to those of us that think Western Europe is boring.
It'll probably be just about as useful as the MTW2 one >_>;

rajpoot

10-30-2008, 06:21

It sounds like even if one does buy the SFE, even then not all units will be available.......most of the elite ones, but not all; Some will be available on pre-order from specific websites like Amazon etc.....so, it's like even if you are willing to spend all that money, you still won't have access to every elite unit in any case, in a single copy of the game.
I sure wish to know what'll it be if modders do unlock these units......and yes, like pevergreen has asked, will it be all right to share the mods that do it on the org........?

Fisherking

10-30-2008, 07:16

Well if no one else noticed Roger’s Ranger’s I did! That is an American Colonial-English unit, one of several put together by William Johnson in the French and Indian War…

It said something about times and locations to spawn some of the units too.

I like the booklets and paper maps to go along with the game also. That said, cost is still an issue, but the way I read it, it is sort of a preorder bonus or download… I will have to look a little deeper into it.

Martok

10-30-2008, 08:08

Incidentally, you can see a picture of the Special Forces box and its contents here (http://www.totalwargamesitalia.it/images/etwspecialedition.jpg).

Alexander the Pretty Good

10-30-2008, 08:16

I might buy it for the maps but certainly not for the units. Modders will correct (or improve upon?) the absense, and good tactics should be able to make quick work of them anyway...

Now, will I be able to buy the SF edition a while after the main release or is it restricted to pre-ordering?

Fisherking

10-30-2008, 08:18

Something I found when looking at the preordering links was at play.com they had listed that they have exclusive link to add the USS Constitution to the game.

I found it odd that this is a UK company and they have exclusive add-on of the most famous US ship…

But some how I think these links and codes are something the players will be able to share…I hope so, but I could be wrong…

Praxil

10-30-2008, 08:54

I'm pretty sure that there will be someone who will quickly get these units out as an mod. And that probably doesn't take more than an hour to provide the link to download this mod.

Anyway, I find this way to make money highly questionable. This is a low blow in my opinion, and doesn't make any good for the reputation of the developer and the publisher.

I'm starting to think that maybe the game isn't that good after all. Exactly this kind of ways I can think of, if I'm not confident in my games ability to sell itself as an great game. I got great examples, Battlefield: Bad Company and upcoming Call of Duty: World at War.

I have to admit, I'm halfway tempted to get the SF Edition (assuming it's available here in the U.S.) simply for the box art. It looks much cooler than the regular cover. ~;)

I agree.

edyzmedieval

10-30-2008, 10:11

I always buy the Collectors Edition/Special Edition because I love to see the artwork that has been made, the cooler box and also the extras that come with it. I have TW Eras and M2TW Collectors, and I was very happy with both of them.

~:)

Praxil

10-30-2008, 14:49

I actually like Bad company a lot, it's a great game and they made most of the preorder etc weapons available for everybody now, just go to the official site where they have posted the unlock codes.

They did that, because some people opened their mouths. No comments on the game though, since I haven't even played it. Though, after the demo I didn't see any reasons to buy the thing.

Each elite unit brings with it the potential to open up dramatic new strategies and turn the tide of your campaign. A cornerstone of your Empire’s land or naval forces, each has the potential to be used to decisive and devastating effect.

Hmm... Interesting. How did they balanced this crap? What, does this strategy game have now scaled difficulty? Or are they just for role-playing? So basically by getting these wonder units, I'm making this game sort of a bit easier for me? Whoppee!!! Yeah, like it's going to be that hard. I'm confused here. Not only that, you must use Steam to unlock them? Looks like crap to me. I thought that this developer were pro. I mean, I understand when they are asking money for some new suit or something like that in Sims kind of games or whatever, but this is strategy game after all. I'm probably just overreacting... No I'm not.

I like the box art though...

Sheogorath

10-30-2008, 17:31

Incidentally, you can see a picture of the Special Forces box and its contents here (http://www.totalwargamesitalia.it/images/etwspecialedition.jpg).

Ugh...Microsoft slapped that horrible 'Games for Windows' logo on everything they could get their hands on, didn't they?

pevergreen

10-31-2008, 09:14

$20 bet that the units are given in the expansion pack regardless.

hellenes

10-31-2008, 14:05

I'm pretty sure that there will be someone who will quickly get these units out as an mod. And that probably doesn't take more than an hour to provide the link to download this mod.

Anyway, I find this way to make money highly questionable. This is a low blow in my opinion, and doesn't make any good for the reputation of the developer and the publisher.

I'm starting to think that maybe the game isn't that good after all. Exactly this kind of ways I can think of, if I'm not confident in my games ability to sell itself as an great game. I got great examples, Battlefield: Bad Company and upcoming Call of Duty: World at War.

I agree.

Then expect the IP protection Nazis coming this modders way...Oh and welcome to capitalism....where exploitation of the masses is on the daily agenda...

Megas Methuselah

10-31-2008, 23:05

You're scaring me, Prax. :skull:

Anyways, I'd buy the SF just for the map to hang on my bedroom wall. However, I hate the bonus units, though. In my opinion, it's almost like the old fantasy units(Roman Samurai, anyone?) from RTW.

*shudders*

Whatever, I still want the game. Nothing changing that so far. :yes:

Martok

11-01-2008, 21:26

In case some of you are wondering what happened to your posts, I split off the discussion about Steam and the most recent Gamespot article to a new thread (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?t=109301). That way both topics can get their day in the sun. ~:)

Fisherking

11-02-2008, 10:23

The land units are all of historical interest to me and the two naval units mentioned online have value to me too.

I don’t know if there are unnamed units of these types in the game and these are just named elite units or if they are only available with the SF edition or other editions and if/when they will be included in the overall game.

So far as I have been able to find there is still nowhere you can preorder the SF edition or a price tag for it.
(I found it at play.com for 34.99 pounds and they say they are knocking off 10 pounds pluss the extra unit)

With some of these I just wonder if it means that other Irish and Scottish units will be included in the French Army and a whole lot more questions pop into my mind…

Does it mean that special land, sea, & artillery units are provided for each faction, or can be moded in, like say Ferguson’s Rifles or Marian’s Guerillas and so on…or that CA will add them as the game goes on???? Say like the Castle of the week for Stronghold…

Anyone else feel like speculating?

rajpoot

11-05-2008, 09:19

I believe in the editions they are included in, the units will just make a apperance like the famous people. Like at some point of time, or after some special research, you get an option to build the unit, or it just appears at one of your cities with an onscreen message....

Polemists

11-05-2008, 13:27

If I could buy it I would, I live overseas so the only way to get games is to ship them from amazon, and usually special edition games only ship to U.S. only and UK sites/Euro sites won't ship outside Europe, so yayness for living in one of the other continents :(

Mostly i'd buy it cause the box, and stuff looks nice. Though I am ASHAMED to see the game manual look that small once again. Is it to much to ask to beef up the game manual another 20 pages or so with some local historical time period data? I'm sure no one else cares.

It's a nice box and I think the units look good. Some people will get around steam, some will use it, etc etc.

I'm glad we are getting more info, though Feb still seems pretty far away.....

Martok

11-05-2008, 19:05

Mostly i'd buy it cause the box, and stuff looks nice. Though I am ASHAMED to see the game manual look that small once again. Is it to much to ask to beef up the game manual another 20 pages or so with some local historical time period data? I'm sure no one else cares.
Yeah, I too wish the manual was going to be more substantial. That's one drawback the Total War series has consistently suffered from -- a lack of adequate documentation. MTW's manual wasn't too bad, but I still wish it would've gone a little more in-depth than it did. The other games' manuals were even less comprehensive (don't even ask me about Shogun's! ~:rolleyes: ).

Don't get me wrong -- I'm not asking for a 200-page tome that I can use as bathroom reading (although a guy can dream). ~;) It would be nice, however, to actually have a somewhat substantial manual for a change, and that covered the game with a certain degree of thoroughness.

Fisherking

11-05-2008, 19:52

Yeah, I too wish the manual was going to be more substantial. That's one drawback the Total War series has consistently suffered from -- a lack of adequate documentation. MTW's manual wasn't too bad, but I still wish it would've gone a little more in-depth than it did. The other games' manuals were even less comprehensive (don't even ask me about Shogun's! ~:rolleyes: ).

Don't get me wrong -- I'm not asking for a 200-page tome that I can use as bathroom reading (although a guy can dream). ~;) It would be nice, however, to actually have a somewhat substantial manual for a change, and that covered the game with a certain degree of thoroughness.

I agree! Most of the time it takes weeks or even months to figure out what is a feature of the game vs. what is a bug.

I know in M2TW there were provinces where you could not build forts or watchtowers but at some point it may or may not become possible to build them….what the heck was that?

If something is conditional then it should be documented and a bit of background is always nice to have. And strategy guides are not the answer. Most of the time they are of little or no use and you just want to kick yourself for spending the money on them.:wall:

Polemists

11-06-2008, 07:12

Yea, I mean i'm not asking for end of the world book though I agree i'd be nice.

I just want to see a little more detail, a little more game knowledge.

I mean this game has so many features, and if they really want new players, they should lay it out decently. Like 30-50 pages, read this if you just want to leap in, then another bunch to cover all the various aspects.

What I normally get is, 1 page stating what has changed from last game to current in bullet points (no actual mention of how it affects game play i just get stuff like this)

-Now forts have a impact and can be built in the Brittish Campaign.

Um...what is that impact? where can I build them?

Plus no one wants a strategy guide for game knowledge. All strategy guides do is give you best advice for winnning/victory. Which is fine, but actual game features they don't usually mention, what is what we should be told in the game.

I mean do I really have to listen to some random annoying lady and random general heads that pop up on right side of my screen for all my game knowledge?

pevergreen

11-06-2008, 09:20

No you dont, you can either learn by playing, or wait a while until my guide comes out :grin2:

Pantsalot

11-06-2008, 20:37

Where does it say you can get the Consitution? The ship saw service long after the end of the Revolution so kind of doesn't fit into the timeline the game is set in, although I suppose the same could be said about steamships.

All those units in the SE aren't even US related, at least two of those are English.

The entire game doesn't fit the time-line!
Or else you couldn't choose the US as a starting faction, be able to get troops that only existed
in the Napoleonic period, get Ironclads & I heard they were even allowing the chance for an American
civil war.

I agree on the complete guide idea, though they should make it free this time.. I believe
they made a Rome total war guide but you had to purchase it, the thing is I'm not even sure
if I'd need it as I know how to play the game but I only want to know a bit more details like how
to improve trade but that may not be included in the guide..

Can one pre-order the Special Forces Edition? I only see a pre-order for the regular edition.

Yes, that is what I'm going to be doing.

Megas Methuselah

11-06-2008, 21:41

Or else you couldn't choose the US as a starting faction

Uh... I heard several times over that the US isn't a starting faction. :inquisitive:

Mailman653

11-06-2008, 21:58

Uh... I heard several times over that the US isn't a starting faction. :inquisitive:

Indeed, I was under the impression it would be an emerging faction and the game would give you an option to switch over or not.

edyzmedieval

11-06-2008, 22:06

I seriously hope the ETW manual is substantial - the STW manual was good, MTW manual was VERY good, M2TW was good to very good. RTW manual was very dissapointing.

Fisherking

11-06-2008, 22:15

Sir Beane

11-06-2008, 23:49

The USS Constitution is an add-on you get if you buy the game at play.com

The tutorial campaign is one where you play as the 13 Colonies and other than that I have no idea how it may come into play.

I have seen no reference to Ironclads, only a tech up for steam ships, which were offered to Napoleon but he turned them down as ridiculous.

Originally the game was supposed to go until 1820 but all the reviewers are saying 1800 now and no one from CA has contradicted them.

Also the last I heard it was one turn per year. I don’t know about you but it seems rather short for a game of such grand scale. After all in M2TW it takes 8 to 10 years just to cross the Atlantic.

One turn per year would be rediculous, and if that is the case then I hope modders can change that soon after the game is released.

Two turns per year would mean 200 turns, which is similar to Medieval 2 and Rome and seems much more likely.

As for ironclads and steam ships being available, CA have stated that you can get technologies before they were historically discovered if you invest enough time and money. I just see it as them allowing you the option to change history. After the starting date Total War games tend to get less and less accurate to history anyway so I don't have a problem with it.

Sheogorath

11-07-2008, 01:46

One turn per year would be rediculous, and if that is the case then I hope modders can change that soon after the game is released.

Two turns per year would mean 200 turns, which is similar to Medieval 2 and Rome and seems much more likely.

As for ironclads and steam ships being available, CA have stated that you can get technologies before they were historically discovered if you invest enough time and money. I just see it as them allowing you the option to change history. After the starting date Total War games tend to get less and less accurate to history anyway so I don't have a problem with it.

They tend to start out pretty historically inaccurate anyway :P

Martok

11-07-2008, 02:01

The entire game doesn't fit the time-line!
Or else you couldn't choose the US as a starting faction, be able to get troops that only existed
in the Napoleonic period, get Ironclads & I heard they were even allowing the chance for an American
civil war.
Where did you read that the game was going to include ironclads? This is the first I've heard it. Same thing for a possible American Civil War (unless they were simply referring to the Revolution).

Indeed, I was under the impression it would be an emerging faction and the game would give you an option to switch over or not.
I believe that's correct, yes. Although CA has yet to officially confirm it, it does sound like you'll have the choice to either play as the Americans (should they emerge, which isn't guaranteed) or continue playing as Britiain.

Also the last I heard it was one turn per year. I don’t know about you but it seems rather short for a game of such grand scale. After all in M2TW it takes 8 to 10 years just to cross the Atlantic.
CA has stated (on several occasions) that 1 turn = 6 months. ~:)

Fisherking

11-07-2008, 08:23

CA has stated (on several occasions) that 1 turn = 6 months. ~:)

:oops:I must have misread the articles then. Duh!!!:shame:

It is just with weather being so important to sail and the speeding up of the industrial revelation I had been hoping for quarterly or even monthly turns….

So hay, 1200 turns…does that seem right for most of us TW nut cases?

200 is much better than I thought but still a bit shy.:yes:

Martok

11-07-2008, 08:53

Yeah, I would prefer 4 turns a year myself, all things being equal. So long as the game is paced well, however (e.g., no one's rushing around always warring and/or colonizing), I won't complain too much. ~;)

Pantsalot

11-07-2008, 20:42

@ Methuselah: They have said that US will be a faction you can start as, but if you be
any other country then you have to get it to revolt in a specific way to make the US.
There is also a rumour that you can only go & be America on a separate campaign from
the main, but fisherking has made a good conclusion with that in the tutorial.

1.The USS Constitution is an add-on you get if you buy the game at play.com

2.The tutorial campaign is one where you play as the 13 Colonies and other than that I have no idea how it may come into play.

3.I have seen no reference to Ironclads, only a tech up for steam ships, which were offered to Napoleon but he turned them down as ridiculous.

4.Originally the game was supposed to go until 1820 but all the reviewers are saying 1800 now and no one from CA has contradicted them.

5.Also the last I heard it was one turn per year. I don’t know about you but it seems rather short for a game of such grand scale. After all in M2TW it takes 8 to 10 years just to cross the Atlantic.

1. Haven't we already mentioned that?
3. I believe I heard it mentioned b4, don't exactly know how due to my usual memory blanks.
4+5. Well that is 200 turns, the most it's taken some1 in my family to complete a long campaign
from RTW-MIITW would be about 150 turns, so I think it's rather an average of turns to complete
the campaign they have taken into account. & since this game has better ships than medieval ones
then it should be a lot shorter for a crossing of the Atlantic, & btw I recently crossed the Atlantic
on my MIITW with my Sicily campaign & it took me just 8 turns. & they're making it that the more
you strengthen your research (building schools & universities then research from the tech tree) the
faster you advance & you could end up with l8 l8er units that don't fit into the time-line at near the
end of the campaign, etc.

The Outsider

11-18-2008, 13:27

Fisherking

11-18-2008, 17:28

ok now i have done some research on this obviously in addition to 6 exclusive units u also get one additional unit depending on where u order from, in case of amazon.co.uk, u get amazon fighters which r female musket and saber wielding warriors from western africa, if u order from Game u get a special cavalary for french, and also theres the ship as mentioned before.

Great! You get amazons from amazon! The cool part about that is that I didn‘t think that that part of Africia was going to be playable.

Were there more detaled descriptions of those units that someone could post here?

Does anyone think that these codes can be shared or will they be just a one to a coustimer thing?

Belgolas

11-18-2008, 23:13

Polemists

11-19-2008, 15:21

It has been stated several times at totalwar.com's forum that there will be 2 campaings. One just on the americans and another for the rest of the game. And as far as I know for EVERY single faction you can basically get 2 different factions. If you get a revolt playing as lets say spain then you could choose between either side. So USA is not the only emergent faction if the grand campaign. You can not start off as the united colonies at the beginning of the game because they don't exist. You have to have certain requirements/events to happen first.

Anyways maybe I could have a Canadian emergant faction :p.

I believe your right but this raises a question, what to call the other factions. I mean sure when 13 colonies revolt they get the 13 Colonies label. What happened Austria rebels, are we just going to see a faction called Austrian Revoultionists? I mean we are entering some unchartered historic water here.

LadyAnn

11-19-2008, 22:00

Like the kensai in S:TW/MI, the whole army in MP will be composed of special force units...

Annie

Sir Beane

11-19-2008, 23:43

Like the kensai in S:TW/MI, the whole army in MP will be composed of special force units...

Annie

Actually I think the info so far indicates that these units will not be available for multiplayer. They will only be present in the single player campaign.

Martok

11-20-2008, 08:09

Actually I think the info so far indicates that these units will not be available for multiplayer. They will only be present in the single player campaign.
Correct.

Hosakawa Tito

11-24-2008, 21:17

Will the Special Forces Edition be available for pre-order on any US websites?

Martok

11-25-2008, 02:26

Polemists

11-25-2008, 06:19

Not sure Sega is really letting anyone have official pre order yet. I think they are kinda slow with pre-orders.

So I wouldn't panic. Come late Dec/Jan they may do it.

Fisherking

11-25-2008, 08:10

Will the Special Forces Edition be available for pre-order on any US websites?

I'd like to know this as well. Thus far, though, the SF Edition doesn't seem to be available *anywhere*, neither here nor in Europe.

I suppose Sega could be holding off before opening it up to pre-orders, but I don't really see what the benefit is of that.

Gosh! The game is supposed to be released on the 3rd of Feb in the States and the 6th over here.

A couple of quick searches gave me links to preorder from UK sites

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Empire-Total-War-Special-Forces/dp/B001JJBE5G/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1225782315&sr=8-1

http://www.play.com/Games/PC/4-/7955041/Empire-Total-War-Special-Forces-Edition/Product.html

There was also this image of amazon’s Amazons!
http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/02/uk-videogames/2008/random/DAHOMEYAMAZONS.jpg

Now as to why amazon.com doesn’t have it in the states….who can say, but they have had problems lately and it may have just fallen through the cracks. Or maybe they just get a different special unit for the US market and they are not listing until they have it…

Tiberius Aurelius Cotta

11-26-2008, 00:20

i bit the bullet and preordered it a few days off Steam... now i wait

i for one am glad that it uses Steam, adn i can't really justify the nearly £15 increase over the normal edition for a few discs which will likely end up lost or misplaced in a few years, a map i won't look at, and a few ingame units i might never use

Polemists

11-26-2008, 05:56

See I personally live for the map, so I can hang it on my wall and ponder great ways to conquer :laugh4:

Mailman653

12-11-2008, 19:53

Gamestop (US) has it listed now for $69.99.:jawdrop:
SF Edition (http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=73290)

A little too much for my wallet right now.

macduro

12-11-2008, 21:22

The info at oficial ETW web says that steam users will receive also the special units pack , when you look at the steam ETW section there is nothing about it ... I assume that this must by clarified by sega or steam . I'll wait some days and if nothing changes on the Steam ETW web I think I will send an email to Sega asking about that question .

http://www.sega.co.uk/empire/gameinfo/news.php?n=2427

"SEGA is also pleased to announce the Special Forces Edition of Empire: Total War. This premium-packaged edition of the title offers true aficionados of the series the chance to build their empire with the help of a range of exclusive elite units and plot their next move on a detailed print of the globe-spanning Campaign Map.

Additional elite units are available as pre-order bonuses with major game retailers throughout Europe, alongside a pre-purchase incentive when purchasing the title as a PC digital download from Steam. For details on content, availability and pricing, please visit www.totalwar.com/empire/preorder."

JR-

12-15-2008, 23:12

harumph, i'll probably stick my neck out and get the SF edition, not like i play much MP anyway.

Martok

12-16-2008, 04:24

Sir Beane

12-16-2008, 19:11

CA has said the SF units won't be available in multiplayer regardless, so no big deal there. That said, however, the "special" units hold no attraction for me in any case. If -- if -- I get the SF Edition, it won't be for the extra units.

If I get Special Forces it will be for a combination of the fancy units and the fancier (hopefully) paper map. I love the feeling of having a real map to plan out my campaigns on.

Megas Methuselah

12-16-2008, 21:17

If I get Special Forces it will be for a combination of the fancy units and the fancier (hopefully) paper map. I love the feeling of having a real map to plan out my campaigns on.

I don't care about the extra units at all. I just want to hang the map up on my bedroom wall. :yes:

geala

12-18-2008, 09:19

I have to buy the SFE because I need the units.

Rogers Rangers f.e., good when killing indians with surprise but always the losers when fighting Canadian-French militia, or the Victory, a mighty ship although for the most part of lifetime out of order in the harbour, the Organ Gun, sign of the technological advantages (ööööh???) of the Ottomans. And I always liked the Ghoorkas, escecially cause we get a time machine with them to tranfer the unit into the 18th century. I will build my gameplay around them. And I hope for French hot air balloon troops with bombs and airborne ladder attacks.

Ok, don't take me too serious... :sweatdrop: To be honest I will probably really buy SFE mainly because I'm curious for the appearance of the units, mainly the Irish mercenaries and the Ghoorkas.

Megas Methuselah

12-18-2008, 21:16

I have no doubt that modifications will be able to enter those uits into the regular game.

Alexander the Pretty Good

12-19-2008, 00:00

^^

And probably with even more accuracy.

Thermal

12-19-2008, 01:07

i would or wouldnt depending on these factors

- what does STEAM do? is it bad, i'm not good with these things
- i expect good improvements in campaign map and truely awesome add on units
- will it be released later than normal ETW? anymore than a week later and forget it, i want ETW ASAP lol
- no more than £5 on top of the original price

:bow:

Megas Methuselah

12-19-2008, 21:26

- i expect good improvements in campaign map
- no more than £5 on top of the original price

Unlikely. But the lure of a campaign map to hang on my bedroom wall is strong, indeed... :sneaky:

Sir Beane

12-19-2008, 22:24

I hope it's a high quality map with faction colours and all major cities and sites of interest represented. Anything else just won't be worth the price.

Fookison

12-20-2008, 00:07

I'd like to know this as well. Thus far, though, the SF Edition doesn't seem to be available *anywhere*, neither here nor in Europe.

I suppose Sega could be holding off before opening it up to pre-orders, but I don't really see what the benefit is of that. :inquisitive:

I have a pre-paid pre-order at the local EB Games for ETW. I stopped by today to see if I could change it to the SF Edition and it is not even in their computer yet. The clerk indicated that perhaps after the holiday season we will be able to change and pre-order it instead.

Fisherking

12-20-2008, 11:59

I have a pre-paid pre-order at the local EB Games for ETW. I stopped by today to see if I could change it to the SF Edition and it is not even in their computer yet. The clerk indicated that perhaps after the holiday season we will be able to change and pre-order it instead.
:furious3:
It makes little sense. The game has an earlier release date in the US than it dose in Europe.:idea2:

:jawdrop:Unless, unless of course it is all just an elaborate hoax!:wall:

:book:Yes, I see it all now! The delayed release date… No SF edition in the US!

Just wait till they tell us on April First that there is no game…never was…it was all a splendid joke!:dizzy2::dizzy2::dizzy2:

:beam::smash:

Mailman653

12-20-2008, 16:33

Gamestop has the SF edition (https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showpost.php?p=2081263&postcount=68)

Thermal

12-20-2008, 20:00

what is STEAM?

Sir Beane

12-20-2008, 21:29

what is STEAM?

It's the online platform of Games Developer Valve (makers of Half Life). It allows you to download games, play with no need of a CD, and it acts as a matchmaking client for multiplayer. It also acts as a platfrom for automatic game updates and downloading patches. The downside is it requires an internet connection to install a new game, but it's only a one time requirement.

Thermal

12-20-2008, 22:25

sounds fine 2 me, why r people so bothered about it? :shrug:

Sir Beane

12-20-2008, 22:34

Personally I have no problem with it at all. I think most people are concerned about the fact that installing the game requires an internet connection. A few others have suggested the game might become impossible to install if ina a few years steam turn off their servers or stop supporting it, but that doesn't seem likely to me.

Fisherking

12-20-2008, 23:41

Hay! I am not afraid to say it! I am preordering the SF edition because I want to see those units and how they work.

The Map and any other things that they pack in will also be nice to have of course. I missed all of the extra charts and what not that came with the earlier TW titles.

But because of the Units I am sorry to say that I will not be ordering from Amazon. As interesting as that unit is I would rather have Old Ironsides…so you know where I am ordering from. (wonder why it is exclusive to a UK company?)

As I have said before, we may be able to swap some of those codes to get most of the special units some where down the line anyway, but I want them off the bat.

Now if they just have George Rogers Clark and William Johnson in the game, will I ever be happy!

Martok

12-22-2008, 10:18

But because of the Units I am sorry to say that I will not be ordering from Amazon. As interesting as that unit is I would rather have Old Ironsides…so you know where I am ordering from. (wonder why it is exclusive to a UK company?)
Odd. It'd be like making the HMS Victory available to only U.S. copies of the SF edition. :inquisitive:

Now if they just have George Rogers Clark and William Johnson in the game, will I ever be happy!
Actually, I think Clark might actually be in the SF edition. It's probably best not to quote me on that, but I could swear I read that somewhere. :book: