View Full Version : State of the Mod Address, Fall 2013: We're Almost There
Salvete, cives Europae Barbarorum!
Today we have an incredibly exciting announcement to make: We are close to making an alpha release of our mod.
Europa Barbarorum II is a modification for the Medieval II: Total War expansion pack Kingdoms. Its setting is the Hellenistic world of 272 BC. Our goal is to make one of the most immerse and historically accurate experiences possible for players. For several years now, we have been working toward a first release and we are almost there.
What to expect?
EBII has been a long time coming. Everyone on the team knows that there will be very high expectations for it. We do hope this will be a great experience for those players; however, it should be known that this will be a very unpolished release. The effort required to modify M2:TW compared to Rome: TW is exponentially higher. This, combined with a relatively small pool of manpower, high member turnover and real life, has meant that completing the modification has taken much longer than any of us anticipated. This is especially true when taking into consideration the team's high standard of historical accuracy.
To that end, the team does plan to have all current factions playable in regards to units, recruitment, and governments. By no means will even these be final and there may be several placeholder descriptions and models. We do not intend to give a firm release date as we cannot guarantee that something catastrophic won't happen; however, we are pushing hard to make it soon.
What can be done to help?
In the next few weeks, the team will start looking for play-testers to search for bugs, historical errors, and balance issues. Longtime, trusted and motivated forum members, or those that can contribute to the modification in the future are those most likely to be selected. Our internal roadmap is aiming for a release a few months after play-testing.
We also have a list of several tasks that need to be completed. Once they are finished, working to polish the mod and improve it is the next step. Anyone with the skills to help in these areas, please apply.
- Scripting
- Traits
- 3D modelling (units and settlements)
- Animators
- 2D artists (eg. UI, icons, skins)
- Website
EBII is not finished yet – not by a long shot. We have so much more to do to make this the mod we want it to be. With this alpha release, we hope to generate the interest to help it grow by bringing back old players and create new ones. We just ask that the community waits a few more months. To sate you until then, here is some preview material of our populace buildings and units!
1094010941109421094310944109451094610947
Valete!
Captain Jazzy
10-06-2013, 19:41
Amazing news, cant wait to experience the product of the team's years of hard work. Well done guys and thank you so much.
Ailfertes
10-06-2013, 20:24
You just killed me (with excitement, that is).
LusitanianWolf
10-06-2013, 21:35
Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!! :bounce:
Amasing news (and screenshots)! All Hail the Amasing EB Team!!!!!! :hail:
polehammer
10-06-2013, 22:50
Great news! Waited long for this. Keep up the good work!
Ibn-Khaldun
10-06-2013, 23:37
This is a good news!
10958
Give yourselves a hearty pat on the back, all you dashing members of the EB team. Can't wait to enjoy the fruits of your labor.
M to the A
10-07-2013, 04:02
Oh sweet Jebus, greatest of news. Now to hire someone with modding skills so I can have access to this alpha :sweatdrop:
The real Rome 2 is close to Alpha release. :)
Rex Somnorum
10-07-2013, 04:37
Will Alpha testers be allowed to release game info or AARs?
Will Alpha testers be allowed to release game info or AARs?
Probably not at first. There will be a non-disclosure agreement of some sort, which may be lifted toward release or afterward.
A short note as it is rubbing against my historically accurate conventions: The symbols used for the British and Gallic populace buildings are only temporary. So don't worry before people start asking why on earth we have Pictish symbols for Britons and Bronze Age Irish symbols for the Gauls.
Awesome. Even with all the placeholders, I can sense greatness here :D.
Ailfertes
10-07-2013, 08:33
I love how the interface is looking. Especially the coins are a nice touch.
Nightbringer
10-07-2013, 14:35
oh yes...
Congratulatinos EB 2 Team, you guys are awesome!!!
Also, would love to alpha test. :nice:
I do have a BA in history, with a focus on ancient history, so I should be able to notice historical errors to a fair degree if they exist. I also have a ridiculous amount of experience playing the M2TW engine.
Vilkku92
10-07-2013, 18:52
Guess I better start saving for Medieval II...:bounce:
Ailfertes
10-07-2013, 21:34
Don't forget Kindoms ~;)
Horatius Flaccus
10-07-2013, 23:00
Great news team! Keep up the amazing work!
Belisarius II
10-08-2013, 05:24
This post makes me happy :2thumbsup:
Lusitani
10-09-2013, 17:03
Good news....by Teutates!!!
BroskiDerpman
10-09-2013, 17:43
As I said at TWC
Muthuh of gawd!
Now I'm reconsidering purchasing Rome 2 since EB2 is coming soon...
ziegenpeter
10-09-2013, 18:17
I am speechless!
Great to hear and thank you for all the good work.
I recently got a new laptop as my last one could only run RTW and after reading the comments on this forum about Rome2 I was really disappointed. This news has cheered me up no end.
Now I can actually play this mod and know it is now hopefully down to a matter of months the wait is going to be tough. Again thanks!
Far Easterner
10-11-2013, 01:10
Hello, I've been hoping for this mod to be released ever since I bought this game called Rome: Total War a few years ago and heard about this thing called Europa Barbarorum. This mod is one of the things which really got me interested in history and I would just like to say thanks to those people who have embarked on this great endeavor and who worked hard not for themselves but all of us. To give a bit of history to others and let people see into one of the great periods of history. I personally want to say thanks for everything, and while the mod is not near the finish line yet hearing that a milestone is coming up is great.
Thanks For Everything
Brave Brave Sir Robin
10-11-2013, 02:26
At the risk of sounding like an echo, this is great news and really brightened up my day. Now I need to get back to doing some province descriptions...
Skullheadhq
10-12-2013, 10:08
Wonderful news! Nunc est bibendum!
titus agrippa
10-14-2013, 10:13
Have been waiting for this news for a very long time, all Hail the EB team.
Centurion Crastinus
10-14-2013, 18:03
Can't wait to see it! Superb Job!
wudang_clown
10-14-2013, 21:33
What is this Website task about? What needs to be done?
joshmahurin
10-15-2013, 20:41
^ what he said
We will be in touch with both of you as soon as we have clarified what we want from a website.
RawPower
10-16-2013, 17:18
Congratulations EB Team, this is such good news and im sure it will be as good as the legendary EB1:))
BerkeleyBoi
10-19-2013, 00:19
I have never played any game as much as I played EB when it first came out. I look forward to playing the sequel!
antisocialmunky
10-19-2013, 05:54
EB2 might beat Rome2 to Gold...
Jebivjetar
10-19-2013, 09:10
Splendid news indeed :)
Outstanding and much appreciated!
Rex Somnorum
10-20-2013, 17:29
One suggestion: release a commentary video on Youtube showcasing a battle including new units from EBII. Just to placate the masses.
I_damian
10-23-2013, 21:44
This would make an amazing Christmas Present, even if it's buggier than Rome 2 at first. :laugh4: I remember the first Europa Barbarorum was released very near to Christmas, I think it was 2007. Best Christmas ever.
Populus Romanus
10-24-2013, 03:18
Time to reinstall Medieval 2!
Can´t wait! EB is my favourit game of all times...and most the played one! While waiting i will finish my Roman camapign in RTW II....and the Nomadic pack....Oh the joy of the ancient world.....
Just saw this thread. This is awesome News! :2thumbsup:
STuNTz2023
10-26-2013, 13:02
Been following EB since the originals beta and am very excited to see this. Congratulations on all your hard work! EB has been one of my all-time favorites, can not wait for EBII! :)
Empire*Of*Media
10-26-2013, 16:42
1. is this mod again concentrating in Hellenistic faction!?? i mean only be very detailed for Roman & Hellenistic factions or for example Eastern too?!?!
2. and why still not Eastern Asia has not been added!?!? it would be very great !!
Mithridates VI Eupator
10-26-2013, 17:25
1. is this mod again concentrating in Hellenistic faction!?? i mean only be very detailed for Roman & Hellenistic factions or for example Eastern too?!?!
The aim is to representa all factions equally. We're putting just as much effort into our Celtic, North African, Eastern and Steppe factions as we are into our hellenistic ones. There is, however, a lot more sources from the hellenistic world, but the goal is to represent the entire area covered by our map as exactly as we possibly can, and I think we're doing that quite well.
2. and why still not Eastern Asia has not been added!?!? it would be very great !!
There are simply not enough provinces or faction slots to represent all of asia in sufficient detail. Just adding China would require at leat 100 provinces, and 10 faction slots. Remember that we are in the middle of the Warring States period. The map does extend from the mediterranean to India, though, which is rather a lot for a M2TW mod.
antisocialmunky
10-26-2013, 18:40
I don't want to spend 30 turns moving across the Tarim Basin and Pamir to get a domination victory.
We're putting just as much effort into our Celtic... factions as we are into our hellenistic ones.
OH YEAH BABY!
Empire*Of*Media
10-28-2013, 09:50
The aim is to representa all factions equally. We're putting just as much effort into our Celtic, North African, Eastern and Steppe factions as we are into our hellenistic ones. There is, however, a lot more sources from the hellenistic world, but the goal is to represent the entire area covered by our map as exactly as we possibly can, and I think we're doing that quite well.
There are simply not enough provinces or faction slots to represent all of asia in sufficient detail. Just adding China would require at leat 100 provinces, and 10 faction slots. Remember that we are in the middle of the Warring States period. The map does extend from the mediterranean to India, though, which is rather a lot for a M2TW mod.
u mean it is not available in totalwar basis 7 resources?!
because many strategic games have done that.
well i know they didnt have the totalwar's scale of campaign & battle map!
BroskiDerpman
10-28-2013, 11:41
It just isn't feasible.
In m2tw max province limit is 199+1 (1 is the sea region)
To represent all of East Asia imo you need a minimum of 200 provinces. There's this WIP mod of the Imjin War mod and just Korea plus Japan alone surpass 100 provinces. In my thoughts of adding the whole entire east Asia to that mod even if I were to decrease the settlement amounts I would get around 300, that's by making a ton of compromises that the EB team probably have done for EB2. (The rest look a little empty compared to China)
If the EB team where to cover all of East Asia w/ Europe and the Near East then the whole map would look empty due to pre Warscape settlement limits.
What is not stressed enough is what little point there would be in having a campaign that stretches from the Lusotannan to the Qin.
And why the hell can't you people just be happy with what you've got?
Gaius Sempronius Gracchus
10-29-2013, 20:02
And why the hell can't you people just be happy with what you've got?
Indeed. From what I have seen in previews and the hints dropped regarding the game mechanics I am more than happy with what is on the table. The biggest problem I can see is in picking which of the already many and varied* factions to play with first. Gimme, gimme....
* I get the impression that while conquest is always the aim, the path to conquest will be differentiated depending upon the faction - adding even more immersion to the gameplay. And if there is one thing that can be said of EB1 it is that the immersion, based upon the differentiation between factions and culture, is startling - especially when compared to the vanilla R:TW.
Rex Somnorum
10-31-2013, 00:09
And why the hell can't you people just be happy with what you've got?
Have you considered entering politics?
BroskiDerpman
10-31-2013, 01:10
Was that directed at me? I was simply saying how the proposal was not feasible.
Have you considered entering politics?
Yes.
Was that directed at me? I was simply saying how the proposal was not feasible.
No, it was at Spartakus.
You either trust the team or you don't.
To assume they haven't explored every possible thread of extending the game-play is ridiculous and smacks of a large dollop of self aggrandizement.
Also you are assuming that CA are delivering a l33t game which is extensible in every manner and has the architecture to allow it to be modable in any direction. This is CA we are talking about.
Take your hand made, organic, known source vanilla icecream without the hundreds and thousands and appreciate it for what it is, smooth vanillary gorgeousness.
kaptainplanet
11-01-2013, 16:07
I love you. I hope my face has been added as a skin. If this is the case I will spam post amazing screenshots of me performing act of valour ang gore on fb
kaptainplanet
11-01-2013, 16:08
I really love you.
BroskiDerpman
11-02-2013, 03:44
I love you. I hope my face has been added as a skin. If this is the case I will spam post amazing screenshots of me performing act of valour ang gore on fb
What is love, baby don't hurt me, don't hurt me, no more. :pimp:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhrBDcQq2DM
HopliteLegion
11-02-2013, 05:50
You know what truly sucks?
I lost M2TW + Kingdoms when my old laptop bit the dust...and the one I'm using now will barely run EB1 on the RTW.exe. And even if I had a computer that would run it, Direct2Drive got bought out by demon GameFly, and now my validation keys and downloads are no longer available.
I didn't care much for some of the things from M2TW (such as two years per turn, or merchant characters, or how boringly slow cavalry seemed in comparison to RTW), but the ability to recruit multiple units from a single MIC per turn, special guild buildings I liked....oh, and the battles. Used to love finding a cinematic camera angle and watching as two units clashed on the battlefield.
Perhaps I could talk my wife into trading laptops with me, then I could not only play EBII, but I could also get Rome II (although I hear it's a major disappointment...I still want those gorgeous graphics).
Thankfully we have dispensed with the boring merchant character (and the witches). I can sympathise HopliteLegion. If it makes you feel better my laptop won't run Medieval 2... and yet I am on the development team (which can get pretty annoying for other team members).
I really have no idea what went on in this thread in these last 6 to 7 posts...
Perturabo
11-02-2013, 22:59
Incredible news! An amazing amount of dedication and time have been put into it by all associated with this mod, to be honest even an unrefined version will be extremely welcome.
Good job guys :hail:
Rex Somnorum
11-03-2013, 00:43
Thankfully we have dispensed with the boring merchant character (and the witches)
To be replaced with an interesting merchant character? I happen to have enjoyed the depth merchants added to the game.
antisocialmunky
11-03-2013, 19:21
If this was a Hellas only mod, I would have suggested that witches be exiled statesmen from the previous political party that had fallen out of favor that are trying to incite revolt.
Maybe you could make them an anarchist element or escaped slaves or something. Merchants could be slaves, sent to toil in working the various resources.
If this was a Hellas only mod, I would have suggested that witches be exiled statesmen from the previous political party that had fallen out of favor that are trying to incite revolt.
Maybe you could make them an anarchist element or escaped slaves or something. Merchants could be slaves, sent to toil in working the various resources.
You keep your darned slaves off my land!
Rex Somnorum
11-06-2013, 00:09
Merchants could be slaves, sent to toil in working the various resources.
Or they could just be merchants. Historically speaking, non-merchant trade income reflects taxes on private enterprise while merchants represent state sponsored ventures. Merchants add to the game's accuracy, not detract from it.
Wouldn't work for the Nomads, Celts, Sweboz or Lugiones though.
TheStranger
11-06-2013, 01:37
Ahh why haven't I seen this thread earlier? :) Fantastic news! I am really looking forward to it! Funny thing is that I thought today that I could start a new EB I game with the Seleucids :)
Rex Somnorum
11-06-2013, 03:04
Wouldn't work for the Nomads, Celts, Sweboz or Lugiones though.
It should be possible to mod them out for those factions or make them impossible to recruit. (For instance, requiring two buildings that cannot exist in the same settlement)
How soon?
watch?v=gNIwlRClHsQ
Fluvius Camillus
11-10-2013, 16:04
And why the hell can't you people just be happy with what you've got?
I am.
Don't get so upset by someone making troll-like remarks. Trying to stay polite myself I would say there is quite a gap in both language and intelligence causing difficulty in breaking down the problems his request would have. Everyone else here reveres you guys, relax. ~D
~Fluvius
I am.
Don't get so upset by someone making troll-like remarks. Trying to stay polite myself I would say there is quite a gap in both language and intelligence causing difficulty in breaking down the problems his request would have. Everyone else here reveres you guys, relax. ~D
~Fluvius
Abou is getting so upset because the amount of work the team has put in is hard to appreciate for most people. I helped with EB1 and even though my own contribution was tiny I must have put over 100 hours into it and even though most people appreciated my work it gets really insulting when someone who has contributed nothing criticizes it when they are getting it for free. EB2 is even bigger than EB1 and Abou deserves to let off steam, he and the other team members have laboured on this project for years now. I'm not criticising what you say Fluvius but just let him get it out, he deserves it.
spanakoryzo
11-12-2013, 20:10
First of all I'd like to say that I've been a devoted fan of this wonderful mod for years, since the 0.72 days. I am well aware that the team's very busy but could someone maybe post some information on what EBII holds in store for our "precious" Baktria? Apart from laser-mounted velociraptors of course... I mean no disrespect for the celt-fans but I must shamefuly admit that all these years I have found the eastern half of the map far more interesting than the western half.
Why would you say something so hurtful :clown:
paullus abou You would be the gentlemen to answer this I guess?
Well, Baktrian Hippeis and Hippotoxotai are in-game. The hippotoxotai carry lightsabers for secondary weapons, and the hippeis have ninjas who clutch the horses' rib cage and roll out for melee after the charge. Indogreeks will be developed when we have time.
LusitanianWolf
11-13-2013, 00:29
First of all I'd like to say that I've been a devoted fan of this wonderful mod for years, since the 0.72 days. I am well aware that the team's very busy but could someone maybe post some information on what EBII holds in store for our "precious" Baktria? Apart from laser-mounted velociraptors of course... I mean no disrespect for the celt-fans but I must shamefuly admit that all these years I have found the eastern half of the map far more interesting than the western half.
In the Sneak peeks topic there are pictures of the Baktrioi Hipotoxotai and of regionals and helenistic troops, some of them will probably be used also by the Baktrioi
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?142126-EB2-Sneak-Peeks-9-9
In the interviews topic there are some info on Arche Seleukia and more pics about Seleukids and regionals (Baktria will probably share some)
https://forums.totalwar.org/vb/showthread.php?143931-An-interview-with-10
But yeah, in the first release the team is focused in making factions playable and with just the essential units (regionals and factionals), more diversity will come with future releases, at least that´s what I´ve understood. Also, its been said that not all factions will be developed at the same level on first release so maybe we´ll have to postdone the campain with our favourite faction and start with the also-completely-awesome-other-faction for enjoying the first release at its best.
spanakoryzo
11-13-2013, 14:36
For Brennus and his amazing celt-work: I haven't been completely honest with you. Every time I exterminate Rome with the Lusitani I giggle like a 12 year old. Every single time. It never gets old. So maybe I'm not a 100% celt-fan but I most certainly am a huge iberoceltic/paraceltic/italoceltic (lusitani) fan! And to all of the EB team, thank you!
LusitanianWolf
11-13-2013, 23:13
Every time I exterminate Rome with the Lusitani I giggle like a 12 year old. Every single time. It never gets old.
This, my friend, this! :medievalcheers:
After I had thanked spanakoryzo I just remembered I have done no work on the Lusitani :rolleyes:
Hopefully the Arevaci (thanks also to Sarcasm and oudysseos previous work, not to mention the scripters and artists) will add more Iberian fun for you.
As noted in a recent twitter update we are currently discussing options on how to give the Arevaci a unique style of government which, if successful, will make for some challenging gameplay.
How will you be handling the Koinon Hellenon government and "Family Members"?
Vasiliyi
11-19-2013, 05:01
Wonderful news. Cant wait.
This is great news! Keep up the good work, guys!
delablake
11-21-2013, 21:48
My prayers have not been invain! Thank God!
Any idea if the alpha release will be in December? Normally I wouldn't ask such a question here but this Month is a bit special since I have free time until next semester starts, and I know Christmas time is when a lot of modders like to "surprise" their followers. But honestly is their any hope of this mod's Alpha seeing a December Saturnalia release or should I not have my heart set on it (and no longer check back here every 2 hours)?
It will not be in December, even if we would like to do as a Christmas gift to the fans.
There's still a bit more work to do and to polish things.
Since the wait was longer than what we hopped we wan't to make it worth the wait.
That is the reasons we're also changing the vanilla settlements, vegetation, climates and many other.
Thnx for letting me know, as odd as it sounds it's actually a relief to know it won't be coming out this month
contextforconflicts
01-25-2014, 10:06
If this was a Hellas only mod, I would have suggested that witches be exiled statesmen from the previous political party that had fallen out of favor that are trying to incite revolt.
Maybe you could make them an anarchist element or escaped slaves or something. Merchants could be slaves, sent to toil in working the various resources.
I like this idea a lot. If I ever acquire the skills to do it it could be an unofficial sub-mod in the very distant future. The only thing I would add would be non-exile prominent statesmen, family members or generals (what ever works best) which either by traits or certain actions (say wiping out a city's population completely) impacts diplomacy.
Example: Factions could demand the expulsion of or death of this figure as a diplomatic option, failure to do so would prevent coming to a ceasefire, or obtaining trade rights, or something else.
I've been re-reading Thucydides, which is the reason I jumped from witches to statesmen that your enemies despise. I'm thinking specifically of the Spartan demand (before the outbreak of fighting between Athens and Sparta) that the Athenians "drive out the curse of the goddess", which was more or less their way of suggesting the Athenians should exile Pericles and the Athenian counter reply that the Spartans drive out the "curse of the brazen goddess" which was connected with Pausanias (Book 1 Para:126-135). For whatever reason, the ways in which some of the Greeks used their religion as an instrument of foreign policy has always fascinated me (don't get me started with some of the ways an oracle at Delphi feature could be used as a game feature) this one in particular.
Its fun to think about, but I think everyone recognizes the fact that the EB 2 team has had to pass on a thousand of good ideas (most of which are probably better then my own) or else the mod will never be released. I'm excited to see what made the cut, and glad to see its really starting to come together.-Nick.
moonburn
01-27-2014, 06:41
but do get started i always fancy to read new and interesting subjects
easytarget
02-08-2014, 01:31
How goes it?
Just checking in about once a week to see how things are going...
btw:
what about pre release announcements?
I mean, will the mod be anounced like a week before it's released or will you just surprise us? Normally I would not care, but I'm still on the verge of buying a new PC and the EB release would certainly be a good reason to finaly get it :D but imagine the horror: EB is released and poor Ca Putt can't play it because he did not get his new pc yet D: we would not want that to happen^^
It won't drop unannounced from the skies, i assure you! There's still a number of things on our "must-do" list and a far larger group of "we really should do's". The whole process of figuring out how to package this thing up and distribute it and install it without causing nightmares for the fans is a pretty big project all in itself, and that isn't ready yet either. So we are still whacking away, and you will be grateful for the delays - every day that passes, new content goes in and game play improves.
Tyrfingr
02-11-2014, 17:21
So we are still whacking away, and you will be grateful for the delays - every day that passes, new content goes in and game play improves.
That's what they said about Duke Nukem Forever....j/K ;)
That's what they said about Duke Nukem Forever....j/K ;)
How dare you sir! :clown:
At the risk of universal opprobrium, I'll pose an old question: when's this damn thing gonna be released? I'm not asking for an exact date, I'm asking for a rough estimate. If the EB Twitter is any indication, most of the major bugs have been ironed out and the game is almost finished. Assuming that the current rate of development continues, when can we expect a release? In a month? Sometime in summer?
Don't take this as ingratitude. For the modders that have devoted months and years of their life to making EBII happen, I thank you from the depths of my admittedly shallow heart. I appreciate your sacrifice and dedication, and I'm not trying to be impatient. I just want to know if I should get excited yet. I understand if you can't give a straight answer to the question. But given the vague parameters, I believe you should be able to.
Here's the thing. We have ironed out the horrific bugs that caused the game to CTD and resolved others that severely hampered playability. What we are still working on are the MULTITUDE of factors that combine to make the game interesting - or not. Things like recruitment, the economy, AI faction survivability, and a host of related, complex interactions, could not be tested and addressed until the worst of the stability issues had been resolved. The good news is, we are there. The bad news is, those are major issues, and none of them are subject to quick fixes.
When the original announcement was made last fall, there was a feeling that the mod had been in process for far too long, and it was better to release an alpha than to just keep moseying along forever. But since then we have made quantum leaps in many areas, and have a deeper team working in a larger number of areas. That has allowed us to "raise the bar". Rather than dropping a half finished, barely playable mod on those who've long awaited it, the goal is to deliver a product that is historically rich in detail AND interesting and exciting to play.
We are also painfully aware of the Total War community's reaction to the playability issues affecting R2TW. For us to do the same thing to our fans? That would be unconscionable. So when will it be released? Hard to say. This year absolutely. In the next few months, probably not. There truly are too many variables at play to say any more than that. You can be confident however, that a large team is working every single day to get this done. It will be worth the wait.
Shadowwalker
02-21-2014, 19:28
You, the staff, have been working off your backsides for 7 years (I think the first announcement of an EB II actually being worked on was in spring 2007).
You did so despite all the obstacles real life or hardcoded limits threw at you.
We, the drooling fans, have been waiting - more or less patient - for the same time.
And I honestly think that neither you nor we will die if the game (I'm deliberately avoiding the term "mod", for obvious reasons) is delayed for some months more.
Suffering may happen (more serious at your than at our end, as I suppose), but there are no lives in danger from any such delay, as far as I'm aware.
In other words: take your time. I expect the game to keep me busy for several years at least. Probably it will - for me - be the ultimate strategy game, replacing my alltime favourite Civilization II.
What are a few more months (or even one or two years?) of waiting compared to that perspective? Nothing, seriously.
To quote you: "It's done when it's done."
To quote me: "Whenever EB II is ready, I'll be here to appreciate it." And I'm pretty sure there are many others who feel the same. :yes:
Sounds great actually!
And I can agree with Shadowwalker, If it takes the time then take the time, Rome 2 has shown how it's not done, your move :D
quantum leaps you know that that actually is an euphemism ;)
To add to Kull's post, you guys should also know that there have been many things that we want to change or include, but that the team has democratically elected to be for a second release. We are aware of feature creep and have been limiting it.
Rex Somnorum
02-22-2014, 01:11
Snip
Thanks for the honest answer. Although I'm sorta disappointed that the mod isn't coming out in the next month or so (especially since I was expecting it sometime in early 2014), I'm content that the extra time for development will be spent improving the game. And compared to seven years, a few more months isn't that much time anyway.
So, what's mostly left is game balancing and adding shiny features, then?
Thanks for the honest answer. Although I'm sorta disappointed that the mod isn't coming out in the next month or so (especially since I was expecting it sometime in early 2014), I'm content that the extra time for development will be spent improving the game. And compared to seven years, a few more months isn't that much time anyway.
So, what's mostly left is game balancing and adding shiny features, then?
The modding group is working pretty closely with the Beta Testing team (and we have a FANTASTIC group who are all active and contributing - just a huge plus) to identify problem areas with game balance/playability. There is a LOT to that, because there is so much interaction among all the elements that comprise EB2, so it can get pretty complicated. The good thing from the fans perspective is that allows the artists to spend more time adding "polish" and likewise, the historians have time to add to the immense amount of historical text that is going to accompany this mod. There is so much to love about EB2, but I'm in awe at the incredible ability of our historians to immerse you in all the cultures of this period.
moonburn
02-22-2014, 04:49
my only regreat about the entire waiting time is that due to shortage of time and lack of usefull skills i was not able to contribute and therefore if i can´t help i don´t think i can ever have the morals to put into question those that work hard to furfill something that i hope will bring me much joy
To add to Kull's post, you guys should also know that there have been many things that we want to change or include, but that the team has democratically elected to be for a second release. We are aware of feature creep and have been limiting it.
Yeh here that guys! We're gonna get some creepy features in EB2!
Werewolves?
Vampires?
Zombies?
Titus Marcellus Scato
02-26-2014, 17:35
Kull,
From my point of view, the longer the team takes in getting AI faction play balance right, the better.
I never finished a campaign in EB1 due to frustration with AI factions like Seleukia and Ptolemies becoming uber-powerful with stacks of elite units while I was trying to play a slow, role-playing campaign on Medium. My EB1 experience is one of playing the first 50 years of a campaign with all the various factions, then starting again - the game only remained 'historically balanced' (but still interesting and challenging) for me in the early years.
So please take your time and beta-test to the max with long test campaigns! After 6 years of waiting, what's 6 months more?
Kull,
So please take your time and beta-test to the max with long test campaigns! After 6 years of waiting, what's 6 months more?
This sums up my thoughts as well.
fireblade
02-27-2014, 11:32
Yeh here that guys! We're gonna get some creepy features in EB2!
Werewolves?
Vampires?
Zombies?
My personal guess is flaming pigs to be honest
Anyway, i can only concur with shadowwalker, i'll be patiently waiting and can only appreciate all the great work you guys have been doing
RAWROMNOM
02-28-2014, 00:22
Are we there yet?
Don't make me turn this chariot around!
Hotseat_User
03-01-2014, 09:00
Don't make me turn this chariot around!
hehehe. this made my day. thank you, sire! :bow:
7 years? I can't believe it's been that long, and I'll admit that when they announced R2 that I thought it may be abandoned, I'm glad I was wrong.
Really looking forward to this, more than any game coming, it's really unbelievable the dedication to this mod.
AAAARRRRGGGHHHH... This announcement is more than enough to make Duguntz come back to life! How long did I waited to hear (mostly read) this new, probably like everybody else in this community! I'm drooling with excitement, sharpening my sword, blunting my clubs and gettin painted all black! The sooner we spill blood, the better! congrats for you, for your hard work and your dedication!
So when will it be released? Hard to say. This year absolutely. In the next few months, probably not.
Well then, how about December 2014? It would make a fine christmas present.
TiagoJRToledo
03-05-2014, 06:05
7 years? I can't believe it's been that long, and I'll admit that when they announced R2 that I thought it may be abandoned, I'm glad I was wrong.
Really looking forward to this, more than any game coming, it's really unbelievable the dedication to this mod.
I still laugh when I remember me thinking "Well, Rome 2 will blow everything out of the water, those screens and gameplay videos look so awesome"... Now people are eagerly waiting for EB2, like a shining light in this world of useless DLC :laugh4:
Anyway, I can't wait to play this, and I salivate every time I check your Twitter! Beta test the ~:flirt: out of it!
Empire*Of*Media
03-09-2014, 18:03
if EB II be released i will abandon Rome II
Bovarius
03-09-2014, 21:11
if EB II be released i will abandon Rome II
I'll keep it, just as a reminder of darker times, times that are nearly over...
Alcibiade
03-10-2014, 15:01
if EB II be released i will abandon Rome II
Personally I already left R2. I reallly prefer to play M2TW mods like IB2 or just enjoy the early spring we have in western europe atm than give anymore of my time this non-immersive flat piece of software.
And dreaminfg while watching at the fantastic screenshots of EB2 on twitter.
fallen851
03-10-2014, 19:17
When the original announcement was made last fall, there was a feeling that the mod had been in process for far too long, and it was better to release an alpha than to just keep moseying along forever. But since then we have made quantum leaps in many areas, and have a deeper team working in a larger number of areas. That has allowed us to "raise the bar". Rather than dropping a half finished, barely playable mod on those who've long awaited it, the goal is to deliver a product that is historically rich in detail AND interesting and exciting to play.
Scope creep (also called requirement creep and feature creep) in project management refers to uncontrolled changes or continuous growth in a project's scope. This can occur when the scope of a project is not properly defined, documented, or controlled. One of the many downsides of scope creep is that it delays release of the product.
Despite the fact that this is clear evidence of scope creep, it's fine. This is volunteer work and I'm sure it will be worth the wait. Actually, that it is lie, that stuff does matter. Even volunteer projects should be managed well, but I've got a really nicely modded version of EB to play that is tweaked just to my liking, and I am not sure the first releases of EBII can touch it.
Scope creep (also called requirement creep and feature creep) in project management refers to uncontrolled changes or continuous growth in a project's scope. This can occur when the scope of a project is not properly defined, documented, or controlled. One of the many downsides of scope creep is that it delays release of the product.
Despite the fact that this is clear evidence of scope creep, it's fine. This is volunteer work and I'm sure it will be worth the wait. Actually, that it is lie, that stuff does matter. Even volunteer projects should be managed well, but I've got a really nicely modded version of EB to play that is tweaked just to my liking, and I am not sure the first releases of EBII can touch it.
Scope creep is when you add things to a project that were never part of the original plan. There's nothing we are doing now that wasn't intended all along. The difference is that circumstances changed, and we were able to get the mod to a point where it was possible to do a lot more for the first release. Keep in mind that the mod had many bugs which had been there from the beginning, and one reason for the "early release" idea was to get more eyeballs on the problems - that need no longer exists.
Empire*Of*Media
03-13-2014, 16:52
I'll keep it, just as a reminder of darker times, times that are nearly over...
lol indeed yes. but i just like Animations of Rome II. and i think its the only Advantage and nothing more.
Personally I already left R2. I reallly prefer to play M2TW mods like IB2 or just enjoy the early spring we have in western europe atm than give anymore of my time this non-immersive flat piece of software.
And dreaminfg while watching at the fantastic screenshots of EB2 on twitter.
yes indeed. i played Rome I for more than 9 years, and still i love playing it online and custom battles. and thats because of Conquering everywhere so many times! but still tired of it generally!
i personally love the gameplay of Rome I and a bit of Med2 and Empire & Napoleon. the Shogun II anything except the gameplay its exactly like Rome II. but there's something you want to play it sometimes !!
its strange people never left Rome I & Med2!! someone made a thread in totalwar.com's forum that say goodbye to Rome I. well he was attacked by so many Rome I lovers including me!! hehe !
i think only Rome I and Med2 will be somehow Immortal!! and the other are just released and should be abandoned.
but EB is something else.
besides, i couldnt run IB! dont know why! when i click on CAMPAIGN button it says "select a faction from the list" sadly.....
anyway...... i think there is something in this world that everything good is From Past and its First! its not just about Games but Movies Musics memories and..............dont you agree?!
anyway...... i think there is something in this world that everything good is From Past and its First! its not just about Games but Movies Musics memories and..............dont you agree?!
Not just nostalgia. The present, even allowing for a certain fuzzyness, is much smaller than the past. Anything good in the present soon joins the ever increasing past.
The present just can't keep anything. Which might be why it seems to be sulking so much of the time.
Empire*Of*Media
03-15-2014, 00:29
Not just nostalgia. The present, even allowing for a certain fuzzyness, is much smaller than the past. Anything good in the present soon joins the ever increasing past.
The present just can't keep anything. Which might be why it seems to be sulking so much of the time.
but i guess nowdays "Presents" are getting more & more rubbish than it was in the past "Presents"!!
Hamburger
03-17-2014, 14:50
but i guess nowdays "Presents" are getting more & more rubbish than it was in the past "Presents"!!
Indeed, i felt that too.
Interesting to note that Pliny was making similar comments those above in the 1st century BC.
Gaius Sempronius Gracchus
03-17-2014, 19:01
Interesting to note that Pliny was making similar comments those above in the 1st century BC.
Welll, it's clear that its been downhill all the way since then, then.
moonburn
03-17-2014, 20:22
i prefer to believe the spartan quote i read a few weeks back that weakling old men miss the time where they where young and their envy lends them to devaluate the present and make the past look more palable even though times have not changed people tend to think that before was better
lets make a reality check dieing of a badtooth a common cold or starving to death check the past was so great ...
hability to go to one place to another in 24 hours or less in the past 50km nowadays with a average carrier considering we loose 4 hours to land and refueld 40.000 km´s give or take
possibility of dieing or being severly wounded by a wild animal natural catasthrophe floods and so forth in the past high chance nowadays we get tsunami alertsistems better buildings prepared for fires and earthquackes points the pst again ...
chances to be bored in the past none you´re either working not to starve or you´re working cause you have no rights and whoever rules your lands will cut off your hands if you don´t work nowadays too many boredom opurtunities
when reaching an old age social protection if you didn´t had kids or lost it to hundreads of events you´re screwed nowadays you get your retirement fund but it gets kind of lonely so you bitch about the present and say that the past was great so someone will give you some attention checked
indeed it´s been all downhill since the last 3.000 years
Gaius Sempronius Gracchus
03-17-2014, 20:35
I must remember; Irony does not translate well in written form.
Alcibiade
03-20-2014, 00:42
anyway...... i think there is something in this world that everything good is From Past and its First! its not just about Games but Movies Musics memories and..............dont you agree?!
It's true that last time I started a EB campaign after a long time, the flute notes from the campaign screen music sent me directly into a warm section of my memory.
But I think that the awesomeness of RTW and M2TW is something real that doesn't need any help from a nostalgia effect. It's just plain, objective awesomeness.
To me, the fact that the game industry created a game that could be modified by the talent and passion of some modders and become such a fun and immersive type of wargame is almost miraculous. A perfect blend of fun and simulation obtained by serendipity.
And when I see the road CA is taking with R2 I feel like this kind of miracle won't happen twice.
After R2, I tested numerous strategy games and a long succession of disapointment brought me back to M2TW and RTW mods. All the way back to... EB.
moonburn
03-20-2014, 02:59
once eb2 is out expecially the future versions wich should be better balanced and more primped i don´t think i will ever need to play another strategy classical game since taking account of eb1 i think eb2 will be the closest to perfection one will ever get without like icharus being burned to the ground
joshmahurin
03-20-2014, 05:38
such a fun and immersive type of wargame
I think it's a tribute to EB that the war aspect is my least favorite part of these games now :P
Titus Marcellus Scato
03-25-2014, 09:23
Total Economics:laugh4:
:beam:
joshmahurin
03-25-2014, 22:40
Well no for me its the cultural roleplay
Alcibiade
03-26-2014, 12:55
Personally I try to breed a line of unselfish/disloyal/charismatic/langourous governors and gather them all in Rome around some banquet or hear their battle speech being something like :
"Here we go another battle. I know some of you didn't want to be here but sometimes we have to do something we don't want to just because somebody tell us to. I didn't want to be here today but I promised my mother I'd make a good show of it"
Somewhere y'all said you were adding creeps.
I do hope y'all stick to your roots and have historically accurate creeps.
I mean, we really don't want sparkly vampires, nice guy werewolves and zombies that want to be like normal people.
And, please, no fast zombies. Fast zombies are soo not historical.
moonburn
03-28-2014, 21:51
the representation of creeps is hard in history cause before the invention of wierd glasses and vans the creeps where just like regular people just with wierder maneirisms some of them where considered holyman in the same manner as epilepsical dudes
the same happens with the accurate representation of douches it´s night impossible to distinguish them from regular soldiers before the invention of spraytan
assholes on the other hand is fairly easy since they always give themselfs away with the smallest promotion they show their true collours
Empire*Of*Media
03-29-2014, 10:00
How Much EXACTLY This beautiful mod.....oh Sorry this beautiful Game will be released?!
Eastern Foot-Rocker
03-29-2014, 22:29
All the way back to... EB.
The same here. I was so disapointed by r2 that i got back to EB. I bought myself the Alexander Addon and installed jirysis mega mod pack. Its a bit different from BI.exe now, but the AI is not that enhanced. Still i play EB again since months.
I am so disappointed that there is no development on Novus Ordo Mundi anymore. I was really waiting for playing the hasmoneans and kick ass the Roman empire. Unfortunately this mod really is dead.
Alcibiade
03-30-2014, 12:46
The same here. I was so disapointed by r2 that i got back to EB. I bought myself the Alexander Addon and installed jirysis mega mod pack. Its a bit different from BI.exe now, but the AI is not that enhanced. Still i play EB again since months.
I am so disappointed that there is no development on Novus Ordo Mundi anymore. I was really waiting for playing the hasmoneans and kick ass the Roman empire. Unfortunately this mod really is dead.
Yes, well the EB uchronia mod looks promising and in the meantime, I really enjoyed using jirisy's mega mod for alex.exe.
It has been a very long wait, but my confidence never diminished.....I would love to help, but I dont think I am usable, so continued good luck guys
Thank you. We're still at it, never you fear, even if we are not as far along as we (and you) would like to be at this stage.... well, back to my Gauls.
What requires the most work ATM?
My PhD:clown:
Good question. Kull or V.T. Marvin would be best placed to answer that question.
We still need the standard compliment of volunteers with requisite skills; 3D modellers, 2D artists, programmers, scripters and people with the neccessary historical and archaeological knowledge.
What requires the most work ATM?
It may seem odd, but one of the biggest issues is to develop a system for packing and installing the mod, and solidifying the update process. This mod is large and complex and we have found that while the mod "plays well with others", M2TW does NOT. So we have to account for that, and other things in order to make the distribution, download and installation process as seamless as possible. When the mod is released, neither you nor we want to be deluged with legitimate cries for help. It should install properly and correctly with a minimum of fuss, so the whole team isn't bogged down by installation problems instead of working to adress bug fixes and new content. Don't take that to mean that we'll be releasing right away once this issue is addressed. However. It WILL allow us to set an internal date and work toward identifying and completing the final "must haves" prior to the first release.
70% 80% 90% 95% 99.99999 repeating %?
70% 80% 90% 95% 99.99999 repeating %?
Difficult to say. In some areas we can quantify how much there is left to do. For example 85% of the strat map characters are finished, whilst 100% of the British province descriptions are done, as are about 90% of those for Germania, Poland and the European Steppe.
The problem is that the goal posts change position at times. So, for example this time last year it looked as if we had completed the Celtic governments and inheritance system for those factions. Then somebody (me) decided that this didn't do justification to the way in which Celtic societies operated, and that it ignored important regional variations which existed in this period and so new government systems were added (btw this means playing as the Gauls will be very different to playing as the Pritanoi, it also means that once your Aedui/Arverni/Boii empire reaches a certain size you will need one hell of an influential FL if you want to keep it together).
Thus its difficult to say, overall, how far we are along. All we can say is that every day we are getting closer to being ready. I know its not very helpful but we can't be much more accurate than that.
thanks for the info brenus. no one says to rush this. but at least give us some previews or a video until this is released
thanks for the info brenus. no one says to rush this. but at least give us some previews or a video until this is released
The problem with previews is that they take such a long time to produce (the Arevaci one took me 4 months) and in doing so it drags team members away from more important jobs. For example, I could feasibly do a preview for the Aedui or the Averni, but that would mean I wasn't working on the missing province descriptions for Gaul (just finished making notes for Armorica).
We do have a new volunteer who is looking into producing videos for us. Once we have some new ones I'm sure the team would be happy to preview them.
In the mean time the team will try to keep the Twitter feed updated as regularly as possible and answer any questions which people may have.
...now back to my archaeology :book2:
70% 80% 90% 95% 99.99999 repeating %?
All of the above. We have a master planning thread where the team keeps track (at a high level) of progress in all areas that are being worked. Here's a short snippet showing progress in two areas (there are 61 in total):
Current goal
Progress marked with red is required for this release, while orange is optional.
Battlemap UI -Progress: 90%
Active members: Tsar
Past members: Skynos
Latest update: Revised Rome and West Greek.
Update history: All Battlemap UIs completed by Skyn0s and uploaded into the build.
Current objective: If/when Tsar modifies the Campaign Map UIs (as part of his icon work), he may alter the Battlemap UI to match. Good for first release, however.
Threads responsible:
EBII-Cultural-User-Interfaces
Faction symbols/banners/icons: Progress: 75%
Active members: Tsar
Past members: Elhior
Latest update: none
Update history: none
Current objective: All faction icons/symbols are complete, but some still need to be added to all the locations where they are seen (f/e still using both old & new Lusotannan icons); Many of the new factions don't have Rebel and "Empty Town" banners. Acceptable for first release, but not optimal.
Threads responsible:
EB2-Stratmap-banners-(for-empty-settlements)
Final Stratmap Banners
The problem is that the goal posts change position at times. So, for example this time last year it looked as if we had completed the Celtic governments and inheritance system for those factions. Then somebody (me) decided that this didn't do justification to the way in which Celtic societies operated, and that it ignored important regional variations which existed in this period and so new government systems were added
God damn it I love this team's design philosophy. When I read about delays I do get disappointed, but when I see it's for a design reason I just get so glad you guys do what you do. I'll take historical authenticity and game quality over an expedient release any day. You guys really are bringing History alive in a way the people you're representing would be proud of. Fight the good Fight EB devs.
I_damian
07-11-2014, 16:36
It's not nostalgia that makes Rome 1 (and the wonderful EB mod) better than Rome 2, not at all. It's the same as how the first Pokemon games (Blue, Red and Yellow) were better than the most modern ones (X and Y). This isn't nostalgia at all, the games back then were more lovingly made. Nowadays the ultimate goal of most games is "How can we design this to make as much money as possible?" whereas back then it was "How can we design this to give the best experience of ancient civilizations trading and fighting with each other?".
I bought Rome 2 the day it was released almost a year ago and I've still only played it for 19 hours. 18 of those hours were in the first 3 days of it being released, 1 of those hours was last week when I reinstalled it again to see if it was good yet (it's not, I uninstalled it again).
So a few weeks ago I installed Rome 1 again, no mods, just vanilla Rome 1 fully patched up. I played for a few hours and enjoyed it a million times more than Rome 2. The music is better, there's a family tree, my generals and family members all have tons of traits and retinues, there are more buildings, I can connect my empire with roads and naval battles are way better in Rome 1. HOW CAN NAVAL BATTLES BE BETTER IN ROME 1 WHEN IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE NAVAL BATTLES!?!?!? Because naval battles in Rome 2 are horrendously boring, tedious AND pointless.
Then I installed the EB mod (which I have played for thousands of hours since it was released back in 2006 or 2007) and got so immersed in it that 5 hours of real life passed by, even though all I had done is started a game as the Seleukids and played about 8 turns (2-years). I was reading building and unit descriptions, character biographies and traits and retinues, installing different types of governments in my provinces (I absolutely love how you can have homeland and vassal type provinces with the government system in EB1) and so on and so on. I can barely play Rome 2 for 30 minutes without getting bored. I can play EB1 for 5 hours just reading the unit and building descriptions and listening to that beautiful music, imagining the way people lived back then quite clearly thanks to the detailed descriptions of everything which just suck you right in to the game.
Can't wait for EB2!
gstephenopolous
07-12-2014, 09:09
It's not nostalgia that makes Rome 1 (and the wonderful EB mod) better than Rome 2, not at all. It's the same as how the first Pokemon games (Blue, Red and Yellow) were better than the most modern ones (X and Y). This isn't nostalgia at all, the games back then were more lovingly made. Nowadays the ultimate goal of most games is "How can we design this to make as much money as possible?" whereas back then it was "How can we design this to give the best experience of ancient civilizations trading and fighting with each other?".
I bought Rome 2 the day it was released almost a year ago and I've still only played it for 19 hours. 18 of those hours were in the first 3 days of it being released, 1 of those hours was last week when I reinstalled it again to see if it was good yet (it's not, I uninstalled it again).
So a few weeks ago I installed Rome 1 again, no mods, just vanilla Rome 1 fully patched up. I played for a few hours and enjoyed it a million times more than Rome 2. The music is better, there's a family tree, my generals and family members all have tons of traits and retinues, there are more buildings, I can connect my empire with roads and naval battles are way better in Rome 1. HOW CAN NAVAL BATTLES BE BETTER IN ROME 1 WHEN IT DOESN'T EVEN HAVE NAVAL BATTLES!?!?!? Because naval battles in Rome 2 are horrendously boring, tedious AND pointless.
Then I installed the EB mod (which I have played for thousands of hours since it was released back in 2006 or 2007) and got so immersed in it that 5 hours of real life passed by, even though all I had done is started a game as the Seleukids and played about 8 turns (2-years). I was reading building and unit descriptions, character biographies and traits and retinues, installing different types of governments in my provinces (I absolutely love how you can have homeland and vassal type provinces with the government system in EB1) and so on and so on. I can barely play Rome 2 for 30 minutes without getting bored. I can play EB1 for 5 hours just reading the unit and building descriptions and listening to that beautiful music, imagining the way people lived back then quite clearly thanks to the detailed descriptions of everything which just suck you right in to the game.
Can't wait for EB2!
I wish I'd given my $60 to the EB team instead of buying Rome 2. Still hurts to see it on my Steam games list.
moonburn
07-12-2014, 10:12
got the same experience with the seulekids but my 1st 2 years lost me 8 hours
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