Viking invasion is a wind up

[Swoosh So]

vote away

[The Marcher Lord]

I still think its going to happen - its just not going to be terribly exciting when it does, particularly now that we have all gone Rome TW crazy

[Swoosh So]

It has to be like the worst marketed game in history The hype is all for rome total war, I wouldent want the peep whose marketing it working for me.

[Alrowan]

well they havent publisised anything much on Rome, just that we are getting carried away with it here... Rome will blow over in a wek or two, then itll just be the waiting game for that one while we all play vikings. I have also seen quite a few game sites talking about vikings anyway

[Swoosh So]

Well i havent seen any vids or screens for the viking invasion yet have u? Infact gil has replied on threads about the 3d capabilities of rome totalwar, but said nothing whatsoever about the viking invasion, In fact the only reason i can see so far the buy the ex pac (if there is one) is to fix the bugs which should be fixed for free anyways


Swoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooosh

[GilJaysmith]

What is this "Rome"? Gil just replied about the min spec of TW3, and didn't confirm or deny what it was.

Official announcements: there's been no official announcement for the addon because, well, we're trying to find out why, but there really should have been by now. And there's been no official announcement for TW3 as yet because that's the Plan. But it's due very soon. Sufficiently soon, in fact, that I feel happy in leaving you all burbling in suspense for it... especially if you're going to start silly polls like this in the meantime ;-)

Gil ~ CA

[Swoosh So]

Silly polls are my specialty gil (Not everyone has to work hard) , Its just strange how you guys announce totalwar3 on the 16th but still nothing on the exp pack at all http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif



Swooooooooosh

[GilJaysmith]

Quote[/b] (Swoosh So @ Jan. 03 2003,09:50)]Silly polls are my specialty gil (Not everyone has to work hard) , Its just strange how you guys announce totalwar3 on the 16th but still nothing on the exp pack at all :)
The 16th is when the next issue of PC Gamer comes out. The 16th is not a date we've mentioned ourselves, except in passing to agree that yes, according to the back of this month's PC Gamer, that's when the next month's issue comes out, and if you want to read what they have to say about it, that's the date you want to wait for.

Is there an Olympic event called Long-Jumping To Conclusions? ;-) These forums could clean up...

[MonkeyMan]

LOL

I did find the following from the PC Zone website quite amusing though, looks like Gils' getting games journalists interested now too.

****************************************

TOTAL WAR HEADING TO ROME?

Total War set in the Roman Empire anyone? Well, that's where reports are suggesting the PC RTS series is heading next...

12:10 The rumour mill has ground into action once again, this time suggesting that developer Creative Assembly is currently working on a third title in its Total War RTS series that focuses on the Roman Empire. Any grain of truth here, or is it just a load of hot air?
Well, unsurprisingly, when questioned about a Roman Empire-based outing in the Total War series, publisher Activision gave us a "no comment". However, titillating words from Creative Assembly's Gil Jaysmith suggest that something is definitely afoot.

"No doubt an official announcement will be made sometime soon," Jaysmith commented recently in a forum post in response to the circulating rumours about a Roman Empire Total War.

But perhaps most intriguing were some of Jaysmith's final words: "Please don't press me for further information; I'm not a member of the TW3 [Total War 3, we assume - Ed] team and would probably just get it wrong if I tried to tell you anything about the game."

While this doesn't confirm the existence of a Roman Empire-based Total War RTS, it does appear that Creative Assembly is currently working on number three in the series. Which is no great surprise really.

Expect more concrete information on this situation soon.

Stuart Bishop

[Stormer]

hehehe 16th when i get cable and the new pc gamer http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

gil maybe you should be in are shoes you know about totalwar 3 and all the others things that that community would kill to know and you hold it away from us like milk from a baby http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif so you got to understand that this is a game we love playing and if there a new one or add on comeing out we need to know

I think some would call it an addiction http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[GilJaysmith]

Yes, I know all about them, and the job which puts me in a position to know all about them is rather dear to my heart and is the main reason I'm not sharing them...

It's much more fun to see all you lot coming to the boil with anticipation. Maybe you should imagine what it's like being in my shoes ;-)

Still, nice to see that I'm famous at last. I'm ready for my close-up now, Mr de Mille.

[Stormer]

hehehe you find it funny now but one night u gonna wake up with an angry mob around you bedthen we see whos laughing muhahahaa http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[LordKhaine]

Angry mob eh?..... that sounds like a plan http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[MasterM!nd]

Havent been a member here for long, neither have I been playing for long. But I did play Shogun TW and the expansion pack for it, and if Viking expansion doesnt add more than the Mongol Invasion I'll be one unhappy MTW gamer... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Still a great game tho, and I proberly would buy any addons anyway... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[Lehesu]

I can imagine having no new Total War games or expansions in the next 5 years. Heh, heh, imagine all the people writhing on the ground as they go into withdrawal.
"Neeeeed moooore Toootalll....."
"Quick, his EKG is flat-lining"
*kzzzt*
"Sir, all you alright?"
"Toootalll Waaarrrr..."
The poor people would undergo years of therapy and physical (and psychological) rehab. In short, CA HAS to make (and announce) the game, otherwise the blood of millions will be on their hands

[GilJaysmith]

Has there ever been an expansion pack which anyone on this forum has liked?

There's been lots of grumbling and "it'll only be a few extra units" and all that... but nothing to specify exactly what constitutes value for money. Is it measurable in 'hours of play'? In the % size by which the game install increases? How does one expand a strategy game? Should one expand a strategy game?

Speak, or I'll assume you just like complaining...

[Stormer]

oh im complaining http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Lehesu]

Me, I don't mind MORE units, Hell, I love em' but they need to have some purpose or specialty. I don't play campaigns too much, I buy expacks mainly for the custom or instant action. However, if you were to make an expansion, the best thing to do, in my opinion, is to add a WHOLE new civilization or two with unique units and such. Rather than "Vikings" only, you could call it "Barbarians" and allow you to play as all the "barbaric" civs not included in the original. The Scots, Vikings, Burgundians, Germanic Barbarians, and a whole lot of other civs listed throughout the forums. The Mongol Invasion xpack was ok but only created a sort of half-civ. It could have been much better if a building tree, more units, and a bit more map, maybe some of Korea?, had been provided for the Mongols. What really ticks of gamers, as far as I know, is a very obviously cheap xpack. Add a short campaign, two-four new units, keep interface, and voila A bad xpack. In short, (after a long time getting there) QUALITY is more important than QUANTITY. Give us a good reason to buy the xpack

[solypsist]

wow that whole lack of accountability on the internet thing is rearing its head...everyone being a critic and so forth.

i think the deal is that those people who are looking forward to the expansion, or who plan to get it regardless, are the ones remaining quiet - silence being the sign of a status quo. i have to wonder if the people who complain incessently about every little thing and dissect each post purely on semantics on here do likewise in "real life", i can only imagine a globe full of curmudgeons if so.

yes. no official word on what TW3 will actually be, but hey, the evidence out there is substantially more than just circumstantial.
but first, bring on the Vikings.

[The Marcher Lord]

Well Gil I still love playing the Mongol expansion for STW so there is a positive vote for ya. I did actually think that was a worthy addition which improved the depth and playability of the original as well as adding many new and useful features eg. map editor, new scenery, the Mongols etc.

Without knowing much about the Viking expansion its difficult to comment on that one other than that the title isn't very inspiring. Most of us are happy with the Danes in the game already and potentially giving us more of the same isn't too exciting a prospect. But in the end, if the MTW expansion gives us as much new content and features as STW-MI I will be happy

[MasterM!nd]

Nowadays so called "Expansion packs" never live up to their name imho, mostly they do just add a few new maps, units and other minor stuff (like GilJaysmith said).

That aint 'expanding' thats merely a minor addon, and 'expansion' is meant to expand the way you play the game and the game itself imo.
MTW does have loads of potential and ofcos new units etc etc are welcomed too, but there is others ways too. Like.....
Adding new gaming area
Adding more provinces
Other campaign types
Option for skirmish fights/campaigns
Longer playing period

You hardcore players proberly could add tons of other things too... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

And the point? New units + maps aint 'expanding' its just 'addon'

[Swoosh So]

I remember the hype b4 mi and to be honest it wasent worth the hype at all, In my personal opinion it basically destroyed the online community with regards to multiplayer game, Mtw on the other hand is the best strat game out there and very nice single player but again, its multiplayer side is seriously flawed from what i read here, Maybe abit too difficult to balance all those units with a limited time frame, I wont mention the viking x pak again im not buzzing with excitement for it, im just bored at work http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Now rome total war thats a different story http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Ps: Gil dont get all http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/argue.gif be http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/flirt.gif

[Shahed]

The Vikings are coming, I think so at least.

As for the Romans we do not need an official announcement from CA saying:

Ok u Total War community Now hear this Rome TW is the next game http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

The CA marketers seemed to be doing everything right so far. the leaks to the magazines are a good way to ensure that that the game gets due attention in the media. The RTW game is already much anticipated. I personally am looking forward to the x pack as well, but certainly RTW should outclass everything else so far. Let's not forget though that certainly since this is a new engine, and seems to be a vastly expanded game, there are bound to be many uproars about balance and gameplay.

BTW will Rome TW have MP ? Guess so eh ? Much improved version of MP ? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif *keeps fingers crossed*

[Shahed]

Quote[/b] (Swoosh So @ Jan. 03 2003,18:29)]im just bored at work http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif


Swoosh Job Search leads to... (http://www.creative-assembly.co.uk/jobs.shtml)

http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[Swoosh So]

Swoosh sings.... Im too sexy for ca http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/flirt.gif





Swooooooooooooooooooosh

[Jacque Schtrapp]

I for one have truly enjoyed playing MTW. Does it have problems? Could it be improved on? Absolutely, if not it would be the very incarnation of gaming perfection and we would all be so busy playing it that we would never surface long enough to visit these forums. As it stands, I am surprised by the lack of marketing involved in the "ex-pak." Blaming Activision (not CA) I am still looking forward to playing Vikings. What's in a name anyway? Maybe it means that a horde of vikings much like the GH will descend upon northern europe at some random point. Sounds interesting to me.

By the way Gil, you must be an extremely laid back individual, cause I don't take criticsm well and if I was you visiting these boards and watching someone verbally disembowel my hard work (coding=yuck).... well I'd be flaming like Rupaul Thanks for taking the time to contribute to our discussions.

P.S. if you can't leak about TW3 then how about a hint for Vikings Invasion? You know you revel in our begging

[TheDanesZandy]

Might i add wish in all modesty , I really like to c a Napoleonic version of totalwar ;o)



TheDanesZandy

[_Martyr_]

In my opinion a lot of xpacks are a waste of money, but there are cases where they are worth every penny. Ground control: Dark Conspiracy is a great add-on, for example.

[Spino]

Quote[/b] ]There's been lots of grumbling and "it'll only be a few extra units" and all that... but nothing to specify exactly what constitutes value for money. Is it measurable in 'hours of play'? In the % size by which the game install increases? How does one expand a strategy game? Should one expand a strategy game?

Speak, or I'll assume you just like complaining...

OK Gil, try this out for size...

First, foremost and obviously we expect expansion packs to add new content to the original game. This typically comes in the form of new maps, units, campaigns, whatever have you. These are things that usually do not alter the original gameplay or the engine itself but simply provide more of the same enjoyable experiences that the original delivered. There should be enough content in the expansion so that it can provide a fresh, unique spin to the original game while maintaining the same atmosphere.

Secondly, one expects that an expansion pack should improve or modify the original game in such a fashion that things like User Interfaces, AI, bug fixes, features, etc., things that reasonable fans and critics have requested and complained about since the original was released, are taken care of. Basically it comes down to improvements in gameplay. In a way, this somewhat more important for a game like MTW because the original was intended to be infinitely replayable. After repeated replays niggling issues with the AI, stability, the GUI, etc. become painfully obvious and prove to be more detrimental to one's overall impression of a game than if said issues were experienced in finite games that have little replay value.

Should one expand a strategy game? Of course If a game is popular and there is sufficient demand for an expansion pack then why shouldn't the developer and publisher provide more fun to consumers in exchange for additional revenue?

How does one expand a strategy game? The same way one expands any other game I suppose. It depends on what the design goals of the original game were. If a strategy game is based on linear campaigns comprised of goal oriented missions (i.e. Blizzard's Starcraft & Warcraft series) then obviously gamers are going to expect a new linear campaign or two. The Total War series are based primarily on the infinite number of dynamic campaign games one can play when assuming control of a particular faction. I guess your best bet is to provide a number of new factions and their respective units along with sufficient historical background and a few more campaign options other than Glorious Achievements and Domination. It appears Viking Invasion will offer us this but I fear the Vikings alone may not be enough for many people.

It really comes down to the perceived percentage increase in overall value that you mentioned. If you expect us to pay 50-65% of the original game's cost for an expansion pack then we expect something that delivers 50-65% more 'stuff' ('stuff' being an odd derivative of additional content & gameplay improvements). I think The Mongol Invasion expansion for Shogun was good, but my judgement is colored by the fact that I jumped on the Shogun bandwagon late and picked up the Warlord all-in-one Edition for a mere $20, an extraordinary bargain. Had I caught the STW fever much earlier I probably would have forked over $20-30 for the Mongol expansion but grudgingly so. I don't believe the contents of that particular expansion justified its initial retail cost.

[GilJaysmith]

Quote[/b] (Jacque Schtrapp @ Jan. 03 2003,14:21)]By the way Gil, you must be an extremely laid back individual, cause I don't take criticsm well and if I was you visiting these boards and watching someone verbally disembowel my hard work (coding=yuck).... well I'd be flaming like Rupaul
This is a gift... but the giver is unknown.

[Stormer]

lol @ swoosh http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[fenir]

Make way people for the next movie star.........

I would like to welcome to the tonite show........Mr GilJaysmith......... Come on out

*cue huge applause*

Jay Lenard: So Gil....May i call you Gil

Gil: You may not Jay.

Jay: Ahhh fair enough....So what can you tell us about the next Total War...what is it Rome?

Gil: Nothing really, you will have to wait like everyone else.

Jay: aaahhh right...ok..ummmm.


PS: I am happy with any extra addons to my MTW. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

fenir http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif

[ToranagaSama]

Quote[/b] (Spino @ Jan. 03 2003,16:38)]
Quote[/b] ]There's been lots of grumbling and "it'll only be a few extra units" and all that... but nothing to specify exactly what constitutes value for money. Is it measurable in 'hours of play'? In the % size by which the game install increases? How does one expand a strategy game? Should one expand a strategy game?

Speak, or I'll assume you just like complaining...

Secondly, one expects that an expansion pack should improve or modify the original game in such a fashion that things like User Interfaces, AI, bug fixes, features, etc., things that reasonable fans and critics have requested and complained about since the original was released, are taken care of. Basically it comes down to improvements in gameplay. In a way, this somewhat more important for a game like MTW because the original was intended to be infinitely replayable. After repeated replays niggling issues with the AI, stability, the GUI, etc. become painfully obvious and prove to be more detrimental to one's overall impression of a game than if said issues were experienced in finite games that have little replay value.
I endorse wholeheartedly the comments above.

An Expansion/Add-On should address the "whiney" type comments that emerge upon a game's release. All the:

Why didn't they...
They shoulda...
I wish they...
We needs...

type comments.

A rather simple MTW example, LIST, LISTS, LISTS One of the biggest initial Howlings in the forum was how the list s/b more functional and provide more information, etc.

With any type of creation put to the public, it is impossible to gauge how the public will respond. What the public will find useful and what they will discard. An Expansion/Add-on should primarly be directed to answer public response. That is, after a period or review, tailoring the game towrds the public's likes and minimizing the public's dislikes.

In addition, the "add-on" part should, as much as possible, provide much of the "stuff" that the Development Team, for a variety of reason, was not able to include in the initial release. Hence, "Add-On"

Regarding, Strategy Games, despite the call for more units, one must realize that this isn't Total Annihilation or Star Craft nor is TW a true RTS game. It's better than such. What people want whether they know how to express or not, is more Strategical and Tactical elements to challenge them.

Throwing more units or more scenarios, whetehr small or large (Mongol Invaison) is just gimmicky and ultimately leads to dissatisfaction as the comments within this thread attest. In every case a Strategy game's success is due to...ahhhh...its successful ability to provide compelling and intriuging Strategical and, additionally in the case of TW, Tactical challenge.

What else is there to want? Oh, I forgot...more units http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

Question to those who want more units:

What units do you want, what do you want them to do, and how would they enhance the Strategic and/or Tactical challenge? More to the point, what areas of strategic or tactical game "balance" could/should be aided by the addition of more unit(s)?

For example, for those with Shogun and Shogun:MI experience, for my limited experience with MI (bought just before release of MTW) Ningata Cavalry were a welcome fit into the balance of the tactical battlefield.

In contrast, Battlefield Ninja and the Kensai were "Gimmicks" that added little to "filling" out the tactical balance of the game. (Perhaps I'm missing something and need more time to evaluate.) Though, perhaps, they were some of the "stuff" that did not make it into the initial release.

Well, just some thoughts.

[Magyar Khan]

well in MI naginate at first were overpowered
after numerous whining they were corrected

ninjas had their use for fun
and kensai was very usefull in defending shooters

the addon brought so many disbalances that most players head started to hurt.

CA makes nice games but they are not able to balance the units, dont ask me why, maybe cuz they are lousy players and only test it head on in costum without overviewing the impact on battles.

how many did play with teh mongols, in a decent comp game u couldt host them cuz they were stupidly overpowered
not the stats should give the invincible armies of teh mongols their power but the wielder of teh mouse, he who converts manouvrability to an art.

so dont expect much from teh add on, than everything u will encounter might be better than u expected. i will whine anyway.

[Xiahou]

Im probably way out there on this one... but howabout the option of playing with seasons? It'd sure be nice to be able to actually have winter battles on occasion. I dont require all 4 either, just winter/summer would be fine. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Also, obvious things like more historical battles/campaigns, as I must admit that I was somewhat disappointed when I found how few the original had. A more robust diplomacy system would also be fantastic.

Oh, and Spino had many good ideas as well... Right now Im not planning on buying the Expansion, but if some of these things make it in (or some other "good" features) I'll likely reconsider.

[Muneyoshi]

Gil Gil Gil, always keeping us in suspense. I say we beat it out of him http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif Come on Gil, just tell me and Doug, we wont say a word http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/pat.gif (If only it were that easy)

[solypsist]

seeing as how this has turned into personal correspondence and new information is not happening, it's over.