Rome, ok. So is there still an expansion?

[Zauba'a]

So it's official that the new game is Rome. Yeah, I've got to admit that it looks like a fantastic game, but I have one burning question: Is there still a MTW expansion pack?

I know I'm probably gonna piss some people off with my inconsiderateness, but hey, I saw those screens, and there's no way in hell that my little gerbil-powered box is ever gonna be able to play that game. So all that I can hope for is either a new computer (fat chance) or an expansion pack for MTW that was rumoured to be in the works not too long ago.

Vikings, Scotts, I don't care what it adds, I just need more MTW

[Sir Chauncy]

I happen to agree actually. I think that I would prefer an expansion before another game. That and the fact that i was holding out for Fnatasy total war http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif .

Incidentally, this brings me to my next point. Is it really Rome? I have seen many things that say it is but nothing from CA or Activision themselves. Only shots for a game that has Roman stuff in it and was released in German. Gifted as i am I cannot speak German so know nothing about what it was saying...

[ShadesWolf]

OK these are the facts as far as I know it.....

1/ There is going to be a ADD-ON pack to MTW. It will be called Vikings.....but not much more is kmown about it.

The only link I can find on it is

To the Game.com (http://www.tothegame.com/game.asp?ID=2097)

As you can see it doesnt tell u much. The release date should be March 21 2003.

2/ As for the sequel. We dont offically have a name for it yet, just a few hear says and some pictures... But nothing offical.

PC GAMER (uk) promises to have an exclusive in its next issue, so until then we must wait http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

BTW I would expect ROME not to be out until March 2004. So at £10 per week from now until then, would give u enough money for a new computer http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[solypsist]

ShadesWolf has the right idea about getting a new computer. While it is discouraging that the Rome game will require such a massive investment for a system to play the game, it was only a matter of time before all games went this way anyway. For the record, I'll be saving my pennies (not looking forward to it) for a new machine for whenever Rome comes out.

[GilJaysmith]

Quote[/b] (solypsist @ Dec. 29 2002,15:38)]ShadesWolf has the right idea about getting a new computer. While it is discouraging that the Rome game will require such a massive investment for a system to play the game, it was only a matter of time before all games went this way anyway. For the record, I'll be saving my pennies (not looking forward to it) for a new machine for whenever Rome comes out.
How do you know that TW3 will require a machine upgrade?

Min spec has not been announced.

Not wishing to get people's hopes up (the min spec as I understand it is higher than MTW's) but you shouldn't depress yourselves by trying to forecast things without enough data...

[Kraxis]

And there we have it...

Gil just blew his cover... subtle it is but he just did it by making that comment on the min specs will be higher. The game is then into the Alpha state or else they could not make such a judgement and the game we have seen looks to be in the Alpha state. Hahahaha... I figured you out Gil. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[Zauba'a]

Still the fact remains that while most peoples' computers have cool video cards and sound cards and processors and wires, mine is powered by Lemmywinks the gerbil as he runs and runs on his wheel generator. And while most people can actually personally command their battles, I have to auto-resolve mine or else Lemmywinks will get a heart attack and black boxes will cover all my units and the trees too.


Still good to hear that there's still an expansion. Thanks y'all. But I don't know if I can save more than $2 a week.

[FesterShinetop]

Maybe you can just save all you can and get a new 3d card (or else some power-food for lemmywinks http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif )

I read a Belgian games magazine stating the TW expansion (indeed Vikings) is planned for coming march and it will also include a new campaign... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif Is that possible?

[Musashi]

Just remember: Your 3d card is more important than your processor for gaming. A 600mhz dinosaur with a Geforce4 will do better than a 2ghz monster with a rage pro http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

-Musashi

[solypsist]

Quote[/b] ]How do you know that TW3 will require a machine upgrade?

the point wasn't to be negative, just a general remark based on consensus: a good chunk of Org members have computers about five years old; many have processors under 1gig. there was even a point earlier when several of the older veteran users of this site couldn't play MTW because their current systems couldn't handle it, though they were able to play STW just fine.

[Muneyoshi]

Quote[/b] (Kraxis @ Dec. 29 2002,12:29)]And there we have it...

Gil just blew his cover... subtle it is but he just did it by making that comment on the min specs will be higher. The game is then into the Alpha state or else they could not make such a judgement and the game we have seen looks to be in the Alpha state. Hahahaha... I figured you out Gil. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif
Gil's a sneaky little though http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif Lets just hope Rome actually is TW:D

But by the LOOKS of it, that requires some high specs (Or as Musashi pointed out, a nice vid card, which I dont have:() Ah well, im just gonna wait and pray and hope

[ShadesWolf]

The way i see it is this.....

I brought a new laptop in May - Not top of the range but quite good - P4 1.8 512 Ram. It play MTW fine no problems..

The previous May I purchased my wife a Laptop - only twelves months earlier Shogun played fine on it, MTW was terrible.

These two machines cost the same money........

All I am saying is, a machine that is average today, wont hack a new game in 16 months. True you can add a new graphics card, add more memory, processor etc.... But by doing all that you are almost half way to getting new machine anyway.

I know, without a shadow of a doubt, I will have to either re-format my system to remove all the unwanted stuff to improve performance in 16 months time or it willbe a new machine.

Now in 16 months time, if people have been sensible, they could have saved up enough money to get a new machine....

One of my friends at work wanted a new machine, he as I play CM and the newer versions take ages to initiate, so he decided it had to be a new machine. However, he could not justify spending £1000, as he is married, has kids and a mortage, so what he did was give up smoking, and place the money he would have spent on fags into a kitty and in about 4-6months he had enough for a new machine.

£40 a month for most 20 somethings is not a lot of money, its one night out a month. (or it was for me, and that was 10years ago - Boy I feel old now http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/mecry.gif )

So what I am basically sayig if you have an old machine, that is 1- 2 years old, start saving now, for in 16 months time will will need to be replaced. The industry ismoving so quick, and prices are coming down all the time......

[Stormer]

hmm i take it tha expansion will be realsed as tothegame.com have gave a relase date but its only 2 months away not far away hmm... hopefully we find out soon

[ToranagaSama]

Quote[/b] (Musashi @ Dec. 29 2002,23:07)]Just remember: Your 3d card is more important than your processor for gaming. A 600mhz dinosaur with a Geforce4 will do better than a 2ghz monster with a rage pro http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

-Musashi
Your statement is misleading, and exhibits the dull logic behind people with "monster" video cards still having performance issues.

A Geforce 2 with a 2ghz "monster" cpu and 500 megs (or a Gig) of memory will outpeform your 600mhz dinosaur with the Geforce 4. Simply because the 600mhz dinosaur CANNOT keep up with the Geforce 4 While the 2ghz cpu can feed the Geforce 2 all it needs and then some.

A perfect world would be the 2ghz cpu (I'd perfer an Athlon) with a Geforce 4, but more realistically a 1.5 gigaherz CPU with a GeForce 3 should do QUITE nicely.

So, if you present PC isn't quite up to date, no reason why a job at Mikey Dee's won't afford you an upgrade. By the time RTW comes out a 1.5 gig cpu will cost about US$50 and a Gefore 3 US$100 or LESS considering there'll probably be a GeForce 6 out by that time. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Do a little homework on the subject and match your parts properly, maintain your system properly and you'll save much money and have good performance.

This throwing more and more powerful Video Cards at weak systems is none too bright and a WASTE of money

Take this from a guy who ran Shogun, Homeworld, Half-Life and Tropico on a Celeron 300A o/c to 450, with 196 megs of PC100 ram (mighta been PC66), and a Voodoo 3 (prior to that on a Voodoo 2).

Only playing MP with HW and a ridiculous number of ships all smashing together on the BIGGEST map ever created (i forget the name) did I experience a slowdown; also a slight slowdown with Tropico at the extreme. The slowdowns were with the Voodoo2. Voodoo3 same setup, no slowdowns.

Your 3D card is NOT more important than your CPU

For example, the latest 3D cards are in the neighborhood of US$350-400. If money is an issue, it would be smarter to purchase a $250 card and take the extra $100 (maybe add $25) to it and purchase a new CPU. Do a little system maintenance and you get better performance than plucking the whole $350 on a 3D card and keeping the 900mhz dinosaur.

A PC is a "system" and its how the parts of that system work together that is "important" And if anything is "MOST" important it would be keeping a COOL system. Heat is the #1 problem today

[Rosacrux]

Toranagasama is right on spot... in the magazine I am working, I did the other day a "perfect pairs" test, to find out which graphics cards performe better with certain CPUs.

I personally checked about 110 pairs. Some interesting findings of this test: A Geforce 4 MX 440 with a Athlon 2.200+ outperformed a Geforce 4 Ti 4400 with a 1600+ Athlon. A Geforce 4 Ti 4200 kneeled a Geforce 4 Ti 4600 because it was helped by a P 4 2.53, while the 4600 run on a Celeron 1.8 system.

As for upgrade goes: Step by step. Try to upgrade one component at the time, trying to maintain overall stability and (of course) compatibility. And balance is quite crucial.

[Cooperman]

You can't blam CA,I can't think of one sequel that hasn't had a high spec than the original game. It's just an unfortunate situation but if you want to play the latest games with improved graphics, gameplay, AI, etc you pretty much have to upgrade your pc every couple of years.
Don't take min specs seriously though you really want the recommended spec, my pc meets the min spec for morrowind but that only means the game works on my pc not that it runs fast enough to be playable http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/rolleyes.gif

[jas]

Quote[/b] (Cooperman @ Dec. 31 2002,06:26)]I can't think of one sequel that hasn't had a high spec than the original game. It's just an unfortunate situation but if you want to play the latest games with improved graphics, gameplay, AI, etc you pretty much have to upgrade your pc every couple of years.
I actually think its pretty cool that there's an area of technology (PCs) where the demands for pushing the envelope are set by people playing games. Historically most technology has been usually driven by military applications (whether you're thinking metal-working, penicillin, computers/cryptography or whatever). Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside .. of course the games are all about killing people but hey ..

[Lord Krazy]

Quote[/b] (GilJaysmith @ Dec. 29 2002,19:23)]
Quote[/b] (solypsist @ Dec. 29 2002,15:38)]ShadesWolf has the right idea about getting a new computer. While it is discouraging that the Rome game will require such a massive investment for a system to play the game, it was only a matter of time before all games went this way anyway. For the record, I'll be saving my pennies (not looking forward to it) for a new machine for whenever Rome comes out.
How do you know that TW3 will require a machine upgrade?

Min spec has not been announced.

Not wishing to get people's hopes up (the min spec as I understand it is higher than MTW's) but you shouldn't depress yourselves by trying to forecast things without enough data...
One could also infer from this statement that Rome
will be the next game as it was not denied or dismissed
as conjecture http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

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

[GilJaysmith]

One could also infer that TW3 was "Lord Of The Rings", as this wasn't even mentioned, and how canny is that?

Min spec is decided a lot earlier on in a game's development than some seem to think. It informs every design decision: if a game *must* work on an 8Mb video card, then every essential element of gameplay must be designed to work together with that in mind. If you want a famous example, Half-Life was designed to work on a 2Mb card (I think... possibly a 1Mb card). As a result the levels had to be split up into sections so that a different load of textures could be loaded onto the card, resulting in infrequent pauses for precaching but smooth movement at all other times.

[Lord Krazy]

One could also infer that TW3 was "Lord Of The Rings", as this wasn't even mentioned, and how canny is that?

If this was the case,
then your answere was misleading.
As the quote you used made only a reference
to the rome game.You then proceeded to call it TW3 http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
This is where I drew my inference from http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

btw you'll be getting my vote in the HOF http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

LK http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/dizzy.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[SmokWawelski]

Quote[/b] ]A PC is a "system" and its how the parts of that system work together that is "important"

Very true. This is why my well taken care of PIII933 with GF2 performs as well as my brother's 2GHz GF3 as far as I am concerned.

Yet no ammount of maintnance can make your old card support new DirectX or all the cool technologies that games will use, so upgrading is necessary. I myself started saving for R9500 and will soon play MTW in glory of fluid, massive arm engagements...

[Spino]

Actually Musashi's analogy used a RAGE PRO, NOT a GeForce 2. There's a world of difference between those two cards and because of that, his example is valid. I'll take that 600Mhz CPU and GF4 over a 2Ghz CPU and a Rage Pro for any recent 3D game you care to mention, especially your basic 3D shooter. I don't expect the framerates to be sky high but at least I'll be able to load, let alone play a game like Battlefield 1942 or UT 2003

True, a powerful CPU is needed to make the most out of a state of the art 3D card but it's heavily dependent on the generation of 3d hardware you're talking about. For most of today's 3d games the hardware must be capable of rendering x number of polygons and storing x megs of textures (as well as a host of other variables, like multitexturing and DX7 or greater compatibility) otherwise it's a no go.

[malkuth]

The screens look good. Sounds like it will be a good game.

But you all must relize that the chances of this game coming out in 2003 is very very rare. CA has not even really announced it yet. And I have never seen the first release date actually make it. (for instance Im still waiting for MOO3 to come out)

So the expansion will come out first and before the third game. Also no company would release a Expansion and a Sequel so close to each other since the Sequel would kill the expansion sales.

SOOOOOOOO yeah we now know RTW is coming. When it will hit the shelves is a whole other question.

[Spino]

Quote[/b] ]But you all must relize that the chances of this game coming out in 2003 is very very rare. CA has not even really announced it yet. And I have never seen the first release date actually make it. (for instance Im still waiting for MOO3 to come out)

You have a good point but keep in mind that the German Gamestar site said to expect RTW by 3rd quarter 2003. And the Viking Invasion expansion pack for Medieval should be out in a few months so there certainly won't be 'back to back' TW releases as you predicted. Technically speaking, a third quarter 2003 release gives CA another 9 months to put get RTW into shape and onto shelves. However, I think it's more realistic to expect Rome TW by Christmas. Last but not least I believe CA has at least two or three design teams at its disposal so RTW may have begun development back when MTW was in late alpha/early beta stages.

Based on what we've actually seen and read (sneak preview trailer, screenshots and sparse testimony of journalists who have actually seen RTW in action) I truly believe Rome TW is pretty far along in terms of development. If not then why go to the trouble of creating a sneak preview trailer and marking January 16th (see GilJay's comments) as the official preview date? For all we know RTW could be in early alpha stages by now, this would certainly give CA enough working material to showcase to journalists for some juicy preview articles.

Then again... I could be completely wrong and look like a fool come January 16th... http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/frown.gif

MOO3 is a whole other ball of wax. The primary cause behind MOO3 missing its original release date was because its main designer insisted on making the most unneccessarily complex sci-fi strategy game ever made Beta testers revealed that playing the original pre-release beta was more work than fun. The publisher put its foot down and demanded that MOO3 be streamlined for gameplay's sake. The main designer refused and was fired and/or quit. Since then the remaining designers and coders have trimmed MOO3 down, enough so that beta testers have reported actually having fun while testing it

[SmokWawelski]

Quote[/b] ]MOO3 is a whole other ball of wax. The primary cause behind MOO3 missing its original release date was because its main designer insisted on making the most unneccessarily complex sci-fi strategy game ever made Beta testers revealed that playing the original pre-release beta was more work than fun. The publisher put its foot down and demanded that MOO3 be streamlined for gameplay's sake. The main designer refused and was fired and/or quit. Since then the remaining designers and coders have trimmed MOO3 down, enough so that beta testers have reported actually having fun while testing it

I have been waiting for Moo3 so long now, that almost lost the hope that this game will be any good. The latest RD is January 14th, right ?

[muffinman14]

Well being a vertern of old STW I first saw about the new game they were making(MTW) and I was so friggen excited I almost pissed my pants http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif ... I would say that RTW seems like it would be delayed for about a month or two but since Gil just blurted out those words 'we wanted to hear'... well Im really glad that its true and we know its true hurah Or the navy seals say it (Hooah&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Well then it brings us to the conclusion about MTW:VI, if its set to be out in March then thatll give us enough time to wait and BTW has any of you heard about that new game that sony has been trying to make (Planetside)? I saw it a PC gamer addition and it looks like its goin to kick arse terribly I mean I think Ill like it more than Medal of Honor:Spearhead and thats a big arse leep in the gaming world for me.

BTW, What does TBC mean?