Viking Invasion

[Captain Fishpants]

There are quite a lot of rumours and conjectures about the Viking Invasion pack already floating around, so I though people might like to know what's really going to be in the box:

(a) A brand new Viking period campaign with a completely new map of the British Isles and the Scandinavian coast, about 40 regions in total.

(b) A new Viking period technology tree including new buildings and new units for each faction in this campaign.

© 8 new factions for the Viking campaign map - the Saxons, Wlesh, Mercians, Northumbrians, Scots, Picts, Irish and not forgetting the Vikings themselves

(d) Special abilities for Vikings allowing them to raid their enemies and make a profit by doing so

(e) Three new playable factions for the main periods of the game - the Aragonese, Sicilians and Hungarians.

(f) new units for the main period for many factions, including a new anti-personnel artillery piece, the Organ Gun.

You won't be able to play as the Vikings in the original Medieval campaigns, but I think you'll agree that everything adds up to a huge expansion to the game's excitement Even though we've not finished balancing the game I can promise you that you will really enjoy turning berserkers lose on your enemies

Just remember to scream "ODIN" as you order a charge http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

MikeB ~ CA

[Kraxis]

Quote[/b] (Captain Fishpants @ Jan. 08 2003,10:52)](b) A new Viking period technology tree including new buildings and new units for each faction in this campaign.
Ahh nice


Quote[/b] ](d) Special abilities for Vikings allowing them to raid their enemies and make a profit by doing so


Do they do this all the time or is it something we can deside to do?

Also, any changes to the general play of the game? I mean like in MI.

[Leet Eriksson]

i want new muslim infantryhow about a muslim MAA to give them a chance against those horrible order foot soldier(well saracens plus ghazis work,but you know its pretty boring now http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif)

[Xer0]

Hm will the vikings only be avaible to invade England?

[Captain Fishpants]

Quote[/b] (Kraxis @ Jan. 08 2003,11:07)]
Quote[/b] (Captain Fishpants @ Jan. 08 2003,10:52)](b) A new Viking period technology tree including new buildings and new units for each faction in this campaign.
Ahh nice


Quote[/b] ](d) Special abilities for Vikings allowing them to raid their enemies and make a profit by doing so


Do they do this all the time or is it something we can deside to do?

Also, any changes to the general play of the game? I mean like in MI.
Vikings have a "cashback bonus" when destroying any buildings in a region they conquer. They don't have to do it, but their basic economy is very(&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif basic, and this is a great way of making money

Oh yes, and they don't have to worry about ports when embarking armies either...

[Captain Fishpants]

Quote[/b] (Xer0 @ Jan. 08 2003,11:11)]Hm will the vikings only be avaible to invade England?
Yes. The Vikings will be one of eight factions fighting it out for control of the whole of the British Isles, not just "England" (which doesn't exist as such in 793AD anyway). Remember that Dublin was a Viking town at one time

MikeB ~ CA

[Leet Eriksson]

how will raiding work?

imo it should be like this:when you "raid" a province(i don't know how but there must be a "raiding" command available for vikings)you would engage "part" of the enemy army and when you beat them you can rip down and loot whatever you like and then retreat to the previous province your raided from.

[Sir Chauncy]

Such a class name, Captain Fishpants. Lol

If even half the things you say are true about the Viking invasion, I shall have a very very happy time of it.
The British Isles and 8 new factions to play as, how lovely...

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

[Captain Fishpants]

[QUOTE=Quote (Sir Chauncy @ Jan. 08 2003,11:26)]Such a class name, Captain Fishpants. Lol

If even half the things you say are true about the Viking invasion, I shall have a very very happy time of it.
The British Isles and 8 new factions to play as, how lovely...

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

[Xer0]

What about the other raids that vikings did in other countries? And will the trade that vikings did be simulted?

[Captain Fishpants]

Quote[/b] (faisal @ Jan. 08 2003,11:25)]how will raiding work?

imo it should be like this:when you "raid" a province(i don't know how but there must be a "raiding" command available for vikings)you would engage "part" of the enemy army and when you beat them you can rip down and loot whatever you like and then retreat to the previous province your raided from.
The Vikings get a "cashback" bonus on any structure they destroy after conquering a province. Given that their economy is very, very basic this is by far-and-away the best way for them to finance their wars. All they then have to do is abandon the conquered province and let someone else do the building work

And as an extra help in this nefarious way of going on, the Vikings don't have to obey the port restrictions when embarking armies.

MikeB ~ CA

[Kraxis]

CF (Captain Fishpants) You are really taking your time here today. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

But I must say/ask this.
We already get money from pillaging... I mean I invade Rum with my Byzantine armies and I destroy many building I get half their worth back. Will that stop now? Or will the Vikings get more money than everybody else?

So the Vikings can hit every non-landlocked province??? Damn, it is going to be hard to be any of the other factions. Lovely
Any diplomatic improvements to the game on a whole?

BTW you should perhaps get a CA shield as the other guys from your work. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[Kongamato]

Can we expect new units in the already existing periods? (outside of the organ gun)

[Gregoshi]

Quote[/b] ]BTW you should perhaps get a CA shield as the other guys from your work.

I was thinking the same thing Kraxis.

[TenkiSoratoti]

1 question : this looks nice but were u aloud to give this info to us all?

[Spino]

Here's ALL the information and images from the Viking Invasion page over at Totalwar.com. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Oh, I almost forgot.... Pleased to meet you Captain and thanks for the additional info. I hope you enjoy (and tolerate) your stay with us here on the Org


Quote[/b] ]Medieval: Total War - Viking Invasion
Medieval: Total War™ Viking Invasion™ is the expansion pack to the award-winning Medieval: Total War™, and takes the action of the game to a new level and a new time. In 793AD the Vikings attacked the monastery at Lindisfarne in Northumbria, killing the monks and nuns, destroying one of Northern Europe’s great centres of learning, and carrying off every precious object they could prise from the dead hands of the monks.

Viking Invasion™ starts at the time of this frightening - for the people of Britain - event The Vikings are coming to wage Total War:

A brand new Viking Era campaign with a completely new map of the British Isles and Scandinavia
8 new Viking Era factions, including the Saxons, Welsh, Mercians, Northumbrians, Scots, Picts, Irish - and not forgetting the Vikings
A new Viking Era technology tree - including Drinking Halls, Sacrificial Shrines, a Warrior Hold and a few surprises.
New Viking Era military forces, including Housecarles and Huscarls (yes, two kinds of mad axemen for the price of one&#33http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif, Saxon Fyrdmen, Viking Thralls, extremely scary and shield-bitingly fearsome Berserkers - and more
But we haven’t forgotten the main Medieval: Total War™ game. The expansion pack also includes:

Three new playable factions - the Aragonese, the Sicilians and the Hungarians.
New units for many factions, including elite Arabic Faris cavalrymen, Russian Druhzina Cavalry, Hungary Jobbagy Infantry, and the fearsome, amazing Organ Gun - a Medieval “machine gun” of sorts
A new pre-battle system that allows you to scout out enemy forces and organise your reinforcements before a battle.
Boiling oil in sieges Beware of sending your men to attack the castle gates
Tweaks, changes and improvements to gameplay, including a couple of new buildings on the technology tree Medieval: Total War™ Viking Invasion™ will be released in Spring 2003.

http://www.totalwar.com/community/medieval/images/b1.jpg

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http://www.totalwar.com/community/medieval/images/b3.jpg

http://www.totalwar.com/community/medieval/images/b4.jpg

http://www.totalwar.com/community/medieval/images/b5.jpg

http://www.totalwar.com/community/medieval/images/b6.jpg

[Xer0]

Dammit the vikings have exactly the same skin as in Medieval:total war although there will be other viking unit.
I really hope they will just not make so the vikings can only raid the brittish isles. The danish and norwegian vikings raided much in the brittish islands but they also raided places like France and Italy for an exemple. They also raised seatalments in places like Greenland and Iceland. They also had trade routes all over Europe even in north america.

The swedish vikings went west and had trade routes there and builded seatlments in Russia for example. The state called Novogrod in Medieval times had viking routs. They raided a bit in Russia and even in the Byzantine empire but most of all they hade so many trade routes in the east.

I hope these things will be simulated.

[Leet Eriksson]

OH YESi get to play shirtless vikings that bite shields http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

[Exile]

ODIN

*charges to the store*

oh wait, it's not there yet http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif I am anxiously looking forward to the expansion pack. Thanks for posting the details.

[solypsist]

nice http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif thanks for the info, all

looking at the screenshots, I really need to upgrade my computer - right now all my little men look like fuzzy dustballs compared to that detail.

[Brother Derfel]

Gnagmnaa gurgle gah

(wipes drool from mouth and tries again)

My God

I have to have this game now I LOVE Vikings and realy want to give the Scots and Welsh a try as well.
I love the British isles campaign map and the ability for vikings to get money back for their rades is inspired

Well Done CA, well done....

how about three cheers everybody, hip hip......

[Action]

Looks great.
Can we get an estimate of how many new units will be included?

[Knight_Yellow]

Who cares about those damned wussy's

i wanna know all about the scottish units.
plus i think those shirtless guys where the scotts.

[Brother Derfel]

Quote[/b] (Knight_Yellow @ Jan. 08 2003,17:25)]Who cares about those damned wussy's

i wanna know all about the scottish units.
plus i think those shirtless guys where the scotts.
Nah, i am betting those Shirtless guys are the Viking Beserkers. They are famed for not wearing much in batle, and often enough they would wear nothing http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/eek.gif


EDIT: Apologies, upon looking at them closer i notice that their flag does look very Scottish, so i am changing my vote and agreeing with you Knight.

[Sir Alexander]

What units will be cut out I think in that time period the fighting Knightly Holy Order would be cut out am I right and if so is their any other units that will be cut out ?

[deejayvee]

Are we going to see a return of seasons for the viking invasion??

[Lord Romulous]

hi mike.

thanks for your insights.

could you explain a little more about the seige elements in the x pack. we know there will be boiling oil etc but will there be any changes to the way castle battles
are fought and will castle battles be more frequent.

have you fixed the issue where you can win the castle battle as attacker by killing all visible enemy forces but one or two of the inner rings of castle wall remain unbreached. as it stands now in mtw it is pretty unrealistic to not have to place forces in the innermost ring of wall in order to get victory as a attacker.
what would be cool is to have to break down the door to the keep to meet victory conditions.


thanks

[Emp. Conralius]

How will boiling oil work? Will there be units on the walls of castles to pour the oil?

[PSYCHO]

Been looking at the map.
Can I suggest CA fit in at least another 10 provinces / areas for game play reasons.
As it stands, I fear that it'll all go too fast and minor factions will be wiped out fairly quickly.
Larger areas for MTW were ok given the huge scope of the game and infrastructure of the period. In the VTW period, the land was divided and fought over on a much more local basis; hill by hill, field by field as testified through archaeology.

Add more areas. It will reduce the potential bottle neck down the Isle of Britain, it adds to the complexity, it adds to the challenge and adds to the epic feel of the racial struggle of survival and dominance of this period.

my2bob

[InsaneFox]

Vikings emmmmm well if we most





http://www.btinternet.com/~paul.mcallister35/soicrest.gif

[Postino]

wow, shirtless dudes in blue and white disco pants I LOVE IT


i haven t actually gotten to the jousting feilds yet, but what about the MP aspect Mo'Capitan

[Emp. Conralius]

I certainly hope some of northern France is in the new map. The Scandinavian coast and the British isles doesen't sound like much; and though I'de kinda like to see the Normans as a new faction, I really cant complain...I wonder how the boiling oil will work (hopefully, we'll see some them on the walls withother troops). And the aptly named Organ gun sounds brutal.

[Leet Eriksson]

to sir alexander,its the 8th century,no nightly order existed in that time http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[Xiahou]

So if Im reading this right.... Vikings is limited to the British Isles and the units in Vikings arent playable in the main campaign.... also the added units for the full campaign have no bearing in the vikings side right?

Hate to be the 1st "whiner" but I was really hoping "vikings" would add an earlier period to the main campaign- not a completely seperate one. Im kinda underwhelmed... I guess I'll have to wait and see what the price tag is.

[Sir Alexander]

Quote[/b] (faisal @ Jan. 09 2003,02:16)]to sir alexander,its the 8th century,no nightly order existed in that time http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif
Yup I kinda thought so

[falaffel]

Hoopeful of new replies i also have to ask whether the strategic and tactical AI has been improved of ? Ofherwise
i think it's great that you guys are releasing an expansion this fast http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif.

/Falaffel

[Kraxis]

Xiahou... Can you imagine us having all those units in the 800s then tech up to... *drumroll*... Spearmen Yeah that would be very fitting
The tech has been set for the main game, it would be impossible to include the earlier (timeline) units into the current campaigns.
It would either be quite stupid to have good units for two factions (Danes and English) in the very early campaign, who then tech up to having units that might only be on par with them (FMAA).
Or even worse, these much earlier units get pressed into high tech and end up in High or even Late.

Despite being Danish and having roots in this conflict, I have no problem with the map being the isles and Scandinavia. England suffered perhaps the most of all areas. Russia was settled, Normandy was handed over after a comparably short of raiding and was slowly culturally subdued. That doesn't mean I wouldn't like to have northern France in the game, but France was both one country and many smaller factions at the same time, so that would either mean one more faction or many more factions (which had nothing to do with the isles and the isles nothing to do with them besides some trading).
A situation that would only end with whining people. "WHAT France is united???? But then we should see the whole of France" "What are all those factions doing down there??? They had nothing to do with the others Give them to the Vikings" I can just imagine it.

[einar]

I say in a old post if it's worth to acquire the expansion. Now, i can say:

Yes http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Sandy-San]

why do people keep asking for more provinces, more units etc? the game is due out in about a month and a half, (round these parts anyway), so i imagine the code is pretty much done and dusted. CA are busy with RTW and aren't about to add France, Iceland or anywhere else - get over it...

[Alrowan]

well ive got my own map of england in the moding process with 100 proviences.. including france, so once i have made it, perhaps the modding community will just make it for Viking Invasion

[Dirk]

Mike,

Just a question from an editor addict.
Is, in your professional opinion, the Viking expansion pack a good investment if:
- I have for several reasons never installed the patch;
- I only 'do'custom- and historical battles and historical campaigns;
- I only play in the SP mode;
- I love to make my own battlefields.
- I don't experience serious lag at the moment if I carefully balance the type of battlefield (not many trees etc) and the size of the units.

I've never been much into computer games but MTW has me completely hooked, so if the new pack offers more factions to fool around with in custom battles and does not specifically require the patch I will most certainly get the expansion pack.

[Captain Fishpants]

Quote[/b] (Xiahou @ Jan. 09 2003,02:17)]So if Im reading this right.... Vikings is limited to the British Isles and the units in Vikings arent playable in the main campaign.... also the added units for the full campaign have no bearing in the vikings side right?

Hate to be the 1st "whiner" but I was really hoping "vikings" would add an earlier period to the main campaign- not a completely seperate one. Im kinda underwhelmed... I guess I'll have to wait and see what the price tag is.
Well, the Vikings are an earlier period, as the game starts in 793, has a different (earlier) tech tree, and different (earlier) units.

We chose to "zoom in" on one of the main areas of the action where Vikings were concerned - and the place where a lot of information about Viking activity is available. Yes, they settled in Northern Europe, became Normans and all that stuff too. The Normans are already in the game as the post-1066 English

We've ended up producing something that is as close to a new game as makes no difference. And then we've added a bunch of new units and factions to the existing game. Hopefully, you'll see this as a good addition to your games collection.

MikeB ~ CA

[Captain Fishpants]

Quote[/b] (Dirk @ Jan. 09 2003,04:56)]Mike,

Just a question from an editor addict.
Is, in your professional opinion, the Viking expansion pack a good investment if:
- I have for several reasons never installed the patch;
- I only 'do'custom- and historical battles and historical campaigns;
- I only play in the SP mode;
- I love to make my own battlefields.
- I don't experience serious lag at the moment if I carefully balance the type of battlefield (not many trees etc) and the size of the units.

I've never been much into computer games but MTW has me completely hooked, so if the new pack offers more factions to fool around with in custom battles and does not specifically require the patch I will most certainly get the expansion pack.
Hi Dirk --

Yep, you'll probably enjoy the Vikings if you do what you do with Vikings - in a gaming context, that is. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

The expansion pack will, by definition bring your install up to "patch plus" standard anyway, btw, but everything else will be fine - you'll just have lots of new resources in terms of units to play with too. You'll end up with a grand total of 11 new factions, although the 8 Viking era factions will be time-locked to their period.

MikeB ~ CA

[Swoosh So]

Will there be any improvements in multi player?
It was tried in the last expansion pack but dident go down too well king of the hill etc.

[PSYCHO]

Sounding great Mike.

Is there any chance that we could have a few small changes to the 'Viking', 'Highlander', 'Kern' and 'Gallowglass' unit sprites for the main game seeing as you guys seem to be doing such a fine job with the new units ...and you have soooo... much time? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/flirt.gif

Cheers

[Asmodeus]

It does look very good indeed I love the new campaign map too - plus the whole atmosphere off appalling violence in the Dark ages http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

One important question though.....

Will any of the identified bugs in the original game - chiefly the GA Campaign scoring bug, be fixed with this add-on? If so i will definately buy this http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[keet]

Hey Mike, Forgive me if these were asked before but...

... Will the boiling oil be added to the main campaign or just the Viking Campaign?
... Are flaming arrows really in?
... Do everyone of the original factions get new buildings/units or only some factions?
... Any new computer controlled factions in the main game?
... mention of fixes/improvements for the main game, any hugely significant to mention here?
... Lastly, does the time frame still remain the same for the original game and is there any change to the editor?

[Papewaio]

Quote[/b] (deejayvee @ Jan. 08 2003,18:40)]Are we going to see a return of seasons for the viking invasion??
Second this question. Aus may not be famous for its change in seasons but even here in sunny Sydney we get them so does Viking Invasion have seasons?


Oops one year my wikings invaded in late Autumn and had to stay all winter with the lasses in a small port town. Now they are making it a yearly retreat. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

---- EDIT ----

Seriously looking at the province map is it going to take 6 years to cross from the coast of Wales to the coast pf England (Defet to East Engle) or eight years from the north to the south?

[Kraxis]

Quote[/b] (Papewaio @ Jan. 09 2003,07:28)]Seriously looking at the province map is it going to take 6 years to cross from the coast of Wales to the coast pf England (Defet to East Engle) or eight years from the north to the south?
Yes that is a bit scary... damn slow soldiers

But maybe we can travel several provinces every year?
Ohh, we have only got one man to answer that. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[A.Saturnus]

I like the idea of a whole new map. That means new strategic balances. Of course, over all, I would have liked a Lutherian expansion more, but I`ll be happy with my organ gun http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I just hope they do a bit about diplomacy, or do we have to wait for Rome for that?

[kataphraktoi]

C'mon Gilly tell me tell me any dirt on the byzantines for the expack - I expect the byz to get whacked by the muslim factions so I'd like to know if theres a counterbalance.

[Knight_Yellow]

Previously.....

*Olde yellar wakes up in a fit of confusion and terror*

Why am i seeing only 1 type of unit (shirtless guys) with wat i think to be the scottish flag????

is there more scottish units??? or have u decided to be vry annoying???

idealy i would like a pic of every factions flag and the name of the faction besides it.

[kataphraktoi]

I'm hoping for a terrifying Klibanophori thats better than the kataphraktoi -
thats right:
armed with lance(for charging)
armed with a mace(for close quarter fighting)
amred with a compund bow(for keeping pesky turks away)
extremely heavily armoured with a small shield on the arm like a treb archer.

And I'm hoping it would cost 1300 florins to make one friggin 40 unit cos its gotta be good.

A true Klibanophori indeed oh please oh please.

[The Marcher Lord]

So if the campaign starts 793ish when does it end - where MTW started ??

[Antalis::]

Do we also get seasons again?, like winter, summer, spring and autumn, like in Shogun?

Hope so, because, then we have more time to play and in a better atmosphare (to fight more often in winter landscapes would be very good and in cold rain in autumn http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif ).

[Kraxis]

Antalis, we won't get seasons...

[Antalis::]

Zitat[/b] (Kraxis @ Jan. 09 2003,12:21)]Antalis, we won't get seasons...


Ok, but it´ll be also without it, a very good expansion http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Can´t wait to play as the vikings http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Cousin Zoidfarb]

I hope they include War Wagons and field fortifications as units. I hope as well they`ll have more non-playable factions in the Medieval era in the expansion.

[Schultzy]

Quote[/b] (Antalis:: @ Jan. 09 2003,12:28)]
Ok, but it´ll be also without it, a very good expansion http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I totally agree with you there http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif
It's looking really good

Great job CA, looking forward to pillaging my way across Blighty in the near future http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif

[deejayvee]

Quote[/b] (Kraxis @ Jan. 09 2003,12:21)]Antalis, we won't get seasons...
Do we know this?

It's going to make a trip across England awfully long...

[Kraxis]

Quote[/b] (deejayvee @ Jan. 09 2003,18:45)]Do we know this?

It's going to make a trip across England awfully long...
Yes we do. In a sense it is ok as we would have about 1000 turns otherwise, and we don't need that many when we only have about 40 provinces.

This is taken from the com. You used to go there often enough to notice such a thing.


Quote[/b] ]Seasons aren't planned to be in there, but you will see more winter battles.

MikeB ~ CA

So, there won't be seasons. At least they have corrected the seasonproblem in MTW.

But I wonder if not we can move troops much farther, perhaps three-four provinces each turn. It would seem quite stupid to use 15 years to march troops from southern england to meet the Scots.

[Asmodeus]

Do seasons matter that much? It's always wet and horrible here http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

[starkhorn]

Quote[/b] (Kraxis @ Jan. 10 2003,03:47)]
Quote[/b] (deejayvee @ Jan. 09 2003,18:45)]Do we know this?

It's going to make a trip across England awfully long...
Yes we do. In a sense it is ok as we would have about 1000 turns otherwise, and we don't need that many when we only have about 40 provinces.

This is taken from the com. You used to go there often enough to notice such a thing.


Quote[/b] ]Seasons aren't planned to be in there, but you will see more winter battles.

MikeB ~ CA

So, there won't be seasons. At least they have corrected the seasonproblem in MTW.

But I wonder if not we can move troops much farther, perhaps three-four provinces each turn. It would seem quite stupid to use 15 years to march troops from southern england to meet the Scots.
So 6 years to cross the map....not exactly what Harold achieved in 1066. Didn't he march from a bloody battle at Stamford Bridge in the North-East of the England down to the south of England at Hastings in a matter of days ?

[Cousin Zoidfarb]

Anyone know if there will be more non-playable factions?
My hopes include: Lithuania, Bohemia, Serbia, Moldavia-Wallachia, the Kipchaqs, the Timurids to invade around 1390 like the Golden Horde event, so we can play the battle of Ankara, I`d also make the Templars, Hospitalers and TEutonic knights independant factions as they were historically.

My hopes for new units: War Wagons, Field fortifications, War elephants (the Timur used them at Ankara), lithuanian light cavalry (lance throwing cavalry), give the Polish another UU like the ``Chivalric Polish Retainer``

[solypsist]

war wagons sound like fun, but probably too fantasy to make it.

[Michael the Great]

They should really put in Wallachia and Moldavia as playable factions in to the expanison pack.

[Spino]

Quote[/b] ]war wagons sound like fun, but probably too fantasy to make it.

I don't understand your statement Soly. Are you saying that war wagons didn't exist or that their implementation into the TW engine would be too problematic? War wagons did exist and were used extensively in Eastern Europe. Slavic warlord Jan Zizka used them against King Sigismund of Hungary and his Pope sponsored Crusade that was sent to crush the Hussite movement in Bohemia.


Quote[/b] ]They should really put in Wallachia and Moldavia as playable factions in to the expanison pack.

Well I'm estatic to see that the Hungarians, Sicilians and Aragonese will be playable (and able to participate in Glorious Achievement games) but I'd sooner have the Burgundians or Lithuanians over the Wallachians and Moldavians. Are you going for the Dracula angle with his struggles against the Hungarians and the Turks?

Since the Hungarians will be playable in the expansion they should be able to build Boyars. Dracula executed scores of Wallachian Boyars as revenge for the murder of his older brother (many years after the fact this one night of vengeance cost him his life). Someone please correct me but am I wrong in viewing Boyars as being more of a Slavic unit than a strictly Russian one?

[Stephen Hummell]

will there be berserkers for the vikings?


FORZA ROMA

[Sir Alexander]

Quote[/b] (Stephen Hummell @ Jan. 10 2003,17:17)]will there be berserkers for the vikings?


FORZA ROMA
Yes I believe so they have some of this info at Totalwar.com you know http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Emp. Conralius]

Quote[/b] (Spino @ Jan. 10 2003,15:27)]
Quote[/b] ]war wagons sound like fun, but probably too fantasy to make it.

I don't understand your statement Soly. Are you saying that war wagons didn't exist or that their implementation into the TW engine would be too problematic? War wagons did exist and were used extensively in Eastern Europe. Slavic warlord Jan Zizka used them against King Sigismund of Hungary and his Pope sponsored Crusade that was sent to crush the Hussite movement in Bohemia.


Quote[/b] ]They should really put in Wallachia and Moldavia as playable factions in to the expanison pack.

Well I'm estatic to see that the Hungarians, Sicilians and Aragonese will be playable (and able to participate in Glorious Achievement games) but I'd sooner have the Burgundians or Lithuanians over the Wallachians and Moldavians. Are you going for the Dracula angle with his struggles against the Hungarians and the Turks?

Since the Hungarians will be playable in the expansion they should be able to build Boyars. Dracula executed scores of Wallachian Boyars as revenge for the murder of his older brother (many years after the fact this one night of vengeance cost him his life). Someone please correct me but am I wrong in viewing Boyars as being more of a Slavic unit than a strictly Russian one?
Your correct Spino, Vlad Drakul had to eliminate some boyars to gain control of Wallachia, they were an aristocracy more less in Romania.

[lancer63]

Will the new major factions in MTW have unique units too?

[Kraxis]

Quote[/b] (lancer63 @ Jan. 10 2003,19:40)]Will the new major factions in MTW have unique units too?
Yes...


Quote[/b] ]New units for many factions, including elite Arabic Faris cavalrymen, Russian Druhzina Cavalry, Hungary Jobbagy Infantry, and the fearsome, amazing Organ Gun - a Medieval “machine gun” of sorts

So at least the Hungarians get something, but I doubt very much that the Aragonese and Sicilians gets left out.

[Stephen Hummell]

yeah i just checked this out but when will the viking era end?



FORZA ROMA

[Kraxis]

It wouldn't surprise me if it ended in 1066...

[dagdriver]

Hmm, we get both scots & picts and several other new factions - however only 1 "viking" faction?
No Destinction between Danes, Swedes, norwegians ???
(I admit, I would not quite know what should make tem different GAMEWISE)

[Kraxis]

Well Dagdriver... we are talking about a game that deals with the vikings as a culture rather than a people, then we can't really have several factions of Vikings. Besides, with those fewwer factions in Scandinavia we would see a deadly war there before the Vikings would ever invade England. It would make the game pretty impotent for a game called The Viking Invasions.

Also, the vikings were very similar as they spoke the same language and had the same beliefs and actually did the same things. Lastly the vikings had much more loyalty to their villages than to their kings.
So while we could have three viking factions there isn't gamewise any reason for this.

[Emp. Conralius]

I dunno Kraxis, it would be cool to have at least 2 Viking faction so at least there could be a fight for supremesy in good 'ole Lapland...

ah geese, the Viking unit looks the same from MTW I hope they change that (even if it has to have horn) But all the rest sounds great. I'm glad they're giving the Russians and the Hungarians new units. I was tired of being the Russians and only having the Boyars and Halberdiers as the only decent units They rally should of given those Ruskies more units. And although the French have 2 "uncommom" units in the Gendarmes and the Knights Templar, but they should get a unique unit.

What are Fyrdmen?

[Lord Krazy]

What are Fyrdmen?
pesant warriors sort of thing.
nothing to be afyrd off http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

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

[Kraxis]

Krazy is pretty much right.
Fyrdmen were the guys that almost defeated William at Hastings, but were simply too Impetuous and eventually lost.

They were peasants by profession but they were trained and armed to some degree. You can view Spearmen as the Fyrd of MTW now. Useful but not great at all.

[Lord Krazy]

Seen as new bifs have been added for the sprites
how will this work?
Will this mean the hard coding will go? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

This would be nice.

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

[King James I]

Quote[/b] (Lord Krazy @ Jan. 12 2003,19:22)]Seen as new bifs have been added for the sprites
how will this work?
Will this mean the hard coding will go? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

This would be nice.

LK http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smokin.gif
In addition to this I wonder if the amount of sea and land zones have been hard-coded or if there are any maximum numbers like in MTW, because if they aren't, wouldn't it be easier to add more (not that I could do it or even attempt to do it, but I bet some of you talented modders in the Dungeon could do it, and yes I do realize how hard it is, having read various posts concerning the topic).

[Vertigo10]

Call me crazy but it seems almost as if the bitmapped units look better, graphically. Maybe it's just me. Also, I'm really hoping they expand the provinces beyond what I saw in that picture at totalwar.com; it looks awfully small, especially in comparison to the MTW map.

-Vert

[Lord Krazy]

Quote[/b] (Vertigo10 @ Jan. 15 2003,16:10)]Call me crazy
-Vert
Then what would they call me http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

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

[barocca]

i must say the welsh flags on the first page of this topic look oddly familiar...
http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
http://doragon.bravepages.com/Medieval/file_FactionFlags/Flag_Wales2_Italy.jpg

http://doragon.bravepages.com/Medieval/pages_mods/mods.htm(Demo Mods Page)

[Naagi]

I count around 30 land provinces, though I coulda missed some. With probably 10-12 sea provinces. Dont think controlling the seas will be as big a deal as MTW.

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

[Emp. Conralius]

MORE IMAGES COMING SOON


Fyrdmen Fyrdmen are the rank-and-file of Saxon infantry, and form the bulk of Saxon armies. These are free farmers called to battle by their king, and are of a higher quality than peasant levies, while less expensive than truly professional fighting men like housecarls.


the render of the Fyrdmen is here:http://www.totalwar.com/community/medieval/viking.htm