Auto pause function in RTW

[Thomas Davie]

How frequently will we be able to issue orders (I guess this really equates to how long the psuudo turns will be)? Are they set in stone, or will we be able to vary the length of time before a pause occurs. Or, can we set a pause to occur on a certain action?

Apologies for posting in here, and yes I know that it belongs in the colosseum, and no I can't post there, but am required to post here until I prove myself (or something like that).

An additional question I have is how will the 'hastati, principes, triaari, velites' structure of the manipular legion be manifested in the game. Will there be this structured sort of fighting (at least, say until ~107BC until the cohortal legions started to make an appearance); essentially making meta formations of 3 or more smaller formations?

thanks for any answers someone can provide

Tom

[A.Saturnus]

I must say that I don`t understand your post. RTW is still turn based so there`s no need for an auto-pause function. Not sure what you mean with 'pseudo-turns'.
Or do you mean a function in battles? Could be interesting to trigger auto-pauses there, for example when a unit routes, but I would say simply pausing is cheesy enough.

[Thomas Davie]

Quote[/b] (A.Saturnus @ Aug. 14 2003,07:39)]I must say that I don`t understand your post. RTW is still turn based so there`s no need for an auto-pause function. Not sure what you mean with 'pseudo-turns'.
Or do you mean a function in battles? Could be interesting to trigger auto-pauses there, for example when a unit routes, but I would say simply pausing is cheesy enough.
Well, I mean in battles obviously, since there isn't much of a need to pause on the strategic map http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

As far as pausing in battle goes, I hate to say it, but....I hate real time/continous actions games. However, with that out of the way, I can approach my position a little bit more clearly.

1) I would like the ability to have auto pauses inserted into the game flow. It makes it easier for me to play the game and not get lost. That having been said, I realize it is not for everybody, so....

2) Make the ability to insert auto pauses optional.

Yes, some people might find pausing 'cheesy'. So what? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif As long as it isn't forced on anyone, there shouldn't be a problem.

Tom

[Crash]

I can sort of understand why you would auto-pause, because I always forget to hit the Pause button in the heat of battle. But there might be other solutions to your problem. If you would explain exactly why you want auto-pause, maybe there will other suggestions to help you.

[HopAlongBunny]

I can certainly understand the desire to see the pause function http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif Nothing like an all cavalry rush by the AI to make you wanna tweak your unit placement.

I can't see why it would be any different from the present system. Wait until RTW comes out, and then post the question. I bet if pause is removed from the battles there will be loud shouts of joy (and agony) in the forums http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif

[Thomas Davie]

Quote[/b] (Crash @ Aug. 14 2003,12:29)]I can sort of understand why you would auto-pause, because I always forget to hit the Pause button in the heat of battle. But there might be other solutions to your problem. If you would explain exactly why you want auto-pause, maybe there will other suggestions to help you.
I want auto pause because I do not like real time/continous action games. Can't get any clearer than that http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Part of my problem is having slow reflexes http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I just like turn based games.

Tom

[oblivious maximus]

Davie,i neither understand your question.Have you played MTW?This is a turn based game and as the battles are set up now,there is no place for an auto-pause.I guess we will have to see if we get this option.
WTF is auto-pause? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif

[Thomas Davie]

Quote[/b] (oblivious maximus @ Aug. 15 2003,06:33)]Davie,i neither understand your question.Have you played MTW?This is a turn based game and as the battles are set up now,there is no place for an auto-pause.I guess we will have to see if we get this option.
WTF is auto-pause? http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/tongue.gif
What do you not understand? I apologize for not being clear. So I'll try again. And yes, I own MTW. Don't play it though, because the *combat* is real time/continous movement.

Now, this refers to the tactical combat, and *NOT* the strategic portion of the game.

I want the ability to input orders and then have the game automatically pause a set amount of time later so that I can a) amend my orders, b) issue additional ones, and c) review the situation. In other words, I want the *option* of having what is essentially a pseudo turn based tactical game. I hope this is clear enough, and again I apologize if it isn't.

Now, assuming that it is optional, it isn't forced on anyone, and therefore shouldn't be a problem. As an example, Eric Young's Squad Assault will feature just this (www.matrixgames.com)

Tom

[Kraxis]

Ehm, I would think the pause button would be enough. I mean you can select when you want to pause and move the troops areound.

I mean just hover a finger above the 'P' and press it whenever it becomes stressing. I have done that, and do it now and then (though hardly anymore after I experienced the MP battles). Besides your reflexes jump very fast when you play fast paced games.

In any case I sincerely doubt CA will put such a feature in the game, it is after all the battles they have concentrated on in STW and MTW.
I hope you will play on. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[Portuguese Rebel]

I hate you pause button dudes http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[pdoan8]

Auto-pause is the option you can turn on or off or even define your own (just like Squad Assault promises). You will be given a list of actions or events that act as triggers. If it the action/even occurs, the game will pause. You can decide which action/event to cause the game to pause and which will not. An example of the action/event list could be:
Pause when:
- Unit is under fire.
- Unit engage in melee.
- Unit is losing in melee.
- Unit's morale is [low, very low, waivering]
- Unit is routing
...and so on

If it is an option that I can turn on or completely turn it off, then it's fine. Otherwise, the pause buttons are good enough.

[A.Saturnus]

I don`t have a problem with such a feature if it`s optional (and making it mandatory would be the craziest thing to do http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ), but I doubt CA will include anything like that. Total War is meant to feature real-time battles and nearly all of the fans like real-time. So there isn`t much need for this. You should try to acustom yourself to real-time, in the end, it`s much more fun like that, trust me http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Thomas Davie]

Quote[/b] (A.Saturnus @ Aug. 18 2003,04:10)]I don`t have a problem with such a feature if it`s optional (and making it mandatory would be the craziest thing to do http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif ), but I doubt CA will include anything like that. Total War is meant to feature real-time battles and nearly all of the fans like real-time. So there isn`t much need for this. You should try to acustom yourself to real-time, in the end, it`s much more fun like that, trust me http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
You may like 'real' time; I don't. Shrug.

It's the subject matter that drives me to this game, but it may very well be the execution that prevents me playing it.

Tom

[Drucius]

Why not just pause the game when it all gets too much for you?

Is there a reason for your aversion to real time games? Is it something you got used to when playing another game, for example?

[Gregoshi]

Greetings Thomas. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif Welcome to the Org.

I understand your reflexes issue. I avoid joystick games because my eye-hand coordination is, well, nearly non-existent. I also don't think fast enough sometimes when the battle gets intense. However, I've just never bothered with the PAUSE button for some reason. Sure, I lose battles, but I win some too.

I look at it this way, if I get this game to the point where I know I will win the battle 99% of the time, then where is the challenge. I've seen too many players show up here in these forums, get too good, then get bored because it is no longer a challenge and stop playing the game. I figure my slow reflexes/thinking are keeping this game interesting to me far longer than most other games I've ever played.

Anyway, the advantage to Thomas's suggestion for the auto pause over just using the PAUSE button is that the game will notify you when a situation happens that you might not see - and therefore don't know you should be hitting the PAUSE button. Is that the gist Thomas? Not a bad idea, but I wouldn't hold my breath for it.

[Thomas Davie]

Quote[/b] (Drucius @ Aug. 18 2003,07:04)]Why not just pause the game when it all gets too much for you?

Is there a reason for your aversion to real time games? Is it something you got used to when playing another game, for example?
Yup http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif I like turn based games. They are all I play. No FPS, no RTS....none. I do own MTW, and had it installed for all of about 2 weeks. It is a gorgeous looking game, and is quite detailed, engrossing, etc....but the fact that it is continous action leaves me cold.

I know; that is how the game was designed, and I might very well have to live with it. If nothing else, I will buy the game because I want the market to support more Ancients games.

I have just played too many board and table top games to even want to bother attempting to switch. Call it laziness if you want http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif That might not be far off the mark.

Just to give you an idea of the games that I am playing; Campaign Series - East & West Front, Civ3, Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic, MOO3 and Magic The Gathering.

Tom

[Thomas Davie]

Quote[/b] (Gregoshi @ Aug. 18 2003,11:19)]Greetings Thomas. http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/wave.gif Welcome to the Org.

I understand your reflexes issue. I avoid joystick games because my eye-hand coordination is, well, nearly non-existent. I also don't think fast enough sometimes when the battle gets intense. However, I've just never bothered with the PAUSE button for some reason. Sure, I lose battles, but I win some too.

I look at it this way, if I get this game to the point where I know I will win the battle 99% of the time, then where is the challenge. I've seen too many players show up here in these forums, get too good, then get bored because it is no longer a challenge and stop playing the game. I figure my slow reflexes/thinking are keeping this game interesting to me far longer than most other games I've ever played.

Anyway, the advantage to Thomas's suggestion for the auto pause over just using the PAUSE button is that the game will notify you when a situation happens that you might not see - and therefore don't know you should be hitting the PAUSE button. Is that the gist Thomas? Not a bad idea, but I wouldn't hold my breath for it.
Hi Gregoshi. You have come close to hitting the nail on the head (for me anyways).

I've only ever come close to 'mastering' one game; that was Steel Panthers. I found the AI completely predictable after a few years. So, I stopped playing it. Now, on the other hand, I stopped playing Chessmaster 9000 after a few weeks, not because I had mastered it, but because it had mastered me http://www.totalwar.org/forum/non-cgi/emoticons/joker.gif

But yes, it would be nice to have the game stop at points that I was not aware of occuring (but had flagged as being important). I suppose if I can adjust the speed of the game to an absolute crawl (or something approacjing it), then I might well be able to give it a good shot.

However, the whole RTS/turn based issue is almost moot for me, when you consider my love of Roman History. I spend far too much money at Amazon.com on Roman history books. At the moment, I'm reading the following books;

'War and Imperialism in Republican Rome' William Harris
'Last Generation of the Roman Republic' Eric Gruen, and am debating buying

'The Praetorship in the Roman Republic' T Brennan

-hope to see you on the field of battle

Tom

(I'm strictly a Republican if I end up playing the game)