Patch is out

[SouthwaterPanda]

Fromt page of www.totalwar.com - 10Mb download.

[Spino]

Thanks SouthwaterPanda!

This seems to be a purely MP related patch. Only the changes in elephants stats will affect the SP game. Here is the readme...

Rome: Total War™ PATCH v1.1 READ ME
Last Updated: 2004-30-09
________________________________________
Minimum System Requirements
• A version of Microsoft® Windows® 98SE/ME/2000/XP
• Pentium® III 1.0GHz (1000MHz) or Athlon™ 1.0GHz (1000MHz) processor or higher
• 256MB RAM
• 8x Speed CD-ROM drive (1200KB/sec sustained transfer rate) and latest drivers
• Full installation of Rome: Total War is required for this patch.
• 10MB of uncompressed free hard disk space for patch update
• 100% DirectX® 9.0b compatible 16-bit sound card and latest drivers
• 100% Windows® 98SE/ME/2000/XP compatible mouse, keyboard and latest drivers
• DirectX® 9.0b
• 1024 x 768 Monitor Resolution
• 3D Hardware Accelerator Card Required - 100% DirectX® 9.0b compatible 64MB Hardware Accelerated video card and the latest drivers*.

ATI® Radeon® 8500
ATI® Radeon 9000
ATI® Radeon 9500
ATI® Radeon 9600
ATI® Radeon 9700
ATI® Radeon 9800
All Nvidia® GeForce® 3 and higher
Important Note: *Some 3D accelerator cards with the chipsets listed here may not be compatible with the 3D acceleration features utilized by Rome: Total War™. Please refer to your hardware manufacturer for 100% DirectX 9.0b compatibility.
Multiplayer Requirements:
• Internet (TCP/IP) and LAN (TCP/IP) play supported.
• Internet play requires broadband connection and latest drivers.
• LAN play requires network interface card and latest drivers.
________________________________________
PATCH FIXES v1.1

This 1.1 patch addresses many issues with multiplayer dealing with game stability, performance and some synch issues.

• Fixed an issue with the GameSpy multiplayer lobby population when it hits its maximum.

• Elephant units in the game have been tweaked to make them less overpowering.

UNINSTALLING THE GAME
When uninstalling Rome: Total War™ , there will be 2 files that will remain on the hard drive. You can find the files in the following locations if you wish to delete them.

\version.inf
\Docs\Patch Readme.rtf

[ChaosLord]

Ah, thanks. Is there any chance of getting a changelong to show what got patched/changed or is pretty much just what IGN said? Multiplayer fixes and toning down elephants?

Edit-Heh, nevermind.

[Ulstan]

It's great to see a patch so soon. ~:) Hopefully we'll get another patch not too far from now that will address some SP concerns.

[King Azzole]

Awww... I got all excited when I read it to realize it does nothing for me, and that it actually makes the game worse by making the elephants less powerful (in my opinion). But good news for you onliners! :bow:

[Kraellin]

thanks SouthwaterPanda.

K.

[UglyandHasty]

thanks, that was fast. Now i hope i'll be able to play online.

*put his hand on his head*

Touching wood !!!

~D

[RTKLamorak]

ok i joined lobby first time.. not played a game yet so cant comment on that. chat being cut in half is fixed to, as well as the player limit but that was specified in the readme.

but.. why still NO pings?!?!?! GAH!!! .... GAAAAAH!!!

[UglyandHasty]

lol Lammy dont have an hearth attack mate :)

btw i hope you're doing good. Its been a while, hope we can skirmish sometime soon in RTW mate! :duel:

[hoom]

So now all we need is another one that:
fixes groups
fixes the TW style camera/controls so they fully represent M:TW camera/controls
fixes the run speed
enables spears to stand up to cavalry
fixes pathfinding/AI tactics in/around cities
& we'll be rocking :)

Edit:
pilum throwing
siege weapons creeping forward
phalanxes creeping & turning to the right till they flank themselves
boats losing track of their masts
campaign battle replays

[Magraev]

Here's hoping patch 1.2 will adress some of the mentioned SP issues. Still nice for you MP'ers that they fixed (at least some) problems so soon.

[ElmarkOFear]

I am sure this patch was just to quick fix the most aggregious issues with multiplayer. The problems addressed here were game killers for everyone and they were losing people because of the frustration to the players who could not connect or play.

You will need to keep pushing for the other MP items, for them to be taken care of. :)

[Nelson]

I wonder if the patch invalidates saved campaigns. I'd hate to ruin the one I'm in.

[Longasc]

Hi, great news! ~:cheers:

I want to ask the same question about savegames. :)

[Spino]

MP was never a priority for previous TW games and Rome is no exception. It was critical that the SP game be stable and free of any 'show stopping' and/or eggregious bugs before the game went gold. In that regard Rome shipped in excellent condition.

Most of the MP issues people have been complaining about were probably identified during the beta test but there wasn't any time to fix them. Shipping the SP game in as stable condition as possible took priority and I have no doubts that Activision was adamant that Rome meet its promised shipping date. This patch must have been in the making as soon as the gold candidate was approved and shipped off for production.

Now I hope we have get a fat, juicy patch that addresses all the other issues by the end of November.

[Colovion]

Don't worry about your saved games - I just played a few turns and they still work. :D

[Nelson]

Don't worry about your saved games - I just played a few turns and they still work. :D

Thanks!

[Ktonos]

[QUOTE=hoom]So now all we need is another one that:
fixes groups
fixes the TW style camera/controls so they fully represent M:TW camera/controls
fixes the run speed
enables spears to stand up to cavalry
fixes pathfinding/AI tactics in/around cities
& we'll be rocking :)

Plus some serius AI diplomacy issues and definetly the Spartan hoplite graphics.

[Basileus]

sweet, just installed it, lets hope we get a patch for SP soon aswell :D

[Thoros of Myr]

This is more like a hot-fix becuase as some have pointed out, the problems with MP were game killing.

[Red Harvest]

Wow! That was fast! Guess this settles the "are elephants overpowered" arguement. ~D

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

It's really good to see quality patch support of this kind, the hallmark of a good developer. Good job CA!

[Turbo]

I am glad that this patch addressed the malfunctioning multiplayer element.

I have to ask however why the elephants were fixed of all things? I would think that fixing some of the more pressing gameplay problems would be more in order - like the warp speed movement/combat, the memory leak, the broken siege elements, or addressing the suicidal generals. Fixing any of these would have been a substantive improvement to the game.

Well, I am bewildered, but I remain hopeful that these too will be addressed in a future patch -- SOON!

[Vanya]

GAH!

Vanya download, but it tells Vanya "unable to locate game"... ROFL Vanya has game just fine...

How does Vanya get the patch in place?!?

GAH!

[ElmarkOFear]

Peel the patch off the little waxy thing and place it directly on the back of Cd #1 Vanya! :) hehe

Did you place the game when installing it in the default directory? This might be the problem.

Do you have any Virtual CD programs running in the background?

Besides those two things I can't help you. Good luck!

[The_Emperor]

Now we need one more that fixes the lack of replays in campaign mode, also one that makes replays show exactly what happened in battles would be good. ~D

[JeromeGrasdyke]

I wonder if the patch invalidates saved campaigns. I'd hate to ruin the one I'm in.

It most certainly will not. We've maintained backwards compatibility for the save games throughout the development of Rome and we're definitely not going to stop now ~;)

[Catiline]

phalanxes creeping & turning to the right till they flank themselves
For once this sounds like a real case of 'it's not a bug, it's a feature'

I've not noticed this happen badly myself, but phalanxes did creep and turn historically, as each soldier relied on protection for his neighbour's shield, and in consequence there was a permanent shuffle to the right.

[ToranagaSama]

It most certainly will not. We've maintained backwards compatibility for the save games throughout the development of Rome and we're definitely not going to stop now ~;)

Thank you for the comment.

I began the install looking to *extract* the file with the README, and was one click away from installation, and a little voice said nooooo, the Saved Game!!!

Why no README?

Anyway, thank you for the prompt patch!!!!

I'm still at the beginning of my Campaign and haven't had the pleasure of encountering the Carthignians, but I did play the Demo. The Demo Elehphants must have hailed from the planet Kryptonite, '...able to send whole units 30 feet in the air with a single bound....' ~D ~D Just joking!

Not much of an MPer, but thanks just the same.

Unless you guys have a budget for TWO SP centric patches, hope you wait a bit for the SP centric patch. Despite all comments, its still too early to tell, just what adjustments are *prudent*.

What the SPer REALLY needs, at this point, is DOCUMENTATION!!!!
I don't think ANYBODY to any great degree comprehends the game's Economic System; and effectively controlling "Squaler" is a true Mystery, among other things.

~ToranagaSama

[Quid]

Thank you for the comment.

Why no README?

The README file opened as soon as the patch was installed. Don't know exactly where it is, though. Have to admit, I didn't bother to look either ~;) !


Anyway, thank you for the prompt patch!!!!

Ditto !





What the SPer REALLY needs, at this point, is DOCUMENTATION!!!!
I don't think ANYBODY to any great degree comprehends the game's Economic System; and effectively controlling "Squaler" is a true Mystery, among other things.

I agree. I usually just sit it out and am generally annoyed at seeing my population deplete and at seeing the same massage all over again...I do have all the required buildings that are supposed to counter squalor; to no avail, I still get it every now and then.

Quid

[hoom]

I've not noticed this happen badly myself, but phalanxes did creep and turn historically, as each soldier relied on protection for his neighbour's shield, and in consequence there was a permanent shuffle to the right. Yes, but is there ever a case of a phalanx self flanking by rotating & shimmying so that it presents its left flank to the enemy? (like 90 degrees rotation)

[Tomisama]

Record response CA ~:cheers: Thank You!

Looking forward to movement and killing rate repair (http://twcenter.net/), and t & y direct chat (the caned phrases :dizzy2: ).

:bow: In Sincere Appreciation :bow:

[hach]

So what exactly is the difference to Elephants?

Thanx

[Kraxis]

For once this sounds like a real case of 'it's not a bug, it's a feature'

I've not noticed this happen badly myself, but phalanxes did creep and turn historically, as each soldier relied on protection for his neighbour's shield, and in consequence there was a permanent shuffle to the right.
Gah... Do I have to dig up the good discussions about this I had with Underhand and Red Harvest?

In any case this is a situation where it seems the historical accuracy could be tuned down (if it is accurate at all). Phalanxes will break up nice lines and open holes like this.
I think a better compromise would be for phalanxes to drift a little to the right on the march (in phalanx mode).

[Spino]

Only the hoplite phalanx (and those similar to it) was known to drift to the right because of the effect of each man overlapping his shield with the man to his right. As far as I know the Macedonian style phalanx did not suffer from this problem.

As much as I hate to say it I would prefer to see the drift effect taken out of the game. Other than the fact that it's ahistorical to apply it to all phalanx capable units it's one more thing I have to worry about in an already busy battle environment and it does have an odd side effect which can cause a phalanx to contort itself in the weirdest way.

[Vanya]

Peel the patch off the little waxy thing and place it directly on the back of Cd #1 Vanya! :) hehe

Did you place the game when installing it in the default directory? This might be the problem.

Do you have any Virtual CD programs running in the background?

Besides those two things I can't help you. Good luck!

GAH!

Vanya let game install to default directory. Vanya not have any virtual cd progs running.

Vanya confused.

Maybe somebody have zip of changes, so Vanya can just manually copy files?

GAH!

[ToranagaSama]

Are you not able to manually copy files from the CD?

If not, then, like many of us, you've got a bad CD. Take it back for exchange or refund.

[Tomisama]

Yes, you will have to take it back.

I had to get another copy myself.

I wasted six hours trying to figure out what was wrong with my computer :computer: before I called and ask about swaping the game out.

There was no problem in doing that, and no problem with the next disk set.

~D

[Red Harvest]

So what exactly is the difference to Elephants?

Thanx

The only thing that stuck out was that they lowered the hit points per elephant a bit. These are all Carthaginian stats:

The base level elephants went from 12 to 10. The cost of purchase went up from 1230 to 1300.

The War Elephants went from 15 to 12 hit points, and cost went to 2520 from 2410. The cost to upgrade them went up slightly as well (+10).

The Armoured Elephants went from 15 to 12 hit ponts, and cost went to 2780 from 2670 with upgrade increasing slightly as well (+10).

Other stuff looked the same although I might have missed something. And there may be some difference in the .exe that I can't see. I can tell you that they seemed to be a bit slower running through triarii than before. I had more trouble pulling them out and charging them back in than before. The triarii's morale seemed to hold up a bit better. So the "frighten_foot" effect might have been reduced in the .exe. That is just a guess.

[hach]

Thanx Red Harvest.

A very informative reply. :book:
Appreciated.

[Vanya]

Are you not able to manually copy files from the CD?

If not, then, like many of us, you've got a bad CD. Take it back for exchange or refund.

GAH!

Vanya can copy files from CD fine. Patch not workie though.

GAH!