Unfinished Work

This is not CA bashing, i like CA, i defend CA in these here fourms. Look around, I do.

But when i was looking through descr_missions.txt i found something that saddened me.

A to do list.

Along with a few things that would really make the game more interesting (to do with the pope, and getting relics from him) the "assassinate faction leader" given to you by a prince/heir, isnt finished.

Code:

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; TBD add faction boost via file

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That isnt the actual code. But completing the assassinate mission does not give you a rating boost. It's not done yet. But the good news is a few lines of code and its fixed.

[/sadness]

Yes, this happens at least one other place in the code: the descr_campaign_ai_db.xml file. There are several variables listed in a comment along with text explaining they are to be implemented. Similarly, some comments have all caps and include the framework for an AI decision, but no details, and are contained entirely inside of a comment. They represent reminders to the developers, with the idea that they would be finished later. On the plus side, it doesn't appear that they account for anything very significant at all in the AI decision making. Probably the most noteworthy one is a condition intended to force the AI to attack the player if he's been at peace for a given length of time (less time the higher the player's difficulty is set). However, since the default value of can_force_invade is set true in the file, it appears that the AI is allowed to do that all the time anyway if you look like a good target. I'm guessing that they intended to force invasions if you were at peace too long and then default the variable to false, but as the code didn't get finished they probably just set the variable to default true to make the AI sufficiently aggressive. It's entirely unclear though whether this was a conscious decision, or a quick fix since the code wasn't written.

So overall it's not a horrible thing in all honesty. Sure a few things didn't get done, but the really important things in the various files are in fact in there, which indicates that the devs were at least good at prioritizing the work. It's not uncommon to have to release something without having the time to finish everything you planned to include, and frankly I find it encouraging that they had so many good ideas. It's also encouraging that the game works as well as it does and is as fun as it is with some unfinished things, and various bugs too. If I'm right, and I anticipate being so, things should come together in a big way for the 1.2 patch. If a product with some flaws can be as fun as this one is, then it should prove to be simply amazing as those flaws begin to disappear.

Quote:

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If I'm right, and I anticipate being so, things should come together in a big way for the 1.2 patch. If a product with some flaws can be as fun as this one is, then it should prove to be simply amazing as those flaws begin to disappear.

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I agree 100%. Despite so many bugs in the engine mechanics for fighting, and the unbugged units being seriously toned down for balance's sake vs. the bugged stuff. the game is (cav aside), VERY fun to play. So how good it's going to be with bug fixes is going to be VERY intresting.