Questions about Empire for CA?

I followed the development of another game keenly a couple of years ago, and one of the things we did on the forum for that game was make a thread containing serious/sensible questions for the developers. Every now and then These questions would be sent/provided to the devs and they would make an effort to answer questions, in something like a monthly "Fan Interview", although they would only answer questions they wanted or didn't mind people knowing at the time. That particular company was very fan-friendly during development.

Maybe we could start something similar here?

One thing i'd like to know, for example, is that with the new engine for Empire, will they make a specific effort to improve the AI for it, or are they happy with M2TW AI?

Another would be Rebels.... At this time in history there were not many "rebel" provinces left in the known world. Are rebels in this game going to be Rebels as we know them, or more intelligent, non-playable pseudo-factions?

There is another thread like this, but I can answer the AI question.

They are totally redoing the AI. In M2TW, Military and Diplomacy were apart. They would not communicate, bringing treaties then attacking you the next turn. There will be a major overhaul.

There is a thread over at the official forums where you can post your Empire questions: http://shoguntotalwar.yuku.com/topic/22498

Bear in mind that this early on there is only so much we can tell you, more will be revelead over time.

Gah, he isnt revealing anything! I tried via PM as well :tongue:

You'll find out more in the due course of time as we reveal more and more about the game.

Completely understandable.

However, is there any information now about the ability to mod this game?

None as of yet, but we are aiming for it to be quite moddable, exact details are not known yet given the early stage of development the game is in.

Awsome. :grin2:

Will supply and attrition losses be included in the game (at least as an enable/disable feature)?

are we able to block supplies etc into cities by seizing goods etc on the roads effecting their economy?

With it covering the 7 Years War (French & Indian War for the Amys) will we get to see some of the unconventional tactics used on that front, as well as Indians and Rangers?

This really gets my hopes up to have Sir William Johnson as a General!

And...Are we looking at Seasonal turns or Monthly turns?
from the gamers stand point the more turns the better and who cares if you get to 1820 in less than a month of play time.

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Originally Posted by Jack Lusted

You'll find out more in the due course of time as we reveal more and more about the game.

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And woe betide those who reveal the wrong things in the wrong order at the wrong time! They will be "dancing the Tyburn Jig!" :laugh4:

Development, by definition, includes "develop" and that means things change over time. Something that is true one week might not necessarily be the case a week later. When features are locked down they can be spoken of with some certainty, but until then we can accidentally fuel speculation by revealing information that is true when the remark is made, but isn't true once the development group has mulled, considered and otherwise thought about stuff.

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Originally Posted by Captain Fishpants

And woe betide those who reveal the wrong things in the wrong order at the wrong time! They will be "dancing the Tyburn Jig!" :laugh4:

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:sweatdrop:

I see Fishpants is an agent of the CA SECRETS DEATH SQUAD.

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Originally Posted by Bopa the Magyar

I see Fishpants is an agent of the CA SECRETS DEATH SQUAD.

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Smert' Shpionam!:skull:

:laugh4:

Well, if it is that early in the development perhaps some of the things we are asking about might just work there way into the game if they have not been included already.

Maybe the 1820 date is not set in stone as most of South America was in revolt as was Mexico for another year or so.

I understand to some extent the need to cut it off at about this point because of technological change etc.:juggle2:

But just the same, I'll ask the question.

What made you decide on 1820 as the end date for the game?

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What made you decide on 1820 as the end date for the game?

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Hmmm, Napoleon died 1821

1820 seems good to me. 1815 was the end of the Napoleonic era, and this gives the player 5 years more of gameplay if he doesn't manage to achieve his goals by 1815, or to play a bit of cleaning up and experience the consequences of these wars. IMO start dates should be tied to interesting historical events but end dates don't need to ~:)

How are they going to recreate the seriously different mode of warfare during the Napoleonic Wars? I know there are unit reforms but there' more to it then that.
A seperate campaign would be better.

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Originally Posted by Bopa the Magyar

How are they going to recreate the seriously different mode of warfare during the Napoleonic Wars? I know there are unit reforms but there' more to it then that.
A seperate campaign would be better.

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Napoleonic changes just like any other reform will probably be dynamic or random. Due to the fact that they are dynamic they might just skip Napoleonic wars if needs be... after all historical dates aren't enacted exactly when playing TW games.

@ Bopa the Magyar
Do you think so?

Formations have always been controllable and always had an effect on the outcome of combat.

Most of the weapons themselves go back to the 15 or 1600s and it was just discovering novel way to use them...combined arms and better command and control. The use of field artillery in support of infantry assault... We have been doing it since Rome.

The socket bayonet began to be issued about 1704 in British units and German ones but was later for the French.

These things come along over time and then just all get put together in an innovative way by someone. It is not so much the units as the way of using them. It ultimately wound up in trench warfare and was countered by the tank...the tank developed blitzkrieg warfare which is just heavy cavalry in a new form...with combined arms support.

The thing I have been missing so long in these games is mounted infantry. You were not able to dismount hobblers to act as a spear wall and move like cavalry. We will see if you can hide your dragoons in the woods to ambush an infantry column or fight dismounted in combat but move like horse.

Ok.
The weapons in use were not from the 1600's, you wouldn't call a rifle from today the same as one in WW1/2.

The way warfare was conducted was a direct result of the French Revolution. It was just that, revolutionary. The levee en masse, wiped the floor with its opponents. Warfare was re-born.
I know about the bayonet, as you can see from my posts in the What is this game? thread.

It just seems like such a waste of a good opportunity for the expansion.

Of course such things can always be done with scripted events... Otherwise there's the option of making it develop as a consequence of political decisions that the player makes. Well, tbh I hadn't thought about that when I suggested 1820... :shrug:

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Originally Posted by Bopa the Magyar

How are they going to recreate the seriously different mode of warfare during the Napoleonic Wars?

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Make new units recruitable: Post-Revolution Infantry and Post-Revolution Tirailleurs and what not... with higher morale and the ability to form columns and regroup as lines. But they already stated "columns beat lines", what will royally screw battle tactics I guess.

Mr. CA guy. Will there be gatling guns? Oh please let there be gatling guns.

That is just a bit beyond the scope and time line of this game.

They are ending it just short of the percussion cap and revolvers. The fixed cartridge comes a bit after that.

In this game it is still flintlocks and not fighting in the rain.

Nice to see CA active in the forum again

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Originally Posted by ratbarf

Mr. CA guy. Will there be gatling guns? Oh please let there be gatling guns.

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And nukes! :grin:

As far as modabillity, not so much a question as a request. Will support for Medieval mods or flying creatures/machines by implemented?

Thanks much,
General Vukahltor

I would like to know if field music will play a larger role in Empire than it has in former Total War offerings. I’m talking fifes and drums while the men move about or advance with the musicians portrayed in the unit. There were many military bandsmen in the 18th century and it would be great to hear pieces like the “pas de charge” at the outset of a bayonet assault. Perhaps a band could be a unit itself that adds to morale when ordered to play in much the same way as a commander’s rally ability is used currently. Much of the actual music still exists for the nations depicted in the game. The atmosphere and emersion during a battle couldn’t help but be enhanced with the sound of “British Grenadiers”!