MTW-Redux Beta Released!

[Mecoatl]

Hello Axalon,

I have read your comments about players not posting here, so I decided to throw my hat in the ring. I have been playing your mod for over three years now. I recently downloaded the 1003 version and have applied my "normal" changes to it and will be deciding on a new faction very soon.

I enjoy playing the mod very much. It is the only full blown reformed mod that I don't have to adjust for hours on end just to keep my attention. I tend to find it more attractive of an experience when the AI has much more florin than the vanilla setup, which is accomplished here with Redux. I also, immediately, fell in love with the Rebel troops aggressive behavior.

Before I start a campaign, I do like to tweak unit sizes some. I also mod-out the champion units to some other re-stat fix of my own, for every single campaign since 1001,1002..and again for 1003. I just don't like them in the game. When the Rebel faction or "rarely" another Minor/Major faction uses them, I can just plow them over with Cavalry.

Here are some of the things I like to play around with, while enjoying 1002:

- Remove all placed troops from startpos file, each faction starts only with the Faction Leader.
- Remove all buildings as above.
- Add +2 rebel integer for all provinces in startpos file
- Add Princes for all Factions, that I will not be controlling in startpos file
- Double bodyguard unit sizes.
- Apply all axes with bonuses against cavalry, with adding -integer for all ranged units.
- Reduce ranged engagement thresholds
- Remove all maps and replace them with flat steppes & all 6 levels of flat Castles, this does tend to get repetitive, I have found it gives the AI a better chance to dominate a battle.
- Double Merc sizes.
- Add cavalry bonuses to Lancer units for the few factions that have them available for recruitment
- Add cavalry bonuses to all Camel units.
- Every other campaign..or so, I like to pick a Faction and double the size of their specific specialty troops. One game, I had the challenging task of ridding the world of the Norse, with this upgrade. That was a very fun 200+ turns.

Those are just some of the ways I like enjoy Redux. I think it's also notable that I only play with the Viking upgrade engine.

I will continue to post here with the goal of providing some much needed traffic for such a great piece of work.

Now on to 1003...

[Axalon]

Hi and thanks for posting here guys. I'll get back here later on with some more remarks on these posts.


EDIT:
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Hey Raz, don’t get me wrong it’s good to see you here again, but…

I don't think it needs exposure to survive. Many mods for MTW survive simply because it was uploaded on some obscure server years and years ago and no one bothered taking it down.

I do think you are wrong here. Escaping extinction is hardly a viable form of survival. Survival for a public project/mod - Redux or otherwise - is not made out of apathy, passivity, indifference and relentless silence on the boards (any boards). It is obvious that Redux (or whatever) does not download itself, if people play it (why otherwise download it?), then they certainly do have excellent reasons to discuss it with others – either for information, ideas, tips, questions, strategy or just for the fun of discussing stuff you like with others who like it as well etc. The benefits of any such activities are obvious. The more people that participate in that - the more benefits are to be had for all involved. The more input, the more output basically.

A public project/mod is like a plant, it continuously needs “water and attention” (that translates to “posts and related discussions”) in order to survive and grow beyond total obscurity - becoming more visible on the radar – and benefit more people as a result etc. etc. If it gets no “water and attention” it will eventually die and benefit nobody - as simple as that and that is universal. However all gains/benefits hinges on the public’s ability to actually support the project that yields them. One might be able to fake support and interest for a limited time, but that will only go so far. Eventually only the real deal will sustain a project, empty gestures does not. And, failure to support a project means that all related benefits will disappear as a result. Second chances are few and very difficult to stage successfully, at least for TW-stuff – that’s my experience. If the public (including whatever staff who supposedly serves it) insists on apathy and do nothing (or too little) – the public will eventually have and gain nothing because of it. Constant silence and apathy kills mods/projects – no exceptions…

Raz, I know you are generally active and curious on the boards or at least try to be. And, if we had 20 people active here with that same kind of advantageous attitude you have, then these boards would be a lot more fun and interesting to visit for everybody. As for me, I alone can only take things so far - Redux or otherwise – eventually people must step up, post and participate somehow here or it will never ever go beyond what little I can cook up solo, as simple as that… That regardless the topic…

I wish I could sink some hours back into these mods (or games in general!), but I've been swept away with all sorts of things.

I can understand and relate to that - then again once “you” are interested enough in some game or mod – you will play it anyhow, despite of all that.

I think I've added "releasing an MTW mod" to my bucket list, so even if these new fangled computers can't run MTW, I'll still do my best to release a mod.

Well… You can run RXB1003 on modern hardware (this in typical contrast to raw MTW). If you still want to make that mod, you can base it upon the Redux-platform and the new hardware should not be any problem anymore (generally speaking). I have no idea what changes you have in mind or how much Redux corresponds or not to all that – but – it would probably kill the technical problems of running the game for you. Redux these days is very different beast then it was back 2008-2009. Just saying (in the event that it matters)…


Comments on the above? Raz? Anybody?


EDIT II:
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Hi Mecoatl, I appreciate the post and the ambition to generate some activity here – this place could use some. Imagine what would and could happen if 5 or 10 people came to that same conclusion at the same time - and acted on it. Things would be more active, fun and interesting here. Anyways…

It is an interesting list you posted, it might not hit close to home for me personally but it can still serve as possible ideas and suggestions to people inclined to change Redux circumstances somehow. The solo/champion-units have been questioned by others before you. Obviously, the most reliable remedy to that is to just shut down all solo-units. I did include all that stuff as it increase possibilities, choices and diversity in the game – and I like and stand by that. I like having the option as a player - diversity and possibility is good stuff for any game. “Heroes” can be very effective at times while they can also be easily overrun or shot down – it all depends on what happens and what we do as players. If you don’t want to explore that and such possibilities in Redux then by all means ignore or remove them completely, problem solved.

As for Redux and changes in general - everybody have ideas on how to tweak stuff to suit them just right. Obviously, my designs can not possibly cater to every preference and idea out there, whatever it may be. It’s a standing and universal problem in the game-industry and typically on the modding scene as well (probably even more so) – this for any game, Redux included. If people think they can design a better game-experience then I can then by all means do it – just don’t blame me if it doesn’t work out. If things go sauer and wreck the game, the designs, the balance or whatever somehow - you are on your own. As long as that is crystal clear, I see no problems with people changing stuff in Redux. To me, it is much better that people have the option to customize (and change) their game-experience then not – Redux was always designed to embrace and enable customization/tailoring and leave room for it – extra troops, buildings and whatever have you. In my experience, the best game-designer for “you” is usually you…

- A

[Axalon]

Redux News....

I'm happy to announce that the RXB1003 have generated 1000+ downloads. This makes it the most successful "new" Redux beta-release to date. Keep at it and do enjoy the Redux-experience folks. All the same, if people could help me out with general Intel and report in game-experiences on whatever faction they played in Redux - it would make things a lot more easier. Basically, the more solid info I have and get, the better job I can do as to improve Redux for the final release.

- A

[Axalon]

Redux News....

I'm happy to announce that this week the TWC have set up an official wiki-page to gather both general and detailed information on Redux, in one place. My thanks to the TWC content-branch for their work on this. The Redux-wiki offers analysis, lists and comments on many features and traits, and provides various information of all kinds on Redux. Definitely a must see for all new to or just curious about Redux. I would like to think that this wiki-page can even offer something to experienced Redux players as well, go there and find out.

On general terms, I'm happy to discuss this new Redux-wiki with anybody (regardless the aspect) - however as it is located over at the TWC boards, I think any related discussion should be confined to the TWC Redux-thread as a result. All the same, I you do have suggestions, criticisms, corrections, improvements etc. etc. - feel free to head over there and post away... The more input and the more it is discussed - the better the wiki can become. Now, get over there and have a look!

http://www.twcenter.net/wiki/Medieva...E2%80%93_Redux

- A

[Axalon]

Redux News....

As it turns out Redux has managed to get 5 years old – and I am still not finished with it, and I’m still supporting it. Imagine that. Who would have thought?! I know I didn’t as I released the first version back in the summer of 2008 (right here at the Org actually). Damn, this project has evolved and travelled far since then. While on the subject, my thanks to all people who supported Redux somehow during these 5 years. Also, some honourable mentions of the people who has been especially helpful or memorable (or both) along the way. And so, my thanks and appreciation to…

Western
Baron von Manteuffel
William the Silent
Lord of the Pies
Victor GB
Daigaku
Plato
Raz
Joh


- A

[Axalon]

Redux News....



As of RXB1004, this is how the grand map in Redux will look like - in terms of design. The difference is only a few things, yet the changes are not without importance at regional levels. An extra sea-region outside Flanders to draw “heat” from the English Channel (which it does very nicely, during tests) - in effect cutting the old channel-square into two separate squares. The new (north) square will be called “Flemish Coast” and will add more flexibility to the region, and the English coastline gets another sea-square for potential seaborne-invasions (England gets slightly more difficult to defend). The Malta channel is out (it had too little traffic to warrant a continued place in the game) and will in effect be merged with the “Gulf of Gabes”-square. In North Africa, I have redrawn the borders of Tunisia, Mauritania and Tripolitania for increased dynamics and possibilities in the region. Crusades can now bypass the Tunisia altogether on their way to "the holy land" from Spain etc. Other then that there is no planned changes on the map so far…

Any comments?

- A

[Axalon]

- A