GS Preview

[PBI]

..you can also use rough gunpowder charges to lay down a very basic minefield.

Yeah amazing alright...

Hmm, I raised an eyebrow at that too. Although, according to wikipedia:

In Europe in the early eighteenth century, improvised land mines or booby traps were constructed in the form of bombs buried in shallow wells in the earth and covered with scrap metal and/or gravel to serve as shrapnel. Known in French as fougasse, the term is sometimes still used in the present day to describe such devices. This technique was used in several European wars of the eighteenth Century, the American Revolution, and the American Civil War.

So long as it won't be the case that every battlefield ends up covered end to end with landmines which can each wipe out a whole unit by itself. Hopefully it will be more of a one-time trick, which won't do that much damage but will scare the out of the unit that marches over it.

Some interesting tidbits on governments and taxes, looks like government change will work pretty much like civil wars in MTW. The idea of using taxation to manipulate population flow also sounds intriguing.

EDIT: Well, it sounds interesting if you're me. I just re-read that sentence and realised it really doesn't sound very interesting the way I've written it.

[Warmaster Horus]

Depends how much the AI will use it.

Other than that, I'm getting more and more interested in E:TW. Previews like this one are more appealing to me, seeing how I prefer land battles.

[CBR]

Hmm, I raised an eyebrow at that too. Although, according to wikipedia:

Yes something used in sieges or fixed defensive positions. This seems to be a special ability for some units to be used in regular battles.


CBR

[Discoman]

AI covering a retreat? Sounds awesome!

Despite the scope of the game Creative Assembly is working to make the grand campaign more manageable. For one thing, factions may have unique goals other than "conquer the known world." Players can attempt to win based on their nation's prestige (earned through technology research, diplomacy, or military prowess). Another country might win if it establishes itself as a republic and maintains a stable government for X number of years.

Best news yet!

[Warmaster Horus]

I missed that last part. Sounds like CA is trying to bring back some features of MTW. All good news!

[Martok]

I'll admit, I liked most of what I read in the preview (although I too am a bit skeptical about the minefield comment). I especially like that Gamespy specifically discussed the AI -- they generally don't talk about AI unless it's worth mentioning. I do think it odd, however, that the second government type is a "democratic" monarchy. What was wrong with constitutional monarchy?

Still, that's more nitpicking than a serious criticism. The more I see of Empire, the more I'm starting to look forward to it.

[Mailman653]

http://pc.ign.com/articles/901/901519p1.html
IGN Preview......with five NEW screen shots.

[anders]

I do think it odd, however, that the second government type is a "democratic" monarchy. What was wrong with constitutional monarchy?

thats probably just gamespy not using the correct term, constitutional monarchy is the correct name of the concept they describe.

[Mount Suribachi]

OOh, I like the hint that we will see a return to GA style games