Northeastern North American Indian Warfare

**Fisherking** · 11-26-2008, 09:34

There was a big difference between the Indians in South and Central America and those of North America.

From the very beginning the North American Indians had successes in fighting off the Spanish. Hernando de Soto had a tough time of exploring and was close to being wiped out on several occasions. The Chickasaw had him and allowed him to go. We know what happened to early Viking attempts to settle and the lost colony of Rowatan. Guns, horses, and armor were not the magic in eastern North America that they were in the southwest and Central America.

Also this is a different time period. CA does do historical research. Just because they treated the Indians badly in Kingdoms does not mean that the same must hold true for Empire.

You also have to consider the US/Canadian markets, with people who have different expectations of Indian Warfare. People who still carry some of that historical fear of Indian Attack. It is in the physique.

It is also widely held that the only reason the European Immigrants won was the disunity of the Tribes.

If they nerff the Indians and do a poor job with them, there is going to be an outcry. If they are actually doing the 13 Colonies then they(the Indians) should be a major factor in success or failure. It would be like not having Elephants in India!

If it is bad I know I am going to scream! I suspect that others will too. Some of you are looking for George Washington, Wellington, or Nappy… I am looking for William Johnson, Pontiac and some others you won‘t know.

If they add areas outside Europe then they have to do them well. It can‘t just be Europe and those other places. Europeans may see the world that way but look at the markets.
North America must represent not less than 50% of the potential. I don‘t think they want to shoot themselves in the foot.

I am hoping for the best

If they don’t deliver than it may seem like a different Total War.

**AussieGiant** · 11-26-2008, 09:58

Don't get me wrong, I certainly hope they do justice to the indigenous populations in the various frontier regions...I'm just not sure they have the time though.

American history is widely taught in the places I have lived and the people I speak to from other countries so I certainly expect CA to have done their homework fully on this matter.

Whether they have the resources or not to implement it well...that is my concern.

Hence the 'expectation management' on my behalf.

**Hosakawa Tito** · 11-26-2008, 17:01

The reason I posted this is to try to expel accepted common myths about the Native Americans in this region and from the time period depicted in the game. I live in Western New York within a couple of long bowshots from the Seneca Nation "Keepers of the Western Door" of the Iroquois Confederation. I have boyhood friends and school mates who are Senecas, and have some experience with their ancient culture so I find this history very interesting personally. I never realized that they used "wooden armor" much like the Samurai or that they fought in "formations" not unlike European armies of the time period till I read this account of Samuel Champlain. I have no idea how CA will depict the Native Tribes in ETW, however I just like to know the real history behind the game and it's characters, and wanted to share that. Why did the French not emphasize colonization over maximizing short-term profit in the fur trade? Why did the Spanish not vie with the English,French, & Dutch for the mid-atlantic and new england area? How did the religious wars in Europe shape the building of global empires by the European powers? This book, Champlain's Dream: by David Hackett Fischer, and the others listed in the link help fill that knowledge of history in.

**Rhyfelwyr** · 11-26-2008, 21:09

Judging from one of the screenshots, the native American factions will fight in quite an organised fashion. It looked a bit wrong IMO, although after looking at this thread I may be wrong.

**Megas Methuselah** · 11-26-2008, 21:28

Originally Posted by Fisherking

People who still carry some of that historical fear of Indian Attack. It is in the physique.

.... What?

**PBI** · 11-26-2008, 23:34

Great find Hosa, a fascinating read.

While I fear that given the global scope of Empire there will not be time for sufficient detail on the Native Americans to truly do them justice, it could be a setting for a fantastic mod - a true EB for the New World.

**Oleander Ardens** · 11-27-2008, 12:39

Well, the European powers are both the yardstick and the knit of E:TW. Others nations should be measured on how well they compare with European prowness. Thus I hope that CA will give us a realistic and enjoyable presentation and content of the other forces in the game, and will no try too hard to "balance" units and factions. If MTWII is the benchmark, than I fear more too powerful units with too high morale.