Still more previews!

[Martok]

WorthPlaying preview


VideoGamer preview


Lots of good stuff in both articles. I won't spoil anything for you guys this time, though.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Except for this one bit:

we're adding multiplayer modes and doing a lot there, which our established fans have asked us for, for quite a while.

I know it's too much to hope for a full MP campaign -- CA would be shouting it from the rooftops if that was the case -- but I am curious....

[Monk]

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

KB: Yeah. That's a massive overhaul. We scrapped the AI system and wrote it again from the start. We used to use what was called a state-based AI approach, which is very much like a chess game. It does A, then B, then C. Now we're using a system of goal-oriented action planning, or GOAP, which basically means that the AI is constantly looking at the status of forces on the battlefield, which of course, is resources, and it's got a list of jobs. Like, imagine you've got a list of post-its on your desk, and this is the number one thing I've got to do today, and this is the second. It moves those things around based on what's happening. So let's say its general is safely at the back of its army, right? And you're fighting very well and suddenly you outflank him. You come right around from the back, and there's a real chance that its general is in danger. The post-it note that says "Protected the general" goes from seventh to first, and then it looks at its resources and goes, "I've got artillery crews, I've got cavalry, I've got infantry. How do I achieve that objective now?" So what that means is you get a lot more dynamic backward and forward gameplay with the AI reacting to the things you're doing in real time, rather than going "I've got to do A, then I've got to do B," and if you interrupt it anywhere in that cycle, it doesn't get to the next step. Now, it's constantly looking at what its priorities should be to achieve its objectives and basing its movements and its actions around that exact thing.

Okay CA, you've got my attention now!

[Polemists]

Good, i prefer the top interview over the bottom one.

I mean I like hearing all the navy stuff but after hearing 12908 different reviewers play the little 20 v20 ship battle, at this stage i'm kinda just like "When do I get to play?" :(

The AI was very interesting though, of course seeing is believing but i'm opptomistic it will be better this time.

Still kind of waiting to hear more on diplomacy, agents, and campaign map.......dev diary c'mon :P

[Mailman653]

New MP modes? hmm...wonder like what.

[Martok]

Yeah, the section talking about the AI definitely caught my attention as well. If it works anywhere near as good as it sounds, we could be in for a real treat.

Good, i prefer the top interview over the bottom one.

I mean I like hearing all the navy stuff but after hearing 12908 different reviewers play the little 20 v20 ship battle, at this stage i'm kinda just like "When do I get to play?" :(

One passage that did catch my attention was that you can choose how much of your sail(s) you wish to deploy in combat. The more sail you have, the better you can maneuver, but it will also make you more vulnerable to chain shot. I like risk/reward systems like that.

[Polemists]

One passage that did catch my attention was that you can choose how much of your sail(s) you wish to deploy in combat. The more sail you have, the better you can maneuver, but it will also make you more vulnerable to chain shot. I like risk/reward systems like that

Let's hope you don't run into Sid Mier situation where neither of your fleets have sails, and you just keep circling each other missing with grape shot.......it will be like the horse archers of RTW all over again......

Though the fact they mentioned specific ship designs, like the eastern ships they mentioned, leads me to believe with such a wide variety of ships, there will be lots of tactics, options, and fun battles.

[Alexander the Pretty Good]

It'll be interesting to see just how good the AI turns out - if it can actually beat "dumb people", to quote KB in the first interview.

[fenir]

Martok,

IN all honesty.


I don't think the campaign will be mulitplayer. More like the battles and naval battles willl be mulitplayer.

I would love the campaign to be multiplayer, but i seriously doubt it.


Sincerely

fenir

[Martok]

I concur. As I said in the OP, if CA were to ever include full MP campaigns, they'd be letting the whole world know about it, not dropping hints.

[Divinus Arma]

So imagine you're researching a new firing drill, for example, and you've got guys fighting for you for 25 years, they'll automatically get access to that, along with being veterans, so they'll become very, very hardy opponents for any opposition you find

That could be worth noting. Rather than producing a new unit and trashing your old Vets, you just upgrade them with the latest technology. That could be very nice.