Brigden Response to Game Flaws in Empire: Total War

[satchef1]

This should have been said before release really, it feels a lot like "Hey guys! Thanks for giving us the money to finish working on this game! Yeah, sorry about the problems. They'll be sorted in due course now that we have the money to finish the game."

Personally i'd have returned it to the store and bought it again in a few months if it wasn't a Steam game.

It'll be a great game once they fix the bugs, glitches and CTDs, sort the balance and AI out and release the mod tools :)

[Slaists]

It's funny, how the company response goes exactly along the fan predicted lines of "game was not released unfinished..."

Not sure how the absence of Naval invasions in a Naval era can be called a "finished" feature or the fact that the walls of the top fort level (the star fort) are practically useless, especially when compared to the fort type one level below (gun-fort is deadly to attackers), or the fact that the fort guns, when controlled by AI troops shoot across half the map but become active only when enemy is almost on top of the walls, if controlled by the player, or the fact that ships when grouped are immune to 'anchor' command even though the command is available, etc., etc.

The game, in it's current state, is full of unfinished features or features that do not function as intended.

But I agree, it could be a great one.

[Barkhorn1x]

It's funny, how the company response goes exactly along the fan predicted lines of "game was not released unfinished..."

The game, in it's current state, is full of unfinished features or features that do not function as intended.

I have to agree here as these are "issues" that one picks up on when playing for a day or two. No regression testing with hundreds of testers across hundreds of hours needed.

Oh, and how about the pathing bugs? I just LOST a very hard fought battle as the Prussians in East Prussia vs a combination Polish/Courland army. I was outnumbered 2-1 and by a combination of fire and movement I managed to route the enemy off the field. Except for a single provincial cavalyman who "got stuck" behind an outhouse and would not budge and could not be attacked. So I hit end battle and instead of a victory and half of my army still intact I get a "Close Defeat" and only 10% of my force left!!! This pathing issue ruined my campaign. And I knew that the pathing through scattered houses was FUBAR the first day I started playing.

We appreciate there will always be people who take the stance that 'these things should have been done before release' and thats a valid viewpoint.

Yea, it's a valid viewpoint because these people are correct. Known issues should not be allowed out the door. And Keiran does his company no service in refusing to admit the obvious - that MANY of these bugs must have been known to anyone paying the slightest attention.

But I agree, it could be a great one.

Your keyboard to God's ears.

[Karash]

There is no way this game is "finished" and any CA employee stating otherwise is simply lying for damage control.

[pevergreen]

Yet again, your view points.

Stubborness helps no one.

[MikeV]

There is no way this game is "finished" and any CA employee stating otherwise is simply lying for damage control.

Well, according to the credits, Kieran Brigden is listed under Marketing as the "Studio Communications Manager."

So, yes, damage control is his job.
This release ought to keep him busy ...