Information about CA's research?

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

I'm not sure if this is the best place to put this, but I'm trying to find out about how CA went about researching the Byzantine Empire, for both this and the original Medieval. I've tried contacting them on one e-mail address (info -at- creative-assembly.co.uk) a couple of times but received no reply. Can anyone recommend an e-mail address that is more fruitful, or, better still, if they know anything about CA's research methods in general? Thanks in advance.

[Vuk]

I'm not sure if this is the best place to put this, but I'm trying to find out about how CA went about researching the Byzantine Empire, for both this and the original Medieval. I've tried contacting them on one e-mail address (info -at- creative-assembly.co.uk) a couple of times but received no reply. Can anyone recommend an e-mail address that is more fruitful, or, better still, if they know anything about CA's research methods in general? Thanks in advance.

Will I get in trouble if I tell you? (it is not complimentary to CA )

[The Blind King of Bohemia]

The danger of opening this thread was that it might lead to some remarks along the lines of 'Did they do any?'. But however, ahem, 'uncomprehensive' CA's research might seem for some factions, they must have used something, and in any case I'd still like to know what that was.

[Vuk]

The danger of opening this thread was that it might lead to some remarks along the lines of 'Did they do any?'. But however, ahem, 'uncomprehensive' CA's research might seem for some factions, they must have used something, and in any case I'd still like to know what that was.

Yeah, they did research I'm sure, but I think that they were more concerned with being politically correct and catering to people's historical phantasies than being accurate. I would like to know the sources they used as well though.

[pevergreen]

You could ring them?

I rang them last year, and although they were incredibly busy (coming to a major deadline) they took the time to speak to me.

I felt more secure after doing that.

[frogbeastegg]

Hmm. CA don't seem to like to talk about their research much now. When STW was new they were quite happy to talk about it. I remember them saying that they use a tonne of Osprey books and other history books on the period, and then decide what to keep and what to alter. For STW they had Stephan Turnbull to act as a historical consultant; I can't remember if anyone was credited to that role in the medieval games. It looks as though he might have been quite active, almost definitely acting as a go-to source for questions, and (my guess) looking at game material now and then to give his opinion on it. He definitely played the game - he mentions it in on of his books. IIRC it was in 'The Samurai: a military history'. Some of the staff at CA will have some familiarity with different historical periods; working for a company famous for historical strategy games has to attract history lovers.

I think that there were several consultants for MTW. I remember there being one for the Muslim factions at the very least, and possibly one for Byzantium and one for the West. Check the game credits if you can.

So my guess would be that they did the obvious: gathered up all of the Osprey titles on Byzantium and a vast wodge of books like John Julius Norwich's excellent trio, sat down to read and make notes, and went on from there.

[edyzmedieval]

In the Medieval 2 Collectors Edition, the making of DVD shows a coupe of seconds their historical research - couple of guys at a table watching a video with dozens of stacks of Ospreys.

As Pever said, best chance is to ring them up or go personally to their offices.