So how did you discover (and/or come to play) MTW?

[Ironside]

Started out with STW (bought on that the conecpt sounded interesting). As the mediveal age is more interesting than Sengoku Jidai Japan for me, it was pretty much a no-brainer.

Missed about religious buildings giving morale bonueses, until a very embarrasing chain rout with an elite army (arbs, halbs and CMMA) with a rookie general.

Been around computers for quite a while, the first one had a nice 25 mb harddrive.

[Jxrc]

I discovered MTW on 21st August 2002 to be specific (the morning after a friend's birthday party). Had kind of a "sore brain" and a few hours of train ahead of me and was looking for something not too serious (or difficult) for a read.

Bought some english-speaking computer magazine (PC Gaming, PC Game, can't remember) and there was a hilarious review of game by someone totally nuts who claimed to be the King of Spain. The review ended with a note of caution like "After playing this game for a while, you will start thinking that you are the king of Spain. Just remember that you are not. I am."

Bought the game the next week.

[Martok]

I'm almost 50, and yes it does boggle the mind that some 10 year olds are playing this game. I hope they'll make great manager one day, or even better yet great PC game designers.

Indeed. Of course, you've also highlighted (albeit indirectly) how these games tend to attract gamers from the higher end of the age range as well. Despite being in your 40's, you're still probably in the mid-range of folks who play; I know we've got at least a few guys in their 70's who have one or more TW games on their computer. I cannot express how very cool I find that to be.

I discovered MTW on 21st August 2002 to be specific (the morning after a friend's birthday party). Had kind of a "sore brain" and a few hours of train ahead of me and was looking for something not too serious (or difficult) for a read.

Bought some english-speaking computer magazine (PC Gaming, PC Game, can't remember) and there was a hilarious review of game by someone totally nuts who claimed to be the King of Spain. The review ended with a note of caution like "After playing this game for a while, you will start thinking that you are the king of Spain. Just remember that you are not. I am."

Bought the game the next week.

Wow. I suddenly wish I'd read that review as well now. Great little story, Jxrc.



By the by, I also meant to ask: How many people -- if any -- have you yourself subsequently gotten into Medieval (or other Total War games)? To date, I know at least 4 of my friends who've purchased MTW for themselves, at least partially due to my influence (3 of them were also old roommates of mine, which I'm sure was a large factor).

I'm still trying to turn my dad (who just turned 61) onto the game, but no luck yet. He clearly has some interest, but I suspect he's reluctant to give it a try because he views PC games as being a "young man's pastime"....

[seireikhaan]

Martok- my number is currently at two.

[Caliburn]

I saw a friend playin Shogun, and was impressed by how it combined the two levels, and how immersive the battles were. I later borrowed it, and when Medieval hit the shelves I bought the game, and I've been hooked ever since. I was in my teens at the time. Medieval European armies seemed more interesting at the moment, and the strategic complexity was more appealing than the simpler rules of Shogun. These days I find Shogun's relative simplicity a bonus, although I still return to Medieval more often.

I've converted only one person. Sometimes I'm sorry I did, since the game (and other TW games) is so addictive that sometimes it can be hard to get some real world stuff done...