How many people are still playing?

**Martok** · 04-19-2010, 05:29

I'm afraid I haven't played Empire in months. I've wanted so badly to like it; but in the end, I just got fed up.

I got tired of the crashes, the imbalances, and -- most/worst of all -- the craptastic AI, especially on the strategic level. And while the various patches/updates have fixed the majority of the first two problems, CA/Sega has done almost nothing about the last one: I got sick of DOW's from factions that should've had little or no reason to want to attack me, DOW's from factions that didn't have an even-remotely realistic chance of beating me, factions refusing to accept peace terms no matter how badly they were losing to me, and factions that offered ridiculously lopsided deals (in their favor) that no ruler in their right mind would ever accept.

The "Black Knight" AI has been a problem with this game from the beginning, and I've seen no signs that it's improved in any significant or meaningful way. I keep desperately hoping against all odds that CA does at least one more update to fix (or at least significantly improve) it, but it's hard for me to be at all optimistic at this point. Unless & until the campaign AI is addressed (especially with respect to diplomacy), ETW will remain forever uninstalled on my computer.

**Durango** · 04-19-2010, 07:00

Originally Posted by Martok

I'm afraid I haven't played Empire in months. I've wanted so badly to like it; but in the end, I just got fed up.

I got tired of the crashes, the imbalances, and -- most/worst of all -- the craptastic AI, especially on the strategic level. And while the various patches/updates have fixed the majority of the first two problems, CA/Sega has done almost nothing about the last one: I got sick of DOW's from factions that should've had little or no reason to want to attack me, DOW's from factions that didn't have an even-remotely realistic chance of beating me, factions refusing to accept peace terms no matter how badly they were losing to me, and factions that offered ridiculously lopsided deals (in their favor) that no ruler in their right mind would ever accept.

The "Black Knight" AI has been a problem with this game from the beginning, and I've seen no signs that it's improved in any significant or meaningful way. I keep desperately hoping against all odds that CA does at least one more update to fix (or at least significantly improve) it, but it's hard for me to be at all optimistic at this point. Unless & until the campaign AI is addressed (especially with respect to diplomacy), ETW will remain forever uninstalled on my computer.

Why not play Medieval instead?

But really, this killed any hope I had that Empire would be playable. And with Napoleon, why would anyone even bother?

**Fisherking** · 04-19-2010, 18:46

If you have not played NTW you can not judge it.

It is a different beast than ETW.

I have not been able to drag my self back even after the patch. I have no idea what got changed.

But I will tell you that NTW is more than worth the money, especially now that the price is so reduced. It is a different experience totally and entirely from what you got in ETW.

It is a shame that everyone is so gun-shy now, because it is an excellent game.

**Durango** · 04-19-2010, 19:52

I meant that with Napoleon out, why play ETW

Napoleon's multiplayer experience looks like the best iteration out of the newer Total War games.

**Alexander XXI** · 05-26-2010, 23:41

Have not played for the best part of nine months due to University, going to start a campaign now, not sure what state the game is in, last time I played AI could still not invade by sea.

**A Nerd** · 05-26-2010, 23:45

I've seen the French land an army near one of my English cities in America. I've also heard stories of Maratha sending large armies all over the place via fleets. I do think it's possible. I don't know with what patch this was made so, but definately possible in 1.6.