QA from CA for the Org-ites

[Sir Robin]

Can overland trade routes earn as much as oversea trade routes?

I recall that they exist but not much detail on how they work or their value.

Can all cavalry armies move faster than mixed or exclusively foot forces?

I could see this being either way but would like to know.

Is the Roman Arcani unit still in the game and if it is, is it a tactical assassin style unit like the battlefield ninjas?

Never saw a description released about this unt.

Will the strategic map be as difficult to mod as the map in MTW?

Dreaming of making a Birthright AD&D mod despite my meager abilities.

[discovery1]

HAve only one question, and if it has been answered elsewhere, please tell me.

How will logistics be handed in RTW? Will it be like in MTW, where armies could get cut off and it wouldn't matter? Or will we be encouraged to maintain lines of supply? I hope so; it would open new strtegic possiblities not seen in previous TW games.

[Shaitan]

HAve only one question, and if it has been answered elsewhere, please tell me.

How will logistics be handed in RTW? Will it be like in MTW, where armies could get cut off and it wouldn't matter? Or will we be encouraged to maintain lines of supply? I hope so; it would open new strtegic possiblities not seen in previous TW games.

Very good point would also like to know that.


Shaitan

[Soulflame]

Most of the questions I have, have already been asked in this thread, so I'll just copy-paste them (with original poster), so that it's clear that I am supporting those questions.

For me, these 5 I'd like answered:

1. (Kraellin) is there a multplayer campaign included in the release? (Nigel)
Are there any considerations at CA to ever try a MP campaign, or have they given up on that concept completely?

2. (Saundersag) My question is if they can give some example of how moddable rtw will be. For example will they give you programs with the game to mod it. Will the files be in data files and will they not use obscure file extensions. So what have they done to make Rtw easy to mod.

3. (Colovion) Will you be able to take soldiers/generals/royalty prisoners and torture them to give you information you need about their faction's armies, ships, cities etc?

4. (D6veteran) How has multiplayer been changed from MTW/VI? (e.g. new options/features/game types)

5. (New, my own, Soulflame) Are there plans to release historical battles after the game hits the shelves? Like a monthly new map release akin to some RTS's, which release new maps to battle upon every few weeks or so?

[KukriKhan]

These questions are out of left-field, I know. Just thinking of previous problems encountered when TW games/expansions have been issued (making much extra "helping" work for staff and patrons here):

1) Have the CD serial numbers all been double-checked and prepared for activation?

2) Is GameSpy playing host to MultiPlayer again? Is there any advantage to game buyers purchasing GameSpy memberships vs their free products?

3) Are we getting hard-copy documentation, or will it all be on disc?

4) What have been the installation problems encountered by CA staff or testers? If there were any, how were they resolved?

5) Is R:TW '-ian -able' ?

EDIT: To make certain I'm clear: none of the above questions should be construed as critical of the devs or publishers (past or present). I'm just trying to anticipate what sort of problems will need to be worked here when R:TW is released

[Nigel]

Many very good questions.
But also quite a few of them which will be answered anyway in a few days when the game comes out. I still think it is better to ask those things which can go beyond the current release.

Here is another one I would find interesting :

Cooperative multiplayer - i.e. 2 or more friends teaming up against the AI - is very popular with other strategy games. Has this been considered by CA, if not for this release, then perhaps for the expansion ?


Oh, and Gil, thanks a lot for your comments on this thread. It sure means a lot to us to know our posts don't fall on deaf ears (eyes rather ).

[ToranagaSama]

My primary question is a bit more general, if not simple. Question 3 is probably most viable for the Q and A:

1) Why did you fix things that weren't broken? I'm asking in regarding to the Interface.

I like many others are EXPERT at the Shogun and Medieval Interface. I will take no pleasure in learning to master Rome's Interface. Yes, you've been so kind as to provide something approximating the Shogun/Medieval interface, but unfortunately, it falls a bit short in comparison.

I just don't get it, as it wasn't broken.

2) Will it be possible to *marry* Rome's Campaign Map to the Shogun/Medieval Battle Engine?

Specifically, I like to see both the Shogun and Medieval maps modded with Rome's Campaign Map features (diplomacy, etc.).

In other words, I didn't enjoy the Demo, but look forward to Rome's Campaign Map advances, and would prefer to use it along with the *old* Medieval and/or Shogun Battle Engine.

3) Considering the feedback CA has received regarding the Demo, what changes have been made to the Final Release?

[Somebody Else]

1. Is there any provision for the Roman habit of building a fort everytime they camped for the night? Ie. If a Roman army is attacked in the campaign map - will it have fortifications to fight from?

2. Will it be possible to upgrade units to different classes? Say if a legionnary happens to show an aptitude for command - and end up leading an army - would he stay in his legionnary unit, or would he be transferred to a general unit? Taking Sertorius as an example. If so, how will it work?

3. How far can an army move in one turn on the campaign map?

[Jambo]

3) Considering the feedback CA has received regarding the Demo, what changes have been made to the Final Release?

This to me is a very important question and one that covers all the issues that were raised from the demo.

[econ21]

I think it is a waste to ask factual questions that will be easily answered when we get the game.

The only question I am interested in hearing answered is CA's response to the almost universal concern here that combat in the demo is resolved too quickly - both in terms of movement speed and killing speed. It is true that this concern might prove to be ill founded when we get the final game, but I am by nature a pessimist, so I do not count on it. I have not heard anyone from CA react to this concern and this Q&A is our best chance to get a reaction.

[The_Emperor]

Another issue related to the demo and the new game is...

Will we be able to hide the interface in much the same way as we did in MTW with the F keys? or be able to revert back to the classic Total War one?

[Orda Khan]

Well I don't think it's really worth sorting through these questions IMO.... by the time we pick the 'magic' 5 questions we will already have the game. CA could quite easily answer the most burning issue regarding speed but somehow they seem to be very silent about the subject.

.......Orda

[Tamur]

3) Considering the feedback CA has received regarding the Demo, what changes have been made to the Final Release?

This to me is a very important question and one that covers all the issues that were raised from the demo.

Not to say I'm not interested in the answer, but this question probably covers a bit too much ground to be effectively answered, if the expectation is that the answer will cover ALL the issues raised.

[Colovion]

Wow! Thanks for the feedback Gil! I'm more excited about the full release since I first saw the game engine in Time Commanders!

It's great to see the CA team posting on the Org more these days, keep up the good work.

[lars573]

You know I can answer some of these question via my reading of everything CA members have said and my studying any screens that come along.

3. will one still be able to go thousands of miles across a sea to invade in one turn?

4. if not, how will it work now?

Moving armies by sea is more dicey now as you have to load the army into ships and send them on their way. Taking how ever long it takes the ship to get from point A to point B. If your ships are lost the troops on them are lost too. Strategic agents are moved this way now too with the same risks.

1: Land Based Trade - does it produce? In MTW the trading was almost entirely sea based and if you wanted to build a trade empire without ships it was an oxymoron. I seem to remember the Silk Road bringing in many goods throughout this timeframe and bringing the trade from the East certainly brought a greater economic benefit to the European based factions which were able to exploit this trade. Will Land Based Trade be improved at all or is trade in general being revamped in any way?

4. What does land based trade involve? Is it just as profitable as sea based trade?

Land and sea basd trade have little indicators know on land there are little lines of camels going from city to city same with sea trade you can see little trade ships plugging along between ports.

5: We've been told about the diplomacy system. Can you post a list of things which can be asked for of another faction as well as the list of things which can be given in return?

I've seen a screen of the diplomatic negotiation screen it had the offer/demand settlement option up but there were others further down. that were a bit blurry, lots of them but blurry.

1) There are two seasons. Are turns keyed to seasons, or will there be multiple turns per season?

Some person from CA said that the turns are based on seasons again 2 per year summer and winter.

Now that I have insulted everybody with my hubris my questions.
1.To load a full stack army into ships will you need a full stack navy?
2.Can you only build forts in specific places or can you plunk one down anywhere that strikes your fancy?
3.Has the mercenary system been changed at all?
4.How many surgeons, spies, priests can you have in a generals retinue?
5.How far can an army go in one turn?

[Jambo]

Not to say I'm not interested in the answer, but this question probably covers a bit too much ground to be effectively answered, if the expectation is that the answer will cover ALL the issues raised.

Yeah, agreed. Plus, Gil's actually just answered on a couple of the most talked about topics regarding the Demo.

[Steppe Merc]

Oh, about those killing, it's still really fast, even with me modding them with low valour and high armour, and no weapons upgrade. And the speed is still insane, even though my armies are far apart.

[nokhor]

"- a few people grumbling at the .org every time we do something new is considered par for the course ;-)"

i love that line. even though it treats us like red headed step children, it's too true, too true. but that is what grognards do, they 'grumble.' but lets be honest, most of these grumblers are the backbones of the org. they're the ones spending countless hours making mods and guides and all the other add-ons to the game that the rest of us get to enjoy for free. on the other hand its kinda sad how even after 2 excellent games some of them are quick to have a pessimistic, negative view towards it all, not just the demo, but reviews, developers' chat, etc. the good thing is, the developers and the grumblers help to keep each other in check so that the silent majority of us can enjoy quality games [courtesy of the developers] with added improvements [courtesy of the grumblers]

[Steppe Merc]

It's not called pessimisim, it's called "being realistic".
And I'd suppose you'd rather listen to those dingbats at the com? Who just flame people all day, and make idiotic posts?

[Kraxis]

And I'd suppose you'd rather listen to those dingbats at the com? Who just flame people all day, and make idiotic posts?

And there we have it again... The superiority-complex stomping all over...

[Silver Rusher]

Will there ever be multiplayer campaigns for any total war game ever?

It'd be great if that was available in the ex pack. (with mods catered for of course! )