Quote Originally Posted by spartiate
you had to move on and try new things with tools you didn't fully know how to use yet, risking bugs you didn't know were in the game until after release.The reasons for this are always your competitors gaining ground on you
True. But, fortunately we now have a terrific new sandbox from which to operate.


Everyone agrees that the visual elements of the game are solid. Fantastic even. Where most disagree is on gameplay. I think no one here would say, "gee, I want MTW graphics with RTW gameplay".

My point, in reply to your comment, is this: CA has a terrific foundation from which to expand from. They have the engine. They have the 'pretty things'. Now, they can work on stunning gameplay and make only minor improvement to visuals and the engine.

I suspect that BI will not reveal this, just as MI did not show the improvements that MTW showed and just as VI did not show the improvements that RTW showed. We will see the big leap, using the same engine, in the next TW title.

And my expectations, based on my limited understanding of the financial motivators behind their project development (as was clearly outlined in the opening postings to this thread) is this:

The TW title after BI will be a total blockbuster. It will sweep awards and everyone here will rant and rave and cry "oh thank you lord for thine sweet merciful justice". Why? I suspect that it was slated before RTW. RTW is the big test for the next TW game.

What does RTW give us over MTW and STW? Among many other things, these are some of the most drastic:

(1) Individually impressively detailed troops with huge improvements in individual interactions and character detail. (remeber stw and mtw animation? blah.)

(2) Excellent display of lighting effects, what with shadows (and soon to be night battles, etc.) and all.

(3) Drastic improvement in application of illusory physics and gravity: arrows, catapults, smoke trails, falling guys, breaking walls, etc. Use of height and mutiple levels where combat may take place (up on the wall, seige towers, etc).

(4) An operational based campaign map. geographical changes actual matter on the campaing map. Plan army and fleet movements in much greater detail, with far more effect.


So what does these mean for the future?

I suspect that we will see minor improvements in character detail on the battle map. The engine will remain unchanged because it is leaps and bounds above most everything available (especially the "real time" stragety types).

Visual effects and physics will improve substantially to get the "oooooh ahhhhh" effect. Houses will no longer blow up into giant mounds of dust, for example.

We will see battles in more complex environments, with greater use of cover. Fighting in the woods in RTW is a bitch, but cool as can be. Imagine the use of steps, rooftops, etc. Imagine having SHIP BASED COMBAT WITH MARINES FIGHTING OTHER MARINES ON TWO LOCKED UP SHIPS AS CANNONS FIRE INTO EACH OTHER!!! COOL!


The next game will be way better becasue the "heavy lifting" has already been done. The engine is ready. Now we move onto the next phase.

My suspicion will be Imperial Europe with colonisation of the new world, ending in the revolutionary war or american civil war. The campaign map will be the entire world.

Why?
First: Battles will look amazing when the physics are done right. Cannons, individual bullets whizzing through the ranks, dragoon charges, massed infantry attacking giant Napoleon style fortified positions.
Second: It is an epic period of global conflict. Colonisation, pirates, empire building, YAARRRGGHH! The world is a giant sandbox with HUGE areas of new land to conquer. The possibilities are endless and the replayability is unquestionabale.
Third: Well that is about it for now. I am too excited to type any more.


The groundwork has been laid. It will be Imperialism: Total War. or something like that. I can smelll it. I can't wait. I want it already.