Countdown to Open Beta - Features and Gameplay

[Greek_fire19]

Will someone explain how this whole 'allying with rebels' thing works? Because the screenshot with the messanger is a little frustrating- it cuts off the important bit.

'If you send a competent general North....' what happens? Do they automatically become yours? Or do they just not attack you, and then become yours after you have won?

Also, the messangers message looked like it was written specifically for Pontus. Does this mean that it is simply an 'event' that takes place at a certain date and will happen every time you play the game? Or will it be a random event that might or might not happen?
Also, when chersonesos is attacked, (for example) does it actually go and look for someone to ally with to protect them? Or is it a cause=effect that if the sarmatians attack chersonesos the rebels in chersonesos will send a message to pontus and become part of pontus' empire?

Annyhow, yep, I was sceptical before this preview about how much of RTW could actually be changed apart from superficial things, given the restrictions, but...well yeah, I'v changed my mind.

[hoom]

Wow

[Han]

hmm ya I always wondered if the AI will break the alliance without any reason? unless its war that is and nice preview!

[Epistolary Richard]

Will someone explain how this whole 'allying with rebels' thing works? Because the screenshot with the messanger is a little frustrating- it cuts off the important bit.

'If you send a competent general North....' what happens? Do they automatically become yours? Or do they just not attack you, and then become yours after you have won?

Also, the messangers message looked like it was written specifically for Pontus. Does this mean that it is simply an 'event' that takes place at a certain date and will happen every time you play the game? Or will it be a random event that might or might not happen?
Also, when chersonesos is attacked, (for example) does it actually go and look for someone to ally with to protect them? Or is it a cause=effect that if the sarmatians attack chersonesos the rebels in chersonesos will send a message to pontus and become part of pontus' empire?

Ah, I afraid you're confusing two different features there. There was no screenshot for the alliances with Independent Cities, the Pontos screenshot was for an entirely different event - specific to Pontos. It's an event that may happen or may not, depending on how the game develops and the actions of other factions.

The alliances with independent cities run completely independently of the diplomatic engine - they represent the fact that many nations had close cultural, trading and societal bonds with their neighbours - and also that aggressive action by other factions against nearby cities cannot be ignored. So you're no longer able to expand and swallow up independent settlements without considering the consequences on the nearby factions. They're there to give a more authentic version of the political world at the start date and will gradually fade away, allowing you complete control over how your relationships with other factions (well, as much control as you might expect to have). LorDBulA handled a lot of the work behind this and brought a lot of his experience from his Siegemod.

[Moros]

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O me god!

[UglyandHasty]

Great job gents ! Its the best update yet.

I have a small question, i look around and couldnt find my answer. Will EB reduce move and kill speed ?

[Greek_fire19]

Thanks Epistolary Richard! that cleared a lot of things up, and it sounds fantastic. Does this mean that individual Rebel states can be more aggressive and launch attacks on your cities?

[Epistolary Richard]

The rebels will be as aggressive as they ever are - possibly more so as the team has put effort into rounding them out into proper sub-kingdoms rather than just being a simple bump in the road to empire.

The 'alliance' between a faction and a nearby independent city is primarily in place to influence how the faction reacts to other factions that may endanger their own interests in that area. While there are trading relations and cultural affinity, that has never historically prevented warfare erupting!

So, conflicts between yourself and your 'allied' city can certainly happen without invalidating your overriding interests in the area. Even if Rome is having difficulty with the Sicilians for example, they still wouldn't be prepared to allow Carthage to take the island - it would be too much of a threat to their homeland security.

Equally, should you choose to impose your control over the city more directly by invasion you can expect them to defend their homes vigorously.

Ideally we would have had myriad different factions to represent all these societies and your diplomatic relations could be as complex as with any other faction - alas there are limitations that simply prevent that. We can simulate some aspects of it in other ways, which is what we're doing. You should always remember that the open beta is only going to be able to include a prototype version of some of these new game features. There'll be lots more exciting work and development to do once the open beta has been released before a final version - and then beyond that - in other mods that choose to pick up these ideas and focus on them more.

[Divinus Arma]

I thought EB was just a map/unit mod, which would have been fine... but dear God!

You shocked the hell out of me when you announced types of governments...


And now this? This is amazing. You guys aren't just changing the cabinets in the kitchen, you're breaking down the walls and rebuilding the house!

Every now and again a game comes along that is nearly infinitely replayable. You know the type. These are the ones we can stay up playing during all-nighters, and can't wait to get on when you wake up. These are the games that you can play anytime after purchase and still be hooked all over agin. The type of game you play when the novelty of the newest game is over. These are the classics, the old stand-bys.

RTW had the potential to be that game. Now we see that potential fulfilled. This really is an incredible feat. An amazing accomplishment. EB is everything that this game could possibly be. I think I am going to cry.

Is there anything you have left untouched?

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

I have a small question, i look around and couldnt find my answer. Will EB reduce move and kill speed ?

Done. And still tweaking it.

[Marinakis]

have you guys gotten a script together so carthage and rome come into conflict again. Like how the CA script did?

P.S. this preview is utterly amazing. i cant wait for this mod!

[Spendios]

This preview is simply amazing EB will be a completely new game!!!
Congratulations !!!

[UglyandHasty]

Done. And still tweaking it.

Thank you sir. I will download the open beta as soon it's released. You gents are creating a lot of expectation with your mod.

[Tricon]

Awesome.
I had a lot of expectations... but you surpased them. The little history buff in me can't wait to experience your mod.

[the_handsome_viking]

it would be cool to view a settlement on the battlefeild map and watch gladiators fight in arenas, just a suggestion.

it could work in a similar way for the olympics and chariot races.

[Simetrical]

I don't think that's feasible, unfortunately. If it is, I think it's safe to say it will be extremely low-priority.