Confused newbie

[rorarii]

I'm new to EB and am getting confused.

EB looks to be the only Ancient mod with a large following so I was wondering whether we'll see EB ported to M2TW .. I'm sure this has been answered before but i cannot find any reference.

The reason why I asked is that I like the new features in M2TW, like new events (although I've read you already have polybian / marian etc reform triggers), time scales and also excellent settlement fortifications etc.

I haven't downloaded EB yet as i'm hoping for the M2 mod.

Could you provide the link to the M2TW EB mod, thanks

R

[Ludens]

The EB team announced their intention to create a version for M2:TW some time ago, but as far as I know they haven't started on it yet. As long as we cannot add new units to the game, all total conversion projects are on hold. In any case, it's going to be some time before we will be seeing the first total conversions for M2:TW.

[blacksnail]

As Ludens says. M2TW isn't currently capable of being modded in the way we need it to be for new units. Until that happens we can't do much of anything but prep work.

[MSB]

As Ludens says. M2TW isn't currently capable of being modded in the way we need it to be for new units. Until that happens we can't do much of anything but prep work.

I am sure that now it is fully moddable. Textures are now moddable and so are models. The xPack extractor is also out too.

[Zaknafien]

yes, but you cant add new models yet, therein lies the point.

[MSB]

yes, but you cant add new models yet, therein lies the point.

Can't you copy and paste existing models and modify the copied one to make a new model?

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

Can't you copy and paste existing models and modify the copied one to make a new model?

Ha! No. Totally different formats, game implementation, etc...

[Zaknafien]

Im not a modeler, but apparently, no.

[MSB]

So M2TW was a complete failure in mod terms?

[Aranor]

So M2TW was a complete failure in mod terms?

Good god I hope not! I personally only got M2TW just for EB2! I'm busting to see those cool Getai troops in a M2TW battlefield they would look soooooo cool

[Fleeb]

>> So M2TW was a complete failure in mod terms?

Ah, but that makes it a success in game terms. CA doesn't make any money if you keep playing old games. If you can't modify a game you'll play it for a while then get tired of it, so you'll get the next game they put out. they'd rather not see an EB for M2TW

[alman7272]

I always thought mods were appreciated by the developers, because they extended the playing time of the game.

[Ludens]

>> So M2TW was a complete failure in mod terms?

Ah, but that makes it a success in game terms. CA doesn't make any money if you keep playing old games. If you can't modify a game you'll play it for a while then get tired of it, so you'll get the next game they put out. they'd rather not see an EB for M2TW

Then why did they release the .cas exporter? I have to disagree here. I doubt there are many players that won't buy M2:TW because of EB, and in general mods make a game more popular as they improve the game or change it to cater to a different variety of players (like R:TR and EB made R:TW more acceptable for the history-fanatics). Developers like modifications. They just vary in the amount of support they give. I admit, though, that CA has a bad record when it comes to helping modders.

[Tretii]

I don't have MTW2 and won't buy it if there won't be EB2. Here you go
What's the point of stepping back while being on the top.
(EB mode and MTW2 in comparrison)

[Pode]

EB is IMO sort of like one of the luxury car brands (forget which) that is built on the same chassis as a Toyota Camry.
It's much, much better than the standard Camry (vanilla RTW), but M2TW represents a new and better chassis with more capability, even though right now all that's been built on that better chassis is a slightly better Camry. I'm with the OP, I'm itching to see the new EB brand luxury model built on the new chassis, but since that's some time away from market yet, I'm going to enjoy driving the superb vehicle they are making now.
As to M2TW being a failure in mod terms, that's only fair to say for the initial release, when all the data files were still locked up and CA hadn't released the unpacker tool to allow mods to really get to work. That's changed now after the first patch / unpacker release, and I gather the general modder reaction has been very positive.

[Warluster]

But when will they release the modding tools all the modders need!?

[Fondor_Yards]

But when will they release the modding tools all the modders need!?

They said they would in the next patch... but didn't they say that about the last patch?

[Aymar de Bois Mauri]

So M2TW was a complete failure in mod terms?

No. They just haven't released all the necessary tools yet.

Ah, but that makes it a success in game terms. CA doesn't make any money if you keep playing old games. If you can't modify a game you'll play it for a while then get tired of it, so you'll get the next game they put out. they'd rather not see an EB for M2TW

You are totally off the mark on this one. Many people bougth RTW just becasue of the mods. So, higher modability = higher sales.

[Bonny]

They said they would in the next patch... but didn't they say that about the last patch?

Last thing i have heard was that they are in diskussion with third party developer, who must give their OK before CA could release anything to mod the models and allow the public to include new units.

[blacksnail]

Ah, but that makes it a success in game terms. CA doesn't make any money if you keep playing old games. If you can't modify a game you'll play it for a while then get tired of it, so you'll get the next game they put out. they'd rather not see an EB for M2TW

This is just patently incorrect. I recommend you read up on Epistolary Richard's visit to the studio where they showed him the modability of M2TW and talked about their plans for future support.

It's entirely possible to reduce things to "CA is The Man trying to keep us down." This does not mean it's true, however.

[fallen851]

\

It's entirely possible to reduce things to "CA is The Man trying to keep us down." This does not mean it's true, however.

But it is true.

[Thaatu]

It's only the half-truth. It is no man.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

In truth Sega is "The Man" keeping CA down...

[GodEmperorLeto]

This is just patently incorrect. I recommend you read up on Epistolary Richard's visit to the studio where they showed him the modability of M2TW and talked about their plans for future support.

It's entirely possible to reduce things to "CA is The Man trying to keep us down." This does not mean it's true, however.

I hope you are right. I just took a look at some of the specs for Europa Universalis 3, and they are going out of their way to make it more mod-friendly than EU2. If Strategy First can be so forward-thinking and so supportive of their fanbase, why can't Creative Assembly?

[Zaknafien]

oh man, EU III is going to be amazing. I wish we'd do an EB mod for it!

[Krusader]

oh man, EU III is going to be amazing. I wish we'd do an EB mod for it!

Let's make one





oh god...what did I just do...

[Birka Viking]

WOW..Europa Universalis 3 looks realy good man..I liked EU2 very much so I have realy high expectation for EU3

[Zaknafien]

Heh, now thats an idea, Krusader--I actually know how to mod paradox games. lol.. If only it was possible to combine the strat-map level from EU and the battle-engine of RTW/MTWII ..now that'd be a game Id give up a kidney for.

[Fondor_Yards]

Heh, now thats an idea, Krusader--I actually know how to mod paradox games. lol.. If only it was possible to combine the strat-map level from EU and the battle-engine of RTW/MTWII ..now that'd be a game Id give up a kidney for.

Ehh wait another 5-10 years and they will have it by then for sure.....and be sure to keep that second kidney healthy

[Namenlos]

No. They just haven't released all the necessary tools yet.

You are totally off the mark on this one. Many people bougth RTW just becasue of the mods. So, higher modability = higher sales.

++++++++++++++++++++


Yes, in general mods are positive to game producers:

a) they strengthen the longevity of a game creating a loyal community and facilitating the marketing of a sequel.

b) they offer a free benchmark to the vanilla version for intern evaluation and future projects.

But I have to disagree to a certain degree with your conclusions.

Reason: The relationsship between mods and sales seems more complex, because revenues are made up by two parameters: Price and number of sales.

Background:

According to my current status of information, I think MTW2 had been the last game of the TW series where I paid the full price - otherwise I would consider myself completely irrational.

Make no mistake, if I would not be aware what difference exists between EB and Vanilla RTW (read: no modability), I buy each sequel in the TW series at a premium price for the next 5 years - simply because there are no serious substitutes in the market even to a mediocre product like MTW2.

But because I'm aware of the tremendous difference between vanilla and EB version, I'm able to delay my buy until it becomes a bargain. I wonder, if this strategy does not represent the reaction of a significant share of original TW buyers.

Regards - PTB