New American Civil War game with very good AI

[Dunhill]

I just thought I'd post about a the next game in a series of games that has a very good AI. It's a strategy game for the American Civil War and is single-player or play-by-email. The developers are very good and pay attention to their players and post in the forums often and release patches rather quickly. The game is the result of expanding on a good base from thier first game, Birth of America. The attention to detail and the strength of the AI are two of the best qualities of this game.

Here are thier forums, go have a bit of a look and see what you think.

http://www.ageod.com/forums/index.php

The game doesn't have tactical battles like TW, but the strategic AI is really well done. There is some complexity to the game, but it is not overly done. You don't get bogged down in micro-management.

However, I think you should have a look at the game concepts to get a feel for things. They've put the manual out on the web for people to look at and it gives a good taste of the game. You can find the manuals in the file library section of the forums (link above).

Have a look.

Cheers,

[lars573]

When ever some one talks about a strategy game with "very good AI". It's usually code for "it looks like a corpse fished out of a bog, and in order to compensate for lack of graphics of any kind the interface and AI were made rediculously complex." And I was right.

[Dunhill]

Actually, I think the graphics are rather well done, but it isn't what I would call a flashy sort of game.

The AI does take some time to consider it's moves (a feature that can be altered by the player to allow the computer more processing time if you want a greater challenge). I'd rate that as an important criteria in a single player strategy game.

I agree the interface isn't what I would call easy, but it isn't overly complex. It's more of a board game using a computer to help out with the fiddly bits.

I'm just alerting TW players to a game similar to TW which offers something a bit different and has a challenging AI.

If it isn't your sort of game no worries.

[Sasaki Kojiro]

Graphics are excellent.

[Dunhill]

I think the graphics style conveys the board game feel. I particularly like the map. I think it was a wise move taking a stylistic approach to the map and counters.

What I like best is the focus on strategic play. The interface allows the player to make decisions on things at a higher level. Players can increase production in a particular state and set the type and number of replacements and units to recruit, but you don't micromanage all state or towns.

The battle system provides quite a bit of variability. Players can concentrate on the type of leaders and units, as well as terrain, supply and manner of movement (eg. synchronizing movement of units) with regards to conducting combat. It is not just stacking units and throwing them into opposing stacks. The supply and ammunition factors are just enough to make it that much more difficult, without going overboard.

The game uses a WEGO system of play with each turn covering half a month. I find it rather enjoyable watching a turn proceed.

I haven't gotten into play by email yet, but I reckon that would be good fun as well. The team is also working on a web-based multi-player phase which sounds fun as well.

This game is for the grognard, but it is also easy enough for the casual gamer and even some younger gamers who have the patience for serious strategy games.

[Dunhill]

Out of Eight give this game a 7/8, and provides a good review of the game:

http://jaguarusf.blogspot.com/

[Bijo]

If I'm not mistaken, it was given a 6/8 according to that page.

[Dunhill]

You are mistaken. What you are looking at is a more recent review for ArmA: Combat Operations Review.

Scroll down to the May 3 entry for AGEod’s American Civil War Review. It earned a score of 7/8.

[Louis de la Ferte Ste Colombe]

I got to say that after giving a try to the demo (that you can find there:http://www.ageod.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=113) I would agree it is a very, very interesting game.

I'll probably buy it soon. A lot of interesting concepts (simultaneous turn based wargame back with a vengeance!) that makes strategy challenging, a nice artwork, a very responsive design team...

Hum... It sounds like a good pick.

Louis,

[Dunhill]

Have a look through the forums as well. The developers interact with the community (many of whom are beta-testers for other strategy games) quite routinely. It's a very good group over there working closely to develop this new game and the earlier release Birth of America.

Cheers,

[Dunhill]

The developers continue to provide significant support to this great game (improving the AI speed and strength), and the developers are starting work on a version for the Napoleonic era, which promises to be very good.

The team has won some awards since the start of this post and I reckon this game will be winning some awards next year, as its is a step up from Birth of America in terms of game play.

The support by the developers borders on obsessive compulsive. It's a nice change to be able to have such input into the development of a game on the forums. I guess that comes with the smaller developers who don't pander to the least common denominator and put out a quality game.

Cheers,

[Dunhill]

Just thought I'd update this post

The American Civil War game won Game of the Year from several respected wargame websites.

Their version of WWI is coming out on the 11th of the 11th, and promises to be as good as the others if not better.

awards page link

[Kekvit Irae]

65 dollars PLUS 15 in shipping? Screw that.

[Mailman653]

WWI sounds good, WWII is way over done, more gamers have killed virtual Nazis than zombies, assassins and wild animals combined.

[Dunhill]

Digital download is $50, but I never get the boxed versions. By comparison I think Empire TW is more than $50 for pre-purchase, but I think you get a free copy of an older TW version.

I don't mind paying for the service that's provided by AGEOD. However, I must admit this is more of a game for wargamers, the old grognard types with more disposable income. The kind of people who might spend a couple hundred on wargames every year. I'd hate to see my grand total since my first purchase back in the early 70's.

I'm paying for quality of AI and that boardgame feel. These games are maximising the benefit of computers for wargaming. The company also explores areas of conflict that haven't been done to death.

[CountArach]

I'm paying for quality of AI and that boardgame feel. These games are maximising the benefit of computers for wargaming. The company also explores areas of conflict that haven't been done to death.

A man after my own heart.