EB July Map and Features Preview

[Centurio Nixalsverdrus]

So you added Babylon and Atica to the map, may I ask what was deleted? Arabia it seems, is it now a non-province? What else?

[Basileus Seleukeia]

I think one province was cut near Hekatompylos in the east, but I'm not sure. But, a short question to the EB-Team: What made you include Babylon as a city? I heard that it was in a state of constant decline during EB's timeframe, as the people were "deported" to Seleukeia. It says so in the description of the "Ruins of Babylonia" I think. Or did you do it because Babylon was still an important city at the beginning of the timeframe, and it is added because of your attitude to "set the tables historically, then let them play"?

[Warmaster Horus]

On the subject of the lower Egypt flood, the people knew it flooded regularly, so it wasn't any real danger, I think.

[Ignopotens]

it looks like both Arabia and Sahara are now non-provinces, allowing the 2 new provinces to be added

[abou]

The reason to include Babylon was based on socio-political and economic points, which justified its inclusion. The city was still quite large (amongst the largest at our game start) and its government system was distinct and separate from Seleukeia. To put it in EB terms, it will be a Type IV with access to Persian and Babylonian troops to recruit. Also, it functioned as a major religious center that was critical for the ties of Seleukid kings to their subjects - festivals, sacrifices, etc. As such, due to the religious pilgrimages for the festivals, or even just as a tourist attraction, it was a lucrative economic center.

[MarcusAureliusAntoninus]

Arabia and Cydamae were cut. But new/removed provinces aren't the only change to the map.

[Gugus]

WOW!!!
It made me speechless....


But then, I have a question: will the new beautiful and shiny EB require more PC power? I ask because my PC is a bit out of date and I have to take a coffee brake every time something loads in EB. If so then I'll regretfully stay with v0.81v2 and not risk a heart attack due to excessive coffee ;). It is great and stable (only one temporary CTD during 100 years of gameplay) and will have to do until I get a new PC.
G

[EasternScourge]

How commoon are the disasters planning to be?Are they going to happen rarely,uncommon,or will they be rampant and destructive (which I doubt)? Love the preview though,especially the Border Trade idea.Anything that makes money is fine with me.

The reason to include Babylon was based on socio-political and economic points, which justified its inclusion. The city was still quite large (amongst the largest at our game start) and its government system was distinct and separate from Seleukeia. To put it in EB terms, it will be a Type IV with access to Persian and Babylonian troops to recruit. Also, it functioned as a major religious center that was critical for the ties of Seleukid kings to their subjects - festivals, sacrifices, etc. As such, due to the religious pilgrimages for the festivals, or even just as a tourist attraction, it was a lucrative economic center.

Are those Babylon troops you speak of avaible to everyone,or just the Seleucids?And are they avaible outside of Babylon,or are they only avaible in Babylon?

[Rhipsaspis]

Awesome preview guys, really excited about this!!!

[Teleklos Archelaou]

How commoon are the disasters planning to be?Are they going to happen rarely,uncommon,or will they be rampant and destructive (which I doubt)?

Check the preview again - I believe I put in there how frequently the disasters occur, and the intensity levels.

A note: the human player only gets messages for volcanoes and earthquakes when they hit his land. A Casse player may never see a message for either of them, unless his diplomat or spy is in a distant place where one occurs. But for some reason the engine will give you a message every time there is a flood, no matter where on the map it is. Annoying - it makes it seem like floods are constant, when they really are not common in any given place. And it makes it seem like earthquakes and volcanoes virtually never happen. Unless you are in Ethiopia I guess for volcanoes, or Greece or Iran/Afghanistan for earthquakes.

[abou]

Are those Babylon troops you speak of avaible to everyone,or just the Seleucids?And are they avaible outside of Babylon,or are they only avaible in Babylon?

I can't really remember offhand. There is really only the Shipri Tukul, which can be recruited as mercenaries. The Seleukids can recruit them in the Tigris-Euphrates river area (Babylonia, Seleukeia, and Charax) from their factional MIC.

[Intranetusa]

On the subject of the lower Egypt flood, the people knew it flooded regularly, so it wasn't any real danger, I think.

Tigris and Euphrates - Fertile Crescent region also flooded regularly, but unlike Egpyt, Fertile Crescent floods ranged from beneficial to extremely damaging...so the Mesopotamia region would be the perfect candidate for this new flood system.

[Chirurgeon]

I have the Blue marble as my desktop backround :)