How Much do you Want Empire: Total War?

[Colonel Flambard]

Would you upgrade your computer just to play it? Would you re-mortgage your house? Sell your wife and kids? I am getting carried way, but in all honesty will you upgrade your computer or even buy a new one just to play this game?

[PBI]

I might upgrade, but I'll probably be doing that anyway in the next 6 months. I will wait until the specs for Empire are out though to make sure it will be good enough.

I would say I would like to play Empires but I'm in no great hurry about it, I've got more than enough TW games to keep me busy until then. I'd say I've probably hit critical mass with my games collection though, and am at the point where once I've finished playing through them all I can go back and start again and it's been long enough since I played the first one that it's fun again. So the fact I'm anticipating Empires at all is high praise, I'm very picky about the games I buy these days.

[Guticb]

I can't wait for it!

I highly doubt I'll need to upgrade for it, but even if I do, oh well!

Lets hope it includes the option for windowed mode though. >_>

[Reverend Joe]

I would take it if I won a free copy in a raffle.

Otherwise, I'm far too poor, lazy and behind the times technologically (my newest computer being top of the line, circa Janurary 2005) to bother.

[Zenicetus]

Other than video card upgrades (and I'm about at the limit for how much that will improve things with my current CPU), I never upgrade just for one game. No matter how good it is. I plan that out on a two or three year cycle, since a full system upgrade is so expensive. Also, I'm more of a strategy and RPG gamer than a FPS fan, so most of what I play doesn't require state-of-the-art hardware. As it happens, the Empire release might fall around the time I'm upgrading anyway, but it won't drive the decision.

And I won't be getting Empire at all, if the copy protection is too invasive and can't be un-installed when I'm through with the game.

[Matt_Lane]

When I first heard about Empire I was drooling with anticipation, the wife and kids were listed on Ebay to raise capital for an upgrade and I was booking time off work ready for my first campaign. However this seems to have been a long time ago. From hearing about the Kingdoms expansion we were bombarded with titbit's of information, screen shots and unit specs. We had similar for Empire when it was first announced and I had in mind this would build up until the release date however CA and Sega do seem to have gone rather shy of late. I suppose it is a long trek to keep a constant flow of information going for 6 months or so but I for one feel I've gone right off the boil. I suppose in the run up to Christmas we will have a new web page and a few more articles to drool over but I just hope that by then I haven't had my eye turned by the next shiny new release and committed by hard earned wedge elsewhere.

[Guticb]

Whoops, I forgot about SecurROM.

If they use it, or anything like it, I'm not buying it.

[Aztec Warrior]

Empire and several other great games I want, and the vast amoant of frustration I have for the current computer means I'll probably have a new computer by the end of the summer by the end of the sumer.

Anyway, what's this SecurROM thing?

[GFX707]

To be honest, I am a bit tired with the getting excited about TW releases thing. I missed the pre-release buildup of Shogun, then I was quite casual about MTW coming out, glanced at a few pics etc. and thought "This will be good". Then for RTW I was like an excited schoolboy after seeing all the action on Time Commanders, only to be a bit disappointed at the final product. Medieval II was then announced, and I was cynical to say the least. ETW looks good, but I won't know until I am playing the game. I haven't been back to these forums for at least a month, so I suppose that's an indication.

When it comes out I will get it, but with regards to TW, I'm a bit too jaded to be excited about this one.

[Evil_Maniac From Mars]

I will buy and play it if they do not include SecuROM. I'll still play it if they do...but my copy won't come from the store, to phrase it "legally." CA wants to lose my business? Their choice.

[Jolt]

Anyway, what's this SecurROM thing?

A Security Copy Protection program in the CDs. The last TW games had that Copy Protection on their CDs. It is said that the SecuROM damages CD Drivers while these read the SecuROM'd CDs. I'm not sure how much of this is true, but to be honest, I haven't bothered either.

[JR-]

i will buy it out of respect for the people who created M:TW, but i haven't really enjoyed any of the Total War games since they added the pseudo real-time campaign map.

[Odin]

I wont upgrade and I will wait until it has been out 6 months and a patch or two has been done. Game after game the hype gets people to preorder and buy at release, then the whinning starts. If you want to buy a polished beta to test for bugs by all means go ahead.

Fan based message boards like this are a result of this reality in the gaming world.

who knows you might be one of the chosen few who come up with a bug fix, create a zip file that you host at your own site free of charge. You can carry a link in your signature at multiple fan sites, be revered as a "modder" and get special titles and badges.

Meantime I will wait until the games fixed and patched, then buy it.

[pevergreen]

That's what I aim to do with this game.

I hung avoid, lurking at the release of M2: TW, now I aim to do what Econ21 did with it and what sapi and Factionheir are doing now. Help out, point out bugs, and if possible, fix them!

[Flying Pig]

I want to get it early, learn to mod it, then the second a stable patch comes out port Death and Glory TW. Oh, and make a sStar Wars mod.

[Zenicetus]

A Security Copy Protection program in the CDs. The last TW games had that Copy Protection on their CDs. It is said that the SecuROM damages CD Drivers while these read the SecuROM'd CDs. I'm not sure how much of this is true, but to be honest, I haven't bothered either.

I think the "damage your CD drive" was more with the earlier Starforce system. The issue with SecureROM (for me, anyway) is threefold:

1) Games that use the most recent versions (Bioshock, Mass Effect) use a SecuROM activation scheme where you get a very limited number of activations/installs. After that, if you've done something like modified or upgraded your computer, you have to contact the company and beg for the "right" to install the game again. In some cases SecuROM can also require your computer to "phone home" every few days and check that the activation is current (i.e. that your copy hasn't been distributed, in which case it will kill your activation). Note: AFAIK, all of these features are optional, so it's a question of how Draconian a company wants to be with their SecuROM setup.

2) Another big issue for some of us, is that SecuROM installs itself as a hidden, low-level process in your OS. This can trigger anti-virus and rootkit detection alerts (it's not a rootkit per se, but it acts enough like one to trigger some detection software). It can also refuse to run your paid-for game if it detects other software it doesn't like on your system, like certain CD/DVD duplication and debugging tools. Another big issue is that it usually isn't uninstalled when you uninstall the game -- all the low-level crap is left behind on your OS and hard drive. That last bit was the reason I didn't buy the Kingdoms expansion for M2TW. I was (reluctantly) OK with SecuROM being on my system for the duration of the game, but I want any copy protection software uninstalled when I uninstall the game. That just stands to reason, doesn't it? Anything else is just an arrogant invasion of my computer system.

3) Finally, a philosophical issue -- like many gamers who pay for their software, I don't want to be treated as a default pirate. The real pirates crack these "protected" games within days or weeks of release, so it doesn't affect people who aren't going to pay for the game anyway. The hassles of these invasive programs fall on the paying customers alone. The only way we can put a stop to it, is to refuse the purchase of games that are this invasive.

If CA adopted Stardock's more respectful attitude towards its customers (i.e. no invasive copy protection), I'd be looking forward to Empire with much more anticipation. I'd be hanging on every tidbit of news. Heck, I'd even pre-order the game! But since they haven't deigned to respond to customer concerns about the SecuROM issues with Empire, and there's no word on what they're planning for Empire, I just not feeling very enthusiastic about this game.

P.S. for more info about SecuROM see here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SecuROM

[pevergreen]

I have two minds on this issue of copyright protection:

1. CA et al must have seen the still continuing outcry against SecuROM, so they should already be doing something about it.
2. The lack of an announcement saying they are not using it makes me think they are.

So...I'm going to wait and see. I will install the game regardless.

[Belgolas]

I will buy it but am not going to upgrade for it. Yes I will be upgrading but not specifically for it. Most likely getting 2 4870s.

Oh I don't care how much security even if I have to have a internet connection to play I will buy it. Never had any problems before and if I don't get a problem then I will crack it. Simple and I still support the company by buying it.

[Forward Observer]

I have gone almost 4 years since a major system upgrade, and although my old rig has a non-mulitcore CPU and an AGP based GPU it was still good enough to handle M2TW. It even handled Bioshock, but I know I am at my limits and way behind the technology curve.

Since Empires is about the only thing on the horizon that I am really interested in, I decided to
hold of on my new system until it's release. So yes, I guess it just worked out that I'm planning my new system almost specifically for Empires

Cheers

[Martok]

Other than video card upgrades (and I'm about at the limit for how much that will improve things with my current CPU), I never upgrade just for one game. No matter how good it is. I plan that out on a two or three year cycle, since a full system upgrade is so expensive. Also, I'm more of a strategy and RPG gamer than a FPS fan, so most of what I play doesn't require state-of-the-art hardware. As it happens, the Empire release might fall around the time I'm upgrading anyway, but it won't drive the decision.

Heh. That's....virtually identical to what I was going to say. So I'll just second what you said.

And I won't be getting Empire at all, if the copy protection is too invasive and can't be un-installed when I'm through with the game.

Same. If ETW does come with SecuRom or anything similar, I won't be purchasing the game. Period.

Much better if they follow Stardock's model. Their only "copy protection" is that you need a legitimate serial number to download & install patches/updates for their titles. That way, things are kept reasonably convenient for legitimate customers (and incidentally, they don't feel treated like criminals), while actual pirates are prevented from updating the game.

[PBI]

I think following the Stardock model would work pretty well for this series, especially since you pretty much have to patch the game to make it work properly anyway. This could be a way for CA to turn the fact that their recent releases tend to be buggy to their advantage, by ensuring only legitimate customers can download the patch. It's win-win for CA: No more Securom complaints, and less pressure to iron out all the bugs before release since leaving a few in means pirates who cannot download the patches are stuck with a broken game.

[pevergreen]

But that means we are all stuck with a broken game until they patch it.

Unless you mean a Release day patch, purely for the copyright?

[PBI]

But that means we are all stuck with a broken game until they patch it.

Yes, it's win-win for CA, not for us. Still arguably better than being lumbered with Securom.

If they could truly go down the Stardock route, i.e. release a finished game, and patch it simply to enhance it, that would be even better.

[JeromeGrasdyke]

Well, we're doing our level best to try and make sure you won't have to worry about securom, we're very aware how much people dislike it. It's not quite in the bag yet, but we're looking at something fairly novel, and given that we have to use something (corporate policy and all that) I reckon it's a win all around ;)

[Wandarah]

I want it so much, that I am going to get an artificial womb installed and allow gay couples and single parents to use my inner-chamber as a kennel for thier much wanted sprogs. I will charge a reasonable fee for this service, and use my capital gains to finance a machine that can only be described as digital pornography.

[pevergreen]

I dont know whether to burst out laughing or stern at you.

I might sig that.

Good to hear. I'm sure that should restore quite a bit of faith.

[Dimeola]

wont be buying anymore TW games. Got M2tw and xp but get an error when trying to play online, cant resolve and support abandoned me so screw em.

[PBI]

Well, we're doing our level best to try and make sure you won't have to worry about securom, we're very aware how much people dislike it. It's not quite in the bag yet, but we're looking at something fairly novel, and given that we have to use something (corporate policy and all that) I reckon it's a win all around ;)

If that's the case it's the best news I've heard all day. Though I guess the word "novel" leaves a lot of room for interpretation, still Empire's stock just went up a lot in my book.

[Pantsalot]

I'm planning on getting a not too rediculously expensive graphics card for my PC
to play it, it will definetly be my favourite TW yet, as it has enhanced trade & is
set in the Napoleonic era, that is something worth another £100+ just to get a graphics
card to play in my opinion.. although u guys prob don't give a flying f*** about trade..

[Constantius I]

wont be buying anymore TW games. Got M2tw and xp but get an error when trying to play online, cant resolve and support abandoned me so screw em.

Neither of my Rome Total War, or MTW2 work multiplayer online for me either. Support referred me to gamespy who then referred me to support. Factor in that nice little security bug they planted on Kingdoms, made an easy decision not to buy kingdoms.


It is indeed frustrating not being able to use a core element of a game.


I will wait and watch Empire, hell yes I am excited for it-but if it has another one of those little buggy's I am not buying it no matter how good it is. Also if I cannot play it online, again, then I will not exercise patience- I will return it.


Make or break it for the series for me to be a continuing customer.