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Denver, 7:03 PM
Sun Dec 6
17 posts in the last 24 hours
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09/22/09
09/22/09
Now, before people scream conspiracy theory at me, let it be known that this was suspected for a relatively long time.
I see the confirmation in this article from the unlocking of the Native American factions. Now, I could be wrong, it's been a while since I played the American campaign, but I'm pretty sure the Native American factions had a varied unit roster so minus a couple of new units that might have been added for this expansion, I think it's safe to assume that the "new" factions in this expansion are the same factions already in the game except unlocked for the player. That's something that could have and would have already been done by the modding community, as it was in previous games.
This begs some questions. Is this going to catch on elsewhere? Will other developers/publishers follow the example that CA/Sega have set? If so, where does it end? We've already heard how Blizzard plans to charge for usermade maps, giving the proceeds to the modder...which no doubt Blizzard will get a share of, who's next? Will our last bastion of hope (Valve) change their ways for some extra money in the bank when they release their new engine?
I know I'm ranting but I'm worried. The huge modding community on PC is one of the biggest reasons I'm primarily a PC gamer and to see it not only die but die at the hands of the industry itself is just disheartening.
Maybe I'm completely wrong, maybe CA/Sega is witholding the modding tools to perfect them for the community and maybe this expansion is something crafted with TLC and love but the signs say otherwise.
At least we'll know who to blame for setting things in motion.
09/22/09
09/22/09
Also last week would've been a good time to pick the game up as it was going for as low as £15 at most online retailers. It's back up to £30ish now but I'm sure it'll go down again.
09/22/09
As much as I want and am looking forward to Napoleon, I was worried we wouldn't get an expansion.
I would still be happy if they expanded the African continent...
09/22/09
Do you like to play as the scrub africans and try to make power bids for the world, too? Or is that just me.
09/22/09
09/22/09
I'll be here, waiting for you. WE SHALL OVERCOME YOU, WHITEY.
09/22/09
*sniffle*
I may well have just thrown my 360 in the trash, the Total War series are so good.
09/22/09
09/22/09
It's done by the guys who did Rome.
As long as you're willing to do the Naval battles oldschool (as in, don't actually do the combat, just autoresolve) its pretty good, standard total war. The ship to ship combat is pretty awful though.
09/22/09
09/22/09
09/22/09
I never liked this time period though. Rome and Medieval times with the melee and bow/arrow is just so much more epic than lots of guys with guns shooting at each other across fields.
09/22/09
You'd be surprised how easily melee units can overwhelm and take down those guys with guns.
Remember in Rome how some of the best units were Javelin throwers, who if used right, you could formation them to pelt the shit out of approaching units before charging into HTH? They might have not been as strong as dedicated combat units, but they were usually enough to cause a route.
Same thing here. You guys some natives hiding in the trees to rush musket units when they get near the woods and its all over.
Its more fun to not march regiments around, actually, and try to guerrilla warfare the game. :)
09/22/09
Like, I really loved Age of Mythology by ensemble studios but didn't really like Age of empires 3. time periods!
@Komrade Kayce: Hmm, sounds actually very interesting.
I like the idea of guerilla warfare. Good change.
09/22/09
09/22/09
I like to leave one or two regiments out in the open to lure in the enemy, moving them up bit by bit and drawing them into my ambush.
As for gunpowder battles, you can't go wrong with a double envelopement, works a treat every time....provided you can get your flanks into position before it's too late.
09/22/09
09/22/09
Wooden Ships and Iron Men
Pirates!
Are examples of good ship combat.
Empire is not.
09/22/09
Wooden Ships.... Havent played it so Ill give it a try and get back to you?
What I really was aiming for is what you feel is bad with ETW. Pinpointed so to speak Sure it would be nice to have more elements such as land/reefs and stuff. But as far as the battle goes i feel it is pretty worked through..
09/22/09
09/22/09
09/03/09
I'll be looking forward to playing another campaign with all these fixes.
09/03/09
09/03/09
09/03/09
09/03/09
08/19/09
This looks like a big patch for all the bugs in Empire, with new scenarios thrown in as an extra -- ought to be an XP for half price or less.
08/19/09
But this is Kotaku, not a military history site. Feel free to hit me up for more lessons ;-)
08/19/09
08/19/09
Seriously though, neat how the series just keeps moving forward in time like it does. Each seeming to be later than the last.
08/19/09
PC only is to be expected with this title, I imagine too much would need to be toned back to make it work on consoles, let alone a completely new control scheme would be hard to figure out.
I'm still keeping my hopes up for a WWII era Total War at some stage though or a Total War set in the modern era.
08/19/09
08/19/09
08/19/09
It's your choice though, I'll be getting this day 1 as well.
08/19/09
08/19/09
But maybe I'm worrying too much. Maybe CA can support E:TW and develop this new Napoleon game simultaneously, without sacrificing quality on either one.
08/19/09
08/19/09
Go ahead, let your mind wander on that subject.
08/19/09
08/19/09
08/19/09
08/19/09