Unofficial video release

[The Shogun]

Hi guys Kieran has asked me to pop in and post this for him...


Dear all,

Recently some unofficial footage of Empire has surfaced on the internet which has prompted some discussion by yourselves. We wanted to take a moment to address a few points and hopefully reassure anyone who has any doubts.


Firstly, and most importantly, this footage is taken from our preview build, this is alpha code and several months old. Empire: Total War has changed a lot since then and has gotten better at every iteration.


The AI behaviour in the preview isn’t indicative of the AI in its final state, we’re watching a set piece battle (Bunker Hill) and the AI difficulty for the whole code is set to a low level in order to allow a full play through by those who received the preview. The AI in Empire Total War is our most accomplished to date and we’re confident with the challenge it will offer.


General unit abilities and attributes are also still being balanced. Aspects such as a unit speed, range, firepower and other factors are all being played through thoroughly and tweaked. Empire is as much about offering a fun gameplay experience as it is realism and it’s important we get that balance right.


Finally, the individual who captured the footage isn’t always making the most tactically sound decisions and their focus isn’t always clear. We put a lot of effort into the videos we release to fans to ensure they’re the quality you deserve and that they reflect Empire’s most exciting features. Watching someone zoom in on the enemy’s troops while their own lines are pounded and they fire on their own forces isn’t a true reflection of your own Empire experience (Hopefully!).



Thanks again for all your feedback, positive and negative, we do read it all and take it into account where possible. Empire is a labour of love for us and it’s only our fans (you) that make that possible. Thanks again for all your support and a very happy Christmas to you all!


Kind regards,


Kieran Brigden

Studio Communications Manager

The Creative Assembly

[Rhaegar1]

I can only think of one reply:

thank you for your time and patience

[IndoPruss]

That's great response from CA. I'm sure other will like this.

[Hohenstaufen]

Thanks for the heads up, it was very informative and we appreciate your presence here.
Keep up the hard work guys.

[Innos]

Thanks alot CA! We really appreciate it!

[Barkhorn1x]

Ummm...I stated on the second page of the other thread that this was old code. It was obvious to anyone who took a moment to think about what they were seeing.

Really, some of the posters on this board - hysterical women.

[ColdFire]

Ummm...I stated on the second page of the other thread that this was old code. It was obvious to anyone who took a moment to think about what they were seeing.

Really, some of the posters on this board - hysterical women.

same, you have spoken for me

[priam11]

Great...now what are we going to talk about?

[aeoleron9]

Good, now let's hope these three months will be worth while

[Kinjo]

That's great news, I was a bit worried about how the ships pivot in place.

[Megalos]

That's great news, I was a bit worried about how the ships pivot in place.

Well The Shogun doesn't mention ships, but like you I hope they aren't as horrible as they were in that vid!

[titanvoyager]

Uffffffff, thanks CA I was really disappointed and worried.

[GustavIIAdolf]

We don't have any doubts i assure you. Atleast I am expecting this to be one of the best games in a very long time, but i don't know which is the best. Having doubts and maybe being happily surprised or expect as much as me and maybe get disapointed. But from what ive seen so far it really seems awesome. I get the feeling of it since it seems like youve thought of every tiny single detail! Even the ships on the campaign map accelerate slowly instead of having a constant speed from when you have given it's destination. It's like such a minor thing but youve even thought of that. It seems to be so incredibly high depth.

[Ragerancher]

Well the fact that CA have taken the effort to recognise the communities feelings and address it rekindles my belief in CA. I doubt many of us were worried about the skill of the player though. That seemed kind of obvious

[Barkhorn1x]

I doubt many of us were worried about the skill of the player though. That seemed kind of obvious

Indeed. A real noob who had no idea how to conduct a TW battle or had any understanding of the period being simulated.

Why do they always assign some guy who is new to the franchise to do these reviews?

Along the same lines, if I read one more preview that takes up about a 3rd of the space to talk about how friggen cool the naval battles will be I will scream. Yea, we all get that - now how about some real details? Sigh.

[Steel of Fury]

I sure hope so. What the videos show is pretty impressive already.

Seasons greetings to you too Kieran and you do a good job promoting what is soon to be the best game in the market.

[juliw]

Well The Shogun doesn't mention ships, but like you I hope they aren't as horrible as they were in that vid!

oh comeon man!

[Barkhorn1x]

oh comeon man!

Indeed.

[Modestus]

Ha we can only be thankful that the response to the video was not overly positive then.

[Breoghan]

Thanks for your words, Kieran...but i´m quite dissapointed with the formations in that video. I hope this feature will be fixed too. (i´m talking about those units firing in a 5 ranks formation)
Merry Christmas ang keep on the good work