Do you play short campaigns?

**Viking Prince** · February 05, 2009, 04:03 PM

I have posted a couple of short campaign faction guides. Call it a niche market. Do any of you actually play the short campaigns?

Which factions are your favorites?

Do you see any differences:
in your style of play?
in your choice of units?
economic builds?
expansion choices?

**Commander5xl** · February 05, 2009, 04:06 PM

I actually do, I find it fun to win with a specific amount of objectives against the time,
and my style of play changes so much differently, I use a more historical standpoint i find I try to do things more historically (dont know why :S) choice of units and expansions i aim solely for expanding into the specific goal (so units match terrain style, not putting a bunch of archers at the bottom of the alps.) and expansion choices i avoid rebel settlements or other factions and go straight for my rival faction

**Viking Prince** · February 05, 2009, 04:11 PM

I just posted and you are already here? wt???? Thread must post before the poll. Hmmmm?

**Landtuber** · February 05, 2009, 05:30 PM

Don't like short campaigns, much prefer the challenge of having to expand more geographically and usually fighting the Mongols/Timurids.

**Exia** · February 05, 2009, 05:37 PM

I do, but my short campaigns probably are the equal of most people's mid-long campaign. I take that much time in achieving my objectives.

**Lord Feloric's Ambassador** · February 05, 2009, 10:22 PM

When my Lord plays short campaigns there is a noticable difference in his play style. My Lord usually stops playing a campaign after he has completed the objective, so when he plays a short campaign he tends to rush through it. He doesn't build up his empire for the long term, so by the end of the game he is in a scramble to pick up the last couple settlements he needs to finish the campaign.

The problem with this is he is struggling with protecting his borders more than he would if he was playing a long campaign. However, the advantage is he gets himself into a lot of interesting situations without the uneventful steam roll that accompanies the end of a long campaign.

I can recite an example from my Lord's first Venice campaign, which happened to be his second Medieval 2: Total War campaign he has ever played. My Lord faced a Milanese army, the only army standing between him and ultimate victory. The two armies were equal in size, man for man, horse for horse. They met in a dense forest in the northern western Andes, with only a small open patch in the middle. The two armies met and charged eachother, but niether was able to successfully outflank the other. After a long blood bath my Lord found himself on the losing side of the battle, at this time delayed reinforcements had just arrived. My Lord made a bold move, he withdrew and regrouped in a large opening outside the forest. The Milanese army was conflicted, one side went to face the reinforcements, one side pursued the withdrawn soldiers, and other group was trying to route. My Lord's trap was set, he compressed the Milanese army from both sides, finally achieving a well deserved victory.

On a final note, the occasional short campaign can be quite entertaining.

**Spartaaaa** · February 06, 2009, 03:53 PM

Originally Posted by Lord Feloric's Ambassador

When my Lord plays short campaigns there is a noticable difference in his play style. My Lord usually stops playing a campaign after he has completed the objective, so when he plays a short campaign he tends to rush through it. He doesn't build up his empire for the long term, so by the end of the game he is in a scramble to pick up the last couple settlements he needs to finish the campaign.

The problem with this is he is struggling with protecting his borders more than he would if he was playing a long campaign. However, the advantage is he gets himself into a lot of interesting situations without the uneventful steam roll that accompanies the end of a long campaign.

I can recite an example from my Lord's first Venice campaign, which happened to be his second Medieval 2: Total War campaign he has ever played. My Lord faced a Milanese army, the only army standing between him and ultimate victory. The two armies were equal in size, man for man, horse for horse. They met in a dense forest in the northern western Andes, with only a small open patch in the middle. The two armies met and charged eachother, but niether was able to successfully outflank the other. After a long blood bath my Lord found himself on the losing side of the battle, at this time delayed reinforcements had just arrived. My Lord made a bold move, he withdrew and regrouped in a large opening outside the forest. The Milanese army was conflicted, one side went to face the reinforcements, one side pursued the withdrawn soldiers, and other group was trying to route. My Lord's trap was set, he compressed the Milanese army from both sides, finally achieving a well deserved victory.

On a final note, the occasional short campaign can be quite entertaining.

Please talk in first person for once I know you are talking about yourself.
You are not his ammbasodor you are him. so please talk in first person.

**Viking Prince** · February 06, 2009, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Lord Feloric's Ambassador

When my Lord plays short campaigns there is a noticable difference in his play style. My Lord usually stops playing a campaign after he has completed the objective, so when he plays a short campaign he tends to rush through it. He doesn't build up his empire for the long term, so by the end of the game he is in a scramble to pick up the last couple settlements he needs to finish the campaign.

The problem with this is he is struggling with protecting his borders more than he would if he was playing a long campaign. However, the advantage is he gets himself into a lot of interesting situations without the uneventful steam roll that accompanies the end of a long campaign.

I can recite an example from my Lord's first Venice campaign, which happened to be his second Medieval 2: Total War campaign he has ever played. My Lord faced a Milanese army, the only army standing between him and ultimate victory. The two armies were equal in size, man for man, horse for horse. They met in a dense forest in the northern western Andes, with only a small open patch in the middle. The two armies met and charged eachother, but niether was able to successfully outflank the other. After a long blood bath my Lord found himself on the losing side of the battle, at this time delayed reinforcements had just arrived. My Lord made a bold move, he withdrew and regrouped in a large opening outside the forest. The Milanese army was conflicted, one side went to face the reinforcements, one side pursued the withdrawn soldiers, and other group was trying to route. My Lord's trap was set, he compressed the Milanese army from both sides, finally achieving a well deserved victory.

On a final note, the occasional short campaign can be quite entertaining.

Thanks for the kind words. I am certain your Lord plays an excellant game whether in short or long campaign form.

**Conquistatore** · February 06, 2009, 01:54 AM

I frequently play short campaigns but I also start 'long' campaigns which turn into short campaigns because I quit the game about 100 turns in.

I find it exceptionally hard to stick with any given campaign.

**Viking Prince** · February 06, 2009, 03:27 AM

Not counting my posts -- 5 posts, 22 views and only 3 votes. You can do better on this. I am interested. I have written two short campaign guides (3 if you count the England guide) and almost no responses. If I am to continue in the short campaign niche, I need to know more about my market. Is it the many viewers that are not even members; those learning to play a new faction; or perhaps there is no real market for the short campaign?

**Conquistatore** · February 06, 2009, 07:11 AM

Seems this forum is losing activity recently.. I've found most people play long campaigns over short ones so there may not be a large market as you say.

**Reynolds** · February 06, 2009, 07:36 AM

It's not losing activity, seriously this has been up for less than 24 hours give people a chance we're not on all the time. I mean my activity is high lately 'cos im on exam leave and the weather is preventing most outdoor activities but during a school week with good weather and homework i can only be on once or twice a week at the most

On topic: No i don't tend to play them, to be honest I've lost a bit of interest in this game as a whole, but despite this your guide's are thorough and your concise and witty writing style makes them good to read anyway so i'd imagine people who actually play them appreciate them alot as i do and i don't even play short campaigns

**Walternat0r** · February 06, 2009, 10:19 AM

I don't play short campaigns 'cause when I play I like to play to the finish

Well, not really the finish, but until i'm about 50 provinces in or so. Therefore me starting a short campaign has no point to it 'cause i'll only go ahead and make it a long one

**Conquistatore** · February 06, 2009, 10:21 AM

I started off playing short campaigns, but I play a long one every now and then and don't touch the short ones usually. I see them as only a way to unlock the rest of the factions in the shortest amount of time. (Without cheating)

**Lysimachus** · February 06, 2009, 05:00 PM

Actually Spartaaaa, Lord Feloric's Ambassador was extremely annoying at first but he's brought it down to an acceptable level recently. Now to the topic. I play a short campaign if the faction has little "historical" expansion. For example, Russiar Poland. On the other hand, i'd play a long campaign as the Byzantine Empire in an attempt to restore the Roman Empire.

**Commander5xl** · February 06, 2009, 05:54 PM

lol Viking Prince I am God

**Conquistatore** · February 08, 2009, 07:38 PM

I find a shorter campaign more fun than most long campaigns. I tend to lose interest around turn 100 if im having a good game, if im having a bad one then im lucky to play until turn 40.

Short campaigns can be good value, they can teach you some things about the faction you've chosen to play with, such as early strengths and weaknesses, major rivals you will have to deal with and how you might go about expanding your empire.