Havent been around for this, can someone fill me in?

**StalkAndStrike** · April 05, 2009, 06:37 AM

Hey,|I have been off the computer for roughly 4 months now, and usualy I read these forums much so I generally know the gist of things, but whats going on with Empires?

I'm about to buy it, but I am hearing all sorts of CTD problems? If the whole game is completly roughed could someone let me know so I dont go into apoplectic shock if it deosent work on me ?

Also if there is a list of patches out to solve these right away could someone list them, or let me know if they are actualy "in-progress"?

This would be a great help and im sorry for being a "noob-of-the-moment"

**Humble Warrior** · April 05, 2009, 06:38 AM

There are whole threads about the main faults right on this page... just read.

**Iññsomññi** · April 05, 2009, 06:40 AM

It really depends on your computer and what you do in-game if your going to get CTD's. I've been playing for a while now and I have only had minor problems, most of them to do with the AI. There are a few patches that have only fixed a few things, but I think there are patches coming out to fix bigger things, such as the AI's ability to launch a naval invasion.

**StalkAndStrike** · April 05, 2009, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by Iññsomññi

It really depends on your computer and what you do in-game if your going to get CTD's. I've been playing for a while now and I have only had minor problems, most of them to do with the AI. There are a few patches that have only fixed a few things, but I think there are patches coming out to fix bigger things, such as the AI's ability to launch a naval invasion.

So they are mostly the standard AI imperfections? Honestly they never bugged me much,

Lets say my computer is "over-competent", does that mean I wont get any CTD's or memory foolishness?

**Iññsomññi** · April 05, 2009, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by StalkAndStrike

So they are mostly the standard AI imperfections? Honestly they never bugged me much,

Lets say my computer is "over-competent", does that mean I wont get any CTD's or memory foolishness?

I'm not entirely sure, yes it mainly is the AI that have imperfections, I don't usually download patches because Vanilla doesn't bother me, but you know, Steam.

It really does depend, its random in my opinion. I was scared witless because my computer has Vista, and I can barely do any modding for previous games such as RTW or M2TW, and I was suprised that I was actually able to play the game. You will just have to ask around to see what people know, there is a bug thread and rant thread that should give you some decent answers, sorry I can't be of more help.

**fishcop444** · April 05, 2009, 07:00 AM

My computer is over-competent (cost me $1000 just for this game) and it still crashes randomly. Basically the game is about 6 months from being finished and alot of the same problems from previous TWs are back. Some problems are worse (sieges). Armies are kinda boring as is the campaign map and diplomacy will give you a fit. That's just for starters. May be playable with massive modding....

**Skeleton Of The West** · April 05, 2009, 07:14 AM

The game has some issues like CTD sometimes, AI faults, diplomacy.

Few patches had released this far, and they fixed minor issues.

Still, I like this game, and enjoy it. If you are a TW fan, I suggest you to buy it.

**PlacidDragon** · April 05, 2009, 07:27 AM

Its difficult to say if you will run into problems or not. I dont know the ratio of people having problems against those who dont, but there is a very substantial number of people having problems with this game.

Personally, i dont suffer from CTD's (only ever had 1), but there are other problems like freezes, sound problems of all kinds (from machinegunfire to no sound at all), etc.

If you are a TW fan, i would suggest to get the game. Then install it and hope for the best basically. If you are not a TW fan, my suggestion would be to wait until a few more patches have been released (seeing that you are on this forum though, i take it for granted that you are a TW fan)

Even if you dont run into any hardware related problems whatsoever, there will be plenty of "problems" ingame. Once the initial "whoa" feeling has subsided, you'll pick them up.

There is a game content patch in the making, scheduled for release next week or the one after that, hopefully that will take care of a number of these issues

Regarding patching in general, you have to connect to Steam in order to authenticate your game, so any patch available for the game will install automatically from there.

**StalkAndStrike** · April 05, 2009, 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by PlacidDragon

Its difficult to say if you will run into problems or not. I dont know the ratio of people having problems against those who dont, but there is a very substantial number of people having problems with this game.

Personally, i dont suffer from CTD's (only ever had 1), but there are other problems like freezes, sound problems of all kinds (from machinegunfire to no sound at all), etc.

If you are a TW fan, i would suggest to get the game. Then install it and hope for the best basically. If you are not a TW fan, my suggestion would be to wait until a few more patches have been released (seeing that you are on this forum though, i take it for granted that you are a TW fan)

Even if you dont run into any hardware related problems whatsoever, there will be plenty of "problems" ingame. Once the initial "whoa" feeling has subsided, you'll pick them up.

There is a game content patch in the making, scheduled for release next week or the one after that, hopefully that will take care of a number of these issues

Regarding patching in general, you have to connect to Steam in order to authenticate your game, so any patch available for the game will install automatically from there.

So if the copy is now from Steam than it will not download automatically? I have had problems with steam in the past so I no longer trust it, I have no problem just getting the copy myself at EB games or something.

**PlacidDragon** · April 05, 2009, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by StalkAndStrike

So if the copy is now from Steam than it will not download automatically? I have had problems with steam in the past so I no longer trust it, I have no problem just getting the copy myself at EB games or something.

No no, regardless of *where* you buy your copy (digital, physical DVD box, etc), you will have to register and log into Steam to authenticate your game.

This is the "copy protection" for the game. Steam will also automatically patch your game if needed. After the first time of authenticating, you can set Steam to "offline" mode, this way it will not autodownload patches.

There is no legal way of getting around Steam though.

**Ondaderthad** · April 05, 2009, 09:09 AM

I got mine from ebgames and din't get more problem than the average game. A few crashes and occasional CTD but nothing really as bad as some people report.
And my computer is not top of the range either.
Core2 3mhz 9600GT and running windows XP

**eatme** · April 05, 2009, 09:11 AM

The game is definitely playable.

It will take 30 min to read a dozen threads named after the problems within the game..

To form an opinion I would recommend trying the game out for yourself for sure.

Just make sure your PC will meet the system reqs.

**mightyfenrir** · April 05, 2009, 09:14 AM

And of course, don't forget, if you get a physical copy make sure you're all hooked up to the internet, my game computer isn't.I had to move my entire connection just to install, ugh. I haven't had many CTD problems, just a few random ones. I'd say like three this entire week.

**magpie** · April 05, 2009, 09:26 AM

check out the praise and rants also the patch threads, weigh up the possible risks, Then decide to buy immediately or wait awhile for fixes. thats my advice. regards, magpie.

**Steinig** · April 05, 2009, 10:08 AM

check out the praise and rants also the patch threads, weigh up the possible risks, Then decide to buy immediately or wait awhile for fixes. thats my advice. regards, magpie.

Good Plan, Also be aware that there are major issues who are not ctd related.
Specialy "AI does not make Naval invasions" crushed my mojo......

**Franbo** · April 05, 2009, 12:29 PM

If you liked the previous Total War games then you will almost certainly like this one; indeed I think there are a number of nice improvements.

However; two things to be aware of:

(1) Campaign AI
The campaign AI has a number of significant problems:
(i) It doesn't seem to invade by sea (i.e. armies on ships)
(ii) Overall it seems a little timid (i.e. not particularly aggressive)
(iii) There are some small issues with grand alliances (i.e. AI doesn't seem to meaningfully back up its' allies)

(2) Crashing
The game seems to be riddled with problems that cause people's machines to crash/stop responding. It would appear to be fairly random whether this will cause you problems or not - it's hard to tell how pervasive they are from a forum.

In terms of whether these should stop you buying it?

Well; I think the AI problems will get sorted out eventually - and if not; some of the mods seem to be doing a good job.

Crashes; it's hard to say... mine worked fine when the game came out (after a lot of grief installing - Steam!! Bah!! - which can be solved by searching the forum). Then the patch of the 30th killed Empire - various following of tips / uninstalls / driver updates - and it's still borked (crashes at seemingly random times; but fairly soon after starting).

This is somewhat worrying; a situation where something that fixes problems for some people causes problems for others - implies the coding leaves something to be desired and is pretty unfinished.

Will the crashing be "fixed"? Who knows... I have no idea the proportion of players affected - just that it seems like a lot - and after all; they've already had the revenue...

Caveat Emptor seems to stand here - if you can buy from somewhere that will give you a refund if you experience the crashes then that's probably your best bet.

Franbo

**Legio** · April 05, 2009, 12:32 PM

Welcome back!
Check the rant and praise threads, as well as the mods. I am pleased to announce that DarthMod already has a few releases and its own subforum for ETW!
Closed, PM me if you have any questions.