An interview with Mark o' Connell

source: http://www.computerbild.de/artikel/c...w-5049952.html

with google translation so...
"The American Dream in France in the late 18th Century - but instead of swinging from rags to riches to Lieutenant Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor of France from the simple and near-sovereigns of Europe. The development studio Creative Assembly is the strategic genius of a monument and equips it with its own game: "Napoleon - Total War". COMPUTER BILD SPIELE speaks with Mark O'Connell of at Creative Assembly about innovations, the series future - and dinosaurs.

IMAGE COMPUTER GAMES (CBS): Besides the obvious difference in the scenario - what do you think are the main differences between "Empire - Total War" and "Napoleon - Total War"?
Mark O'Connell (MOC): "Napoleon - Total War" focuses on the story of a man - from his early day as captain through to the title of emperor. France addition to the three campaigns - in previous games there was only one - you can play like the other groups, such as Great Britain, Prussia, Russia and Austria. "Napoleon - Total War" is therefore a lot of game. In addition, we have an entirely new element in the game that we call "drop in" battles. When you play the single player campaign, players from the Internet or your friends get straight into the fight and compete against you.
Gallery: Napoleon - Total War




Screenshots: Napoleon - Total War 8 Pictures CBS: One of the innovations in "Empire - Total War" was the technology tree. "Does Napoleon - Total War", something similar?
MOC: Of course! In "Napoleon - Total War," there will be a completely new technology tree, which takes up all the inventions that were made around 1800.

CBS: Is there in addition to the single-player campaign where players slip into the shoes of Napoleon, again a free game?
MOC: Yes. You can choose to play Napoleon, and his story, or you choose - as I said - for the other groups. For each party we have different missions and characteristics. The goal of all other groups, however, remains the same: you have to stop Napoleon's march across Europe.

CBS: Tearing the players so well with Prussia and England for supremacy in Europe itself?
MOC: Of course - as in real life! (laughs)

CBS: What groups are in "Napoleon - Total War" to be playable?
MOC: Of course, France and Great Britain, Prussia, Russia and Austria.

In the Battle of Trafalgar, Napoleon suffered a Niederlangen - you make it better?
CBS: Is it possible to bring the fighting as the battle of Napoleon at Waterloo or the Battle of Leipzig in combat scenarios, regardless of the campaign?
MOC: If you are not interested in the campaign, you can also in historical sequence through the decisive battles of Napoleon, such as the Battle of Trafalga fight. (In the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 led the British Royal Navy defeated a coalition of Spanish and French at Cape Trafalgar - northwest of the Strait of Gibraltar - Editor's note) This will then lead you to the Battle of Waterloo - which is something like the final boss enemy is in play. (At Waterloo Napoleon in 1815 suffered a crushing defeat against Britain and Prussia, in consequence of which he was exiled to the Atlantic island of Saint Helena - editor's note)

CBS: Napoleon is known not only as a charismatic leader who knew how to motivate his troops by mere presence. He surprised his opponents time and again with extremely rapid troop movements. If there are these aspects in the game again?
MOC: Absolutely! Napoleon did not play by the rules of war, and thus ushered in a new era of warfare. Napoleon was at the front and led his soldiers into battle. We have taken this into account, by giving him unique abilities. For example, it can collect its troops and to motivate them further. Many of Napoleon's characteristics are found in the game.

CBS: Is there in the campaign alongside the main tasks and side quests?
MOC: Definitely. You have overarching goals to drive the Austrians from Italy, for example, or to besiege Acre in northern Africa. In addition, you always get additional missions. These additional orders are always voluntarily - after all, you rewrite history and do not do anything like Napoleon did.

CBS: The "Total War" series is known to be left to the players shaping the story. With "Napoleon - Total War" enter not only the era but also the story of a man, a nation. Why this step?
MOC: We wanted to give players the opportunity not only to experience Napoleon's history, but also to rewrite the places where he himself was not necessarily successful. If one takes the example of the Egyptian campaign, Napoleon was not very good in battles. They, however, have the opportunity to enlarge their fleet in order to drive the British from the Mediterranean region. In this way you will receive reinforcements from Europe, what the course of the campaign dramatically affected. Napoleon did not do so.

The square is used for defense against cavalry units.
CBS: In "Empire - Total War" has recently launched the beta for the multiplayer campaign. Plan for "Napoleon - Total War", a similar feature?
MOC: We have started the testing phase for the multiplayer campaign in December and if it is well received and the feedback of the players is positive, we hope to be able in future to "Total War" install games.

CBS: What multiplayer modes the game offers?
MOC: The biggest changes are the "drop in" battles. Play single-player campaign, you have the other players the opportunity to enter and compete in this campaign against you. But of course there are other multiplayer modes - it can also take up land and sea battles online against your friends.

CBS: Is it possible to play the cooperative campaign. And if so, how many players you fight for domination of Europe?
MOC: (smiles) It has as yet made any announcement. But stay tuned.

CBS: diplomacy plays an important role in the recent games, the "Total War" series. How do you solve this issue in "Napoleon - Total War"? Still, it seems unlikely that England and Prussia to ally with the French emperor and drive peacefully trade.
MOC: Napoleon has made a lot of enemies, but it is still possible some of the weaker member of the coalition - for example, draw on a common enemy - on your side. With these you can then negotiate trade embargo or the like. There will be some new opportunities in the diplomatic relations in "Napoleon - Total War".

CBS: They let the players feudal Japan, ancient Rome, medieval Europe, and - in the current titles - the beginning of the modern experience. What are you planning next?
MOC: Currently, we still support "Empire - Total War", and "Napoleon - Total War" finally comes out just yet. But until then, of course, be additional downloadable content. When asked what to do next, I can only say: If we want a "Total War" is to play the most important thing for us to find a time period - be it in the past, present or future - in the number of the Group power and have fought each of them has had the opportunity to win. No matter where the next "Total War" plays, this scenario is always the starting position.

CBS: we might pull in the Persian war and fight the battle of Thermopylae?
MOC: Yes, maybe. I am a fan of ancient Greece, Egypt and the like. Everything could come next. Personally, I try to "Dinosaurs - Total War" brought into the discussion with - maybe someday. (laughs)

CBS: Napoleon leads his troops on the battlefield, even in the fight, and he faces in real-time battles his adversaries Wellington or Blucher?
With Napoleon on the battlefield, you get a bonus on the morale of your troops.
MOC: This is he. Napoleon is very present on the battlefield. Is he close to his troops, he inspired them. Take him into the fight, you strengthen the morale of your soldiers - that is to play like in real life, a great role on the battlefield.

CBS: historical personalities possess this special ability?
MOC: Yes, they have. An example is the Truppensammeln. If the morale of your soldiers, they flee from the battlefield. Now you can give orders of Napoleon to gather the troops, which it brings back hope in the battle. However, you can use this function is only available three times per battle - you need to use so wise. Also: If your front line shot, order of Napoleon to strengthen the morale of his men, what they can endure much longer.

CBS: In "Rome - Total War: Alexander" They gave the players the opportunity to understand once before, the history of a historical figure - but as an add-on to the main game. What is so special about "Napoleon - Total War" that you sell it as a game at full price?
MOC: Actually, we did Napoleon have been in "Empire - Total War". But "Empire" goes from 1700 to 1800. At the time of Napoleon enters the stage of world politics, the political situation in France, therefore, be quite different than during his lifetime. For example, Spain could have seized the power over France itself. As we have looked at Napoleon as a character, it was clear that there are some game elements that do not really fit in "Empire", but work well in a separate game. Like for example the siting of food system: your troops in the middle of winter in the woods, there is the possibility that starve their men. Basically, we had enough material for a new game.

CBS: The Creative Assembly has been responsible since 2000 for the "Total War" series. They also develop action games like "Spartan - Total Warrior" and "Viking - Battle for Asgard. Do you need this Hack'n-slash games as a strategic distraction from everyday life?
MOC: Absolutely - we love these games. It's great to just grab a weapon to throw into the fray, and thousands of undead warriors to pieces tick. But we have a console team which is so engaged."

Glad to see the press is asking the tough questions

dinosaur total war what I hope this is just a joke
btw there also is a video but nothing new

Originally Posted by Ulan1990

dinosaur total war what I hope this is just a joke
btw there also is a video but nothing new

He was just joking - he said something like any era that has several rivaling factions is the basis for a Total War game. "Personally I'm trying to bring "Dinosaur-Total War" into the Discussion - one day maybe. (Laughs)"

For the last time it's TRANSLATION and not TRANSDUCTION.

I can't for the life of me understand why people almost always write review, when they're talking about a preview, and why they write traduction when they mean translation. I'm not even a anglophone (I'm swedish) and I know the difference between a preview and a review.

Sorry, I had to get the grammar and spelling nazi out of me.

Not much new in here, but I'll rep you for it anyways.

Originally Posted by The_Nord

I can't for the life of me understand why people almost always write review, when they're talking about a preview, and why they write traduction when they mean translation. I'm not even a anglophone (I'm swedish) and I know the difference between a preview and a review.

Sorry, I had to get the grammar and spelling nazi out of me.

Not much new in here, but I'll rep you for it anyways.

I will tell you: in France, it's called "google traduction" and not "google translation", now, I know

CBS: Is it possible to play the cooperative campaign. And if so, how many players you fight for domination of Europe?
MOC: (smiles) It has as yet made any announcement. But stay tuned.

Does he mean that some 3 french players could fight a MPC versus 3 austrian players? If only that would be true...

Originally Posted by panzerschreck

Currently, we still support "Empire - Total War", and "Napoleon - Total War" finally comes out just yet.

Lie???

Maybe 3vs3 but the nationality is what counts you see? This option is only valid when your playing with some anglophone people, for the francophone there is etw, no napeloen for you!

Once more, nobody bothers to ask about prisoners.

nobody bothers about prisioners, are you campaigning against the prisons where the people from political and terrorism "crimes" went?

I'm sure there are lots of people who miss them. I want the option and gameplay that went with it back. It's just plain realistic but above all dang cool! What of your very chivalrous general when you really want to... I rarely killed them afterwards actually, it's not my problem the AI won't pay the ransom

No shortage of suggestions also:
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/...903&pid=942966

It's not much to ask, and has been a very cool trademark of the series. This is a game and prisoners made TW too. I can say that. Or what? You will intern me?