I played it at E3

[Steeven]

One of my wishes was fulfilled when I got to play M2:TW on this years E3 in LA. Funny thing was that everyone around me was struggling with the controls (noobs) and I formed my army in less then a minute and started fighting. One of the SEGA guys came up to me and while playing I asked some questions about the game.

He said the game is Alpha right now and like 60% done. What CA has done so far are mostly the basics, like the units, modelling and skinning and stuff. He said they were now going to work on the AI and that they'll have till winter to work on that. Because almost all other work on the game is done now, sooner then expected, I hope he gives word and we see an M1:TW like AI. He admitted that the AI in Rome was kinda crappy in the long term.

He also said CA does not like the Napoleonic Era, not because of the tactics and stuff, but of the implementation of those tactics. Its too hard to code, but if the hardware gets better it would be possible.

What the mod community may interest: I asked what the possibilities are, like if there is another limit on the amount of factions and units like in Rome. He could only say that there are over 250 units and those are moddable, so that should be enough. I'm kinda worried about that.

What I noticed during playing was that the maps are really huge and that the fighting looks more natural, not so mechanical like in Rome. I can't wait to be honest, although Rome let me down in the long run.

[Flogger]

Great info Steeven - it's always better to get info from the Sega people themselves. Lucky you got to E3 as well!

[Last Roman]

very informative. How did the campaign map look?

[Darkragnar]

Lucky bloke.
What battle did you fight in E3 and what units did you get to Use ?
Come now man , the details we want the detials or are you an cuexpalchicacpul (Aztec for youth with a baby’s lock-Derogatory hehe)

[God]

Forgive me for being a little untrustworthy, but aren't only people who work in the computer game industry allowed into E3? So unless you're a computer game designer...

[Last Roman]

Forgive me for being a little untrustworthy, but aren't only people who work in the computer game industry allowed into E3? So unless you're a computer game designer...

no, I had a friend who went their three years ago. He got to see the E3 demo of Halo 2

[Nobunuga oda]

This is interesting, please reply! We must know what its like playing (units, maps, other stuff) :fighting:
Also what faction did you play, and how evil is the pope :inqusitio

[Charok]

This is interesting, please reply! We must know what its like playing (units, maps, other stuff) :fighting:
Also what faction did you play, and how evil is the pope :inqusitio

He probably only got to play one or two battle scenarios and can't answer most of that. Although a Gamespy guy did get to see the map of the New world. Maybe Steeven can draw us a map of the New World?

[Darkragnar]

Forgive me for being a little untrustworthy, but aren't only people who work in the computer game industry allowed into E3? So unless you're a computer game designer...

no E3 is primaily to showcase games for the public, if you are in LA u can just walk right in and play games for free.

[Obershutze]

no E3 is primaily to showcase games for the public, if you are in LA u can just walk right in and play games for free.

Really? I have some trouble beleiving that. You just walked in?

[{nF}remix]

E3 is primarilly for journalists and the press, its very hard to get in if you are not associated with press. Unless your Steven Spielberg or Robin WIlliams

[Ahiga]

Forgive me for being a little untrustworthy, but aren't only people who work in the computer game industry allowed into E3? So unless you're a computer game designer...

As someone said later on, it is open to the public the last few days, though the cost is very high.

[God]

OK, I stand corrected

[DavidtheDuke]

I believe at first for the first few days (or just the first) is selective/semi-insider admission, and later becomes general admission.

[Ewan]

E3 is a 3 day event, the first 2 days are games indusrty only and the 3rd day is basically a free for all. but to all u kiddies out there planing your next holiday, there is a age restriction on who is aloud entrance

[Atheist Peace]

The time they say they're devoting to the AI sounds reassuring.

What I noticed during playing was that the maps are really huge and that the fighting looks more natural, not so mechanical like in Rome. I can't wait to be honest, although Rome let me down in the long run.

That sounds very, very good.

[hsimoorb]

Odd. I had heard that the AI was already done, and the moddeling and skinning was all that's left....

[DougyM]

I am seriously considering E3 as my holiday next year.

This year its the british F1 GP.

But next year im going to "officialy" go on a media trip for the website i frequent, weve been around since 2003 and its mainly just 20 people who post... but some of us are actualy involved in a lot of games and mods etc...

Shouldnt be too hard to get semi official backing that im "press".


Now i just need to think of an excuse as to why a member of the press would be wearing a sign saying "will drop pants for game time" outside the Dice and CA booths.

*cough*

[Caesar Germanico]

no..ai is almost always the last thing to complete

[mike007]

THX OPTIO!!!! great details there mate! thanks for sharing them.

great to hear 1st hand about their progress, i had a feeling they were ahead on schedual, the models look so completed already.

Just a few Q's

*What was your favorite unit?
*Did you win the battle?
*Did the enemy route easily?
*Any suicidal units? (eg, moves out of line to attack you 1st before the rest?)
*Was the CA guy aussy? ( i live right near thier brisbane CA studio!! if i had a crack team, i coud literaly storm the building & steam an alpha demo of it!! ahha just kidding ca {but i know where you live! dont stuff up the AI!!!})

thanks again!