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Game length, replayability question
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 9:32 am
by rochester
When reading over the information on the game I am seeing options to play scenarios that vary in length from months to nine years. If each turn is a month, that means when playing even the longest scenario we will only be taking 108 turns? This troubles me, will each game be short?
Don't get me wrong I enjoy short, challenging scenarios. I also like campaigns that go on for prolonged gaming sessions, taking maybe a week of playing an hour a day to finish.
I understand the game will be covering both the French and Indian War as well as, as we Americans call it, our Revolutionary War. Will there be any option included, such as a campaign, rather than a scenario, in which we can play as one side for the entire time period?
Maybe I'm being a stickler but when I'm looking for an immersive campaign, switching out various scenarios doesn't do it for me. I want to feel like a real leader, one of the biggest factors in immersing me into that role is time. I can't get that feeling in a 30 minute scenario.
Well, I'm still getting the game no matter what. Even if it isn't included there is always the possibility of a mod to add it, it being added in a patch or something else happening.
It will be a great game, still looking forward to it.

Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:35 am
by Pocus
there is 3 campaigns in the game, though we call it scenarios. The 108 turns scenarios let you lead the insurgents or British from the start of the Boston 1775 siege to the 1783 ending for example, and during this period you manage all the military, get many events, renforcements, milicias levying, replacements for damaged units, etc.
I dont think you will complete the bigger scenarios rapidly, you have to think hard if you want to win, even against the IA.
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 7:33 pm
by rochester
Okay, that does sound like a lot of fun.
Will it be possible for modders to make some changes to the game? Maybe if people wanted a campaign that covered even longer times in the game? Or because of all the scripted events, etc. that is impossible?
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 8:00 pm
by Pocus
If you want a longer campaign, just continue playing after the official end, the game wont prevent you to do so, or if you prefer, edit the scenario file for the end date, and voilà...
You can also add new scripted events without problems, there is nothing really hard coded.
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:36 pm
by waynef
A few questions....
#1) A scenario editor included? Is their anyway to create your own scenario's
#2) Of the 10 scenarios - I believe I read that 3 were Campaigns? Is this correct?
#3) of the included scenarios - how many cover the French and Indian war (as U.S. call it).
Game looks very good
Thanks
Wayne
Posted: Thu Jan 26, 2006 10:43 pm
by rochester
[quote="Pocus"]If you want a longer campaign, just continue playing after the official end, the game wont prevent you to do so, or if you prefer, edit the scenario file for the end date, and voilà]
Oh, this is great news!!!! Just what I like to see, you guys are letting us decide how we want to play. I wasn't aware that we could continue on after the scenario's end, very glad to hear it.
Can't wait to get this game!!
Edit: I think other game developers can learn a lesson here from your company. There are some people who want the short scenarios, some who want long drawn out campaigns, and some who want a mix of both. I think you guys are going to be very successful by targeting all these groups.
For example, if I was looking at a game with a few short scenarios, there isn't much replay there, for me personally. Sure I may still look into getting the game, but if it's not going to be something where I can come back and play again and again I probably won't buy it. I like the short scenarios for when I have work in an hour or so, but when I want to plunk down an afternoon on a Saturday to play a drawn out campaign, I'm glad to have the option.
Nice to see a company trying to make the gamers happy, not just going after the almighty $$. Of course the $$ is important and I wish you a lot of success, I hope you get rich off of this gem! Then you will continue to make quality products and hopefully bring them to a wider audience.
Sure, we're a niche market. I guess it's something to be happy about. We are experiencing things a lot of people never bother to, and they are fun. But if the mass audience out there would open there eyes they would see there is so much to be learned from playing military/strategic/war games. Not only will you learn about history but also things that will help in day to day life.
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 6:36 am
by Sol Invictus
The more I hear about this game, the more I anticipate it. However; after Rome: Total War, I have made a resolution to never buy a game until I have read some feedback. I am confident however, that the feedback I read on this game will be positive. This will be an excellent PBEM game.
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 9:28 am
by PhilThib
waynef wrote:A few questions....
#1) A scenario editor included? Is their anyway to create your own scenario's
#2) Of the 10 scenarios - I believe I read that 3 were Campaigns? Is this correct?
#3) of the included scenarios - how many cover the French and Indian war (as U.S. call it).
Game looks very good
Thanks
Wayne
1/ The scenario editor will come later in a patch. Current scenarios can be edited though
2 / We shall deliver finally 14 scenarios, including 3 long campains and a short one
3 / There are 3 of them, one of which covers the whole war

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 7:30 pm
by Zan
I like playing very long campaigns.Having an option to extend the campaign length is good news.I don't purchase short games.Thanks for giving the player the option.
Posted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 10:39 pm
by oi_you_nutter
i am not clear on one subject...
is the time, place and composition of reinforcement units fixed or variable ? thsi especially applies to the English and French reinforcements who have to travel by sea from europe
this has a big effect on the replayability, especially in longer games
<edit to answer my own question>
from another thread
[quote="PhilThib"]In the American War of Independence campaigns, French intervention is triggered by a set of events, such as an American victory, Benjamin Franklin signing the alliance, and the date is also altered by the extent and state of English success or failure in the Colonies (i.e. the more likely the British are to win, the less the French are to intervene early)
Spanish intervention is not included right now but Don Bernardo Galvez campaign in Florida and Louisiana should be implemented once we have received the proper historical data.
Dutch intervention did not matter much in the Americas, apart from some smuggling from St Eustacius, so it is more or less ignored as irrelevant on that theater of Operations.
Once the French are in the war, they will send their "Expé]
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 10:05 am
by Pocus
short answer: depends

long answer: some renforcements arrive at different places. For example the big english expeditionnary forces have to pick a list of regions where they can land, and its randomized.
About the french arrival, its also randomized, but the more the americans controls strategic town, the earlier they can arrive.
Some other renforcements are fixed, in place & time.
Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:14 pm
by Dtry
I am excited that you will be adding some more long scenarios. I like the short ones, but I really get into long games that take awhile.