Playing the latest AACW patch lately I have to change my opinion (can't change the vote). AACW has been nicely patched so it doesn't need an overhaul quite as urgently as I originally thought (it can still use engine improvement (some things just can't be modded in right now)). NCP on the other hand could use a lot of work, particularly larger campaigns requested by so many for so long...
Still both good games ;-) ...
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beatoangelico
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to me NCP2 is the easy choice. As others have said NCP is less "complete" than AACW and would benefit much more from the improvements that likely would be inherited by VGN (diplomatic engine etc).
I would also add something about princing policy. Right now AGEOD games are by far the cheapest wargames on the market. For example AACW costs 20 € (or less) while its direct competitors, Forge of Freedom and Gary Grigsby's War Between The States are available only on the Matrix website and cost at least 36 € + VAT, and I know that prices for the american costumers are even higher. ROP is brand new and cost only 30 €!
Now, when you make a direct sequel (same time and place) the gamers value if the improvements and the added content is enough to warrant a purchase.
If these improvements are percieved to be too slight the gamer/costumer not only may decide to "pass" if he already ows he previous version, but he may be also tempted to purchase the first game instead of the latest if he doesn't own either one.
Matrix games limits this risk by keeping the price of older releases high, but as I said before the price of older AGEOD games has dropped a lot because the pricing policy is very different.
In other words, IMHO needs, more than others, to make sequels with relevant improvements or a big slice of the costumers won't buy it
I would also add something about princing policy. Right now AGEOD games are by far the cheapest wargames on the market. For example AACW costs 20 € (or less) while its direct competitors, Forge of Freedom and Gary Grigsby's War Between The States are available only on the Matrix website and cost at least 36 € + VAT, and I know that prices for the american costumers are even higher. ROP is brand new and cost only 30 €!
Now, when you make a direct sequel (same time and place) the gamers value if the improvements and the added content is enough to warrant a purchase.
If these improvements are percieved to be too slight the gamer/costumer not only may decide to "pass" if he already ows he previous version, but he may be also tempted to purchase the first game instead of the latest if he doesn't own either one.
Matrix games limits this risk by keeping the price of older releases high, but as I said before the price of older AGEOD games has dropped a lot because the pricing policy is very different.
In other words, IMHO needs, more than others, to make sequels with relevant improvements or a big slice of the costumers won't buy it
I know most long time Ageod afficionados rather would like to see AACW2, Nappy2, Pax Romana or some other pre 20th century period game, finding WW2 overdone.
Nonewithstanding personally I would like to see AGEOD doing a WW2 global grand strategy game using an extended Age engine
It IS the most popular time frame for historical games. So probably you will sell lots of copies – compared to, say the Fredrik the Great game.
Arguably up to now for a game WW2 global war hasn’t been tackled in an comprehensive, mature way:
The enormuously popular (over)ambitious HOI series is pausable RTG. Ok for playing hitleresque one-front piecemeal wars in a parallel universe. Arguably not ok for gaming multicontinental multidimensional fronts.
Comic coloured Making History is more looking like an education tool for school kids.
Gary Grisby’s World at War and Strategic Command arguably remain shallow.
Bitter Glory - not yet published. Pausable RTG.
Matrix World in Flames – not yet published. It will have lots of the stuff I’m looking for. But as a mostly faithfull adaption it will be constricted by the conventions of a board game.
That’s all. So there definitely IS room for an AGEOD try.
Arguably WW2 remains the most attractive topic: global, multi-sided, multi-dimensional, full of diplomatic, economical, research choices, all packed in to 6 short years. I know I’ll always come back to game it. In fact, all other historical periods only remain short holidays from the big one for me.
As for AACW 2, I think AACW 1 simply is ... well ... perfect. One of the best games I ever played in the last twenty years. I’m not sure any version 2.0 could possibly have enough new features to make me buy it.
As for Nappy 2, it sounds more interesting. But I think it will be difficult to marry the charme of Napoleonic maneuvre warfare, as seen in Nappy 1, with a strategic layer for the two decades of the Napoleonic area. Should there be bi-weekly or monthly turns? There’s an old discussion somewhere on the AGEOD forum about this
As for AGEOD smaller operational games, like Nappy 1 or the Frederik one. I’m not sure they really will be successful. They are very specialized, arguably for a small audience, but also need time to develop. I bought the former, not the latter. Operational games essentially mean pushing counters, deciding, where to go using which strength. This is only half the cake. The other half would be diplomacy, building, researching. This is the only aspect of Paradox “sandbox” philosophy I’m ok with: Gamers like to build up before they start to destroy.
As for digital distribution only. I can see it’s the way for distributing niche products. I’ve no problem with it besides this point: How to fairly handle refund issues of arguably broken software or software in dire need of endless patching between sellers and buyers in an international context?
On last point: I didn’t vote in this poll
Yes, I would like to see WW2 getting tackled by Ageod.
No, I wouldn’t like to see Paradox telling Ageod what to do.
If Paradox is smart, they’ll countinue to interest juvenile gamers for historical gaming with the HOI and the EU lines. And then while growing older take them over to Ageods turn based games.
Regards
Nonewithstanding personally I would like to see AGEOD doing a WW2 global grand strategy game using an extended Age engine
It IS the most popular time frame for historical games. So probably you will sell lots of copies – compared to, say the Fredrik the Great game.
Arguably up to now for a game WW2 global war hasn’t been tackled in an comprehensive, mature way:
The enormuously popular (over)ambitious HOI series is pausable RTG. Ok for playing hitleresque one-front piecemeal wars in a parallel universe. Arguably not ok for gaming multicontinental multidimensional fronts.
Comic coloured Making History is more looking like an education tool for school kids.
Gary Grisby’s World at War and Strategic Command arguably remain shallow.
Bitter Glory - not yet published. Pausable RTG.
Matrix World in Flames – not yet published. It will have lots of the stuff I’m looking for. But as a mostly faithfull adaption it will be constricted by the conventions of a board game.
That’s all. So there definitely IS room for an AGEOD try.
Arguably WW2 remains the most attractive topic: global, multi-sided, multi-dimensional, full of diplomatic, economical, research choices, all packed in to 6 short years. I know I’ll always come back to game it. In fact, all other historical periods only remain short holidays from the big one for me.
As for AACW 2, I think AACW 1 simply is ... well ... perfect. One of the best games I ever played in the last twenty years. I’m not sure any version 2.0 could possibly have enough new features to make me buy it.
As for Nappy 2, it sounds more interesting. But I think it will be difficult to marry the charme of Napoleonic maneuvre warfare, as seen in Nappy 1, with a strategic layer for the two decades of the Napoleonic area. Should there be bi-weekly or monthly turns? There’s an old discussion somewhere on the AGEOD forum about this
As for AGEOD smaller operational games, like Nappy 1 or the Frederik one. I’m not sure they really will be successful. They are very specialized, arguably for a small audience, but also need time to develop. I bought the former, not the latter. Operational games essentially mean pushing counters, deciding, where to go using which strength. This is only half the cake. The other half would be diplomacy, building, researching. This is the only aspect of Paradox “sandbox” philosophy I’m ok with: Gamers like to build up before they start to destroy.
As for digital distribution only. I can see it’s the way for distributing niche products. I’ve no problem with it besides this point: How to fairly handle refund issues of arguably broken software or software in dire need of endless patching between sellers and buyers in an international context?
On last point: I didn’t vote in this poll
Yes, I would like to see WW2 getting tackled by Ageod.
No, I wouldn’t like to see Paradox telling Ageod what to do.
If Paradox is smart, they’ll countinue to interest juvenile gamers for historical gaming with the HOI and the EU lines. And then while growing older take them over to Ageods turn based games.
Regards
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Billy Yank
ah.....the poll is closed....no matter I will add my 2 cents worth.....NCP2.....and the map stays the same...its the best map I have ever seen done on any game....beautifully done ....a true masterpiece of art 
....you may want to consider doing the same for AACW2 and I also like the 3d markers...that added a nice touch to the game...keep them too...maybe expand on that....one for Calvary....supplies..wagons and so forth...just like a tabletop game....beautifully done ...it adds to the game 
....you may want to consider doing the same for AACW2 and I also like the 3d markers...that added a nice touch to the game...keep them too...maybe expand on that....one for Calvary....supplies..wagons and so forth...just like a tabletop game....beautifully done ...it adds to the game Just a Newbie reporting in... I'd have voted for NCP2.
I really like the look and feel of the original NCP map (just tried the demo). The map is aces. I also love that most AGEOD games are in 2D it's simply beautiful. (I hope you keep true to this as much as possible, but even 3D can be nice if it doesn't look too much like 3d e.g. I liked the look of EU:Rome much better than EUIII, because the 3D was not so clean and the textures where much better to look at, not so "threedeey").
And this is, hands down, for a newcomer like me, a tipping point. Just checked out all available AGEOD Demos and have to say that ROP -for me- is the best, because of this feature, it really immerses you into the action (reading al these messages and seeing how the battle rages with the numbers) and more often then not I literally raised my fist and yelled when I won a hard fought battle (plus I like the really nice 2D map so much). That's a well done feature I'd say.
Just keep up the good work.
I really like the look and feel of the original NCP map (just tried the demo). The map is aces. I also love that most AGEOD games are in 2D it's simply beautiful. (I hope you keep true to this as much as possible, but even 3D can be nice if it doesn't look too much like 3d e.g. I liked the look of EU:Rome much better than EUIII, because the 3D was not so clean and the textures where much better to look at, not so "threedeey").
1) During the course of the battle, you will see dynamic graphic showing who is actually winning the battle (inflicting more hits on the enemy). But also, a new feature recently added, is that the engine will start commenting what is actually happening on every round of the battle. So you will be informed if your men are routed, if they are running desperately, if they are supporting another column, etc.
This was a very anticipated change to get more feedback during the course of the battles, so I am sure the old players of the AACW will be more than happy to hear this.
And this is, hands down, for a newcomer like me, a tipping point. Just checked out all available AGEOD Demos and have to say that ROP -for me- is the best, because of this feature, it really immerses you into the action (reading al these messages and seeing how the battle rages with the numbers) and more often then not I literally raised my fist and yelled when I won a hard fought battle (plus I like the really nice 2D map so much). That's a well done feature I'd say.
Just keep up the good work.
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