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Elemental: BETA 4 Preview

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Elemental: BETA 4 Preview

from JoeUser Forums

We’re finishing up our work on Beta 4 for a release later this week.

Here are a few highlights:

#1 A general polish pass has been done across the board.  Not quite to 1.0 but significantly better.

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#2 Players will be able to access the Workshop’s Tile Editor

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#3 PLayers will have access to the Workshop’s Map Editor

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#4 The tactical battles have gotten a lot of polish

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#5 There’s been a lot of love given to spell effects and sounds throughout the game

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#6 The game will occasionally design units for you (for players who don’t like designing their own units).

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#7 A MASSIVE pass on performance tuning. This same screen in Beta 3C would have been 11 FPS.

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#8 MASSIVE pass on cloth map performance to make sure the game runs on Netbooks.

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#9 The start of work on the tech trees to make them more challenging (This will be an ongoing thing).

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#10 The Diplomacy system has gotten its first pass at the AI intelligently valuing things (this will be an ongoing thing to improve)

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We have also done a massive pass at both stability and video card compatibility.  Generally speaking, beta 4 shouldn’t crash on you during the course of a game.  However, we are still working on loading games from within a game (there’s a lot of STUFF to deal with there) as well as loading saved games. It’s still far better than beta 3C but it’s not perfect yet.

We have also dramatically reduced the memory foot print but this is an area we will be making substantial improvements during the next week or so (post Beta 4).

When Beta 4 goes out, we’ll go into more depth on the things players can expect us to focus on in particular for the release version.  Given that Beta 3C was only a week ago, I think the beta community will find Beta 4 a major relief (i.e. how much can change in a single week). 

The stability of Beta 4 (our current internal beta of it) is equal to the day 0  version of Galactic Civilizations II and its performance significantly better than the release version of Galactic Civilizations II.

After Beta 4, our code tree gets separated into the version that will be polished, tweaked and bug fixed for the manufactured version (the version that hits stores on August 24) and then the version that will go towards the release (Day 0) version that will be available on August 24th.

As of today, the game is now sufficiently ahead of schedule that the Stardock team is no longer in “crunch mode”.

If you’re still playing Beta 3C, you should stop before it causes permanent damage (it’s pretty awful).

Our main focus going foward is polish polish polish polish polish (including AI, UI, Balance, Spell Work, Special Abilities in tactical battles, Tester requested tweaks, etc.).

Oh, btw, the campaign (which won’t be in the betas) is pretty damn cool and was 100% made with the mod tools and XML (i.e. you guys could make your own campaigns).

Cheers!

193,779 views 128 replies
Reply #51 from Elemental Forums Top

#7 A MASSIVE pass on performance tuning. This same screen in Beta 3C would have been 11 FPS.

End of quote

We have also done a massive pass at both stability and video card compatibility.  Generally speaking, beta 4 shouldn’t crash on you during the course of a game. 

End of quote

Wow, this is pretty impressive!...can't wait for beta4. :)

Reply #52 from Elemental Forums Top

As I don't like the current UI with regards to how certain things are displayed and with regards to responses - is it possible within Beta4 to modify and prepare some changes to the UI already? Or are we tied to the Tile & Map editor, meaning XML & Python is still beeing DL prior to the start of a new game from the server like in the previous betas?

 

Edit: Make the wording a bit more clear - I like the game, the abilities and the ideas around. But the UI is still not really helpful - I still struggle what to find where etc :-) Like to try to make some enhancements but want to proof it by myself first :-)

TouchTasks - Access tasks with ease on Windows touchscreens.
Reply #53 from Sins Forums Top

wylaryzel, frogboy stated in an earlier post that beta 4 will no longer be downloading files at the start of each game. I personally can't wait for the GAIN in functionallity that this will give us for beta 4

harpo

 

Reply #54 from Elemental Forums Top

Thx - maybe I missed it :-)

This means we can try a bit further with regards to 'balancing' by ourselves :-) Can't wait!

Reply #55 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting xecran, reply 1
Speaking of netbooks, will the game support the rather awkward resolution of 1024×600.  It seems that a lot of games can't, or perhaps it is just the older games I try installing.
 
End of xecran's quote

 

I would also like to know this as my laptop blows and I'd love to be able to play this at work (heh)...hope the leaks will be killed soon too, even after closing the game sometimes it keeps trying to steal a gig+ of ram.

Reply #56 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Raven, reply 50
Off Topic: otaku, is your Avatar the kid from "Home Improvement"? One of my ex's from back in the day was obsessed with the kid and I think she had that pic on a sticker or something.
End of Raven's quote

It's actually a Japanese kid who has a blog called YES! Photo Booth Prince.  I think it's hilarious in a so-bad-it's-awesome kind of way.

Reply #57 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Annatar11, reply 10

1. other then water (the sea) keeping the players apart is it of any use???
One of the planned expansions is going to deal heavily with the water, so you can expect a more "stuff" there. For now, it's just geographical.
End of Annatar11's quote

 

Along the same lines, where is the fishing?

Since a large aspect of growth is tied to food production, it would be nice to have another way to make otherwise useless areas viable.

Reply #58 from Elemental Forums Top

With Harbors and Transports, via the Seafaring Tech, the Sea doesn't keep you away from the islands on a map with them. Load em up and set sail young man. Adventure awaits on them there islands. :)

Reply #59 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting John_Hughes, reply 58
With Harbors and Transports, via the Seafaring Tech, the Sea doesn't keep you away from the islands on a map with them. Load em up and set sail young man. Adventure awaits on them there islands.
End of John_Hughes's quote

 

Is your post in answer to mine?

 

Also, why are the shipping techs under warfare?

 

It would also be nice to have an online (in game) resource to look up the prerequisites of a specific tech.

Reply #60 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting kapeman, reply 59

Quoting John_Hughes, reply 58With Harbors and Transports, via the Seafaring Tech, the Sea doesn't keep you away from the islands on a map with them. Load em up and set sail young man. Adventure awaits on them there islands.
 

Is your post in answer to mine?


Also, why are the shipping techs under warfare?


It would also be nice to have an online (in game) resource to look up the prerequisites of a specific tech.
End of kapeman's quote


Might have been. Many pages passed before it hit me about the Harbors and their utility as is.

It is under Warfare as you can create Warships. Not much use yet but the transports work, if a tad slow, but more move points would fix that.

We all assume the game will have that come release day (or maybe before) hint hint dev...

Reply #61 from Elemental Forums Top

Is this Beta supposed to be the FUN one or are we not supposed to be having fun yet??  I'd hate to comment on the "fun factor" of Beta 4 if we still are supposed to be just bug hunting, etc.

 

Reply #62 from Elemental Forums Top

I await beta 4 :)

 

also fun is never really allowed till the full release, but if you are having fun do your best to keep it quiet ^_^

Reply #63 from Elemental Forums Top

If conversations with the woman you love typically have you saying, "Thank you mistress, may I have another?"

    ...then you may think Beta 3C is fun.

 

If having your intestines ripped out with a fork sounds like a good way to pass an afternoon...

 

    ...then you may think Beta 3C is fun.

 

Hmmmm, maybe I should start a thread with that and let everyone else chime in ;)

Reply #65 from Elemental Forums Top

Monday is a Holiday where I live so this weekend will be pretty sweet, 

Reply #66 from Elemental Forums Top

Will we get custom faction back in beta 4?

Reply #67 from Elemental Forums Top

I am really looking forward to this - mainly to see if the many things people are wanting have been implemented. I see some of the magic spells have new names, thats a start. 

 

I do fear, however, that all the talk of "this will enter the expansion" is a result of the game not really being ready for the public on august 24th. By public I mean the general public of which the fans here arent part. I'd love for elemental to be succesfull, and right now, as I've posted a few other places, the game works fine as an engine, but the game itself is still somewhat...lacking in soul.

My main complaints are

 

Magic - more of this please, especially since the name of the game is "Elemental: War of magic" I see very few interesting spells there. I know its been said that the AI has to be able to use the spells as well, and that takes time which is why the big spells arent there "yet". But that also means, the game isnt really ready, doesnt it?

 

Factions- There is basically very little difference between the factions right now, I'd have hoped for more diversity.

Quests - these are...not fun right now

Dungeons - I may have missed this, but did they get removed and planned for an expansion?

Diplomacy - seems quite barren to me, and doesnt have the flavor i'd have hoped

Magic items - more flavor to these as well, names, history, lore, all could be a part of the magic items.

Combat - Where are the special abilites we all loved from MoM? It was yet another thing that gave flavor to the game

All in all, I see huge potential in the game, and I'm sure modders will make many of the above things a lot better. I just think Stardock should not count on modders to make the game great.

Oh, and I love stardock and what they do,dont get me wrong, but I really hope a lot will change between now and release and that this will be the commercial succes it deserves

Reply #68 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting CrispyMouse, reply 67
Will we get custom faction back in beta 4?
End of CrispyMouse's quote

From what Frogboy has said it will be in the Workshop kit. I.E. you will be able to make more and more custom factions(even elves if that is your bag I guess) using the editor.

However they will not be available except in modded games.

Reply #69 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting Razgon, reply 68
I am really looking forward to this - mainly to see if the many things people are wanting have been implemented. I see some of the magic spells have new names, thats a start. 

I do fear, however, that all the talk of "this will enter the expansion" is a result of the game not really being ready for the public on august 24th. By public I mean the general public of which the fans here arent part. I'd love for elemental to be succesfull, and right now, as I've posted a few other places, the game works fine as an engine, but the game itself is still somewhat...lacking in soul.

My main complaints are

Magic - more of this please, especially since the name of the game is "Elemental: War of magic" I see very few interesting spells there. I know its been said that the AI has to be able to use the spells as well, and that takes time which is why the big spells arent there "yet". But that also means, the game isnt really ready, doesnt it?

Factions- There is basically very little difference between the factions right now, I'd have hoped for more diversity.

Quests - these are...not fun right now

Dungeons - I may have missed this, but did they get removed and planned for an expansion?

Diplomacy - seems quite barren to me, and doesnt have the flavor i'd have hoped

Magic items - more flavor to these as well, names, history, lore, all could be a part of the magic items.

Combat - Where are the special abilites we all loved from MoM? It was yet another thing that gave flavor to the game

All in all, I see huge potential in the game, and I'm sure modders will make many of the above things a lot better. I just think Stardock should not count on modders to make the game great.

Oh, and I love stardock and what they do,dont get me wrong, but I really hope a lot will change between now and release and that this will be the commercial succes it deserves
End of Razgon's quote

I wouldn't worry too much, as Brad and Co. have all started tying up special abilities now(i.e. see the Fire and Death journal thread, dragon has firebreath).

I can agree about quests though.  No XP from quests = pretty lame.

Reply #70 from Elemental Forums Top

I definitely miss the original appearance of of Kul-Al-Kulan and Varga!  Can we still use those as alternates?  : (

Reply #71 from Elemental Forums Top

does anyone know if these people will end up looking as good as they did in galciv2??? one month doesn't seem very long and im starting to get scared. Lady Irane does look alright above, but def not up to par with even Galciv yet.. Anyone else scared?

Reply #72 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting RisingLegend, reply 72
does anyone know if these people will end up looking as good as they did in galciv2??? one month doesn't seem very long and im starting to get scared. Lady Irane does look alright above, but def not up to par with even Galciv yet.. Anyone else scared?
End of RisingLegend's quote

Nope. There is something about this game that makes me want to go back and play it. :)  I personally really like what I see, and when i first saw the concept of this game a long time ago I was sold. 

This weekend is going to be a lot of fun.... 

Reply #73 from Elemental Forums Top

I'm not scared at all. I'm having to force myself not to play it right now so I can get other things done. Also, in time the graphics will improve.

 

My question is how are custom champions/heroes implemented? I'm kinda hoping there will be a folder with all the hero .XML files or something in it we can just throw more people into.  I'd like to make many new heroes, can I get started in beta 4?

Reply #74 from Elemental Forums Top

Yey! Can't wait.

I still play 3C. And I still agree with Brad that it's pretty awful. That's why I still think it's really bizarre that a game that is still awful is going to be released so soon, I'm still scared.

Reply #75 from Elemental Forums Top

As time, and Beta phases, have passed I have come to believe the Dev Team, whom we know are 3 Builds ahead, are keeping things from us for our own good.

I can't imagine, come launch day, downloading a game that has no surprises in it. What the hell FUN would that be. There is no way in hell that the current character graphics make the final cut, most don't have mouths fcol.

So send out B4 and then gives us 1.0 in all its glory. We already know some will BITCH about this and that, but that is totally unavoidable as it is human nature to want your Cake and Eat it as well. :)

Scared? Negative! Excited? Absolutely!

Mostly because SC2 was a frigging waste of $70.00. Even 12 years later, it took 3.25 minutes to get through the Tutorial... :waaaa: o_O