As long as acheivements are an option to go for, and not forced on a player, they're good. especially if creative. Valve's acheivements in TF2- mostly good Valve requiring acheivements to unlock stuff (until recently)- not good
As for mergers and surrenders, the AI should gang up on a dominant player- balance of power should be a factor in AI relations. The AI should gang up on an overly powerful AI as well though. This shouldn't overrule alignment though.
It's a lot easier to buy off of Impulse then Gamersgate. My bet is Paradox developed titles won't use GOO, just the published ones like Majesty 2.
One other factor- I think L4D was primarily designed as a console such- due to the fact it's easier to rip off console owners. I own a console, but only becvause some games I really enjoy don't come to the PC. (fighting games) If they did, I wouldn't own one, and for years I didn't due to arcade emulation.
If you don't like it, don't buy it. It's not like L4D2 is so unique that it's a must have game. There really aren't that many of those. Ultimately, Valve will listen to money, they're a PC gamemaker, and they're not Sega. Elemental is the only one that I consider "must-have" right now on my list.
My thing is I never spend over $10 on Steam, unless it's a major title like TF2. That way if somethign happens, I'm not out more then $10.
It's Sega. That alone keeps me frmo buying it. Sega is the anti-Starodck when it comes to customer relations and support.
Wasn't there also something about Stardock using ultra-powerful comps for AI, and people connecting to those AI's in games, kinda like Demigod?
The AI has to be one of the top priorities. Also, the AI has to be good at avoiding every exploit the human comes up with- especially since this will be primarily a SP game.
Also, you can see from MP things the AI should watch for/use. The MP component is what could end up broadening the base for this game. One thing I'll be able to do if I get in- test what happens when lag goes to 500-600ms at 4am at work. At work, the internet connection does that.
Not many of Stardock's customers use IRC as compared to Twitter most likely, even with Stardock's older bias that probably exists. (Fair bet to say SD customers are older then the average PC gamer, and more affluent- especially since that's part of SD's business strategy) Personally I like Twitter @broccoman on there, but I use it for menial crap I don't want to put serious stuff on.
I'd like to see them redo the original Kohan. I think the exploits in that would have been fixed if Stardock would have done it.
I'm surprised a bunch of current Impulse users didn't make new accounts. The PC wouldn't have done me much good, hopefully it's at a good home, and Elemental runs awesome on it. ^_^
Team Fortress 2. Fatal Fury Series
What is that first image? A fallen?
Note: that two dozen may include people who rarely or never post, who've helped in testing in the past - maybe reporting a lot of bugs in other games, finding weird stuff, etc. Honestly, I am a lot more bark then bite, and others would deserve to be on this list more. I figure I'll have PLENTY of time to enjoy this game, especially since there is nothing on the horizon for me other then Elemental at this moment, unless KOF98UM comes out for XBL. (huge fan of that game)
Hopefully I get in, but I doubt I have the max chance. Worst case I just wait a month.
One other issue with multiplayer- that really was a big problem in Age of Wonders. How will Stardock balance out units that are much stronger in tactical combat then fast combat? This WILL happen, and might also be a concern for single player.
While you guys hosting games is great, I'd suggest allowing for direct connect games and matchmaking as well- maybe with less support , but still allow the option One very good reason: what if you guys go out of business, or decide not to support the game anymore? While I don't think you guys would do that (you've shown zero evidence of such), I wouldn't want to see that left to chance. Having MP dropped from a game you and others are
WoW and hope they don't know how to control themselves.
Probably not doing it to avoid the wank. Honestly, Stardock could slap the alpha out and call it a beta, and satisfy the requirement. Since it's only out to pre-orders, I don't think that would hurt anything. Either that I'm willing to give SD plenty of time, since this game is so ambitious - "it will be ready when it's ready"
Maybe it's where I just remember the GC2 betas, not the other ones.
Was referring to the private, got a feeling the public is going to be quite delayed though- to get things right. Usually Stardock wants their public beta to be at the quality level of 1.00 games from other companies.
Oh well, I expected a delay, and I know I'm not going to get in, since I passed on Demigod, and don't have a ton of +1's. I'm ok with the delay, given the reasons.
Conscripts- really good idea. Amount of conscripts should be based on population and civics. Martial civs with a strong sense of fear towards the enemy civ, should generate more conscripts. Resources and wealth should determine what equipment conscripts get. Poor towns with few resources would get peasant rabble, towns with fletchers might get a chance at a few archers, towns with horses a few cavalry. getting anything beyond cannon fodder should be rare thou