Cauldyth

[quote who="blackkomodo" reply="9" id="2671150"]so the idea is that the player has no direct control over these, its that they happen sometimes based on predetermined events right? if so this is a very interesting idea.[/quote] Yeah, if the trigger conditions are met, then there's a % chance that the city will acquire the trait. For something like the siege one, the city would have a sizable chance (e.g. 40%) of picking up the trait after experiencing a sufficiently large sieg

In the current beta, the cities have a little history page. I'm not sure what's ultimately intended to go in there, but it would be a good place for the game to insert some pre-canned text for any events that triggered. It could add things like saying that the people of this town have a long seafaring tradition and have become expert boat builders and sailors, or that in the year 1264 Lord Relias stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the citizens of this town and personally led them in

[quote]We’re looking at having it be a bigger deal when a City Levels up and giving them points (almost like a character) to put into traits like food production, research production, etc.[/quote] I'd like to propose taking this one step further, but rather than clutter up this thread I made my own:  https://forums.elementalgame.com/386375

Brad has stated in a number of threads now that they'd like to implement city traits which the player can choose when the city levels up. [quote]For example: We’re looking at having it be a bigger deal when a City Levels up and giving them points (almost like a character) to put into traits like food production, research production, etc.[/quote] I'd like to propose extending this even further. In addition to having city traits that the player can apply when the cit

Hmm, as for some tactical spells to control the battle in more subtle ways... Rift : Opens a crack in the ground several squares long. Non-flying units are unable to cross it. Buffeting Winds : The battlefield is affected by strong, unpredictable winds. Ranged units suffer penalties to accuracy/damage/range. Entangling Vines : Vines sprout from the earth and entangle the unit. Unit is unable to move, but

[quote who="Frogboy" reply="19" id="2668066"]It would be great if you could provide some concrete examples of spells you would like. We're all ears.[/quote] You asked for it! Here are some thoughts for strategic spells. ;)  Pack Ice : Temporarily enchants one or more ocean/lake squares to temporarily freeze, allowing armies to pass over it. Any land units in the square when it thaws are lost. Any naval units in the square when it's first cast are

[quote quoting="post"]Tactical battles are designed to be quite short. Our goal is to have them default to being over in less than 3 minutes. However, we hope (though no promises by release) to make a scaling option so that these can be extended or shortened at player request.[/quote] Pretty please! 3 minutes seems a little short for my tastes, but maybe that's just an average corresponding to only a few units per side. I'd love to see major battles and city assaults that

[quote who="Nuemcy" reply="7" id="2666527"]Even if that screen shot was staged, which after seeing the game videos and reading these forums I don't believe that it is, it still is friggen awesome!!![/quote] Bigger version available here . I didn't want to spam the forum with the full size one.

[quote who="Autarkhos" reply="4" id="2666464"]What game is that? =p[/quote] Elemental! From Gamespot's gallery.

If nothing else, we'll get to see this!

[quote who="onomastikon" reply="129" id="2665504"]I cannot see this game going gold in August. We havent tested tactical battles and magic, really. I think it's crazy, I'd go with 2011.[/quote] We haven't, but Stardock has had plenty of time to test them. Keep in mind that the public beta test is a supplement to the normal game development process, not a replacement for it. They could've just as easily not had a public beta at all like mos

I don't think criticism of game concepts will result in your post being ignored, I think trying to tell them how to run their business will. ;)

[quote who="Frogboy" reply="69" id="2663143"]Oh I can assure you we have spec'd Elemental to achieve over 8.6 gigajoys.[/quote] And I have no doubt Elemental will be a very cool game. I predict it achieves over 40 megaFonzies.

[quote]It's coming (cobbled streets).[/quote] Cool. It'd be nice to see cobbled streets, with some straw/hay scattered in the corners and up against the buildings so it doesn't look too clean, and have the occasional chicken running around. :)

I know this isn't a particularly appropriate thread to post this, but I will anyway. Here's a little teaser trailer for the upcoming HBO series of A Song of Ice and Fire:  http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2010/06/game-of-thrones-hbo.html

[quote who="ogredpowell" reply="9" id="2654974"]I know. thats why I told him to 'not wake the dragon'[/quote] Sorry, I saw that post but didn't notice it was yours. :)

[quote]Alright so it doesnt end there.....ive been able to marry aunts to nephews, more brother-sister marriages, etc. Pretty rediculous.[/quote] Actually, there's nothing ridiculous about it. If that's how you want to found your dynasty, so be it. In the series A Song of Ice and Fire, which is a major inspiration for the dynasty system in Elemental, the ruling Targaryen family was exclusively incestuous - they only married their brothers/sisters. That's what astrat

[quote quoting="post"]Major changes to city building. Generally, a lot fewer improvements being built and the ones there have more impact. Generally speaking, you will only build 1 of a given improvement in a city. Better improvements will require higher level cities. 1 to 2 housing units is typically sufficient to go up (but food is more precious since you can’t crank out gardens anymore).[/quote] That all sounds fantastic. I've always felt that cities were taking u

[quote who="DonTroel" reply="84" id="2650858"]I seem to recall having seen - in very early screenshots or comments - that the world-generator would generate or place named macrofeatures, such as "The Forest of Incrediblyness", "Bad-Ass-Dragon Mountain", "Valley of Vile Humours", or "Wet River". Is this feature still in? Recalling both Alpha Centauri and FFH2 such grand features serve both to add to the feel and richness of a particular map and - if said features give special bonuses - add to

[quote who="BoogieBac" reply="18" id="2649473"]I find the 'Watch in HD' option highly amusing [/quote] Kinda like when I switch to Comedy Central HD to watch South Park.

Is that dragon goose stepping? :D

Looks like they're trying to sneak up on someone!

[quote who="Zubaz" reply="43" id="2642747"]I'm not much of a modder . . but after seeing *this* vid I can't get the thought of recreating Odyssey: The Compleat Apventure using this engine.[/quote] Oh man, for years now I've had these vague memories of a game I played as a kid on the Apple ][, but I could never remember the name nor find any information about it. As soon as you posted that screenshot of Odyssey, I recognized it immediately. Thank you for solving a mystery

I'd like to see the AI have some intentional personality flaws. Like maybe an AI who holds a grudge way too much, and expends an inordinate amount of resources just trying to get revenge against an enemy who killed one of his offspring many years earlier. :)

I've been out of the loop for quite a while (have my own software product to ship imminently). I must say, hearing that you've gone to conventional turn/tile based tactical battles is wonderful.