I've also been playing and enjoying elemental since it's release and despite the issues, bugs and lack of polish I've generally had a lot of fun with it. The latest release is a big improvement on previous versions. I would certainly say it's not the best game ever at the moment by a long shot, but it's still fun worts and all and has the potential to become a truly classic game.
I believe althogh Caravans build a dirty track as soon as the first arrive, the road gradually changes and becomes more established overtime but I'm not 100% sure of the practical effect of that. I assume the other one would lower the cost of pioneer packs which enable a unit to build cities and hence also lower the cost of pioneers, but I haven't tested this maybe you should.
396 turns before OOM crash Windows 7 64Bit, so yes lots better than 5 turns.
GC2 had years of love updates and expansions to get where it is now, I'm afraid Elemental won't reach it's full potential overnight but I'm already kind of enjoying it despite it's faults.
I disagree with much of the detail of what you say particularly this: "+ Researching "spell levels" directly from the magic screen should go away. One must research all available low level spells first before one can learn the higher level ones. No more bee-lining straight to level three to get the giant. This will fix some balance issues." I think having to research all spells at each level limit strategic choi
Yes congratulations on the baby, with luck me and my wife will be having one ourselves in less than a month all going according to plan.
To the OP I don't agree with you but there you go, they seem determined too feel hard done by what can you do. I'm perfectly happy with what stardock are doing thanks.
[quote who=&qu ot ; HozzMidnight &qu ot ; reply=&qu ot ;5&qu ot ; id=&qu ot ;2781730&qu ot ;] ImpulseNow
However, the Empire factions use Death magic, while the Kingdoms use Life Magic so the OP is sort of right the appearance of the land does change to reflect this. Also as of the latest patch there is some sort of bonus to being on your own turf or penalty for being one someone elses in battle I beleive.
I think it's more a question of balance, tiles should offer a great strategic advantage worth fighting for in the mid to late game. At the moment they are to essential in the early game which actually distracts from their strategic importance. Not all of them are so unbalance, for example I can build a good army without metal if I select the right tech. But materials, fertile land and gold mines are all essential in the early game. I suggest putting guardians on all resources but Food
I agree with the idea of a mouse over summary of your chances off hitting a unit, that would be a very good feature indeed.
Stardock, please add code to record what hair a hero or sovereign has before they put a hat or helmet on and reapply it when they take it off. It's cosmetic I know but has started to bug me.
Yes I think Stardock have gone for a slightly more realistic approach to armour for women e.g. it's not designed to show their bodies off it's designed to protect them. Of course it also saved on the art assets [e digicons];)[/e] .
City spamming is the wrong way of putting it, more outpost spamming. Some of those outposts you may not want to grow all the way up to cities. But otherwise I agree these are all good tips.
Thanks kryo, seems like a pretty clear and simple explaination. In anycase I feel Elemental is good value for money even if it is oddly priced in the UK market thanks to the exchange rate, for two very good reasons. 1 - As someone who pre-ordered to take part in the beta the launch problems mean I'm going to get the first two expansions free [e digicons]:grin:[/e] , a big thanks to Stardock for that. It wasn't necassary but I won't look a gift horse in the mouth. 2 - I know f
[quote who="Sethai" reply="125" id="2781494"] actually i really don't think that will happen. if a mana system (either personal or global) is well designed and balanced then players will very rarely have zero or max mana. instead they will reach an input/output equilibrium. this will be at a low point in times of strife and a high point in times of plenty. within the sweet zone where you want faction mana to hover, the rate or regen will be fairly consistent. and if
[quote who="Addage" reply="114" id="2780316"]From a design perspective if Shards are to become true strategic resources thhen they will need a barrier/obstacle added in some form to balance reward to risk. Otherwise you will have the fast start-rush strategies in play. Perhaps having an obstacle such as a scaling in power monster/nps group guarding each shard (yes I know blatant re-use of MOM; but sometimes good design carries); this would force a playre decis
[quote who="Rune_74" reply="112" id="2780306"] Quoting econundrum1, reply 107 Actually Sethai I think your idea for non-linear mana regeneration is a good one, although my first reaction was why over complicate things I can see your point. I'm ok with over complicating things if it is below the surface...it is a computer, it doesn't mind. [/quote] I as more concerned over the question of play
It does effect catapults too I believe, shouldn't effect the rock demons hand to hand attack just the rain of stone. If they don't patch soon I'll have to uninstall, turn of betas and re download.
[quote who="donfoley" reply="11" id="2780712"]I am a waiter too. Really want to play the game. But want to play a polished version. I know some people like seeing the game evolve, but not my style. If I had bought it back when it came out, I would have already moved on before I got to play a polished version. I tend not to linger on games too long. I guess I am a dilettante when it comes to gaming. Don [/quote] <
The problem is like me you have the beta of the multiplayer (because like me you keep beta versions switched on in preferences). There where two hotfixes for the non-beta single player only game the second on fixed archers. But only the first one was released for the beta which included mutliplayer. They said Monday for the second one, haven't seen it yet but who knows maybe later.
[quote who="GaelicVigil" reply="4" id="2780650"] Quoting econundrum1, reply 2 Yes people eat food and they live in houses, shacks, huts, etc. It's all very well to build those buldings but if you can't feed the people they attract they aren't going to stay. Hence the abstraction in the game you see. Also, what happens when you recruit half your citizens to the army? Does your food requirement cut in half because half your people are gone? &nb
I don't think the OP needs to apoligise, I've been in the beta for elemental from the start and will stick with it until it reaches it's potential, but it's not there yet so I think if someone hasn't bought it yet it's reasonable for them to hold of until it's all patched up.
Any word on the patch for the multiplayer bet I got it accidently (only interested in single player) but at present archery and summon abilities are always missing. I understand this was patched friday night on the non-multiplayer beta.
Yes people eat food and they live in houses, shacks, huts, etc. It's all very well to build those buldings but if you can't feed the people they attract they aren't going to stay. Hence the abstraction in the game you see.