Empire: Total War

[Astor]

Anyone else looking forward to it?

Gallery

Or am I too much of a history nerd? Of course, it won't be terribly accurate till some mods come out, but it's still an 18th Century Strategy game! Colonies! Guns! And 3D Naval Battles!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION - System Requirements & Steam

Originally Posted by Creative Assembly

Originally Posted by Creative Assembly
The minimum system specifications for Empire: Total War are:
Operating System: Windows XP 32(service pack 2), Windows Vista 32 OS.
Processor: 2.4 GHz Single Core Intel or AMD equivalent processor.
System Memory: 1GB RAM (XP) 2GB RAM (Vista).
Graphics Card: 256MB DirectX 9.0c compatible video card (shader 2.0 or higher).
Sound Card: Directx9.0c compatible sound card.
Windows compatible mouse & keyboard.
15 GB free uncompressed hard drive space.

Originally Posted by Myself

I believe i've neglected to mention that all versions (Retail and Download) of E:TW will require the use of the Steam Content Delivery System by Valve Corporation in order to install and play.

The reasons for this are two-fold:

To enable updates to be installed quickly
To facilitate multiplayer when the patch containing it is made available
And, possibly, thirdly, to prevent piracy.

If you do not have Steam, you can obtain it here, although it is likely that the retail versions will include it on the disc.

It is, however, important to note that you won't have to be online all the time to play E:TW - you can run Steam in 'offline' mode, and still play.

AK.

[SW01]

Nothing wrong with being a history nerd! It looks like marvellous fun! And warships for the first time, which is a great concept, in my opinion. This era would be almost dead without naval combat, of course. I'm very interested to see how it will work, to see if it can be as enjoyable as the land-based battles.

Also, I saw a video of the design stage, when they were demonstrating the individual combat between units - the responses of each to the other's attacks were very impressive.

I'm guessing the map will be expanded, not only to the Americas but also out towards India (at least). That should add an interesting element to the grand campaign.

Looking forward to leading the British Empire to victory!

[PastramiX]

I agree, it looks pretty fun. Hopefully there will be enough options for colonial progress, rather than the standard "Would you like to build a colony here?". Dammit, I want to be able to give smallpox-infested blankets to natives.

[Astor]

Originally Posted by SW01

I'm guessing the map will be expanded, not only to the Americas but also out towards India (at least). That should add an interesting element to the grand campaign.

I might be wrong, but I seem to remember mention of the map containing the entire world...

[SW01]

Originally Posted by Astor_Kaine

I might be wrong, but I seem to remember mention of the map containing the entire world...

That would be good - campaigns in Rome: Total War lasted a few days normally, Medieval II took a couple of weeks - I can see months disappearing with that!

Of course, I will have to cry for a while due to the final end of the Roman Empire (at least the Eastern Empire was still standing in the Medieval II timeframe), but once I get over that (or find a way to mod it in), it should be fun.

[Astor]

Originally Posted by SW01

That would be good - campaigns in Rome: Total War lasted a few days normally, Medieval II took a couple of weeks - I can see months disappearing with that!

To be sure. And with the new revolution mechanics, it may take even longer. Up till now, i've wasted time with Imperial Glory - a poor man's Empire, if you will, but now, I can really go mad.

Of course, I will have to cry for a while due to the final end of the Roman Empire (at least the Eastern Empire was still standing in the Medieval II timeframe), but once I get over that (or find a way to mod it in), it should be fun.

If Italy is a faction, you could carve your own, new Roman Empire, or use another faction!

[SW01]

Originally Posted by Astor_Kaine

And with the new revolution mechanics, it may take even longer.

I didn't know about that - Rebel settlements in the other entries in the series were hard enough to keep down (especially those Gladiator revolts), now revolutions?! Ah well, no mercy for the provincials then, I suppose!

Originally Posted by Astor_Kaine

If Italy is a faction, you could carve your own, new Roman Empire, or use another faction!

It's veeeery hard to resist the promise of leading the British Empire!

I've noted the flags of America, France and Britain - I wonder which others will be present (and playable)? And if there will be democratic leaders (particularly for the British faction, what with Parliament becoming more powerful than the Crown in that era)?

Hope so, anyway.

BTW - any word on a release date?

[Astor]

Originally Posted by SW01

I've noted the flags of America, France and Britain - I wonder which others will be present (and playable)?

The big three of course - Great Britain, Prussia and France, as well as

The United Provinces
The Ottoman Empire
Spain
Russia
Sweden

And possibly some more - i'm expecting the 13 Colonies to be in there too.

And if there will be democratic leaders (particularly for the British faction, what with Parliament becoming more powerful than the Crown in that era)?

From Wikipedia:

Changes in government may occur during the campaign as the rise of democracy over the traditional rule by monarchy becomes an issue in the early modern time period.[9] For instance, the United States may only come into existence if the ruling British Empire is unable to maintain social order. Another example is that the French Revolution may occur if the people of France are no longer satisfied with their sovereign.[7]

Also, Diplomats, Spies and Assassins are out - replaced by Gentlemen and Rakes. Gentlemen conduct negotiations and challenge people to duels, while Rakes act as the spies and Assassins. So both agents can now remove obstacles.

BTW - any word on a release date?

Was Feb 9 for the UK, but it's now March for everywhere.

[mur'phon]

Looks great, especially looking forward to give Napoleon a beating as Russia, and fight for the survival of the Ottoman Empire.

[SW01]

Originally Posted by mur'phon

Looks great, especially looking forward to give Napoleon a beating

Indeed - time to give old Boney a taste of good ol' British steel too, eh?

Originally Posted by mur'phon

...and fight for the survival of the Ottoman Empire.

Still sore at them for killing off Byzantium...

[Saber-Scorpion]

i have to say that at first i didn't think it looked so great but then i read you can be Sweden so that a reason for me buying the game

[stingerhs]

well, if you're looking for an epic game, this one definitely looks to be the game of choice. i can imagine myself losing hours upon hours of my life with this one.

[mur'phon]

Indeed - time to give old Boney a taste of good ol' British steel too, eh?

Sure, just need to kill some britts to get that steel Seriously though, I have never really liked the "main" nation(s) in TW, so I hardly ever play as anything from western Europe. It's just a lot more fun using nations with terrible unit selection (okay, there are exceptions like Boyar Sons). it's also about changing history in a big way. Which means I'll make one exception for Brittain, in the American war of independece

[Astor]

Originally Posted by mur'phon

It's just a lot more fun using nations with terrible unit selection (okay, there are exceptions like Boyar Sons).

Fortunately, in this Era, most units should be pretty similar...

After all, men with guns shooting at other men with guns isn't too different, right?

[Ctrl Alt Del]

Huh, yeah, I'm anxious for this one. Been a fan of he series since the first Medieval. Loved when they moved to Rome and then the improvements made at the second Medieval. I'll especially like Empire if they remove those "always happens" events, like plagues on X place, at X turn every time you play. If such events were randomized, I think the game would be even more unpredictable.

While I have no doubts the turn-based campaing will be great as always, I'm not as sure with the real-time battles. I trust the devs experience at this, but we'll fight naval battles for the first time, and they look like a major part of the game, so let's see how it goes.

[Astor]

Originally Posted by Ctrl Alt Del

While I have no doubts the turn-based campaing will be great as always, I'm not as sure with the real-time battles. I trust the devs experience at this, but we'll fight naval battles for the first time, and they look like a major part of the game, so let's see how it goes.

Well, strong navies were important in the period - they protected the trade routes to the colonies, fought piracy, and protected the various Colonial Powers' interests abroad.

It's a shame that the period doesn't start from 1600, instead of 1700, as only a few centuries is relatively short to play around in - but I guess that there's the Spanish Succession, the Seven Years War, the War of Independence, French Revolution, and plenty of other conflicts to keep everyone occupied.

[Rev7]

Looks like a pretty fun game; something that is easy to get addicted too. :d

[Litofsky]

This game looks very interesting, however, the lack of naval units (currently) on their page has me a tad worried: I want my first-raters to beat the enemy fleet into a humiliating submission. Of course, the units in general are looking pretty... lacking right now, so I hope that more are added for the sake of gameplay.

[Astor]

Originally Posted by Litofsky

This game looks very interesting, however, the lack of naval units (currently) on their page has me a tad worried: I want my first-raters to beat the enemy fleet into a humiliating submission. Of course, the units in general are looking pretty... lacking right now, so I hope that more are added for the sake of gameplay.

If there aren't too many units, you can be sure some mods will come out to introduce more, and make the game more historically accurate. .

[LordOfTheFish]

Looks cool. I'm planning on buying Rome gold edition first though.

[CommanderQ]

I've seen the trailer and screenshots on Steam, and I must say, the game's idea sounds brilliant, and the gameplay, I can almost garuntee that it will be one of the best. Definatley a good game for both the history geeks and the average gamer from my opinion.

[Astor]

Poland-Lithuania has now been confirmed as a playable faction - I'd expected they would be in there.

There's also a Limited Edition Special Forces Edition, which contains special units -

HMS Victory
Roger's Rangers
Ottoman Organ Gun
Ghoorkas
Corso Terrestre Guerillas
Bulkeley's Regiment (French-Irish Brigade)

I don't normally pre-order games, much less special edition versions, but I'm making an exception in this instance.

Oh, and the release date is March 3rd.

[SW01]

Originally Posted by Astor_Kaine

HMS Victory

That in itself makes it worthwhile.

What, no Sharpe's Rifles?

Originally Posted by Astor_Kaine

I don't normally pre-order games, much less special edition versions, but I'm making an exception in this instance.

Oh, and the release date is March 3rd.

Thanks for that Astor - I may have to pre-order now too!

[Astor]

Originally Posted by SW01

What, no Sharpe's Rifles?

Sharpe's overrated.

There'll be Riflemen, i'm sure, though.

Thanks for that Astor - I may have to pre-order now too!

You're welcome. If you're pre-ordering online, GAME have it at £34.99 (a saving of £10) and double reward points.

[CommanderQ]

THE ORGAN GUN?! THEY HAVE THE ORGAN GUN? I must pre-order....the game looks completely and utterly historically awesome....

[Ztalker]

WANT.

Played Roman Total War too death. When 300 was released, I played it even more. It was SO awesome to manage a whole city, see ALL your influence visibly there and wage war on such an epic scale.
I think that, with these sea battle included, it will be even cooler.

PS: Had Shogun Total War too!
Edit: Found out the Dutch are a playable faction too. One more reason to get it. Nationalism rules.

[Sabretooth]

Definitely interested in this game. Didn't look into it very much until recently, and now I'm all hyped up for this title. Love it that the Mughal Empire will be included as a playable faction. Should be great to see some authentic Indian units in real-time tactics, what with AoE 3's extremely unrealistic combination.

There are going to be a good 50 factions in total, I wonder if the Marathas and Sikhs will be included. I'm going to play as either the British or the French (apart from the Mughals, of course )

Gameplay should be pretty awesome. I loved AoE 3's renaissance/colonial aesthetics, those muskets and cannons rock In a Total War game, that would mean godlike awesomeness. God I can't wait for this game. >.<

[SW01]

Originally Posted by Sabretooth

There are going to be a good 50 factions in total

That will be...impresive, to say the least, should The Creative Assembly pull it off. But, I suppose if the whole world is going to be the map, there would need to be a massive number of factions, major and minor.

Originally Posted by Sabretooth

Gameplay should be pretty awesome.

QFT

Originally Posted by Sabretooth

God I can't wait for this game.

[Ctrl Alt Del]

Originally Posted by Sabretooth

There are going to be a good 50 factions in total

Talk about changes. 0.0

I'm so pre-ordering this.

[PastramiX]

Okay, now I really want to play this. From what I can tell, a good deal of the game seems to be mostly historically accurate, as from judging by their website.

Either way, hopefully a great deal of freedom will be allowed, as I want the Turks to conquer Europe.

[Astor]

Originally Posted by Sabretooth

There are going to be a good 50 factions in total, I wonder if the Marathas and Sikhs will be included. I'm going to play as either the British or the French (apart from the Mughals, of course )

I believe that the Maratha Confederacy is also going to be a playable faction as well. It's right that they should be - they were pretty influential at the time.

Originally Posted by PastramiX

Okay, now I really want to play this. From what I can tell, a good deal of the game seems to be mostly historically accurate, as from judging by their website.

The gameplay should be fairly accurate - it has been in each iteration of the Total War series so far.

Aesthetically, however, i'll be expecting some mods to make the uniforms and such more accurate.

[PastramiX]

Originally Posted by Astor_Kaine

Aesthetically, however, i'll be expecting some mods to make the uniforms and such more accurate.

Oh, most likely. Yet another reason why PC games are still much more economical in the long run than console games.

[Sabretooth]

Originally Posted by Astor_Kaine

I believe that the Maratha Confederacy is also going to be a playable faction as well. It's right that they should be - they were pretty influential at the time.

Oh God, I think I just soiled myself. Maratha Confederacy a playable faction?

Awesome

Jai Bhawani! Jai Shivaji!

Edit: I has confirmation

Now this has got me jumping up and down in excitement. I thought they'd be a faction, but a playable one is just plain awesome. Wonder if they'll include the Ghorpades (those gecko scalers ).

In any case, I'm going to conquer the world by the blade of Shivaji, woo

[CommanderQ]

I'd say that the Total War series definately has a good thing going for them with this upcoming game. It's fairly new for their company, I expect they will do well with the what I've read on the site. Having 50 historically accurate factions would definately get both gamers and history nerds like many of us into it I wonder what the graphics are comparable to though, the gameplay, no doubt, will be amazing, I'm just wondering on the execution of that, though. The trailer looked AWESOME though

[Astor]

Creative Assembly have confirmed the 3rd March as the release date for Empire: Total War. It will be available online from the 3rd, and in stores from the 4th. They don't include Europe or other locations in the press release, but it should be the 4th as well.

They've also released the minimum specifications for the game:

Originally Posted by Creative Assembly

The minimum system specifications for Empire: Total War are:
Operating System: Windows XP 32(service pack 2), Windows Vista 32 OS.
Processor: 2.4 GHz Single Core Intel or AMD equivalent processor.
System Memory: 1GB RAM (XP) 2GB RAM (Vista).
Graphics Card: 256MB DirectX 9.0c compatible video card (shader 2.0 or higher).
Sound Card: Directx9.0c compatible sound card.
Windows compatible mouse & keyboard.
15 GB free uncompressed hard drive space.

Full story here.

Fortunately, my computer passes on all counts - i've been reserving 25 GB of HD space in anticipation.

[PastramiX]

Thankfully, mine passes, albeit barely. Let's see how much lag this thing can induce.

[SW01]

Oh good - now I can see about getting a new computer!

[CommanderQ]

My comp checks out too...hehehheh, I'm glad I just installed an awesome graphics card...it will work well...

[Astor]

Creative Assembly have confirmed that a demo is coming soon...

But they haven't said when, exactly.

You can sign up here to be informed of it's release.

It's bound to have a naval demonstration included - and it should be a good test for most machines. But one thing is certain - it'll be a killer to download.

[mur'phon]

Gah, my comp can't handle it, and with my next year probably spent in the army, it'll be a long while before I can play this game