Rise of Rome

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:14 pm

Hi guys

we are still missing a couple of the things we wanted for Rise of Rome. These are mainly the AI improvements and the Line of Sight mode.

We have 2 options at this stage.

Option 1
We can try and get it wrapped up and release the game without these features and patch them in as soon as posible. This means you can hopefully get playing this weekend!

Option 2
Wait until everythign is done and release with all the features promised. This means waiting another week or so to get playing.

Please let us know your thoughts!

jamespcrowley · Post by **jamespcrowley** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:42 pm

For me, LoS and, to a lesser extent, AI improvements are the most anticipated features of the expansion. Not that I am not looking forward to the army lists and the random battle generator, which of course I am.

In the case of LoS, I feel that it has the potential to radically alter both the MP and single player experience (depending on how it has been realised) and make some aspects more realistic (no more firing over hills and through forests, for example)

In the case of AI improvements, hopefully they will make the single player game more challenging. I thoroughly enjoy MP but like to knock out a quick solo game from time to time, to try and futher my understanding of the mechanics; a stronger AI opponent would aid that process immensely.

So, my vote is to wait until the package is complete. However, I am a realist and I would be willing to make a wager that the overwhelming majority of votes will favor grabbing what's available at the earliest opportunity. That being so, I do hope LoS and AI adjustments follow on reasonably quickly.

Post by **IainMcNeil** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:45 pm

If we do go for the early release it will be about 1-2 weeks to get everything else fixed so it will follow very soon. It wont delay the release of those features, just that we'll let people have what we have now.

Morbio · Post by **Morbio** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 12:47 pm

I guess I'm agreeing with JimCrowley, I want it sooner rather than later, but would prefer to wait for it all.

My suggestion is to wait until you have a product you are proud of and is right.

Avoid some of the recent PR disasters that companies have had in releasing a product that is imperfect. While the views of the people in this forum are important, they won't be all your customers. Indeed, the product will be reviewed by people who don't see all this discussion and the last thing you need is bad press.

pantherboy · Post by **pantherboy** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:12 pm

Speaking for myself I'd prefer to see it sometime this weekend. Improvements to AI and the introduction of LOS aren't necessary to the release. The option of building your own armies is the core component for me. The AI is pretty much beatable at any level so improving it won't pose much more of a challenge but certainly would be appreciated. It would be nice to first play around with the points system and do some match-ups before incorporating LOS and seeing what kind of impact it has. After that players will then have the chance to discover another aspect when LOS applies.

Cheers for the production of an excellent game. Living in Japan really limits my face-to-face playing so this is really a heaven sent time devourer

Steve

Geordietaf · Post by **Geordietaf** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:47 pm

My view is that whatever you release it should be as bug-free as possible, so long as what you have now is robust then go with it, and then release the other components when you are happy with them.

You have produced an absolute gem of a game which has occupied me to the exclusion of all others since I joined the Beta, so I'm sure you'll do the right thing!

Paul

RyanDG · Post by **RyanDG** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 1:54 pm

Though I was eagerly waiting the Army Builder option (and that dictated my vote of 'Release it now!'), I can see the benefit of doing it either way... For gamers who did not pre-order the pack though, I can see where if it's not released with all of the features, it may be put a sour taste in their mouths. From that respect (for those who did not pre-order), it may be best to wait.

Surtur · Post by **Surtur** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:03 pm

Thanks for the poll, I appriciate you are making a poll about this!

Please just wait for everything is ready. I like FoZG as it is now and Pantherboy has provided us with some entertainment until RoR arrives.

JMass · Post by **JMass** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:10 pm

I don't care about the AI because I play only multiplayer games, but for me the LOS is an important feature and I prefer have a release bugs free.

timvandongen · Post by **timvandongen** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 2:56 pm

I would rather have the army builder available for use this weekend and have the other improvements added through patches in the near future. I seldom play against the AI. Either way, I really love this game. Best value for my money for a PC game in a long long time.

BigAnorak · Post by **BigAnorak** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:12 pm

I too would like early access to the army builder, and spend a couple of weeks fine tuning my invincible army while you guys fine tune the game

lpgamble · Post by **lpgamble** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:49 pm

My vote was yes because I was more interested in the Random battle Generator and all the new unit/terrain types and my Early Armenians.

deeter · Post by **deeter** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 3:54 pm

I'm for getting it now. It's an expansion, not the core game, so anyone buying it will already be committed to the product. Ranges are generally so short that the LOS fix isn't too critical. I don't play against the AI and doubt it can ever be made a real challenge. I'm in for the army builder and new scenarios.

Deeter

Scottbot · Post by **Scottbot** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:05 pm

Building armies and playing on randomly determined maps are the biggest features for me. As long as those are working fine, I say release it now. LOS and AI are secondary features IMHO.

TheGrayMouser · Post by **TheGrayMouser** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:06 pm

I voted to release now for the following reasons:

The expansion is basically the army builder and new armies, and I feel many were hoping to get their hands on these this weekend (myself included)

Although I would like to have LOS and an improved Ai, this is not critical at the moment ( I already think the Ai is very good for a game of this genre)

Another concern about waiting is that I have to imagine the LOS and AI is very closely related and also probably very complicated to get right….. this could potentially lead to a further delay in the release or even a post release patch as unforseen issues and or bugs are found by players
.
Better to have the new armies etc and let Slitherine take all the time they need to get the AI tweaked down the road .

Cheers

Paisley · Post by **Paisley** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:12 pm

I say wait. While I welcome the improved AI, I'm not too fussed about it. But LOS is something that I hope will change how the game is played to a fairly significant degree - not so much regarding missiles, more to do with concealment of precise dispositions. And while I understand that these are 'bolt-ons', I'm always rather wary of too many add-ons in close succession, bugs seem to breed. I'd rather have it in April, to be honest, if that meant we got the package virtually glitch free (I understand it'll never be entirely glitch free on release).

Delayed gratification. That's what this generation needs, I say...

Toby42 · Post by **Toby42** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 4:40 pm

So far pretty much a "Dead Heat" !!! Who wins in a tie?

Gunjin · Post by **Gunjin** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 5:02 pm

Im for letting us have it now so that we can start playing with the army/battlefield generator. I am looking forward to trying out some new army types. The LOS and AI improovements shoould be released when you know they are working properly.

ianiow · Post by **ianiow** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 5:33 pm

So long as it is bug free, I dont mind losing one or two bits and pieces and getting the main bits early. The missing bits will give me something to look forward to in a week or two's time!

Surtur · Post by **Surtur** » Thu Feb 25, 2010 6:11 pm

The majority seems to be in favor of releasing it early.

Rise of Rome

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Rise of Rome