Slitherine

I noticed that this game, which is at least as good as EU4 with all the DLC's if not better has been mostly ignored, and people are still focused on the inferior Imperator Rome. I am worried that FOG Empires hasn't sold enough copies to be a success because I want not only to buy the game but pay for a million DLC's like Paradox games because it is better then them and deserve at least as much support. I guess what I'm asking is will FOG Empires be supported for years to come with DLC and Patches or has it not sold enough copies to warrant that?

Good question

Most people don't fancy reading a 220 page manual before they can play a game.

FoG will become a commercial success if it someday achieves the holy grail of "4x game with playable battles in (3+) multiplayer campaigns". Currently FoG offers improvements over TW, Paradox etc. in some areas, and is inferior in others. Not a big enough leap forward to justify the learning curve for many gamers IMO.

I wouldn't be interested in playable battles tbh, irl logictics would become nightmare.

pnoff wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 1:12 pm I wouldn't be interested in playable battles tbh, irl logictics would become nightmare.

The battles would need to be played in real-time rather than PBEM, so they could be resolved in 1-2 hours, and there would have to be an option to let the AI control your forces if you can't make time on a given day. However, several turns can pass without any battles, so on average you'd probably only have to fight a couple of times/week. Bloodbowl Online leagues involve regular scheduling of 1-2 hour games and people make it work.

jhornborg wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 1:35 pm

pnoff wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 1:12 pm I wouldn't be interested in playable battles tbh, irl logictics would become nightmare.

The battles would need to be played in real-time rather than PBEM, so they could be resolved in 1-2 hours, and there would have to be an option to let the AI control your forces if you can't make time on a given day. However, several turns can pass without any battles, so on average you'd probably only have to fight a couple of times/week. Bloodbowl Online leagues involve regular scheduling of 1-2 hour games and people make it work.

There can be a lot of battles sometimes. Multiplayer battles strongly advantage people who are ready to sit through them.

Paradox succeed without a tactical battle system. They have the privilege and momentum of a huge player base, good for them!

We definitively want to continue support Empires, rest assured

Pocus wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 2:54 pm Paradox succeed without a tactical battle system. They have the privilege and momentum of a huge player base, good for them!

We definitively want to continue support Empires, rest assured

Sorry to be annoying, but does "want" mean you can't be sure or am I reading to much into specific words?

Pocus wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 2:54 pm Paradox succeed without a tactical battle system. They have the privilege and momentum of a huge player base, good for them!

We definitively want to continue support Empires, rest assured

Do you mean support by realising DLC or the real support?

Yarev wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 5:02 pm

Pocus wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 2:54 pm Paradox succeed without a tactical battle system. They have the privilege and momentum of a huge player base, good for them!

We definitively want to continue support Empires, rest assured

Do you mean support by realising DLC or the real support?

You certainly don't see a long list of DLC with AGEOD games. In other words I hope they do not go down the Paradox road in that way. Support by patches and updates please. Of course also use the game engine in other eras as stand alone games.

Pocus wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 2:54 pm Paradox succeed without a tactical battle system. They have the privilege and momentum of a huge player base, good for them!

We definitively want to continue support Empires, rest assured

It's too late, you already have the best tactical battle system in the ancients market. That cat isn't going back in the bag. At this point we're just waiting to see what you do with that asset.

Pocus and AGEOD have always been rock steady on forums interaction and support. Add a solid always on forums cadre of loyal modders and experts answering questions, etc. Anyone who doubts go check AGEOD forums.No quick flash of presence pre release and then few months after. Then nothing. I know, happens a-lot. Mostly.

I think developers other than big shops that stick around do so because they love their craft and appreciate their customers and ongoing interaction. All the more reason beyond digging their games I support their efforts.

AGEOD will support its games. Of that, there is no doubt!

13obo wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 11:23 am Most people don't fancy reading a 220 page manual before they can play a game.

The original Civ manual had 100+ pages IIRC. Despite that, it turned out pretty well IIRC.

PJL1973 wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 7:18 pm

13obo wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 11:23 am Most people don't fancy reading a 220 page manual before they can play a game.

The original Civ manual had 100+ pages IIRC. Despite that, it turned out pretty well IIRC.

Yes, but in that distant time people actually did know how to read and write

Two different games, love and own them both for different reasons.

As to having to read a 220 pg manual, I have two things to say: I actually miss the good old days when proper documentation was not merely considered a virtue, but a duty, and I'm thrilled that AGEOD continues that tradition. Second, the beauty of the documentation for FoG:E is that you don't actually have to read it, just read the designer and gameplay notes and you're off to the races. You can always come back for the finer points later if you want. Brilliant piece of work there, AGEOD!

As to support, I have been nothing but impressed with AGEOD so far, and FoG:E is no exception. Keep up the good work!

Civilization manual 128 pages
Civilization 2 manual 196 pages

Some of us fossils still play these games - in fact Civ 2 is still my favourite.

And a general thank you to Pocus and Ageod for producing so many great history games.

Thanks guys! And even if I start sounding like a broken record, you can do two things to help the game continues on a good journey: post a (very small) review on Steam, and try to interact with new players here or on the Steam forum.

You read too much in "want", @nlinzer. Everything is fine, and we want (meaning we will) support the game for the foreseeable future!