Mardonius
Posts: 654
Joined: 4/9/2007 From: East Coast Status: offline
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QUESTION 1: That is... would you buy without AI, yes or no? Yes I would. I view the AI as a supplementary learning tool or something to control non-played major powers. In the old days of Avalon Hill's Empire's in Arms Board game, there were Uncontrolled Major Powers (UMPs) when you had less than 7 players. In a PBEM game -- which I hope to join in this new version of EiA -- geography would be of no concern and we could more readily find those elusive 7 players. Therefore, there is less of a need for AI. QUESTION 2: And what if it cost half as much without AI? Would you buy in this case, and would this change your decision? Yes or no? No change as I already intend to use this product as a PBEM game with AI mostly relevant to minor powers only. QUESTION 3: Now, what if you had to email your turn to another location where the AI was processed and a file were returned to you? Thoughts? I would do this but I am an older school former board gamer. I not sure if today's new gamers are so patient. Plus, it gives you time to execute those diplomatic correspondences so essential to the true spirit of the original game. QUESTION 4: What if Matrix were the only game company allowed to make "Empires in Arms", and you knew you would never be able to play Empires in Arms in any other way than PBEM? Thoughts? I intend to play primarily by PBEM anyway so I am not sure that I would be too put off. I love the human dynamic of diplomatic intrigue. From a business perspective, though, I think that may be a mistake as I the potential return from an AI player field is much larger. The trick is to balance this larger return with the larger investment and time span involved in a successful AI engine.
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"Crisis is the rallying cry of the tyrant" -- James Madison "Yes, you will win most battles, but if you loose to me you will loose oh so badly that it causes me pain (chortle) just to think of it" - P. Khan
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