Interested but cautious (Full Version)

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars of 1805 - 1815



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sth1119 -> Interested but cautious (1/1/2016 4:29:27 PM)

I am interested in this game and not scared off by learning curve.

Does this running on win8.1 64 bit?
What is the most current version?
Is this product still being updated/supported?



pzgndr -> RE: Interested but cautious (1/1/2016 11:38:23 PM)

I have it running OK on 64-bit Windows 10.
The v1.08.07 update is the latest official version.
The v1.20.04 beta has been out for over a year and I thought Marshall Ellis was going to finalize that last summer, but it didn't happen.

Unless and until Marshall Ellis gets back into development work, EiA support is indefinitely on hold. I'd like to think Matrix Games and ADG can work out something to get Marshall back into it, or alternatively find another programmer to take on the project. Who knows.

That said, EiA is playable and mostly fun. If you're a EiA boardgame veteran you'll find some issues with the game. If you're a novice you'll enjoy the ride for a while until you get bored with the AI. But again it's playable and a nice game system. I've had Crown of Glory for a while and just picked up AGEOD's Wars of Napoleon, but frankly I prefer EiA and hope some additional development will happen sooner or later. In the long run, it should be easier for Marshall or someone else to polish this gem rather than start some new project from scratch that may take another decade to finish.



sth1119 -> RE: Interested but cautious (1/2/2016 12:06:55 AM)

Pzgndr, thanks for the feedback. I never played EIA as a board game but I played several other Avalon hill products.

I am glad to hear this game is playable on the newer Operating systems. Also I appreciate the clarification on the most current, stable version. This game looks like it is worth a go, especially since it is currently on sale.

Thank you for taking the time to reply.



sth1119 -> RE: Interested but cautious (1/2/2016 10:31:10 PM)

Well i did make the purchase and I am still quite interested.

My first issue is in trying to get through the setup phase (i am an EIA first timer). Of course i have run into the program reporting I need to place factors when i believe i have all available factors placed. I was aware of this confusion point after reading through the forum and watching some tutorial videos.

I am playing as france. I have placed all depots, as many containers as i seem to be allowed, and populated containers with my factors. I don't have any left.

I am wondering if there are certain container types i need at least one factor in but can't find supporting information. Again i realize the manual is lacking. I guess i am posting in hope of a hint.

I like what i see in this game as i have been itching for a computer game which is closer to a board game in strategy.



pzgndr -> RE: Interested but cautious (1/3/2016 1:12:38 AM)

Please check the /Data/Docs folder for an updated manual for v1.08.

Also please check Murat's tutorial for some good hints and tips to get started. There's also a lot of good discussions in the War Room forum, but you need to select All Topics at the top because so much is older than a year. But it's all still there! Enjoy!!



Tylom -> RE: Interested but cautious (1/3/2016 6:54:38 AM)


I have said pretty much the same thing since the game first launched...EiA is one of the greatest boardgames ever made. It is complex in all the right ways. It has a depth of play that you will not find in most games, it's inclusion of so many factors of the time are truly spectacular.
That said, even with the patches this is still a somewhat buggy game. Nothing that can't be gotten around, but still there. The AI is weak. They still haven't fixed the loans in PBEM. There are a few problems. Still, I keep playing. I have 3 PBEM's going right now. Empires in Arms is one of the greatest games ever made. It's worth the pain:)



DCWhitworth -> RE: Interested but cautious (1/3/2016 4:54:46 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: sth0009

My first issue is in trying to get through the setup phase (i am an EIA first timer). Of course i have run into the program reporting I need to place factors when i believe i have all available factors placed. I was aware of this confusion point after reading through the forum and watching some tutorial videos.

I am playing as france. I have placed all depots, as many containers as i seem to be allowed, and populated containers with my factors. I don't have any left.


If you want to get moving quickly there should be some default setup files you can load.

Also have you checked that you have set up your minor countries too ?




sth1119 -> RE: Interested but cautious (1/4/2016 1:17:10 AM)

I got past the setup stage.

It was my minor nation (holland) I hadn't placed. Thanks for the feedback.

I have a long way to go but I am enjoying this product.



Edfactor -> RE: Interested but cautious (1/27/2016 9:28:02 PM)

I am not sure about support its been a long time since there was a patch.
I think the game is really good, well the AI isn't but then most AI isn't very good.

My only real complaint is that there is no combined movement, I just don't know how to beat France when allies can't combine to attack him.



Zap -> RE: Interested but cautious (1/29/2016 12:07:30 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Tylom


I have said pretty much the same thing since the game first launched...EiA is one of the greatest boardgames ever made. It is complex in all the right ways. It has a depth of play that you will not find in most games, it's inclusion of so many factors of the time are truly spectacular.
That said, even with the patches this is still a somewhat buggy game. Nothing that can't be gotten around, but still there. The AI is weak. They still haven't fixed the loans in PBEM. There are a few problems. Still, I keep playing. I have 3 PBEM's going right now. Empires in Arms is one of the greatest games ever made. It's worth the pain:)


When this came out I looked at it decided its not for me. Because of the problems and the problems continued. "best ever" boardgame it may well be. However, unfortunately not the best when transfered to computer.I'm a believer acclamation and sales being the proof I need. That's how I now purchase games only after acclamation/sales as proof. No more painful experiences for me.



alexvand -> RE: Interested but cautious (2/24/2016 8:01:05 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: Edfactor

I am not sure about support its been a long time since there was a patch.
I think the game is really good, well the AI isn't but then most AI isn't very good.

My only real complaint is that there is no combined movement, I just don't know how to beat France when allies can't combine to attack him.

There's a function where you can loan corp to another power which allows a form of combined movement. Not exactly like the board game, but it does allow the allies to gang up on Napoleon. Or anyone else for that matter.



Endur -> RE: Interested but cautious (5/7/2016 12:28:46 AM)

I liked playing this game on the computer and the board game. The only issue I had with the computer game vs. board game is the AI being weak, and that's a problem I've found with all computer games.

I've also played the Total War: Napoleon game, which is a great game for this time period, but also suffers from a weak AI.

It probably helps if you have played the board game version or read the board game rules before playing this computer game, as it will simplify the game concepts.



Hattori Hanzo -> RE: Interested but cautious (5/24/2016 11:09:32 PM)

I'm interested too in Matrix Empires in Arms: I own the boardgame (both the Australian Design Group version and the Avalon Hill re-edition) and I would love to try the computer version both against the AI and human players.
is it a good buy ?



DonCzirr -> RE: Interested but cautious (5/25/2016 9:00:08 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: pzgndr

I have it running OK on 64-bit Windows 10.
The v1.08.07 update is the latest official version.
The v1.20.04 beta has been out for over a year and I thought Marshall Ellis was going to finalize that last summer, but it didn't happen.

Unless and until Marshall Ellis gets back into development work, EiA support is indefinitely on hold. I'd like to think Matrix Games and ADG can work out something to get Marshall back into it, or alternatively find another programmer to take on the project. Who knows.

That said, EiA is playable and mostly fun. If you're a EiA boardgame veteran you'll find some issues with the game. If you're a novice you'll enjoy the ride for a while until you get bored with the AI. But again it's playable and a nice game system. I've had Crown of Glory for a while and just picked up AGEOD's Wars of Napoleon, but frankly I prefer EiA and hope some additional development will happen sooner or later. In the long run, it should be easier for Marshall or someone else to polish this gem rather than start some new project from scratch that may take another decade to finish.


Did this guy ever return or has he disappeared into the same black hole as Time of Fury Devs ?

Seems a shame if Slitherine can't get the Devs to bring this game to its potential.

I remember the board version being one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences with friends that I ever played ....




pzgndr -> RE: Interested but cautious (5/26/2016 8:32:54 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: DonCzirr
Did this guy ever return or has he disappeared into the same black hole as Time of Fury Devs ?
Seems a shame if Slitherine can't get the Devs to bring this game to its potential.
I remember the board version being one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences with friends that I ever played ....


Marshall Ellis started a v1.21.00 update after the v1.20.04 public beta was released. However, he has still not gotten back into development work. I agree, we should be able to bring this game to its potential.

v1.20.04 had some issues with the new widescreen format that blocked out Morocco and some combat screens, so players never really got into it. v1.21.00 resolved those issues and fixed a couple of other things; it's been playable but not publicly released. I think with the new compiler update in v1.10, some other issues may have been resolved too but again there wasn't much gameplay to confirm or deny that. It would be nice to get the latest version out and go from there. I am working with Marshall and Matrix Games to make it happen. There is in fact some good news to report, but I need to wait until Matrix Games gives a green light to proceed.



DonCzirr -> RE: Interested but cautious (5/26/2016 9:55:02 PM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: pzgndr


v1.20.04 had some issues with the new widescreen format that blocked out Morocco and some combat screens, so players never really got into it. v1.21.00 resolved those issues and fixed a couple of other things; it's been playable but not publicly released. I think with the new compiler update in v1.10, some other issues may have been resolved too but again there wasn't much gameplay to confirm or deny that. It would be nice to get the latest version out and go from there. I am working with Marshall and Matrix Games to make it happen. There is in fact some good news to report, but I need to wait until Matrix Games gives a green light to proceed.



That's great - Pzgndr !

Thanks for persevering ... I'll be watching and waiting to buy - if you can pull it off.



pzgndr -> RE: Interested but cautious (6/1/2016 2:16:41 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: DonCzirr
Thanks for persevering ... I'll be watching and waiting to buy - if you can pull it off.


I heard back from Erik Rutins. It may be next week before we post about v1.21.01.



Hattori Hanzo -> RE: Interested but cautious (6/2/2016 11:12:26 AM)

GREAT !!! [X(]



pzgndr -> RE: Interested but cautious (6/7/2016 3:17:37 AM)

Ok. Good news to report is that I have heard back from Erik Rutins to proceed. Bad news is I am on the road this week. So hang on until Saturday and I will post about v1.21.01.



DonCzirr -> RE: Interested but cautious (6/21/2016 1:08:57 AM)

Anyone running it on Windows 8.1 ?

I'm giving serious consideration to buying but am a bit wary on just the feedback on Windows 10 - I have a work dependency and need to stick with 8.1 for a while.

Can it run at 1920 x 1080 without odd display issues and Alt + Tab properly ?



zakblood -> RE: Interested but cautious (6/21/2016 5:33:28 AM)

http://www.matrixgames.com/forums/tm.asp?m=4064178

yes, my guide is for windows 10, but if it works in the latest version, most previous version will be the same



DonCzirr -> RE: Interested but cautious (6/21/2016 9:02:55 PM)

Yep - agree, most times should be good but as a specific example I got burnt on Horse and Musket Vol I - where it was fine on your system and horrible on Windows 8.1.

So - not expecting anyone to do any retro testing but if you are a player that has 8.1 and are running / attempting to run the game - please share your experience.



zakblood -> RE: Interested but cautious (6/21/2016 9:14:40 PM)

may just be drivers and hardware are different, as settings should be ok across the board[:(]

from win 8.1 to win 10 tbh, but seen some others having a few issues with pixelation as well on the images on some res as well



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