Hi guys,
Welcome to our fourth Empire: Total War FAQ. This month we are once again setting sail on the high seas to answer more of your Naval warfare questions.
Q: Is there a deployment stage for naval battles and if so, what exactly can be set during this phase?
A: Yes, there is a deployment phase but what can be done during the phase is still in development. We do know about the formations and tactics of the period and their benefits and drawbacks. It’s just a question of which ones actually make most sense in a gameplay environment. As we develop the game the best formations will be added to the mix. Like everything “in development”, what we have right now and what we’ll have on release may change.
Q: Can naval battle formations be set during battle?
A: They can, but it’s not always that useful. In the 18th Century, once a battle commenced, changing formations and tactics was very unlikely unless you had a lot of time and sea-room. Communication was only possible by signal flag and by sending boats. In the swirling smoke of battle both of these became impractical methods of communication. It’s a bit like forming up a “Big Wing” (for those of you familiar with WW2 air tactics) for a dogfight when the battle has already started. Changing formations can leave your ships vulnerable to attack while you try to sort yourself out. There’s nothing stopping you doing it, but you’ll need to be aware that it can all go horribly wrong - just like the real thing, in fact.
Q: Will naval battles incorporate a morale system and if so, how will this work?
A: Yes naval battles will have a naval battles morale system. It will be different in a number of ways to the land battles. We will provide more detail nearer release.
Q: How dynamic will the weather conditions be during a battle. Will wind speed and direction change regularly?
A: Wind speed and direction will change but not dramatically. You won’t suddenly find yourself in the middle of a storm, for example. You are more likely to get changing conditions from battle to battle in the same area.
Q: Will varying weather conditions affect range and accuracy?
A: Yes. The intensity of the weather will determine how much effect. We won’t allow battles in full-on storms as it just wasn’t wise or often even viable to open the gun ports in conditions above sea state 5 on the Beaufort Scale (to be a trifle anachronistic for a moment). That’s waves up to around six feet high. Fighting in a sea rougher than that risks swamping when opening the gun ports.
Q: Will the damage model include critical hits?
A: Yes. A ship struck in a particular location, will show those effects at the point of impact. So if you somehow mange to hit or set fire to the ships gunpowder stores the results will be spectacular to say the least.
Q: How will ship damage in your fleet be displayed in the user interface?
A: Through our very handy, clear and useful UI, damage will be indicated in a number of ways: per side of the ship’s hull, to the sails and to the guns. Even if you don’t bother with the UI and just look at the ship itself you will have a reasonable idea of how much trouble it is in.
Q: How will range be incorporated into the naval battles and how will it be communicated to the player?
A: Range will be indicated using feedback from positioning the cursor over valid targets
Q: Will naval battles include a waypoint system to allow the player to set a series of movement orders?
A: Yes. The player can set waypoints that will be clearly visible.
Q: What range of camera controls and views are you looking to include in naval battles?
A: This is an element that is still in development. Lots of people have different ideas about what they want. What we are doing at the moment is looking at how many of these are useful and practical.
Q: How much control will the player have over the speed at which naval battles are played out?
A: At present it is planned to allow the player to speed up and slow down time in battles as well as pause the game.
Q: Will reinforcements be included in naval battles as they are on land?
A: Yes. Although that may not be what you think it is, as we have changed the campaign map and the methods of reinforcement from Rome and Medieval 2.
Q: Can any military ship be used for troop transportation or are there specific transport ships for this purpose?
A: Troop transportation will involve commandeering transport ships as needed, filling them with troops and shipping them with a protecting naval convoy. Transports can’t defend themselves, so you’ll probably want to send a defending naval vessel with them.
Q: Can crew be trained to be more efficient and effective via campaign game upgrades?
A: Yes there are items and systems on the campaign map that will effect the quality of your ships and crew.
Q: Will there be night battles for naval combat and if so, is this an option presented to player at engagement in the campaign game?
A: Yes. They will normally be more like dusk and dawn battles than true night-time warfare. Finding a ship in the dark at sea isn’t easy unless there is enough moonlight and a clear sky. Even then, it’s hard.
Q: How will naval officers be rated and affect crew and ship performance?
A: There will be Admirals, Commodores and Captains. Commodores and Captains have a set of fixed effects and Admirals are of variable quality. Admirals, like generals, will have their own set of character traits and ancillaries that can add to their skills.
Q: Can crew from sinking ships be rescued?
A: No. The poor souls drown horribly and the sharks feed with gusto!
Q: How are lost crew numbers replenished post-battle?
A: Two ways. Either by pressing captured crew from ships captured in battle or by heading back to friendly ports for more men.
Next time we will be dropping anchor to discuss a different area of Empire: Total War, so keep your questions coming on our official forums!
Take care,
Mark O’Connell
RSS FEED
Comment # 1
OMG this is awesome!
Posted by George on January 25th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Comment # 2
WOW! Naval battles are really looking great. A few question though. Will we be able to choose different cannons for the ships or are these locked per boat, like galley has five-pounder and larger ships have ten-pounders? Also are cannons faction specific if customizable? Lastly with ships playing a more prominent and playable role in Empire will certain buildings and upgrades like blacksmith=infantry armour carpenter=boat armour be available, and if so will one upgrade be for manoeuverability, like different sails or stronger sails?
Posted by chrat on January 25th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Comment # 3
I FRICKEN NEED THIS GAME I HAVE $50 BCUKS IN STORAGE WAITING TO BE SPENT. PLZ RELEASE SOON! PLZ!
Posted by NEEDS EMPIRE TOTAL WAR on January 26th, 2008 at 6:39 am
Comment # 4
Happy to get more info, but need more LAND info..screen shots please? I love you all.
Posted by Snall on January 26th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Comment # 5
Thank-you for continuing to provide the best strategy games
I would like to know whether the land fighting component of Empire will be of the same quality and extent as the naval component and commensurate with Medieval II TW.
Posted by Bruno JUst on January 26th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Comment # 6
omg naval battles don’t sound easy at all
and why can’t surviving crew swim to some other vessel?
Posted by Ritam Bhaumik on January 26th, 2008 at 11:03 am
Comment # 7
I wanted to thank all of the people at creative assembly for creating the best gaming series I’ve ever played. The combination of turn based strategy and real time battles is the best way to achieve the ultimate gaming experience possible! I’ve owned every total war game and you have earned my gaming business as a lifelong customer!
I also had a few questions I wanted to ask Mark and the team at CA:
1) How will the lands the various empires are vying for be conquered? For example, if Britain wanted to send troops to conquer territories in uncolonized parts of North America or South America, will they have to fight Inidians or Incas to gain control?
2) Can you create new settlement anywhere in the new world? If so, I would assume the key to creating revenue would be population growth and then taxation. Can you enlighten us on this process?
3) I’ve read in several previews and blogs that CA works in two separate teams and uses the same general game platform for two releases. Any thoughts on some possibilities on the next release after empire? I think the Civil War period would be another great period for CA to use as a backdrop for a future game. Has this period ever been discussed as a possibility?
Feel free to answer any and all of my questions
Thanks!
Pete
Posted by Pete on January 26th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
Comment # 8
Sounds great thanks mark.
Posted by Ryan/Sharky on January 26th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Comment # 9
all pretty much as expected here. great to hear about using captured crew and i think it’s gunna be so fantatic when you get a critical hit on a ship of the line and see splinters and debris fly everywhere with a loud ‘crack’
also glad about new transport method and curious about new re-enforcement style.
keep the FAQs coming!
Posted by Gall on January 27th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Comment # 10
how will boarding parties be commanded
Posted by Nick on January 27th, 2008 at 3:31 am
Comment # 11
Will the ships have individual names? Can we name them? will ships be able to attack harbors and forts. Will men be able to get out of crew ships and take the forts?
Posted by Tyler on January 27th, 2008 at 3:55 am
Comment # 12
I recommend a scripted casualty system for ship to ship combat dependent upon the outcome. For example, after a victory at sea, the winning side should be able to recover a percentage of their seamen who would otherwise be lost from wrecked/sunk ships. This is the equivelent of the medical benefit present with some auxilliaries to generals in Rome, etc,. It need not have any graphical representation what so ever, merely a scripted numerical recovery, noted on the campaign screen. It would be easy enough to do, and more realistic. Victorious navies frequently rounded up survivors (because their ships were always chronically short of men), while defeated navies generally fled, without any time to gather survivors. This could be made even more important if their were a finite number of men in each port who could be pressed into service. Remember, the armies will use population, too. It would force players to fight using logistics in addition to tactics. Remember: amateurs talk about tactics, professionals talk about logistics.
Posted by JRC on January 27th, 2008 at 5:51 am
Comment # 13
WHEN? When will the game appear?
Posted by Michael on January 27th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Comment # 14
wil we have more choices for wat to do with the prisoners and Generals after fighting in battle after wining in battle Will we be able to take prisoners and put them in chains and or ransom them
Posted by Rommel on January 27th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Comment # 15
Looks great! Of course, that is as long as you don’t shirk the land campaign too. There are more to empires than Navies.
Posted by senshik on January 28th, 2008 at 5:29 am
Comment # 16
Will we be able to change the types of ammo (chain, grape shot, hook, ball) used? target specific portions of the ships? Will we be able to hold fire for a collective broadside attack?
Posted by Austin Davis on January 28th, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Comment # 17
*How exactly do generals/admirals come about?* royal family/merits - if its merit how does it all start out?
Something else ive been very interested in is the possibly of moral on the campaign map. If an army of a particular general wins consecutive victories/defeats do their troops fight a loosing battle longer before fleeing? or do they eventually mutiny on the campaign map? - if so, would they turn into a rebel army or just “melt away”
If in general your forces abroad suffer defeats quite frequently, will this also have an effect on your settlements/capital city - visa versa.
Posted by tinhorn on January 29th, 2008 at 1:54 am
Comment # 18
I am so amazed by all your games….
and I cannot wait until Empire gets out…… it must be a concept developers dream to be working with you guys! I least I could not think of a better place… love your games! I can only hope one day my work will take me to England again.
Posted by Emil Larsen on January 29th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Comment # 19
Suggestions for battle system in Empire: Total War
Hi, I am a loyal TW fan since the release of Shogun: Total War. I have some suggestion for E:TW.
1. Make the supply train realistic, baggage often are left within a “secure” location (to use the relative term) in the wars between the 16th to mid 18th century with a guard. An enemy army’s ability to loot the baggage should be rewarded with gold resources but not experience. Furthermore, looting will also diminish the operational capability of an army to march further. Few baggages should mean soldiers diminish over time due to hunger and disease.
2. Warfare should be limited by weather. Armies in the Imperial Age conduct war almost with religious rigidity during summer and autumn (between May to September to be more precise) in continental Europe excluding Russia. Penalties should be enacted for armies that conduct war in the open without winter provisions and billet. Soldiers often die because of disease and war-wounds than because of the bullet.
3. An “imperial growth” milestone should be enacted. When a kingdom has reached a certain milestone in territories or battles won, it should have the option of changing into an empire. Empires are more powerful militarily as they can use certain units in countries they conquered but should be balanced by more unrest in places that have a different political system than their own.
4. Command and general staff should be enacted. Generals should have rank; colonels should be able to command only nine unit cards, brigadiers 13 unit cards, major-generals 15 unit cards, generals 20 unit cards, and field marshals should have a “hero” ability chosen by the player. A faction should have no more than 1 marshal for a kingdom, 2 marshals for an empire. The rank of marshal should only be awarded to generals who have reached “5 stars” in command ability. Promotions should come from death of a senior general or experience in war whichever comes first.
5. Return the titles of nobility taken away in Medieval 2: Total War. It adds more realism in this age. Plus, coding it should not prove too difficult.
6. Creation of an elite unit; players should be able to create a 1 unique unit only. This unit could either be an ordinary unit chosen to be “unique” by the player by setting attributes to it or historic units such as the first “elite” unit created. Example of elite unites are Drabants for Sweden, Preobezheskoe Guards for Imperial Russia, Janissaries for the Ottoman Porte, etc. The unit should have“inspire” ability that units close to it rout less. Likewise, when a unique unit routs, it should have catastrophic damage to morale like a general’s death.
Wars are ultimately not about guns and ammunition; all players have those in abundance, it is about information and mobility.
Thanks for listening,
Rommel G. Divina
Posted by Rommel G. Divina on January 29th, 2008 at 3:34 am
Comment # 20
When is the game coming out?
Posted by Sir Trino on January 30th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Comment # 21
thats brilliant it makes me want it more and more and any idea when its coming out llads?!!
but im still wondering about who you get to india cus it would be ages going across land and suez wasnt built, but you dont have all of africa its so confusing wats the story on it?!!
nice one!
Posted by bill bill on January 31st, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Comment # 22
Will it be a dominat faction? Like england?
Posted by Sneipe on January 31st, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Comment # 23
If you are besieging a costal city, and your navy is right beside it and you decide to attack the city manually, can your navy support by bombing the city?
Posted by Gaute on February 1st, 2008 at 10:54 am
Comment # 24
I won’t stop drooling over this game until I kick down the door of my local game store the very day it’s released
Posted by Asbestos on February 1st, 2008 at 9:57 pm
Comment # 25
It seems like you need a FAQ coming concerning the part of Empires on land, and give us some info about the improvements in both real time battles and the Grand Campaign aspect.
Any way, I love your games! Please give us some idea of release! The tension is killing me!
Posted by Mathias on February 2nd, 2008 at 10:27 am
Comment # 26
Why can’t normal ships (non-transport) ships carry troops? If you look at real 18th century ships they had lots of space in their holds.
Posted by Ace on February 2nd, 2008 at 11:52 am
Comment # 27
I have two questions: First, will the Americans play a significant role in the game and if so will you be able to play as them. Second, when does the game come out I’m dying to know.
Posted by Patriot on February 2nd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Comment # 28
Simillarly to coment 23 will there be part naval part land battles? And will there be defensive port sieges?
Posted by Caza on February 2nd, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Comment # 29
Will units run out of ammo?
Posted by T.Y. on February 2nd, 2008 at 9:49 pm
Comment # 30
Sorry for asking , but when will there be more info about ground battles , and exact release date ?
Posted by Ain- Rein Ahven on February 2nd, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Comment # 31
Looks very nice, I’m a fan of this era. This will be my first copy I’ll buy of this game. I don’t like the rest of the eras you made. I’m more a player of the “gentlemen” fights you had between 1700-1850. We all know the other titles that tried to make a game in this era but for me failed because of the realism. For very long time if searched for a game that would combine realism, beautyness and fun together. This one might have it all.
My questions:
1) Like #23 said, land battles near coasts, can your navy support your land forces?
2) Coastal defences played major rolls to keep protecting harbours and even the rivers for invasions. Will they be included.
3) In this era the control of your troops is very important. For example: If we have a squad of redcoats lining up in 3 lines, can we separtly decide which line would fire first?
4) Like for the british it was impossible to control the all their colonies with only british troops. Will these nations be able to recruit and form armies with troops of colonies. For example, a india division.
5) What about Africa? not only America and India were colonised.
Posted by Lord_Sevicson on February 3rd, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Comment # 32
Really sorry for the DP but I forget 1 question, a detail question. Will uniforms of the troops change during the time we play the game. Cus if you would compare the outfits of the redcoats in the american revolution and with theirs in the napoleonic wars…you see a great difference…
Posted by Lord_Sevicson on February 3rd, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Comment # 33
Im so excited about this game coming out, i have almost all the series, just need to know something… will my computer be powerfull enough to cope with the game, I am going to upgrade to a Pent4, 3GH Processor, 2G Ram, Nvidia 512 graphics card, harddrive 80G? Is that enough?
Posted by Squishy!!! on February 3rd, 2008 at 10:55 pm
Comment # 34
Hi Mark,
I have been a devoted fan of all of the Total War games and I have spend countless hours on playing them. I am totally addicted to the gameplay and the balance between real time and the turn based strategy. I also cannot wait to start plaing the next chapter in the Total War series which is going to take place in my new favourite history area. I also hope to see the game to be ready soon and I am counting the days for the release.
Keep up the good work!
William
A Dane living in Japan.
PS. Mark what do you mean that you are an aspiring Ninja? Are you interrested in Ninjutsu or is it a joke?
Posted by William on February 4th, 2008 at 5:27 am
Comment # 35
Regretfully, no FAQ offers the full list of the factions present in the game
Posted by Dave on February 4th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Comment # 36
Please include ultra-ultra-difficult settings for grizzled TW veterans, with positive strategic handicaps for computer opponents.
Posted by Jons on February 4th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Comment # 37
Will you be able to fly false colors in order to confuse and close with the enemy, or will you always know exactly who is friend and who is not?
Posted by rogersg on February 4th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Comment # 38
Just played the demo of total war medieval II, just to check out what we atleast can expect from total war empire. I hope they will improve the animation of the cannons. When the cannonball hit the ground you see some smoke, but that’s all you see of it. It would be a negative point for me if the explosions of 12 pounders would be the same as from 6 pounders, I hope they focus on the cannons since the were the biggest morale breakers of enemy troops.
Posted by Lord_Sevicson on February 4th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Comment # 39
When an army or navy captures enemy soldiers, will they be able to put them in some sort of prisoner of war camp? That way they could be used in diplomatic negotiations, you could release some prisoners in exchange for a ceasefire or money. It would also be cool if the POW camp were represented on the campaign map so that people could attack it and release the prisoners, or the prisoners could escape on their own. Just a thought.
Thanks
Posted by Goldengumball on February 4th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Comment # 40
Where will the British Empire start off like will they have regions in India,Europe and America also can you take over the british east india company for there trade income
Posted by oliver on February 4th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Comment # 41
E:TW looks fantastic. the swedish king name was not Charles XII but King Karl the 12th. A swedish inventor created the fameous battleship “Halifax”, whitch gave one side in the war in america “the upper hand”. Carl Von Linne was an great inventor/explorer at that time,made an expedition to the Galapagos for example. A swedish emmigrant was established as the first president of the united states, Hansson was his last name(cant remember his first name). swear to god its true, its documented in the records. Sweden had an colony in america (Delawere) and swedes helped the people of chicago building up the city after “the great fire”. Sweden also had a slave fortress in africa (Carolusburg)
Posted by Philip on February 5th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Comment # 42
I hope we can start from the beginning and have to conquer the colonies our selve.
But what about an option where we can set a time dat like 1750 and everthing that happend before in real history happend then. That would be cool and give us a chance to relive parts of history and change them from that point (1750 ex) or totally change to history from start.
This time set thing would be cool. Like the developer said, by playing this game, history won’t repeat itself 100% most likely, so it could be that perhaps the american revolution never happens when you play a campaign that starts from the beginning ?!
I noticed they said 17th and 18th century, that would suck cus the napeleonic war is in the 19 th century. I hope they will change it to 1850 or atleast after Waterloo (1815 = 19th century)
Posted by Lord_Sevicson on February 6th, 2008 at 7:17 am
Comment # 43
Hello,
Can u give me an answer about that when will this game release? because i have found all kind of informations and i can’t make a delusion what’s the right one :S Thank You
Posted by Mortal on February 7th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
Comment # 44
When will this game come out, and will you be able to play as the British or Americans in the middle of the Revolutionary War?
Posted by i on February 7th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Comment # 45
hi im a guy whos been playing sience rome total war and well im really interested in this and i only have 1 question and its kind of specific
on the naval warfare there were also marines on the ships with muskets fireing at close range often before the two ships borded eachother. will they be encorperated? and also can the men on your ship be equiped with early syle grenades? (bacically iron cannonballs with gunpowder and a fuse) im geting alot of my ideas from the movie master and comander which seems pretty acurate to me
Posted by sam on February 9th, 2008 at 3:32 am
Comment # 46
all good questions they asked, inspired another one for me, what are if any the improvments for Ambushes, like how will the moral and soldiers ability be effected, also i asume mercenaries will still be present in the game, i asume you can hire trappers or indian fighters in america or pirate/ privateers in the Carribbean, just as thought
Posted by nick on February 9th, 2008 at 7:53 am
Comment # 47
sorry i forgot to ask a few more questions
considering that gunpowder was what it was all about would there be more frequent missfire/musket/cannon malfunction in a rainy storm as opposed to a clear day
oh also in the navel warfare is it possoble to runaground on a reef/ is there any tide effects on it
oh and in RTW the forts were baisicly wooden pailisade around with a few tents will forts be the same in ETW or will there be more ellaborate defences
will you be able to construct trenches in ETW
sorry for more questions
Posted by nick on February 9th, 2008 at 8:06 am
Comment # 48
can the naval ships attack ports
Posted by james on February 9th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Comment # 49
ware do i gat this game because it sounds brilent
Posted by dave on February 9th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Comment # 50
Really excited for this new game coming out
by far the total war games are the best! I do have one question about the land battles. You said that there would be bagpipers and bands that will be in the battles. Will these marching bands effect morale and can you decide which songs they play ?
Posted by Jaron on February 11th, 2008 at 5:04 am
Comment # 51
In al the games of total war there has been one thing that really bothered me. When you are defending a city you can’t create your own line of defence, like erecting roadblocks to close the way towards your main square. This will help you to defend your city more easily against larger army’s. Will this be included in the new total war game?
Posted by Sean on February 11th, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Comment # 52
when will total war empires be avaleble
Posted by sebastien on February 11th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
Comment # 53
why not publish us some system requirements, some of us dont buy top spec machines every 6months so we need to plan ahead by maybe buyin a new graphics card etc
Posted by matt h on February 11th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Comment # 54
Crew should be permitted to be rescued.
Even if u lose an entire ship many crew manage to survive, almost always
Posted by Mike Manahan on February 13th, 2008 at 3:47 pm
Comment # 55
when will the game be coming out
Posted by tj on February 14th, 2008 at 9:41 pm
Comment # 56
I think the idea of supply lines being overstretched is an excellent idea. Also, if armies are marching over unfamiliar or rugged terrain, they should require extra supplies, and you should have to gather resources in order to set out at all. Sieges would have to be reworked as they used a creeping trench advance as the primary means of attack: the besiegers would dig a trench to get as close to the walls as possible while sheltered from enemy guns, while the cannon would open a breach. In an earlier era, at Vienna, the turning point for the Ottomans, the janissaries unsucessfully tried this tactic and were foiled by Polish cavalry a mere day before they would’ve won. Also, as well as naval bombadment tactics, blockades should have a far more serious effect than just cutting income. Logistics (mentioned earlier.) should be almost ungatherable, halting military forays, the population growth and order, which trade should greatly affect, should be stricken, and so on.
As an afterthought to all that, to solve the strategic battle planning problem voiced awhile back, you should be able to preview each tiles battlefield. Just a thought.
Posted by JD ek(internet alias) on February 16th, 2008 at 1:28 am
Comment # 57
will ships be able to provide support for land forces?
Posted by ..... on February 17th, 2008 at 12:34 am
Comment # 58
SAILING IN STORM or near dangerous coast (instead of enemy) - great idea!!! Doing the best to save ships from deadly waves or bottm rocks and make sure no contact is lost with any ship.
This could be meaningful for success or failure of the naval expedition and dramatically change the situation on the strategy map or in the next battle. This can be included as rare option - like night battles in RTW.
Then crew of the broken ships which lost contact with the rest of the group (like routed units in land battles) could be possible to be saved if found by rescue expedition on the sea or on (is)land and then return to service.
Hope a lot to see animations with sharks, dolphins and big whales on sea battle map
!!!
Posted by Darius_D on February 17th, 2008 at 5:35 pm
Comment # 59
Will the asian factions be playable? Will we be able to play with the mughals for instance? The period of empireTW was charecterised in india with the crumbling of the mughal empire and the emergence of many interestingly militant succesor states. will these be included as more than glorified rebels? Also, will oriental ships be visually and technically different from european ones? And finally, what of China and Africa? will they be around to influence the game? thanks, and hurry up lads, we’re all waiting with baited breath!
Posted by Anant on February 17th, 2008 at 11:17 pm
Comment # 60
In regard to land battles. Is it mentioned that the battle map will include indiidual buildings such as barracks etc. When sallying forth, will the defending force be abe to garrison these buildings?
On the campaign map will there be multiple cities to a province/region etc. for joint control, or will every province again have only one city which gives you control over the entire province?
Lastly, when an army lands to siege a city near the coast will the escort ships be able to bombard the city if within reach of its cannons?
Posted by The_Flying_Bobino on February 18th, 2008 at 1:54 pm
Comment # 61
How will boarding battles be played out? once a ship has been boarded, will there be special boarding maps on which your marines get to swarm the opposition? If so, will there be several units and special abilities like musketeers in the rigging? or marines using various on deck furniture (masts, cannons, railings, ect) as cover to protect from most enemy fire? would men be equiped with flintlock pistols or gunpowder grenades as either standard or special abilities? Oh, and when is Empire: Total War due for release?
Posted by Elviondel (nickname) on February 19th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Comment # 62
Please tell us more about the RPG-part … Will female descendants become queens? Will they become queens anyway or only if there is no male descendant? Will only familiy members become generals/admirals. Can the player decide, if a prince becomes an admiral or a general or will the descendants traits be the cruical factor?
Posted by Altered-Ego on February 20th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Comment # 63
will the general be mounted or on foot???
and will there be som other offisers then the general, marskalks and capteins
fann from norway
Posted by Steffen kildal on February 24th, 2008 at 6:30 pm
Comment # 64
Will ports be actual cities that can porduce land and sea units? That would make them much more valuable and more realistic.
Posted by Admiral Chris the Magnificent on February 25th, 2008 at 2:20 am
Comment # 65
Here’s just a suggestion that I’ve been thinking about. Some strategy games include the creation of new cities, couldn’t this also be done with this game? Have each new city create a province around it. Cities could be available to build when a certain kingdom population has been reached, and a migratory option becomes available. Towns could have randomly preset names based on civilization. A migratory route could be created and the town could grow. A castle could also be created with the creation of a fort and create a migratory route to it to build a civilization around the fort. Cities’ wealth could be based on natural resources and arable land nearby so the tactic of overcrowding cities wouldn’t be economical. This would make the game much more conformable to each gamer’s style, but would also have the con of making the game a little less historical for the people who wish to relive the glory of famous empires.
Posted by Relocation_Central on February 26th, 2008 at 4:08 am
Comment # 66
Hi guys.
1. Like many before me i would like to thank you for the awesome total war series. Played every game of it untill my eyes started bleeding
I Love the Strategic Map - Tur Based, Taktical Map Real Time thing.
2. Will the effectivness of Rifles increase in a drastic way ( maybe along the tec. progress ) compared to medival 2 ? In that game, i sometimes found it a bit unrealistic when like 200 rounds were fired over a distance of 20 Meters and u had like only 5 guys down. I know Rifels sucked back then …. but not that much.
Thx alot Max
Posted by Max on February 26th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Comment # 67
In addition to protecting supply lines, I think travelling armies should have to include baggage-train units in order to sustain themselves away from friendly cities.
This could make for some really interesting scenarios:
for example, even if a large French army takes on an inferior Spanish force in Andalucia and beats them comprehensively, the victory might not be quite so absolute if the Spanish cavalry has managed to rove wide out on the flanks unchecked, and sweep in to decimate the French baggage. As a result of this, the French army would suffer shortages in food & ammunition for further turns, until they can reinforce their supplies, either by meeting an allied army or town - or if they can defeat an enemy settlement/army… ?
The key to winning a war is logistics logistics logistics, and although we’re already stretched to micromanage all the other aspects of Total War games, maybe baggage-train units would be a simple way of solving this.
They wouldn’t be able to move as fast as the military units, so on the campaign map, larger armies would be hampered in movement by their necessarily larger baggage trains (which perhaps could travel a short distance behind, but you have to make sure that they aren’t left behind). Also it might mean some heroic rear-guard actions - like the British retreat to Corunna under Sir John Moore, or Napoleon’s retreat from Russia.
Armies fighting in their own territories would not have so much need for baggage trains.
Posted by Colonel Sir Sidney Beckwith on February 27th, 2008 at 8:44 pm
Comment # 68
While, i extend my thanks to making a great strategy game that is actually fun, yet difficult i have a few questions.
1. will boats be able to act as reinforcements to land battles, for an example on a coastal battle feild your teams boats bombarding the enemies marching infantry, and if so would their infantry in the smae situation be able to use cannons back?
2. Secondly, will generals (family members) be bale to be a ship captain, and if so like i asume they will be will they be more proficient at sea battles then they are land battles?
3. The last question which ties into my first one a little bit since navies can beseige ports, due to the range of guns will they be able to bombard costal towns, and will ports become a more important part of the game, like defendable seperate from the town?
Thank you for giving my questions consideration
Posted by kyle on February 27th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Comment # 69
quick suggestion While i assume that if india is in the game the whole of africa will probably be there( or players will be enjoying a nice 20 year walk to japan, China and India), but if the whole of Africa is shown will thre be actual african nations (Which did exist during this time: Kongo empire Oyo kingdom), or will they be cast aside like typical era games as either rebels or just simply a really big Egypt. Also if all of Africa isn’t included will a northern african empire run it, or will it at least be larger than most TW games in the past with more diversity.
srry about writing this in naval chat, but i couldnt find any other blogs
Posted by kyle on February 27th, 2008 at 10:38 pm
Comment # 70
What about the issue of combined land and sea attacks. If for example a port is blockaded by land and sea will the attackers be able to assault the port using both forces. Will the fleet be able to land troops during the engagement to support the troops already on the ground.
If an enemy force is forced/occupying a position very close to the coast will the naval forces be able to bombard the enemy.
Posted by Gray Wig on February 28th, 2008 at 12:41 am
Comment # 71
>will ships be able to provide support for land forces?
Very intriguing question and one I’ve yet to see CA answer. Probably too much to hope for in a brand new system, but damn it’ll be so cool.
Posted by lurk on February 28th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Comment # 72
Come on with updates. How do I send in questions on the games? Please let me know.
Posted by Eric Grigsby on February 28th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Comment # 73
what are the system requirements can you give me some please even if they are only speculated ones!
Posted by globs on February 29th, 2008 at 12:44 pm
Comment # 74
Two most important, system requirements and release date. If you could provide those I couls sleep at night.
Posted by goosejucier on March 1st, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Comment # 75
I’m a newbie to the TW serires but when I played MIITW, I was captivated. So when I saw E:TW, well i just need to know when it’s coming out or at least give some more info. What sort of stuff will it require because MIITW sucked my computer dry.
Thanks!
Posted by Bryce on March 2nd, 2008 at 12:44 am
Comment # 76
hen will total war empires be avaleble
Posted by tomas on March 2nd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Comment # 77
when will empires be available to buy?
Posted by troy hudson on March 2nd, 2008 at 11:35 pm
Comment # 78
my question is . . .
when you get your army into the ships form land and your general ( family member )
will they be fighting in the naval battles and entering enemies ships and that stuff or will they be kind of ghosts ?
eduardo
Posted by Eclvarclo on March 3rd, 2008 at 3:11 am
Comment # 79
I simpy cant wait for this game to be released. Is it possible to bombard village/towns that has a dock and afterwards invade it with you army. in navalbattle does the ships have like an ammo limit like the archers in m2tw?
Posted by Altaïr on March 3rd, 2008 at 11:53 am
Comment # 80
How will rebels be represented this time round and will piracy be an important issue to deal with while playing?
Posted by Michael on March 4th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Comment # 81
hey guys i am pumped for this new game but i have some questions.
first since there is going to be naval battles will the land battles still be as fun?
will distance from capital effect the public order in the settlement ( that pissed me off in Rome total war, they were even far from the capital and they would like rebel)
i was reading a comment before and it said that africa was questionable. im thinking that africa needs to be included that is where many european countries took over and the faction that u r playing as will become must richer.
for instance if i was prussia, could i send an army to japan and take it over with my ship “losing contact” or becoming stranded or deserting. i like the idea of this but it will be annoying if a ship got lost to somewhere where they knew they were going to.
another question will the forts be like defensive positions someone would actually like to defend. in rome or Medieval 2 the forts were wooden things. Cannons could own the fort so i found it not stratigic to build 1.
another thing make every faction playable. you just have to unlock them. it may take longer for u do it but that way people wont screw up their games to play as a faction that wont be able. i am willing to wait for it.
another suggestion if there are ever going to be pikemen. make sure that the spear wall actually works. in medieval 2 if there were calvary or infantry charge the wall and it stay there when i attack the pikemen lifted up their pikes and got killed. they were wastes of units. i wish they were more like phalanxes just not as dominant
another thing about trade. if you own some place like south africa how far could a trade route go up to. could it reach london if you were playing as england. another thingh good be able to regulate wat is getting traded. for example if there are pirates near buy could you save the gtold u r going to send and just send lumber. could you also do that for land. and also increase the labor force so you can exploit more of the mineral.
Thanks a lot for listen or reading and this game is going to rule
Posted by Erik on March 5th, 2008 at 10:53 pm
Comment # 82
I know this probably sounds like a stupid question but,will Ireland be a faction in the game?Or will it just be a part of the british empire?
And you guys should make a game about the British Isles and Ireland in it,that would be AWESOME!(Please reply)
Posted by mcgzer on March 9th, 2008 at 12:25 am
Comment # 83
Will the rebels be potrayed as pirates? Will they be able to attack ports? What about bording is it just watch them rush over and either loose or win? I’m would like a release date and if u have one don’t move it back that pisses me off.
Posted by Joe on March 11th, 2008 at 12:51 am
Comment # 84
you rock ca and i love you all and i got all ur games but i wana know if we will be able to play american armies to like kill the british or to be the british to kill the americans and i hope this game does not look to much like imperial glory (wich sucked) bye bye.
YOU ROCK
Posted by yogi on March 11th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Comment # 85
Just wondering how much walls will be used. TW has been characterized by walled cities, but these were much less common during this period, forces usually meeting in open fields, digging trenches, or erecting forts near populated eras rather than attempting to wall in an entire city.
Also, for custom battles I’d like to have a random option so I don’t have to pick my faction. Lately I’ve played those so much with my friends that I just close my eyes and cycle through for a bit. I know that no matter who I pick it will probably be a good battle. Seemingly bizarre opponents usually just increase the fun anyway. Random map selection would be nice too. Speaking of maps, there is quite a bit of variety in RTW, but Illyrian Valley is not a terrain type, but the same valley, over and over again, with the exact same trees and all. This could be more randomized to change each battle a bit more.
Thanks, can’t wait for Empire!
Posted by zanmor on March 12th, 2008 at 6:53 am
Comment # 86
I am a big fan of the saga. I have 100 bucks burning my pocket right now, and though I must admit that the 18h century´s reduced quantity of melee scares me a bit, I know you´ll be releasing another hit. keep it up, when you stop making great games, I´ll go find ya with a big arquebus and get you back on track.
Best wishes yall.
Posted by Santiago Elizalde on March 14th, 2008 at 2:19 am
Comment # 87
Will multiplayer mode contain the full campaign play, or will it be limited to real-time combat?
Posted by Joe German on March 18th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Comment # 88
Will there be the major characters, e.g. Aurthur Wellesley (Wellington)?
Also will the Kings and Emperors be part of ETW and will they be historicaly correct?
Furthermore, can you put some of the things in that comment #19 put in?
PLEASE
Loved all the sries so far, keep it up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
cheers
Posted by Camm on March 19th, 2008 at 7:26 pm
Comment # 89
This should be absolutely sexy. i cant wait for the release rock on total war u are my heroes i do want to eat your yummy games up.
Posted by John Doe on March 20th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
Comment # 90
In naval battles how will hitting the masts etc. of the opposing ship affect them? Bringing down down an enemy mast with a lucky shot leaves them in a terrible position, almost defeated. Otherwise a battle is more or less decided by who has the biggest, strongest ship, when this was not always the case in real battles. Also will there be varying abilities of admirals/generals in battles, affecting their use of tactics and so their success in them? Thanks.
Posted by AD on March 21st, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Comment # 91
Sorry about the extra comment but there are many aspects of other games which i would like to know are involved in some way in ETW. In other games you are presented with a particular occurrence, of many natures, based on which you have to make a decision, perhaps greatly affecting you and others e.g. the problem of the Flanders wool trade for England in the medieval times, whether to carry on and perhaps risk war with France.
Also in many other games i have played of this era i have found it incredibly hard to make effective use of artillery, they might fire a shot or two then get charged down before my infantry have time to get in the way and defend them. I was wondering if you could tell me how artillery is going to be used and controlled.
Thanks.
Posted by AD on March 21st, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Comment # 92
Wanted to say thanks for all the years of fun, love all the total wars from shogun till now!!!
I wanted to know if your planing a ww1 game yet, for me i think that will be the biggest and best total war, to fly the old planes, and the trench war fare!!!!
And it could be called total war 1900!!!!
The war in the sky!!!!
Richard
Posted by Richard on March 23rd, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Comment # 93
I would like to know how much the sea battles and land battles are integrated into eachother:
-Will it be possible to attack forts or castles on the shore with ships?
-Will cities with inland ports (like Antwerp for example) have the ports and ships inside land battles so you can maybe attack the moored ships or fire the cannons at land armies?
And last but not least;
-Will we be able to see entire city’s and fleets catch on fire when raiding, or fighting battles? (When 2 wooden objects are standing together, and one catches fire, will the fire spread to the other one? And will it be possible to run a burning ship into wooden buildings in the harbor?)
Posted by CompactDisc on March 26th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Comment # 94
when will empire total war be released and what years will the conflict span thank you enjoy all the great gamming
Posted by eric on March 27th, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Comment # 95
hi just to say you should make more factions and release some screens of land battles also goodluck
Posted by caseyboi3 on March 28th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Comment # 96
will there be bayonets
Posted by caseyboi3 on March 28th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Comment # 97
Sience you have Sweden as playable faction, I hope you will include army’s backbone, Finnish Hakkapeliitta military unit. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hakkapeliitta
Posted by Neris on March 30th, 2008 at 8:10 am
Comment # 98
In your new game coming out with use of naval ships, mybe you could……..
Use men to man each ship, the bigger the ship more men needed.
When all the men are killed a ship can be taken by the other slide.
or
Each land at the sea port of Americas boxes of gold are keep & loaded on to ships,
if they get home your money goes up very much.
Thank you very much hope to play the game soon.
Posted by Philip Warmington on April 3rd, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Comment # 99
Its’ great to hear that Creative Assembly have decided to not only include naval warfare in this new game of yours, but the fact that it is set in the time of muskets, upperclass tea drinkers and snuff boxes.
I’ve allways wanted to be able to play a wargame set in the eigtheenth century as this is the most interesting to me (especially after watching Sharpe and such films).
But I would like to hear more about the land battles as well as the campaign map in far more detail, even just to take a glimpse at it, no matter how bad it may look at this time. just to see what it is your doing!
But Some things I believe may compliment the game are:
The ability for armies to replenish casualties (slowly) by merely marching through or near a town, this seems quite logical to me. In your previous games one needs to retrain armies manually and in a city or castle, I don’t think this is a bad idea and should still be an option, but never have leaders of state had to order every individual unit to recruit for itself, officers and sergeants were often given this task, so I don’t see why this shouldn’t be a possibility.
Also in some games similiar to yours, (although never as good, I assure you) You would have the ability on things like campaign maps to only see on type of activity on your map. i.e. if I only wished to see my trade routs and units that represented trade, they would be the only thing visible or perhaps have some sort of obvious marker above their heads. or if they were garrisoned, a marker over the building-ship etc.
I find the way of finding units, generals, agents and the like in medieval 2 for instance, extremely clunky and unwieldy, i’m having to forever scroll through lists, click on an agent or army, close the list to issue my orders to the agent/army, then go back through the lists all over again just to find the next unit/army! I personally find it very repetative.
As for the land battle themselves, i’d just love to be able to see more characterful soldiers within units, such as banner bearers, musicians (I know that you have included these) and officers. Even if they had no real effect other than looking different, it would make me rather happy! ^.^
Something that did really bother me about med 2 was that whilst soldiers were different in their appearence, which to me was great, Generals looked like they had all come out of a mould. I would almost make storylines in my head for these different genreals with their stats, history, traits and portraits, but such thoughts of story telling were dashed when I saw carbon copy generals march out onto the field.
I’m not trying to be pompous or say I know best, far from it! I merely wanted to give you my opinions in the hope you may listen.
Keep up my most beloved genre of gaming, and i’ll keep buying ^.~
Bergil
Posted by Bergil on April 3rd, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Comment # 100
interesting,
im mainly interested in : 1. politics; civil wars, rebellions, policies, currency value and more importantly, the press…support it or oppose it, both an ally or an enemy,gives benefits for the country and the way you are perceived by other country ( its harder for england to have agreement or deals with the moors (noone is confortable with their their goal of conquering the world and kill all infidels)) the press of an enemy can put pressure on the royalty,start a revolt, resists enlistments( reduce the the amount of troops ”bought” by 30%, 100 to 70 troops )
you can make it illegal to have press,in your country or the enemy,with both advantages and disadvantages,you can manipulate it,but for obvious reasons, it reduces the informations it reveals like how the population supports you or if you decide not to do it,it could lead to a story like an open affair with the English king’s wife etc…= war or blockade
also supporting foreign policies or condemning it could play a role. education too, will there be more royalist or more republicans in your country? its a big balance between what your policies are and what the public wants as a policy.
2. Military : i like the elite idea,most of counties had it,but i cant recall a total series not having an elite. also drafts should be in the game.
3. Crusades : and then you say: what the heck? well,lets not forget that the Mameluks were still a threat at anytime, who will join the call to free Vienna? will the polish come this time? or would the french or spanish join in? would the french use this as an opportunity to conquer Vienna or lands from the moors? or just show their strenght to cow any idea to fight them in later dates.
Or will you ultimatly let vienna burn and then raise a large army and bomb an exhausted and weakened enemy resulting vienna to be wipe off the map?
i dunno,its just few thoughts
Posted by jonathan on April 7th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Comment # 101
I need to know system requirements!! I know the game is gonna be awesome…. but is my computer awesome enough to run it??? How much will i have to upgrade my computer?? How many paychecks am I going to have to spend???
Posted by Bruno Garibay on April 10th, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Comment # 102
hi
thanks for the years of fun,i like many of the above have been playing since the release of rome total war. i woulf like to know if cannons will be able to move onto walls during sieges. Also during on the campaign map will it be possible to hvae an army dig in on a hill. building trenchs and the like.
thanks
jamie
Posted by jamie cullum on April 13th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
Comment # 103
WHEN IS THE NEXT QA AND A COMING OUT WWWWWHHHHHHHHHHEEEEEEENNNNN!! I CANT WAIT
Posted by bill on April 15th, 2008 at 3:52 pm
Comment # 104
give me my FAQ 5
Posted by tinhorn on April 16th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Comment # 105
Im deeply looking forward to this game as i am a Huge fan of the total war series, I hope that you can buy upgrades for your units and ships as i was very disapointed at ROME:Total war’s lack of upgrades. Some things that i think would be good about the game is if you could do things like Painting and fully customizing your ships - Maybe even have a flag ship full of officers or special units Ect.
Posted by Hutchins on April 17th, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Comment # 106
Will ship’s crews in a blockaded harbour lose experience, due to a lack of training, and will ships maintaining a blockade gain experience. Also will the ships in the blockaded harbour deteriorate due to a lack of naval stores getting in to the harbour?
In RTW the generals command rating didn’t really matter unless you did an automatic battle. Will it be seen in the Empire battles? For example if you are using a general with a low rating will the troops have a delay before they respond to a command and / or are they more likely to run away. And if you are fighting against a general with a low command rating will he be likely to do something stupid?
With unit recruiting will it be regional? For example British troops were recruited in Britain, Sepoy regiments were recruited in India (mainly as John’s Company troops), and the Highland regiments were recruited in Scotland. And will the King’s German Legion made an appearance if Hanover is occupied by a foreign county?
Will independent states be one big rebel conspiracy or will you be able to on good terms with some and be at war with others?
How will the East India Company (John’s Company) and the Dutch East and West Indies Companies work?
Posted by Rod on April 22nd, 2008 at 12:54 am
Comment # 107
Hi, I’am an avid total war gamer. I’ve got all of your previous tittles.
With Artillary will you add more peices of artilary and less spare crew? this would be more realistic.
Now I may be an avid gamer, but im also an avid historian. I love this period.
Now:
1) Will there be standard bearers? I mean in this period the standard was everything. if it was captured in battle then the regiment would be shamed. (Disbanded even) and the capture of a standard would bring a lot of honour.
2) Will standards actually be held by men, not floating above the unit like in previous tittles and if the bearer is killed will we see another man grab the banner?
3) Will the guns have different amunition (for land) like canister, grape and good old round shot?
4) Like in Medieval 2: total war will the experience be shown as banners, and if so will you include it on the regiments banner as ‘Battle Houners’
5) What sort of scale are the units going to be? are they going to be whole regiments? companies? platoons?
6) Will units have Majors, Captains, Leiftenats, Cornets(Cavalry) Ensign(Infantry) and Ncos like Sgt Major, Sgt, Corp and if so will there different ranks be visually identifiable?
7) In a sige will you be able too choose a unit which will be able to become the folorn hope?
Thats all for now.
if carried on i good go for ages (i.e. hundreds of pages)
Danny Boy
P.S.
9) Will artillary amuntion be able to give real time damage to the ground? by this i mean will you be able to see rents in the ground where the shot has bounced and torn up the ground. If so in wet wether the shot will not bounces as far.
Bye
Posted by Feild Marshal Danny Boy on May 6th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
Comment # 108
So since it’s been 4 months since this FAQ, any news?
I was wondering if there was any chance of seeing the new screens… I know PC Gamer’s UK branch got some, but it’s really crummy trying to get some screenies in the states. Seems to cater to a small fan base when you think that worldwide, we all want to see some land battle screenies…
Posted by Kyle on May 8th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Comment # 109
Yes I would LIKE TO KNOW MY PC REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS GAME…IS THERE EVEN A COMPUTER OUT THERE THAT CAN HANDLE THIS GAME!?!?!@ IF AND WHEN I BUY THIS GAME…MY PCS GOING TO CRASH!!! ESPECIALLY DURING MULTIPLAYER…I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I MUST DO TO NOT KILL MY COMPUTER…CAN SOMEONE PLEASE TELL ME WHAT MY REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE !!!!!
Posted by BARON_oF_hELL on May 9th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Comment # 110
***I have a question for you***
In naval warfare of the time it was expected to quite often use landing parties to take over an enemy ship (As was the case with pirates, whos personal weapons/skill were better then the ships they used). For this reason, will a boarding option be implamented in the game, and certain units whos strength will be dispatching the crew of a ship and not the vessal (One of the first uses for Marines was using them to board enemy ships and engage in combat)
If this has not been considered I am sure it will offer a new comcept to naval warfare other then just firing cannons at each other till one ship sinks.
Posted by Steve on June 30th, 2008 at 9:23 pm