Re: A wise idea for IW?
 

It's funny (or sad...) that some people have so much bad faith that they claim the game is "unfinished" ... because the devs added new, unplanned content to make the fans happy ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/rolleyes.gif
I'd be ok to give more bucks to IW to allow them to continue their great work for expansions - usually people get PAID when they make additional work, why should they work for free ? The game is pretty polished and unbuggy now, modding tools and new maps/themes are not part of support .

And about the price tag, I happen to have bought KotoR some time after Dom2 : with KotoR (40 EUR)I had maybe 20 hours of play, it cost me 2 EUR/hr. And it's over, I don't plan to play it again anytime soon. Even if I replay the game 1 time cost would be 1 EUR/hr.
With Dom I should have played at least 100 hrs, and spent the same time elaborating strategies, reading docs, toyed with modding, etc ... and I'll surely play it for another 100 hrs !
Best bang for the buck gaming investment, and it also made me meet new friends ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Graphics freaks should be incinerated or disintegrated http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A wise idea for IW?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I wonder, what do you mean by "modding tools"? The devs have released fairly impressive documentation detailing how to do modifications to the various creatures, nations, etc. The only tool you need to use to implement them is a very basic text editor.

Is there a perceived need for a GUI that would help someone better output the dot-MAP or dot-DM files?

Re: A wise idea for IW?
 

I'd buy an expansion pack - if it had enough new content, and a few themes and more modding tools wouldn't be enough, IMO. It would have to be more in the new nations, more music tracks, etc. Category.

Re: A wise idea for IW?
 

Well these are some interesting replies. Looks like no one likes it, ok.

@ Slyfrog: No one would "require" you to buy an expansion pack. I would certainly buy it, even though there are many things I'd still like fixed with the one I purchased. Hey, I'm hooked, aren't you?
@Ragnarok-X: I agree that the game has lots of bugs I'd like to see fixed (hence my post), but that doesnt make it "unfinished", nor unworthy of an expansion.

Well anyhow, it was just a thought, please don't crucify me.

Re: A wise idea for IW?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I wonder, what do you mean by "modding tools"? The devs have released fairly impressive documentation detailing how to do modifications to the various creatures, nations, etc. The only tool you need to use to implement them is a very basic text editor.

Is there a perceived need for a GUI that would help someone better output the dot-MAP or dot-DM files? </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">There are lots of things that can't be done with the current modding tools, like modding magic sites, changing the DP cost of pretenders, adding new pretenders, etc. though these (and other things of this nature) will hopefully be added in future patches.

[ February 24, 2004, 16:43: Message edited by: Teraswaerto ]

Re: A wise idea for IW?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">I guess maybe I'm getting hung up on the term "tools". What you describe above is modding functionality, not tools. The map editor included in the base game is a tool, a least in my mind.

I asked the question because I was a bit suprised that anyone would ask for tools to do the job of a text editor. In retrospect, I could easily see where some of the more complex creature and nation editing could be helped along by a nice interface. Perhaps I will... heeeeey, what's that shiny thing over there?

Re: A wise idea for IW?
 

I was reading "tools" as "functionality". A text editor should be enough for anyone. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/icons/icon7.gif

Re: A wise idea for IW?
 

<font size="2" face="sans-serif, arial, verdana">You're comparing apples to rutabagas here. Comparing a very linear RPG to a TBS in the hours-played department is sheer folly. At least pick a LONG linear RPG, eg Baldur's Gate 2.

A better comparison would be Dom 2 vs Civ 3. Civ was buyable at $40 at release, had much better graphics, infinitely better interface, and depending on your preferences and prejudices the gameplay is just as good.

NOTE: I'm just playing the Devil's Advocate here. I bought Dom2 for $40 from GoGamer and am completely satisfied with what I got for that price.

Re: A wise idea for IW?
 

Im not sure what kindof "tool" could be done for modding in Dom2. Chances are that it would be a seperate program, and the Devs have already said they dont want to maintain multiple EXE's. If it is a seperate program then we may have luck getting one of the players to do one.

And forget paying for patches to help the game. I want to support the game by buying STOCK!
(Hey Im only half serious so turn the flaming to half-broil)

Re: A wise idea for IW?
 

Eh, whatever they decide to do, I'll follow in suit. Expansion packs, I'll buy. Dominions 3, I'll buy. No matter.