Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

Hmmm from what I see, it would appear that we have taught them not to consider their logical-based limits to be our logical limits (OK Im not logical. 1500 provinces? Im gonna have FUN). So Im guessing that the same thinking is present in every ceiling limit that we encountered in Dom2.

And what are some of those. Monkey Nation? Bandar? (I saw a god on their side of the battle)
And another that looks trollish with pale skin. Agarta by the screenshot name. Is that the "underground city" thing that was hinted at?

The map views show icon-style maps. Is that what the new random map generator built into the game puts out? Not like the DomMap random maps at www.Dom2Minions.com

More screenshots! More screenshots! less battle shots and more of the managment screens.
I take it that these are special gifts for PDF's magazine? I cant use them on www.Dom3Minions.com?
Can I link to the article at least? Or maybe this thread?

Are we getting a Dom3 shirt to replace the Dom2 one?
http://www.cafepress.com/shrapnelgames?pid=2837642

I guess that alot of this is still in flux due to beta testing. *sigh*

Gandalf Parker
-- Dominions 2:
The Ascension is yours!
(some assembly required)

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

Heh. At least now we know that plants can grow out of the backs of scorpions on the battlefield. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif But yeh, the management screens are what I want to see, albeit the more detailed units on the battlefield should help tell what's what.

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

I wonder if that's the early, mythological era C'tis we see in the pics...

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

Also, have you guys noticed how those chariots seem to be in columns insted of the typical boxes?

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

Yeah they are nicely lined up. Now if they have flanking working then Im (Pangaea) going to be in trouble from the more armored nations like Ulm.

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

i wouldve thought flanking would be good for pangea? what with all their flying harpys and f9 centaurs

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

Gandalf,
I think there's no problem linking to the screenies on your site as long as you give credits to IW and Cyber (indeed they were gifts):) . As for copying them I will get confirmation but think it's ok too under same conditions (anyway we have no means of preventing it http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Sick.gif )

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

are you sure PDF you had the right to disclose these screenies? I thought Theo had it from IW, but just for the mag.

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

But does this mean we get alternative battle formations? Like columns? Da da DUN! =O

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

or maybe loose formation to avoid arrows (a non airshield counter to flaming/banefire arrows http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif)

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

Posting the screenshots is perfectly fine with us; they were not exclusive to Cyberstratege . The same screenshots were provided to Computer Games Magazine for their "Most Anticipated Games of 2006" article. Theophile may prefer, however, that we provide them directly to you rather than your reproducing them from the article?

The interview and the article itself ARE exclusive to Cyberstratege and may only be reprinted with their full permission.

We appreciate the good word when you link to any thread on our forums, or any part of our website for that matter. As you know, that's what helps us get the word out to the right audience. And we'd also appreciate any plugs you give the fine folks at Cyberstratege.

In case you guys don't already know, Gandalf loves tshirts!!!! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

How many people are beta testing Dominions 3? Just curious.

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

That usually depends on what level of testing its in. Crash-tests, play tests, balance tests, then nitpicking over things like the intro screen and spell checking. And usually the NDA (non-dislosure agreement) makes it a no-no to say. But thats up to them I guess.

I dont want to start a flood but I figure that if its still early that its a good time to bring up the favorite wishlist stuff in case its a "oh yeah we were going to do that" kindof item.
But on the other hand, I dont want to move back the relase date any http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

I agree, but besides the recent foreign interview us fans have received very very little information. As a result when friends and relatives gather then someone tosses the question: "Hey any new games coming out?"....... the gamers haven't heard or seen anything new about DOMINIONS_3 and thus no word of mouth.

Well it shouldn't be your only way of promoting... within the last 10 months there has been very little promotion for Dominions_3. Since Dominions is one of your top selling games it should definitely have an advertising strategy which grows upon getting closer to the release date.

If you want WORD OF MOUTH to work... give those future customers "continously new info" to use for spreading the word. The ohhh lets do advertising only the last 3 months is definitely not the best method.

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

I asked KO and Théo permissions before, don't worry Pocus ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smile.gif

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

Dont go wishing advertising on them. The developers might not want that. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif
Unless you mean more PR releases

Ok then, how about a mug with the keypress chart on it. Im thinking that when this game is released Im going to NEED a mug for all of those long late nights.
Please.... just.. one.. more.. turn...

Gandalf Parker

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

You know I love you, Gandalf!

As to the question of when to begin the "hype"...too soon, is no good...too late, no good...I feel like Goldilocks. We don't hold Illwinter, or any of our developers, to a schedule. When it's ready, it's ready. Illwinter does not need the pressure of delivering on some arbitrary timeline, nor are we inclined to request it. We want to minimize the chances of the developement and testing process to be pressured by the "is it ready yet?" mindset. So we begin the "hype" when we feel the time is right. I hope that explains our point of view; we've learned through experience http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

No need to set any specific timeline, we care more about the game being good than being done fast. Gamers are more curious about the content, improvements of artificial intelligence of computer opponents, and new game features. Dropping small pieces of information or screenshots is enough to get word of mouth working. Giving almost zero information for the last 10 months WILL NOT work as well as giving small pieces of information/screenshots for the last 10 months. In fact too much silence is bad because fans become worried or upset as seen with Triumph Studios.

Gal_Civ_2 was(is?) the #1 selling software at Walmart... not just games but all software. It's not enough to only examine what's worked in the past for you, but to examine what's working for others. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
That last sentence is true for almost any type of business.

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

The 10 month silence is more of a IW silence than a shrapnel silence (and 10 months is a bit of an exaggeration). Unless we give them screens and info they can't give you any info. I've been quite bad at writing dev diaries as I said I would. Probably because I mostly write when I'm in a good mood and have little work at school (this fall was a tough one and dev diaries were not my top priority, but now everything is brighter).

But there has been some info leaking. The most anticipated game at the start of this year for example.

I hope you haven't lost faith young prophet http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

But do we get new battle formations or were those neat columns of C'tisian chariots just an illusion?

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

I think that GalCiv is released under a different publishing plan. It doesnt work well for comparison. I know alot of game developers that dont want to go the big-layout/long-wait route.

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

Not initially - I mean some devs do not want to be slave to a publisher funding and marketing timelines.
I don't think it's the case for GalCiv, and would not for Dom2 either : in these cases the devs made the game as they wanted, and made it published without being publisher-dependent.
But I don't think there's that much people that doesn't want their games to be sold in larger quantity than they could just do themselves !

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

They dont if it means putting off profit checks for years and continually fighting over doubting the real sales figures. Visit Brads rants on the subject.

Obviously it has its advantages but its not the perfect answer for everyone. Most developers I know (who bother checking into it first) decide to go with a publisher who will do more publicity and support that doesnt involve as much money layout as the other marketing schemes. At least for the first few versions. You have to be in a specific situation to be able to gamble on the "big investment for big payoff later" arrangment. Both the developer and the publisher.

My opinion of course, I dont want to paint Shrapnel or Illwinter as being anything in particular. Im just saying that there are pros and cons to everything, even advertising for the bigger sales market. Most of the developers I refer here are not in a position to want that.

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

Definitely haven't lost faith... no hurry either... if you need an extra 6 months to add more content and better computer AI, let the fans know and we'll all support the delay.
What information about the game you pass to us fans we'll be able to use for 'word of mouth' and topics in other forums which in the long run makes us happy and increases game sales. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...es/biggrin.gif

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

Does anyone go sometimes to the main shrapnell homepage instead of using direct links to the board ? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif
http://www.shrapnelgames.com/Illwinter/Dom3/1.htm

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

No. Thanks for the link!

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

*fangirly noises, spasming*

But shouldn't it be "III" on the cover? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

*looks at the new screenies*

THIS IS AWESOME!!!!!

THE INTERFACE IS SO COOL. THE LIGHTNING BOLTS LOOK COOL! Some of the units are relally good looking!

Too much wonderful. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

(is this the positve feedback? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif )

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

I suppose it is http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Winged monkey dance
 

Winged monkeys!! Woohoo!

Re: Winged monkey dance
 

Eh? An *OZ* race???

Re: Winged monkey dance
 

And winged pigs! I'll win when pigs fly! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Re: Winged monkey dance
 

Somewhere, Margaret Hamilton is smiling a wicked smile.

Re: Winged monkey dance
 

Screenshots are great indeed.

Oh, and I have pre-ordered the game http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

It's at least supposed to be. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/smirk.gif

EDIT: This post was supposed to quote KO. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/image...s/confused.gif

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

excellent!

the two screenshots of the conjuration spells make it look like spell lists can be filtered in some way. that would be most excellent.

i wonder if there are also more distinct arrows for stealthy movement; that would also be great.

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

i like the spell list too (and was rather pleased to see catoblepas and giant toad among the spells) and the spell effects in battle (especially the lightning) are jawdropping compared to dom II

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

There's also spell damage shown on battle animation screen - look closely at lightning and pillar of fire striking.
A nice little touch, I wonder if it also shows for melee or ranged wounds.

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

> look like spell lists can be filtered in some way. that would be most excellent.

They can.

> was rather pleased to see catoblepas and giant toad among the spells

Nice http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

> A nice little touch, I wonder if it also shows for melee or ranged wounds.

They do.

Re: What the hell is up with Dominions 3???
 

Yeah I was quite excited that the spell list had some form of orginization. Its quite daunting once you get a bunch of things researched.