The possibility of partnership.

[HoneyBadger]

It doesn't matter so much how complicated Dom3 is compared to GalCiv2, where AI is concerned. Or atleast, it doesn't matter as much as it might seem to. The fact is, poor AI is the norm. Very few games have good AI and very few people are capable of creating good AI (even fewer are passionate about it).

Put it like this: If you have someone who's really good at making toasted cheese sandwitches, a master of the toasted cheese sandwitch craft and trade, and you ask them to make a toasted cheese sandwitch with tomato and ham and maybe just a little onion between the ham and the cheese, they're more likely to be able to make you a decent toasted ham and cheese and tomato sandwitch because they already have that talent, experience, and passion for the basic toasted cheese. Now it's possible that the project might be too big, or the person might rebel against the purity of the simple cheese + bread design, but it's also possible that the person might, in expanding his horizons, become a better, deeper, and more complete chef, able to produce a toasted sandwitch of such complexity-yet such grace-that it blows your tastebuds away.

Certainly, Galciv2 is not as complex as Dom3, but just as certainly, Galciv2 is not tic-tac-toe. A partnership would allow Johan and Kristoffer to input just as much into the game, if not much more, than Brad. I also am really glad to hear that Brad has heard of and enjoys Dom3 enough to offer it free advertizing on his site. That's a very good sign.
I'm sure that the language "barrier" can be overcome. After all, if Illwinter were willing to hire me, I'd be willing to learn Swedish or Dutch or Finnish or old Norse runes, whatever was required to make them more comfortable. If a partnership occurred, it certainly is reasonable that a few social compromises be made here and there, atleast to the extent that everyone can communicate in a shared language. Afterall, the company's name is Illwinter, not Illmannered. I agree that Kristoffer and Johan both write English better than most people on this site already, a lot of whom-as far as I know-are American.

As far as the ability to put games on shelves, I bought my copy of GalCiv2 at Wal-Mart, so that puts to rest that particular concern.

[Gandalf Parker]

We know its possible. We just dont know if its worthwhile. Only in certain situations is it a good idea.

[HoneyBadger]

I'm all for that. If it's not a good idea, or Illwinter doesn't want to do it, that's perfectly fine. I just want the idea to be assessed. Gandalf, you seem to be in the inner circle, which situations are you invoking in your above statement? anything specific?

[Gandalf Parker]

Putting the game onto shelves has definetly been assessed.
But shelfware and advertisizing involve alot of layout of moneys that have to be paid back before profits. Possibly Shrapnel can stand to do that, Im not sure if Illwinter can. And Im not sure if Dominions is the type of game to make that gamble a sure enough thing for anyone to gamble on.

[Cainehill]

Gandalf Parker said:
Ive actually known of GalCiv for longer than Ive known about Dominions....

Anyway, some problems I see with a partnership are...
D) Brad isnt all that big on partners.

LOL! Given that Illwinter has ignored offers of free professional assistance, I don't think you can realistically say that Brad's the one so opposed to partners, or hiring outside help.

[Kristoffer O]

> LOL! Given that Illwinter has ignored offers of free professional assistance, I don't think you can realistically say that Brad's the one so opposed to partners, or hiring outside help.

We have? I wasn't aware. Bruce was contracted to do the manual. Other offers might have been ignored for practical reasons. I hope no one was offended.

Anyone that will come to Sweden every once in a while for a coffe or two in my sofa is welcome in the development team

[Edi]

So, what's your address?

Edi

[Amhazair]

HoneyBadger said:
...really good at making toasted cheese sandwitches, a master of the toasted cheese sandwitch craft and trade, and you ask them to make a toasted cheese sandwitch with tomato and ham and maybe just a little onion between the ham and the cheese, they're more likely to be able to make you a decent toasted ham and cheese and tomato sandwitch because they already have that talent, experience, and passion for the basic toasted cheese ... but it's also possible that the person might, in expanding his horizons, become a better, deeper, and more complete chef, able to produce a toasted sandwitch of such complexity-yet such grace-that it blows your tastebuds away.

Damn you! Now I'm hungry!

[Gandalf Parker]

Yeah I was doing pretty well. While Internet might be fattening, I have found Dom3 to be a pretty good diet

[HoneyBadger]

Ironically enough, my wife-who was as far as I know completely unaware of this thread, made toasted cheese sandwitches for supper last night, and they were delicious!

I can fly most anywhere in the United States for free, even a few places internationally-unfortunately, Sweden isn't one of them. Still, it certainly wouldn't be an insurmountable task to be neighborly some year or other-I'd even bring the coffee, our (Kona-brand) coffee being one of the few commercial food products these days that America can proudly compare to the rest of the world.

I hate to admit it, but there's a lot about Sweden I don't know. I know a little bit about the Vasa dynasty, but definitely there's a lot I have to learn. I'll begin rectifying that area of ignorance immediately.

I believe, Kristoffer, that you may want to raise your qualifications for joining Illwinter just a little bit. You may not realize how many fanatics-myself included-you've got here who have a lot of time and money on their hands. You just may need a bigger couch!