Release Date

[SurvivalistMerc]

I hope this doesn't violate any forum rules. But I love the pictures and the notions behind Dom 3. I love Dominions 2 except for the massive micromanagement that makes especially the late game something of a task at times. And they are fixing this with some improvements to the graphics? I'm in. I'll buy. Just tell me when it comes out.

Only question is...are they changing the AI a bit so that units don't do "stupid" things? It's not necessary...would just be desirable. I don't have a problem with "taking responsibility" for whatever orders I give. I just hate to see elite units chase hydra into their poison clouds and die when they have no hope of catching the hydra and so on. I'm no programmer. But my test for stupidity is something like this: 1. Did the unit suffer significant casualties (> 25%) without inflicting similar casualties upon an opposing unit subsequent to a decision point? 2. If so, run a minor subroutine to determine if the outcome was highly predictable. 3. Even if highly predictable, is the unit just doing something "normal" for the unit. Melee units engage the nearest enemy prior to fleeing. Missile unit firing at designated target. That sort of thing. If yes, then do the action anyway. If now (e.g. chasing the fleeing hydra), is there a different course of action that makes sense for the unit within the defined subset of actions? (e.g. chasing the hydra without walking into its poisonous cloud and being ready to fight it if it should turn around).

Maybe my point is poor that units should walk around lingering area of effect spells. What do others think?

[SurvivalistMerc]

I don't usually bump my own posts. But is there a way we can download a "Demo" of Dom3? Or is Dom3 just for the Elite Beta Testing Squad for now?

[Psitticine]

For Dom II, they waited until they had the Gold code before they prepped a demo. I'd think they'd make the same decision this time around, as it really doesn't make sense to release a demo that might have bugs or balance issues that won't exist after they go Gold.

[Gandalf Parker]

A demo is usualy the gold version trimmed down. It just gets to us faster than the packaged release so it seems like it gets made earlier