Promising stuff on the newest update! [Archive]

Nerfix

May 29th, 2006, 04:37 AM

28th may
* Dagan fixed.
* Flame corpses can explode now.
* Restricted spells colored differently.
* Settable text color on maps.
* Breath of winter adds to chill effect only.
* Chill area printed.
* An explorable magic site for upcoming heroes.

Restricted spells?
Altered breath of winter?
Explorable magic site!!??

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

Endoperez

May 29th, 2006, 05:22 AM

I wonder if 'Flame corpses' is a new summon, or a new unit enchantment... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/evil.gif /threads/images/Graemlins/Bomb.gif

Daynarr

May 29th, 2006, 06:51 AM

What's 'Breath of winter' anyway?

Nerfix

May 29th, 2006, 07:14 AM

Daynarr said:
What's 'Breath of winter' anyway?

You don't know? It's an infamous spell.

Endoperez

May 29th, 2006, 07:53 AM

Nerfix said:

Daynarr said:
What's 'Breath of winter' anyway?

You don't know? It's an infamous spell.

Now, if it had been written 'breath of Winter'... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif
Speaking of the spell, I think this means that Breath of Winter doesn't deal actual damage anymore. That would get rid of the problem of frail mages freezing each other to death, at least.

It'd be nice to have unique seasonal summons. The summoning spell could only be cast at middle winter/fall/summer/spring.

Daynarr

May 29th, 2006, 08:34 AM

Oh, sorry about that. Had a mind fart there. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Sick.gif

ioticus

May 29th, 2006, 09:36 AM

If Breath of Winter doesn't do damage anymore, what possible uses for it?

Arralen

May 29th, 2006, 10:24 AM

ioticus said:
If Breath of Winter doesn't do damage anymore, what possible uses for it?

Same as before - (mostly) none.

Nerfix

May 29th, 2006, 10:54 AM

I'm saddened how there is no love for restricted spells or explorable magic sites. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

ioticus

May 29th, 2006, 10:55 AM

Arralen said:

ioticus said:
If Breath of Winter doesn't do damage anymore, what possible uses for it?

Same as before - (mostly) none.

I thought it only did damage in an area around the caster. What other effects did it have?

Graeme Dice

May 29th, 2006, 11:37 AM

Arralen said:
Same as before - (mostly) none.

It's currently the single best damage spell a SC can use, so I wouldn't exactly call it useless.

Nerfix

May 29th, 2006, 11:44 AM

Graeme Dice said:

Arralen said:
Same as before - (mostly) none.

It's currently the single best damage spell a SC can use, so I wouldn't exactly call it useless.

Biggest source of friendly fire, too.

PDF

May 29th, 2006, 12:16 PM

I fear making BoW undamaging will just make it useless, who will care about a spell that just cools the atmosphere and adds a little fatigue here or there ?
Maybe it could have been done less damaging, or higher level (as Soul Vortex is), or the AI changed to avoid freezing own troops to death, but nerfing it this way doesn't seem good.

BTW in the preview Dom3 version I have (2.79 sent to press) BoW just doesn't work, it's never cast even when scripted http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

Nerfix

May 29th, 2006, 12:21 PM

PDF said:BTW in the preview Dom3 version I have (2.79 sent to press) BoW just doesn't work, it's never cast even when scripted http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

What eras and nations you've been checking out? http://www.cncreneclips.com/forum/style_emoticons/cncre/shifty.gif

ioticus

May 29th, 2006, 12:25 PM

PDF said:

BTW in the preview Dom3 version I have (2.79 sent to press)

Can you comment on if the AI has been improved (especially strategic AI) very much?

PDF

May 29th, 2006, 01:24 PM

ioticus said:
[quote]
PDF said:

BTW in the preview Dom3 version I have (2.79 sent to press)

Can you comment on if the AI has been improved (especially strategic AI) very much? [/quote

I've rather started numerous games just to see the new stuff than going far into each, so I won't bet my hand on a definite answer... But I've seen AI building respectable armies with heavy troops, and even building forts ! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Varjostin

May 29th, 2006, 02:30 PM

That sounds rather promising. Having followed the wish lists it seems that the better AI is the most anticipated feature in Dom 3. I just lost my temper with Rome Total War and that stupid AI, which just sat his troops down while my scorpions (a type of ballistae {declension?}) were killing them at a steady rate. Of course, I could just not use scorpions, but I wish enemy couldn't use them either, because they jam the AI on sieges. Gee, I got a little sidetracked to OT. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif It will serve as an example of an situation, where a bad AI can cause severe headache.

ioticus

May 29th, 2006, 03:13 PM

Wow, that's awesome news PDF! Keep us posted.

Nerfix

May 29th, 2006, 03:26 PM

Do they use mages?

Saber Cherry

May 29th, 2006, 04:51 PM

Arralen said:

ioticus said:
If Breath of Winter doesn't do damage anymore, what possible uses for it?

Same as before - (mostly) none.

Considering in the last game I played, Nycafor killed about 250 units with BoW and 100 with his hands, I'd also have to join the "It was far from useless" crowd. With this change, Arch Devils (Fire Shield) might eclipse Ice Devils as the preeminant blood SCs.

Oversway

May 30th, 2006, 12:18 PM

Maybe the message means it adds to chill effect and not heat effect...

Arralen

May 30th, 2006, 02:31 PM

The usefulness of Breath of Winter is "(mostly) none" because real, big, tough SCs are the only thing it's useful on.

In all other cases, it's only a great way to kill fellow mages or bodyguards. And sadly the spellcasting AI is too fond of the spell ...

Btw, haven't been SCs nerfed in Dom3?

Nerfix

May 30th, 2006, 03:51 PM

Graeme Dice

May 30th, 2006, 04:45 PM

Arralen said:
The usefulness of Breath of Winter is "(mostly) none" because real, big, tough SCs are the only thing it's useful on.

Well, since SCs are what do most of your killing for most of the game, I still don't see why that's a bad thing. Compare the difference between a Niefel Jarl with and without breath of winter cast to see the difference between chill and BoW.

In all other cases, it's only a great way to kill fellow mages or bodyguards. And sadly the spellcasting AI is too fond of the spell ...

If you are worried about mages casting it when they shouldn't, then a better change would be to make mages not cast it automatically rather than to make the spell useless.

PDF

May 30th, 2006, 06:13 PM

Arralen said:
The usefulness of Breath of Winter is "(mostly) none" because real, big, tough SCs are the only thing it's useful on.

In all other cases, it's only a great way to kill fellow mages or bodyguards. And sadly the spellcasting AI is too fond of the spell ...

Btw, haven't been SCs nerfed in Dom3?

Nope, it was useful with any thug also, as long as it doesn't operate amongst friendly frail mages or troops.

It was an overpowerful spell IMHO, but I second Graeme, making it useless is not a good answer ...

NTJedi

May 30th, 2006, 10:49 PM

PDF said:
BTW in the preview Dom3 version I have (2.79 sent to press) BoW just doesn't work, ...

How did Shrapnel/Illwinter choose beta testers for DOM_3? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

PDF

May 31st, 2006, 08:18 AM

NTJedi said:

PDF said:
BTW in the preview Dom3 version I have (2.79 sent to press) BoW just doesn't work, ...

How did Shrapnel/Illwinter choose beta testers for DOM_3? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

That's a "press preview" version I got - I'm onr of the Dom-men (along with Pocus) for Cyberstratege mag.

As for betatesters, dunno, in fact I was rejected for betatesting due to my "press" category:(
Ask betatesters (Gandalf for example http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif )

Edi

May 31st, 2006, 08:36 AM

I don't think there are many beta testers, and most of them would be well known to the IW guys. Gandalf is one and Psitticine is very probable given what he's done for them earlier. The rest I figure are JK's and KO's friends.

The topic of beta testing actually came up when I offered some other unrelated help with Dom3 but it didn't really go anywhere.

Edi

Gandalf Parker

May 31st, 2006, 02:14 PM

When did I say I was one?
I am a beta tester but I dont remember ever saying what games Im in the test groups for. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

But there are two answers. One is that Shrapnel has occassionally posted calls for beta-testers. Usually in the Shrapnel General forum. Not for a specific game but for people to be in the beta group.

The other is that if you search back in the Dom2 forum you will see posts by Illwinter mentioning their beta-test group and the comfort of them speaking swedish.

I thought I had also seen a post giving really small numbers for a test group but I cant seem to find it now. So it may just be a small mix drawn from Shrapnels and Illwinters beta groups.

Gandalf Parker

alexti

June 1st, 2006, 01:52 AM

I think I remember that fluent Swedish was a requirement for beta testers...

Endoperez

June 1st, 2006, 04:36 AM

alexti said:
I think I remember that fluent Swedish was a requirement for beta testers...

Yep, I remember that too. It got me quite enthusiastic with Swedish. Especially because the www.illwinter.com/dom2/dom2progress.htm (http://www.illwinter.com/dom2/dom2progress.htm) (I still remember the URL http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif) had some of the changes in Swedish. I never became good in it, though, but I blame that on one exceptionally bad teacher, and a whole year in which my only bit of Swedish was the lone course he held.

Speaking about the beta: I'd except that there would be few native English speakers correcting the grammar. I doubt best grades from Finnish schools, even if the schools are said to be very good, can even come close to lifetime of English when descriptions have to be corrected to a spesific style. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

DominionsFan

June 1st, 2006, 06:36 AM

alexti said:
I think I remember that fluent Swedish was a requirement for beta testers...

mmm...thats odd..why is that a req. to be a beta tester? The IW guys understand everything in english. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Varjostin

June 1st, 2006, 06:56 AM

alexti said:
I think I remember that fluent Swedish was a requirement for beta testers...

Heh. If I knew, I could be a beta-tester,I would too study Swedish twice as hard. Just think what kind of a booster that would be. OMG, this is the probably the most efficient way to study a language for a game enthusiastic. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif Another way would be that Illwinter would release the game only in Swedish language. I would become a fluent speaker in two weeks, when trying the comprehend those descriptions. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

PDF

June 1st, 2006, 07:04 AM

Gandalf Parker said:
When did I say I was one?
I am a beta tester but I dont remember ever saying what games Im in the test groups for. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/confused.gif

You've been framed ! In the preview Dom3 version (2.79) that Shrapnel sent to the press recently you appear as tester in the credits... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/wink.gif

Gandalf Parker

June 1st, 2006, 11:19 AM

Ahhh thanks. Good to know that I didnt blow my NDA. You had me worried. I guess sending you a copy wouldnt work with an NDA attached to it. I forgot about the credits.

As for the swedish, I think it was a requirement on Dom1. Highly recommended on Dom2. And probably just a nicety on your beta-tester resume for Dom3.

As for the english, I would think there should be a preference for "schooled english" over americanese. At elast for this gme altho some other games being tested here might be better with americanese.

Edi

June 1st, 2006, 02:54 PM

Enfoperez, correcting things to either UK English or US English can be done by anyone with sufficient fluency as long as they are consistent, actually. That was the area where I offered help, weeding out typos, since there's a metric crapton of text in Dom3 and typos are bound to slip in. Espeically if the pretender titles or anything else are in lis type text files, those would be easy to go through, and more proofreaders than just one make for less typos and a more finished product, because they'll catch mistakes the other missed.

It'd be cool to not need another sticky thread for Dominions 3 typos, like we have for Dom2.

Edi

alexti

June 1st, 2006, 08:09 PM

Endoperez said:
Speaking about the beta: I'd except that there would be few native English speakers correcting the grammar. I doubt best grades from Finnish schools, even if the schools are said to be very good, can even come close to lifetime of English when descriptions have to be corrected to a spesific style. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/frown.gif

I remember that certain respectable (natively-english-speaking?) modder was using finnish editor to correct english http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

Archonsod

June 1st, 2006, 11:29 PM

Edi said:
It'd be cool to not need another sticky thread for Dominions 3 typos, like we have for Dom2.
Edi

Anyone seen Space Rangers 2's manual? They offer the best cop out line for mistranslation and spelling mistakes ever - something along the lines of "although the language may appear English, it's actually a future dialect chosen specifically to assist in inter race translation, therefore you may find some strange words or use of language".
Should be placed in every game manual - "Although the language appears English, it is actually an ancient dialect of Ulm. Therefore, you may find some strange words and spellings in the text...." http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Edi

June 2nd, 2006, 02:56 AM

alexti said:
I remember that certain respectable (natively-english-speaking?) modder was using finnish editor to correct english http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif

You mean Zen and the CB mod?

Actually, it was not so much a matter of language skills as organizational ones. The reason I took on the task of documenting the CB mod was that I wanted to use it, but I also wanted to know what had been done with the mod just by looking at the mod files, and Zen's formatting and organization in the original mod files and readmes was simply abysmal. It was a fairly easy task to sort those out into a more readable form, and also allowed QM and others to take it up where Zen left off.

Edi

Morkilus

June 7th, 2006, 02:00 PM

Illwinter said:
2nd april
* Tribal poptypes -> Wolf, bear, deer, lion tribes.

Anyone speculate what these Tribal Poptypes are? Some kind of new Amazons, except they're Beastmasters? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/happy.gif Here's to hoping Darr makes the long journey from TBS to Turn-Based-Strategy.

Nerfix

June 7th, 2006, 02:12 PM

My bet is that they are tribes with some local flavour.

Sandman

June 7th, 2006, 03:03 PM

My guess is that they're stone age humans from the early era.

Endoperez

June 7th, 2006, 07:21 PM

7th june
* Missbred

Is anyone else suspecting a change to everyone's favourite spell, Cross Breeding? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

DominionsFan

June 7th, 2006, 08:21 PM

Endoperez said:

7th june
* Missbred

Is anyone else suspecting a change to everyone's favourite spell, Cross Breeding? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Haha I was wondering that what Missbred is. http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/stupid.gif
Btw did you guys noticed, now that the school is over in Sweden, the devs are working much more on the game? http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Awesome, v3.00 is closing in! I can feeeeeeeel it! http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/cool.gif

Endoperez

June 7th, 2006, 08:28 PM

I did notice that. School is over! Rejoice!

DominionsFan

June 7th, 2006, 08:32 PM

Endoperez said:
I did notice that. School is over! Rejoice!

Argh...sadly not here, I still must go to school on this week and next week... http://forum.shrapnelgames.com/images/smilies/Injured.gif

Kristoffer O

June 8th, 2006, 02:34 AM

School is over tomorrow. Today we have the 'klassens dag' and I will only go with my students to a cinema and to a park after that. Next week is sum up without students at school, so basically it is gaming time! For me anyway.

Kristoffer O

June 8th, 2006, 02:36 AM

Missbreds are failed demonbred experiments of the early abysian era. Annoyingly enough their starting afflictions doesn't seem to work. So they are not miss-bred, only bred atm.

Edi

June 9th, 2006, 04:17 AM

Kristoffer, I think they would be better spelled as misbreds, with just one s, since that would be the correct application of the English prefix "mis-". Hope you get it working. :

Edi