If I made an Add-on...

[Apollyon]

If I made an add-on to Emperor that didn't disrupt online play, would people download it?

It would include the Mini-patch, an AI upgrade and several new maps.

The maps would bring new game-modes into play. For example the map I drafted yesterday includes four buildings: 2 tents and 2 towers. If you capture the towers you're able to build Imperial Snipers, a new unit (long range when deployed, fragmentation bullets, unstealthing abilities). If you capture the tents, you can build Fremen Naibs (feydakin with upgraded weapon).  The maps work online.

Thoughts?

[erjin999]

I am totally against the idea of any new and exciting ways to improve emperor. I think we should stick to the old, tried and tested ways. You really know where you are when you have been doing something for 4-5 years.

Just becuase it will be an exciting new mod doesnt mean we should have to be happy.

To conclude, I think you should stop trying to make emp better in your own time and releasing it for us to enjoy.

Regards,

Erjin.

(How did I do, Apo ? was it ok ? :P)

[Voodoo Daddy]

Sure would. My friends and I have always had your Ai and Mini patch on all our machines.

Here's a couple of thoughts. With the AI upgrade, Is there any way to make the AI change their build Priority to keep their income up?  Even on hard attacker, if you Kill the spice, they just sit. I mean now all you have to do is wait a little till you can outproduce them, Kill their spice, then it's "game over".

Could you force the AI build 3 ref's?

Could they somehow be made to Allie?

Are your maps "Pick your rock" type like Voodooland, or traditional? Of course that would not work with the AI, but I was thinking of online play.

[Apollyon]

Voodoo--

The AI Upgrade I'm going to include is an updated version that improves tactics somewhat and the AI's general attitude to construction. The run-out-of-money thing shouldn't be a problem.

The maps will be various, but the set-up revolves primarily around new units, new buildings/abilities etc. I may do choose your own rock for some of them, I don't really know. Erjin and I had a game earlier on the map I mentioned in the title-post, and it worked like a treat and was a lot of fun.

[erjin999]

Yeah, we tested it, there was a few new suprises for me. I learnt a lot about the new setup, units and maps.

Will really add more to the online play.

You got to play it to understand it.

[DelugeD]

Interested

[Voodoo Daddy]

Here's a couple more thoughts as to weather anyone would be interested.

I think the are 3 types of players.

1- On-line.  Despite the figure posted on RA's site (Currently 660 nicks from 339 registered players.) The reality is, there is probably around 30 to 40 regular (if you could call us that) players. some of whom are VERY resistant to change, some not.

2- On-line and off-line. this group includes some of group 1 and is larger than group 1.

3- Off-line only. This is the large group. If you doubt this, just look at the download numbers for some of Xano's or Duke Davis's recent maps, some are on the high side of 2000 downloads.

I think that group 2 and 3 would be VERY interested in your add-on. And some (maybe around half?) of group one would be interested (Me and my buds included)

The question would be how do you let groups 2 & 3 know about it? If you improve the AI they stand the most to gain from it. Since they don't play us on-line, and therefore don't know us, they don't give a shit about Kingpoker's behavior problems  :P or anything else going on on this board. I doubt they ever read this forum. They probably just cruise in once in a while and go straight to the map downloads. Perhaps you could talk Gob into posting a notice on the main page or the Fan-map download page. This would get your mod out to the most people.

Also, just to keep the peace, is there any way to "undo" the mod in case you go into a game online with people who don't have the mod? Or does it only matter online if your playing against the AI?

[desertway]

Well I have your original patch and I luv it. Don't see any reason why I wouldn't want he new one. Sounds like it might add a little spice(pun intended) back to the game.

[Beonid]

I am a member of group 3 and I would definitely use it -

I do read these forums, incidentally, and do know about Kingpoker's behavioral problems, which is one of the reasons I don't play online.

[Voodoo Daddy]

Well, we are a "Colorful" lot, some more than others.  ::)

My Map Making partner, Duke Davis, never plays online as well (Dial Up connection). I think there are many, many more. It's to bad there is no mechanism for group 3 to contact one another to set up online games Vs. the AI. Especially once Apollyon works his magic. I have used his first AI patch for a long time. I am anxious to see the new one.

I have long felt that the online community has "Morphed" this game to some extent from what the developers thought when designing it. Not that that's bad. I think it's inevitable once good players work out the mechanics of any computer game.  Sort of like taking Chess and coming up with Speed Chess.

[elsipues]

;D there is only 1 question that comes to my mind.

were that hell he posted the patch to be down loaded.

for cry out loud spit it up and don't choke on your own saliva. >:( >:( >:( >:( >:(

[spazelord]

APO sounds really intresting go for it... ;D Sapzelord

[skippy260]

If this also adds as a patch to the game i would give it a go maybe normal games be played on RA server and the modded one on the backup server XWISC

I do not not now anyway i would give it a go as the game dose need something to spice it up and give new players a chance to have a far go.

thanks for your time all let me know what you think.

[limiano]

great idea apo ! i had the same idea but just couldnt get 2 do it ,and my brother wasnt interested old school ideas.right now i find making mods fun in the rules and ini file.but i would like 2 get a hold of it