Future of Series?

[VonSpee]

Just wondering what WDS may have in mind for this group of games as the last diary mentioned that you guys are reaching the end of what you can do with this particular engine. I have 1812 and would love to see more regarding 19th Century Warfare.

What else would the community like to see in this category?

[Dion]

Well, you have the French and Indian War. At least I think that's what's its called. I believe it was during the days before the Revolutionary War. It makes sense the Indian Wars should be covered too.

[zovs]

This series covers five titles: Campaign 1776, Little Big Horn (Demo), Mexican-American War, the French and Indian War and The War of 1812

[Steel God]

Leaving aside the anomaly of the demo being set in 1876, the period is rather narrow by definition. Early American is bound by no later than 1860, since the introduction of rifled muskets with percussion firing is covered by the ACW series (and rightly so) uses a different engine; and no earlier than 1754 since the description of the Musket and Pike series clearly states it cover "up to the Seven Years War". So the EAW series has a narrow band of 1754-1859 to work with, and certainly the subject matter already covered is "all the biggies". So, 100 years on the American Continent? What else could be done that WDS would have enough market for to justify developing the product? The Barbary Wars? Not American, but Americans were involved. Any of the South American Revolutions, or Mexican Revolution? They are certainly "in the Americas". I guess I can see WDS' point that there may not be much meat left on the bone for the series.

[Squadman45]

Problem is if you follow the serie soul, only thing to cover with the engine is Wars of Liberation in South America... is true no USA involved... but we hae Nap, FWWC and M&P series with no USA presence in the titles and series are popular. For me dont see something i want in a title is not a problem, i like the game or serie in part for the fun of situations i can find BUT at same time the fun to learn about something i ignore or see in a game something i know very well,

Is possible add a what if title to the serie... like a scen in one of the Nap titles with an invasion from Europe... is possible think something on this line and place a what if between 1812 and Mexican-USA war... you can add UK, France, Spain, AH... even Russians!!!.

For me demo offer a good example of what i dont like see in EAW engine, i find a better use of it cover Colonial wars in XIX century but with a more serious armies in both sides.

[Hoplite1963]

My own preference here would not be for more “Early American Wars” titles as I think the “Musket & Pike” engine (and any additional versions of that) are the way forward for all future pre 1860 WDS Land Warfare centred titles, but some tweaks to, and further documentation for the “Early American Wars games engine to make it easier for mod makers to built their own make over mods for the game. Along with “Squad Battles” this is after all the only WDS series that has a fully functional map editor.

Taking into account the limitations of the “Early American Wars” games engine (in particular that cavalry are less powerful than in the Napoleonic and Musket & Pike series games and that it is not possible to give troops defensive armour) I think it would work quite well for building make over mods for conflicts in the black powder era after 1700, and in particular those where the main emphases is on smaller battles, mostly in broken terrain and where there is a lot of stress on the attack and defence of field fortifications
Here is my Wishlist in this direction.

1.A table giving the heights and widths in pixels available for each troop type image in the 3D Units 50 and 100 a-f files as well as the “Leaders” & “Units” files in the info folder, along with supporting text about which image from left to right was deemed to be in what formation and facing which way, where the router icons have to go etc. I am particularly interested in this as I would like to explore making 3D boardgame style counters for the 3D scales.

2. A mod designers guide document covering how to adjust thins like dates of actions outside of those permitted in the scenario editors that ship with the game and how to devise and implement new weapon classes etc.

3. Trenches and Abatis (which would have to be set up in the scenario editor) brought over from the “Musket & Pike” engine.

4. The ability to construct breastworks added to the game brought over from American Civil War Campaigns.

What do people think

Kind regards
Ian

[Dion]

The Seminole Wars! A map editor's dream.

[Barbarossa]

I didn't want to start yet another thread and felt that this additional question fits in here pretty well. Does anybody have an insight on update plans for the EAW series? I am currently holding back on starting new games in the series and would be interested to find out whether at least an update with the new menu bar etc. is planned? I felt that some of the AI improvements and features from the Napoleonic series could be ported over to EAW but maybe the underlying engines are too different afterall?

[rahamy]

There is no update on the short list, so no need to hold off starting new games.

[Barbarossa]

There is no update on the short list, so no need to hold off starting new games.

Thanks for the quick response! Guess I just gotta flip the coin for a good 1776 or 1812 scenario then.