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16th July:

It's time to start talking about the contents of the next Empire patch, which we're aware many of you are curious about.

Without wishing to hype it, this one will be a big one and it will predominantly focus on the Campaign AI.

Our priorities with the next release are to:

- Significantly increase the rate of naval invasions. Including those across theatres.
- Increase AI aggression and improve use of armies.
- Increase the creation and retention of strong mixed higher level unit armies by the CAI.

Some of these are big changes and will take time, so I'm not in a position to confirm a release date for the patch yet.

For those of you wondering how we're progressing, let's just say I've now seen a Marathan eastern seaboard of the United States with both as AI factions.


Naturally we'll update more regularly as the patch develops.

Kind regards,
Kieran

24 August:

Dear All,

The reaction on the forums to the recent announcement of Napoleon has suggested there is a level of misunderstanding about a few points. I'd like to shed light on a few of these, directly, if I may.

Why are you releasing another TW game without fixing Empire?

We have not given up on supporting Empire. The major AI upgrade patch is still very much being worked on and is coming shortly. It will be with you a good while before Napoleon's release. Napoleons development is ongoing, just as our support of Emprie is ongoing.
We recognise Empire had problems on release and we've dealt with the vast majority of stability and performance issues people are having. We now need to balance and address gameplay issues. The AI particularly. We have listened to everything you have said and are looking to address as much as possible. Empire has not been forgotten and a major gameplay upgrade is coming, and coming soon.

Why did you lie about releasing an MP campaign? Where is it?

The MP Campaign for Empire has always been a beta product. However, despite it simply being a test of the technology we still want it to be fun and enjoyable, something that's worth your time and our effort. So we've been working on it since release, building it to a state where its stable enough to beta test by you all and is indeed a great deal of fun to play. The MP Campaign Beta has not been forgotten, work is ongoing and it will be released before Napoleon allowing us time to absorb your comments and feedback (Which is ultimately the point of a public beta). To stress: Empire's MPC Beta is still under development and will be coming shortly it has not been dropped or forgotten and will be available soon.

Why do you never give dates for anything? I want to know when I can get my hands on these things!

Wer've learned about giving dates to the community. The understandable anger we've faced when we've given specific dates and not met them is not worth the little comfort given by us mentioning a specific date (Which you must still wait for). All development has a level of risk attached to it, that is the chance that it will not make a specific day for delivery. We've stopped communicating exact dates as a result of feedback from you. The Empire patch and the MPC beta will be released a significant while before Napoleon, which is scheduled for a first quarter 2010 release.

Why are you releasing Napoleon seperately when all it's content should have been in Empire?

The simple answer to this is that Napoloeons content shouldn't and couldnt have been in Empire. Napoleon is a game in it's own right. It spans three full campaigns, not missions or theatres, three sperate campaigns each with their own maps, factions, missions, opponents, story and unique features. In short: It is big.

Napoleon focuses on a man and his destiny and how this is tied to the rise of a nation, a man who defined an era. Empire was a very seperate theme, defining the interplay of actions between nations over a turbulent period of history.

These are two very different games.

We couldn't, nor would we, have added Napoleon into Empire. It's a huge piece of work worthy of its own title.

Admit it, you're going to give up on Empire and try to sell us another game aren't you?

Not at all. After the major AI upgrade patch that is coming we're going to announce another major piece of DLC for Empire, adding more content to its universe and expanding the game even further. Empire is a title into which we put a lot of time and effort, and to which you all gave a great deal of patience post release. We won't walk away from that. So there is more coming.

You do not need Napoleon to enjoy Empire or play Empire, they are two seperate games. Naturally we'd like people to go for both, but we recognise that choice is yours. Whether you chose one, none or both we want to make your experience reflect our time and energy and be as enjoyable as possible.

Does the community reaction to CA's announcements make any difference?

Yes, and always yes. The point of a public beta to the Multi Player Campaign is to get your feedback, the reason for this post is because we're reading and listening to what you say. There's a lot of reaction to what we've announced with Napoleon and some of it is based on misunderstanding. That's because we're at an early stage of development, we only announced on Wednesday last week and there are a lot of different facts and theories floating around. If you have questions post them here or bug a website or magazine to ask us and we'll answer. Please understand some of what is written is speculation and unless its a specific quote from us it may simply be informed opinion.

Finally, sometimes the community reaction is uplifting and othertimes it is demotivating. We recognise that there's a lot of desire out there to see us do better, given some peoples Empire's release experience. We hope that given the sheer amount of attention we've paid to Empire since it's release and the extras we're looking to provide that we will prove by our action that we're not just here to sell games. We love TW, thats why we make it, and we want you to enjoy it too, as that is ultimately it's purpose. Criticism is always welcome, if its positive and constructive we're far more likely to take ti on board and listen.

As always any further questions please post them here and look out for further Napoleon coverage as it comes.

Kind regards,
Kieran

2 September:

Patch 1.4 has just gone live to our public beta group, so it's now in final testing.

Kind regards,
Kieran

25 September:

Dear All,

In response to several questions and queries we'd like to address a few points.

The new Menu screen 'WTF'??

There are a number of you who dislike the new Warpath menu screen, it was implemented temporarily in order to let everyone know that a new DLC was coming shortly. Whilst those of you who read the forums regularly and follow Total War developments (thank you) will be aware of the expansion, many players at home will not. The menu screen is a good way of letting those players know that an expansion is coming and that it'll be of a native american theme.

And on that note...


When is Warpath coming out?

Very soon. It's gone into our public beta program so it's not much longer of a wait.


Will there be any more patches?

When Warpath is released a patch will be made available symultaniously with it. Patch 1.4 made a great impact on the AI and the feedback we're getting is generally positive, so hopefully you're enjoying it. The patch that arrives with Warpath is really the coup de grace as far as the campaign AI is concerned. It makes a massive difference in the AI's ability to wage war and completes the changes we've begun in 1.4.

Obviously to see the full benefits of the new AI changes in the upcoming patch it's recommended you start a new campaign, however it will be compatible with old save games.

An important point of note so there is no confusion: You do not have to buy Warpath to benefit from the upcoming patch, you will get it automatically. It's release alongisde Warpath is simply for ease of distribution.


Why should I be excited about Warpath?

In all honesty, my favourite thing about Warpath is that it's like 'old Total War versus new Total War'. You start out with axes, horses and bowmen and you must fight against cannon and musket. It's really great to play the two styles agianst one another, plus the new Native American tech tree and agents make for some interesting tactics.


Where the bl**dy hell is the multiplayer campaign beta?

It's also about to go into our public beta group, just behind Warpath, so it's not long now. And it's proving to be great fun. We've held onto the beta for a while in order to implement all the AI changes, so that when you and a friend (Or enemy) get your hands on it, it's really a fun experience. And we're almost there. Of course as it's a beta, it won't be perfect, but the intention is to have as many of you experience it as you wish and feedback via these forums.


Hopefully this has addresed a few of the regular issues appearing here.

Thank you all for your constructive feedback, we listen to what's said politely and it's nice to hear many of you are enjoying Patch 1.4. The next one is even better...

Kind regards,
Kieran