If you have questions you want to ask...

[Jim Binford]

I'd be glad to send them out for you. I know Brian and Tim probably come here often, but they don't see every questions posted. If something's really bugging you, I'll be glad to try to alleviate that horrible itch you probably have and ask the question (you didn't think I was going to rub Neosporin on you did you? Freak! ).

Just an offer. It's a bit quiet around here... get louder!

[Capt Dizle]

Well, I deeply admired Civ2 and SMAC. I respect BR's work as much as that of any other designer. But, I am having trouble finding anything, not one single thing to attract me to RoN.

I don't like or play RTS. I played Warcraft and a little of the titles that came after and frankly, its not interesting to me. I have seen screenshots of RoN and well, I can't see anything remotely interesting.

As for gameplay, supposedly you can play through the entire history of the world in one hour. I can't think of a greater condemnation of a strategy game than that, and yet Brian is braggin about it. This is inconceivable to me.

So, my question is this. Where's the beef?

Is there any, um, substance to RoN?

jt

(wanting very much to find something to like about RoN)

[Jim Binford]

I suppose the easiest way to sum it all up is: You can please everyone all the time...

If you don't like RTS, you may not like RoN. It is very much an RTS in every sense of the word. I don't know how flexible you are concerning the types of games you both play and enjoy, but if you think you might be turned to the RTS light, here are some good points about RoN and why I think they're good.

First, we'll go with being able to play through all of history:

This is, to an RTS fan, a good thing. One thing that makes one RTS stand out over another is variety. Having several "ages" or "epochs" (depending on whether or not you know anything about Age of Kings or Empire Earth) is one of many factors that will make one game more attractive than another. Having several playable ages allows for several units and technologies, and several units and technologies means that every game you play will be entirely different. No one wants to play a game the same way every time. Redundancy gets boring.

Then I'll go in to the graphics:

The game is just... pretty. Hardcore gamers can get past a game with poor graphics so long as the gameplay is outstanding, but most of us want a beautiful scenery to enjoy while we stomp our opponents into everloving dust. If you look at the screenshots, you'll see that the game boasts excellent graphics, especially for a game with a year left in development. Any game would be proud to enjoy the superb 3d engine BHG has created.

Then we'll go into what I know of the gameplay.

I won't tell you that it's easy to control and maneuver for anyone from newbie to expert because I wouldn't know. I haven't seen or touched a demo of RoN yet. However, I've heard of the many revolutionary ideas they'll be attaching to their title and I'll tell you they will more than likely make the game one of the best RTS ever created. I won't go in depth because I doubt you're very interested, considering you're no RTS fan... but I'll tell you that, from what I understand, this game is going to be a step in an entirely NEW direction.

I don't know how I can talk a non-RTS fan in to liking an RTS, but these are three main catching points that make RoN both unique and probably better than the competition. True RTS fans may find themselves asking, "What's not to love?"

Thanks for your interest, amigo

[simwiz2]

2 questions:

In some RTS that I have played, such as AoE and AoK, on water maps whoever lost their navy almost always lost the game, because the best sea units outranged the best land unit (except trebuchets in AoK, but they cannot effectively fight Cannon Galleons), so the person who lost the sea battle would lose EVERYTHING near the coast, and never be able to rebuild their navy because they would immediately have their docks destroyed. So in RoN is there going to be a way for land units to effectively fight back against the sea units even if your navy is destroyed?

Also, is it going to be possible to adjust research rate or something so that games can last a lot longer (several hours?) so that you get to battle with each unit more before upgrading to the next one?

[chronocrator]

Originally posted by simwiz2
2 questions:

In some RTS that I have played, such as AoE and AoK, on water maps whoever lost their navy almost always lost the game, because the best sea units outranged the best land unit (except trebuchets in AoK, but they cannot effectively fight Cannon Galleons), so the person who lost the sea battle would lose EVERYTHING near the coast, and never be able to rebuild their navy because they would immediately have their docks destroyed. So in RoN is there going to be a way for land units to effectively fight back against the sea units even if your navy is destroyed?

You still have an airforce, at least in later ages and until they come the navy shouldn't be such a huge problem.

BTW I have a question, too, what are the main differences between combat in RoN and combat in AoK? I know that units now have flanks and such, are there more important differences?

[MarkG]

Dear Jim

from your sig

The Original RoN Fansite!

from your first page's title

RoN's First Fansite

Your site started on March 12, 2002. We have been covering BHG with news and this forum since it's begining in February 2000 and RoN since it's announcement. Our own official announcement for RoN coverage was made on March 6, 2002

[Jim Binford]

You guys are more of a BHG fansite than RoN.

We cover RoN exclusively and go very in-depth with screenshots, interviews and articles, and a growing RoN community that has direct contact with BHG.

Even BHG calls us their first fansite

http://www.bighugegames.com/riseofnations/community.html

[ElementZero]

MarkG, you covered news in the Miscelaneous section of your site - Likewise, there were probably lots of other sites out there that covered RoN content to some degree; Segregating RoN news in a RoN designated section doesn't make it a fansite.

[MarkG]

the nature of the coverage is not as important as the actual fact of the coverage. but dont worry, you'll see our full ron coverage pretty soon

[Jim Binford]

I can't wait.

I'm keeping the sig and the title though

[ElementZero]

*in the interest of community relations....* Good luck with the site

[MarkG]

Originally posted by Jim Binford
I'm keeping the sig and the title though

i didnt ask for anything. i just made some observations

[Jim Binford]

If you guys need anything and I can help you with it, feel free to send a shout out.

Always happy to help friends.

[Alex]

Hmm... this "first site" debate was quite civilized. Congratulations, gentlemen. But I would like to see some blood spilling

Anyway, on to the question, Jim: Could we have some more details about how diplomacy works in the game?

[tniem]

My question is why we need someone to ask our questions?

I just find it peculiar that I cannot simply make the same email as Jim here. Any reason I should post my questions here?