Son of Moose
05-18-2004, 03:20 PM
This is a copy of a communication forwarded to Chris:
Dear Chris
Re: Programmed limitations for Children of the Nile:
Sorry to forward you this unsolicited correspondence (especially if I have missed the answer on your already fairly extensive webpage --- including the forums). [Unfortunately I am burdened by an extremely slow (56k modem) and extremely expensive (telephone calls are charged by the second) internet connection].
I was wondering whether your Empire Earth game engine has caused you to have to limit any of the in-game parameters such as:
Map size (this, in my humble opinion, was a major problem with the earlier Classic City Building games)
Population count
Number of buildings
Would it be at all possible for you to follow the brave example of Battle Goat Studios who have apparently programmed NO LIMITATION to scenario editor map sizes and population caps in their soon-to-be-released Supreme Ruler 2010 (SR2010)? Therefore the individual player's computer system (especially memory) would play the key role in determining in-game limitations (i.e. players fortunate enough to possess fairly powerful machines would then be able to create truly massive cities full of imposing monuments).
If this unrestricted gameplay were feasible, it would also substantially add to the longevity of Children of the Nile --- insofar as in 5-10 years time it will not be unusual for pcs to possess 10Ghz processors and circa 5GB of memory. Earlier games (such as Age of Empires and Pharaoh which were wonderful ground-breaking games last decade/millenium) are now pretty obsolete due to these programmed limitations which obviously seemed fine then.
In addition, I am taking the liberty of including an unanswered message forwarded to Impressions Games regarding my idea for a future City Builder game. Hopefully Children of the Nile will include several of the requested features --- although it is a fully functional 3D game.
Yours sincerely
Jeremy de Beer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: The Head: Game Development
Impressions Games
Dear Sir/Madam
Re: Pharaoh II
I hope that you will not mind receiving this unsolicited correspondence from a great fan of Pharaoh --- which I still consider as the best (and easily the most epic) of the Impressions City Building games. While it might be a good idea enhance this game by incorporating the farm and market-related changes appearing in the later versions of City Building series, I strongly feel that this game still possesses the features to compete with its more modern competitors.
However, in order to regain the competitive edge in an extremely crowded market, it would be absolutely necessary to incorporate a single important enhancement to this well-loved game:
Have you ever considered the possibility of transferring the current Pharaoh/Cleopatra game onto a significantly more powerful 2D game engine?
This option which would permit the retention of the original graphics (although they could possibly be enhanced to accommodate the newer graphics cards) would readily allow for the following:
Significantly larger maps. The current 224x224 tile maps are really EXTREMELY limiting and could easily be expanded (if desired by the ambitious player)to more than 2000x2000 tiles. This development, in turn, would permit a whole new range of gameplay options in a single truly gigantic map:
Considerably more ambitious and advanced city building options featuring:
Far more extensive and elaborately arranged (possibly even pre-planned) housing blocks and ministry-specific structures
The ability to build multiple cities on a single map and thereby the capacity for true "Empire Building" (as in the Civilization series)
The availability of a full-complement of monuments which could be widely spread across the map to give rise to an uncluttered appearance
The inclusion of rival and allied cities on the main interactive game map (as occurs in most of the current RTS games) which would enhance:
The military aspect of the game (which is presently somewhat lacking) to rival that of a standard RTS game (such as Age of Empires)
The "Empire Building" quality of the game (refer above)
Significantly raised building limits to match the increased map size and permit the abovementioned range of ambitious and advanced city building options.
Significantly raised population limits to, in turn, match the abovementioned range of ambitious and advanced city building options.
A significantly more functional scenario editor (with grid lines) to permit:
The accurate design of all terrain-specific features appearing in the map in order to:
Accurately design a carefully pre-planned landscape for the scenario
The added ability to place "Ghost" outlines of the various buildings on the abovementioned carefully pre-planned landscape in order to:
Ensure that one can play a scenario employing the outline of a detailed and accurately pre-designed plan. (This is an extremely interesting option as it is currently extremely difficult to even try to build a city according to a pre-planned idea. Thefore most of the cities built tend to be rather cluttered and chaotic affairs without much intrinsic beauty or design flair. (The gigantic map would certainly allow players to be able to create some extremely interesting city layouts that could be built during the course of the game. I am pretty sure that this option would add immeasurably to the game rather than serve as a distraction).
A site on the official Impressions webpage for players to upload and share their creations.
Ensure that this new game (Pharaoh II) is compatible with Windows XP.
I really hope that you might be prepared to actively consider my suggestions for Pharaoh II.
Yours sincerely
Jeremy de Beer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would be most interested in receiving some (un/official) feedback on this matter. I know that the idea of a game with "no limits" has already been raised but I would really like to know what the situation wrt CoN is.
[Hi there Emperor Jay!!].
With kindest regards and wishes for a truly memorable product!!
Dear Chris
Re: Programmed limitations for Children of the Nile:
Sorry to forward you this unsolicited correspondence (especially if I have missed the answer on your already fairly extensive webpage --- including the forums). [Unfortunately I am burdened by an extremely slow (56k modem) and extremely expensive (telephone calls are charged by the second) internet connection].
I was wondering whether your Empire Earth game engine has caused you to have to limit any of the in-game parameters such as:
Map size (this, in my humble opinion, was a major problem with the earlier Classic City Building games)
Population count
Number of buildings
Would it be at all possible for you to follow the brave example of Battle Goat Studios who have apparently programmed NO LIMITATION to scenario editor map sizes and population caps in their soon-to-be-released Supreme Ruler 2010 (SR2010)? Therefore the individual player's computer system (especially memory) would play the key role in determining in-game limitations (i.e. players fortunate enough to possess fairly powerful machines would then be able to create truly massive cities full of imposing monuments).
If this unrestricted gameplay were feasible, it would also substantially add to the longevity of Children of the Nile --- insofar as in 5-10 years time it will not be unusual for pcs to possess 10Ghz processors and circa 5GB of memory. Earlier games (such as Age of Empires and Pharaoh which were wonderful ground-breaking games last decade/millenium) are now pretty obsolete due to these programmed limitations which obviously seemed fine then.
In addition, I am taking the liberty of including an unanswered message forwarded to Impressions Games regarding my idea for a future City Builder game. Hopefully Children of the Nile will include several of the requested features --- although it is a fully functional 3D game.
Yours sincerely
Jeremy de Beer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
To: The Head: Game Development
Impressions Games
Dear Sir/Madam
Re: Pharaoh II
I hope that you will not mind receiving this unsolicited correspondence from a great fan of Pharaoh --- which I still consider as the best (and easily the most epic) of the Impressions City Building games. While it might be a good idea enhance this game by incorporating the farm and market-related changes appearing in the later versions of City Building series, I strongly feel that this game still possesses the features to compete with its more modern competitors.
However, in order to regain the competitive edge in an extremely crowded market, it would be absolutely necessary to incorporate a single important enhancement to this well-loved game:
Have you ever considered the possibility of transferring the current Pharaoh/Cleopatra game onto a significantly more powerful 2D game engine?
This option which would permit the retention of the original graphics (although they could possibly be enhanced to accommodate the newer graphics cards) would readily allow for the following:
Significantly larger maps. The current 224x224 tile maps are really EXTREMELY limiting and could easily be expanded (if desired by the ambitious player)to more than 2000x2000 tiles. This development, in turn, would permit a whole new range of gameplay options in a single truly gigantic map:
Considerably more ambitious and advanced city building options featuring:
Far more extensive and elaborately arranged (possibly even pre-planned) housing blocks and ministry-specific structures
The ability to build multiple cities on a single map and thereby the capacity for true "Empire Building" (as in the Civilization series)
The availability of a full-complement of monuments which could be widely spread across the map to give rise to an uncluttered appearance
The inclusion of rival and allied cities on the main interactive game map (as occurs in most of the current RTS games) which would enhance:
The military aspect of the game (which is presently somewhat lacking) to rival that of a standard RTS game (such as Age of Empires)
The "Empire Building" quality of the game (refer above)
Significantly raised building limits to match the increased map size and permit the abovementioned range of ambitious and advanced city building options.
Significantly raised population limits to, in turn, match the abovementioned range of ambitious and advanced city building options.
A significantly more functional scenario editor (with grid lines) to permit:
The accurate design of all terrain-specific features appearing in the map in order to:
Accurately design a carefully pre-planned landscape for the scenario
The added ability to place "Ghost" outlines of the various buildings on the abovementioned carefully pre-planned landscape in order to:
Ensure that one can play a scenario employing the outline of a detailed and accurately pre-designed plan. (This is an extremely interesting option as it is currently extremely difficult to even try to build a city according to a pre-planned idea. Thefore most of the cities built tend to be rather cluttered and chaotic affairs without much intrinsic beauty or design flair. (The gigantic map would certainly allow players to be able to create some extremely interesting city layouts that could be built during the course of the game. I am pretty sure that this option would add immeasurably to the game rather than serve as a distraction).
A site on the official Impressions webpage for players to upload and share their creations.
Ensure that this new game (Pharaoh II) is compatible with Windows XP.
I really hope that you might be prepared to actively consider my suggestions for Pharaoh II.
Yours sincerely
Jeremy de Beer
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
I would be most interested in receiving some (un/official) feedback on this matter. I know that the idea of a game with "no limits" has already been raised but I would really like to know what the situation wrt CoN is.
[Hi there Emperor Jay!!].
With kindest regards and wishes for a truly memorable product!!