Ultimate General gameplay footage..

[Boggit]

Wasnt Darthmod about slowing gameplay down in Total War ? Seems strange that he has made a fast paced game.

I thought it looked familiar! I first saw this at TW Center a few months back IIRC. 8)

[JudgeDredd]

Well I'd like to pick this one up, but think I'm going to wait a bit.  I realize that the devs are considering a "slow down" feature, etc, but this post on the Steam forums makes me think it may not happen.

Providing speed adjustments will affect the Ai. In UG:G Ai is neither scripted, nor is based in cheat bonuses. If it was it should be very easy to add such a game control feature.

In our game the Ai evaluates constantly the current situation and the player's moves trying to take the best decisions. The different speeds will unpredictably affect these decisions. For example the Cunning Ai character in one game speed will not be the same with the Cunning at another speed (perhaps he will not be cunning any more, but act as a Dynamic or Determined).

I'm not AI programmer...so I have to bow to their/his experience...but it seems weird that the AI options can't do what they do....but slower. I can understand though how some levels of AI may be affected because the game is slower and therefore the player can take their time thinking things through. Is that any different though to having a pause?

[bbmike]

Well I'd like to pick this one up, but think I'm going to wait a bit.  I realize that the devs are considering a "slow down" feature, etc, but this post on the Steam forums makes me think it may not happen.

Providing speed adjustments will affect the Ai. In UG:G Ai is neither scripted, nor is based in cheat bonuses. If it was it should be very easy to add such a game control feature.

In our game the Ai evaluates constantly the current situation and the player's moves trying to take the best decisions. The different speeds will unpredictably affect these decisions. For example the Cunning Ai character in one game speed will not be the same with the Cunning at another speed (perhaps he will not be cunning any more, but act as a Dynamic or Determined).

I'm not AI programmer...so I have to bow to their/his experience...but it seems weird that the AI options can't do what they do....but slower. I can understand though how some levels of AI may be affected because the game is slower and therefore the player can take their time thinking things through. Is that any different though to having a pause?

That's what I was thinking as well. It might give you an advantage but how in the world can it change the AI?

[fabius]

Well I'd like to pick this one up, but think I'm going to wait a bit.  I realize that the devs are considering a "slow down" feature, etc, but this post on the Steam forums makes me think it may not happen.

Providing speed adjustments will affect the Ai. In UG:G Ai is neither scripted, nor is based in cheat bonuses. If it was it should be very easy to add such a game control feature.

In our game the Ai evaluates constantly the current situation and the player's moves trying to take the best decisions. The different speeds will unpredictably affect these decisions. For example the Cunning Ai character in one game speed will not be the same with the Cunning at another speed (perhaps he will not be cunning any more, but act as a Dynamic or Determined).

I'm not AI programmer...so I have to bow to their/his experience...but it seems weird that the AI options can't do what they do....but slower. I can understand though how some levels of AI may be affected because the game is slower and therefore the player can take their time thinking things through. Is that any different though to having a pause?

I can't see it having any difference from the pause feature.

The encouraging things are that
1. We can give orders during pause.
2. The units don't evaporate, or route super quick so it feels manageable with pauses.
3. The devs said they'll review it constantly.
4. The devs forum and presence elsewhere does look like they genuinely will weigh up customer feedback. eg, they've posted several polls on implementation decisions.

[Queeg]

I'll buy it quickly when they slow it down. 

[JudgeDredd]

There is a HUGE difference between a pause feature and a slow down feature.

A slow down feature allows you battlefield awareness whilst keeping the continuity of the game...and therefore the very feel of the game.

A pause feature whilst giving you battlefield awareness breaks the feel - as you are required to pause often to check units at different ends of the battlefield.

That is, of course, only my opinion.

(and I've used "feel of the game" and "continuity" in place of other words and phrases which, at the moment, escape my memory...but I know what I mean)  ;)

[Queeg]

Perhaps I'm a bit cynical after all these years, but I've found that a too-quick game speed is often a mask for a weak AI.  If things happen fast enough, you either don't notice weak AI moves or can't make moves of your own that tax the AI.

Slow it down to human speed, let us give orders on the fly and let's see how the AI does.  I'm skeptical until then.   

[JudgeDredd]

There is probably some truth in that...though I'm pretty sure that isn't the case in a lot of games.

But...why not allow a slow mode? (not speaking about this game specifically...just in general)? That does give some weight to your argument.

[bbmike]

Perhaps I'm a bit cynical after all these years, but I've found that a too-quick game speed is often a mask for a weak AI.  If things happen fast enough, you either don't notice weak AI moves or can't make moves of your own that tax the AI.

Slow it down to human speed, let us give orders on the fly and let's see how the AI does.  I'm skeptical until then.   

Don't say 'skeptical' or that platypus character will show up in here.  :))

[Grim.Reaper]

Of course I am out of town on business when this gets released:(

Been waiting for this forever....

[Nefaro]

Perhaps I'm a bit cynical after all these years, but I've found that a too-quick game speed is often a mask for a weak AI.  If things happen fast enough, you either don't notice weak AI moves or can't make moves of your own that tax the AI.

Slow it down to human speed, let us give orders on the fly and let's see how the AI does.  I'm skeptical until then.   

Don't say 'skeptical' or that platypus character will show up in here.  :))

Nobody expects the Platypus Skeptics!

[fabius]

There is a HUGE difference between a pause feature and a slow down feature.

A slow down feature allows you battlefield awareness whilst keeping the continuity of the game...and therefore the very feel of the game.

A pause feature whilst giving you battlefield awareness breaks the feel - as you are required to pause often to check units at different ends of the battlefield.

That is, of course, only my opinion.

(and I've used "feel of the game" and "continuity" in place of other words and phrases which, at the moment, escape my memory...but I know what I mean)  ;)

Agreed there is that difference! The cant see a difference was relating to how it would affect the AI.

[Jarhead0331]

So far I absolutely like it. The map is beautiful and I really like the arrow movement system. It really lets you see the contour in the land and terrain is so important in this kind of warfare.  Having cover and high ground makes a tremendous difference. I also like the way information is displayed in the UI and I absolutely love watching the numbers of men drop in the brigade display as volleys are fired. 

Yes, its a relatively fast-paced game, especially for one involving the Civil War.  So, UG won't win any awards for extreme historical authenticity, but it will most likely win awards for fun factor.  Its got it in spades.  I look forward to experiencing improvements throughout the development process.

[jomni]

Remember that this also a tablet game and the devs are trying to capture a wide audience. Tablet games are usually "consumed" in short sessions. So the speed may be troublesome for Grogs but not for most of the consumers.

[JasonPratt]

Okay, I haven't bought an early access game in a while, but I sprung for this one! No time to consider it tonight, but maybe this weekend (whilst planning how to take the reins as Russia in WW1 Darkest Hour.)