[Delete me]

It depends on what they're going to do. If the expansions are all going to do things like change how modding works (ie: force modmakers to change things in order to ensure that old mods continue to function), less expansions is better then more. If the expansions are mostly just adding things without breaking compatability, then it's less of an issue.

I wonder how much overhead there is in doing more releases, though? Let's say you want to put X features into an expansion, and it'll take 9 months to build it as one big thing. Would splitting it into 3 microexpansions result in each one of those taking 3 months, or due to extra release testing and such are we looking at 4 months per?

If it's going to slow things down, I'd rather just get one bigger expansion. If it's not going to cause much overhead, microexpansions are pretty nice because they let you get extra features out gradually, so there's always something new going on.

I hate to say it, but you might be looking at it from the perspective of someone who didn't want the complex system in the first place (as I recall, you were supporting the "camp 2" simplified system). For the people who find complex and detailed economies fun, a simplified version won't be as fun. No matter how well done it is.

I haven't seen what system is in the game yet, of course, but the concern that it was oversimplified is there.

I fear the war of 'simple' vs 'complex' is over-complicated in its own right.

What we will be doing is implementing a system that is straightforward and easy to expand upon so, as people play and flaws/concerns are noted, we can come up with FUN solutions.  There were alot of great ideas in the 400+ posts from that journal entry on the economy, and I can't wait to implement some of them, but until the seed is sown...the basic system is put in place, polished, and made enjoyable...we don't feel comfortable trupeting some 'new, revolutionary economic system' if 2 months for release we get it done and realize 'This is the dullest thing we've ever played.'

Now that we have most of the game technologies done, our new motto is 'Start small and build the fun from there'...with our beta testers help, of course

Looking forward to it.

• Magic item creation: More details?
• Options to hire mercenaries? Heroes, non-standard units for your race? Recruitment sites and/or do some just appear at your cities looking for work?
  
• Morale? One of the interesting additions to Aow was if you had units of diverse outlooks together (ie. evil/good or light/dark) and how it affected them, possiblitiy of desertion, effected abilities etc.
  
• tactical battles:
  • Morale? will units have a chance to break and flee or do they blindly fight to the death? If morale is in are there units and abilties to affect it? i.e. able commander which gives morale boost etc.
  • Setup, will there be options to decide for unit placement before battle begins? (infantry and or cannon (or arrow) fodder in front, archers behind with leaders and spellcasters etc.)
  • Retreat options? Can attacker and defender retreat if the battle is going dismally?
  • city/castle seiges? The recent screens showed some interesting walls and such, will they have any effect on battles?
  • Possible to destroy buildings/environment in the battle?
• Capturing an enemy city/town.
  
  • If you capture a Fallen city and you are the humans what happens? Can you subjugate the enemy and build their units or can you migrate the town to your own people or..?
  • Cities that have been upgraded with buildings, are they usable?
  • Do you gain any wealth or knowledge (tech?) if you capture from an enemy whom has different/higher tech? % chance?

Thanks FB! have a great holiday. Even if it is raining, being out in the wilderness is lots of fun. Did some of our most productive fishing in the rain.

Except when it rains hard enough that your tent doesn't stay dry. How hard that is of course depends on your tent and where you pitch it, though

Back onto off-topic: like DrGuppie, it depends for me. If there's a lot of high quality player-created content then I wouldn't be as interested in mini-expansions as in bigger, meaty ones. But if player-created stuff falls short, then mini-expansions would be very welcome. In the best of worlds I'd actually prefer a combination of the two: mini-expansions that provide a little extra content and there, and major expansions that actually add gameplay.

Questions:

*Could you provide any more information about the various factions or races?  Which ones will be playable in the alpha and/or Beta 0?

*Could you expand upon the diplomacy system?  How similar will it be to other games?  How large of a role will it play?

*Could you give some targets of what a "typical" game might look like.  For instance:

-How long should a "standard" game take to play?

-How many cities would a player expect to own on a normal map (I think you mentioned like 8 or so)?

-How many shards would a typical player own in the course of a game (2?  10?)?

*What are all of the victory conditions available (military, diplomacy, tech, magic, etc.)?

*How are things going for BoogieBac in his new lead position?

*What levels of the user interface will be customizable?  How much of this can be done regularly vs. modding vs. not at all?

Regarding micro vs. regular expansions:

What if you made a micro expansion available as a mostly content-oriented update on or after launch?  I'd think people would pay around $10 for good quality unit pictures, animations, and various other graphics alone, which would almost entirely be farming this out to graphic artists.  Then, later you could incorporate this into the expansion.  I'm sure I'll buy either, but the question for you is what is the best use of your resources and what do players want and how can you fulfill that with micro vs. a regular expansion?  (sorry to answer a question with one- I know that can be annoying some times).

Will there be pre-game strategy decisions (for example, about your character or faction)?

Not really for the faq but when will we know if we are in the alpha or not?

I have a few questions:

1) Can we remake (retrain, respec, or whatever you want to call it) once we give them essence? Simply put, I don't want my champions to be forever stuck with using an outdated bronze sword when I can create new unit with adamantine greatswords or other higher grade equipment. I want my champions to be representive of my power and might, not be some lagacy from the past.

2) Can we create creatures like undead or constructs? If given the chance, I would want to send powerful units of my own creation against my enemies to test to see which is better, man or machine.

Will the technology tree also include "fantastic" technologies (like astrology actually working, or deepened divine knowledge giving blessings and bonuses) or will it be reality-based only (leaving all such stuff to magic)?

How many spells do you plan to include, in total?

Will there be (neutral) barbarians on the map when the game starts? (in that case, please make it optional)

What religions will there be and can you found your own?!

Will there be an HP Lovecraft-inspired faction of mad conjurers calling up demons, devils and even Older abominations or do you just stick to the old necromantic skeleton mantra ...?