Elemental: War of Magic - Catch All

I'm late to the party and playing catch up. This game looks phenomenal. I've been on an Age of Wonders: Shadow Magic kick lately, but its getting a bit predictable again. Recently I tried playing Master of Magic, but I just can't get past the crappy graphics anymore and the gameplay seems so simplistic now.

Yoyoson wrote:

I am sad that I somehow missed this recent window to get into the beta. I thought I was properly keeping an eye on it.

If I preorder now, will I be let into beta at the next window or do I have to do the preorder inside the window?

There's kind of an answer to the question here:

http://forums.elementalgame.com/378311

belliot5 wrote:

Just pre-purchased Elemental and was wondering why it doesn't show up now in "My Games"? With Gal Civ 2 you could purchase it and immediately download whatever version was available at that time during it's development if memory serves me. Can you NOT do that with Elemental?

Dewie of Stardock Support wrote:

Enrollment in the beta is closed right now, so Elemental has not yet been added to your registrations. When the beta opens again your account will be charged and the registration added. Please make sure that you have "Show Pre-Release Versions" selected in Impulse under the blue menu button so that you can see it when it's added.

Yeah, they let people who preorder in every now and again. I believe it's when they move to another level in the beta process. So if you order now, when the next phase rolls out you'll be let in.

That said, even though the initial release was to be in the next couple of months I'm hardly scared by the fact they've pushed release to the fall. Stardock always has long betas and they release their games when they're in a finished state. Yes, there's patches post release and all, but the games are completely playable and enjoyable when released.

Stardock's business model is sound and well executed by them (read: they manage their cash well). They're a publisher so they don't have some giant corporation breathing down their neck. Patience with them always pays off.

RPS article with Brad Wardell about Elemental

First I have heard of this game; I am very interested now.

Me too, just read that interview and although I knew of the game before that it never really got me interested. I'm not a 4x kinda guy but if there's a demo when it comes out and there are people here playing it (7 page discussion seems like a good start) I might give it a shot. If nothing else comes out at least I will support Stardock and they deserve that.

So they finally have a link up for upgrading your pre-order to the Limited Edition. I'm totally down for a poster, cloth map, and pewter dragon. I'm also thinking of picking up the book. Does this make me a dirty whore?

From what I see in this post, Beta 1Z should be released some time in the next week or so. From there there will be a vote among the beta players concerning whether or not the game is ready to advance to Beta 2 which will include multiplayer and should let in a new batch of players in who have preordered.

Gunner wrote:

From what I see in this post, Beta 1Z should be released some time in the next week or so. From there there will be a vote among the beta players concerning whether or not the game is ready to advance to Beta 2 which will include multiplayer and should let in a new batch of players in who have preordered.

So do you have an affiliate link we should be using?

Oh so excited about this, but I think I'm going to wait for the final release before checking it out, as tempting as the pre-order beta is.

LiquidMantis wrote:
Gunner wrote:

From what I see in this post, Beta 1Z should be released some time in the next week or so. From there there will be a vote among the beta players concerning whether or not the game is ready to advance to Beta 2 which will include multiplayer and should let in a new batch of players in who have preordered.

So do you have an affiliate link we should be using?

Looks like you can preorder from Impulse, but not the $20 upgrade.

Has anyone played any of the beta's yet?

Tigerbill wrote:

Has anyone played any of the beta's yet?

Yes. And 'played' is probably a bit generous. It's really interesting seeing snapshots of the gameplay as it comes together. They've enabled a lot more of the 'kingdom' bits, but I've also been getting some strange graphics crashes. Still strangely fun though!

garion333 wrote:

Yeah, they let people who preorder in every now and again. I believe it's when they move to another level in the beta process. So if you order now, when the next phase rolls out you'll be let in.

That said, even though the initial release was to be in the next couple of months I'm hardly scared by the fact they've pushed release to the fall. Stardock always has long betas and they release their games when they're in a finished state. Yes, there's patches post release and all, but the games are completely playable and enjoyable when released.

Stardock's business model is sound and well executed by them (read: they manage their cash well). They're a publisher so they don't have some giant corporation breathing down their neck. Patience with them always pays off.

I love this comment

It’s client-server, so there are no connectivity issues there

As if we don't know what he is referring to Client/Server isn't guaranteed if they stuff the netcode up though. I'm on the preoder list, at the moment I think the game is at risk of being over hyped - who knows maybe Stardock will one day amaze me with one of their releases.

Tals

Beta 1Z is coming down the pipeline soon. A new walkthrough is up with lots a screenshots.

http://forums.elementalgame.com/379568

IMAGE(http://www.draginol.com/images2009/AwalkthruofBeta1Z_EA7A/image_thumb_12.png)

IMAGE(http://www.draginol.com/images2009/AwalkthruofBeta1Z_EA7A/image_thumb_15.png)

I'm really hoping they pull this together well and deliver on all the promises they've made, because this looks pretty darn close to my personal Holy Grail of computer gaming:

  • Turn based strategy? Check!
  • Tile based maps? Check!
  • Tapping into love of old maps and cartography? Check!
  • Fantasy role playing elements? Check!
  • Moddable? Check!
  • Nice graphics and art design? Check!
  • Combines elements of MoM, Civ, and Total War? Check!

Please don't let me down!

I love the 2D stand-in art, Island Dog. Makes me think I am playing on a cloth map.

drdoak wrote:

I love the 2D stand-in art, Island Dog. Makes me think I am playing on a cloth map.

Me too. I'd love to see them let you use these placeholder graphics as a separate game mode/option.

I really like the little pewter figurines with the glowing ring base. Are those final?

ubrakto wrote:
drdoak wrote:

I love the 2D stand-in art, Island Dog. Makes me think I am playing on a cloth map.

Me too. I'd love to see them let you use these placeholder graphics as a separate game mode/option.

What you see is actually called the cloth map mode. In the final game the map will switch to it when you've zoomed out far enough, like GalCiv2 if you've played that.

I think that as far as getting beta access goes, my previous conception of when you have to preorder to get in was wrong. I wouldn't wait for their page to advertise something that says, "Pre-order now and get into the beta!"

Instead people who preordered anytime before a major release will get access to that major release. Anyone who preorders after the major release will have to wait until the subsequent release.

Hence we have already been "in the window" for Beta 1Z. I keep waiting for visual confirmation on their page for that "Order now to get in!", but now I think that if you don't order before 1Z drops (which is predicted to be sometime today, probably in a couple of hours), you'll have to wait until Beta 2 comes out (which will be later on but not too far along). So in other words, if you have not already done so, then preorder in the next hour or so if you want in. And in fact, it may already be too late for 1Z.

Source:
http://forums.elementalgame.com/3794...

Gamepot got a preview. Has it been revealed yet whether or not this game is going to have a campaign or just an open sandbox? Also [/i]I haven't paid attention to this in a while, anyone know anything about a release date on this.

The current release is set for late Summer, but in reality it will be released when it is good and ready.

And yes, there will be campaign and sandbox which each will have its own feel of gameplay.

There have been lots of Dev journals posted lately with lots of good info.

http://www.elementalgame.com/journals

It's going to be great. It'll wash my car AND freshen my breath.

Robear wrote:

It's going to be great. It'll wash my car AND freshen my breath. :-)

It's also 3 times more absorbent than Civilization IV, or so I hear.

Beta 2 is going to come out next Thursday for those that have pre-ordered.

It will come complete with graphics and multiplayer! Just a weak AI or so I've read.

Cinders wrote:

Beta 2 is going to come out next Thursday for those that have pre-ordered.

It will come complete with graphics and multiplayer! Just a weak AI or so I've read.

Yeah, Brad said (I believe it was Brad) that the AI is going to be there, but basically stupid. They want us to be able to test out all the upgrades and whatnot. it's about game functionality and not the AI.

Thanks for the heads up about an actual date. Should get some people motivated to preorder now that the game is getting more involved.

Beta 2 will be going live within 24 hours. (Brad explains what all is in beta 2 with pics in the link, for those who are interested.)

Edit: Nvm, just went live.

is the beta opened to new pre-orders?

MrCompletely wrote:

is the beta opened to new pre-orders?

Nope. You have to preorder before the beta starts. So, you just missed out. You can preorder now, but you won't get charged until the next beta phase happens. That can be tricky for some people because they forget they put the order in and then all of the sudden they get charged $50.

I've got it installed, almost.

So, I lied about Thursday but the beta is out now!

Time to try out multiplayer >.>

MrCompletely wrote:

is the beta opened to new pre-orders?

Yes, you can still pre-order now and have access to the beta. I'm not sure specifically when it will close, but it will be open for at least the next few days.

Island Dog wrote:
MrCompletely wrote:

is the beta opened to new pre-orders?

Yes, you can still pre-order now and have access to the beta. I'm not sure specifically when it will close, but it will be open for at least the next few days.

Sorry for the misinfo then, I thought yall closed that off right when the betas started.