* It’s been one of those weeks where everything comes together at the same time. I had to write three articles in ten days, totally around 2500 words. All strategy game related, all coming to a game place near you. So the blogging has been even lighter than usual. But a couple of these opportunities mean that there is a chance this blog will be updated even more often as I will have more incentive to play more games.
* I also was approached by a former colleague to do some non-game related writing. I haven’t done that for a while, but it could be interesting.
* I love my readers and listeners. Rick Wyatt pointed me to this excellent Dominions 3 walkthrough/AAR over at Something Awful. The author has been at it for over a year making commentary on every race’s strategy. It is amazing.
Though I’m not a member of SA, nor do I consider myself a regular reader, I do know that there is a strong strategy community over there that listens to the podcast. Thanks, Rick, for pointing this out.
* Meanwhile, Michael Braly (aka Sareln) compiled an analysis of the tech system in the Elemental: War of Magic beta. He did a great job of it. You can find the doc here on dropbox, or read the discussion on the official forum. Thanks, Michael for this excellent guide. Once I get my beta, I’ll use it.
* I have to review Hearts of Iron 3: Semper Fi this week. I have not really been following the evolution of the game since soon after release, so I have no idea what to expect.
* I also have Reign: Conflict of Nations on my hard drive. I really want to like it, and I think that once I have an idea of what exactly is going on, I will. It is very attractive at least.
* There is a new expansion for King Arthur: The Role Playing Wargame called The Saxons. I am seriously considering buying it. I never gave Arthur as much time as I should have but I am really looking forward to Neocore’s next game, Lionheart: King’s Crusade.
* Lots of other professional writing ideas in the hopper, including one opportunity I am very excited about. I hope we can pull it off.
I decided I wouldn’t buy HoI3 until Semper Fi was patched at least twice, or declared playable/good by somebody I trust (whichever is sooner), so I’m looking forward to your review.
I’m glad to hear things are going your way! Looking forward to seeing what comes up. :)
Sounds like a dream job to me! :)
Minor correction: Sareln’s document is about Elemental’s technology system, not its magic system.
Damn it. Thanks, Tim.
The beta has moved onto more stages and has covered many of the weakest points I saw – we’ve still got prerequisites, but they’re well documented, which is the important part. Also, there’s no limit on the number of possible breakthroughs anymore, so you can’t “miss out” on greens.
I had not heard of Reign: Conflict of Nations, and had I not seen it on your blog I’d probably have passed it over given the dreadful name. But I checked it out and it looks quite promising. I get a Knights of Honour feeling from the screenshots, which is a good thing. Hopefully a demo will come out, or a good review from you, Troy!
My curiousity is piqued indeed.
Thanks for the link to the Dominions 3 AAR. I made the mistake of starting out the demo on a random map and haven’t given it another go…
Did your Semper Fi review get published/posted/whatever-the-term is? You haven’t mentioned it since and I was curious what you thought. =)