IGN’s Jason Ocampo has put up his preview of Elemental. Stardock’s new turn-based fantasy strategy game isn’t due until 2010 but even at this early stage it’s pretty far along.
During Stardock’s recent preview to IGN, one of the closest kept secrets of the game, its diplomacy system, was finally unveiled. In Elemental, diplomacy is not merely a matter of trading and treaties but involves family politics as well. Each sovereign, while eternal, can have children who will, in time, grow up, have children, grow up, and pass on and repeat the cycle over and over. Political marriages can strengthen ties and children and family members can become playable characters in the game world similar to “heroes” found in other games who have their own unique abilities based on their pedigree.
In addition, while the game will include a state-of-the-art 3D engine designed from the ground up for massive scale strategy games, it will also be fully playable as a 2D cloth map. Players can zoom in to the full 3D experience and set in the options dialog how close they want to be before the transition between strategic view and tactical view occurs.
The beta program, which is open to all who pre-order the game prior to the end of this Summer, begins in the next few weeks and will play entirely on the cloth map in order to allow players to maximize the actual game-play input into the game’s development.
The game’s website is www.elementalgame.com .
Other IGN Screenshots:
Full Preview:
Elemental: Full Preview
Veeeeerrrryyyyyy eeeeennnnnntttteeeeerrrrreeeeesssssttttteeeeeeeennnnnnnggggggg............ is it possible to get heroes in other ways, or is procreation the only way to do it. If so, a hero-based spy system seems much less attractive.
Scoutdog: Yes, there are other heroes in the world besides 'family' NPCs (don't forget about the roaming parties, mercenaries for hire, etc).
Family members are merely one type of hero.
Wow, I wasn't expecting families/dynasties. Sounds very promising!
Gah! How can you expect us to wait until PAX?!!?!
I've always enjoyed these sorts of aspects in Paradox games. The idea of having it in a fantasy TBS game? Looking forward to it!
family members can become playable characters in the game world similar to “heroes” found in other games who have their own unique abilities based on their pedigree.
Wow, this is a nice tidbit that wasn't in the IGN article - does this mean we could essentially set up a breeding program?
"And how is this possible? For he is the Kwisatz Haderach!"
awesome! I'm a big fan of the new images.
This diplomacy system! It makes me excited to see what kinds of diplomacy effecting events will result.
Very much in favour of this. The family line thing will add a great new dimension to diplo. Of course, the channeler's ability to procreate will probably draw some more loons out of the woodwork, but I imagine they'll be yelling regardless of what SD does.
Can I choose to sacrifice my family as an offering to the gods?
Awesome. Anyone whos played crusader kings knows how awesome familial interaction can be. Suddenly your world has some emotional value. Very nice.
Suh-weeeeet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm finally in the like camp for art direction. I don't really give a shit what it looks like so I'm almost completely ambivalent, but the dragon looks good enough to jump off the fence. If that's what he looks like in game, it's mucho preferable to blocky looking 3d that's supposed to be photo realistic.
The Dragon look like the Chinese legendary beast QiLin (麒麟）.
You can google it here
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=麒麟&btnG=Google+Search&meta=&aq=f&oq=
According to research, QiLin might be Giraffe from the Africa. Real Giraffe was not seem in Acient China, but description of the animal was told by trader. And the end result is like below.
That was a favorable preview, even if it did seem to focus on graphics. That, of course, does continue to look nice!
The Pedigree element sounds a bit like it could (also) have been inspired by Roger Zelazny's Amber quintology (and its hideous sequels as well perhaps).
Good luck further!
I wonder how you chose a mate? unless your kids just leap out of your head like Athena and Zeus....
Any idea when the Beta starts? and any idea if we will be able to run it on 64 bit machines? I bought and I7 just for Elemental (and DoW2.... )
P.s Would we really be able to zoom all the way in and actually see little people walking around and working in the cities?
Warder
I found a Gamspot preview:
Simply awesome. And The Family is better explained in Gamespot. When is PAX again?
To say the article's content was 'pure awesomeness' would be a monumental understatement to be sure. I cant wait to give the game a shake down.
Last news was sometime after PAX. Hopefully not very long!
Last news on 64 bit was that they need a 64 bit version of Havok before they can actually make a 64 bit Elemental. It'll run right now on 64 bit hardware/OS, just in 32 bit mode.
Does this mean that your heroes will die of old age?
What is the time frame of a turn? A week/month/year?
Will mercenaries who join you also age?
Will giving some of your essance to make a hero enable that person to live longer? How much?
Man... Man .... Man... I am full of new questions!!! I can't wait for the beta!
So nothing of importance happens in the zoom in view? It's just eye candy?
I really want to just jump into the beta right now!
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