I've never played Master of Magic, but what exact qualities are you looking for that you wished were also in WoM? I've been hearing so many people talk about MoM and wished WoM was more like it, but since I have nothing to go on myself (might actually go pick it up eventually here to see what the scoop is), it would be nice to hear. Rant away, I'd like to read this.
I'm pretty sure istaris point is that E:WOM needs to do more than draw 24(?) sprites to add a unit. (8 facing, 8 attack, 8 move.) Units need 3d models and appropriate animations; you cant just add (say) a Great Wyrm with the same amount of effort you spend on adding another humanoid unit. 3d has a number of advantages, but it certainly makes adding fantastic creatures a lot more difficult.
I agree it's certainly more difficult, however us TBS gamers do not "expect" high resolution 3D images for "everything" as what he has written. Thus my complaint to combat the myth on how us gamers expect high resolution 3D images for everything. Dominions_3 and its reviews are a perfect example showing graphics play a medium or below average level of importance in comparison to other game components.
Dominions skates by on like... 3 sprites per unit, though. Hehe.
EWOM certainly cant change to an entirely different graphics model at this point.
I'm not saying changing to a different graphics model... just saying there's no need to place such a high importance on graphics. Once everything with a new game is solid and working smoothly then a sequel can provide better graphics otherwise the original game can end up as a piece of trash with nice graphics. When really most gamers would be more happy finding a diamond in the rough(below average graphics).
Actually I think Dominions_3 only has two sprites per unit.
"Dominions skates by on like... 3 sprites per unit, though. Hehe."
Two. If you've got a complex enough combat system, people don't seem to care much.
On the other hand, it wasn't until Dom 3 that the AI would build castles, ever.
I just picked up MoM on GoG early today and has been feeling my way through it. I can see why people like it and I'm probably going to like it a lot and will certainly get my oh-so-great investment of $6 out of it.
That said, I feel like I've played this game before - then it hit me, it feels like Age of Wonders (right down to the interface and music). This is probably because AoW "stole" elements from MoM.
So while I think I'll like MoM (since I liked AoW a ton), I don't know if I want Elemental to be MoM 2. I feel like I can get that "fix" from AoW even though I know it's not the same.
I just think that if Elemental became MoM, I'd feel like I'm playing just a different version of AoW again - and...I can play AoW for that.
I want Elemental to be its own entity with it's own ideas, systems, and concepts.
I think it's safe to say Elemental is not and will not be MoM 2.
Heh, yep
Hopefully we get a mod that will duplicate it
I hope that we don't. I'd rather have a game/mod that takes the good concepts of both games and creates a better one.
I want Overlord of Magic, not just Master. =P
Exactly.
Those who do not understand Master Of Magic are condemned to reinvent it - badly.
Ooh, I love Mail Order Monsters! That was such a cool game. Still, I don't understand why people are comparin-- Master of Magic? oooooohhhhh... nevermind...
/slinks back off into a corner
Alright I've done some MoM researching and found what appears to be a better multiplayer version: http://www.roughseas.ca/momime/
Its developer seems to have been lured away to some other game and has been away for over a year. Perhaps some true fans of MoM can lure him back to patching the game and updating.
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