Hey all! Very excited to finally announce my new game: At the Gates, a historical 4X title which takes place during the fall of the Roman Empire. Players lead a fledgling barbarian tribe trying to forge a place for itself within the new order. I’m sure some of you have noticed that ATG is coming from not Stardock, but Conifer Games.Errr... what?So I’ve actually set off on my own and founded a new studio. Stardock is a great group of people and is working on some awesome projects, but I got the itch to go completely indie and be really hands-on with a very small team. Brad has been awesome and very supportive of my efforts. When he says his #1 priority is for his employees to enjoy what they’re doing he’s not kidding - even if it means them leaving Stardock.I was leading up an unannounced project, and the reigns have been passed to another great designer. The team is solid and the project is on a great path so I have no doubt the game will turn out amazing, and can’t wait to see it finished.I hope you guys will check out our Kickstarter page and if At the Gates sounds up your alley that you’ll consider contributing to our campaign! Thanks everyone!- Jon
I actually like CIV V a lot. From the beginning. A lot of people that hate on it are merely those clinging onto Civ IV. I found it both a lot more enjoyable and less buggy than both Elemental games so far upon release.
I was going to contribute to the kickstarter, but I found out that Jon is personally responsible for the HIV virus, and on top of that, he individually contributes 95% of all human made greenhouse gases. Seriously Jon what gives? /sarcasm
In all seriousness, this game looks great. I'm a poor law student, so I don't have money to contribute, but I'll certainly be keeping an eye on it. Keep up the great work!
Glad to have contributed and happy it got funded.
I feel this game has real potential and I hope it can meet its stretch goals as you could use the framework to make a fantasy version of this or a Mongol horde scenario or many other cool things. Modding could really make this game shine.
I checked the 15min video and I don't like it
All those resources might add depth, I'm not sure, but I'm skeptical. What I don't like though is supplylines and having to keep a tent in proximity to your army. That's boring crap to me
No tactical combat is a killer.
Lowclass graphics like Dominions III and Conquest of Elysium doesn't appeal to me. I want high productionvalue graphics like Age of Wonders with cool animations and sounds. *Remembers the Dread Reaper from Age of Wonders II getting in his Death Strike on a Archon Charioteer*. That bonecrushing sound that did everything from 2 to 26 damage Aaaah the memories [e digicons]:')[/e]
But everybody can't like all games. I'll play Eador: Masters of the Broken World and Age of Wonders III instead
I'm one to either want full, good tactical battles, or none at all. I'm perfectly fine without it. It's bad tactical combat that drives me crazy.
Thanks again, everyone! The campaign has gone great so far, and we're about to hit our first modding-related stretch goal. I know some of you weren't big fans of Civ 5 and for that reason have shied away from contributing. And I can fully understand your skepticism because there's no denying that I did make mistakes.I just posted a lengthy article explaining why, in spite of that, ATG might still appeal to you. I go into a fair amount of detail regarding the elements of Civ 5 that I wasn't really happy with, and how I'm solving those issues in ATG.- Jon
Frogboy is a big fan of Civ V.
I too came to enjoy Civ 5, but I'll admit I held off buying until it was patched a couple of times. It is really a different game than the traditional Civ's. However different doesn't automatically mean bad, and once I gave the game a chance it grew on me. I'm confident I'll find enough "differences" in ATG to enjoy what it brings to the gaming table.
I like Civ 5 and can't wait for ATG.
That was a great essay on the site, it put me over the edge. I'm on board also!
Jon, Congrat! I found At The Gates passed the minimum pledge just within few days ! it must be a better one since you have accumulated further experience.
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p/s: Regarding Civ 5 discussion, I have no intention at all to criticize / hate Jon (instead, I like him to be dare to make changes) but so far this is the best article (the most intellectual) I ever read.
Admittedly, the author a bit harsh and focus on the negative side only also quite lengthy to read(maybe he belongs to a hardcore fan of the series), but he do has some valid points. Just ignore the choice of words he sometimes used (his personal frustration etc), and looks only at the arguments presented, probably you would find it very interesting for game design knowledge as I do.
He is a super-hardcore fan of the series.
Personally, Civ 4 > Civ 5, but Civ 4 was largely an endpoint, Civ 5 had to be different, and the game did feel rushed at release. It's improved over time. It took two expansions for Civ 4 to become classic, Civ 5 has only had one (same with the Elemental series).
My big issue with Civ 5 is ultimately the game is a cakewalk at fair settings, and the unfair settings feel like the AI isn't playing the same game I am at all. I don't think the core design is a problem, but it's the AI that is still lacking, alongside poor performance under the hood (I think I've been spoiled by Stardock's under-the-hood running so well) Civ 5 is less glitchy in comparison.
http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/jonshafer/jon-shafers-at-the-gates/
Any moar stretch goals?
I lovedciv 5.
If frogboy says Jon is a good guy, Im voting and donating as much as I can.
I hate kickstarter, since I seem to be spending 200$ monthly.....(jjoke).
Can you get it on steam as a preorder, then I can "donate" and don't follow until its done?
Please add Mac support too.
Also, better graphics might help and some form of tactical maybe?
anyway, good work...
Maybe you guys after this can do Dominions 4?
EDIT: my knowable wife says Jon is very sexy and that I should donate???? I'm now thinking it over.
Thanks guys!
We've been thinking about some possibilities relating to putting ATG on more platforms, and making the Romans playable.
Doh! It's not true! I'm, uh... a hunchback! Yeah, that's it.
- Jon
lool, as long as you add us kickstarter supporters to steam eventualy (like Stardockians did), Im good (You should post that on kickstarter pages - that people will get steam copy for backing it up). Romans would be great too.
and I know I'm the sexiest guy for her, so I don't mind.
Though she did found it strange that programmer and game developer would be some kind of "Keanu Reeves from Johhny Mnemonic with a hunky voice" and not a geek lol.
I'll consider giving her email for early alpha entrance. (J/k)
Woops! I totally forgot to reply to that part of your post. I don't know if ATG will be on Steam yet, but I'm sure hoping so! If you can't or would prefer not to use Kickstarter but would still like to contribute, you can do so through PayPal over at our website.
Wait... is that advertising? Am I going to get banned now?
Haha! Sorry to disappoint, but you can tell her that I'm very much a geek. I just put on some makeup for the camera!
Not sure if there are any fans of these platforms around these parts, but just in case there I just announced that AtG will also be coming out on Mac and Linux, and if you contribute at least $25 you'll receive a copy of each of those plus one for Windows. We'll also be releasing an iOS version shortly after the initial launch. It's a good time to be a strategy gamer!
Oh, and I forgot to mention that if we manage to hit $200k we'll be developing an expansion where you can play as the Roman Empire!
Will At the Gates require Steam in order to play/be activated?
What kind of DRM will it have?
AtG will be available DRM-free from our website. We're hoping to release on Steam, but the game won't require it in any way.
Hey guys, just wanted to give this thread one last bump, since our campaign ends tomorrow!
We're getting close to 100k and if we keep up the current pace we have a real shot at the 125k stretch goal, which adds more map/game setup options and an Earth map.
If you haven't checked out the updates (lately), here are the last few I've posted:
You finally rid me of my money and got me to support this. It was the supply system that did it for me. I like all the little new creative things you are doing like winter, supply, and gifts.
The final update before our Kickstarter campaign ends lays out the road ahead. Thanks for your support everyone!
Well, someone over at PC Gamer said that AtG is what's ruining PC gaming, so being rid of your money seems like a small price to pay.
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