Is TA Release A Pipe Dream?

October 4, 2007 9:43 PM from

Currently the website as well as the previews are projecting a November 2007 release for Twilight of the Arnor, and while I am looking forward to it I don't see how that is really possible.

It seems like, between the new tech trees and such, that this expansion is just as big or bigger then what DA was. With the target release date just a month away (having been announced just a couple weeks ago), no beta in sight, and DA 1.7 still in it's beta phase, it seems like unless Stardock is withholding a LOT of information from us that the release date really isn't viable.

DA had been talked about for months prior to it's release, and had an extensive beta phase, yet still had some fairly significant bugs. Is it really possible to release TA next month at the level of quality that Stardock has a reputation for?

I would guess that to reach the same level of excellence and quality that a February release would probably be the earliest. Am I mistaken in this?

6,012 views 4 replies

Reply #1 October 5, 2007 12:48 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

Remember that originally there was not going to be a public beta on TA, only a 'by invitation only'. So the limited public beta that Brad recently mentioned will probably be very close to release.

Also, as I understand it, other developers are working on TA, and Cari is carrying the ball on v.1.7. So you really can't tell much about the readiness of TA from the 1.7 tweaking. Since TA is an 'overlay' expansion, not a new engine, whatever Cari tweaks for 1.7 will be there, working underneath the chrome from TA. Even though the new tech trees are pretty radical strategy and gameplay wise, they are still probably just implemented as .xml files that get pointed to based on race identifier.

Finally - Brad said November...but November 30 is still 7 weeks away. I wouldn't bet on a release before Thanksgiving, but that would still meet his predictions.

drrider

Reply #2 October 5, 2007 12:54 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

If it comes out by Christmas, okay, but if it comes out more like Valentine's Day 2008, that's when CnC3:Kane's Wrath comes out. I won't be around then.

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Reply #3 October 5, 2007 3:38 AM from

GalCiv2 Forums Top

I suggest you to be patient. It is better to have a stable game later than a buggy one earlier. E.g. Heroes IV was published too early and it discouraged a lot of players. The game was perfect at the end, but the damage to this great title has already been done. I am watching betas and the programming team does excelent work. So let's let them work!