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Digital Gaming => Computer Gaming => Topic started by: spelk on June 05, 2018, 05:03:53 AM

Title: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: spelk on June 05, 2018, 05:03:53 AM
I guess the kickstarter was successful.

https://store.steampowered.com/app/742700/Empire_Deluxe_Combined_Edition/

Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: bbmike on June 05, 2018, 05:20:11 AM
http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=20221.0 (http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=20221.0)

It's been on Steam quite a while. It has always been playable, this is just the 'official release'. I played the hell out of the original version back in the day and can say this is just as, if not more, fun to play. And the developer also indicated that he would work on Perfect General next!
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: spelk on June 05, 2018, 05:26:38 AM
Ah thanks bbmike, I saw it pop up on my Steam release list and jumped on it.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: Tuna on June 05, 2018, 05:28:48 AM
Why the heck would an 'ancient' program that was already written need a kickstarter? How much money did they request?
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: bbmike on June 05, 2018, 05:42:13 AM
It was re-written using the Unity engine and A TON of new stuff was added including a new AI. I seem to remember it being around $25US for two licenses.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: bbmike on June 05, 2018, 05:43:34 AM
Quote from: spelk on June 05, 2018, 05:26:38 AM
Ah thanks bbmike, I saw it pop up on my Steam release list and jumped on it.

O0
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: Jarhead0331 on June 05, 2018, 06:02:56 AM
This game was AWESOME...in 1982.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: bbmike on June 05, 2018, 06:20:52 AM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on June 05, 2018, 06:02:56 AM
This game was AWESOME...in 1982.

And...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarcentral.com%2Fpics2%2Fenergizerbunny.gif&hash=e78a0d0f0808894900ad75ea3fa19e81c1a15eae)
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: Jarhead0331 on June 05, 2018, 06:34:17 AM
Quote from: bbmike on June 05, 2018, 06:20:52 AM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on June 05, 2018, 06:02:56 AM
This game was AWESOME...in 1982.

And...

(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aarcentral.com%2Fpics2%2Fenergizerbunny.gif&hash=e78a0d0f0808894900ad75ea3fa19e81c1a15eae)

There is no way I could find enjoyment in this game today. It's just far too simple, and that's overlooking the eye bleeding graphics.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: bbmike on June 05, 2018, 07:08:05 AM
Can't help you if you don't like the graphics but it is certainly not simple. This guy has added and changed the base game quite a bit. It's worth looking at the manual (http://killerbeesoftware.com/edce/code/manual/EDCE.pdf) to see what all has changed.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: spelk on June 05, 2018, 07:15:15 AM
The older I get the less and less graphics matter to me, which seems a bit weird. But it could be just a failing of my eyesight! :)

Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: Jarhead0331 on June 05, 2018, 07:17:50 AM
Quote from: bbmike on June 05, 2018, 07:08:05 AM
Can't help you if you don't like the graphics but it is certainly not simple. This guy has added and changed the base game quite a bit. It's worth looking at the manual (http://killerbeesoftware.com/edce/code/manual/EDCE.pdf) to see what all has changed.

You like the graphics, and think I'm the one that needs help?  :))

Seriously, though, thanks for the link. Enhanced looks better but still too simple for me. Build units, take cities, build more units, take more cities. No diplomacy, no real economy, no research, basic supply and resource collection,  no real TO&Es, simple combat, relatively speaking. Just not my thing, but enjoy and have at it.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: Tuna on June 05, 2018, 07:32:22 AM
I think I still have the disk in the cellar.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: Tuna on June 05, 2018, 07:33:16 AM
Anybody remember Perfect General?
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: bbmike on June 05, 2018, 07:38:09 AM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on June 05, 2018, 07:17:50 AM
Quote from: bbmike on June 05, 2018, 07:08:05 AM
Can't help you if you don't like the graphics but it is certainly not simple. This guy has added and changed the base game quite a bit. It's worth looking at the manual (http://killerbeesoftware.com/edce/code/manual/EDCE.pdf) to see what all has changed.

You like the graphics, and think I'm the one that needs help?  :))

Seriously, though, thanks for the link. Enhanced looks better but still too simple for me. Build units, take cities, build more units, take more cities. No diplomacy, no real economy, no research, basic supply and resource collection,  no real TO&Es, simple combat, relatively speaking. Just not my thing, but enjoy and have at it.

Well, I didn't say I liked the graphics. I just tolerate them.  :buck2:
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: FlickJax on June 05, 2018, 07:44:58 AM
Quote from: Tuna on June 05, 2018, 07:33:16 AM
Anybody remember Perfect General?

Yeah... but I preferred Panzer General at the time :)
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: mbar on June 05, 2018, 07:50:10 AM
Quote from: spelk on June 05, 2018, 07:15:15 AM
The older I get the less and less graphics matter to me, which seems a bit weird. But it could be just a failing of my eyesight! :)

Built in anti-aliasing.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: solops on June 05, 2018, 02:14:06 PM
I always thought Advanced Tactics Gold was the modern Empire Deluxe, but on steroids and far better than any "Empire" version could ever be.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: bbmike on June 05, 2018, 02:37:27 PM
Quote from: solops on June 05, 2018, 02:14:06 PM
I always thought Advanced Tactics Gold was the modern Empire Deluxe, but on steroids and far better than any "Empire" version could ever be.

Not really the same. That would be kind of like saying TOAW4 is like ATG but on steroids and far better. The are both great, just two different games.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: CJReich46 on June 05, 2018, 06:55:56 PM
I remember buying Empire: Wargame of the Century for an Atari ST.
Sadly the thing crashed :(

and in those days if the disk crashed you were really SOL.I ended up traded it for Beyond Zork (we had a monochrome type monitor for the ST) so it was the only thing that would work.

Interestingly I did find the Will Bright original Empire- It's pretty difficult to navigate for text.

Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: Staggerwing on June 05, 2018, 07:30:05 PM
Quote from: FlickJax on June 05, 2018, 07:44:58 AM
Quote from: Tuna on June 05, 2018, 07:33:16 AM
Anybody remember Perfect General?

Yeah... but I preferred Panzer General at the time :)

Panzer General came out a few years after Perfect General and benefited from some graphics tech advances. Perfect General inspired many later games such as Front Lines and the early Battle Isle games.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: WYBaugh on June 05, 2018, 08:09:56 PM
Pretty sure Empire was the first game I purchased when I bought my 1040 ST.  Ah...memories...
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: Tuna on June 06, 2018, 05:49:47 AM
Empire I played on the Vax 11/80 my first Computer gaming, I'd keep working on Saturdays! LOL, seriously, I'd stay hours after my shift ended, I was third shift. That and Star Trek, and after that Universe.

Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: airboy on June 06, 2018, 11:40:06 AM
I appreciate finding out this is available.  I put it on my wishlist.  At $20 it seems a little pricy, but it will go on sale eventually.

I played it to death.  Great exploration and battle game.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: DennisS on June 06, 2018, 12:55:55 PM
Quote from: bbmike on June 05, 2018, 05:20:11 AM
http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=20221.0 (http://grogheads.com/forums/index.php?topic=20221.0)

It's been on Steam quite a while. It has always been playable, this is just the 'official release'. I played the hell out of the original version back in the day and can say this is just as, if not more, fun to play. And the developer also indicated that he would work on Perfect General next!

Perfect General was pretty good, as were all the QQP games. The downfall with PG was that the maps were all the same, with no randomization.

Give me a fresh copy of Conquered Kingdoms any day. This, and Empire Deluxe were my go-to games before Civilization, F117A, and Railroad Tycoon. And Darklands. And Lost Admiral. And Master of Magic/Orion.

These old games really had something that a lot of modern games lack...terrific gameplay.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: mbar on June 06, 2018, 01:19:35 PM
That UI though. Please tell me all those buttons have tool tips.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: bbmike on June 06, 2018, 02:34:55 PM
Quote from: mbar on June 06, 2018, 01:19:35 PM
That UI though. Please tell me all those buttons have tool tips.

lol, yes anything you hover over is described in a box in the lower right corner of the screen (including buttons).
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: DennisS on June 13, 2018, 12:58:41 PM
This says quick reply..but it won't be. My two cents on this newest iteration.

For starters, let me say that I played this game...a LOT, back in the day. By back in the day, I mean Empire before Empire Deluxe came along.

The cheese music came on, and man o man..it brought back some memories. Graphics still sucks, but this game was never about the graphics.

I jumped right in, didn't need the tutorial.

Infantry, armor, transports, subs, destroyers, cruisers, battleships, aircraft carriers, fighters, and bombers. That's all I need, right?

This game has SO much more, with the additional ability to create your own units!!! If I want Navy Seals, that attack in shallow coastal water, it's available! Patrol boats are a thing, cheaper, and can carry one infantry unit.

Air transport!!! Paradrops!!! Minefields!!! Engineers!!! Road building!!! Truck transports!!! Light AND Heavy Artillery!!! Helicopters!!!

All this, and a lot more, AND the ability to modify and save maps. Random map generation can go to 400 x 400 squares, which, if my maths are good, is 160 THOUSAND squares.

There is a parameter that you can set which starts the average cities average production abilities, plus or minus. This can be further developed by not producing a unit. In essence, if you leave a city "fallow", your downstream production will be higher when you DO activate it for production.

Supply is a thing..you can only have so many units before penalties kick in...but you can produce supply, or take strategic resource points on the map.

All things considered, this will be my new go-to tactical combat game, replacing Advanced Tactics. I really like what I see here.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: Jarhead0331 on June 13, 2018, 01:20:50 PM
^Bastard.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: DennisS on June 13, 2018, 01:44:11 PM
Quote from: Jarhead0331 on June 13, 2018, 01:20:50 PM
^Bastard.

C'mon...it's only $19.95. You KNOW you want it.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: -budd- on June 13, 2018, 01:44:31 PM
How's the micro- management? That's the reason I stopped playing ATG, from the late middle to end game the M&M was killer, especially on large maps.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: ArizonaTank on June 14, 2018, 12:20:27 PM
So far I am enjoying the game. The customization features built into the system make it well worth the $19 price tag.  It does play very easy, and micro-management is minimal.  I like that the game quickly shifts from small, basic games with just a few unit types..to very large complex ones.  It has a built in database tool that allows you to customize unit types and capabilities..very cool.  I also has optional supply rules to eliminate massive unit spawns.  I have not played enough to comment on the AI, but it at least seems minimally competent.  I'd say if you liked the idea of ATG but found it too much work to play,  EDCE is a good alternative.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: Steelgrave on June 14, 2018, 02:11:40 PM
As a lifelong gamer, as someone who played the hell out of the original Empire, as someone who played the hell out of Empire Deluxe, I bought the game yesterday....and returned it to Steam an hour later. Man, I'm used to nothing being as good as I remember by now, but the graphics and sound made my respective eyes and ears bleed. I can turn the sound off, but I just can't do the graphics anymore.... I respect some can get past that but not me. I actually felt bad returning the game, like an old friend had shown up at my door and I sent them packing. But I'm about to fire up some Battletech followed by Stellaris, so I imagine I will be over it soon.   ::)
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: DennisS on June 14, 2018, 03:07:31 PM
Quote from: -budd- on June 13, 2018, 01:44:31 PM
How's the micro- management? That's the reason I stopped playing ATG, from the late middle to end game the M&M was killer, especially on large maps.

I believe that there are waypoints you can send forces to.

Also, there is a supply function, where you can send cities' production in the back lines to cities up near the front lines. This reduces the number of producing cities, and significantly reduces how often you need to give units their orders to get them to where the action is.
Title: Re: Empire Deluxe Combined Edition now on Steam
Post by: DennisS on June 14, 2018, 03:09:12 PM
Quote from: Steelgrave on June 14, 2018, 02:11:40 PM
As a lifelong gamer, as someone who played the hell out of the original Empire, as someone who played the hell out of Empire Deluxe, I bought the game yesterday....and returned it to Steam an hour later. Man, I'm used to nothing being as good as I remember by now, but the graphics and sound made my respective eyes and ears bleed. I can turn the sound off, but I just can't do the graphics anymore.... I respect some can get past that but not me. I actually felt bad returning the game, like an old friend had shown up at my door and I sent them packing. But I'm about to fire up some Battletech followed by Stellaris, so I imagine I will be over it soon.   ::)

The graphics suck. You betcha. But...my next game will be 400 x 400, will potentially two to five thousand units on the map. Real pretty, top line graphics will grind my pc to a halt.