Game: Galactic Emperor

Thread: Re: Release date?

Felkor — 2008-05-10T12:52:58+00:00

zuviel wrote:

Ditto. I'm moving in early July, so I'm hoping for an early June ship date as well so I don't need to hassle with changing my address, etc. to account for customs delays.

That's right, there's customs too! Adam, care to mark mine as "gift" value = $1 when you send it? :laugh:

Thread: Re: Galactic Emperor Hotter than Starcraft!

adamw — 2008-05-10T02:15:06+00:00

Yeah, I see that. Very surprising! And nice.

Thread: Re: Release date?

adamw — 2008-05-10T02:11:29+00:00

We're still sticking with June. After I receive it here in the States, I will ship out pre-orders everywhere. I'll let you know more precise dates as I receive them!

Thread: Re: Release date?

zuviel — 2008-05-10T01:55:43+00:00

Felkor wrote:
Pre-orders are getting mailed out in June, regardless of where you are, if you order them from Crosscut Games' website.

I suppose it makes sense that it would be July before JKLM could get the game and ship it out to people who order from them, or they're just giving a more conservative guess.

I've preordered mine, and hope to see it in my mailbox on June 1st! ;-)

Ditto. I'm moving in early July, so I'm hoping for an early June ship date as well so I don't need to hassle with changing my address, etc. to account for customs delays.

Thread: Re: Release date?

Felkor — 2008-05-09T08:09:53+00:00

Pre-orders are getting mailed out in June, regardless of where you are, if you order them from Crosscut Games' website.

I suppose it makes sense that it would be July before JKLM could get the game and ship it out to people who order from them, or they're just giving a more conservative guess.

I've preordered mine, and hope to see it in my mailbox on June 1st! ;-)

Thread: Re: Galactic Emperor Hotter than Starcraft!

Felkor — 2008-05-09T05:46:51+00:00

It made it's way into the Hot Games list again today. :-)

Thread: Re: Director's Commentary (Part III)

Felkor — 2008-05-09T05:38:56+00:00

Thanks for posting this great commentary. One of the main things that makes me confident this will be a great game is how willing you were to (often drastically) change the rules and game mechanics, while still focussed on the same goal.

Thread: Re: Question about playtesting...

kalevi1999 — 2008-05-09T12:44:03+00:00

Thanks I was worried about playtime but ur words make me feel better. I hope to get the game asap :laugh:

Thread: Re: Release date?

Oblivion — 2008-05-09T09:05:25+00:00

So is there any updates on the release date?

JKLM Games mentions a July release.

When can we expect Galactic Emperor in Europe?

Thread: Re: Question about playtesting...

adamw — 2008-05-09T02:24:54+00:00

We've run over 100 games in play testing, but keep in mind the rules changed through out testing. Also, nearly every game was with new players. The fastest was about 1 hour 10 minutes - 3 players. The slowest was about 2 hours 40 minutes - 6 players. It should honestly take around 90 minutes - and I believe it will readily play that fast with experienced players.

The game does move at the pace of the players. There is pondering in pulling roles. There are decisions to make for each role. Regent can take a bit of time. So it's not like you completely avoid AP. But there is very little down time I think since every player acts on every role.

Hope that helps! I'm anxious to hear the experience of others!

Thread: Re: An interesting and entertaining little article on computer game developers producing board games.

adamw — 2008-05-09T02:08:35+00:00

I've heard of it, but haven't looked into it. Might be a possibility.

Image

adamw — 2008-05-09T02:03:48+00:00

Unpacked, Unpunched and Ready for 6 Players

Thread: Re: Question about playtesting...

Felkor — 2008-05-08T04:39:52+00:00

I as well hate it when companies underestimate the playing times of the game. My wife prefers shorter games, and it is a pain if the game lasts longer than was expected.

From looking at the rules for GE though, it looks like it should run along at a decent pace. None of the roles look like their very fiddly, with the exception of perhaps the merchant role, where there's lots of resources for people to decide whether to trade / buy / sell. It doesn't look as fast as perhaps Race for the Galaxy or San Juan, where everybody can perform the turn simultaneously, but this looks like about the most streamlined 4x board game out there.

Thread: Re: Question about playtesting...

danman — 2008-05-08T04:33:17+00:00

This business of medium and heavyweight board games giving time estimates that are 50 percent of reality irritates me. Yes, different types of players, or circumstances in a given game can have an impact, but come on. The practice is so widespread that the cynicism is justified.

That said, in these circumstances:

* everyone has played GE at least once before

* no analysis paralysis players

* no bathroom or beer run breaks

GE is about 90 minutes for 3 player, 120 for 6.

Call me a liar when you get the game, I'm standing by this.

Now, someone could easily post in that their 4 player games take 2 hours and they don't think they're playing slow. Fine, that's within the range, and there are "careful" players who aren't really AP types. But 3 hours? No way, no how.

Thread: Re: Question about playtesting...

danman — 2008-05-08T04:12:07+00:00

Yeah, Bum's computer version of GE is mostly a resource and combat sim. Not a commercial thing.

Thought about doing one, but it's somewhat more involved than, say, Ticket to Ride.

Can't clone ourselves. GE online would be cool, but it wouldn't match the board game experience, nor would it match Dungeon Delvers. We have some contacts, so if a good programmer friend suddenly decides to take on the challenge, we'll let you know.

Thread: Re: Question about playtesting...

Felkor — 2008-05-08T12:46:44+00:00

I believe he used computer simulations just for specific aspects of the game, like to see how well different ship combinations worked and record how often they won battles to determine their price. I could be wrong, but I don't believe he ever made a complete software version of the game.

(But Adam - if you -did-, um, just feel free to release it for me to try!)

Thread: Re: An interesting and entertaining little article on computer game developers producing board games.

Felkor — 2008-05-08T12:43:36+00:00

Adam - have you looked into WiiWare at all? It's a place for small developers to release games for download on the Wii. It's opening up later this month and already has quite a few indie developers releasing games for it. It might be a reasonable place to get something published with some visibility.

Thread: Question about playtesting...

kalevi1999 — 2008-05-08T09:27:32+00:00

Hi Adam. It seems u used a computer version to test the game. Since computer version usually "run" faster than the board games they refer to I'd like to know if the 90 minutes time limit is still valid.
As for board games I am almost a newbie and more experienced players than me warned me they were astonished reading the rules: the 90 minutes time apparently doesnt reflect a strong simplification of rules in respect of a game like Twilight Imperium 3rd Ed. (game that clearly inspired Galactic Emperor). I have in mind MareNostrum Playtime:

Stated in the box:2 hours
Real playtime: 3(at least)-4-5 hours

Ps I preordered it :D

Bye Leonardo, Italy

Thread: Re: An interesting and entertaining little article on computer game developers producing board games.

ScottE — 2008-05-08T04:56:01+00:00

I've been in the video game industry for a long time and I agree all the big publishers are moving to console with PC as an afterthought. I know the company I work for will most likely not be doing any further PC only development for the forseeable future though we'll still do ports to PC. Console is King and it makes me sad since I'm primarily a PC gamer. I expect PC gaming will focus on MMO's & RTS's since those play best with mouse/keyboard.

I don't think PC gaming is dead though. Most gamers still have a PC and not everyone out there is interested in the generally shallow games that seem to appear on consoles. Certainly developers haven't abandoned PC ports and in Europe there's still strong PC only development. Just look at Stardock that is doing quite well on PC only games. Valve still makes their games for PC first and who can forget Blizzard that has the biggest game on the planet that is PC only. So I'm hoping its not all doom. But maybe PC only games will be made by smaller developers and focus on direct download games which have a greater profit since you cut out all the middle men.

Thread: Re: An interesting and entertaining little article on computer game developers producing board games.

danman — 2008-05-08T04:16:46+00:00

Well, I'm more optimistic than Bum in some ways, more fatalistic in others, though.

In digital, channels open and close. And it's a hellaciously time-consuming thing for small teams.

In videogaming, the channel needs to clear a bit. A simpler, front end user interface for browsing and purchasing... and an extremely light barrier to entry. Or at least a bit lighter than the present. Maybe someday. In reality, it'll just appear in the PC channel and that's not the best situation right now.

We'll finish Dungeon Delvers. Did all the hard stuff, but there's still a time investment. It's all good, it's freaking cool. The slide step to doing a boardgame was organic. The break will be good for the work for me left, finishing the scenarios. That's the hope, anyway. It's not an accident that DD has a discernable board game vibe... well, okay, the explosions are videogamey, but the medium must be served. Good music, but also allows you to soundtrack it with your own song collections, categorized into what's happening in the game. (veers back on topic) It's the movement and dungeons that have the boardgame vibe. If you imagine that there's all kinds of mischief erupting on the board....

Sweeping everything else off, it's just the drive of creating stuff.

Thread: Re: An interesting and entertaining little article on computer game developers producing board games.

adamw — 2008-05-08T03:12:50+00:00

The article is a fun introspection on what makes us Indie's tick.

But one thing that wasn't pointed out is this: it's *way* easier to get a game going in cardboard than it is in digital. It takes a week of thought and a night of sweat and boom - you have something folks can play. With a computer game? Months if you're gifted or have a simple design. Else, a year or more especially if you're carrying the load with a tiny (one-man?) team.

The other point I want to bring out is yes, it is attractive to have a challenge. But I actually now believe it's far more difficult to truly compete in the digital front now because the crowd is moving to consoles. And there, the barrier to entry is incredible and narrow. You can't just 'sell' a game for the XBOX or WII. You have to go through a single doorway that has an extremely high cost of entry.

The day of digital Indie's is coming to a close. All that is left now is the even more niche players (like me) who are more building games for joy than for profit. This is the way of things, so it's fine by me. I still just love making games.

Thread: An interesting and entertaining little article on computer game developers producing board games.

Felkor — 2008-05-07T07:35:15+00:00

Found this article that references Galactic Emperor (along with Eat Electric Death)

[url]http://www.crypticcomet.com/blog/?p=148[/url]

It's pretty entertaining.

Thread: Re: Long Range Scanners Quesiton

Felkor — 2008-05-07T04:38:41+00:00

And thanks for answering! Overall the rules are quite clear and laid out in an intuitive smanner. I had no problem reading through the rules and being able to picture in my head how a game might go.

Thread: Re: Components Picture

Felkor — 2008-05-07T04:36:34+00:00

That's great news! Now I just can't wait to get a copy into my own hands! :-)

And I love eurogames, but I'm no snob when it comes to dice - I love them when they're used well!

Thread: Re: Galactic Emperor at GENCON!

adamw — 2008-05-07T04:05:24+00:00

harris_family wrote:
I just caught sight of this game and it looks soooo cool. Don't suppose you'll be popping across for the UK Games Expo?
http://www.boardgamegeek.com/thread/300795
Oh well, never mind
:cry:

Simon
Hmm. I'll send a message along to my UK contacts and see if we can get a game to show up there :).

Thread: Re: Long Range Scanners Quesiton

adamw — 2008-05-07T04:03:57+00:00

Felkor wrote:
Yes, that makes perfect sense now! Reading through the rules again, I see that is indeed what you said, although I found the wording not as easy to follow.
Well thanks for asking then!

Thread: Re: Components Picture

adamw — 2008-05-07T03:46:58+00:00

Felkor wrote:
Great pic Adam! It must be so exciting to have a finished copy in your hands now. I especially like the dice with the oversized dots for the lower numbers!
Dice are cool again!

EDIT: Oh it looks like it still isn't in your hands yet? Is this just a shot from the publisher?
Yeah. But I should have my early copy by the end of the week!

Thread: Re: Components Picture

Felkor — 2008-05-07T03:24:43+00:00

Great pic Adam! It must be so exciting to have a finished copy in your hands now. I especially like the dice with the oversized dots for the lower numbers!

EDIT: Oh it looks like it still isn't in your hands yet? Is this just a shot from the publisher?

Thread: Re: Components Picture

Aldaron — 2008-05-07T02:21:18+00:00

adamw wrote:
[Did I just game the system? Should I feel guilty?]
No. This sort of thing is sadly necessary to get around the blockheaded image mods.

Thread: Re: Components Picture

adamw — 2008-05-07T02:13:32+00:00

ScottE wrote:
spearjr wrote:
Just upload it again. It is a good picture and while dark, it is plenty clear.

I just voted for it on GeekMod. Think you need 10 approvals before it passes. Hopefully it will get approved this time.

Yep. It made it through this time. Hmm. Did I just game the system? Should I feel guilty?

[size=6]Is my mother watching?[/size]

Thread: Re: Long Range Scanners Quesiton

Felkor — 2008-05-07T02:10:59+00:00

Yes, that makes perfect sense now! Reading through the rules again, I see that is indeed what you said, although I found the wording not as easy to follow.

Thread: Re: Components Picture

spearjr — 2008-05-07T01:53:03+00:00

Thread: Re: Components Picture

ScottE — 2008-05-07T01:41:11+00:00

spearjr wrote:
Just upload it again. It is a good picture and while dark, it is plenty clear.

I just voted for it on GeekMod. Think you need 10 approvals before it passes. Hopefully it will get approved this time.

Thread: Re: Components Picture

Aldaron — 2008-05-07T01:34:10+00:00

ArsLoqui wrote:
I did not call the artistry of the photo into question; in fact, I complimented the shot. If the image is ostensibly a photograph of the game components, then the game components pictured should be clearly visible.
So you say. Which is (again a good demonstration of) why the guidelines need to be much narrower.

Image

adamw — 2008-05-07T01:33:52+00:00

Dark, but the first shot of all components from the publisher.

Thread: Re: Components Picture

spearjr — 2008-05-07T01:21:22+00:00

Just upload it again. It is a good picture and while dark, it is plenty clear.

Thread: Re: Components Picture

adamw — 2008-05-07T12:09:22+00:00

ScottE wrote:
One thing I find to help is having a detailed description with the photo. Say something like "Publisher picture: First photo of game off the boat from printer."
That's a good suggestion! I'll do that next time.

Thread: Re: Components Picture

ScottE — 2008-05-06T11:56:34+00:00

One thing I find to help is having a detailed description with the photo. Say something like "Publisher picture: First photo of game off the boat from printer."

Thread: Re: Components Picture

ArsLoqui — 2008-05-06T11:44:04+00:00

I did not call the artistry of the photo into question; in fact, I complimented the shot. If the image is ostensibly a photograph of the game components, then the game components pictured should be clearly visible.

Thread: Re: Components Picture

Aldaron — 2008-05-06T11:33:02+00:00

ArsLoqui wrote:
I think this a great shot, but declined the image on the basis that it is too dark to make out all of the components. Easy fix, though!
More proof that image modders need better guidelines so that they stop acting like (bad) art critics.

Thread: Re: Components Picture

ArsLoqui — 2008-05-06T11:28:41+00:00

I think this a great shot, but declined the image on the basis that it is too dark to make out all of the components. Easy fix, though!

Thread: Re: Components Picture

Aging One — 2008-05-06T11:24:44+00:00

Great, thx. Btw, I would assume that they rejected the photo for its size (yes, size counts in gaming!).

Thread: Re: Components Picture

adamw — 2008-05-06T11:11:24+00:00

Aging One wrote:
Coming my way WHEN? ;) [I pre-ordered]
It's not in my warehouse yet, so we're still definitely looking at June for pre-orders.

Thread: Re: Components Picture

twentytwelve — 2008-05-06T11:06:49+00:00

That's a good photo.

These mods think they're art directors or something. :shake:

Thread: Re: Components Picture

Aging One — 2008-05-06T11:04:58+00:00

Coming my way WHEN? ;) [I pre-ordered]

Thread: Components Picture

adamw — 2008-05-06T10:49:50+00:00

Declined by the moderators, but I thought some might like to see what's coming your way. I hope to have better pictures this weekend.

[ImageID=330178]

Edit: Second time through, accepted. So there you go.

[ImageID=330804]

Edit: Added photo of unpacked game.

Image

adamw — 2008-05-06T09:50:02+00:00

Final Box

Thread: Re: Long Range Scanners Quesiton

adamw — 2008-05-06T09:17:25+00:00

You pick a tile from the face up tiles. You can then use Long Range Scanners and draw one face down tile - and secretly look at it. Between those two tiles, you have to choose one to keep and place on the board. The one you don't keep, you put back on the stack face down.

Does that make sense?

Thread: Long Range Scanners Quesiton

Felkor — 2008-05-06T03:35:06+00:00

Just reading through the rules and had a question about the Long Range Scanners. If I use my long range scanners, turn up an upside down tile and decide that's the one I want to place, do I need to choose any face-up tile and put it upside down on the stack, or do I leave all the face-up ones (so the chooser will get one more tile to place), or perhaps something else happens? Everything else seems clear, but that was fuzzy to me. From what I could tell, i should be choosing one of the face-up tiles and putting it back on the stack face-down.