'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Well, most of you have probably asked that question many times. So I made this little something to introduce to you the world of 'Decks' , which somehow manage to confuse you all. This new feature will finally add a new level of strategy to the Age series.

So I haven't elaborated on that idea enough, you say? Well, here goes.

There are 8 races in AOE3; Dutch, English, Russians, Ottomans, Spanish, Portugeuse, Germans, and of course the French. These civilizations all have their very own 'Home Cities' (then again, which race doesn't have a main area of settlement? http://gamingforums.com/images/smili...rcastic%29.gif) Before the game, you are asked to create a deck of 'cards' or upgrades your Home City ships to you when you reach a certain age. You are allowed 20 cards (upgrades) in your 'Deck'

You can create a maximum of 8-12 decks, choosing many different upgrades from a list. Choose wisely though, a single card can mean the difference between winning and losing. We are yet to see more of the feature but it seems to add more strategy to the game rather than amassing as many units as possible and attacking your opponent. Expect this feature to turn the tide of many battles.

I won't stop here, with the introduction to 'Decks'. More new features in the game:

-Changing wind patterns.
This is mostly noticeable when using ships. When sailing against the wind, expect to see slower ship speeds.
-Units with ragdolls.
A great improvement over animated deaths. Age 3 uses the Half Life 2 'Havok' engine to simulate...well..deaths...and stuff like that.
-Graphics
Well, everyone knows about this one. But who's seen graphics like this for an RTS game?!!?!
-ESO 2
New improved system to play online will certainly enhance play with new features such as Quick Play, and Clan Tag system.

More to come soon!

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

oh that sounds great! a very interesting way to play the game; havent heard about anything like it before, really.


do you have unit lists for the civilizations? special units at least?

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Just the special units, I'm afraid. :(

Spanish-Pikeman
Brits-Musketeer
French-Cuirassier
Portugeuse-Dragoon
Dutch-Skirmisher
Germans-Dopplesoldner
Russians-Grenadier
Ottomans-Janissary

I think there are more but those are the only ones released publicly.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Well.. the British should have Red coats.. the French should stay with what they have, Ottomans stay... Germans stay... Spainish.... something else.

The rest of them, the Unique Units do suck.

Anyway the game will Certanly rock though.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

There are definitely more units in the game and each civilization having their own distinct differences like the ottomans being able to produce villagers for free, but at a very slow rate. :lookaround:

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

As long as everything is balanced well, as it seems to. I can already see myself playing as the British. :p

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

British or German for me. it's gunna be awesome. i will prolly buy a better chip of RAM and a better video card for CoD2 and this.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

New Video Card- Most likely
More Ram- Probable

Civilization-Dutch. Dutch Navy was super strong. :)

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

I've always been a land person myself. Are ambushes possible like in Total War? Like hiding your forces in the bushes/trees, then attacking an unsuspecting opponent with them. If that's possible I just saw my defensive options increase tenfold!

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Most likely. :D. Let's hope for that feature to be integrated aswell.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

A few of those things sound a lot like RoN, like the idea of having "Cards" to use to upgrade your civilization in some way. Home Cities does too, somewhat, as each country had a capital in the Conquer the World campaign, and you'd have a "Capital" city in each scenario you fought in.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

I've never played RoN but only another reason to get it. http://gamingforums.com/images/smilies/yeltongue.gif

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

*gets excited at a potentially active thread* Do we know much about siege warfare? Will there be anything like attrition, where if your units are in enemy territory too long they start taking damage?

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Siege warfare is pretty interesting stuff.

The ottomans can ship a huge cannon onto the battlefield using the card system, I believe.

Cannons have advantages against nearly everything so It'll be hard to combat them. They are, however vulnerable at close range so you'd have to station troops near them to cover them.

As for attrition, no idea if that will be implemented. :lookaround:

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

You've already told me about the effectiveness of cannons, like how buildings can be taken apart bit by bit. :p

Another thing I'd like to see if cavalry being able to trample. That ability makes them useful in games like BFME or Total War, because you can basically ride right through an army. Now putting the Havok system in there with it...*Drools*

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

tom where are you getting all this info? http://forums.filefront.com/images/smilies/cya.gif

Edit: NVM I GOOGLED IT!!!!111111

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Cannons are not as powerful as in the videos though they do make a difference in battle.

Cav can't trample (that I've seen) but they do handle ranged infantry easily.

No attrition will be implemented

The game has very few similarities to RoN

I am reasonably sure ambushes aren't in the game.

hope that helps
TGE

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

I hope cannons arent how i saw it in a video... as far as i know... one cannon shell... the size of a large bowling ball, with a bit of explosives in it wont send a good 10 or so troops 20 feet backwards...

Anyway, maybe sending a few troops in the air.

I am curious if Railroads are buildable, i mean wouldint it be cool if you could like... okay say, You conquered a small Enemy Resource Rich Area, but your villagers and troops are half the map away... and the Enemy troops are coming to reclaim it... but you have just enough time to get a Railroad up and troops over there...

Maybe not, but itd be cool!

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Because, surprisingly, they were actually involved in the founding of the Americas.

Russia-Alaska
Ottomans-?

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

I see myself as playing with the Ottoman Empire.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

for a spanish unit instead of pikeman i think that they should have tercios

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

I can see my self using russians, and i hope there are no re-creations of castle blood from zone.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

I can see myself playing as Germans British and Russians, thats bout it... aint touching them french. Maybe Ottomons rarely

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

I'd probably stick to Western Europe civilizations.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Ill use portuguese alot to.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

There will be railroads for trading purposes, and, obviously trains


transport ability is not yet known!:uhm:

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Yeah, Trains would be interesting if you're allowed to use them for transport. Just imagine...a city is under siege, so you send in reinforcements via train! :D

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Wooot

http://ageofempires3.com/Civilizations/Default.aspx

Spanish
The Spanish have a strong military, with both hand infantry and cavalry. Flexibility in early shipments from the Home City give the Spanish the option to attack early or set up for a strong, late economy. Spanish Home City improvements benefit soldiers, buildings and naval units.

French
Although the French economy starts slowly, the Coureur unit, a Villager with strong fighting skills, makes the French difficult to attack early. The French also have the strongest cavalry unit in the game – the Cuirassier. Plus, the French are experts at allying with the Native Americans.

British
Quick access to Settlers gives the British one of the strongest economies in the game. The ability to upgrade two key units – the Musketeer and Hussar – make the British military formidable in the late game. The British Home City emphasizes improvements to technology and naval warfare.

Portuguese
Starting the game with two Town Centers, the Portuguese can quickly produce Settlers, control territory or support their allies. The Spyglass ability allows the Portuguese to easily spy on the enemy. The Portuguese also have a strong navy, strong light infantry and the best Dragoons in the game.

Dutch
Although Dutch Settlers are limited and costly, their civilization makes up for this economic disadvantage by building Banks and generating coin automatically. The Dutch Home City emphasizes upgrades to defense and economy.

Germany
The Germans have fewer Settlers and therefore a slower economy. Fortunately, both the Settler Wagon and Uhlan cavalry spawn for free from the German Town Center. Plus, the Germans start with the ability to send Mercenaries from their Home City (long before other civilizations can).

Russian
Starting the game with extra resources but fewer Settlers gives the Russians the flexibility of focusing on economy or an early raid. Russian infantry, individually weak, are trained in blocks at a faster rate, providing the Russians with the opportunity to overwhelm their enemy with greater numbers.

Ottoman
For the Ottomans, Settlers spawn automatically from the Town Center. Building a Mosque and conducting research help keep that Settler production steady. Befitting their position straddling Europe and Asia, the Ottomans have more unique units than any other civilization.

Native Americans
European civilizations can learn new technologies and gain troops by forging alliances with the Native Americans. A British player who allies with the Iroquois is essentially playing as two civilizations: the British and the Iroquois


I think im gonna play El Spaniards, the Tally Ho! British or possibly the French... anyone with a strong military.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

a really impressive video on the naval warfare.

http://g4mers-zone.sapo.pt/download....gameplay_2.wmv

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Nice video there, I'm really looking forward to this game :D

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

No more Population Limits woooooooooooo

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

There are populations limits, actually, as far as I know. The pop cap in the game will be 200 or 300, I think, not sure which.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

hopefully more. maybe you can edit them. 200 is fun... but 1000 would be amazing.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Well there are pop limits.

The max is 200.

BUT.

Different things have their own pop limit. Like ships wont take up that pop but you only have a certain amount of ships u can build.

I think its the same with villagers and native americans.
So you you can only have a pop limit of 200 for MILITARY units.
Although different units take up different amount of slots. I think infantry takes up 1, cavalry 2, and artillary 4 or so.

Im not exactly sure if this is right but ive read it in many places.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

It's probably that way, as it is for most RTS games nowadays. Usually 2 for cavalry, 1 for infantrry, sometimes 4-5 for ships, and 3-4 for siege units.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

ya anyways. dont fret about the pop limit. ES said that u will barely reach all full pop limit anyway.

also i forgot to mention that u can hire Mercinaries as well and they have their own pop limit.


Apparently from people who have played the beta say that alot of your men will die in combat anyway, its allot of sending troops stagger by stagger so the pop limit doesnt matter.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

I prefer to keep my troops alive, but having huge armies repeatedly clash over and over with large amounts of soldiers. :D

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

"1 death is a Tradgedy, 1,000,000 deathes is a Statistic ".
I follow those rules for my gameplay .

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Of course. But it can also be satisfying to beat a larger force with a much smaller one using tactics, or superior technology, etc.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Actualy i meant, if you have a small force and one troop dies is a major thing, but if you have a massive force and a large amount of troops die its a small thing.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Heya I'm new to this part of the forum :)

I think I'm gonna' be playing as British or French.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

Nah. Just attack a large force with another large force and see lots-o-carnage. Don't worry about technology and tactics, just go head on and attack with swords. It's fun to go to the map editor and places hundreds of units on each side of the map and then march them to fight the enemy in the middle. So much fun watching them all kill themselves.

Re: 'What's New in Age 3?!?!'
 

It sure sounds like there are a bunch of nifty features and some cool units.