Back on track!

Because when a game hasn't even entered beta, the way the game looks is obviously finalized and not subject to change at all. It's not like they're still working on it or anything. I mean, there's only a year until it's released, the game should be pratically finished by now!

I cleary remember BoogieBac, Frogoy and others from SD stating the screen shots were not the FINISHED product. How is that misleading?

Stop faking the argument, there are many elements there are finished before even alpha, and the definitions of what is alpha/beta varies from company to company.

And are you really trying to say that it is unreasonable of people to think that screenshots of the game on gaming websites actually might depict how the game looks?

Please think before you post.

There is no need to be sarcastic here because I think both sides cover at least some points of view. I am looking at everyone above me when I say this. Screenshots from the very early phases may indeed not impress a lot of gamers because the quality is not all that impressive. This will result in the community not growing as much as it could.

Then again, lots of people get an idea of what kind of game EWOM will become and they become enthousiasts like myself. Whichever one may be the dominant group, we can safely say that there are pro's and con's to both schools of thought. In the end of the day the playrs who dislike the screenies now do not have to draw their wallets now. The bad screenie may not add to the great community that EWOM already has, but once the good ones screenies will come the community will snowball. I for one like the open way that Stardock approaches us since I hate companies that do not.

I was in the Empire Total War beta group and CA never told us anything and discussed nothing. Whenever we asked questions we got diplomatic answers that sounded positive but could really mean anything. They never contained definite answers. I am sure this is indeed the professional way of doing things but it is a major disappointment and I always felt like CA were laughing at me behind my back.

Oh and for what it is worth, CA's Empire Total War has great screenshots but it is a horrible game. Screenshots mean next to nothing and therefore, even crappy screenshots should not be a good way to judge a game just like the cover is not a good indication of how good a book will be. The superficial players that choose games by the looks are the ones that are probably not going to like ETW as I imagine it will require too much planning and getting used to for the casual gamers.

I'd tell you to think before you post, but you don't seem to have the capacity for that.

And yes, it is unreasonable to think that. The beta for Sins had ships that were completely redesigned before the game was released.

What "elements" are finished before the alpha? The underlying code isn't, the engine isn't, the balance isn't, the units aren't, gameplay mechanics, etc. At Stardock, everything is subject to change depending on feedback from beta/alpha testers, as Frogboy has repeatedly said. And in case you weren't aware, because you obviously weren't, Stardock betas are called betas for a reason. They are not the final product, or a demo, like at other companies. Beta 1 will be cloth map only, without any of the animations or graphics that you think are so important.

I became interested in this game based on the concept not the artwork and regardless of that fact the screenshots were a taster of whats to come not the final version. I am looking forward greatly to the beta and cant wait to play the cloth map!

I don't think the screenshots were misleading but then I don't base the whole view of a game on a screenshot.

Yes, it's unreasonable of people to look at screenshots of the game A YEAR BEFORE RELEASE and conclude thats how the game will look when finished.

Not to mentione when the earlier screen shots were released I don't eveen know how many times Frogboy and Boogiebac repeatedly stated they were to show the art direction but that they were VERY far from what the finished product would look like.

Gratned, people that see a screenshot on a gaming site that did not see all those caveats, it's not surprising they thought that was the look of the game.

Exactly, unless such statements were an integral subtitles-part of each image on every website they are completely irrelevant and pointless.

It is unreasonable to think that on the internet, where people are too bothered(reasonably so) to even click on something that they don't know what they will get out of, will suddenly invest in researching and reading stuff, that is not even all that accessible.

Always with the obvious stuff with you people here...really annoying.

It's called conceding a point dickhead. Of course there are some people you can't even make a gesture toward that they won't kick you in the teeth just to feel superior.

 Keep it up and you will end up like the poor (recently departed) psychoravin

Btw, what is the name of this art-style, it is exactly like this one-

[removed]

it seems to be pretty popular.

Do I want to know the context in which that picture was drawn?

Where the heck did you get that pic?

I don't know, it's exactly the same art style, it was just hanging in one of my folders, very curious indeed.

Wouldn't that piece of armour only fit someone suffering from a permanent priapism?

I guess so, although it would be nice to see such novel level of realism in a fantasy game.

Do not post such links again, Hortz. This is the last warning you're going to get.

The art style is called art nouveau

I am really curious about what kind of image hortz must have posted in order to be threatened with the banhammer...

Oh, snap. First I was just going to call Hortz an idiot, but now I'm genuinely curious as to what was posted.

Me too. Oh well...

It was a guy in some kind of fantastical armor, with a dragon in the background.

The part Kyro objected to was the fact that the armor was some 'nudity' involved.

What if I like the right one?

..but both shots still look like they need definite improvement.

And Hortz, nobody but you is responsable for you jumping, or not jumping, to conclusions.

Lastly, it looks like both shots are of almost the same art, with different lighting effects, Hortz.  If it was bad before, it's still bad.

They are, thats a screenshot that was posted here last week I think? But I disagree, they look drastically different even though they're the same art. The lighting makes a world of difference.

Have you seen the videos of King's Bounty: The Legend expansion-

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/friendly-creatures-kings-bounty/55278

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/take-flight-kings-bounty/55276

(the unit design, animations and spell effects look particularly amazing in the second video)

it looks like they improved on everything, it's gonna be a blast!

And now that I can easily compare it does seem Elemental will have sharper, more realistic graphics, it will be interesting to see how they go about doing the animations, you can clearly see how important that aspect is, especially in a turn based game.

P.S.

If you want to see the forbidden picture PM me and I'll give you the link, it was really nonsensical infantile prudish irrational behavior to ban it, but what can you do, it's their forum..

Given that it was borderline pornographic in nature (strong sexual overtones) it was hardly 'irational' or 'infantile' to delete the link.  However stupid it is (and yes, it is stupid!) the effects of the puritan 'age' are still with us, strongly.

That said, while the movies you linked sure look pretty enough, they still don't justify your patently absurd comment about how 'animations are important especially in a turn based game'.