I like the AOK/Red Alert 2 engines....Its fun and you can acually see whats going on...I have played Earth 2150, the new Dune game,Battle Ground...and its just not as fun..and you lose sight of most of your units...
End of Rant
No need to Rant, this game is in 2d, just like the C&C and AOE games. I agree though, that was one of the main problems i had with FoCom. I never played those other games, but i'm sure they are the sam as FoCom...basically.
3D engines for RTS game still needs some time. Most 3D RS Demos I've played sucked .. oh wait, I even have one myself: Populous 3 ... didn't like it also.
Right now it's getting better. I don't really know about Dune cause haven't played it. Next year Age of Mythologie and Warcraft III will come out. Both these games are highly anticipieted (sp?) and if they flop ... then we can forget it.
But I don't think they will. Both companies (Ensemble and Blizzard) had time enough to learn from mistakes of other people and both companies put a lot of efforts in improving gameplay ... not just looks only.
3D makes more possible ... it's not done right tough at this point. There's still no 3D RTS that's beter than an 2d game. But wait till next year ... it looks very promising
YOu're right David the 3d realm is still in it's infant stages. Emperor Battle for dune was gorgeous to look at. But it didn't really change the gameplay any. It was the same tried and true formula of westwoods rts games. It was simply red alert 2 in 3d. Now I know others who really like emperor will flame me for saying this but the game is boring and wasn't fun anymore. I can get the same fun factor in Red alert 2.
WC3 AOM? Well I think they will be fun only because I like the gameplay that was so specialised in AOK and WC. AOM will most likely be AOK on steroids. Maybe some added features that were suggested by fans. Regardless ES has proven to be inovative with gameplay features. SO I wouldn't say it will be a flop. Regardless of the mythological theme. I'm looking forward to it.
WC3 will be different I think. Because of its emphasis on hero units and smaller forces. I like the idea of all the units having different abilities that you can choose. Fo instance, the archer can (I think) Use either a fire or freezing arrow. You can give the unit an order to choose wich one to use. Same Idea was used in unssuccessful Total Annihilaton kingdoms game. that I hoped would have been better. It will be interesting to see how different it will be from other rts games. With Blizzards success. 3 #1 games no doubt that will be on my list too.
With all the 3d rts games that have come out already. None of them has really sparked my interest. I always go back to AOK, RA2 or SC/WC. And these games have been out for years.
2d is by far still alive and thriving. I don't care if SWGB is in 2d. With the AOK engine, it will still grab my interest for years to come.
Boy I think I rambled a bit.
WOW THAT WAS A LONG MESSAGE! ALthough I do agree with you.:D