Most of the deleted things are the people coming and going and so forth. Also I'm rearranging the order of the lines to make more sense (you know how that goes sometimes with chatting.) I fixed a few typos and delted some unnessecary/inappropriate stuff. Enjoy!
+Julia@ZEvents> Welcome to the Zone Theater Chat Room! We're here tonight with renowned game designer and developer Bruce Shelley to talk about the highly anticipated real-time strategy title Age of Mythology (due to release Fall 2002). Also, as an extra bonus, we will be giving away Age of Mythology posters autographed by Bruce!
If you see your name posted as a WINNER, be sure to send us the requested info ASAP :-) A little background on our guest before we jump into your questions: Bruce Shelley has been a professional game designer and developer since 1980, when he began working with paper and board games. In 1987, Shelley switched to computer games and made a name in the industry helping Sid Meier design the original Railroad Tycoon and Civilization. In 1995, he joined Ensemble studios and evolved their development methodology. A senior designer at Ensemble, Bruce has contributed to both of the enormously popular Age of Empires and Age of Empires II: The Age of Kings strategy games. Please limit questions to one per "up at bat". We have many folks here with many questions so even if you ask 3.. only one will be answered. Thanks for your cooperation, we'll try to get to as many as time permits :-) We're thrilled to have you here with us tonight Bruce, shall we get started?+Bruce@ES> Yes, let'g go. Great to be here.Clarissimus> Mine is not a question that requires an immediate answer; I was just wondering if you could drop by some time and make comment about your remark from a Gamespot interview here: http://aom.heavengames.com/cgi-bin/forums/display.cgi?action=ct&f=1,1359,1,all +Bruce@ES> I'll have to check it out later.Clarissimus> k thanksanime_Megatron> Hi How will people be able to beta test the upcoming Age of Mythology? +Bruce@ES> keep an eye on our site. We will be posting info on the beta test.anime_Megatron> ok thank you_GoA_Slayer> Have you considered implementing live voice chat (like Half-Life or RogerWilco) so team members can communicate easily with without typing?+Bruce@ES> Not too much. We've got our hands full trying to finish the game..._GoA_Slayer> k
_GoA_Slayer> thanx+Bruce@ES> voice chat would be great, but not in the first release._GoA_Slayer> sureheadly3> Hi Bruce! Thanks for taking the time to talk to us ;-). Ye should do this more often! :-D I was wondering, whats the situation about the BETA version of AoM, David Rippy hinted that it might be an open beta (i.e no limit on the number of users). Any comments?+Bruce@ES> David is the producer on AoM. He helps make those calls. ...headly3> .......be more specific than that ;-)+Bruce@ES> We will have to see what we think we can handle. basically the more the betterLedHead189> What special power/ability does the Pharaoh have?+Bruce@ES> That is still changing, but he might be a healer, might speed building, might fight myth creaturesLedHead189> Cool. ThanksSoR_Anarchy> Hey bruce thanks for taking my question. What will be the function of heros be in AoM?+Bruce@ES> right now, heroes are the counter unit to the myth creatures, like cyclops.KES_HAMERDAMAGE> Bruce...great games....love the series alot...september is a long time off my friend...patch of simple things would fire up the aok/tc community again(keeping the interest in the game=better aom sales/$) and is not that labor intensive to do/thank you+Bruce@ES> there is some interest at ES in a new patch. It is being discussed. Keep an ear out.XDarkAvengerX> With the scenario editor in AoM will we be able to change hp attack and name with triggers?+Bruce@ES> At this point you can only insert canned units with fixed HP. Your suggestion would be good.XDarkAvengerX> thanlsAlexandergreat3> Hello Mr. Shelley. It's my honor to meet you here tonight! Before I ask my questions, I'd like to take this opportunity to say that ES guys and gals did a brilliant Job with the Age series, and I wish you all the best with AOM!!
Alexandergreat3> ..
Alexandergreat3> Ok, my question is: according to the info released by ES, the god powers (GP) are limited to 1 use per age. In the Scenario Editor, can God powers such as meteor shower be cast at specific spots on the map using triggers? Will there be a limit?+Bruce@ES> Yes, we have a great team at ES, best I have ever seen...
+Bruce@ES> God power availability is in flux. ...
+Bruce@ES> I believe we can bring down god powers in the editor using triggers. gaAlexandergreat3> at any spot?+Bruce@ES> I believe so. Limitations would be minimal, to keep the cpu from bogging downAOKB_Thunder> Hiya Bruce...Will houses perform the same function in AOM as they did in AOK? Will all cultures use houses in the same way?+Bruce@ES> They do now. For much of our development so far they worked differently for each or did not exist...+Bruce@ES> After a lot of testing we thought it best to put them back...+Bruce@ES> we don't want the game to be too different from what Age fans are used to.AOKB_Thunder> thanks Bruce : )MW_Slayer_671> Hi. What have you all changed or added to Age of Mythology that is better or improves the past games?(main things)+Bruce@ES> 3D gives us a lot of new capability, including cooler graphics and effects...
+Bruce@ES> Mythology is the huge change/innovation thanks to god powers and amazing mythological units.MW_Slayer_671> Thanks BruceSeven5468> Greetings, great games!! I notice that from some of the screen shots that AOM has graphic similarities to AOE I and II. But, it seems, at least to me, that it's closer to AOE I. Is there any reason behind or truth to this?+Bruce@ES> We don't see it that way. I and II were 2D, AoM is 3D. We continually strive for a realistic, bright look.
deadlydentures> How will night and day be done in AOM exactly?
+Bruce@ES> to get full night, unplug your pc, ;-) ...
+Bruce@ES> night and day will be available in the scenario editor only...
+Bruce@ES> night and day will be available in the scenario editor only...
+Bruce@ES> there is slider bar available and you can adjust the daylight from dawn to dark.deadlydentures> thankRVD_Germ_> Hey Bruce! Before i ask i just want to say that you guys at ES are awsome. I am a hardcore ES fan and i am pursuing a career in computer programming. In fact i am seriously considering putting in for a job at ES when i get my degree...
RVD_Germ_> But for now im stuck in high school...
RVD_Germ_> I was wondering if there is any talk of an expansion for AOM?+Bruce@ES> First, great programming talent is always in demand...
+Bruce@ES> we will think about an AoM x-pack if AoM turns into a successIM_THuGGy> Will there be the same features in Age series like hills with archers ? if so could you name one I wouldn't know about? Will AoM have the same view size like 800x600 +Bruce@ES> I don't understand the Q about hills with archers. I think the view size will be the same or larger.IM_THuGGy> like in Age when your on a hill how its easier to killIM_THuGGy> I thought you would know since you worked on Age but nevermind that+Bruce@ES> We are experimenting with terrain effects. If they work well in our tests, they will be in the game. _iUnknowni_> Hi,Will the scenario editor be easy to use? & Will there be a copy trigger button? +Bruce@ES> The scenario editor will be as easy or easier as it has been in our past games...
+Bruce@ES> but make it great software in its own right would seriously impede making the overall game...
+Bruce@ES> developers have to make reasonable tradeoffs.Juampablo> will there be special villagers for each culture?+Bruce@ES> right now there are only special villagers for the Norse- dwarves who are especially good at gold mining.Gary__Payton> hey there Bruce greetings from Brazil ^___^ I was the Brazilian champion in Redmond and too bad I did not get to meet you there. I got to talk to Kevin Holme and Captn Kidd though they are pretty cool! How about you guys from ES take some of the guys...
Gary__Payton> who were at Redmond to be beta testers? LIKE ME! hihihi Or maybe to work at ES (we never know unless we try, right hihihi)? By the way I just became the champion of Age of Kings Heaven Ladder today, where is the champagne? hihihi ....
Gary__Payton> What´s up +Julia? Thanks for paying the drinks in Redmond at the Sports Bar at the Hotel for me, DeathKnight (France), ZhaZ (Sweeden) and Crouvex (Germany).... after Bruce hires me to work at ES I can pay you back some drinks! ^__^ GA go SONICS
Gary__Payton> flup+Julia@ZEvents> shhh Payton! hehehe+Bruce@ES> I had a conflict with the tournament when the dates changed after 9/11. congrats tho.gaGary__Payton> Are you guys from ES and MS considering a second International Tournament to end with a "golden key" the AoE series this year? That would be nice, it was one of the best experiences in my life those days in Redmond. Thanks!! GA bye :-(+Julia@ZEvents> Keep eyes peeled for more WW Events :-)+Bruce@ES> We are focusing now on finishing AoM. I am not aware of another tournament in the works nowKong_KK> Are you going to add men pushing siege weapons around similar to the way you Are you going to add men pushing the siege weapons around similar to the way you had men pushing Bombard Cannons around in AoK?+Bruce@ES> There is at least one siege unit in AoM that shows men pushing it. Others the men are not shown and presumed to be inside.Kong_KK> how about catapults and stuff?+Bruce@ES> There is a nice mix of siege units. I'm not going to list them here, but we will be showing them over the rest of this year up until September launch._hccc_> How long will it be before computer player ai will be able to defeat expert human players, i mean in terms of being able to choose a stradegy on the fly during a game,like a rush or a power up defending on early resources? also
_hccc_> Are all ai scripts the same for all civs?+Bruce@ES> The AI will probably never be able to beat an expert human player, unless we allow it to cheat, which we do not do in any of our games. Mike Kidd may disagree with me there and I may be wrong on that. Mike is scripting our AI. ...
+Bruce@ES> AI scripts are not the same. We can write dozens of them.Player_Theta_> evening everyone =)
Player_Theta_> Kraken, Whale, Turtle, are these creatures player controlled, food or are they just in there for aesthetic appeal?+Bruce@ES> Right now the whale is aesthetic. The giant turtle and Kraken are myth units that you can control.
menacingminotau> hi bruce, im a big fan of the game and i wanna ask u this,will there be civilizations like in the other games if not how are they gonna be, or is it races like gods or something?+Bruce@ES> There are three groups of three civilizations each. Norse, Egyptiand, and Greek...+Bruce@ES> Subdivided by the major god you choose. Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, for example are major Greek gods...
+Bruce@ES> Choosing your major gods sets certain abilities for your civ...
+Bruce@ES> We wanted more differentiation. The Norse, Greeks and Egyptians play quite differently
+Bruce@ES> As you play a game you get the opportunity to further shape your civ... keet_> Can you tell me some new, improved features of the scenario editor, ai scripts, and random map scripts?+Bruce@ES> The big new feature is in game cinematics...
+Bruce@ES> This allows you to move the story along with cinematics that in game and seamless...
+Bruce@ES> We think they are going to be a great new addition and you can do them at home also.keet_> What are some of the new gametypes and do they work well when played by the cpu?+Bruce@ES> I don't have any new game types to tell you about tonight and our AI is not far enough along yet for the cpu to play against us. Wish I could tell you more about it tonight.__sU4L_s0uTh> Hi, i wanted to ask if AOM will require a super fast computer or lots of space...and i think you should make tons of cool units so the fun never ends...also make it so it seems the battles are realistic...like more numbers...add variations to unit attacks+Bruce@ES> AoM will require 3d acceleration and a good PC. We don't know yet what are minimum requirement will be...
+Bruce@ES> We will be doing a lot of optimizing in the coming months...
+Bruce@ES> We want big realistic battles also. No one has done that really well in 3D yet[Editor's Note: __sU4L_s0uTh does some shameless "Hi Mom"-ish stuff that I deleted]BuCk_LeAdEr> is the gameing interface of aom the same as aoe +Bruce@ES> not the same. We have a full time professional, Karen Swanson, doing our UI. We want it to be easy to use and very functional. I think it has come a long way from AoK.MaLYCaN> In metal gear for nintendo where do you go in the start after killing the good at the crossroads and pass the dudes at the gate??? and can I have a AoM Poster signed by you?
[Editor's Note: MaLYCaN advertises his site. I don't repeat it.]+Bruce@ES> Can't help you with a Nintendo game. Hang around for a chance at a poster.curse_xp> Hi,Will be gates in AOM like in AOK? Thanx
[Editor's Note: curse_xp advertises his site. I don't repeat it.]+Bruce@ES> Yes, pretty much. YOu order units to go somewhere and they pass through the nearest gate.Aggressor_Black> S'up Bruce. What is main attribute of Age Of Mythology that will show an evelution to already strong Age Of Empire series? And will there be an imporvement to the AI that allows a wide varation or constantly random strategies?+Bruce@ES> We think the A I will be vastly improved...
+Bruce@ES> The main innovation will be the god powers and myth creatures, and how they change the dynamics of battle and economic development. AoM is great fun to playCD_Paladin_C0> Hi, Really nice to meet you Bruce. i was just woundering why don't egyptains get a hero?I read on [this site] that there hero got removed from the game for the egyptains [Editor's note: CD_Paladin_CO advertises this site]+Bruce@ES> The Egyptian hero is called the Pharoah. They always have one in play. If he is killed he is replaced pretty quickly. There is a way to have two at the same time. So they do have a hero.BriGthMisChieF> Hi i from Mexico...Agradecer la traduccion/ if any can translate-- thanks!! las guerras de Age II (AOC) se terminan en feudal y algunas veces en castillos a causa del rush...AOM ha previsto esto? . ¿Cuando llega a Mexico AOM??+Bruce@ES> Sorry, I cannot read Spanish clearly enough to understand your question.+Julia@ZEvents> Elvira will translate for us :-)BriGthMisChieF> did you do somthing about the flush in AOM?
MPP_ELvira> the battles in aok terminate in feudal, and
sometimes in castle because of the rush
MPP_ELvira> has aom been able to anticipate this to make any changes? and when does aom come to mexico?+Bruce@ES> It is harder to rush in AoM...
MPP_ELvira> es mas dificil hacer el rush en aom
+Bruce@ES> Most games start with some defense already in place for town areas...
+Bruce@ES> We would prefer that games get further along before being decided. We would like players to use the cool stuff we have put in the game.
MPP_ELvira> preferemos que los juegos vayan mas adelantados antes de ser decididos
+Bruce@ES> AoM will probably be in Mexico in October or November.
MPP_ELvira> queremos usar las cosas interesantes que hemos puesto en el juego BriGthMisChieF> Gracias por la ayuda Elvira/Julia...thanks
Bruce ...EnriqueOrduno> Heya Bruce =D. Great to be here.Will ES
support modding and how easily do you think Aom could be modified(modded) ?+Bruce@ES> Modding is a positive thing for any game, because it shows people really like it and it makes it more interesting for players...
+Bruce@ES> We don't plan any specific support for modding at this point beyond providing a robust scenario editor for the use of mod makers...
+Bruce@ES> After the game ships we may do more if we see an opportunity that looks cost effective.GG0_Maynard> Although age of kings has good game play it has poor networking and unit responce. Many times units are either late to respond to a command or dont even do so at all! What, if anything, are you going to do for myth to change this problem? ...
GG0_Maynard> and FLUP on Theta's Kraken,whale and turtle question..what civ/s do the turtle and kraken belong to? =]-~+Bruce@ES> The Kraken is greek and the turtle is norse, I believe. I haven't used them yet in the game, so I may be wrong...+Bruce@ES> Regarding unit response, that is something all RTS games wrestle with. There are times when you want units to respond and times when you don't. We generally prefer to leave it as a player decision, instead of scripting itStorM_Prodigy> Hey Bruce, not see you. Great job on Age series, im a big fan and been playing since Rise of Rome. My question is how do you expect for Age of Mythology to appeal to experts seeking top level competition and high level of players and\or tournaments?+Bruce@ES> We have some of the US's top AoE players on our staff and they will help us be sure that AoM is a very competitive game for the experts. At the same time, we sell far more games to casual gamers, so we must be sure that the game appeals to them also...
+Bruce@ES> Appealing to both groups is a challenge. The great single player campaign we are building is especially directed to the casual gamer.StorM_Prodigy> Also Mr Shelly, I would like to know if you have plans for more than one big tournament for money or perhaps a few small tournies for money in store for us in the Aging Community, I for one would find it very thrilling.