WARGAME: European Escalation

http://www.wargame-ee.com
from Stardock Forums

...it is 1975.  The cold-war has just morphed into the beginnings of WWIII.

 

Amidst a 1980's electric guitar peppered soundtrack and the snap, crackle and pop of various machine-gun and cannon sounds you take control of the forces of either NATO or the Warsaw Pact.

 

It is the game R.U.S.E. could/should have been.  By the same developers (Eugen) but no longer published by Ubisoft the game currently has an SP campaign (which is really just a tutorial) and MP (both ranked via ELO and unranked).

The matchmaking is painless and setting up a clan in-game is a just as easy.

They just released patch #4 today and the plan is to patch again soon with MP coop etc. etc.

 

I come from the days of V for Victory and Close Combat, and while this game is neither as detailed or as slow-paced as those epic series it does have that same sort of "feel" about it.  The first time I loaded the game and just sitting at the briefing menu I started thinking "wow.......this is Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising realised in a videogame".

This is the very first RTS I've ever played that has actually built-in game mechanics that punish single-unit rush [zerg rush] tactics.  All units use up fuel and ammo, and if you don't resupply that nice long tank-column you wasted all of your command points on will end up out of fuel in the middle of the huge battlefield and therefore no longer pose much of a threat!  ;P

 

Any serious RTS fan should check this one out further.......

80,066 views 25 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

 

Sorry just found the other thread on this game...........disregard thread please..

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

 

Posted by a EUGEN dev today........

 

Hi all,
Despite what you may think, we're not spending our time still celebrating the release. Here is a preview of what we’re presently working on at Eugen to improve Wargame in a near future, based on the requests and suggestions we’ve had from the community on this forum:
- Comp Stomp: It’s being tested as I speak (well, write). It takes more time that stated two weeks ago because we’ve decided not to just transpose the solo campaign’s AI, but to improve it especially for the multiplayer in order to give it sharper teeth. Thus more challenge, be warned … - Ability to ping the map . - New Game Modes & Victory Conditions - New Multiplayer Maps - Possibility to watch old replays from previous versions.
Yet, we’re working on this in parallel with the daily technical assistance, balance tests and fixes, … and all of this takes time. More time actually than some, whom enthusiasm we’re nonetheless grateful of, would actually grant us between an interesting (and, especially, feasible) suggestion and its implementation. But be sure we’re working hard to improve the game. Some of the features I’ve mentioned above, especially Comp Stomp & Ping, should be available quickly. Other will take more time to be designed, validated, tested and then implemented. We’re talking of weeks may be, not just a few days. We’re taking your feedbacks and suggestions into accounts. All we’re asking in return is for your support and to be patient, all of this will be made available ... soon enough …

End of quote

 

http://www.wargame-ee.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3470

Galactic Civilizations III
Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top

Great game, the best RTS in a long time. Nice update news, the new victory conditions sound exciting.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

:congrat: 1st FREE DLC for Wargame:EE !   YAY!  :congrat:

 

Posted today at the official WARGAME forums......

 

Hello,
It seems that you will not only receive chocolates for Easter this year.
Indeed, a completely free DLC will be available very soon for Wargame. Eugen is checking everything, so until April 12th, prepare and improve your tactics, because battles will soon gain strategic depth!
For more information, you will have to wait a few days more:)
Freki
_________________ Wargame Focus Team
End of quote
 
 
Here is a link to the thread:
http://wargame-ee.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=3993
Reply #5 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting the_Monk, reply 4
1st FREE DLC for Wargame:EE !   YAY! 
 
End of the_Monk's quote

We used to call those patches. :grin:

 

This game looks good though... Not willing to pay full price at this point but I'm keeping an eye on it.

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Fistalis, reply 5
 
 
We used to call those patches.
End of Fistalis's quote

Maybe so.......but at least it's FREE right? 
 

Quoting Fistalis, reply 5

This game looks good though... Not willing to pay full price at this point but I'm keeping an eye on it.
End of Fistalis's quote

 

Put it this way.  If Sins of a Solar Empire Rebellion is worth 39.99 then Wargame:EE is for sure worth that much (and more in my opinion).   O:)

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting Fistalis, reply 5

Quoting the_Monk, reply 4 1st FREE DLC for Wargame:EE !   YAY! 
 


We used to call those patches.

 

This game looks good though... Not willing to pay full price at this point but I'm keeping an eye on it.
End of Fistalis's quote

This game has recieved several patches already so this free DLC is different in some way.

If you define value for money as re playability than this game, then this game is definitely worth it. 

Reply #8 from Demigod Forums Top

best rts since supcom imo. loving it. cant wait to see what they have in store for next week.

Reply #9 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting JuleTron, reply 7


This game has recieved several patches already so this free DLC is different in some way.

If you define value for money as re playability than this game, then this game is definitely worth it. 
End of JuleTron's quote

They call it DLC because it sounds better for marketing purposes. Free DLC sounds better in marketing than content patch, not a big deal.. its just amusing.

 

Quoting -RAISTLIN-, reply 8
best rts since supcom imo. loving it. cant wait to see what they have in store for next week.
End of -RAISTLIN-'s quote

See I own sup com.. played through it like once.. and didn't really like it.. so IMO thats not exactly high accolades. Glad I bought it on sale for like 10$ and didn't pay full price. :grin:

 

Edit: Just found this.. so ya I won't be paying full price for this game.

Wargame: European Escalation uses an offshoot of StarForce that limits you to five installs

 

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Fistalis, reply 9

 

Quoting -RAISTLIN-, reply 8best rts since supcom imo. loving it. cant wait to see what they have in store for next week.

See I own sup com.. played through it like once.. and didn't really like it.. so IMO thats not exactly high accolades. Glad I bought it on sale for like 10$ and didn't pay full price.
End of Fistalis's quote

I wouldn't have compared it to supcom........in my opinion Wargame:EE is closer to a cross between R.U.S.E and World in Conflict.

Either way, single best RTS game I've played since the Steel Panthers/Close Combat days.  Wargame:EE makes games like COH (Company of Heroes series) look like childrens arcade games!  :P

 

Quoting Fistalis, reply 9

Edit: Just found this.. so ya I won't be paying full price for this game.

Wargame: European Escalation uses an offshoot of StarForce that limits you to five installs

 
End of Fistalis's quote

It is a STEAM game (even if you don't buy it from STEAM) and I have it installed on my downstairs gaming rig so I can play the MP with friends as well as installed on my upstairs gaming rig so I can play the SP from the comfort of my sofa! ;)

Also, that is FIVE INSTALLS BEFORE YOU MUST REVOKE SOME INSTALLS.  It is not five installs forever........

 

EDIT: Also worth mentioning, the publisher (Focus Home Entertainment) and the DEVS (Eugen) have been incredibly flexible (more so than I would be) in terms of activation issues as evidenced on their official forums.  In fact the level of dev-consumer communication evidenced on their forums is not something one finds very often these days.  Certainly a DEV and publisher I for one have no qualms about supporting.

Reply #11 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting the_Monk, reply 10

I've played since the Steel Panthers/Close Combat days.  Wargame:EE makes games like COH look like childrens arcade games! 

 

Quoting Fistalis, reply 9
Edit: Just found this.. so ya I won't be paying full price for this game.

Wargame: European Escalation uses an offshoot of StarForce that limits you to five installs

 

It is a STEAM game (even if you don't buy it from STEAM) and I have it installed on my downstairs gaming rig so I can play the MP with friends as well as installed on my upstairs gaming rig so I can play the SP from the comfort of my sofa!

Also, that is FIVE INSTALLS BEFORE YOU MUST REVOKE SOME INSTALLS.  It is not five installs forever........
End of the_Monk's quote

Even the steam version includes the added DRM. But honestly whether or not its five forever for five with revocations doesn't matter to me the inclusion of such a system instantly devalues the game to me, since its totally reliant on the servers for activation and revocation being up forever.. which we both know isn't gonna happen.(not to mention.. its ACT which is based on starforce.. If i wanted malware I'd download porn)

At best its a long term rental. Rental price is all I'm willing to pay for it.

 

Edit: Just realized you pointed out it requires steamworks as well.. LOL 2x DRM.. won't touch it even on sale.

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

 

Well obviously it is to each their own.

 

I'm just curious as to why some people are so interested in the the word forever when it comes to their video games.  Is anything in your life really forever?  We can own many things; cars, homes, boats, computers, tools, kitchen utensils, media of all types and guess what?  They all deteriorate and none will last forever.  So why should I be concerned about the eventuality of activation/revocation servers going down? 

I guess I just don't 'get it'........

 

Suffice it to say and as already stated, if expansions (could also just be looked at as a big patch) such as Sins of a Solar Empire Rebellion are supposed to be worth 39.99 then this dev-team and publisher have produced a remarkable product which (in my opinion) is worth much more than 39.99 and I look forward to supporting their future efforts.

Reply #13 from Elemental Forums Top

Quoting the_Monk, reply 12
 

Well obviously it is to each their own.

 

I'm just curious as to why some people are so interested in the the word forever when it comes to their video games.  Is anything in your life really forever?  We can own many things; cars, homes, boats, computers, tools, kitchen utensils, media of all types and guess what?  They all deteriorate and non will last forever.  So why should I be concerned about the eventuality of activation/revocation servers going down? 

I guess I just don't 'get it'........

End of the_Monk's quote

Forever to me is for as long as I want to play it.. If I want to install it and play it in 10 years will the ACT servers still be up? Who knows. If I take good care of my physical possessions they are likely to last me the rest of my life. Putting a system like that on it simply puts an expiration date on the software. One that says Unknown date.Which is crazy when you think about it since digital media should have a longer shelf life than physical goods.

 

To be fair though I didn't realize it requires steamworks as well as ACT drm. Thats just crazy that I would have to accept steams TOS/program on top of it installing drivers/other 3rd party DRM systems. How many DRM systems do you need to protect one game...(that is probably already cracked and available to pirates)

Ignoring steamworks though I'm against any program that installs 3rd party drivers as DRM.. since they have access to parts of the machine they shouldn't. Hardware DRM is horrible.

Of course the fact that the devs/publisher didn't exactly tell people that Actcontrol was installed is rather troubling as well. If you're gonna use a hardware DRM system at least have the decency to disclose that to consumers.

 

But bleh.. getting totally off subject.. Lets agree to disagree I suppose. (Rather than letting this thread turn into yet ANOTHER DRM debate)

 

Reply #14 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting Fistalis, reply 13


Forever to me is for as long as I want to play it..
End of Fistalis's quote

Well now......there is your problem.  I'm sure I didn't want my dog to die last week (he had the best care any dog in the world could have), or my car to have problems (eventhough I take extraordinary care of it) or my house to need new shingles on the roof (I am one hell of a handyman and do everything I can myself) or my BBQ to need to be replaced (I meticulously clean it).  Forever or in your case "use of something/anything at your whim" just aren't part of this little thing called LIFE.  ;)

 

Quoting Fistalis, reply 13

If I take good care of my physical possessions they are likely to last me the rest of my life. Putting a system like that on it simply puts an expiration date on the software. One that says Unknown date.Which is crazy when you think about it since digital media should have a longer shelf life than physical goods.

End of Fistalis's quote

See above.  Everything in life has an expiration date.  Everything.   Digital media is in most cases even more volatile which is why we feel the need for redundant backups etc. all of which can (and often do fail).......unless you obsessively verify each backup EVERY TIME you can't KNOW that your backup is actually a good backup.

 

Quoting Fistalis, reply 13

...(that is probably already cracked and available to pirates)
End of Fistalis's quote

Yes.  The game's pirate playerbase (in my opinion) was much higher in the first few weeks than the paid-for playerbase.  Of course after a few patches and then batches of STEAM keys being blacklisted/blocked the playerbase tanked.  I have my own ideas on how to solve that type of issue and it starts with actually allowing the pirates to play with all of the paying customers since we all know pirates wouldn't pay anyway but having a small or no playerbase kills a game faster than pirates.....

 

Quoting Fistalis, reply 13


Ignoring steamworks though I'm against any program that installs 3rd party drivers as DRM.. since they have access to parts of the machine they shouldn't. Hardware DRM is horrible.

Of course the fact that the devs/publisher didn't exactly tell people that Actcontrol was installed is rather troubling as well. If you're gonna use a hardware DRM system at least have the decency to disclose that to consumers.
End of Fistalis's quote

 

Since most people still insist on running their PC using a user account with ADMIN priviledges they themselves are in fact the biggest threat to their system.  Certainly much more so than any third-party software ever could be so I consider that argument to be moot.  Since this is my line of work I see this type of risky behaviour all of the time and take a guess the response when I try to change their minds......



 

Quoting Fistalis, reply 13


But bleh.. getting totally off subject.. Lets agree to disagree I suppose. (Rather than letting this thread turn into yet ANOTHER DRM debate)

 
End of Fistalis's quote

 

I don't see this as a DRM debate (at least from my part) but rather a discussion about value (real or percieved) which is why I said what I said about SINS rebellion etc.

Reply #15 from Demigod Forums Top

Quoting Fistalis, reply 9

See I own sup com.. played through it like once.. and didn't really like it.. so IMO thats not exactly high accolades. Glad I bought it on sale for like 10$ and didn't pay full price. 
End of Fistalis's quote

if you were playing the campaign you were doing it wrong.

Reply #16 from Stardock Forums Top
New content is about to be added for all commandants!
 
 Willing to test your Clan's newest tactics? Or to just have some quick fun with friends without pressure? Team up with other players and jump into the action against a computer controlled opponent! This first DLC brings a new skirmish AI, allowing 1 up to 7 players to face the computer.
  
 The DLC also introduces 7 new multiplayer maps! These brand new battlefields will challenge the veteran commanders! 2 of these maps are built asymmetrically, in order to offer Attack/Defense games by giving a natural role to each team. Hold that position at all cost!
  
 Finally, communication, coordination and all your team tactics are optimized, thanks to the new Flare system! Get the attention of your teammates by firing one of the preset Flares, or one with a custom message!
 
 In parallel, an update will be deployed the same day, including a few additional novelties for all:
- possibility to remap shortcut keys
- possibility to reset the command stars you spent - more balancing - and more bug-fixing!
  
 See you soon on the battlefields!
Freki
_________________ Wargame Focus Team
 
End of quote
 

Here is the official forum link:
 
http://wargame-ee.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4100
Reply #17 from Stardock Forums Top

there's a free DLC coming soon ...

We could just give you a fully detailed list of what's gonna be in it ... but we'd realize we would enjoy it better just giving you bits of informations once at a time. Of course, any reference to an alledgedly sadistic behaviour would only lead to some unexpected delays in the DLC's release ... :twisted: So, from now on and up to its release, we'll post here some new informations about its content every (working) day.

Let's start now, with a preview of three (among others) new multiplayer maps. All of which will be also made available in ranked game.

More will come tomorrow ...  ;)

--------------------

UPDATE #1:

(I've added some "inside view" of the new maps displayed above)

Free DLC will have 7 new multiplayer maps, including the above-mentionned 3.

2 of them will be "game mode" maps. We call them "Siege". Same victory conditions as now, but the initial placing is uneven: - One team starts in the middle of the map, controling high value command zone but no reinforcement zones. - The opponent team deploys on the map's edges, more like it is already the case with the current. It controls low value points command zone but can call in reinforcements.

Therefore, the besieged team has to force its way through the besiegers' line to take control of a reinforcement zone, or be denied any opportunity to use its vast amount of command points. Besiegers have to spread (therefore usually being weaker on a given spot) to keep the besieged away from reinforcement points, and hold their line against (usually) superior forces long enough for their allies to come to the rescue. It is worth mentionning that, on both side, coordinated teamplay is highly required!   ;)

Both maps will be playable with both faction as besieged/besiegers.

Below is a preview of one of those siege map, with NATO as besieged team:

End of quote

 

 

here is the link to the official thread:

http://wargame-ee.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4076

Reply #18 from Stardock Forums Top

....getting harder and harder to remain patient for this update!   ;)

Reply #19 from Sins Forums Top

This update is shaping up to be even better than I expected. The night map looks great.

 

Reply #20 from Stardock Forums Top
Hi all,
 As Freki already told you (http://www.wargame-ee.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4100&p=48639#p48635), Free DLC will be released tomorrow evening (GMT). And with it the tuning patch we made public today (http://www.wargame-ee.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4666). 
 
 But that's not all ...
At the time the DLC & patch will be released, WarGame will also be on special offer on Steam! So make sure to warn all the strategy fan you know about it ...
 
End of quote
 
 
Here once again is the official thread:
 
http://www.wargame-ee.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4678
Reply #21 from Stardock Forums Top

WARGAME: European Escalation is now 40% off on Steam.

Reply #22 from Stardock Forums Top

 

Yup......until Monday!   Special to promote their free new DLC (also launced today) which gives 7 new maps (to the 11 already in the game) as well as MP skirmish vs AI for up to 7 players.

 

Any RTS fan who doesn't pick this game up at 40% off is not really an RTS fan........that is all!  :X  

Reply #23 from Elemental Forums Top

Yeah, I picked this one up and look forward to getting into it.  It looks like a real RTS, in terms of one that centers on strategy and tactics rather than how fast you can micro / macro.

Reply #24 from Stardock Forums Top

 

W:EE is 50% off during the weekend coupled with the release of the SECOND FREE DLC bringing even more maps and a new gameplay mode.

 

http://store.steampowered.com/news/8328/

 

 

Anyone into RTS at all owes it to themselves to check this one out.  It is months later and I still play this game every chance I get.......

Reply #25 from Stardock Forums Top

 

 

40% discount still active (due to STEAM summer sales events) until July 23rd 2012.

 

Go get it nubs!  :P