I don't mind if they defend it fiercly, as long as they bring new and better versions of the product I'm happy . And if they listen to great ideas, its even better.

At long last, the new version of Empire Deluxe, Empire Deluxe Internet Edition is ready. If you need more information that a look at http://www.killerbeesoftware.com

Way too expensive if you ask me. I'm sure you'll have a copy, won't you? When you've played it enough, could you tell me how 'different' it actually is?

http://www.killerbeesoftware.com/kbsgames/ednew/newfeatures.shtml

I find it at a reasonable price. I mean, the guy had to buy the rights to the source, and then he spent a fair amount of time coding it as well. I've bought modifications to games for more than that, let alone a whole game.

I don't trust advertisements, but only first-hand experiences

Well then, why not try the demo you can find it at http://www.killerbeesoftware.com/kbsgames/demos/.

As one of the beta testers I can say alot of intresting features were added. A small grasp out of the bag:

- a lot of cheating bugs have been removed
- IP play, you can now play over the internet
- new terrain set / unit icons (only slightly diffrent)
- Up to 16 legs in a patrol
- bigger maps
- City / damaged ships wake up
- You can change the sound files
- And lots lots more


As a big fan I can only be a very happy game player. And I'm now eargerly awaiting the next version.

I'm too lazy to boot into Windows for that.

Well I can't help that, but you can check the screen shots. Oh I did test it on linux / wine and it works (not completly ok, but it works).

That might be an option May I know if you used regular Wine, WineX or Codeweaver's Wine?

I think I have the regular wine installed, but feel free to try a diffrent one

Hmm.... the screenshots look quite ugly, but that may be just the usage of the default Windows XP - look. And from what I've read now, some of the best features have been removed from the game

Like what then? Can't imagine what?

Playing via serial port.

Hum, why on earth would you like playing via a serial port, you can now play via the Internet with 6 players, something you could not do with the older versions.

Because when I have two computers standing next to each other connected via a Nullmodem, how should I play then?

Don't know about Linux (just a newbie) but in windows you should be able to give both an IP address, and you can play on the same computer by running EDIE twice, one as host and one as client.

And then? If both modem and Nullmodem options have been removed, what should I do? Would TCP/IP via those connections still work?

Haven't tried it, but if you can ping the other computer then yes, you should be able to play the game, since there is no diffrence betwwen an ip connection over the internet ot one over a null modem in that case (I would think).

But I must stress, I'm not sure, ask the Killerbee forums or mail him directly if you want to be sure.

TCP/IP sucks. So does Ezboard.

Anyway, what I'm aiming at is of course the question whether I should offer ED on my site again (I took the download down when I first received this newsletter saying "it'll be released soon", that was about two months ago). If it's really almost exactly the same game, I won't, if there are notable differences however, I probably will. What do you think?

Edited by Mr Creosote at 23:31 on May, 08th 2003

Well TCP is all we got so can't help you there. If you don't like Ezboard then you can alwyas mail him directly or join the EmpireDeluxe yahoo group.

Good question, me personally am in favour of not offering this game for download anymore. If he gets enough support newer version will be released and better versions are in the pipeline at long last. The game itself (the rules and units) are identical only things that would not change the gameplay have been incorportated.

It depends on what you find notable :-). For me it's the same game. More an expansion pack then a complete new game sort of.