Sauron wrote:
1. You have showed that you have added many cool new features, both for mapmakers and for the players. Is it hard to pull the new features in since you work in assembler? What other new features you will/would want to add to next version?
Generally - yes, it is hard. We would like to add or change several effects of skills, change economy to add more depth to strategy.
2. The FaceTool was (and still is) a cool feature. Wll you make a new version of it? If yes, what new can we except? Do you play to add the fan-made portraits into the game? Will changing the potraits be optional?
We did not discuss next version of FaceTool. It's not perfect, but it does what it's meant to do. We want to introduce some new faces for our campaigns, but they will be drawn specifically for that. Last part I don't understand. It's optional now and it will remain the same.
3. You alredy told that you work on RMG. What can you tell us about it? What are the differences betewen that RMG and the one from H4Util?
H4Util creates very chaotic maps. We want to make RMG much smarter, so it could create interesting maps to play. Unfortunately, we stumbled upon some algorithms, so we're still in the very beginning.
4. You added many new features into the Editor that shall make the mapmakers happy. Will you add any more new features/scripts?
Yes, sure. Don't know which ones though - I'm not a mapmaker myself. But our wish-list is quite lengthy.
5. You changed the Summoning and Necromancy skill drasticaly in last version. Do you plan to change any other skills? If yes, did H5 skill system have any influence on you?
Yes, we do plan to change other skills. No, H5 skill system did not influence us. In my personal opinion, it's inferior to H4 system. And what's more important, it's designed for a single hero, which is not the case for H4. This is very important.
6. Personaly, my favourite feature from WoG was the town demolition and assimilation. In old forums, it seemed as if you tought about it as well. Will this feature be added? If yes, how shall it work?
Not in foreseeable future, sorry to disappoint you.
7. Will you add another tool like the FaceTool that lets the mapmaker add new things to his campaigns like new audios, campaign screens, special artifacts (that replaces the name and picture of an old one)...
Yes, we have a bold idea about such a tool, which will allow a lot of customization, but it's not going to happen soon.
8. A RT member Pacobac says that H4 is an amazing game in multiplayer. Do you intend to improve it? If yes, what changes can we except?
Multiplayer is a sort of play, where only one goal of many possible matters. You have to win, and only then you can think about relaxation, immersion into fantasy world, alternative (=less efficient) strategies and tactics, etc. This means that only small part of the game is used, the most efficient ways to achieve victory. We want to make changes that will make more strategies viable, more tricks working. You can expect another reshuffle in spells, changed properties for some objects on the map and in towns. Changes in economy will influence multiplayer too.
9. Do you intend to have interface changes? Is it even possuble to add new interfaces?
No, we're satisfied with existing interface, especially in 1280*1024. It is possible to create new interface. Several guys in Russian forums tried to do it with our help, but unfortunately none has finished this task.
10. Years passed since the last version was released, but the number of enthusiasts isn't much lower. What can you tell us about your opinions of the mod and its success and promise? Can you tell us what made you a H4 fan? Why do you believe it is special then the other games from the series?
First of all H4 is a great game in terms of design. 99% of the attention we have must be credited to NWC team. One single decision - putting heroes on the battlefield - had so many consequences, and most of them very positive. Hero in battle -> there can be several heroes -> heroes can be specialists -> you can have more then one army and still utilize all experience in final battle. Skill system makes you learn to fight with anything you have - with level 1 spells, level 3 spells. There is a long way to grandmaster, and you have to fight this way through. Compare it with only couple levelups to absolute mastery in some school of magic, you know where. You choose to learn some school of magic - and here you are, very soon you have all the best from it. I'm not talking about lesser things, like simultaneous retaliation or fog of war, but they too make this game to stand out from the others.
11. A cliche question: do you have a release date for the next version?
![:P :P](/forums/images/smilies/p.gif)
No. Programming features requires some very special skills. Our chief programmer,
Lost, has gained several levels in Equilibris development. Now he's a rare and very valuable employee for his company, and it has underside - too little time for hobby. Especially if hobby is too similar to work
![smile :)](/forums/images/smilies/smile9.gif)