Another great video. One of the things I really love about Empire/Profound Decisions is the transparency in how they make the magic happen. Andy Connell, I find myself agreeing with you across the board. Tactical jeopardy and no planned outcomes is brilliant. Your comment about the Druj being the perfect Counter to the player character Imperial forces style and how it is the most enjoyable force for you to use to challenge the players is great because it illustrates that fine line between PvP and PvE. Also, still very topical for Empire… Generals consider strategy in Anvil and Captains consider tactics on the battlefield. Just a thought.
A great look behind the curtain, thanks Tom for explaining some of the hard work that goes into making Empire battles and skirmishes exciting. A lot of hard earned experience behind those systems.
The new player classes are something I wish more larps would do. It is fascinating to hear some of the things players get up to that might not be widely known, yet while not spoiling plot.
You do not give yourselves enough credit. I think you both Video well. And it is great to hear a bit about what happens behind the curtain. Also, bit is brilliant that you givecsuch credit to players adding their pieces to the puzzle.
Even though I have come across this years later, there are some great nuggets of magical game mechanics wisdom in here. The reasoning behind why some spells are not in the game was particularly useful for other games.
It does feel odd watching these older videos to help play catch up after a five year break but it is ultimately rewarding. It is great to see how well Empire is going. Traumatic wound mechanics are something I wish I could find a way to introduce to Mythodea. And I always enjoy the casual yet informative nature of these videos. Thanks again to everyone at PD for creating the framework of a world for players to inhabit. I hope to see you again at some point in the future.
The all ages aspect of Empire is great. The Academy in particular is brilliant and I think a lot of game organizers could learn from how the Academy works. I may be a bit biased however as I have a son and I wish he could experience the Empire Academy. Unfortunately I do not live in the UK anymore. So thanks Elinor, your hardwork has helped create something awesome.
The Art Department really knocked it out of the park in visualizing the world of Empire. Lots of hard work from many talented people and it continues today as the game continues evolving. I look forward to seeing what new designs become uncovered by player decisions.
A great chat. Refreshed some things I had forgotten and has given me some new angles to look at PvP in other games as well. I like that the answer to your kind of game is not just “make a sandbox”. Despite having been around when Empire was created, all these years later I am still surprised just how complex all the moving parts are and how so many game elements at Empire are built from the ground up to facilitate the encouragement of increasing collaborative story telling through conflict without it becoming purely a points score competition.
A difficult topic to discuss but easily can become offensive. I know I have offended people without intending to regarding this topic. I wish I had been as sensitive and articulate as Matt was here. He has taught me a lot over the years. Thanks Matt! Immersion matters.
Ah how the years have flown by. Such a sense of nostalgia rewatching this. The continuing success of Empire is a testament to Matt‘s vision as well as all the hard work of the brilliant team of people he put together to create the game. All of them have my deepest respect.
Lovely episode, thank you! Question for the plot episode if you take them! What do you do, or suggest players do, when they try and try to make friends and get involved in plot, but keep running up against other players being discouraging towards your goals and / or hoarding plot for themselves and their cliques?
I saw the sinking boat plot from the outside, mostly because I walked past and heard a tent full of screaming players while one of plot production sprayed water under the tent flap, grinning like a madman the whole time
And a question for you: I’d like to know, is it easier to run Empire now after all these years of experience, or has the games large growth meant that every new event is more work than the last? - Matt
Thanks for the shout out! You’re making content about as regularly as we are now!! And just from me, thanks so much for the opportunity to become crew and Tribune for you Clare, I had a wonderful time and can’t wait for e4 to do it all again! - Matt
Heya, The Mummers you mentioned were us! (The village of Goatsbridge, fittingly enough ) I play Rosie, whose usually the Fool doing the narration for the rituals. I am actually crying right now, that was such a nice thing to say and we are all so happy people enjoyed it <3 If you're ever free to swing by the Marches, we are always prepared with hospitality :)
Thanks for amazing note about our mummer performance in the regio! We are the Goatsbridge Covern and were doing various farm blessing rituals as the Matilda Fisher and founding of the village of Goatsbridge plays. We love mummery as it brings so much joy! Glad you enjoyed our show!
I remember Skordys Contingency Fireballs going off when a stabbing train ran through the glade! Ended up making an IC cuddly toy for someone whose baby had been scared by the explosions.
