#rts2013

[strongholdcrusader2-blog]

The time has come! Stronghold Crusader 2 is now in beta and set for release on Steam on 2nd September 2014.

To celebrate reaching this stage in development we have put together an E3 trailer with fresh footage of the game at beta, including many of the new features that set Crusader 2 apart from the original game.

The game is essentially finished with all our core systems in place including co-op, unit abilities and dynamic events like the tornado and locust swarm. Self-publishing comes with its own set of challenges but one of the great advantages is that we can release when we are ready, when the bugs have been squashed and the game is worthy of the Crusader name. After taking the game to several public shows over the past nine months we are very happy with the game’s feel. The team has been tweaking areas of gameplay such as unit balance and castle destruction in direct response to feedback received at these shows and it has made a huge difference. Players are telling us it feels like the original Crusader in terms of moment-to-moment gameplay and just hearing that is hugely encouraging.

The whole team feels as though we have managed to make a game that expands on the original Crusader without changing what people found so enjoyable about the original. It is mission accomplished on that front and we still have time for a lengthy beta period to polish everything off before launch. Having to be so vague about our release date, at least until recently, was frustrating but we only wanted to give a specific date once we knew the game would be finished and up to the kind of standard players expect. Soon there will be a great Stronghold game available on Steam, one we can’t wait to get into the hands of players.

Roll on September 2nd!

[mothermotherband-blog]

#tbt to #RTS2013 ... Can't wait to rock them shores again this summer!!!! #regram @awolnationmusic #festivals #summer #music #awolnation #victoria (at victoria bc)

[caichuai]

DD attended rts2013 concert at gramercy theatre for vh1 save the music with Alaine Bendi and Keaton Simons (Promenade Music Ent.)

[joshbkelley]

I'm playing #rts2013 to support @vh1savethemusic in NYC 12/5 w/ @BlakeLewis @tylerwardmusic & more! Get tix now: btfconcerts.com

[sav0y-truffle]

At #rts2013 when #awolnation was on stage!!! Was pretty excited about this.

[vincevaccaro]

This one is my favourite from the weekend... #rts2013 #shanederinger #vincevaccaro @shane_deringer #livethesearch @ripcurl_canada #rocknroll

[mydaddysgotagun]

✌#RTS2013

[classedupnightime]

[strongholdcrusader2-blog]

Old Guard: Crusader Swordwordsman

The Crusader Swordsmen have one purpose: Conquer the heathens and claim the holy lands in the name of their ‘noble’ cause. With sharp swords and a thick layer of armour, everything about the Swordsman suggests brute force. From the imposing bucket helm to the crosses adorning their shield and tunic, they are designed to inspire fear. One of the toughest units in the game, a formation of Swordsmen marching on your gates should always be treated as a threat to both your castle and your Lord.

Crusader Swordsmen are best used for attacking as part of your main army, especially when making a final assault on the enemy Lord. They have a high armour value, particularly against arrows. As such it is wise to use them as tanks, drawing as much of the defender’s arrow fire as possible while your main force marches on the castle. Once the walls are breached the defending player or AI will have no choice, he or she will have to face your Swordsmen head on. With their high attacking power and thick armour just a few Swordsmen can take out an enemy Lord.

Such power comes with a cost, Swordsmen are not cheap and they also require several key economic buildings to train and equip them for battle. As in previous Stronghold games, Swordsmen require Armour and Swords, made in Armourer Workshop and Blacksmith Workshop, before they can be recruited. This makes them an expensive unit, especially when you consider that Iron is also required to forge Armour and Swords. One alternative is to buy weapons and armour. In the long term this is an expensive option for building up an army, however it can be effective for surprise attacks or emergency defensive measures. Expect to see more Swordsmen towards the end half of skirmish and multiplayer games.

The downside of heavy armour is that it weighs down the Crusader Swordsman, reducing his walking speed to a slow march, which tends to make them poor defensive troops. A squad of Slaves or Macemen are able to deal plenty of damage by the time Swordsmen get within attacking range of them, escaping fairly easily when they do. As mentioned in our previous blog post, being clad in full armour means that Swordsmen are weak against fire.

If we had one warning about using Crusader Swordsmen it would be to beware the open desert, where slow moving troops such as these are most vulnerable. Without ranged protection from Archers a couple of well-placed Burning Carts can break the lines of a squad of Swordsmen. Although arrows are weak against them Horse Archers can run circles around the Crusader Swordsman, steadily chipping away at his health while staying comfortably outside their attacking range. Remember the desert is not conquered by iron and steel alone…

[mothermotherband-blog]

#rts2013 w/ @cguldemond ... Wk ago 2day. Fond mems #stickstour (at Victoria)

[viennagray]

#rts2013 #sisters #iloveyou #silly #dork #sunnies #smiles #cyoot

[summertimegrunge]

This is me crowd surfing at rock the shores.

[wifeofwrath]

Rock the Shores was pretty fun, other than Saturday's epic line up fail. Finally getting to see Dallas Green & Matt Good were definitely the highlights, but Reignwolf stole the whole motherfucking show, set that shit on fire, and then played it while crowd-surfing.

[mydaddysgotagun]

Them mums @mothermothermusic #mothermother #RTS2013

[golden-eyedghost]

oh, we rocked the SHIT out of those shores. #rts2013

[dragonimpact]

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by dragonimpact (@dragonimpact)

The latest by Mother Mother #rts2013 #rocktheshores #music #musicfestival (at The Blanket Zone)