Or is that an impossible shortcut? I never tried to cross compile across to another platform before.

I forgot if I sent anyone the petition email. Anyhow, slashdot it!

I sent you the email to sign up for the
petition (hope you got it, if you didn't
let me know).

One thing I would improve in AoW1 is
the handling of the inventory. So far only
heroes can carry items. Frequently items turn
up that are needed elsewhere on the map
by another hero but all heroes are too busy
to take off some time for a long journey
just to pick up an item.
What about giving some units a courier-
function? They may not need to be able to
use the items but just to carry them (i.e.
have an inventory-tab with a few slots in
it and the usual ground slots - let's call
it an item-bag. These units could be a number
of riders such as pony rider, frog rider,
eagle rider etc. (providing that all places
can be accessed and all races have at least
one courier). Also each alignmentgroup (neutral,
evil, good) should have one flying unit with
capability of carrying items (so that a race
with no such flying courier can use a unit
from another friendly race if the item is
lying in the water or on a mountain).

Secondly I learnt from Alphax that the scrolls used
to have the function now being fulfilled by the
wizard towers. The scrolls have no more function
but they are still there in the editor. Maybe
they could be programmed for reading out a message
when being taken to a certain map point or giving
you a programmable spell when you take them to
a certain point on the map. As opposed to the direct
messages that already exist this would add an extra
adventure element for scenario and campaign design.
You don't get the message or the extra spell if you
arrive at the point on the map without the scroll.
You could expand this concept. You could attach
winning conditions for a scenario to the scrolls.

I don't know whether we should have a Smurf race in
AoW1 (they sure would look nice) but I'm afraid we
would probably breach some copyright if we did that.

Now, as I was saying ...

I completed the petition text after your suggestions, signed it with all those who gave their permission (22 names, including mine - not very impressive I suppose) and sent it to Take 2.

Only problem is: they don't have an e-mail address ... Or at least, they refuse to reveil it on their web site. The only e-mail address I can find is their support department's, so that is where I ended up sending the petition to. I asked to forward it to whomever would be more appropriate.

So far (this was about a week ago) I've had no response whatsoever. I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, if anyone knows a more appropriate e-mail address that we might try, please let me know.

actually trying to go several parallel ways at the same time is a good idea. Nowadays with companies passing to different owners by the score (without the public knowing it) it's often difficult to find out who is responsible for one of the older projects. I did sign the petition quite a while ago. Do you have me on your list Smurf?

Off topic: Which role did Epic Megagames play in the making of AoW? Does anybody know. I have some very old classics from Epic Megagames - so I have an idea about what they once stood for but I don't know what became of the company since then.

Epic Megagames estill exist, but it is several years since they produced any games. They have basically lived on selling the lisence for the Unreal engines, and developing said engines and selling to other companies to make games on. I have been in contact brieflly with some from Epic Megagames before regarding another game.

Yep. Sticky this someone?

Okay, so any progress lately?

Open Source Age of Wonders Clone!

So much for the good news ...

Take 2 Interactive is not responding to my messages, either by email or 'classic' mail. Therefore, I am afraid that we will have to let go of this idea.

I thank you all for your interest and support.

Oh well, on to Plan B ...

If you're still around I might be interested learning about Plan B. If you need a level designer that is. (Just a thought)

Like I said, probably a useless post, since many areas of AoW heaven here is....."A tad delayed" in posts and activeness. But since I'm not quite used to all parts of the forum yet, I'm still cruisin' around each forum, and topic, seeing/reading what the good ol' days of AoW must have been like when people posted like everyday on like every topic! It's quite fun to imagine the competition and discussions that must have gone on.................Anyways!! I talk too much, I gotta get back to browsing through these ancient archives of posts and topics, its like a I be travelling back in time......................

CHeers! If you ever come back, I can be found usually in the PBEM forums!

Lord Naismith