Can the demo be used for multiplayer test-game?

[Innocence]

Hi there

I and a small group of friends bought Dom2 several years ago, but in the end didn't play it much due to to the terrible user interface. Most importantly we found it impossible to get a good strategic overview, ie. "where are the armies and how big are they?", without having to click all over the map.

This group played Stars! (2.x) a decade ago, so we're not new to complicated turn-based games. We simply couldn't come to terms with the Dom UI and in the end our investment was wasted.

Now I see there's a Dom3 ... but I'm reluctant to rush out and buy it this time. First of all it looks exactly like Dom2, although the descriptions seems to imply they've reworked the UI and removed micro-management.

Anyway, can the demo be used for a multiplayer test-game (kinda like a proof-before-purchase)? What are the restrictions?

And btw.: Did they solve the framerate problem on ATI cards in Dom3?

[Endoperez]

You can play MP, but there aren't many nations in the demo.


When you do try it, F1 shows quick overview of provinces (tax, unrest, mnagic sites...), and tab can be used to hide/show commanders in that view.
Armies are visible on the main map, and different filters may make the game easier; there's one that replaces dominion candles with a box that displays representation of dominion, gold and resource values of a province.

[Innocence]

Endoperez said:
You can play MP, but there aren't many nations in the demo

Ok that's fine. Are there any other restrictions (turn limit/magic limit)?

Btw. I searched Sharapnels main site and Google for this info but was unable to find it - if anyone know where the demo restrictions are listed please post a link

[Endoperez]

Only few EA nations are available (I think 4 or 5, at most);
research only up to level 4;
you can't play for more than 40 turns;
in addition, the demo hasn't been updated to work with later patches so some tricks and tips mentioned on the forums might be bugged or might not exist at all. As an example, auto-casting of site-searching spells doesn't work properly in the demo.

[llamabeast]

Yeah, the demo is playable, but you should bear in mind that it is markedly inferior. In my opinion the choice of available races is pretty poor. Arcoscephale is the only one I really like - that's a personal preference, of course. And the limited magic research is really quite limiting. Still, it should be possible to have some fun with it. In a first multiplayer game it's quite possible you might not really hit either the turn or research limits.

[Endoperez]

It all depends from the settings, of course. Victory points and smallish map (20 or less provinces per player) will speed things up quite nicely.

[moderation]

Is it possible to play the 3.0 demo with 3.15 servers though? If not, it might be difficult to find a game.