Totem Games "Ironclads - High Sea" demo available NOW! (post #38)

[Maxim]

Totem Games represents a demo of real time naval tactics "Ironclads: High Sea" . Details about game on www.totemgames.ru

Best regards.
Maxim Ferapontov

Totem Team

[Raptor1]

Nice, looks like a big improvement over the last game

Just a couple of questions:

No matter how close you go to the enemy ships, the accuracy never seems to rise much above 50% (At least for my monitor), is that supposed to be like that?

Can you release some sort of keyboard command list?

@Legionary - Steam ships at the time were anything but fast, especially when having to keep a battle line. Tried the configuration manager thing? You can make the game look much better.

[Raptor1]

Steam ships moved a decent rate, and I dont think that my ship should not move at all :o

Hmm? My ships move fine. If you're doing something wrong (Though I can't really see how hard clicking the speed settings is), that doesn't make the game bad.

BTW, you have to give them time to speed up, acceleration is very slow

[Maxim]

Probably at you a technical problem. It can be connected with many reasons. For example system requirements or the video card driver.

As I have understood game you could not see. Please contact us to the address support@totemgames.ru

We will use the best efforts to understand the reasons.

Yours faithfully,
Totem Team

[Maxim]

We have corrected technical problems of a demo with videocards GeForce series 6,7

http://www.totemgames.ru/Ironclads_High_Sea_Demo_Patch_1_1.exe

I thank all who has helped us so fast to understand in the problem reasons. It is glad that you understand a difference of possibilities of the big corporations like Ubi and our tiny command.

Yours faithfully.
Maxim Ferapontov

Totem Team

[Axlwolf]

It seems good to me,but a bit unstable.
It's a demo after all.
I would like to know a bit more about this game :)
Good work!

[Maxim]

I will try to answer any questions. Simply set them.

What exactly works astably. Explain please.

Maxim Ferapontov,
Totem Team

[Axlwolf]

well i've made several try to make the demo simply work without crashing to desktop
using the setup program i've found a configuration able to work on my machine.I't seems the problem where the refresh rate.
I'm really interested in this game (i love the old smooth-bore battle)I would like to know if the game will be distributed only by download.

[Maxim]

1. Totem3Log.log - "C:\Users\Public\Documents\Ironclads - High Sea Demo\".
2. Dxdiag.txt - Start -> Run -> dxdiag -> save to file.
3. Pack any archiver and send these both files to us: support@totemgames.ru

We conduct negotiations with about the game edition on disks. But in the beginning game will be on sale through the Internet.

[Sonarman]

@Legionary74

Hi, Did you apply the patch to the demo? I was having some of the same issues as you have mentioned and the patch cured them for me.
See Typical Russian's post above for the link to the patch (incase you missed it earlier).

[Sonarman]

@Typical Russian

Nice demo with great scope for the future, the ship models in particular are nicely detailed. Here are a few suggestions for you...

In the main menu "Arcad" should be spelled "Arcade"

The main screens read "Ironclads High Sea" rather than "Ironclads: High Seas" which would be more correct in English.

In the speed selection telegraph make the quadrants of the telegraph themselves clickable rather than the text numbering. Better to use words as historic ie:"stop/slow/half/full/flank" than the percentages etc

Add simple sound order acknowledgements eg a telegraph bell for engine speed increases A "Fire at will, aye aye sir" / "Cease Fire aye aye sir" for gunfire orders. An "x degrees port/starboard helm, aye aye sir" message for helm commands etc.

Make better water available for series 7 and lower cards

Ensure that damage is sustained when ships collide, add collision "crunching" sounds.


Probable bug
When moving the mouse and zooming in I became trapped in an
underwater viewpoint.


I was also wondering if land, islands etc would be part of the game as this would add more tactical options to the game.

Thanks.

[Maxim]

2 Legoinary74\

I very much wish to help you. But you too help me. Without files from your computer I will understand nothing. From the moment of demo publication to us has addressed some person. We have understood with each case. Send us files from your computer.

1. Totem3Log.log - C:\Users\Public\Documents\Ironclads - High Sea Demo\".
2. Dxdiag.txt - Start -> Run -> dxdiag -> save to file.
3. Pack any archiver and send these both files to us: support@totemgames.ru

[Maxim]

2 Sonarman\

1. Thanks we very much tried.
2. Annoying errors with English we will correct.
3. You suggest to make the button in English. And how to be with other languages? For example German. Where in each word it is a lot of letters. Game will be not only in English.
4. It is better to you not to hear my pronunciation in English. And to involve experts for us it is expensive.
5. Bug with the camera we will try to find and correct.
6. The land in game will not be. We have concentrated our very modest forces to the most important. If players accept game well enough we will improve it. We plan to add the new ships and probably islands.

[Panama Red]

Do you activate this game the same way as your last Ironclads game ???

I am not quite sure if you have to be online everytime you activate the new Ironclads High Seas game or just the first time you activate the game ???

[Ham920]

I’m a big Civil War buff and am very interested in this game. I downloaded it and began playing but can’t find any instructions on how to play the game or control the ships. Was this information included in the demo somewhere?

Also, adding land mass or having the ironclads have the ability go up rivers would be more historically accurate. Ironclads like the famous Monitor did not do very well in the open seas. The Monitor actually sunk because it was caught in a storm on the open seas. Realistically, Ironclads participated in bombarding forts and cities more than fighting sea battles.

Also, has any thought been given to having scenario editor where users could create their own scenarios?

[Maxim]

1. Management.

Move the mouse cursor at any buttons or other element of management in game. After a small delay you will see the description of this button.

2. A land and seaworthiness.

Game is based on the assumption that the Confederation could create group of the seaworthy ships to protect the trading ways. Models of the ships of Confederation correspond to the real ships which have been constructed and paid.

We understand, that coastal ironclads and monitors do not approach for battles in the high sea. But any game is convention. I very much would like to understand, how seaworthy battleships of the North and the South looked. But in a reality they have not been constructed.

3. The editor of scenarios.

Our new game is realization of remarks and wishes to the first game. The majority of our buyers did not ask to make the editor. If it changes, we will try to add the editor.

P.S. Game already on sale. I hope, that you will keep development of a series of games about Civil war on the sea.

[Maxim]

The Internet is necessary to receive an activation key only. It is more to connect the Internet it is not necessary.

You can activate game on the computer which is not connected to the Internet. The Internet is necessary to download game install file and to receive a key.

[mbv]

Hi

Interesting game with good ship graphics. Is there a fix yet for the quality of the sea graphics with Nvidia 6 & 7 series cards ? I have 7900GT 512mb and it would be nice to be able to select "Good" sea graphics rather than "Simple".

Playing the demo through I noticed a potential problem. I had all my ships in a single group. I got a message that one of them was a runaway so I clicked on it to gain control of the ship. When I did this the runaway ship became the group leader (2 stars above it) but the stars above all the other ships in the group vanished and I could not control them. All of the other ships also seemed to run out of ammunition at exactly the same time as I clicked on the runaway and it assumed command. Is this a bug or just something I don't understand in the gameplay ??

Some other points.....

1. It would be good to have a manual and/or a tutorial mission even if the game is utimately fairly simple.

2. I like to play with minimal screen clutter and icons so it would be great to have the option to remove the control panel at the bottom of the screen for a clearer view and for better screenshots of the action. Also the option to remove the icons above the ships would be useful for the same reasons.

3. The union monitors seem to be able to shoot themselves. I have seen a turret rotate to fire on an enemy ship and regardless of whether the funnel or boat stays are in the way it pumps a round into itself and you see the hit as an explosion.

[Maxim]

1. Last version of a demo. It includes a patch for video cards Nvidia of a series 7:

http://www.gamershell.com/download_50594.shtml

2. Very similar on a bug. We will try to repeat this problem. On result we will inform you.

3. The game manual will be added in the new version of a demo.

4. We can add possibility to hide the interface pressing the button.

5. To understand that occurs at the moment of a shot of guns of the monitor the screenshot is necessary. The ship cannot shoot at itself, therefore only on a screenshot it will be possible to see the reasons.

[mbv]

Hi

Thanks for your quick and full replies. I did use the 1.1 demo nvidia patch, but it is with this latest version that I cannot select "Good" water - all I see is the sky where there should be water. Does the full version of the game include the nvidia patch ?

Look forward to a patch for hiding the interface :up:

[Maxim]

In the near future the new version of a demo will be ready. We will inform on it.

After installation of the new version of a demo on your computer all becomes clear. If there will be problems we will understand their reasons on your computer.

I would recommend to you not to buy yet the full version of game. Let's check up all on the new version of a demo. So it will be fair.


We tested game on Nvidia video cards of 7 gen. At several buyers of our game a similar video card. Problems are not present. But it is better to you not to risk.

Totem Team

[mbv]

Any news on the new demo ?

[Sonarman]

Hey mbv

The new demo I think v1.2 has now been released and is available at the Totem games site (http://www.totemgames.ru/)

I hope it works better for you than me as I had v1.1 installed and it worked fine, then I decided to install v1.2 to check out the new features only to find it doesn't start on my machine. (Geforce 7800gt AMD 3000+ AC'97 onboard sound 2GB RAM Windows XP SP).

[mbv]

Thanks Sonarman

Found it and had a play with the new version. The new download is over twice the size of the last one. I wondered why and then found out during the installattion process that it wants to install the Direct X August 2009 update and C++ 2008 too !! After letting these install it all worked fine for me. They have added a few features now which are not listed anywhere eg. F4 closes the HUD for a clearer view of events (although it does not shut off the star icons above ships - Totem you need to shut those off too with F4! ), there is a game timer countdown now at top left, there's a six page pdf manual and if you hover your mouse over a ship an info. panel briefly appears. There may be other new stuff I haven't found yet.

Overall it looks good and plays well. There are some graphics glitches eg. flame and smoke from a cannon does not appear at the muzzle but slightly to one side which looks a bit odd close up, but you won't notice it zoomed out.

I would still like to see more damage modelling too like broken masts and destroyed guns/decking. Would be nice if the weather changed a bit too during a long battle or between battles.

Setting the sea detail to Good still doesn't work for me, I can only play it on Simple. Also the Success Rating at the end of a battle doesn't show a percentage score for me now, just an empty wreath :hmmm: My setup is Win XP SP3, AMD 64 3700, 7900GT 512mb graphics, 2 Gig RAM, External audio.

Not a bad game and quite tempted by the full version, but I would like to know more about what is in the full version first in terms of ships and scenarios.

Example of graphics glitch with gunfire not aligned to cannon firing.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/markwalters/Ironclads/Gunfiregraphicerror1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/markwalters/Ironclads/Gunfiregraphicerror2.jpg

Example of Success Rating page not showing a score......

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v94/markwalters/Ironclads/SuccessRatingError.jpg

[Maxim]

2 Sonarman\

Installation of a patch of version 1.2 demands updating of program DirectX. I recommend to you to write the letter to a support service. We will rescue your saves, we will give new game install in version 1.2.

You install and can load your saves.

Do not hesitate to address in a support service. The different computers, different situations.

[Maxim]

2 mbv\

In game are presented two conflicting sides, three levels of complexity, 36 hours of game time.

During 6 consecutive battles the player should destroy a squadron of the enemy in battles in the high sea. After each battle the squadron comes back in harbour for repair and purchase of the new ships. In the battle crews of the ships receive experience. It improves many characteristics of the ship (an example - accuracy).

On the scheme 12 types of the ships are represented all. On 6 types at each side.

http://totemgames.ru/img/warships.jpg

Confederation:

Type 1 light gunboat - accessible in a current of all game
Type 2 cruiser - accessible in a current of all game
Type 3 casemate ship - accessible in a current of all game of (no more than two ships)
Type 4 screw corvette -accessible after the first battle
Type 5 the tower ship - accessible after the third battle (no more than two ships)
Type 5 broadside ironclad - accessible after the fifth battle (no more than one ship)

Union:

Type 1 screw gunboat - accessible in a current of all game
Type 2 screw sloop - accessible in a current of all game
Type 3 light monitor - accessible in a current of all game of (no more than two ships)
Type 4 screw frigate -accessible after the first battle
Type 5 ironclad ship - accessible after the third battle (no more than two ships)
Type 5 heavy monitor - accessible after the fifth battle (no more than one ship)

If it is interesting, I can describe each type of the ship.

[Bis71]

Here's my review:

http://wargamer.com/article/2782/ironclads-high-seas

And the game is only $26.99 USD !!!!

[mbv]

They need to bring the full game version in line with the added features of the v1.2 demo. The full game download is still at version 1.0

Once sales tax/vat is added this game is more like $36 to buy, at least here in the UK it is.

As I would only play it on the realistic setting that provides just 12 hours (six missions at 2 hours each) gameplay for £23 which is a bit steep for me.

I did like the new demo however and they are certainly heading in the right direction with the gameplay, plus the ship graphics are superb. I'll wait to see how this one develops and maybe purchase when the exchange rate is better for us in the UK.

[Maxim]

2mbv\

1. The full version game has been updated after release of a patch and demo v1.2

2. I could solve this problem. However it is forbidden to Russian users PayPal to receive money for the account. Russian can pay only. If it was not so you have paid only 27 dollars. In the Great Britain there is payment system WebMoney?

3. Not 12 hours of game. 2 battles for 2 hours + 2 battles for 3 hours + 2 battles for 4 hours = 18 hours only for one side. 36 hours for two sides. Now we have begun work on creation of free addition. Two new types of the ship and a mode of casual battle.

4. We not transnational corporation. We two simple guys from Russia. If us will not support purchases no development will exist. By the way, someone wrote that if we make possibility to hide interface that it will buy our game. Someone has not bought. Certainly it is a joke but where still you will find developers which so listen to your opinion.

[Bis71]

Of course, the hours as stated above are only if the player wins magnicient victories straight off. If you lose an engagement or want to win with a better score, many more hours await.

[mbv]

@Typical Russian

Thanks for the clarification on the maximum hours playable for each mission - thats much better than I thought!

Your work to improve the demo and full game is much appreciated and the speed with which you add features and update is also excellent :salute:

I will be buying a copy next month when I have more spare cash available.

Cheers mbv

[CoolBlueSapphire]

2 mbv\

In game are presented two conflicting sides, three levels of complexity, 36 hours of game time.

During 6 consecutive battles the player should destroy a squadron of the enemy in battles in the high sea. After each battle the squadron comes back in harbour for repair and purchase of the new ships. In the battle crews of the ships receive experience. It improves many characteristics of the ship (an example - accuracy).

On the scheme 12 types of the ships are represented all. On 6 types at each side.

http://totemgames.ru/img/warships.jpg

Confederation:

Type 1 light gunboat - accessible in a current of all game
Type 2 cruiser - accessible in a current of all game
Type 3 casemate ship - accessible in a current of all game of (no more than two ships)
Type 4 screw corvette -accessible after the first battle
Type 5 the tower ship - accessible after the third battle (no more than two ships)
Type 5 broadside ironclad - accessible after the fifth battle (no more than one ship)

Union:

Type 1 screw gunboat - accessible in a current of all game
Type 2 screw sloop - accessible in a current of all game
Type 3 light monitor - accessible in a current of all game of (no more than two ships)
Type 4 screw frigate -accessible after the first battle
Type 5 ironclad ship - accessible after the third battle (no more than two ships)
Type 5 heavy monitor - accessible after the fifth battle (no more than one ship)

If it is interesting, I can describe each type of the ship.

I find this very interesting! If you don't mind, can you describe what actual ships the "types" were modeled after? I had gotten the impression that some of the "sailing" ships were fictitious, but representative of the design of the times.

Thank you.

[Maxim]

01-CSS Chattahoochee 1863 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSS_Chattahoochee
02-CSS Alexandra 1863 ('William C. Miller') + Abtao 1863 - http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corbeta_Abtao
03-CSS Chicora 1862 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSS_Chicora
04-Bulloch`s French Corvettes - http://www.csa-dixie.com/liverpool_dixie/corvettes.htm
05-HMS Wyvern 1863 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Wivern_%281863%29
06-Austrian typical broadside ironclad - http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ferdinand_Max.jpg

01-USS Unadilla 1861 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Unadilla_%281861%29
02-USS Kearsarge 1861 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Kearsarge_%281861%29
03-USS Casco class - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Casco_%281864%29
04-USS Java type (1863-1864) - USS Illinois, USS Java, USS Kewaydin, USS Ontario are not completed
05-USS New Ironsides 1862 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_New_Ironsides_%281862%29
06-USSMiantonomoh 1863 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Miantonomoh_%281863%29

[Onkel Neal]

"Ironclads: High Seas" free add-on available now!

Experience power of iron and a steam in the naval simulator "Ironclads:
High Seas" free add-on! This new DLC includes new custom battle game mode and new types of the ironclads.

Add-on Link (http://totemgames.ru/Ironclads_High_Seas_custom_battle_addon.exe)


.

[Maserati]

I have the DLC and tried a custom game.

Pro: smaller more manageable battles that should be playable in a reasonable amount of time.

Cons: I'm now convinced there's something wrong with the damage in this game.


I took a casemate ironclad against two steam frigates and a sloop. After half an hour I was at 15% damage, one of the frigates was at 1% and the sloop was at 10%. The frigate was only at 1% despite:

Being rammed square on the stern quarter at 4 knots
Getting raked by the ironclad at point blank range. Nelson would have been proud, I broke their line and fired all my starboard guns into the stern of a steam frigate at 50 yards or less.

1% damage. From 6.4% shell guns at point blank. That's not right.

Wooden vessels better able to take punishment than an ironclad ?

[Maxim]

To punch a frigate side is necessary speed not less than 5 knots. At small casemate ironclads as Chicora (displacement of 850 tons) are not present special ram bow. It has nothing to punch a side. At casemate ironclad there are not enough guns.

Steam frigate the big and strong ship with displacement of 4000 tons. At it the big crew.

At casemate ironclad there is a serious problem. It is described by miscellaneous authors (Wilson, Ironclads in Action). For example analysis of the Mobile battle 1864. Not piercing armour at all any kernel or a shell put damages in a casemate. Bolts came off, splinters from metallic units flied, wood bars of a casemate were broken. "The heavy shot bent in the iron shield and shattered its oak backing. Fragments killed or wounded some of the crew; one of the casualties was Admiral Buchanan himself, who suffered a badly broken leg. No longer able to fight, Commander James D. Johnston, captain of Tennessee, requested and received permission from the wounded admiral to surrender."

I wish to notice, that this description of battle with the best iron clad ship (CSS Tennessee - armor 6in) which has been constructed in the South. All remaining casemate ironclad have been defended by the armor with a thickness of 4,5 inches.

Casemate ironclads have been constructed of a crude tree by usual carpenters. These ships plotted not because they were effective, that is why that could not construct others. Compare in battle a turret ironclad ship vs steam frigates. It will prove you that a good ironclad from England (or US monitors) more strongly even the greatest frigates.

[SteamWake]

Cripes how did I miss this demo release... Looking foward to seeing it first hand !

It's refreshing to see the developers interacting with the community on a personal level. Always found that a nice touch and a solid selling point.

[toolsey2]

Hello Typical Russian,
I am downloading the demo now for Ironclad High seas, i notice on your website its full price now is $19.99, and you have paypal access, so in the UK that is all i need to pay for the full download is that right, great value.

I also noticed the the upcoming Ironclads: Schleswig War 1864, i am looking forward to that, hopefully some day you will reach the dreadnought era.

[Maxim]

I regret that I can not often look through forums. I try to answer all questions. We not usual developers. We the despaired players who have made game for itself and other steam navy fans :).

Epoch of WWI the interesting period. But very difficult.

[woodstock74]

Who here has played this? It's now only $9.99 and I was considering it.

[Bis71]

I've reviewed both of the older games. I highly recommend "High Seas" for its RTS engine. The scenarios in the first are more interesting but are spoiled by the turn-based mechanics.

[basti107]

i never tested the demo.
today i read the review on simhq and bought it via steam.

played it the whole day! really love this chilling game.

no micromanagement, just give orders and chill!

[Maxim]

Unfortunately I can not read the message after the number 42 to comment or answer.

Maxim
Totem Team

[NeonSamurai]

Do you mean on this forum Maxim? As basti107 was the last post before your own.

[Maxim]

I mean this topic. Bottom of the page I see that the topic has 4 pages, but I can only open 3.

Maybe I have something do not understand.

[Maxim]

3D naval tactical naval simulator "IRONCLADS: Anglo-Russian War 1865" (Alternative History Campaign) available now!

Russia sought to seize control of Constantinople. The city controls the Black Sea straits, an important economic and strategic point of the Black and Mediterranean Sea. This area was the cause of constant conflict with Britain, which was concerned about her Mediterranean interests. The Crimean War had weakened the position of Russia on the Black Sea, but, in the Baltic and North Sea, the Tsar built a new, modern fleet. In 1865, Poland rebelled against the Russia. Britain supported the rebels and declared war on Russia. Two objectives of the Royal Navy are to destroy the Russian squadron in the North Sea and the establishment of a full blockade of the North.

[SilentOtto12]

We have corrected technical problems of a demo with videocards GeForce series 6,7

http://www.totemgames.ru/Ironclads_High_Sea_Demo_Patch_1_1.exe

I thank all who has helped us so fast to understand in the problem reasons. It is glad that you understand a difference of possibilities of the big corporations like Ubi and our tiny command.

Yours faithfully.
Maxim Ferapontov

Totem Team

Will there be a Mac OS X version? There are hardly any Mac sims these days..

[Maxim]

Unfortunately we have no plans to release Mac version...

[Stealhead]

I have had the Ironclads Anthology for about a year it is a fun game once you get the hang of it I do have a question though where do the screen shot go?I have pressed F5 and there is a little skip after wards implying that something is being saved but have looked everywhere logical and cant find any screenshots:hmmm: .

[CapitanPiluso]

Is the Demo still available ??
Thx

[Maxim]

Screenshots Folder -

"C:\Users\Public\Documents\Ironclads - High Seas" for Windows Vista or

"C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Documents\Ironclads - High Seas" for Windows XP

[Stealhead]

Thanks