Sort of. However, you still have “von Bredow’s Death Ride” (it was a costly success, but still a success). Furthermore, Isandhlwana (1879) occurred after Franco-Prussian War (1870). You could also say the Second Boer War (1899) or even the Russo-Japanese War (1904) are a better fit. The exact end date of closed-formation fighting differs between regions, due to differences in technology (and when frontline generals actually recognize this trend). This is why I am fine with any time between 1876 to 1900.
Technologically, this would be marked by the proliferation (not just invention, but also getting the weapons to the troops in large quantities) of repeating rifles, machine guns, and/or explosive artillery (not solid shot). In game term, once your unit can always deal more range attack than melee attack in all scenarios, closed-formation fighting become obsolete.
I’m slowly coming to the conclusion that a DLC similar to TWC would be useful to bring new things to the base game for all civs. TWC brought a lot of cool stuff, and I think we could use something like that right now.
Yes, that’s why everything from 1870 onwards would no longer be AoE 3 per se, it’s how the devs now extend AoE 2 to 395 with the Romans…
I don’t like the idea… just as I don’t want AoE 4 to be the AoE Killer of AoE 2… all the games in the series can coexist peacefully…
Yes, that’s true…why limit the game to 1876?..you can put a lot of content at least until 1913 and then in AoE 5 start in 1914 (start of WW1) and you won’t have the problem of having to adapt Napoleonic warfare in that game…
Yes, how difficult is it to adapt that in a modern AoE?..
Only 5 years apart…US civil war (1861-1865) and Franco-Prussian war (1870)…
“The Belle Epoque” dlc (1870-1914): Play as Bulgarians and Romanians as you watch Europe reach its technological zenith, divides the African continent and prepare for the “Great War” that is coming… and after that dlc they launch AoE 5 in the Great War/WW1…it’s a good plan no?..
Bulgarian IA: Ferdinand I of Bulgaria (r. 1887-1918)
The 11) First Balkan War (1912–1913) and the Second Balkan War (1913) are considered prologues to the First World War (1914–1918), whose level of material and human destruction at the industrial level marks the end of the Belle Époque. (Balkans Nations vs Ottomans)
Before we begin, I would like to share these videos that will likely provide you with a broader perspective on the revolutionary nature of the Franco-Prussian War and how it influenced current military doctrine.
(Spanish)
I am one of the few who prefers to set 1870 as the final year of AoE 3, and I have made an effort to summarize my arguments into 3 points:
The evolution of weapon technology: Advances in military technology, such as the introduction of breech-loading rifles and breech-loading cannons, replaced the muskets and muzzle-loading cannons used in the Napoleonic Wars. These technological changes are far removed from the original concept of AoE 3, which focused on musket warfare and the colonial era. While the game was extended in The WarChiefs expansion to include the history of the Wild West, with the inclusion of the United States as a civilization in AoE 3 DE, it can be seen as the final evolution of the musketeer to a soldier of the US Civil War.
Transcendental changes after the Franco-Prussian War: This war, which took place in 1870, marked a turning point in history as France ceased to be the dominant power in Europe. Significant changes occurred during this period, such as the widespread use of petroleum as an energy source and the adoption of electric power (the first International Electricity Exhibition took place in Paris in 1881). The “Belle Époque” is an important precursor to our modern era.
Limitations in representing conflicts after 1870: There are several conflicts that occurred between 1870 and 1914, such as the Balkan Wars and “precursor wars of World War I”, which cannot be accurately represented with the current gameplay mechanics in AoE 3. These events require a more detailed approach and representation, which could be better addressed in a separate game or DLC.
Taking these arguments into account, it can be concluded that concluding AoE 3 in 1870 would provide better historical coherence and avoid the inappropriate representation of later conflicts and technologies. This would allow for a more immersive gameplay experience and a more focused approach on the game’s timeframe.
It is also important to consider the existence of “time allowances,” meaning that certain events may extend beyond the year 1870 in order to properly conclude them. For example, in the fictional Chayton Black campaign, it is mentioned that he was involved in the American Civil War, and the original campaign (AoE 3 2006) also includes the Red Cloud’s War (1866–1868). However, to provide a satisfying conclusion to the campaign, the Battle of Little Bighorn (1876) was chosen as the final event.
There were military tactics specifically developed for battles in African territories to combat the native Africans, who were armed with a range of weapons from spears to single-shot rifles. While the Battle of Isandlwana (1879) is one of the most well-known battles, thanks to books and movies, and it represents a significant colonial defeat for the British Empire against “people of color” that challenged the prevailing racism of the time, I believe that there are other battles that are more intriguing and better-documented, such as the Battle of Adwa, which effectively put an end to Italy’s colonial aspirations in the Horn of Africa.
The other battles you mentioned are technologically (and even socially) different from the nations already depicted in AoE 3.
The American Civil War began in 1861, characterized by the use of muskets and Napoleonic tactics, which can be seen as a culmination of a certain era. On the other hand, the Franco-Prussian War marked the beginning of a new era of military tactics and technologies, making it a suitable starting point.
The transition between these wars signifies a shift in military strategies, weaponry, and technologies employed on the battlefield.
I hope I don’t sound egotistical, but I’d like to see these wars in a well-represented historical way, or I’d rather not see them at all
5 years is a lot. First and foremost, US army in 1870 didn’t use muskeets.
Also, take note on how much did tech amove forward netween 1914 amd 1918, and 1939 and 1945. WWII started with biplanes still being able to sink battleships. It ended with jet fighters and nuclear bombers
Again, now it’s kind of hard suspend disbelief with longbowmen and gatling guns. How would you balance a mass of rodeleros against sustained magine gun fire?
Ok, so let’s leave that for AoE 5 and AoE 3 ending in 1870/1876…and Antientam (1862) and Gettysburg (1863) being the last historical battles they put in the game…
You can’t unless the machine gun is super slow and the rodeleros are shock infantry as happens in the game…
To avoid confusion, the Model 1870 is an evolution of the Model 1865. Springfield Armory began manufacturing breech-loading rifles in 1865 (after the Civil War).
Même si le jeu prend un peu (beaucoup ?) de liberté en ce qui concerne les unités (et que cela engendre pas mal de discussions et débats sur le forum), j’aime ce jeu alors que de base je n’aime pas trop jouer à des RTS qui ne sont pas de la SF ou de la fantasy, ceci dit vous devinez que ce jeu fait partie de mes RTS préférés.
En tout cas merci à cette ensemble de communauté du forum que je prend plaisir à lire même si mon addon de traduction est approximatif.
Pinned these polls here. I see that people are willing to expand this game (Even if the DLC comes without civilizations). [Poll] DLC without civilizations
