It's full 3D, iirc, and flash is astoundingly bad at 3D (IE can't handle it at all) and actionscript isn't nearly complex enough to make a game, so no. It's based of the Soctety engine, which is a modern 3D engine with a lot of snazzy features.

And the fora here are occasionally a bit flaky, posts occasionally go awol, don't sweat it.

For those of you booing the graphics, Brad said on the CivFanatic's forums that they are likely to change. 'Course, enough people like them, and they might keep them

I love the map, keep the map, the rest I like but won't be too sad to see go if it does.

Did anyone else instantly think of Dragon Quest from these shots? I really like it myself as the art design for DQ8 added a great feel to it, plus what's being shown makes me think my P4 might possibly be adequate >_>  even though I'm aware this is very early. Anyways, I think I'd prefer this to something realistic like Conan (not that I dislike Conan at all). Good to see you guys have yet another game I'm very much interested in (even if I don't tend to be able to play TBS' well if it's one I find interesting, this still sounds good from the little that is out ).

Well I seriously hope the graphics get a HUGE overhault, this looks like child's game! You know like for like preschool kids that dont know better

I am still interested but as these graphics stand its quite a turn off.

Now if the graphics look similar to the box art I will be impressed.

My two cents on the graphics: I quite like the current state of the "map" screenshot that has been posted and I wouldn't mind if that didn't change all at between now and release. The two "game world" screenshots in the OP, though, need to have significantly more detail added to their textures before I'd be happy. The overall style is fine and I like the look of the interface panel at the bottom of the screen (it looks very crisp and detailed). If the textures on the land, trees and castle walls are improved to match that, then I'll be perfectly content. At the moment, though, it does still look rather...childish.

- Ash

Hi, folks,

Hey, has anyone seen any information about whether mixed magical styles will be available?  Some life + fire magic, for example?

Put me in the "graphics look great" category.

While you're at it, go ahead and drop me in the "amazing, deep game mechanics with multiple options are better" category, too.

Winni

I agree the map is great but the remaining two are REALLY bad.

Black borders and somewhat pale textures with lots of "smudged" colors make screenshots look like a bunch of flat cardboard cutouts. Graphics is okay, but it needs a better representation of volume. Different lighting? Higher contrast? No borders? I don't know, but it needs something different.

Which is why they said on multiple occasions that the graphics aren't finished and lightning and shadows will get changed/tweaked quite a lot.

It's coming out in 2010, people, that's the alpha stage we're in now, not the finished product.

You sir have just become my favorite person of ever.

I've been waiting SOOOOO long for a game like this....  HOMM is close... but its not a true 4x game imo.

What I'd really like to see is a game like NWN2 with a fully developed 4x game embedded for your keep and the war against the shadow forces etc. Of course that story line would have to be modified to include more things for you to do with the 4x bits. But an rpg/4x mix like that would be amazing. Take control of your hero and his party during the battle but have access to a "battlefield map" to control the displacement of the rest of your forces and also be able to shore up your lines yourself with your own company of heroes. Tactically plan your own distractions instead of having the default "Alright sir, we'll make a distraction, you sneak in from the back" or throw that concept out the window altogether and break down the front door. You could still easily implement deep story elements like you have in NWN2, just with more available paths and endings, and give the gamer far more control that he's ever had before.

The only games that have really come close to what I'm looking for in that particular scenario are some of the Final Fantasy games, Neverwinter Nights 2, Baldurs Gate II(that I've played anyways, if someone uncovers a hidden gem for me that does all this, I'll have your babies). But even they don't go to the extent that I really want on the strategy/4X side of things, and there are 4X games kind of attempt to add the RPG elements(HOMM campaigns) but don't go quite to the extent that I'd like... Please for the love of god don't think I'm referring to the terrible "mission" system in ff x-2. That needs to die a horrible, horrible death and stay there.

Basically what I'm saying is that I'd like SD to somehow ninja bioware away from the money grubbing retards at EA, use thier RPG knowledge and 3d engines along with your 4X experience and engines and make a game that will make me want to have your collective babies. I'll even pay for the sex change surgery myself >_>

Since the actual ninjaing of bioware away from EA isnt likely to happen.... just steal thier writers/employees away with promises of large touch screen whiteboards, cotton candy clouds, jaccuzis in thier offices etc..... oh, and the ability to not work for a large overbearing morally bankrupt monster.

That's right. Crucify them for a typo.

Mr Vandenberg:

    ROTFL! Now THAT's what I call a COOL screenshot !

I look forward to giving more money to SD! Your games are high quality entertainment, great value for the  buck, and the whole attitude demonstrated by the LACK of damnable DRM stuff is SO refreshing?  Computer crash? NP! Just reformat,bring up my account and download the game anew!

Thank you. 

Considering his position, I think it is a safe bet the game will go in that direction. Now about that fan club you are going to start for him... 

necro!

hmmm, necro failed

Haha, your power has left you, evil squirrel!

squirrel eater!!! and you need to get on IRC