GZ Interview
September 17,2002

The Art of Conquest expands the universe for Empire Earth game players
By Michael Lafferty

As it turns out, coursing the path from the distant past to the distant future of human history was not enough.

When Sierra Studios published Empire Earth, the PC game went in a direction that few civilization games had gone before. Rather than concentrating on one specific era of history, or the future, the game began in the distant past and went 200 years into the future.

Not only was the game span impressive, but the graphics were a delight.

Along comes The Art of Conquest, the first expansion package for Empire Earth. The pack features three new campaigns from the Roman Empire to World War II and into the future. And it wasn’t designers and developers who decided what campaigns would be added – that honor fell to game players. The three new campaigns were the most requested elements by those that are fans of the program.

Empire Earth featured land, sea and air units. The Art of Conquest adds space to the mix.

Other new features include new units, buildings, powers and calamities; upgraded graphics; enhanced multiplayer gaming; and more scope to the original game.

Ken Davis, producer for Empire Earth: The Art of Conquest at Mad Doc Software, talked to GameZone about this title.

Question: The graphics engine for this expansion has been upgraded. What changes will players likely see or notice immediately, and will it affect the way the older game is played? What significant improvements (whether noticed or not) does this graphical update allow you to realize within the game?

Ken: “We've optimized the way that the engine processed graphics so that it could better handle the grand-scale battles The Art of Conquest allows.”

Q: The game boasts the three most requested campaigns. Can you give us an idea how many people voted for these campaigns, and why do you think these particular campaigns are so popular?

Ken: “We didn’t really take an opinion poll or anything. Our information was gathered more informally from message boards representing players from all around the world, as well as e-mails sent to us from gamers. I think that these time periods – the Roman Era, World War II, and the future in the Space Age have a particular appeal to certain players for a variety of reasons.”

Q: What types of new units are available for players? What will players experience in terms of disasters? What kind of new special powers can players cultivate or acquire?

Ken: “We've added 36 new units, half available in multiplayer, the other half in the single-player campaigns. They run the gamut of history, from Roman Legionnaires to flame-throwing Sherman tanks to futuristic Riot Police to fleets of space combat vessels. We wanted to give players more units to play with across the single-player campaigns than they'd seen before, as well as add whole new dimensions to multiplay. There's a devastating new calamity – the Meteor Storm. As for new special powers, each civilization has a new unique power or unit. These can also be grouped together in custom combinations if the player chooses. A few examples: Metallurgy (exchanging gold for iron, and vice-versa); Priest Towers (buildings that will convert enemy units); Adaptation (gaining enemy player's civ powers).

Q: A new space epoch is included in this expansion. How does the space concept fit in with the Empire Earth conquest theme? With other space games due out within the year, how will Empire Earth's campaign stand apart from those other games?

Ken: “Getting into space is the natural extension of Empire Earth, allowing another powerful set of tools that players can use to gain advantage over their opponents. Space Docks, Capitol Ships, Space Fighters, Corvettes, and more – it takes battles into places not before seen in EE. The campaign in The Art of Conquest lets players experience a futuristic conflict in the way that only Empire Earth can – a compelling storyline; land, air, sea, and space units; huge battles.”

Q: Please explain how the multiplayer matching system will work? Are there different options for multiplayer gaming or does the expansion sport the same options as the original program?

Ken: “The multiplayer matchmaking system in Empire Earth is receiving a significant upgrade with the release of The Art of Conquest. Finding a game will be easier, you’ll be able to create buddy lists, and there are a ton of new ways to customize your experience. Owners of Empire Earth will be able to get the upgrade for free via a downloadable update.”

Q: Does this expansion include the full version of the game, or will players have to own the original title in order to play?

Ken: “Yes, you’ll need the original Empire Earth to play The Art of Conquest.”

Q: What do you think are the key elements civilization games need in order to succeed? How does Empire Earth and this expansion address that?

Ken: “The trick is to hit the right balance between historical flavor, well-paced gameplay, well-balanced units, interesting technologies, and campaigns with a compelling dramatic arc. We think we've ended up with a combination of those elements that players will really enjoy.  No other games have the scope and breadth of Empire Earth and The Art of Conquest in those regards.”

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