Fabrice Interview at Celestial Heavens [Archive]

Beltion

04-11-2005, 12:11 PM

Most of all I'm pleased to see that Ubi is using fansites as part of their marketing and information spreading.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Real_King_Louis:
What a Mugshot. Anyone using that one as a wallpaper? Hehehehe... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Actually reminds of the picture of Christian that Portals used to have.

Heroine_LL

04-11-2005, 12:32 PM

very interesting read!
but if this IS the news then I find it strange that fabrice didn't link to it himself of confirm by now that it is.

Dink-the-Mink

04-11-2005, 12:50 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>I think he ended on around 130 creatures in Heroes 3. I dare say we will easily top that :ÃÅ¾ <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> This sound promising! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Though I hope that this isn't the "news", Fabrice spoke of http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

reg
****

Magic_stick

04-11-2005, 12:55 PM

Yes maybe you're right!!
Perhabs MuadDib_FC has some special news for his loyal fans http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif

KingImp

04-11-2005, 01:03 PM

HOMM4 = 74 creatures
HOMM5 = Over 130 creatures

Yeah, I'd say we pretty much are getting an upgrade here. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

MacSoftish

04-11-2005, 01:16 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by KingImp:
HOMM4 = 74 creatures
HOMM5 = Over 130 creatures

Yeah, I'd say we pretty much are getting an upgrade here. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

More = Better? I dont see that beeing true in all cases.

KingImp

04-11-2005, 01:21 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by MacSoftish:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by KingImp:
HOMM4 = 74 creatures
HOMM5 = Over 130 creatures

Yeah, I'd say we pretty much are getting an upgrade here. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

More = Better? I dont see that beeing true in all cases. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

In all cases? No.
In this case, I'm willing to bet yes.

Real_King_Louis

04-11-2005, 01:24 PM

It is from Fabrice. It is an official Q&A.

Dink-the-Mink

04-11-2005, 01:26 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Real_King_Louis:
It is from Fabrice. It is an official Q&A. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
May we pull out of this that this "news" isn't the _news_ Fabrice spoke of? http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

reg
****

ShPhoenix

04-11-2005, 01:27 PM

Over 130 creatures is going to be nice, but I still hope that Fabrice's news is something different. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

SirRyder

04-11-2005, 01:56 PM

I cant help but think that 130+ creatures is overkill. Oh well, that's why they pay Fabrice the big bucks, he knows what he's doing.

Pitsu

04-11-2005, 01:57 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Heroine_LL:
but if this IS the news then I find it strange that fabrice didn't link to it himself of confirm by now that it is. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

As far as I know he did confirm prior posting here that CH publishes the interview today. Finally, he has other things to do than confirming all his words twice a day http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

indie85

04-11-2005, 02:32 PM

The comments about the number of creatures has made me veryhappy, also the fact that they have all this time to fine tune the game, should mean the gameplay'll be superb........even though i wanna play it now!

MatthewGuba

04-11-2005, 03:37 PM

of course this is all my speculation. He said that the specs were "Theyââ‚¬™re pretty much higher than our target minimum" which concerns me that some may be very high -- but he did say they wanted a broad audience. I am not thinking of this much I just hope they dont require I buy a new computer (I would). The creatures mark makes me very excited...If there are only 6 towns, that would mean like double the creatures....now the one thing I wanted more than anything else is an increased battlefield size. Imagine 10 of the 130 neutral, 10 creatures/town with one upgrade each -- 1st level no creatures have any special abilities and the upgrade is what gives them the abilities (Similar to H3 cerebi basically) And then an increased battlefield to have maybe 10 slots per army. It would make it much more strategic with the extra pieces and if the combat field is large enough it could make flyers very dependant on speed. --- However, I love the choice system and would not want to lose that...

Basically I want a little bit of everything haha.

I would really like for the combat field to be increased in size...the bigger the better IMO.

Edit : my first sentence said "there is some good and some bad" but i deleted it because I really did not see anything negative yet in the news, game looks incredible, keep up the good work

Marelt

04-11-2005, 04:45 PM

Heroes 4: 74 creatures
Heroes 5: 130+ creatures

Heroes 4: 74 Unique creatures
Heroes 5: ??? Unique creatures

I'll get more excited if I know what the ??? is going to be. The person above me mentioned that all lower level creatures should have no specialities, but they will get them in the upgrade. If the Cerberi has all the value, then what is the point of even having a Hell Hound in the game? That's the way that Heroes 4 was thinking...

Now, I hope they make it a pure chaos system. Upgrades where upgrades are appropriate (marksmen, dread knights and familiars are okay, wyvern monarchs, minotaurs kings and naga queens are not). Choices where choices are appropriates. Linears when linears are appropriate and branches where branches are appropriate.

sketan

04-11-2005, 06:35 PM

I think that the comment about "easily topping 130 creatures" should be taken with a grain of salt.

If IâÂ´m not mistaking, the thread/post he was referring to counted upgrades as different creatures.

If I counted them correctly, Homm3 has around 112 creatures (counting upgraded versions as creatures)âÂ´, Homm4 has about 69. (without expansions)

I just donâÂ´t think we should count on getting +130 unique creatures, but a bunch of creatures, with upgrades.

Still a heck of a nice number though!! ThatâÂ´s almost the most fun part, getting to see all the different creatures. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Mike447a

04-11-2005, 07:39 PM

yesssssssssssssssssss !
I'm really happy !!!!!!!!!

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>The concerns Iââ‚¬™ve read regard more the number of creatures. I was very interested in reading a fanââ‚¬™s calculations on the number of creatures, including upgrades and addons. I think he ended on around 130 creatures in Heroes 3. I dare say we will easily top that :ÃÅ¾ <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

it's really my best part of the interview http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

I'm really happy to read this http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

GO GO GO !
Thanks a LOT Fabrice ! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Mille Merci ! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

Mike447a

04-11-2005, 07:45 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by sketan:
I think that the comment about "easily topping 130 creatures" should be taken with a grain of salt.

If IâÂ´m not mistaking, the thread/post he was referring to counted upgrades as different creatures.

If I counted them correctly, Homm3 has around 112 creatures (counting upgraded versions as creatures)âÂ´, Homm4 has about 69. (without expansions)

I just donâÂ´t think we should count on getting +130 unique creatures, but a bunch of creatures, with upgrades.

Still a heck of a nice number though!! ThatâÂ´s almost the most fun part, getting to see all the different creatures. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

here the reference http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=400102&f=1851065692&m=3321021403

Salventus

04-11-2005, 08:14 PM

Well were defentely gonna see alot of creatures now, lets just hope it dosn't mean too much for hign system req.

Fidanas

04-12-2005, 01:57 AM

I liked what i've read in this interview. The good words Fabrice said about Nival team, and how motivated are about the game, made me really happy.

MuadDib_FC

04-12-2005, 02:12 AM

Hi people

I need to adress a point where I havent been clear. I compared to H3's number of creatures, including upgrades and addons, and that meant also H5's number of creatures - including upgrades and addons too.

That means a few things : no we wont top 130 only in the main game, but we wont be far from H3's base. Yes we are planning an addon http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Saint.Demon

04-12-2005, 02:22 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by MuadDib_FC:
Hi people

I need to adress a point where I havent been clear. I compared to H3's number of creatures, including upgrades and addons, and that meant also H5's number of creatures - including upgrades and addons too.

That means a few things : no we wont top 130 only in the main game, but we wont be far from H3's base. Yes we are planning an addon http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
That means upgrade is back! Viva! http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/heart.gif

BJ_Nitsuj

04-12-2005, 02:56 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by MuadDib_FC:

Yes we are planning an addon http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

WOW!!! I wasn't expecting that to be confirmed so early!

So does that mean it's safe to assume a new town will be in the expansion?? Or more than one new town...???

NECRO95

04-12-2005, 03:08 AM

Wow, would stack experience be implemented then? the more a stack of creatures fight, the evolve to be stronger and slightly different?

Campaigner_1st

04-12-2005, 04:47 AM

Quite many creatures....I certainly hope that they're all of the very highest quality. Otherwise I would settle for half that amount.

An addon you say? Good.

NECRO95 - No, no and once again, NO! This must never ever happen!

Spasmodean

04-12-2005, 04:57 AM

Well let's look at it this way.

130 critters, say 20 ish are neutral creatures divided by 2 gives 10 neutral creatures plus their upgrades.

Leaving 110 or so critters between 6 towns, which roughly works out at 18 creatures per town, divided by 2 gives 9 basic creatures.

Now are they gonna have 9 levels of creatures, or do it a bit like HOMM 4 where you had to choose creatures at each level.
Perhaps the 1st 4 levels you make the choice, and every town has one top level creature, eg the Angel for the Castle alignment.

Or they could do it another way, just a bit of speculation.

They might have no neutral creatures giving roughly 11 creatures per alignment.

We'll have to wait and see......

phoenixzs

04-12-2005, 06:32 AM

130 creatures is too good I think ,I would expect 8 creatures per castle with upgrades.Also I dont think neutral creatures will have upgrades at all which can give extra number to the castles.

Also I a very happy to hear that developers have H3 numbers as the core,I hope that they salvaged enough old creatures from that part of the game.

The_Vortex

04-12-2005, 08:25 AM

http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif Wow 130 creatures (and maybe more)!! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_eek.gif
With each passing day heroes 5 looks more like heroes 3! Can't tell you how happy I am http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/53.gif http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/88.gif

Good work Nival/Ubisoft! http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif

Heroine_LL

04-12-2005, 09:29 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Pitsu:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Heroine_LL:
but if this IS the news then I find it strange that fabrice didn't link to it himself of confirm by now that it is. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
As far as I know he did confirm prior posting here that CH publishes the interview today. Finally, he has other things to do than confirming all his words twice a day http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Somebody (?) made a topic "here is the news" and linked the interview. The topic is deleted and my post moved to here.
But thanx anyway and http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif back at ya.

KingImp

04-12-2005, 10:18 AM

As long as you considerably pass the 74 that were in Heroes IV, then I'll be satisfied.

Marelt

04-12-2005, 10:43 AM

Just so you know, Heroes 3 with all expansions only had 78 creatures...

That is, if you don't consider the naga and the naga queen to be inheritely different beings.

Zamolxis108

04-12-2005, 10:52 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by KingImp:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by MacSoftish:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by KingImp:
HOMM4 = 74 creatures
HOMM5 = Over 130 creatures

Yeah, I'd say we pretty much are getting an upgrade here. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/25.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

More = Better? I dont see that beeing true in all cases. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

In all cases? No.
In this case, I'm willing to bet yes. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I'm getting pretty optimistic since I read the interview, so I'll also bet for a YES.

But to have things straight, if you read the interview (and make some calculations), the situation looks more exactly like this:

HOMM4: 74 creatures - with add-ons, but no upgrades.
HOMM5: over 130 creatures - WITH add-ons & upgrades!
while HOMM3: 141 creatures - with add-ons & upgrades, and that's not counting WoG, which will take us to almost 170 (and they're promissing us 14 more in the coming Desert town).

So the game will (more or less) only reach the number of creatures in Heroes III, which doesn't make me faint in amazement, but still makes me happy (as I was more afraid of a HOMM4 amount of creatures which, even if they were way less than HOMM3, you couldn't say they are more balanced or smth).

http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/11.gif to Fabrice for revealing some important information (and wipe out some of our fears).

Campaigner_1st

04-13-2005, 05:38 AM

I don't really understand how people can cherish over such a large amount of creatures when there is a risk that they may be to similar or maybe not as good as if there would have "only" been 74.

In conclusion, I'm happy over the addon but the number of creatures wouldn't made me happier if there were "only" 80.

Redmage777

04-13-2005, 09:46 AM

Well, The reason I like so many creatures is that there in a Wide Variety of both function and style. Homm4 It could be very hard as a map maker to find the Creature who both fit the mood and had tha abilitys you needed.

They may have been Simalar, but they did have their differances. Magog vs. Lich for Example.

Magog Lich
From Inferno Form necroplis
Level 2 Level 5
Living Undead

The creatures have similar abilitys but som differances as well. Often times In Homm 3 There was a weak version in one town and a stronger Version in another town. The only time whe simalar creatures gets to be bad is if they end up in the same town, or on the same level.

The news of atleast 130 creatures is good news to me, but I value Varity over Functionality (Homm3 Style.)

Zamolxis108

04-13-2005, 09:55 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by MuadDib_FC:
Hi people

I need to adress a point where I havent been clear. I compared to H3's number of creatures, including upgrades and addons, and that meant also H5's number of creatures - including upgrades and addons too.

That means a few things : no we wont top 130 only in the main game, but we wont be far from H3's base. Yes we are planning an addon http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_smile.gif <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Hi Fabrice. First of all: 100 thanks and all my respect for the work you're doing, and for the fact that you also find the time to also post sometimes here.

Still... may I dare asking a question? Why are you (again) using the number 130 when it comes to Heroes III? The game had 141 creatures. And that's not counting the WoG ones.

Beltion

04-13-2005, 11:23 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Zamolxis108:
Still... may I dare asking a question? Why are you (again) using the number 130 when it comes to Heroes III? The game had 141 creatures. And that's not counting the WoG ones. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

When Heroes 3 was released it had 120 units (112 in the 8 towns 4 elementals and 2 Neutral golems.)

Zamolxis108

04-13-2005, 11:46 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Beltion:
When Heroes 3 was released it had 120 units (112 in the 8 towns 4 elementals and 2 Neutral golems.) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
So?

Beltion

04-13-2005, 12:42 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Zamolxis108:
So? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

As I understood you post, you wanted Fabrice to use the figure 141 as a comparison - that would be further off base than the 130 he's referring to now.

Zamolxis108

04-13-2005, 03:59 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Beltion:
As I understood you post, you wanted Fabrice to use the figure 141 as a comparison - that would be further off base than the 130 he's referring to now. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Then you should read again the interview with Fabrice. He was refering to the game including the add-ons, and so did I.

Vitirr

04-13-2005, 04:03 PM

He was speaking with aproximate numbers. I don't think that 10 units up or down changes the meaning of his words.

Captain_Stifu

04-14-2005, 12:06 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Zamolxis108:
Then you should read again the interview with Fabrice. He was refering to the game including the add-ons, and so did I. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
You should read it again too... http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_razz.gif

"I was very interested in reading a fanââ‚¬™s calculations on the number of creatures, including upgrades and addons. I think he ended on around 130 creatures in Heroes 3."

What can we gather from this ?

-He *thinks* that guy ended on around 130 creatures
-That one guy who counted creatures may be wrong too

So, who cares ?
He said Heroes V + add on would EASILY top that, which would imply that +/- 10 creatures wouldn't make any difference in his statement.

REMA_BK

04-14-2005, 08:28 AM

I like the number of creatures but I sure don't like the number of towns! http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gifThere will either be a inferno+necro town or there will be one of the old towns less... http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_frown.gif
1.human
2.elf
3.wizard
4.barbarian
5.necro
6.warlock
7.inferno
http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_confused.gif

Zamolxis108

04-14-2005, 08:49 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Captain_Stifu:
-He *thinks* that guy ended on around 130 creatures
-That one guy who counted creatures may be wrong too <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Yeah, this is what I find strange - he, a Heroes developer (who is not at his first Heroes game if I got that right), quoting "a fan", instead of official numbers.

But this is just a detail. I'm happy enough with this "over 130", but the number of creatures in H3 would have been a psychological border for some fans to hear it would be topped.

I'm not on the side of those saying: "better 60 well balanced creatures then 120 not so well balanced" (because I love diversity), but still I do consider that "better 5 creatures less then H3, but all perfectly integrated into the game, then 5 creatures more, but the 10 that make the difference to be some stupid, bugging creatures".

Zamolxis108

04-14-2005, 08:55 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by REMA_BK:
There will either be a inferno+necro town ... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>They won't commit this sacrilege again http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif

And I'm not worrying anymore about the towns left out, as we know now for sure there will be an add-on that it's pretty sure will bring at least one more town back (my prediction is 2, but I'm hoping of course for even more).

Captain_Stifu

04-14-2005, 01:01 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Zamolxis108:
Yeah, this is what I find strange - he, a Heroes developer (who is not at his first Heroes game if I got that right), quoting "a fan", instead of official numbers. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Yes... Surprisingly, fans seem to know games they love better than the developers themselves.
And that's not because Ubisoft isn't the original maker of the series... Because it showed in the old JVC interview, when he was talking about previous episodes... He wasn't sure about some details.

Kareeah_Indaga

04-14-2005, 01:25 PM

I think itââ‚¬™s because the developers have to keep track of all the stuff that didnââ‚¬™t make it into the game, as well as the actual game. Just my thoughts, though; I have no hard evidence to support this.

Captain_Stifu

04-14-2005, 01:39 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Kareeah_Indaga:
I think itââ‚¬™s because the developers have to keep track of all the stuff that didnââ‚¬™t make it into the game, as well as the actual game. Just my thoughts, though; I have no hard evidence to support this. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Good point, however, that doesn't apply to Fabrice with Heroes 3... Since he wasn't behind that game and has probably no idea about what was planned but didn't make the cut in the final release. (apart from the "big stuff" like the Forge)

GreyFalcon

04-14-2005, 01:41 PM

A thought occured to me. Perhaps this large number of units may mean that for each base creature there may be more then one level of upgrade. Remember HoM&M 2 with the three levels of dragons?

Just tossing the possibility out there.

Zamolxis108

04-14-2005, 02:17 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote">quote:<HR>Originally posted by GreyFalcon:
A thought occured to me. Perhaps this large number of units may mean that for each base creature there may be more then one level of upgrade. Remember HoM&M 2 with the three levels of dragons?

Just tossing the possibility out there. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>You're not the only one with this thought my friend. But my hopes go even further. Some of us would like to see something we didn't have so far: alternative upgrades. http://forums.ubi.com/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Wheather we saw the future or it was just a dream, that we cannot tell, but we'll find out soon.