Welcome to the Empires Heaven FAQ. Here we will answer the most frequently asked questions around the forums and the community. This section will be constantly updated as new questions appear.
1.0 GENERAL
1.1 – What is Empires: Dawn of the Modern World?
1.2 – Who/What is Stainless Steel Studios?
1.3 – What is an RTS?
1.4 – How many civilizations are there?
1.5 – What are the system requirements?
1.6 – What is the game rated?
1.7 – What years does the game span over
1.8 – What can you tell us about the graphics?
1.9 – Does Empires have a Map Editor?
1.10 – How long does a game take on average?
1.11 – What is the max population cap? Can I change it?
2.0 CIVILIZATIONS
2.1 – Are civilizations historically based?
2.2 – Does each civilization have unique abilities?
2.3 – Does each civilization have uniquely skinned buildings?
2.4 – How come I can’t make my own civs?
3.0 SUPPORT
3.1 – Does Empires support the players who prefer playing offline?
3.2 – Does Empires include multi-player support?
3.3 – Does Empires have a demo?
3.4 – Will I be able to record my games?
3.5 – I still have a question, what do I do?
3.6 – I require Technical Support.
3.7 – I have a question/comment about the content on this site.
1.0 General
1.1 What is Empires: Dawn of the Modern World?
Empires is a historical RTS game developed by Stainless Steel Studios, the same people who made Empire Earth. Empires will let players take control of 7 completely special civilizations spanning 5 ages ranging from the Middle Ages all the way up to WW2. The game includes historically accurate campaigns covering Richard the Lionhearted, Admiral Yi Sun-Sin, and General Patton. See our Features section for the complete details on this exciting game!
1.2 Who/What is Stainless Steel Studios?
Stainless Steel Studios was founded by Rick Goodman after he developed Age of Empires for Ensemble Studios. Currently, they’re developing Empires: Dawn of the Modern World, a much anticipated followup to their succssful Empire Earth. Stainless Steel is stationed in Boston, MA.
1.3 What is an RTS?
RTS stands for Real Time Strategy. Most RTS games give players control of a faction and must defeat the other players by military, economic, diplomatic, or other methods depending on the game. All RTS games focus on creating an economy, training military, and attacking or defending your town from enemy players. RTS games often differ from most strategy games such as Civilization III because they happen in real time, hence each second matters and a quick mind is key. Still players who prefer longer games with less stress can always play against computer AI players and make use of the pause button like Turn Based Strategy Games.
1.4 How many civilizations are there?
Empires has 9 civilizations: The English, Franks, Chinese, Koreans, Germans, Russians, British, French and Americans.
1.5 What are the system requirements?
Minimum for Single-Player and One vs. One Multiplayer:
*3D hardware accelerator card requried – 100% DirectX 9.0b-compatible 32MB video card and drivers
*Pentium III 600 MHz or Athlon 600 Mhz processor or higher
*Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP
*128MB of RAM
*Quad-speed CD-ROM drive and drivers
*900MB of uncompressed hard disk space (plus 200 MB for Windows swap file)
*100% DirectX 9.0b-compatible 16-bit sound card and drivers
*100% Windows 98/ME/2000/XP-compatible mouse, keyboard, and drivers
*DirectX 9.0bRequired for 3+ Players in Multiplayer Mode:
*256 MB of RAMRequired for Multiplayer Mode:
*Internet (TCP/IP) and LAN (TCP/IP) play supported
*Internet play requires 56.6 Kbps (or faster) modem and drivers
*LAN play requires network interface card and driversRecommended System Requirements:
*Pentium III 1.0 GHz of Athlon 1.0 GHz processor
*256 MB of RAM
*100% DirectX 9.0b-compatible 64 MB video card and drivers.
1.6 What is Empires: Dawn of the Modern World rated?
Empires is rated T for Teen. See ESRB‘s website for more information on what this rating means.
1.7 What years does the game span across?
Empires spans from 950 AD to 1950 AD, including the Middle Ages, the Gunpowder Age, the Imperial Age, World War I and World War II. See our Epochs for complete information on all the ages!
1.8 Does the game look any good?
The game uses cutting edge 3D graphics. It is built on a more advanced version of Empire Earth’s engine, allowing up to 400% more detail with units, terrain, and etc. In single and multi player games, players can zoom around with the camera to admire the scenery, though not suggested in a multiplayer game. Our Gallery contains tons of high resolution screenshots showcasing the fine details of the game.
1.9 Does Empires have a map editor?
Yes, improvements over the Empire Earth Editor included an improved camera/movie interface making it much easier for fans to make their cut scenes and support for multiplayer scenarios. Custom scenarios are also fully transferable and playable over the Internet! Our Downloads section is the exclusive source for new custom scenarios.
1.10 How long does a game take on average?
Well, it depends on the player and what type of game you’re playing. Single player random maps can take anywhere from 30 minutes to forever depending on the player’s skill, difficulty level, and mode of play. Empires has 2 modes of play to specifically tailor to different players. Tournament mode is made for players who want a faster game with quick resources, cheaper technologies, and smaller battles, these games will most likely range from 20 minutes to 2 hours. The other mode is Empire Builder where players must build up a huge economy before attempting to attack. The defenses are stronger, technologies are more expensive, and players will be seeing large-scale battles and sieges. Of course fan-made scenarios can last however much time the designer wishes.
1.11 What is the max population cap? Can I change it?
Empires allows player to choose what the world population will be. The world population is split between the players in the game. So if the world population limit is 2000 and there are 4 players, than each player can use up to 500. Empires will have such a high population cap (80,000) that it can be nearly infinite. The host of a game will set the population limit before the start of every game. While playing Automatch, the population will be locked to 500, allowing 250 for each player.
2.0 Civilizations
2.1 Are the civilizations historically based?
Yes, they are. Command one of 7 distinct nations. From the Chinese’s use of gunpowder to Germany’s incredible air power, game outcomes are affected by each nation’s strengths. All nations are historically accurate down to the most basic units.
2.2 Does each civilization have unique abilities?
Yes. Each civilization has unique advantages over others. These can range from economy advantages, or even military advantages. On the downside, some civilizations have disadvantages. Our Civilizations section lists the unique abilities of each civliziation, including the cost and effects.
2.3 Does each civilization have uniquely skinned buildings and units?
Yes, they do. Every building and unit will look different from other nations. Also they change appearance as the player advances through the ages. Some buildings and units will also be completely unique to a civilization with no other similar unit/building or direct counter for them. Also, each building and unit can be “damaged”, which causes burn marks and scars to appear on the unit or building. Buildings may explode as they run low on HP.
2.4 How come I can’t make my own civs?
Unlike Empire Earth, Empires doesn’t allow you to create custom civs with their own name and advantages. Mostly because each civ (total of 7) is completely unique with their own art set and features based on their history. By allowing players to make their own civs, they’re breaking this history. A Korean Turtle ship doesn’t look good for Turks ;).
3.0 Support
3.1 Does Empires support the players who prefer playing offline?
Yes. There are single-player game modes. You can play a random map and battle against up to 7 opponents. SSS has improved the single player experience so it isn’t just multiplayer with AI computers. There’ll be multiple difficulty levels (more than 5) as players improve their skills. The game has also been made specifically so playing against multiple AIs will be more fun than just playing against one. You can also play the single player campaigns and lead your troops into battle as one of the three greatest military leaders in history. Such historical figures include General Patton, Richard the Lionhearted, or Admiral Yi.
3.2 Does Empires include multi player support?
Yes. Just like single player, you can battle up to 7 of your players on LAN, or with the in-game multiplayer system based on GameSpy. There is also a Automatch function, which allows you to play Ladder against players of your rank instantly.
3.3 Does the game have a demo?
Yes. There is a multiplayer amd sinlgle player demo for Empires: Dawn of the Modern World. Both files can be found in our Downloads section.
3.4 Will I be able to record my games?
Yes, you will be able to record games. They can also be shared for later viewing. Our Downloads section contains numerous Record Games.
3.5 I still have a question, what do I do?
Try emailing the staff depending on what type of question you have or posting in our forums. Never hesitate to ask any of us for help!
3.6 I require Technical Support.
Should you require Technical Support, feel free to post any questions or comments in the
3.7 I have a question/comment about the content on this site.
We read our Feedback forum daily. So should you have any questions or comments about this site, feel free to post it.
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Empires: Dawn of the Modern World is a game by Stainless Steel Studios and published by Activision.
