Hi everyone, Alexey here. Some of you old-timers might remember me from the early days of the game. I'm the original creator of the game, and handed off the keys to Xuul, the programmer behind the current version (v2) after 2013. You can read more about that here: [www.conquerorgame.com]

In any case, after pretty much single-handedly behing the sole guardian and developer of the game for almost a decade, Xuul has let me know that other demands on him means that he no longer has the ability to maintain the game server on his strategymania domain.

Of course, I had offered my assistance, but he prefers that I just retake the reins of this old horse and move the game server back to this site, which I am happy to do. Ten years ago, I was in a place where I did not have the time or energy to maintain the site, but things have changed since then, and I'm insterested in re-engaging, not just to get it working in this version but to start talking about maybe the development of a third version from the ground up.

I welcome your comments and suggestions, and hope to engage the community to find out what kind of future the game might have. I've been working in Unity (unity.com) a lot the last few years, and one idea I've been playing with is developing a new version as a stand-alone desktop (and maybe, mobile) game. What will happen is unknown, but the community will be a major part of any success.

First order of business will be getting v2 back online though; hopefully the extended offline period hasn't resulted in a loss of too many players. I know that a lot of you are long-term players that check back in every few weeks, months, or even years....

Ad astra per aspera!

--
Alexey
Developer, Conqueror!

Thanks so much.. Long Long time player here... I know little about the technology here but it seems like the problem was that the server certificate expired and was not renewed. It may be as simple as that. Otherwise, i will wait patiently..until i can conquer again! :)

hi was checking in, i hope there wil be progres soon =)

I also lack the technical skill set to contribute, but I want to say you've built up so much positive equity over the decades of offering this simple but deeply satisfying game, whatever you ask for I'm on board! If I come up with any good ideas I'll pitch in as well.

I can help! With code, ops, hosting... Whatever is needed. Please let me know if you'd like some assistance.

Glad (and relieved) to read the update, and thank you very much for letting us know what is going on.

I hope I didn't discourage Xuul; lately, oftentimes (out of frustration) I would say "I hate this game" when meeting the inevitable defeat or bad luck of chance [I most ABSOLUTELY love this game, and would feel the same as I do when attending funerals should this game ever cease to be]... New game or not, I hope Xuul will continue to participate with this community that has banded together over the years, as I would be sad indeed if he did if fact move on.

I must say that the server being down has provided me with the time needed to tend to SCORES of tasks, chores, and projects that otherwise would have remained on my 'to do list' because of the sheer fact that I do love this game -- I'm addicted to it, and nothing beats having a subtle getting into the morning over a cup of coffee and a game or two of conquering; the notion that I'll be able to have my favored type of morning once again makes me smile with gratitude.

Thank you very MUCH, Alexey (and Xuul, moderators, and all others for making Conqueror what it is). I look forward to that day with much antcipation.

Random thoughts for conq v3

-some kind of unit that attacks production values of countries.

-supply line to capital affects army performance ; completely cut off armies shouldn't fight so well maybe?

-maybe a wonder that can generate a fortification every x amount of turns

-maybe if certain % of countries are rebellious, you sacrifice an army move

-oh, maybe some neutral objectives that get you a bonus; 1st to 10 countries taken gets a culture boost or something

I dunno! I'm not that smart. But I can be random!

Thanks for the responses and encouragement. I'm mostly flying blind trying to reimplement everything on one server, but I've made good progress in the past couple days. I've set up a development server to start testing things on.

Please note that there is a good chance, according to what Xuul previously told me, that accounts created on the strategymania site won't transfer back here. If you originally created your account on this site (conquerorgame.com) you should be fine. The account creation is still working on this site if you want to check to see if your account works here:

[www.conquerorgame.com]

I'm working up a questionnaire for current players, so that I can find out where the player community stands and identify those most willing to help. This forum has always been the official place for communication outside the game, but I know there have been Facebook groups and other external forums in the past where players have met. If any of those are still active, please let me know.

I'm also considering using Slack or Discord for communications, at least temporarily while we carve out a future for this game. Please let me know your thoughts, if you prefer to use this forum or another means. It could be handy to have different channels for different uses, some private.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/12/2022 11:55AM by Alexey.

Gratis made a discord server [discord.gg] and I hope he doesn't mind me sharing it with you all.

OK, good to know, but I'll probably be making a new one. I figure most would prefer Discord to Slack?

Most people won't use either

Understood. Most of the indie game dev types I know use Discord, so if I do set up a server it will be on that.

Hello Conqueror's, Zup Alexey,

Thank you Alexey. Thank You XuuL.

Comrade-D, Yes it was you. XullL said so. ;)

Hope everyone is well.

Huh whats wrong with discord, discord it up

I'm setting up a discord server.

I dream of armies
rampaging across Europe
It's Conqueror time!

A haiku. *bows*

Excellent! I'm working on getting the server reintegration happening, I just don't have as much time as I'd like.

In the meantime, maybe a haiku contest to keep the peasants, I mean players happy?

Let us help Alexey. Join the unofficial discord server so we can chat.

Hi Alexy:

I'd like to belatedly chime in with my thanks for your work and offer my two bits' worth. Unlike most here, I have been playing the single-player v computer version, which is the Shockwave version. I've had to go to great lengths to keep that working, and in fact it will only run on the Windows Explorer browser. Or I should say ran, because it stopped working last week (June 2nd, 2022-ish).

The Teams version did not do single player mode, so my greatest hope is that your new version retains that ability. In fact, I hope you start from the original iteration, as most everything about the teams version was off-putting, including the color choices.

As for changes I would like to see: I'd like to ability to pre-select which countries appear on the map, my own as well as 4 or five AIs, before the game randomly selects the remaining AI players. The game is only interesting to me if I can be Luxembourg or Rhineland, and be surrounded by at least 4 AIs who are within one province, plus ten other AIs scattered around the world. I usually do have to cycle through multiple offerings of the setup page before I get such a selection, so shortening that process would be a tremendous improvement.

Of course, the AIs being not-too-smart is why I need to surround myself with enemies, end even then, the game is more meditative than challenging. Smarter AIs would make it more exciting, but I understand that's more of a challenge on your end.

Just getting the original game up and running again, and playable on a modern browser without Shockwave would be awesome.

Thanks!

Server being down
allowed to get alot done (SIGH)
I need Conqueror



Haiku aside --

How/where do I find youse on Discord?

~ Comrade-D

Missing conqueror
I should get a hobby, but
am myopia.

Ok, I've got something working but I need some of y'all to help test it.

Here's an invite to the Discord server, where we can sort it out!

[discord.gg]

Sweet! Get your asses in there conquerors.

Invite is expired. Can you resend?

Alexey has managed to deploy a test server. Comrade-D, zzz and I just played a game. Join us!

1. Join the discord [discord.gg]
- If you are new to Discord, make sure to complete the registration process and remember your login details.
2. Drop a short intro in #introduction channel
3. You'll gain access to the test channel and be able to play with us.

Or just wait... I'm hopeful that the main server will be back soon.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/05/2022 02:55PM by Gratis.

It seems the previous invite link expired after 7 days, this one shouldn't expire ever: [discord.gg]

Good luck guys. I'll be following this forum and will certainly join once the new version is up and running.

"guess who's advancing"

[dev.conquerorgame.com]

for the folks who didn't know it was back

[staging.conquerorgame.com] = new link to the game, it's been moved from the old dev server

[discord.gg] = link to the game discord for coordinating team games

By starting at the homepage [www.conquerorgame.com] you can get to the game now.