Empire in Arms the Napoleonic Wars of 1805 - 1815

[pzgndr]

Some very good news to report today. It's been almost two years to the day since we released the v1.23.00 Beta, with many fits and starts along the way with eight version updates and more hotfixes than I care to count. But now we are finally here!

1. I tested the v1.23.08 installer package today and all appears fine. So the next official comprehensive patch should be posted soon. After that, the production team is going to expedite getting a remaster of the original installer out using v1.23.08, which means players can make a single download and single clean install without the patch hassles we've been dealing with for years.

2. Empires in Arms is on sale right now for the next few days for $9.60. If you've been on the fence about picking up this title, this is a bargain. See https://www.matrixgames.com/inventory/special for details.

Very good news indeed. Enjoy!!

[Asid]

Great news Pzgndr.

Thank you for all the time and effort you have putin to get the game to this stage 

This game should not be missed, especially at the sale price 

[pzgndr]

The v1.23.08 update is available plus there is a remastered installer now available in your registered downloads to make a clean install directly to the latest v1.23.08 update. So many good things have now come together: bug fixes, AI improvements, game enhancements, and resolution of installation issues. Time to play! Enjoy!

[Asid]

Great news pzgndr. THANK YOU for all your hard work and effort 

[Asid]

EIA v1.27.00 Beta Hotfix #1 Available
Fri Feb 21, 2025

By pzgndr

Hotfix #1 the first beta for the next v1.27.xx official patch. This Hotfix should be applied over the installed EIA v1.26.04 Official Update game files and v1.27.00 Beta version. You should be able to extract (copy&paste) the new EXE file from the zip file directly into your v1.26.04 install or v1.27.00 Beta install.

Release notes so far:
Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars - 1.27.00
=============================================
- PBEM Admin button not always working correctly ? resolved.
- PBEM simultaneous diplomacy not always working correctly for some human client players ? resolved.
- Warning message added for last PBEM player to verify all simultaneous diplomacy files are loaded prior to ending turn ? resolved.
- AI improvement for Reinforcing A Field Combat ? resolved.
- User Manual section 11.2.11 updated for allied forces reinforcing a field combat ? resolved.
- Units not in a city sometimes being foraged as besieged ? resolved.
- AI-AI siege combats not always working correctly ? resolved.
- AI-AI city trivial combat not working ? resolved.
- AI determination of enemy in range of target area not always working correctly ? resolved.
- Swedish minor corps not drawing allied supply in 1813 ? resolved.
- AI improvement for defending capitals of allies ? resolved.
- AI improvement for place/remove depots ? resolved.
- AI improvement for naval interceptions - resolved
- Game bug lone transports not being eliminated ? resolved.


This is another incremental improvement to the game. I spent a lot of time working with Maple Leaf and his pbem game to resolve PBEM simultaneous diplomacy issues. These appear to be fixed now, although there are still some other issues probably related to file corruption(s) related to the multiple reloads of hotfixes along the way. I was going to release a hotfix for the pbem issues but got started on v1.27.00 updates in parallel, so I'm just going ahead with releasing the Beta. Most of the updates are AI improvements and enhancements, notably getting the AI computer opponent to reinforce field combats. Players should expect a few more surprises now. Additionally, I've spent the past couple of weeks playtesting the 1805, 1812, and 1813 campaigns and making numerous AI improvements regarding sieges, foraging, placing/removing depots, and naval interceptions. I am mostly satisfied with how the AI computer opponents are behaving. Again, players should expect more surprises and more competent game play. The AI ain't Skynet and it ain't self-aware yet, but we're getting there.

Alright, here's where we're at. My playtests have been mostly hands-off observations of AI performance for the three campaigns, usually playing as Turkey or Spain for about 6-12 months. Besides the AI improvements, I've been spotting and fixing various other minor issues regarding combat messages, game log messages, and such. This Beta version is ready for  'prime time' wargaming for players to challenge the AI. Firstly, I'm looking for any and all reported issues of game bugs, odd messages, and AI tactical or operational weaknesses. As I fix whatever may need fixing, I'll post a hotfix or two. Secondly, for the long term over the next few months, I'm looking for AI strategic weaknesses so that I can make improvements to the AI grand strategies. Specifically, how are the AI major powers doing between 1806 and 1812/1813. Where are they being taken advantage of by a veteran human player and where are they missing opportunities that a veteran human player would be jumping on? Primarily for France and Great Britain, but also for all major powers. How can we help the AI perform most like a human player? Please help make Empires in Arms a great computer wargame with the most challenging AI we can get.

As always, if you spot any issues, a game save of the previous phase is most helpful (both .dat and .sav files). If I can run your game save and recreate your issue, then I can better debug it and resolve it. Even if you see the AI do something odd, like a stupid naval or land move, report it and give me a chance to figure it out and make it better. I really want to get to the point where players can have a great solitaire game or feel confident in having AI computer opponent substitutions in small-group pbem games. I think that would be ideal, small-group pbem games of 3-4 players that can move along quickly enough for everybody to have fun and not have to spend 2+ weeks to complete a turn. Let's get there. Enjoy!

UPDATE 3/1/2025 - Hotfix #1 here: https://www.matrixgames.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10250&t=409169

[Asid]

EIA v1.50.XXX Beta
Fri Sep 04, 2026



By pzgndr

Hello all, it's been a busy spring/summer with Marshall Ellis back into code development and working on making EIA better.

We have had some playtesters checking out the new versions and received good feedback. The latest version is stable and we're starting to look at release. I've started work on game manual updates. Over the next few weeks, anybody who is interested in checking out the new version is welcome to help playtest and provide feedback.

For beta testing, it is recommended that you install another clean version of EIA in a different directory, say \Empires in Arms Beta. You can have multiple installs of Matrix games. So, run the v1.23.08 installer, then apply the v1.27.4 update, and then download the beta files from the DropBox link and unzip/copy them into your beta directory.

DropBox Link for v1.50.026: HERE

The /Data/docs has the updated Release Notes, but reposted here so you can see what you're getting into:

Version 1.50.00

Empires in Arms the Napoleonic Wars - 1.50.025 2026/09/03
=======================================================================

-    Improvements
o    Added new Modern Desktop Functionality. This allows many windows to be moved around the desktop or to other monitors. This also allows many windows to be shown in a non-modal form so you can for example: monitor your Political Status as the window stays visible on your desktop. Info windows can be chosen from the new Top Menu Button that replaced the "Selected Nation" button. This allows you to specify what info windows are visible, save your desktop settings to disk or set your desktop to the game's default setup.
o    Added new Area Zoom Window which will automatically zoom to the selected area and give you a clear view without units. Good for seeing the size/fortification of the city and the forage value of the area. This new window will show a representative image of the nation being played when no area is not selected or an area with no nation (Sea area) is selected.
o    Added new Phase Actions Window. You can now click the new button (with the 2 diagonal arrows) at the right side of the message window (Bottom left of screen) and a new Phase Button window will appear with larger buttons and the full button descriptions below each button. No more paging or hovering. Quickly see the larger buttons and their action text!
o    Added new Log Window. A button on the newer Phase Action Window This window includes a new message box and a button that will allow you to view the game log on a larger, sizeable, mobile window. You can also specify a search filter in the top text box to filter out unwanted messages. Messages in the log with your country are also automatically colored to your nation to help quickly see messages that concern your nation.
o    Added new smoother arrows in the AAR modes.
o    Added smoother shading of minors which are either free states or conquered.
o    Added a "Highlight Winter Zones" button on the Strategic Map that place a little snow on the areas that are affected by Winter. This includes sea zones that ice over (Russia). This option can easily be enabled/disabled. This allows you quickly see potential supply/movement cost issues.
o    Added Required "Quixley LET" font at run time to avoid the need of font installation in your system!
o    Added ability to build land forces by simply double clicking on one of your nation's home areas (and NOT a unit). If you double clicked on a port then it will automatically bring up the ship building window for that port.
o    Add ability to build land forces if you double click on one of your Freestate's areas. And again, if you double clicked on a port on one of your Freestate's areas then it will bring up the shup building window.
o    Added AAR mode settings to the saved game so it will be persistent through restarts.
o    Added mouse wheel map scrolling up and down. Quickly scroll up or down with the mouse wheel.
o    Added victory posters for each nation which show at victory screen.
o    Smoothed area outlines when selecting or seeing possible moves.
o    Improved map drawing speed (Added Microsoft GDI+ Graphics Library).
o    Added ability to change options/preference values with mouse wheel. No more double-clicking from Hell 😊
o    Added Sprite explosion animation for AI battle locations. A little more info as to what/where battles are being fought.
o    Added sprite surrender animation for showing minor surrenders.
o    Added an indicator at the top left of the Create/Remove Depot button in the new Phase Actions panel that shows how many depots are left for that major power.
o    Improved AI Aggression in late game scenarios.
o    Added colored strength indicators when looking at a unit stack. Green = Unit is >= 80% of Troop Capacity, Yellow = Unit is between 40% and less than 80%, Red = Unit is less than 40% in troop capacity.
o    Added better nation view and selected nation forms.
o    Added a quick method of creating/adding to a garrison in the move phase. Click your unit then dbl click its area and the create/add to garrison dialog should appear.
o    Added a quick method of moving to a city. Click your unit in the move phase then dbl click the area (Not on a unit) and it will move to the city (Besieging).
o    Added more AI Improvements from Bill (Mainly dealing with Alliance management).
o    Added options (When right licking the strategic map) to see the Conquered and/or the Freestate flags for minors. This helps reduce (Optionally) map clutter.
o    Added sprite for minors that move to neutral status (Loss during fiasco/instability).
o    Added sprite for alliances forming.
o    Added sprite for a major DOW.
o    Added surrender flag sprite to minors that are lost to another major power during the fiasco/instability check.
o    Added hint text in the build units dialog that will show the available factors on the map and off the map for each troop type (Hover over the up/down buttons).
o    Added Leader battle records. Now you can see a leader's game record in wins/losses/ties.
o    Added an auto zoom to the first area with a battle to be fought at the beginning of the land combat phase.
o    Added an Unassigned Leader check to setup (Bill)
o    Assigned leader assignments to Great Britain, Russia and France for 1812 and 1813 Campaigns (Bill)
o    Added double-clicking a home nation's city area with no garrison will auto create a garrison.

-    Bug Fixes
o    Fixed minor map update issue which was not showing the available areas to unload your ship(s).
o    Fixed issue when removing a Depot that contained some factors in it that was displaying a garbled message. Now will display "Depot Contains Factors that will be Eliminated if you Continue"
o    Fixed map issue. Area730 (N/NW of Tripoli) was not allowing port entry to Tripoli. This was largely a non-issue since work around code was applied in earlier patch but proper fix was to configure the border between Area730 and Tripoli properly in the map data. This change was made in all current scenarios.
o    Cleaned up the map scroll a bit by cleaning any unused area on the screen with black space.
o    Fixed Load Setup/Saved Game Dialog box compatibility issues with modern Windows 10/11. Should properly auto select the correct directory.
o    Fixed issue with AI successful Withdraw chit not resolving a proper retreat. Was staying in combat area.
o    Fixed issue with a leader in combat being left in the combat area when all of his friendly forces were eliminated after the battle.
o    Fixed issue where sometimes a depot was being left in a combat area after it was forced to retreat or withdraw.
o    Fixed issue where some leaders were escaping captivity!
o    Fixed issue where you were not allowed to place a leader into a non-besieged area free of enemy units with friendly corps.
o    Fixed issue where unit move ranges were not being shown even when the "Always Show Ranges" option was enabled. This is only for units under your control.
o    Fixed lockup issue with over garrisoned cities that contained enemy units from a Kingdom BUT the area was not under siege.
o    Fixed issue that forced an alliance break with nations under an enforced peace but should not break an alliance because they had a common enemy.
o    Fixed issue where Kingdom units were not participating in combats where they should have!
o    Fixed issue where more than 3 provinces were being ceded when Polish provinces were being selected.
o    Fixed issue where released leaders were randomly teleporting to the map
o    Fixed issue with Major Alliance Modifiers Table which has an invalid value for Austria/Prussia
o    Fixed issue with some blockades persisting even after a successful attempt was made to lift, causing a battle with a "ghost fleet".
o    Fixed issue with some garrisons in a friendly controlled nation positioning themselves in Enemy City locations making it impossible to lay siege upon the city.
o    Fixed issue with French victory screen.
o    Naval work
�    Fixed issues with Blockade running which was not allowing units to move out of the port even if they won.
�    Fixed issue with random units appearing in a blockade battle.
�    Added Lift Blockade battle which when fought, if won then the blockading nation(s) will retreat to nearest port. If lost then no units forced to retreat/move
�    Fixed issue where no naval retreats were happening.
o    Fixed more leader location issues (Captured and escaping).
o    Fixed issue with garrisons not being located properly in areas (Now should correct).
o    Fixed issue with 2 enemies going after the same minor nation. After the standard combat, the winning side could have been in ally city so the assault attempts right after winning could possibly put the assaulting in the wrong city location thus creating unpredictable side effects in combat.
o    Fixed issue where in some battle clean up scenarios, a garrison was being moved outside a city.
o    Fixed issue where Kingdom units were not always being loaded into battles nor retreating properly.
o    Fixed issue with unit location at Strasbourg (Alsace/France) which had its Ally rural unit location set in the area next to Alsace??? Could have been my earlier clumsy fixes.
o    Fixed issue with surrender screen sometimes showing garbled characters for conditions.
o    Fixed issue with possible moves showing right after a DOW.
o    Fixed issue with garrisons moving to rural areas after the area's nation surrenders to the garrison's nation. They now relocate to Ally city for the temporary access period.
o    Fixed issue when game is over and there is no winner then Great Britain wins in this situation (Game was not doing this).
o    Fixed issue which was causing units to disappear when a minor unit (In the same stack) is removed from play due to a nation status change.
o    Fixed issue with units sometimes retreating to an invalid area (Mostly associated with battles next to a nation's capital).
o    Fixed reinforcement issue which was allowing un-purchased corps to be placed in the game at a reinforcement phase.
o    Fixed issue with Allies not supplying their Allies Minors.
o    Fixed issue with Metz not being French in scenario (002).
o    Fixed issue where captured minor leaders were not being shown in the prisoner screen.
o    Fixed issue with starting a new game (While in an active game) that was not redrawing the start menu properly.

-    Changes
o    Metered the previous change where AI opponents were only forced to cede a maximum of 1 province. Changed this so that an EZ AI opponent will still cede 3 provinces but a Medium AI opponent will only have to cede 2 provinces and a Hard AI opponent will only need to cede 1 province. If this bonus is applied then a message will show in the log.
o    Added change to prevent Major Power from Interfering from another Neutral Major Power's war with a minor IF the 2nd MP is controls the capital and it is about to fall.
�    For Example: If France and Austria are both at war with Bavaria and Austria makes it to the capital, besieges and wins then garrisons then France will not be allowed to garrison as well and in fact will pull out of the minor.
o    Change DOW Sprite to Cannons firing at each other.


As you can see, there have been a lot of UI improvements and the additions of several new animations for diplomatic events. There have also been many bug fixes and AI improvements. Players should check it out. Enjoy!