* Testing complete on the maps to be included in FP 1.0: New Pampas, New Hispaniola, New Andes, New California, and New Ozarks.
* Testing continues on other 'new' maps (New Great Lakes, New Patagonia, and New Sonora), but which will likely be pushed back to the next patch.
* Discussion ongoing as to which maps to include in the new map sets we are introducing in FP 1.0: Random Land Maps, Treaty Maps, and Experts' Choice Maps.
* Language localisation being looked into for FP 1.0.
* Balance testing has concluded. Listed below are the complete set of balance changes. Remember, FP 1.0 focuses upon only India and Japan in terms of balance. FP 1.1 will address balance issues for other civilizations.
General Changes
* Crossbowman multiplier against heavy infantry increased to 1.35. (From 1.25)
India Changes
* Zamburak base multiplier versus heavy cavalry reduced to 3.5 (From 4.0) and 2.5 versus coyote men (From 3.0).
* Desert Terror (multiplier) shipment gives Zamburaks only a 0.5 multiplier increase against both heavy cavalry and coyote men. (From 1.0)
* Distributivism wood trickle lowered to 1.00. (From 1.25)
* Foreign Logging wood trickle lowered to 2.00. (From 2.35)
* Fortress age 9 zamburak shipment reduced to 8 zamburaks.
* Agra Fort hitpoints reduced to 4000 (From 5000), CanonAttack range reduced to 0-24 (From 0-26), and line of sight reduced to 32 (From 34).
* Urumi given a 0.75 multiplier against hand cavalry and coyotemen.
Japan Changes
* Toshogu Shrine wonder bonus reduced to +75% shrine gather rate. (From +100%)
* Toshogu Shrine wonder gives 150 export in colonial age. (From 200)
* Japanese Isolation gives +5% attack. (From +10%)
* Yumi Archer colonial age upgrade lowered to +15% (From +20%)
* Ashigaru Musketeer attack reduced to 24. (From 26)
* Golden Pavillion wonder gives +10% upgrade to attack. (From +15%)
* Shogun gives +15% bonus to unit HP. (From +20%)
* Bushido technology not available until fortress age.
* Paper Cartridge technology not available until industrial age.
It will take us a few more weeks to do final bug hunting and localisation, as well as finish off a few other things. Although I cannot give a definite release date as of yet, it will be in approximately a few weeks from now.
I kinda miss a short boost to samurais early on vs cav but it looks ok. The nerfs on India should contribute to having more variety and everyone looks happy. I think that the Japanese lategame may suffer a bit from now on with 2 of the main wonders nerfed alongside with the Shogun and Isolationism (it will still be better than Sioux and Iroquois tho).
I'm glad they didn't do anything extreme like they did last patch
Dang I was just starting to think of playing as japan in a nr40 min treaty. Ohh well they will still be OP just might take a bit longer the way I play with them.
Secret for late game Build up massive muskets and those club guys behind the enemies base with the daiyamo and shoguns(since they can make units faster than military buildings). Then attack eventually the enemy will push you out of his/her base. Then you have your shogun and daiyamos swing around to the front as they are working on pushing your army away from thier walls. Repeat the process and by the time the enemy army has reached you they will have taken massive eco damage because they have slow going through thier base. Once they push you back again if you do not do enough damage repeat the process.