Jefferson may have been well suited for his time but he would probably be at a loss in today's world. After all he dreamt of an agrarian America which is why he was so eager to expand the country.

Native Americans at that time were divided and reading Lewis and Clark's Journals demonstrates that they had different lifestyles. There are many differences between the Mandans, the Flatheads or the Sioux to name but a few. It's worth mentioning that at that time the Sioux had emerged as a force to be reckoned with and that they had taken control over the Plains. It's impossible to say what would have become of the balance of power without the interference of the US but there is no denying that Lewis and Clark paved the way towards the Pacific and initiated the movement that would be later known as Manifest Destiny.

Update time. The new monitor is working nicely for me.
October will be medical month. Have to be tested to make sure the blood is flowing properly to the brain and also check the heart. Foot doctor, retina specialist, low vision doctor, general blood test. I think that is it.

Solved the mouse issue with Mount & Blade plus another game. Had to reset the mouse and the display to default. Not a big problem for me as long as I can use the Winndow's magnifier. The larger monitor actually helps a lot with that problem.

Got Anno 1404, Dawn of Discovery as it is called in NA. So now I have four games to play around with. Anno has small text which is a bit of a problem and I can't find a tutorial so am just trying different things and teaching myself. The thing I dislike the most is that I can't find a way to adjust the camera settings. I think I would like it better if I could have more control over the camera.

September looks to be dry and warm. That may sound good but it isn't as far as I am concerned.

Not much else going on here. Mark is playing in a local band and they get some paid gigs which is nice. He plays guitar.

Nice. What sort of music does he play? Sounds like the band must be pretty good.

I don't have Anno 1404 but I have Anno 2070 (funny how the number add up to nine all the time) and the fonts don't look large on my 17" screen...

I hate when the fonts are too small. It's really tiring especially after a long day.

I've found a video on youtube, it might be worth a look:


Game looks good by the way.

Thanks, Cara, actually I figured that much out but he may have further videos to help with some things. I tried the quick start and it just confused me. I thought it had a tutorial included. I should have started with the campaign I guess. I am doing a random easy map with my own settings. Things are improving. I currently have three islands somewhat settled. I played the early Anno games and there are similarities which help.

Well, I tried the campaign since that is were the tutorial is and almost went crazy. First it told me what to do but not how, then the instructor kept losing his cargo and saying do this, do that one right after another without time to do it unless you are a speed freak which I am not.

I went to the Ubisoft site but now they are concentrating on Assassin's Creed naturally. The early games were fun but this is just weird as far as I am concerned. I probably should give up but it annoys me that I can't figure it out. The game did at one time suggest it might be a good time for coffee and I agreed.

Wow, that just sounds weird... Can't you pause the game in order to figure things out?

There is a reason I haven't been playing so many RTS games since the late 90s and that's simply because I enjoy taking my time.

In any case I did a quick search online and I've found what looks like some pretty good links:

http://anno1404.wikia.com/wiki/Campaign_Guide

Clicking on the chapter will take you to a walkthrough. You may want to give the game another shot if you can pause and alt tab to check the wiki you should get your bearing (in my experience the problem with games like these is getting past the learning curve, once you're familiar with the UI things become enjoyable).

I've found another video.


I don't know how good this tutorial is but it makes me want to play. Apart from the tiny fonts the graphics look pretty decent and cute. Anno 2070 is a much colder game IMHO.

Thanks, Cara. That is a better walkthrough than the one I found. I think we in the USA have gotten a reputation for rushing things and rather deservedly. The basics should be the same whether called Anno 1404 or Dawn of Discovery.

P is the pause key and since I use tthe right hand for the mouse finding it with my left is hard. I should see if I can change the settings for the keys. Also the guy in the video sped up the game so I should be able to slow down the game. I'll give it a try.

The game has potential. Continuous games has an option where you can generate your own maps. Not the map itself but all kinds of options to make it easy or hard or medium. You can turn quests off but are still able to ask your AI players for quests. My profile name is Lord Badger.

As far as I can tell it's the same game with a different name. There is a retail version and a Steam version but since it's a bit old it doesn't have a Uplay version (whereas Anno 2070 does).

Lord Badger is a really cool moniker.

I think I have the hang of the mechanics of the building part. Although I am not sure what a couple of buildings do. I need to check into that wiki article you linked to and see if that helps explain. Then try to figure out diplomacy and not pay exorbatant tributes to others. There are beggars in Anno 1404 and you can build alm houses and get honour or something oh no an extra citizenship for every 40 beggars you house. Of course you have to give them food something to drink and clothes.

Sounds like a handful!

Have fun with all the micromanagement Nakia!

I have gotten information on the buildings and found out what fertilizing does. If I could only find out if there is a way to improve the camera settings. The is some nice little details that I am missing because I cannot zoom in close enough. Not the worse problem but it would be nice.

I had a quick look and it seems you can switch to free camera with the "end" key, F1 is supposed to change the field of view.

You may want to have a look at these links:

http://anno1404.wikia.com/wiki/Engine.ini

http://forums-de.ubi.com/showthread.php/50553-Anno-1404-Engine-ini-explained-Forums

Thanks, Cara. I have changed a couple of settings but I don't think there is any way to get the camer closer in. I'll just have to live with it.

I have fallen love with the nomads. Those were not in the earlier games. There were native Americans in one of the games but you didn't play them just met them and either traded or fought.

I think I have the population and production basics learned and am now working on trade. That Anno wiki link is very handy. I am glad you found it.

I'm glad I could help, have fun Nakia.

I have managed to do some trading. Not anything spectacular but it is a start. Little by little I am getting there. Once I am more comfortable with the trading I may try a quest. Those seem to be timed so you have to focus on them.

I found it interesting that I could build a town of citizens and peasants and make money from it.  When I upgraded to patricians the income was actually less becuse of building, needing, things  for them.

Here is a link to the citizen and peasant town I built.

Finally found out why I couldn't get those re-configurations for the camera to work. the expansion Venice must overwrite the original file. I uninstalled the expansion and am playing the original game. It isn't as smooth for me as Venice but I am enjoying seeing the details. Strange to me that a developer would take the time and spend the money to put in a lot of detail and then make it hard for people to see. Obviously I am not the only one or else someone would not have come up with a solution for Anno 1404.

The village detail looks great Nakia. Good to hear you're enjoying this game. Hope you're well xx

The picture looks amazing. I couldn't see it on my phone before but now that I'm back online I can see it in all its splendour!

Using the free camera to get close I got a screenshot of part of the Marketplace. I really enjoy being able to see the detail.

This is really nice Nakia. Lovely detailed picture.

Is this a marketplace you've constructed in the course of the game? It looks cool!

The Marketplace is pre-constructed but you place it and then place the peasant houses and support buildings around it.  The detail of the game is absolutely amazing.  They even included outhouses for the peasants.  

Peasants need outhouses just like everyone else.

This reminds me of the Guild 2 a bit (not the details but the general outlook -at least from what I've seen).