The developers behind Total War Warhammer 3 are addressing a critical gameplay issue caused by an AI bug that has left players frustrated. The problem, which has rendered AI generals unable to recruit units, stems from unit caps not being properly accounted for during recruitment processes. This has led to armies ceasing aggressive actions, a particular issue for factions like the Lizardmen and Tomb Kings.
The bug, introduced with a recent patch, emerged as part of challenges linked to Creative Assembly's evolving legacy codebase. This codebase, handed down across various development teams over the years, has yielded unforeseen errors when significant updates are applied. A beta release of the patch initially flagged issues, yet the final update still allowed the bug to persist.
Community and Developer Reactions
The game’s reception on Steam has suffered as a consequence, with its rating dropping to mostly negative over the last month. Only about 25% of recent reviews have been positive, reflecting the community’s disappointment. In response, Radoslav Borisov, the lead technical designer, provided clarity on the issue and reassured players that a hotfix is underway.
Meanwhile, Adam Freeman, head of community at Creative Assembly, conveyed in a statement that the much-anticipated Tides of Torment DLC "will take a back seat until we've resolved this issue." Originally planned for a summer release, the DLC now appears unlikely to meet its October timeline, disappointing fans eagerly awaiting the new content.
Anticipated Improvements and Future Updates
With the developers prioritizing the resolution of the AI recruitment bug, players are hopeful for a swift improvement in gameplay experience. The commitment to deliver a hotfix highlights Creative Assembly's focus on quality assurance and user satisfaction in maintaining the overall health of Total War Warhammer 3.
The delay in new content emphasizes the developers' approach to addressing current gameplay challenges before adding further dimensions to the game. As the community eagerly waits for fixes and updates, the situation underscores the complexities of managing and updating expansive digital game landscapes.