That sounds really nice - especially for those long drawn-out games with friends who live in a different time zone.

Wait, is this TBS or RTS?

TBS.

The description text that comes with a web shortcut for the forum page had the word "real-time" when I made my bookmark. Maybe it needs an edit, or we need to understand that the tactical might be real-time?

Looking forward to getting my hands on the beta! Pre-ordering tonight

 Question on  Persistent Multiplayer...

      Will  Multiplayer LAN also be available?    I hope so.

"The game will come complete with several different multiplayer modes, including classic skirmish and a persistent universe mode that will allow players to develop long-term open campaigns."

From the gamespy preview. I would assume this means standard multiplayer along with the persistent universe.

Use cel-shading? Graphics like a comics.

It's been mentioned in several places that the graphics are very early.  Still 8-9 months until the first beta.

Everything about the basics of the game seems so cool! This could definately turn out to be a MAJOR fantasy game. There seems to be a lot of Dominion-esque ideas in the game, which is wonderful. Also, the possibility to add content like in Spore (yes, I know you were first! ) seems very promising.

I must also say I really like the title. Both "elemental", and the add on "War of Magic". Since there are so few games like this around it works well also to use such a simple subtitle.

My only fear looking at it now would be that Stardock just tries to do a 3D graphics engine with good zooming effects that will be just to difficult to really get right so that it looks both good and in line with the game atmosphere. Too early to tell today of course. But personally I think it is really important also what it looks like, a  game like Dominions 3 is just too ugly looking, it takes away too much of the pleasure from even the best game mechanics.

how is the combat going to work? similer to the CIV games, Heroes of Might and Magic, GalCiv (screen that details the battle - though you get no controll), or even a Total war take (turn based empire real time combat)?

I heard that there's a total war dichotomy between playable low-level tactical and the grand strategy (which sounds absolutely awesome, I'll need something to stop my upcoming crippling empire total war addiction ), with the tactics real-time with pausing to issue orders encouraged, which is also awesome

You probably want to contact  Gamespot  and tell them...  they currently list the game as Real-Time Strategy

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/strategy/elementalwarofmagic/index.html?tag=result;title;0

Regarding the title, I would have used the sub in the plural sense. IE: Wars of Magic!

Any chance the tactical game will be something like the Total War series, or is it discrete turns displayed continuously (a la many of the D&D CRPGs out there)?