To you, all mighty devs !! We know that your inspiration came from civ4, dominions 3, Master of magic, heroes of might and magic.
But did you played fall from heaven 2 the mod for civ4?
And Fantasy wars (and the old fantasy general)?
And Combat Mission?
And the total war series?
And did you have some non-computer influence? Like the pen and paper RPG Ars Magica? Did you played some wargames?
