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Post by Deutsches Afrikakorps on Jan 13, 2017 23:36:23 GMT
This idea basically covers society stage, industrial and space.
Now, if I recall we'll be in a tactical map mode of sort in these stages. Technically playing as the ruler/general of the operation. Now this got me thinking. We're basically going to be dragging boxes, forming units and moving em along, right? Now it makes sense from a gameplay point of view to be able to just do it. But that would realistically only work for hivemind empires. Being able to give orders on the spot that is.
So I had a idea.
Orders! We have different ways of giving orders. Different methods of time. Say in the medieval age. Unless your ruler/general is traveling with the main army. You might have to send orders via pen and paper, on horseback! Messengers/runners. Orders can be intercepted, or straight up killed! The AI should also be using this method of giving orders. Just to allow even playing field and well, the entire concept of encryption and decryption so to speak. It should also be tech based and even 'caste' based. Give those diplomatic corps on horseback a new role then just fluff story. Have em run along messages! This can be both military and civilian use. You don't just randomly contact a nation in the air, do you? You send messages! Remember that telegram the Germans sent Mexico in WW1 about attacking the US? Stuff like that happens! Leaks happen, interception happens!
Of course this opens up entire new fronts. WW1 happened, right? But in game it would be a lot easier without this method. Because in reality it could take up to hours for a order to be passed down the chain, and back up the chain. In game you could see a breach and instantly give the order to exploit it. But say you had to get a runner to deliver the order? The breach could be reinforced or even pushed by enemy troops.
Like I said earlier, tech should play in. While playing as a pack animal in the awaken stage and such, you're playing as one thing. So this doesn't apply. But when you start playing in the 'tactical mode' it should. Starts with maybe runners passing along either word of mouth, or written orders. Then stuff like phone, telegrams, radios and the likes. Keep up with technology for a boost. After all, if you can get orders quickly to the army, they can act on things quicker. Interception can happen on both sides. Possibly drawing a flank to happen, them to exploit it, or, to set up a totally fake order! (Like on D-Day when they convinced Germany that the allies were landing else-where.) It could even draw in other nations to declare war against you, or with you! Depending on the message, again, like the telegram Germany sent Mexico in WW1.)
This can even extend in to space. Possibly setting up some sort of communication network across the entire empire so everyone can co-ordinate things. And, of course, ship to ship communication devices so armies/fleets can function.
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Post by ATP Kraken on Jan 14, 2017 0:00:06 GMT
What could work is "Comminication range" and "Communication speed" stats for your unit/stats, increased by techs from "Basic Postal System" to "FTL Radio."
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Post by Deutsches Afrikakorps on Jan 14, 2017 0:05:07 GMT
What could work is "Comminication range" and "Communication speed" stats for your unit/stats, increased by techs from "Basic Postal System" to "FTL Radio." Yeah but that kinda drops the entire interception thing. Which could be a major thing in its own right. Plus the entire risk of earlier stuff. A stray sniper bullet/arrow might ruin a day's attack and need time to replan, etc.
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Post by serialkiller🌴 on Jan 14, 2017 0:58:33 GMT
I never thought about that but it's actually very important . I think adding this game mechanic would make a huge difference and allow more tactics ( like domesticate an animal (e.g a falcon )to intercept other animals (e.g pigeons ) delivering messages ) . I think that's a really cool idea and would make technological progress more important than in any other game before .
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Post by Omicron on Jan 14, 2017 7:56:34 GMT
If this happens I'll be so pleased... I've always wanted to do something like this, so you could, for example, prepare ambushes that don't show exactly what's happening to the opponents.
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Post by tammio on Jan 18, 2017 10:16:23 GMT
And it would be grat because this "time lag for orders" thing is so rarely seen in games but is an important part of strategy But I think this will be very difficult to implement because with a weak AI it would just become an AI exploiting slogg
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Notsae
Multicellular
Posts: 41
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Post by Notsae on Mar 11, 2017 19:37:04 GMT
Here's a big thing for this though; is it fun? Because all the biggest rts games do not have this in them and no one really complains, but if this is terribly unfun it could absolutely ruin this stage. At certain points realism has to take a back seat for entertainment value, not often mind you, but sometimes; this may be one of those times.
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Post by jappards on Jul 31, 2017 2:14:33 GMT
Here's a big thing for this though; is it fun? Because all the biggest rts games do not have this in them and no one really complains, but if this is terribly unfun it could absolutely ruin this stage. At certain points realism has to take a back seat for entertainment value, not often mind you, but sometimes; this may be one of those times. Depends how in depth communication should be. I don't think there should be a best way of communicating unless it uses technology from a different time period. Not only should there be a communication range, there should be a limit to the amount and complexity of the orders you can give as well. This would incentivize different ways of communication and make for some interesting strategies. Some may use smoke signals/large campfires(The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!*) or invent a version of the Chappe Telegraph. There may be a difference in expenses and maintenance as well, using 1 or the other depending on the kind of campaign you are going for. The communication system could be procedural. Buildings could have visibility ratings based on their height and the amount of light they give. Weather such as fog could severely reduce your ability to communicate on these buildings. All units may have the ability to send out messages containing orders, but some units will move better than others. A 2-legged species might be slower than if he/she was riding the world's equivalent of a horse or elephant, for example. Mounts and other domesticated creature information are already determined in the previous stage and could carry over to the next in the case of armies. *Fun fact: The Gondor beacon system has a historical parallel with a communication system used by the Byzantines in the 9th century. Modern experiments revealed it took an hour for the message to go from 1 side of the system to the other.
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