Feature (Request) Overkill

**aviatorhi** · July 12, 2012, 01:58 AM

I've noticed a lot of posts are all about what features to add and wishlists, while it's great that a lot of people are enthusiastic so early on in this iteration of TW's release cycle I think a lot of us are letting "feature creep" seep into what we want from TW:R2.

Between reading about degeneration of structures, finite management of resources, ten step city battles, etc. etc. I find myself shaking my head.

Sure, there are certain game mechanics which still need polishing (there has been a lot of fixing by CA since E:TW over 3 years ago) there's no reason to turn the Total War franchise into a Hearts of Iron wannabe.

Part of what draws me to TW over HOI is that I can sit down and play a long campaign of TW in a few days at most, without needing to keep a journal of what I'm doing, where everything is, who needs supplies and so on. TW has always been about "accessibility" to epic scale strategy and battles without the micro-management that more hardcore "games" of similar setting require.

When I play TW I enjoy it, I'm hoping that it doesn't get turned into something that feels like a chore/job in the future.

I would rather that CA keep TW "simple", polish the mechanics and add some new elements which increase enjoyment / immersion / mechanics, not make the taking of a city turn into a 5 hour ordeal.

**♘Top Hat Zebra** · July 12, 2012, 02:30 AM

Well, I just like to sit back and let these people have their fun. I think, deep down, they all know that we ARE talking about Total War, here, and most of the things they want will probably never happen.

**Linnara** · July 12, 2012, 02:45 AM

If the flood of requests and suggestions leads to an inspiration for members of CA reading it, then it's a good thing for all of us, don't you think?

**Kraut** · July 12, 2012, 02:58 AM

Originally Posted by Linnara

If the flood of requests and suggestions leads to an inspiration for members of CA reading it, then it's a good thing for all of us, don't you think?

If it does, yes.
But I could imagine the flood of feature requests rather overwhelmes any CA members reading here, and tempers the mood to read them thoroughly...

**Ichon** · July 12, 2012, 03:04 AM

I think there is a difference between wargames, tactical games (RTS) and real strategy games. HoI is more of a wargame than a strategy game. TW games have been mostly tactical but are not speed based like an RTS so are more like Chinese checkers than chess but in latest versions are becoming more chess like which to me is a better move than towards a wargame like Hearts of Iron. Additional content is a good thing if it leads to more complex decision chains and the addition is relatively simple in concept- IE like the addition of the Knight piece to chess. Thing like deep economic simulation or numerous social classes actually counted in the game aren't simple concepts and belong more to wargames. Something like simplifying the concepts of trade routes and diplomacy while also allowing deeper play would be excellent additions to TW series. Of course the AI and historical details must also be considered but if keeping to relatively simple concepts with deep consequences then even AI and history can be successful.

**Muizer** · July 12, 2012, 04:24 AM

I have to say I get the same sensation watching all these discussions. Most suggestions are thrown out there with complete disregard of how they would fit in with an overall gameplay pattern. My experience as a modder has been that I have to watch out constantly for suggestions that will throw the game off-balance. For instance, there's the constant pull to depict the Greek and Roman world in much more detail than the "barbarian" Celts and Germanic tribes. Before you know it, the historical bias (we know more about the greeks and Romans than about the Barbarians) starts to affect the very dynamics of the game. Such consequences are rarely thought through in these suggestion threads. That's a pity really, because it means constructive, usable ideas get drowned out by pipe-dreams.

A good first question to ask yourself would be: in any given turn, what would I want to spend my time on? Because I'm sure the game could be made infinitely complex, but the OP is spot on that the player's time is a limited resource.

**zg0301zg** · July 12, 2012, 04:34 AM

i agree completly , people are too unrealistic that other "barbarian" nations (factions) are being neglected, they cant be too detailed due to fact since TW series was always about certain historic accuracy so to people that use to pay attention on history classes is a dream come true.

Furthermore, playing Romans for example is no walk in a park since Romans dont have friends, they are hated by every single in game faction plus you have in nation revolts and that how it really was, so the itself is how it should be, realistic and fun and its a chalenge by its self.

Also the pure terraing should affect the game since historicly Romans didnt pass the Britiains far north due to terraing and guerrila warfare and Varius as we know also faced wipeout in Germany, so in my oppinion ambushes and such should be implemented in someway rather then placing non existing units just to balance the game.

Romans at start also didnt have too clear concept about whow to fight, but they wasnt a shame to take from each other nation what is good, such as pillum etc...

**aviatorhi** · July 12, 2012, 11:35 PM

Thanks for the show of support, I don't really mind the theorizing about concepts as much as I mind the attitude that some have, which says "if they don't turn it into Roman Hearts of Iron, it's not worth it / I won't play it".

**Adreno** · July 12, 2012, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by aviatorhi

Thanks for the show of support, I don't really mind the theorizing about concepts as much as I mind the attitude that some have, which says "if they don't turn it into Roman Hearts of Iron, it's not worth it / I won't play it".

Those people are the best.. if it has not got x i will not buy it when its 75% discounted!!!1!

Imo 50 bucks is already a bargain for what you get compared to most other games

**Armstrong** · July 12, 2012, 11:47 PM

Furthermore, playing Romans for example is no walk in a park since Romans dont have friends, they are hated by every single in game faction plus you have in nation revolts and that how it really was, so the itself is how it should be, realistic and fun and its a chalenge by its self.

Thats something that shouldnt be forced on the player though if i want to make strong alliances i should be able to and everyone shouldnt start out hating me. Or if i take steps to prevent those revolts i should be able to. If im ruling the nation i want control over what happens, i dont want to be forced down a certain path.