The tech tree - keep the surprises!

[SonOfCrusader76]

Seems that in every game, you can see exactly what the tech tree is going to provide, like we can see the future or something. I think all later tech should be greyed out so we can't see what it is or what it can do - it should only become visible when the preceding tech has become available.

What do you think?

(Note - this applies to all future TW games, not just Rome 2).

[Vasa]

Unless the tech tree is randomly generated, it would be rather easy to find a detailed copy online. And I figure most players would end up consulting such a tree. I for one like to browse the later tiers of the tech tree so I know which techs to research early and which ones can wait until later.

[SonOfCrusader76]

Unless the tech tree is randomly generated, it would be rather easy to find a detailed copy online. And I figure most players would end up consulting such a tree. I for one like to browse the later tiers of the tech tree so I know which techs to research early and which ones can wait until later.

If you want to spoil it by going online, good luck to you. There should at least be an option to grey it out. Damn, I knew there was a third option I wanted to add to the poll!

[Vasa]

If you want to spoil it by going online, good luck to you. There should at least be an option to grey it out. Damn, I knew there was a third option I wanted to add to the poll!

But like the above poster said, having a tech tree where you can see the later techs is important to players who want to strategize. When I choose to research a tech, I'm just as influenced by what techs it unlocks as I am by what the tech itself does. With a greyed out tech tree, I'm basically flying blind and, as a result, an aspect of the game's strategy is lost and replaced by sheer luck factor.

[Krieglord]

I would support this to be put in game options but not as default

[boxleitnerb]

Good idea, I support this.

[myself]

Like Vasa said, except if it's randomly generated, there is not much point to it. So, I think, it is not a good idea. It involves a lot more planning and strategy if you know the consequences of your acts. I like the strategy part of this game, and I would not like it if luck became too important. That's also a reson why I didn't like the dilemma system of Shogun 2 too much, but as they had little importance, it was still quite ok. On the other hand, technology can have a massive impact on your game. So I'd rather not have it a guess what technology will bring you the totally needed technology to develop your farms game. Maybe earth works? Bad luck, it was iron tools...

[Luther0811]

Agreed, maybe this can be something implimented in either the difficulty or options?

- Wes

[krisslanza]

I disagree, the ability to look "ahead" is so you can strategize your tech. If you remove it, you have to kind of guess what each tech unlocks. You replace planning and strategy with just "Well this SOUNDS useful...". Also some techs aren't that great, but they lead to better things - which if you can't see ahead means you just ignore techs that look useless, but might pay off.

[Drtad]

I disagree, the ability to look "ahead" is so you can strategize your tech. If you remove it, you have to kind of guess what each tech unlocks. You replace planning and strategy with just "Well this SOUNDS useful...". Also some techs aren't that great, but they lead to better things - which if you can't see ahead means you just ignore techs that look useless, but might pay off.

Indeed. The tech tree adds another layer of strategy to the campaign. For example- do I want to be able to recruit more native auxiliaries or do I want to be able to farm a little better? It would only make the campaign thinner.

[windsupernova]

I disagree, the ability to look "ahead" is so you can strategize your tech. If you remove it, you have to kind of guess what each tech unlocks. You replace planning and strategy with just "Well this SOUNDS useful...". Also some techs aren't that great, but they lead to better things - which if you can't see ahead means you just ignore techs that look useless, but might pay off.

Exactly, tech trees add more strategy to the game. Making you go blind will only take away meaningful choices away from you in favour of chance.

[Princeps]

I think the tech tree should be replaced with something else. Access to technology and the ability to use them should be determined by geography (your location) and institutions (the sophistication of your state).

[HappyGoodVibes]

I think the tech tree should be replaced with something else. Access to technology and the ability to use them should be determined by geography (your location) and institutions (the sophistication of your state).

I support this idea, the tech tree is just a left-over rehash of other strategy games and it really does not work too well with Total War games. Most of the time I find tech to be a pain to manage because it will stall my invasion or stop the buildings I am making. Let technology *hit* countries instead of letting it be researched. Romans were famous ones for taking other people's ideas and adopting them. As Rome advances its borders and deals with more people, its technology advances. And then any developments that happen over time should be ruled simply by the economy. All of your cities must have a certain level of advancement in order to get enough gold to reasonably raise the money to build your next level building. This is basically the way they handle tech in Roma Surrectum 2.

That's simply my thoughts right now and they probably are not the best thought out, but I do know I don't like the tech tree and it has not added anything to the gameplay for me in the past few games in which it has been implemented.

[AngryTitusPullo]

I like FOTS style. Hope level of techs will unlock base on events rather than building levels.

[Lord Hovis]

I'm not really a fan of tech trees as they are normally done. They are a very gamey concept. Technological and cultural advancement throughout history was never really planned in an organized fashion, at least not till the last few centuries.

I'd prefer a different system based on, as already said above, geographical location, population and trade networks. But if I had to choose I'd say have it greyed out till the next stage is reached.

[bangell99]

Would be a great idea and make trying out all the different factions more interesting.

[Colgate]

I agree with some of the others, there should be an options to grey it out.

[Muizer]

They should get rid of tech trees alltogether.

[Rorarii]

They should get rid of tech trees alltogether.

agree, Techology should come from ;

(1) Chance discovery
(2) stolen from enemy

BUT CA have bought the franchise rights to tech trees so .. we're going to get them fed to us morning, noon and night!

R

[Dynamo11]

Hmmmm it's an interesting idea. But my problem is how would you work to want you actually want? Although I agree tech trees should never have been introduced