Originally Posted by
CommodusIV
In my experience, being able to answer/execute the following would result in a more clean setup.
- Outline your project. Are you going to try and clone medieval 2, or make an interface that takes what you like of m2 features, but is its own creature? How far are you willing to go to change how medieval 2 does things, in specific? You mentioned an initial game design document, and that is a first step I find projects tend to miss. Have an agreed upon baseline for distance one these things and leadership - they can change over time, but it would be easier to change substance then fluidity, leading to the next point.
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I'd strongly suggest getting in contact with CA and making sure your open or closed source duplication of Medieval 2's game concepts is okay to go. Tolkien lawyers might get you, and that's to be considered too, but I can't stress enough that both are critical parties to keep in mind and ideally, have turn a blind eye to your project. If you think you can slip under the radar, you could try; just keep the risk of shutdown perpetually in mind.