[Stormbinder]

Originally posted by Zen:
I think you are getting ahead of yourself by a large margin. I'm sure some of the information from Dom2 can be ported over to Dom3. But the next level of game from Dom2 to Dom3 that would make it feel like a new game (instead of just using the existing style/engine) would take a major Version change. And unless you plan on supporting Illwinter with 4-5 gifts a week I don't see them having enough time to do something that major in a timeframe that doesn't feel very similiar to Stars! (I.E. We're doing it, we're doing it ... we're doing it... 5 years later ... We're doing it).

I am just expressing my personal opinion, so I don't see how I could possibly be "getting ahead of myself my large margin". You can very well have a different one, I have no problems with that.


As for what will be or what will not be in the next Dom3 game, considering that based upon what was said here and elsewhere, the development of that game is not even close to starting yet, it's impossible for you or for anybody else to estimate how long it'll take Illwinter to do it. Unless of course you have precise private information about what will be in the Dominions3 game and would like to share it with us.


On the other hand as a software engineer with 15 years of experience including game development I can tell you that you can do a lot of things with existing or slightly modified "engine/playstyle" of Dom2. Imporving both tactical and strategic AI and UI would be 2 largest opportunities to enchance game experience without major overhaul of current game engine. But based upon previos patches as well as on the statements from devs themselves, it looks like nothing major is going to happen in these areas due to patches. (I am not criticizng them, I love previous patches). Since there are no indications that this thread will change in the future the only logical opportunity for serious improvements in these fields would be next Dom3 game.


And finally no matter how long it'll them to do it - 1 year, 2, 4 - the obvious truth is that the sooner the development of Dom3 will start the sooner it'll be finished. You can't argue with that.

[ May 23, 2004, 19:22: Message edited by: Stormbinder ]