[Edi]

TruePurple:

You misunderstand. The DB file is essentially still a spreadsheet (even though it will be made so that it can be converted to an SQL DB), it doesn't access anything from the game files themselves. It's all put in there by hand, but because it gives more information than anything else in an easily accessible format, it allows modders to look at what they like to change and to easily implement those changes. That's why it's mod friendly. But it's not an add-on program to the game. It's just documentation.

As for JK and KO, they are cool guys. They might not implement everything we want, but they do keep an eye on the forum. You also have a misplaced idea about just how much planning has gone to the mechanics. The manual is absolutely brim-full of mechanics and their explanations that are enough to make most strategy gamers' heads spin. There's more meat in Dominions even in that area than in most other games

As for your complaints about

1) Enemy numbers estimates: The way it's done in Dominions 3 is realistic. You get a rough estimate that may or may not be accurate, but you can't expect to have precise info. That is the REALITY of ALL battlefields throughout history. The estimates are never less than 50% or more than 200% of the actual figure.

2) Number of prophets: Enslaving or charming another god's prophet means that that unit became an apostate and switched sides. He used to be the holy figure of another rival god but has now seen the truth and changed sides. Arguably pretty damned inspiring from the common grunt's point of view, hence he remains a prophet. The reason why you don't also get to strip prophet status willy-nilly is the same thematically, it's not good for the peons to have their revered religious figures arbitrarily stripped of their status. Besides, there is an expectation that sooner or later prophets get killed. Then you nominate a new one.


3) Not allowing to dismiss units: There isn't a mechanism for that, which can be annoying, but the usual way to do it is use them for fodder or send them on a suicide mission. You've hired them and they'll stick by you, you don't just get to dump them in a ditch.

Arguably, AoW (the original) had a cool way of going about dismissal: all such units became independents, and they could be a real pain in the arse. In AoW2 and AoW:SM dismissal is instadeath, which was stupid. There's pros and cons to all of these approaches.

As for playing Dominions 3, it's not work unless you take it too seriously. No disrespect intended, but it seems to me a rather arrogant approach to come to the forum and just with your opening posts make a pretty hefty list of demands that the game be molded to suit your personal desires, especially when you take into account the character of the game and the number of people Illwinter has (2).

If this game is not something you enjoy, particularly if you've only tried the demo and already know it isn't for you, move on. Otherwise you should accept at least some of the main things about the game.

Edi