Player controlled battles???

Aristoteles · #1 September 30th, 2003, 02:18 PM

I always wanted to control the battles, why won't be that possible in Dominions 2.?

Wait I know the answer...because that way, the AI would be killed too fast? I mean I could control the battles lot better than the AI, that is for sure, so if the AI would be the oppoment, I would wipe him out easily, more than likely.
AI vs. AI battles are better balance wise....am I correct?
I think that this is sad, but true.

Yojinbo · #2 September 30th, 2003, 02:25 PM

I'll let Illwinter give the "real" answer but I don't think it would feasible to manage a multiplayer game in any realistic time frame this way.

How many turns in a Dominions game? 1000?
How mayn turns in a player controlted combat Dominions game? 100,000?

Now try this PBEM - games would take years.

Over internet - what would player A do while players B and C fight a strat battle? Multiply this times 8 players.

Nerfix · #3 September 30th, 2003, 02:26 PM

No, you are incorrect here:
1st reason: Do you REALY want to control hundreds, or possible thousands of units? Yup, armies of over 200 units ain't so rare in Dominions...
2nd reason: PBEM. I believe Dominions was designed for PBEM, so that's the 2nd reason.

Aristoteles · #4 September 30th, 2003, 02:28 PM

Huh, well there should be an option: AI controlled battles or human controlled battles....There are games, where you can choose out the method. Its quite simple, don't you think?

Nerfix · #5 September 30th, 2003, 02:29 PM

Well, that would force IW to redesing quite much stuff...
Not worth it, IMHO.

Aristoteles · #6 September 30th, 2003, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nerfix:
Well, that would force IW to redesing quite much stuff...
Not worth it, IMHO.

Not worth for you...IMHO

Mortifer · #7 September 30th, 2003, 02:32 PM

I am with Nerfix in this one. I never missed the player controlled battles in Dominions. This is an unique game, also the Dom II. combat/spellcasting AI will kick some ***, so dont worry about it.

Yojinbo · #8 September 30th, 2003, 02:39 PM

Aristoteles,

I could see the option giving the game more depth, but I can't imagine a MOM-like player controlled battle with 150 units running I go, You go.

Now maybe Simultaneous Execution like the first PC LAN game in history; (trumpet bLast) RoboSport. Or like the more recent Combat Mission games.

Battles could be divided into 90 second phases where we both give orders and watch them play out.

It comes down to this; where should a small development group like Illwinter spend its precious time? Would player controlled battles bring in more customers? Would it significantly enhance the game for us? Would developing it take Illwinter away from other stuff we all would enjoy more?

[ September 30, 2003, 13:40: Message edited by: Yojinbo ]

Nerfix · #9 September 30th, 2003, 02:42 PM

Well, if the Dominions II AI is realy so good they say in the "Wish List-Targetable spells" thread, i won't miss player controlled batles the slightest bit.

Nagot Gick Fel · #10 September 30th, 2003, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Nerfix:
No, you are incorrect here:
1st reason: Do you REALY want to control hundreds, or possible thousands of units? Yup, armies of over 200 units ain't so rare in Dominions...
2nd reason: PBEM. I believe Dominions was designed for PBEM, so that's the 2nd reason.

3rd reason, it's much more gratifying to be in the C-in-C boots, rather than in the corporal's. Do you think Napoleon bothered to manage every man in his army? He preferred to concentrate on the big picture.