Is there a official history of the world of dom 2 ?

[En Forcer]

Originally posted by Kristoffer O:
There is no official compilation of Dominions history. Most of it is hidden in the darker corners of my mind.

While not impossible to do it would be a rather lengthy manuscript i suspect. It would present some problems with alternate Versions of history (themes such as broken/ashen ermor).

I'm personally fond of hints and allusions. It leaves more to the imagination of individual players.

If there ever was to be a new manual, would you like to have a compilation of dominions history in it?

I for one would really dig some background texture like a compiled history of some sort. To save you printing costs you could make it a pdf file or accessable within the game or some such.

As far as your conflict goes, well that is simply a function of how good of a writer you are now isn't it?

Since this is probably fodder for D3, just place current events back WAY in the past and have scholars "disagree" over various interpretations of history thereby allowing you as many themes as you wish for each nation. There are plenty of vehicles for delivering conflicting information to the reader....

[Karacan]

Only speaking for me, I love getting into the 'feel' of a game, and there's no manual I own I didn't read the background descriptions from (with the sole exception of the infamous Dragonfarm, probably the worst game out of Germany since Tamagochis... I won it, and couldn't get rid of it so far).

I like rich backgrounds, I still read through units' descriptions (especially the heroes), and I'd have liked a background story included in the manual.

But I sincerely believe that's something I can wait for until Dom III.

[PDF]

I really think a deeper background and an "official" history would be welcome. Not only it would enhance the feel of the game, but it'll be a basis for numerous scenarios and mods.

Surely it doesn't has to be very detailed, but a "sketchy" history/timeframe with the main events/battles will do.

[Gandalf Parker]

I see the player base here as having a real split between the statistician/formula people and the role players. Personally I like storyline stuff but I dont think Id want it in the manual.

Surprisingly after I thought about it abit I think I use the manual mostly because I want to look up a fact or number when Im making a decision and I dont want to move the game aside to look at doc files or Online. But the storyline stuff might work well Online since it could be prettier without making the manual expensive for it

[ March 23, 2004, 23:59: Message edited by: Gandalf Parker ]

[jaif]

Let me expand a bit: I have no complaints with the manual in regards for teaching me how to play the game. Between the manual and the between-turn tips, I've gotten a lot of the micromanagement down pat.

My problem, as a stats guy, is that I can't work on a nation/pretender design without turning on the game. I'd like to put in a bit of planning, but there just isn't enough out there.

On a seperate note, you may consider introductory paragraphs to the sections as a way to do some more history. I've seen that done in numerous RPGs (Pen & Paper).

-jeff

[DLC]

alternate universes anyone? copy the x-men comics a bit?

there you have your explanation for the different themes of the nations.

[Chazar]

I support what jaif said:

Originally posted by jaif:

a brief strat guide for each of the nations themes. Picture 3 paragraphs: strengths, weaknesses, and general play advice. Again, this is targetted at someone who opens up the manual and is pretty lost.

...and I dont have a need for a detailed overall history, since I think that is a task that is better be left to map/scenario designers!

Especially due to the allowed modding, D2 is rather a platform for huge variety of possible histories.