Dominions 3 Announced

[ioticus]

http://www.shrapnelgames.com/News/pr_01.htm

A random map generator in nice (but not necessary). What I'd like to see is better AI. I find multi-player games take too long without forced hosting and it's too hard to keep up with games that force hosting. I want a better single-player experience and the best way (and the hardest from the developer's standpoint) is to improve spell casting AI, strategic AI, research AI, etc. Did I mention I want better AI?

[johan osterman]

I assume you want a better AI as well, but I couldn't see you mention it.

[Soapyfrog]

I'd like battles to be resolved in real time, and perhaps a slightly more complex scripting for ordering your troops.

For example, being able to script conditional orders: e.g. mages will only cast the big artillery if the enemy army is of X size ro something like that.

[johan osterman]

Battles won't be resolved in realtime, and frankly I don't see why that would be an improvement.

[liga]

johan osterman said:
Battles won't be resolved in realtime, and frankly I don't see why that would be an improvement.

great JO!!! I really like turn based games! there are plenty of RTS ... I hope dom3 will be like dom2 but with some improvement .. so no needing of a super-mega-big computer to run, no need to be a spider moving on a keyboard to play well or to be able to see all the hundreds of things happening in the same time on your monitor hoping to have a 25" monitor to be able to see everything!

the only sad thing I can see in the coming out of dom3 is that probably I'll have to stop playing dom2 ... and dom2 is a so great game that I don't know how to stop playing it!

good play
Liga

[Soapyfrog]

johan osterman said:
Battles won't be resolved in realtime, and frankly I don't see why that would be an improvement.

Ah, an anti-RTS snob I would suggest since you only have scripted control of the battle, real-time resolution would certainly be much better.

Let me give you some examples:

1) battles resolve faster becuase missile/spells go off as they occur (possibly simultaneously, and in conjunction with movement)
2) no more instantaneous flying to any part of the battelfield
3) no more "optimal placement" problem where you can rob charging units of the charge bonus by timing it so your units get the first attack.
4) less weirdnesses due to turn breaks and more precision... instead of quickness giving you two attacks on your turn, it would allow you to attack twice as quickly (for example), which I think you'll agree is a little more accurate.
5) it would LOOK better, although I agree this is below a tertiary consideration

Remember the absolutely classic game Centurion in the earlier days of PC gaming? Scripted real-time with some very limited direct control... it was beautiful.

Or the one really high point of Paradox's Legion: the scripted real-time battles. Albeit, could have been done better, but it was an excellent start.


If you really hate real time How about this instead: Break turns into impulses, ala star fleet battles. That would certainly be an improvement.

I might point out that the battle is already resolved in "real-time" for the viewer i.e. the battles run without breaks, you need to pause to gather information, so there would be no impact in terms of additional "business" for the viewer.

[RadiantFleet]

I would like to see some modularity for the AI in Dom3, specifically the main program calling an AI "module" or script that can be tinkered with by players. I think Space Empires IV is a good start, but really anything that would let players tinker with the decision trees by nation and "flavor". I think this would be a huge benefit for both players and illwinter, since the players would get better AI's and we'd help keep Kristofer from getting programmer burn out. I think this strategy has worked extremely well for maps, and would be a big benefit in the AI arena.

Also, regarding RTS. Please don't do that to Dominions. RTS games are so much about reflexes and so little about strategy and cunning.

PS. Another great example of using modules for AI control is the old tank game "omega".

[Chazar]

Where can I sign the "NO-RTS-DOM2"-movement? There's more than enough to serve RTS-fans IMHO...

[Soapyfrog]

I am not (and would not be) suggesting that the game be made an RTS.

I am suggesting that the battles be resolved in real time. As they essentially are now but with the jarring and quirky turn breaks ironed out.

[johan osterman]

Soapyfrog said:

Ah, an anti-RTS snob I would suggest since you only have scripted control of the battle, real-time resolution would certainly be much better.

Not at all, I like several RTS games. I just don't think dominions would benefit much from it. I also agree with your points, they just seems like minor concerns.