Interesting. One thing I'd really like is the ability to modify the apparency of the character (at the beginning, something similar to oblivion) or even creating an entire race, based on some common parts (example the ears of the elves, the skin of the orks) and a randomly generator of soldiers(or citizen in towns). I've never seen this before and I think it could be interesting.
Something I'd love to have is custom spells : define the power and the apparency of the minions, define the area, the accurancy and the cost of the spell (all in relation with the experience of the character and the specialization choices).

Having read the few interviews Stardock has given about this game, I think they are going in the right direction.
I think the demand for a good Fantasy strategy game is still pretty high, as HoMM5 didn't fully deliver, and the growing popularity of the Total War games and demand for a fantasy setting of such a game isn't capitalized on yet. (and Creative Assembly just announced that their next game will not be fantasy either, so still no competition in the fantasy segment).

I also want to point out how massively popular TBS console/handheld games are in Japan and the like. For instance the Fire Emblem games (which lacks the campaign mode, and the battles are only with singular units, not regiments, but has good mechanics and is well received). Although those games might look very different from your game, I think it's worth checking out what made those games so successful, and try to use that if possible.

For me personally, the battles will be very important. I'd like to see authenticity (at least to some degree) in the warfare. Meaning flanking attacks, morale (and fantasy creatures that induce fear) etc. Basically good things from tabletop fantasy games (like Warhammer).


Good luck with the development, and I'm eagerly awaiting the beta.

We are planning an MMO (Society) down the road. At present we lack both the infrastructure and personnel to make one.

LOL... SD hasn't said 5 things about this game, and people are already starting in with the I want's and it'd be really cool's. i'm not making this observation as a means to criticize people who've made such comments, merely to point out that SD is has and is rapidly continuing to gain such respect from gamers that people are looking to them as the source for "the perfect (insert genre) game."

One thing I hope they get right is magic. In the AOW series of games I couldn't help but feel that my wizard was limited and relatively week. In MOM through researsh in skill you could unleash enormous amount of magic every turn. I really like the feeling of power it gave. It help get immerse into the game as it felt I was trully a nearly godly wizard trying to dominate both worlds.

I really hope the game leans more toward Master of Magic. I love that game and still randomly play it. I can't wait to see more information on the new game.

ING preview about not-MOM:

 

http://pc.ign.com/articles/920/920420p1.html