Dev Journal #17: New vs. Remaster

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/3796960/view/614306406187665410
from Elemental Forums

While this game is a remastering of the Elemental games (War of Magic + Fallen Enchantress + Sorcerer King), we are also keen to make sure there is new content for players to enjoy.

With Beta 1, we did add a lot of new quests, units and items. But those kinds of things can be tricksy for an experienced player to know if they are new or just things that they didn’t see before.

The improved tooltips, UI, hot keys, etc. are probably not that noticeable to someone looking for something new in the first 5 minutes of play.

So what would be something you, a player of either previous Elemental games OR other games in the genre, would like to see in the first 10 minutes of play?

I have some ideas.

We don’t want anything on the first turn, but we do want to do more with Dynasties. So, at various Fame Levels, we could bring up a Dynasty tree where you could pick traits that could affect your entire civilization. We had started this back in the original Elemental and the only bit of that left is the blood from your particular faction.

The idea is that you could pick up various traits for your entire dynasty. Some might just be a stat buff for yourself. Others might increase intelligence or bravery that would be useful for quests or in diplomacy. Fame would then only be used for this rather than giving you free champions (a dynasty choice might give you a champion but you wouldn’t just get a free champion because your fame hit some number).

So, what say you? Do you like this or is there a consensus on something else people would like to see in the first 15 minutes of gameplay?

elemental dev journals
11,996 views 4 replies
Reply #1 from Elemental Forums Top

I certainty can give a thumbs up to the idea of adding new & different content.  Something related to the Dynasty feature seems appropriate.

Reply #2 from Elemental Forums Top

This reminds me of the Faction Law system as per Heroes of Might and Magic Olden Era (which is a very good system)

As I keep harping on, beyond else, I'd really like to see everything in the game actually work, in particular, accurate auto combat, and thus, AI vs AI combat. I can't actually advocate for new systems when I don't think the old systems are technically sound.

With that said, making fame a more interesting resource does sound fun. This also gives more room for something kind of like Alpha Centauri's Secret Projects (not so much the competing to win races for cool stuff part, but the way factions develop over time, how they unlock new powers and mechanics as they mature). I would also hope for space for faction/allegiance/dynasty specific content within such a system.

WindowBlinds - Free yourself of the default settings, customize your desktop.
Reply #3 from Elemental Forums Top

I know when I played the alpha or beta version recently of this remaster that I was sad to not see what kind of expected production and stats that a settler would give on the formation of a new city. 

 

So if I have a settler selected then the tool tip. If I hover over a land then will tell me what the land might give me if I settle on a city. 

 

Reply #4 from Elemental Forums Top

i like the idea of choice on how to use fame , i also saw a nice idea from the upcoming endless legend title where you can spend a few turns to find a good starting location and you get a buff to everything once you settle your city to make for loss time.

faction specific quests to evolve your faction or get your faction powers in the first place. could be tied to fame accumulated to time when you can get it. maybe even have chain event to get multiple powers. 

maybe adding quests to everyone depending on starting location to improve faction , like you settled next to a coast , your harbors are better or you settled on a river you get better transportation or desert you get better resources when placing buildings on desert tiles etc.

auto resolve battles and then manually fight them if you dont like the result is in a lot of games today and i like it