What If...? - Hopeful dreams and memes.

[Feather]

The title doesn't really provide anything useful I know, but I just thought I'd start a neat little 'What if' Thread. The purpose? ... What if X happened. etc etc. I'm sure you get the idea.

My 'What if' of the day is - What if Dominions 6 (Should it ever come to be.) had 3D Units/combat much like Total War. - My thoughts, I think it would be amazing to see the combat unfold, even if it retained its 'Roll a d20' style of turn-based combat. If only so I could watch my Pretender god, or champion hack off an enemy's limbs in some horrid display of bloody violence. To see the Gelatinous cube actually absorb an enemy unit and melted within. Corpses on the battlefield, spells leaving craters in the earth, changing the terrain, etc. It certainly would be neat.

Feel free to share your hopeful dream or meme, What would your 'What If' Be?

[ÆtherNomad]

What if Dominions 6 (Should it ever come to be.) had 3D Units/combat much like Total War

That would be the death of modding. Looks like for once we're living in the best possible world!

[Feather]

How so, if I might ask? If you have a modding kit that supports the addition of new models and the process isnt overly cumbersome, modding would continue as normal, just on a different level. But like I said, share your thoughts n What-ifs!

[Twogun]

i don't think people get that 'great graphics' often mean '♥♥♥♥ gameplay'.

if the devs spent all their time on graphics, how would the game continue to evolve? why can't dominions be the ONE game that cares more about depth/gameplay than graphics? there are literally thousands of titles out there that focus on graphics. if you want graphics, couldn't you pick one of them? can't those of us that prefer gameplay retain dominions?

[Feather]

I think you missed the point, Twogun. Just slightly. But that's okay.

[1337Dude]

Originally posted by Cinder:

How so, if I might ask? If you have a modding kit that supports the addition of new models and the process isnt overly cumbersome, modding would continue as normal, just on a different level. But like I said, share your thoughts n What-ifs!

Making small low rez sprites versus 3d models are extremely different workloads.

It's like saying "if someone can hike 3 miles around a lake, why not 20 up a mountain?"

If adding a new nation meant making a bunch of 3d models, we would be lucky to see any mods at all.

[Feather]

Originally posted by 1337MechaFührer:

Originally posted by Cinder:

How so, if I might ask? If you have a modding kit that supports the addition of new models and the process isnt overly cumbersome, modding would continue as normal, just on a different level. But like I said, share your thoughts n What-ifs!

Making small low rez sprites versus 3d models are extremely different workloads.

It's like saying "if someone can hike 3 miles around a lake, why not 20 up a mountain?"

If adding a new nation meant making a bunch of 3d models, we would be lucky to see any mods at all.

I can see your point and of course I'm aware such things would make a monstrous difference in workload, but thats also not the point of the thread heh. Its to share what you think would be neat to see. Hence the What If. More or less, I think it would be neat to see from as aesthetic point of view. Thanks for sharing though!

[Dast]

I think that pointing out the real world problems is not the point of this thread, which asks us to image that all these things are somehow not an issue.

Maybe we assume that in the near future some magically awesome neural network thing is invented where you describe what you want "A giant armed like a spartan hoplite, red cape." then it makes and animates a 3d model for you, and you say "no taller, and get rid of the beard" or whatever till you are happy. (Or you put some electrodes on your head and the models are sprung straight from your imagination).

I have to say that, for me, the biggest advantage of animated 3d models would be it would make it easier to get my friends to play. Once I have seen a spear man animation walk across the screen a few times it would probably interest me no more than seeing a sprite float across.

[Dast]

In terms of the origional post "What completely impossible what-if's would you love to see added to dominions?"

My favourite would be if I could play a Multiplayer game where I could take my turns whenever I wanted, and as often as I wanted no matter what other people were doing. Like I could play 10 turns in one afternoon, while one of my opponents played one per day, and by some kind of time travel magic it all worked out. This would make a massive difference in how easy it would be to organise MP games. (This obviously requires time travel magic because I need to be able to fight the army that you built and scripted on turn 20, when you still haven;t yet played your turns 10 onward).

[Andrej_S.]

For small game studio get 3d modeller for a small amount a money - unreal. Or game will cost like a total war warhammer. Dom6 with 3d units is a only a dream.

I hope in new version was a realtime mode and stronger computer-player, and some kind of diplomaty. May be Johan insert a other planes, like in COE4.

[Twogun]

Originally posted by Cinder:

I think you missed the point, Twogun. Just slightly. But that's okay.

is the point to wish for things that can't happen?

[Red_Rob]

Originally posted by Twogun:

is the point to wish for things that can't happen?

Pretty much, yes? The topic is "Hopeful Dreams" so I get the feeling the OP knows what they are suggesting is unlikely to occur. This is more for pie-in-the-sky ideas and wishes than actual implementable suggestions for the devs.

Personally my impossible dream would be a mashup of Dominions and Dwarf Fortress. First the game procedurally generates a world with varied and fantastical geography. Then it generates a full history with varied cultures, and their wars and struggles. As part of this the world would be sprinkled with ancient places of power, long forgotten monsters and powerful items lost to history. Then you play a Dominions-alike game in the world that is created, uncovering the tidbits of history and finding out about the world as you explore.

[criddlerattack]

Personally, I want two things:

First, more robust blessing options, such that there's high level earth blessings, and if you're left with 2 astral bless points you don't have to feel like you wasted one by putting it in magic leadership.

Second, I want ritual spells that improve terrain, so that you can add roads or even enchanted roads via some ritual that doesn't require a lab. And yes, I stole the idea of enchanted roads straight from Master of Magic, from whence all good things come.

[1337Dude]

Originally posted by Red_Rob:

Originally posted by Twogun:

is the point to wish for things that can't happen?

Personally my impossible dream would be a mashup of Dominions and Dwarf Fortress. First the game procedurally generates a world with varied and fantastical geography. Then it generates a full history with varied cultures, and their wars and struggles. As part of this the world would be sprinkled with ancient places of power, long forgotten monsters and powerful items lost to history. Then you play a Dominions-alike game in the world that is created, uncovering the tidbits of history and finding out about the world as you explore.

Now that would be something. I love both of these games. They're very different but as I've found myself spending at least a thousand hours with each game, I've come to realize they are are two sides of the same coin and scratch similar itches. If someone could merge these games together into one grandiose experience, I'm sure I'd never leave the house.

[✏pencils✏]

Illwinter, if you're listening, the players have spoken and they want Trade & Taint.

[Feather]

I'm so happy to see people joining in and getting the idea! Thanks to all who've posted so far, I love the thoughts you've shared, it would certainly make for some interesting games! - As per Red_Rob's dream-meme, I've considered something similar (Off topic incoming!) with Terraria and Minecraft. Give me Terraria, but also in minecraft, and I'd be so happy hah. But I digress.

Hope to read more!