I've been playing and modding strategy games of all kinds since the early 2000s. While many of them are enjoyable, I've yet to find a game with most of the features I'd like to see, be it commercial or free/open source. So the idea of creating something new has been around for a while. Doing the whole lot by myself feels overwhealming though, since I lack programming skills. But I concider myself relatively experienced in game design and could also handle the artwork part, unless more skilled people show up. Instead of starting from scratch I'm also open to the idea of heavily modding an existing open source game.
Follows a list of most features I have in mind, all are up for debate or further explanation.
- - High Moddabilty / Preferably Open Source Software.
- 2D Graphics. For simplicity/easier development, with an emphasis on coherent artstyle and visual clarity.
- Turn Based Region Movement. Think of Risk or the first 2 Total War Games. This is fits with other features, but also has to do with limiting turn (and overall game) length instead of having to move loads of units on hexes or squares. Also works great with Hotseat.
- Units Move In Army Stacks.
- Automated, But Visible Combat. Similar to Dominions & Spartan/Gates of Troy. You can configure the deployment and move orders for each unit in an army, which you can also change before each battle. In battle units advance/wait accordingly to orders, first facing opposing enemy units, then trying to attack/flank other nearby enemies. Autoresolve option.
- Terrain (De)bonuses For Units. Region terrain type also determines battlefield size and terrain features in combat.
- Several Possible Requirements For Units. Technology, Structures, Resources and appropriate population types. Units will include both levies (raised from what is available in a region until settled back, reducing local economy at the same time) and retinues (standing army).
- Regions Have Various Population Types. Like nobles, citizens, slaves etc which can grow/shrink over time or due to events. Those are also linked to the structure and trade systems and belong to cultures which affect public order and recruitment options.
- Regions Have/Produce Resources. Like grain, horses, iron etc, some of them needed for some units, structures and tech advancements. Those can also be assigned as trade goods, providing more income per sold resource, as you approach monopoly towards each resource by conquering more of the map. Some structures require resources to be maintained, which if you lack will be automaticaly purchased at a rather high cost.
- Characters. Such as rulers, generals and governors affecting gameplay in their respective roles. I'd like to go to Crusader Kings II level of depth with them, settling for something simpler might be more reasonable though.
- An "Authority" Type Resource. Generated by rulers, events, government type and other factors. Serves as a limit to armies and regions controlled and when low increases the chance for revolts and other bad events.
Thanks for reading
