Massive multiplayer strategy games and their metagame. Can something be done?

[Vibe]

Yes, that's what I meant, withdraw able.

That's another issue that would spring up. The big factions splitting into smaller ones.

Random faction spawn locations would help here as well. Take DRZ for instance, if you decided to split up into 3, you'd still spawn randomly and all your neighbours are equally strong. Sending reinforcements to the other side of the map is not feasible. You'd have to march for days or even weeks in the worst case scenario.  Through hostile regions and you'd end up with no defenders at all at your starting location. Don't forget the upkeep as well.

Either way, this is a great idea. Tie troop and gold income to fiefs (& random spawns). Deserves it's own thread, can you be arsed making one?

[Phyrex]

Problem here is, how would a faction capture their first fief?

As for the neighbours and random faction spawns, you would need to lock factions down from moving to have that work. If you have them spawn at random locations they can always move to their allies and lock down an area.

Now if we combine both problems there's a good solution that comes to mind - have a faction get a free fief at start at a random location. This way you have troops from start and you can't just move anywhere you want (atleast at start).

Exactly my thought.

Factions would sign up for each Strategus round and then be given a starting village.

Hell, why not build on that concept further? You can upgrade your villages to Castles or Towns. The possibilities are endless.

[Vibe]

Exactly my thought.

Factions would sign up for each Strategus round and then be given a starting village.

Hell, why not build on that concept further? You can upgrade your villages to Castles or Towns. The possibilities are endless.

Your idea is a nice base to build upon, that's for sure. That's why I insist that we put it in it's own thread

[Phyrex]

Alright, give me a moment, writing from my iPhone.

[Erasmas]

Well, interesting, but one more thing to consider: the big factions would split not in two but in may more factions, like lets say 5. Some of them will be closer than others. All will co-operate. Some will abandon their locations at some stage to conquer other''s land, to concentrate the power. Deals will be made between players to swap fiefs - even if it only means ablility to hide in them . It may not resolve any issue after all, but the start would be surely interesting.

[Zaharist]

Exactly my thought.

Factions would sign up for each Strategus round and then be given a starting village.

Hell, why not build on that concept further? You can upgrade your villages to Castles or Towns. The possibilities are endless.

I like the idea of factions formed before start of the round and then randomly spawn on map.
but what if you don't want to play in this faction any more? quit and form new one? Exploitable, if we talk about any disadvantages of having too many fiefs or players

[Vibe]

I like the idea of factions formed before start of the round and then randomly spawn on map.
but what if you don't want to play in this faction any more? quit and form new one? Exploitable, if we talk about any disadvantages of having too many fiefs or players

I guess this could be dev controlled, aka devs actually approving factions before they can enter strat.

[BaleOhay]

Interesting concept. I would be for it..

Would have to watch clans forming one massive faction and enrolling as just that one faction. If that was possible it would not change anything.

[Harafat]

Factions would sign up for each Strategus round and then be given a starting village.

Best idea i've read in this pile of junk yet.

+1 and give it it's own thread plz !

[Vibe]

Interesting concept. I would be for it..

Would have to watch clans forming one massive faction and enrolling as just that one faction. If that was possible it would not change anything.

This is exactly what this change prevents. So many clans spawning as one faction would mean that they only get ONE starting fief for many clans. A lot worse option than each clan having their own fief.
Also, since troops/gold would all be fief based I guess this would give more incentive to fight over them.

[BaleOhay]

yeah 10 pages of BS and a decent idea. Glad I stuck to it and read thru.. There would also need to be a minimum player amount to request a faction and fief. hate to see 1 man factions with a fief... or big clans splitting into smaller ones to get several.

maybe have an option in the beginning to pick faction or bandit. If you have a faction you get a fief and if you pick bandit you are placed with other like minded bandits get a neutral fief or impliment bandit hideouts

[Harafat]

Also, this random starting point thingy, would make trading and raiding a lot more interesting for the factionless players and bandits. With this you would be doin the clans a favour (more action, more war), and the clanless people. I dont see how any1 could be opposed to this, except possible exploits ofc

Edit: And ofc, in the end, the larger alliances would have the upper hand, but thats only natural. Be4 this happens the game would be a lot more interesting for everybody

2nd edit: Whoever came up with the idea, plz make a sperate thread for this, i will if it hasnt been done by tonight, but i dont want to steal any1's thunder

[Vibe]

yeah 10 pages of BS and a decent idea. Glad I stuck to it and read thru.. There would also need to be a minimum player amount to request a faction and fief. hate to see 1 man factions with a fief... or big clans splitting into smaller ones to get several.

maybe have an option in the beginning to pick faction or bandit. If you have a faction you get a fief and if you pick bandit you are placed with other like minded bandits get a neutral fief or impliment bandit hideouts

Good idea. We still haven't covered how we would handle solo players with this idea. There should be a minimum player count for making a faction, solo players could join the neutral faction (called bandits or whatever), neutral faction would have a fief or two that could not be conquered.

Edit: And ofc, in the end, the larger alliances would have the upper hand, but thats only natural. Be4 this happens the game would be a lot more interesting for everybody

In the end perhaps, but random spawn locations at start prevents from forming alliances right away and locking down an area.

[Harafat]

However, this would imply the end of the EU/NA split, which would be a good thing imo.

[Vibe]

hahaha rickrolled you with the 2nd edit!

fixd :3

In any case, this is a much better solution than what we have now.