It's Wednesday, and time to answer some questions about the upcoming DLC for Crusader Kings II; Legacy of Rome. The focus of this mini-expansion is going to be the Byzantine Empire and the Orthodox church. First off, in order to clear up any confusion from the original announcement, it's a bit smaller in scope than the Sword of Islam so the price is set at $5.99. While I say it's smaller in scope, if you include all the stuff we're adding for free in the accompanying patch (v1.07) it's probably about the same size as SoI and v1.06.

So, let's take a look at what's in the DLC and what's in patch 1.07...

LEGACY OF ROME DLC

• Retinue system. If you don't have the DLC, you won't see the new interface and you cannot hire retinues (and neither will the AI.) The technology that controls the max size of your retinue and relative decrease of normal levy sizes simply does not have this effect without the DLC.
• Orthodox Councillor models
• Major Decisions for the Byzantine Empire
• Byzantine Events

Oh, and we're taking another tack with the DLC this around - if you don't own the DLC, the AI won't be using the new mechanics or events either. Also, from now on in multiplayer mode, the host will control which DLCs are active.

PATCH 1.07

• Faction system. Replaces many existing plots and normal revolt mechanics with factions.
• Personal Improvement Ambitions
• Orthodox Patriarch system
• Have both a Plot and an Ambition at the same time
• Revised levy raising. (You raise a single, large levy from each direct vassal. The opinions of vassals of vassals are irrelevant.)
• Leader Focus on Combat
• More Cultural Buildings
• Improved AI
• Bug fixes (of course)

I will talk about all these features in detail in upcoming dev diaries, but for now, that's all!

 

[Sotof]

Doomdark has acknowledged that this DLC pack will contain less than the previous one, hence the price drop. Like many, however, I'd rather it had been a total revamp of Orthodoxy in general (focusing on the Byzantines and Rus' equally) and been the same price as SoI. In fact, I wouldn't have minded if they'd made Orthodox characters unplayable unless you'd bought it... but I realize they've always been playable, and that may upset some people who feel they're having things taken away from them. I totally get that, but this does nonetheless feel like an opportunity missed.

This also makes me worry that we'll never see a revamp for the Rus' and Abyssinia (who, as many people report consistently, are essentially unplayable due to no access to mercenaries and being heretics surrounded by holy-war loving neighbors with no knowledge of the historical non-aggression pact between Christians and Muslims in East Africa).

Now I can understand this, but you have to admit that this patch+DLC adds a lot of much needed features to CK2. Nothing stops Paradox from adding more flavour to the Orthodox. In fact the DLC is not even reeeaally an Orthodox DLC if you look at the name 'Legacy of Rome', it is focused on Byzantium. I would say there is good ground for a loophole to make another Orthodox DLC, with a focus on Russia or Christian-Muslim relations.

 

[Dracko81]

Paradox has stated quite clearly that free patches will be released as long as enough people buy the DLC.
As such, the DLC definitely does finance the patches. Arguing otherwise would be silly.

People will always complain, regardless of what PDS does. They haven't even shown us a working design and people are already complaining. Just like people will complain that everything isn't available after the release.

Some people have nothing better to do.

 

[Meneth]

In bold are things that we've had added in free patches before. So, in short, you're just paying for some Byzantine flavor events/decisions and a couple of new models for your councillors.

What? Only two of the four things you bolded have been in previous patches (more ambitions and more buildings).

 

[Phelan]

One of the things that bothers me most in CK2 is seeing the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire changing location following one of the many civil wars that beset the Empire. Thus, Constantinople becomes the residence of a small count (the former Emperor) and the (new) Emperor finds himself/herself residing somewhere in Vidin, Tyrnovo, Amisos or Dvin, never to return to the Queen of the Cities. Historically, a civil war for the imperial crown did not depend on warscore but on the capacity of the pretender to enter Constantinople and have himself crowned in the Hagia Sophia. Thus, I would like to see this reflected in the game play, either through events or through a permanent cassus-belli and a loss of prestige for the pretender for every month he/she does not control the city.

I second this. Constantinople was not just a city in the empire. Just like Rome it was the cultural and political center. Imagine the west roman empire ruled from a spanish province city.

 

[G.Strategos]

Am also missing a purple orthodox interface

Hey Doomdark
Congrats for the upcoming update and DLC...I would also like a new interface for Byzantines,
It's a same having a new one for the Muslims and not for them...I would prefer a more complete DLC (both drastic bug fixes and new stuff, but also flavor)...
Thanks...

Paradox has stated quite clearly that free patches will be released as long as enough people buy the DLC.
As such, the DLC definitely does finance the patches. Arguing otherwise would be silly.

+1

One of the things that bothers me most in CK2 is seeing the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire changing location following one of the many civil wars that beset the Empire. Thus, Constantinople becomes the residence of a small count (the former Emperor) and the (new) Emperor finds himself/herself residing somewhere in Vidin, Tyrnovo, Amisos or Dvin, never to return to the Queen of the Cities. Historically, a civil war for the imperial crown did not depend on warscore but on the capacity of the pretender to enter Constantinople and have himself crowned in the Hagia Sophia. Thus, I would like to see this reflected in the game play, either through events or through a permanent cassus-belli and a loss of prestige for the pretender for every month he/she does not control the city.

Totally +1...

 

[Sotof]

In bold are things that we've had added in free patches before. So, in short, you're just paying for some Byzantine flavor events/decisions and a couple of new models for your councillors.

No we have not. And you are paying for the DLC and to further finance patches for this game. It is half content, half donation.

 

[Sleight of Hand]

What? Only two of the four things you bolded have been in previous patches (more ambitions and more buildings).

Sorry, I meant to say 'the sort of things we've had before' -- apologies. :blush:

And Wallain, perhaps you are correct and we'll get another Orthodox-based DLC pack somewhere down the line. I think four were planned, but I can't remember whether that included SoI or not.

 

[John Forseti]

Doesn't change the point that the DLC could be more content rich for an approbiate higher price.

That is silly point though. They could make a DLC with three whole games worth of content and charge $100 for it aswell, it's neither here nor there. The only real question is, given the features being offered do you feel the price asked is appropriate?

 

[Sotof]

Sorry, I meant to say 'the sort of things we've had before' -- apologies. :blush:

And Wallain, perhaps you are correct and we'll get another Orthodox-based DLC pack somewhere down the line. I think four were planned, but I can't remember whether that included SoI or not.

Four are planned IIRC, and think if all of these sell well, then they might plan even more DLC! That is my personal hope. Imagine how great this game will be after 5-6 DLC + content patches.

 

[n000b]

So when is this set for release?

 

[Meneth]

So when is this set for release?

Q4 2012, meaning October, November, or December.

 

[richvh]

I second this. Constantinople was not just a city in the empire. Just like Rome it was the cultural and political center. Imagine the west roman empire ruled from a spanish province city.

Toward the end, the Western empire was ruled from Italian provincial cities, Milan and later Ravenna. (The Senate probably stayed in Rome, I really have no knowledge of that, but they'd been all but irrelevant for centuries.)

 

[Alexandre_007]

I second this. Constantinople was not just a city in the empire. Just like Rome it was the cultural and political center. Imagine the west roman empire ruled from a spanish province city.

i TOTALLY agree with you. plus, please, Paradox, give us an Imperial purple interface maybe some stuff like, Cataphracts or greek fire for navies. i'd even pay more for byzantine sprites

 

[NezzeOne]

Yes. Although it's more a matter of making the West recognize the Roman Empire for what it is.

I may or may have not squee'd a little bit after reading this.

I don't suppose you can share any details? :blush:

 

[Tiax]

Revised levy raising. (You raise a single, large levy from each direct vassal. The opinions of vassals of vassals are irrelevant.)

Does this risk raising a single levy that is immediately over the attrition limit that you then have to separate?

 

[Buladelu]

This expansion doesn't look like much but... Half of it you get for free. It feels... immoral to play the game without expansion.

When they talked about this model I thought I won't get to play other timeframes or muslims without expansions but it looks... too generous.

Why Paradox?! Why do you want me to feel like ungrateful bastard till I buy it?!

 

[NewbieOne]

While getting more cultural buildings in place, please fix the Hussars for Poland, they didn't really count until 16th century in our army and didn't really count anywhere until 15th. We and everybody else in the Slavic word had druzhina, which was basically a sort of noble bodyguard/retinue.

Does this risk raising a single levy that is immediately over the attrition limit that you then have to separate?

Good catch.

 

[Alerias]

Will factions also form to plot against Catholic and Muslim rulers or is it a Byzantium-only weakness?

If I raise a large armies from my vassal, say, the King of Italy, I understand itll now come all in one place based strictly on my relationship with my vassal the King of Italy. But will this unit still include Italian dukes, counts and lesser nobles amongst its ranks? Will I be able to split it into smaller units? Or will it just be one hugeass, attrition-prone, "Army of Italy" that cant be split and has only three leaders?

 

[Alerias]

Yes. Although it's more a matter of making the West recognize the Roman Empire for what it is.

Sold. +5.99$.

 

[Alerias]

In addition to a "Tyrian purple" interface, some Byzantine Specific Units (Heavy Cavalry - Cataphracts/ / "Greek Fire" for the Byzantine Navy) would had been great
Plus some Byzantine Music/Chants.

Agreed, though we sort of do have Cataphracts already. A redone interface for DLC buyers would be nice.

This expansion doesn't look like much but... Half of it you get for free. It feels... immoral to play the game without expansion.

Its not immoral at all, lol, you paid for the game. What they put in the patches is a business decision. Unlike SoI though, gameplay WILL be different for Christians who dont get this one though, so I definitely will get it.