No tactical combat please 
.. this is not what CK is about, and will never happen in a PI game anyways.
.. this is not what CK is about, and will never happen in a PI game anyways.-
We have updated our Community Code of Conduct. Please read through the new rules for the forum that are an integral part of Paradox Interactive’s User Agreement.
No tactical combat please
I doubt it would ever happen too, but I was just describing my dream game (depth of CK2 with tactical combat that is). Some people like tactical combat, some people don't. It's all good.
If anyone should mention "go play MTW then" I already own all of them, but the gameplay is too shallow for me to enjoy for long, and especially the AI being subpar at best. Anyhow, I was just describing what I would like to see, and I know it's most likely not going to happen.
On another note while it's still fresh in my mind. Is there a particular graphical theme that people would like to see? I was hoping for more of a rugged parchment style that is still clean, also with front faces.. like this (this is a mix between original CK and Knights of Honor -- just for example's sake -- and no this isn't a mod, I photoshoped it together)
Good thing you added that disclaimer, you would've gotten tons of requests of "omg where can I get this" otherwise
Those KoH do seem quite good, but they wouldn't fit straight into the style of CK maybe. But a good illustration that frontal faces are possible too. Somebody mentioned they'd like to see aging (using overlays of wrinkles with decreasing opacity with age, or some such) though, and that'd be far easier to do with a standard(ish) face shape like the current side views. Of course, if you just do say 12 (6 male 6 female) frontal face shapes too, and have the features create the variance, this could be possible with frontal too... just brainstorming.
This should be a relatively no-brainer, but i'd like to see better choice of resolution, so that with the highest resolutions (for more map view), the text would still be readable. Also, the game now works in windowed mode, could it be made to auto-center to the screen if window res = screen res? I use 2 screens (well, not at this exact moment cos i've just moved), and the problem is always that I either lose functionality of the second screen completely when playing (fullscreen mode), or have to fidget around manually to move the window so I don't get those pesky blue borders shining about in windowed. In CK, the window also has to be dead center to a pixels accuracy, or I can't scroll in all directions with the mouse.
So far, I think the only game i've seen that actually has a windowed mode checkbox, then a "fit to screen"/"maximised" (meaning the game window fits the whole screen) checkbox was WoW. Even though this is mainly a problem with multiple screens, a less hardware-intensive game like CK could be run in window for better alt-tabbing if the windowed mode was easy enough to work.
Those KoH do seem quite good, but they wouldn't fit straight into the style of CK maybe. But a good illustration that frontal faces are possible too. Somebody mentioned they'd like to see aging (using overlays of wrinkles with decreasing opacity with age, or some such) though, and that'd be far easier to do with a standard(ish) face shape like the current side views. Of course, if you just do say 12 (6 male 6 female) frontal face shapes too, and have the features create the variance, this could be possible with frontal too... just brainstorming.
This should be a relatively no-brainer, but i'd like to see better choice of resolution, so that with the highest resolutions (for more map view), the text would still be readable. Also, the game now works in windowed mode, could it be made to auto-center to the screen if window res = screen res? I use 2 screens (well, not at this exact moment cos i've just moved), and the problem is always that I either lose functionality of the second screen completely when playing (fullscreen mode), or have to fidget around manually to move the window so I don't get those pesky blue borders shining about in windowed. In CK, the window also has to be dead center to a pixels accuracy, or I can't scroll in all directions with the mouse.
So far, I think the only game i've seen that actually has a windowed mode checkbox, then a "fit to screen"/"maximised" (meaning the game window fits the whole screen) checkbox was WoW. Even though this is mainly a problem with multiple screens, a less hardware-intensive game like CK could be run in window for better alt-tabbing if the windowed mode was easy enough to work.
I was just showing the style of it, the lively color and that their faces were forward. Perhaps if they aimed the faces at a slight angle or something, and then just used the different styles of eyes, noses, hair, lips, chin, and so forth on them to make each one look different like they originally did in CK. I mentioned before using transparent gif/pngs to show the signs of aging, perhaps just simple gray streaks in the hair next to the ear since most people's heads seem to have hair there (otherwise you may have streaks where there isn't hair and it would look strange depending on the hairstyle).
I still hope they include name numerals for your lineage, if there is a Robert I and he has a son named Robert, it's now Robert II.
On top of that, I'm hoping for a EU type of retirement summary of your heirs and what they did while they reigned. Something like..
King Robert II of England participated in the English-French war that lasted for 10 years resulting in the acquisition of the provinces of Leon and Rennes. During his reign the government changed from a absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy. King Robert II concentrated on centralization, and a Trade Center was built in Kent. He died from wounds and was succeeded by his son, Duke Robert III.
On top of that I can see the benefit of succession games. You could use that to show others what you've done during your turn, or even as a platform to write more of your AAR with having the basics already given to you.
Personally, I think Paradox now have the 'parts' available to them to make an 'ultimate' game.
Combine the people management, strategy map (ok - using the new engine) and atmosphere of CK, with the battlefield action and limited tactical elements of Mount&Blade.
A little bit of of joint development and voila!
Combine the people management, strategy map (ok - using the new engine) and atmosphere of CK, with the battlefield action and limited tactical elements of Mount&Blade.
A little bit of of joint development and voila!
As amazing as that would be (and I appreciate the M&B reference over the standard Total War one), I just don't think that is what PI is all about. It's high strategy and numbers working behind the scenes with random events thrown into the mix that makes these games what they are (at the core at least). Throw in human battlefield control and you'd be winning most of your battles because, generally, 'puters are dumb.
I think if it were mixed with anything graphical, I'd take the Takeda III style. Sure you've got battlefield control, but mostly you pick your overall strategy, position your troops, and it plays out fairly quickly without you lifting a finger. Fairly low graphics demands too. This might be stupid purity, but I think if paradox started caring about state-of-the-art visuals, we'd lose out tremendously on gameply. Like I said, numbers and equations behind the scenes is what PI does best.
On another note while it's still fresh in my mind. Is there a particular graphical theme that people would like to see? I was hoping for more of a rugged parchment style that is still clean, also with front faces.. like this (this is a mix between original CK and Knights of Honor -- just for example's sake -- and no this isn't a mod, I photoshoped it together)
Pretty!
When we leave aside the impression that nearly half of the CK characters look right now like they are inbreds, possessed by devil, or suffering a bubonic plague, then the current half-face view, in principle, is quite okay IMHO. Silhouettes have a discrete, and dignified look (not stare you shamelessly in the face). For example, vassals on the Character Screen in their similar figures are like partly overlapped pile of coins (of power). I like them so (not that colorful, and idiosyncratic).
Though the political map might be visually more similar to KoH's (in tone of colors, style, and Realm Map merged by Terrain Map). And hovering a cursor above some province might highlight the whole realm by making its borders "shiny" (then it wouldn't be such a problem that there are too few colors marking too many realms).
Though the political map might be visually more similar to KoH's (in tone of colors, style, and Realm Map merged by Terrain Map). And hovering a cursor above some province might highlight the whole realm by making its borders "shiny" (then it wouldn't be such a problem that there are too few colors marking too many realms).
I personally prefer the type of portraits used now ... though ofcourse the actual portraits could use some "beautifying"
Excellent idea ... I had thought of something similar ... but the shiny thing I really like
Yeah let's merge the Terrain/Realm maps.
You could even just make one or two user defined layers ... then I could select on each exactly what info I want shown. If I then want to clutter my map with realm colours, terrain features, CoAs, province improvements, province traits etc. then let me.
It is clearly obvious that we all have different ideas of what exactly should be represented on the map. So give us a few layers to use as we wish. It could just be a list of various information to include on the map, and then we can select/de-select what we need.
I know what your saying, but after playing CK for so long it would be nice to view their faces at least from an angle, half side and half forward.
I agree about the map, that's one big reason why I took the time to photoshop it in there.
EURome includes random-generated faces seen from the front. But I would thank some more angles possible, although if you use the Rome face resource, I'm still happy.
Actually, I wonder if I could port the Rome face system into Crusader Kings... the files can be the same, right? And the modding would be minimal.
Actually, I wonder if I could port the Rome face system into Crusader Kings... the files can be the same, right? And the modding would be minimal.
Are they randomly generated? I thought, like CK, they were a mashup of various features (eyes, nose, mouth, facial structure, etc.) that were gentically based upon the mother and the father.
Either way, I think they use the same basic model, but are probably very different in terms of code. So, my guess is it would be difficult/impossible to simply port them over. I know nothing about modding though, so...
Prettier faces would be nice, but I think it would be even better to see more. variety. Once the empire gets big, I end up with several sets of people who look almost identical, which is frustrating when I'm using screens where the face is the most prominent identifying information.
It might be fun to have different facial expressions, depending on how they felt about your ruler. The Civ and MoO games had that feature, so it can't be too hard.
It might be fun to have different facial expressions, depending on how they felt about your ruler. The Civ and MoO games had that feature, so it can't be too hard.
Well, they are like in CK: created by a random combination of several parts (nose, head, eyes...), but I don't know if they are genetically based on mother and father.
I think the idea behind Rome's facial feature system is fine, but hopefully they are a bit more bright and lively.
I do believe that the CK system (at least I think) is based on genetics from your parents, seems that way because a lot of times my kids look like the parents in some fashion or another.
Perhaps if they were to add ornaments.. I guess you can call them. Such as necklaces, earrings, pins, hats, and so forth that are just transparent over the character portrait. On top of that, depending on your title, you may have a circlet, small crown, or large crown depending on if your a count, duke, king, or emperor. Of course, the higher the station the more flashy.
Another thing that can be transparent, scars, marks, and such depending on your health. If your character is wounded you get a scar on your face. If your character is sick you get blue tints under your eyes, if your character is blind your eyes turn white, etc.
Since the focus is about "your characters" and such, it would be nice if they added another layer on top of that.
Yes, it would be an interesting additional dimension for a role-play to have character pictures that are context sensitive, with a meaningful physiognomy. Similarly to "The Picture of Dorian Gray", a portrait might reflect all the active traits as far as possible. Kinslayer's grin, lustful lips (and harelip's harelips), maniac's eyes etc.
But seriously, using more layers on maps, and maybe also on portraits sounds like an ideas worthwhile to ponder.
But seriously, using more layers on maps, and maybe also on portraits sounds like an ideas worthwhile to ponder.
Hahaha.. I can see the "Insanity" trait portrait, strange abnormal smile, eyes that are looking different directions, etc lol.
Hopefully if they include a retirement option like EU3 with the character histories, that they can include the portrait of the person right next to it.
