Suggestions for 0 A.D.

[Lion.Kanzen]

That I do in a map, when play, or a female citizen give that role, explore huntin a deer or rabbit.

Follow command is really necessary.

Edited June 13, 2013 by Lion.Kanzen

[alpha123]

I took the liberty of merging this with the official "Suggestions for 0 A.D." topic, since there's really no reason not to. (They even have the same title and everything....)

EDIT: ...And hurray, I managed to both unpin it and move it to the wrong forum! >_< Hopefully everything's fixed now.

[Pureon]

Sorry everyone, he's new ^^

[Lion.Kanzen]

We know, but he is good developer. Was simple mistake, but for a moment , I was travel to the old twilight zone.

[alpha123]

Sorry everyone, he's new ^^

*whistles*

Nothing happened, you guys didn't see anything....

In my defense, those moderator tools are not exactly intuitive (at least to me). =P

I didn't mess anything up too badly, right?

[Lion.Kanzen]

You dont do anything wrong. Only I posted when you do that and was weird hahaha.

[alpha123]

You dont do anything wrong. Only I posted when you do that and was weird hahaha.

Haha, oops. Sorry about that.

It looks like the topic URL changed as well, that kind of stinks. Oh well. If any of you experienced/powerful mods know how to fix that, the previous ID was 1219.

[Lion.Kanzen]

Im not expert in BBc code, but dont mind. Only i was little confuse where I was post, even I believe I make mistake. But post before to do that.

[Pureon]

I didn't mess anything up too badly, right?

Looks fine to me, don't worry about it

Time for this topic to get back on topic. Share your suggestions for 0 A.D. here folks!

[Sighvatr]

Perhaps add bonuses to formations and see how well it affects gameplay at its current version? Also I think units should run instead of walk into formation, so you do not have to wait for long lines to form, and maybe the lag duration would not last as long?

[Unarmed]

Okay, this is probably going to be a long post.

So, I downloaded the game, I was keeping track of it a while but kind of forgot about it, but now I downloaded it and played it a few times (playing Company of Heroes hasn't done my rescource management good; I lose from medium all the time, every time). I love it! For an Alpha it's great in my opinion!

This reminds me very much of Empire Earth and of course Age of Empires (1) which it of course is based on as I've read, and which I used to play when I was little.

Very old school, but with new features and better graphics. The graphics remind me much of Empire Earth but with improved textures, and very important:

proper scale.

So, what I love (and some wishes; wishes meaning it's not necessary but I would like it):

-awesome animations (can we have the silly roll death animation from the scout in Age of Empires pleeaaassseee?)

-I'm loving the dogs (if it is historical accurate how about Irish Wolfhounds in the far, far, far future?)

-visual veterancy

-naked warriors, good idea to make them not "fully" naked

-the campaign maps; remind me of another game I loved and the only old RTS I didn't gave away; Seven Kingdoms

-choosing between upgrades; please expand on this idea!

-the atmosphere

-EDIT: almost forgot; no clone armies, no clone houses! Awesome!

Now a suggestion, these differ from wishes that I feel they are necessary:

-Retreat button (ala Company of Heroes)

I want a button that makes your troops run to the "civil center", the "HQ", you know the base building, why:

So you are fighting a battle, with several veteran troops, it goes okay, but you are starting to lose. Now when you want to retreat to safe your troops (let's say you have a well defended city), but it goes painfully slow and you'll likely lose a lot more troops. With a retreat button it would be much easier to safe your troops.

By the way, units retreating automaticly (routing) like the Total War series does not fit in my opinion. But a retreat button could be very useful.

I had some more suggestions, but I don't remember. Maybe I'll know later.

I love this game, a wonderful job. Can't wait for the next version. Hope the developers enjoy making and playing this like I enjoy playing this!

Edited June 14, 2013 by Unarmed

[Lion.Kanzen]

Sigvatr i suggest some gameplay to formation in formation topic. The bonus can be important if a single unit fight against a battalion of soldiers. Or natural bonus like phalanx vs cavalry formation. I'm pushing for that idea. The battalion system, but that is something possible beyond the Alpha stage.

[Mythos_Ruler]

-Retreat button (ala Company of Heroes)

I want a button that makes your troops run to the "civil center", the "HQ", you know the base building, why:

So you are fighting a battle, with several veteran troops, it goes okay, but you are starting to lose. Now when you want to retreat to safe your troops (let's say you have a well defended city), but it goes painfully slow and you'll likely lose a lot more troops. With a retreat button it would be much easier to safe your troops.

By the way, units retreating automaticly (routing) like the Total War series does not fit in my opinion. But a retreat button could be very useful.

I could see a distinction between "Town Bell" vs. "Retreat". Town Bell could make units garrison inside the nearest garrisonable structure, while "Retreat" would do something similar, but they'd instead just congregate outside the nearest Barracks, Fortress, Civic Center (or maybe Temple for succor and healing?). Two different commands with different uses.

And btw-- Irish Wolfhounds or their precursors, IIRC, are accurate to the period, so we're definitely keen on including them. Perhaps as two different types of War Dogs to choose from (I like the general concept of choice). Could choose between unlocking Mastiffs or unlocking Wolfhounds to breed. One could be good vs. support units and cavalry, while the other good vs. support units and ranged infantry. Depending upon who your opponents are you would unlock one war dog over the other.

[Lion.Kanzen]

Can be nice feature for alpha 15 or 16 that concept of Town bell but, but is dificult implement because the pathfinder? Or what is the reason for implement town bell?

And what's IIRC?

And use some kind Updater or Patchervthat work like a Svn in windows and Mac, and can work after a Autobuild.

Edited June 15, 2013 by Lion.Kanzen

[Unarmed]

I could see a distinction between "Town Bell" vs. "Retreat". Town Bell could make units garrison inside the nearest garrisonable structure, while "Retreat" would do something similar, but they'd instead just congregate outside the nearest Barracks, Fortress, Civic Center (or maybe Temple for succor and healing?). Two different commands with different uses.

And btw-- Irish Wolfhounds or their precursors, IIRC, are accurate to the period, so we're definitely keen on including them. Perhaps as two different types of War Dogs to choose from (I like the general concept of choice). Could choose between unlocking Mastiffs or unlocking Wolfhounds to breed. One could be good vs. support units and cavalry, while the other good vs. support units and ranged infantry. Depending upon who your opponents are you would unlock one war dog over the other.

Yes a town bell would be really useful too. Good thinking!

And indeed retreating to a barracks for example would be good. It doesn't have to be the Town Center. Just that they run away from the enemy to your base, so you don't lose them.

Perhaps cavalry should be able to keep up with the retreating infantry so they get another use. Though this would need to be tested well. The cavalry chasing should not make retreating useless.

Should units not be able to take orders when they are retreating? I would think so. This is how it works in Company of Heroes for those who haven't played it:

You click retreat, units run towards your base and while doing that you can't order them until they arrive at the base.

(I like the general concept of choice).

You mean like Company of Heroes (2) and also the new Generals game? I liked that feature in Company of Heroes.

I don't know what you precisely mean, I think what you mean is that 0 A.D should build upon the choice system.

The upgrade choices I love. I would like military upgrade choices eventually for choosing units ("generals", not actual generals), the Irish Wolfhound OR Mastiff type dog would be an example.

I can't think of real examples right now but here are some gameplay examples:

cheap but weaker vs expensive but stronger

faster but less armored vs slower but better armored

Etc.

So you can personalise your faction and futher enhance your gameplay style. The faction already offer of course a nice choice which best suits your gameplay style, but making a faction even more your style would be great and fun.

And what's IIRC?

If I recall correctly.

_________________________________________________________________________

Now, I forgot somethings that I love (though most belong to the atmosphere):

-the music

-the art

-the interface (great interface; looks pretty and doesn't use the whole screen)

There's many more I like. I love this game and that gets me very exciting about future releases. I mean, if I already like the Alpha, I'm going to love the Beta not to mention what comes after that!

Edited June 15, 2013 by Unarmed

[Mythos_Ruler]

cheap but weaker vs expensive but stronger

faster but less armored vs slower but better armored

Etc.

So you can personalise your faction and futher enhance your gameplay style. The faction already offer of course a nice choice which best suits your gameplay style, but making a faction even more your style would be great and fun.

Yep, that's the general idea. You make all these little choices that make no two battles exactly alike. You civ is slightly different each time you play based on the choices you make while playing.

[MoLAoS]

Yep, that's the general idea. You make all these little choices that make no two battles exactly alike. You civ is slightly different each time you play based on the choices you make while playing.

I'm glad I'm not the only person who likes complicated tech trees in RTS games. Do this and do it alot.

[Unarmed]

Yep, that's the general idea. You make all these little choices that make no two battles exactly alike. You civ is slightly different each time you play based on the choices you make while playing.

Sounds great. I did some more reading and I read about the planned Blacksmith. I assume the blacksmith will have choices. But I have no idea if those choices could mean one unit or another unit; I mean, upgrade X gives you unit X, upgrade Y gives you unit Y.

I'm glad I'm not the only person who likes complicated tech trees in RTS games. Do this and do it alot.

I'm with you.

And I think complicated tech trees does not mean a more complicated game, just more flexibale. I think it's important that the game is friendly to new players.

With these kind of upgrades, it is important that your choice does not mean loosing. They should not be gamechangers so to speak. Just little extra's, so:

Not:

Upgrade X means you'll lose against opponent y, you should have chosen upgrade Y.

But:

Upgrade Y is slightly better against opponent y than upgrade X, but with both you should be able to win (or lose).

(With opponent y I mean, a opponent with for example lots of X units, or a faction)

But I think the developer team knows this.

_________________________________

Ok, some additional suggestions:

Maybe this is planned. But I like to be able to group, my units. I like how Empire Earth did this (didn't age of empires did this too? I can't remember), let me explain how it worked in that game:

-First you select the units

-You click group

-The group shows up on the interface (I don't think this is necessary, but could be very handy)

-When you click on the interface icon of the group, or you click on 1 one of the units of the group, the group is selected

This was not in Empire Earth, but I would like to see in 0 A.D:

If you select several groups they do not go in formation with each other but instead go in formation within their group. So instead of this:

......

......

......

You get this:

.. .. ..

.. .. ..

Why do I want this: playing the Alpha I had some issues with the formations, because I want to select all of my units at once, but then they go into formation, but I prefer them in several groups. By the way, I know it's Alpha and the formations have some issues, but even then I would like my units in several groups instead of one big "mob" or as CoH players say blob.

If the group would be showed in the interface, it would also be very handy. And it would really be very handy if you have a group of the same units and you can just click on one to give them orders instead of using the box and dragging to get them all.

EDIT: Already implemented. I did not know!

______________________________________________________

Another suggestion, it's a bit nitpicking, but I think authenticity is something the developer team strive for. Ok, my next subject:

Pigs.

Shouldn't some factions have pigs instead of sheep in their little animal farm (can't remember the actual name). I did some research, the Celts did have sheep (I did not know, I wasn't even sure they had animals), but how about the Mauryans? I'm assuming they only had pigs, but I'm not an expert of Ancient archiculture.

Ok something else:

The actual pigs.

This is the real nitpicking. I think the pig looks like a factory farm pig. The model seems fine. But I'm pretty sure there were no pink piggies back then (please correct me if wrong!).

I Googled "Ancient pigs" and "Oldest pig breed" and I came up with:

Ibérico pigs

Instead of a pink skin, I suggest (dark) gray, like the Iberico pigs, and brown, golden brown, black but not pink (unless that's totally authentic, in that case sorry for being ignorant).

I might make the skin myself. I have Gimp and I have tried making textures recently, but I can't promise anything as I'm new to it.

Should I complain about the chickens? Hmmm... That would be really nitpicking... Well, if I was more certain about it I probably would. I think they could be a bit smaller, most primitive breeds are small. Jungle Fowl are also quite small. I think by that time they would have bred them to have more meat so they are not too fat (Jungle Fowl are a bit leaner than what's depicted in the game).

The chickens I actually don't mind. EDIT: Chickens are fine you silly person! The pig I'm serious about, unless of course I'm wrong.

Also no geese? How could the developers forgot geese!? I have a book of old civilisations and I've learned when I was a child that geese warned Romans from barbaric tribes. I have the book in this room, it even says the geese saved a part of the city! Surely there could be geese!

I was of course joking, well not that I don't want them, I do, and it would be kind of cool if they do begin to honk when enemies are nearby in the fog. But of course I don't blame the developers for not including them (yet).

Edited June 16, 2013 by Unarmed

[feneur]

Maybe this is planned. But I like to be able to group, my units. I like how Empire Earth did this (didn't age of empires did this too? I can't remember), let me explain how it worked in that game:

-First you select the units

-You click group

-The group shows up on the interface (I don't think this is necessary, but could be very handy)

-When you click on the interface icon of the group, or you click on 1 one of the units of the group, the group is selected

You can already put your units into groups, just select units and press Ctrl + 1 (all the way up to 0 ), then press the corresponding key (or the control group icon that shows up when you have a group created) to select the group. Double-click to select and center on the group.

[Unarmed]

You can already put your units into groups, just select units and press Ctrl + 1 (all the way up to 0 ), then press the corresponding key (or the control group icon that shows up when you have a group created) to select the group. Double-click to select and center on the group.

I see. Thank you.

I checked to see if I should have read a manual, but this is not in the manual. Or I didn't look good enough.

Edited June 15, 2013 by Unarmed

[Lion.Kanzen]

Check trac is our wikippedia in this case is a wiki page for project. Even you can see the changes and progress in each alpha. May be can look complicate to new user.

Edited June 17, 2013 by Lion.Kanzen

[Unarmed]

Check trac isvour wikippedia in this case is a wiki page for project. Even you can see the changes and progress in each alpha. May be can look complicate to new user.

Okay, thanks for the tip.

By the way, the chickens are fine. I was partly joking, but yeah, I don't know where I got that nonsense.

[Lion.Kanzen]

Ok you are welcome.

Now I wanna make a suggestion, animation list and building list that are missing in the trac. Can be more easy for artist contributors, I can see what task are need for programmers and what are about for artists?

[Mythos_Ruler]

I can see what task are need for programmers and what are about for artists?

They are coming. It is a large task and will take a long time.

[Lion.Kanzen]

Nice, because are too many for now. And nobody know to do. I hope can grown more if can invite more to join us.