Topics

Age sucks. No offense to our older players.

So, what is it good for?
Turnover? No. Oldies remain in power for as long as they want/ are allowed to. They just don't fight battles anymore. Hooray for encouraging idleness and stagnation!

What is it bad for?
Constant game-interruptions if you dare to fight battles with a char you've grown attached to over the years.
Idleness and stagnation. Encourage characters to sit on their butts and do nothing at all. It fills your realm with old-timers who can barely still contribute in any meaningful game-mechanic way. Create a character, build relationships, achieve something, then kill the character out of frustration. That's the BM cycle.

There should be more emphasis on fun, and less on "realistic" features that are detrimental to fun. Because seriously, who here enjoys NOT being able to play the game for days on end, enjoy a few days of playing then be stupid enough to fight another battle and be out again for less than a week, if you're lucky.

Whatever the intention of age was, the result is that players get a choice: play the game fully for half the time and be blocked of it for the rest or just play half the game, avoid battles and try to suck it up and be content. Together with all the other oldies incapable of fully playing the game. We can only have one character per continent now, there's less players but a majority of characters that remain get less hours, are wounded more often and longer and simply cannot play the game that should be encouraging to play it, and play it hard. Like, actually wage war.

For those of you who say "kill the old bastard already", this is an RP game. People get attached to their characters and the way they RP them. People also play for years on end and get tired of having to come up with new characters all the time to keep playing and then forcibly play him as a new inexperienced noble. There's the GoT mentality that dictates that all characters need to die and die easy. And it makes for great stories, but it sure does not for the game experience in a game that's built on long-term enjoyment.

So, get rid of physical age. Or remove it's effects and replace it with actual age for the rp element.

There, I vented. Now I'll go back to the game and try to write a couple of letters before I get wounded again.

I was thinking, why dont we allow characters to have several offshoot characters which they can create and name, then select as an alternative to write roleplays (maybe letters too?) from. When writing roleplays it should make it clear that it's not the main character writing, maybe just something simple like "Roleplay from Johannes Kepler, Captain of Abraham Miller" where it would normally say "Roleplay from Abraham Miller".

I often don't "play" (write something for) a character because I'm not in the mood for that particular character, sometimes because he's too serious, sometimes because he's a joker and sometimes because what he would say brings consequences I don't want to deal with. I'm suggesting to allow players to add other kinds of outlets to their different characters, some could have a jester, others their captain (maybe make that one standard? How many times have you seen people rp their captain?), a drinking buddy, an old uncle or grandmother... Hell, it'd be a great way to introduce the heir! Either way, the player of that character now has different sorts of outlets in his realm, increasing incentive to say something. Many of the "entourage's" jibber jabber probably won't lead to (though some I believe could be very pertinent) anything but it is entertainment, for the player and the ones he plays with. And that's something we need more.

Of course we've all seen plenty of players roleplay a secondary character but how many of them have done it consistently? How many have developed the character or even truly focused on it in that roleplay? If you add this option and those links, you allow players to enshrine those characters in the game, to make them permanent, without having to clumsily mention them left and right to make sure others (and you) don't forget. You can then really start developing them and have them interact with eachother and with your main character. All of this could be done by normal roleplays and word documents but I'd think it's a good thing to encourage in this game, which could use with a little more chatter sometimes. Also, it would function as a sort of support group for the development of your main character, which would then encourage more of that.

Thoughts?

I'm wondering if I should join Atamara and if I do, which realm I should join. I have been on Atamara before but mostly in Darka. I spent a little time in Falasan, Minas Ithil, Carelia and really sporadically, Hammarsett. You see my conundrum...
That said, I've heard that Atamara's pretty boring at the moment so I'm looking to contribute to fun somewhere and hoping not to have to do it alone. I don't care if it's in the Empire, or in realms pro or anti or neutral.

The topic says it all: tell my why I, and other AT-hopefuls, should join your realm. What makes it better, different.. What does your char have going on? Or other people? What's your stance in politics. Gold income. Opportunity... The whole nine yards.

P.S.: I'll probably join in about 2 weeks only but I thought I'd get the topic going already, give you all some time to reply too.
P.P.S.: If you're posting here to tell me how much AT sucks, that's not really going to help me or the purpose of this thread.

Penalizing old characters does not increase turnover. It doesn't increase opportunity. All it does is hold down these characters, making them less fun for their players, and making them create less fun for their peers.

Truth. The game should move away from features that pester players and move towards positive enforcement.
As for turnover, characters can take actions to make turnover happen. Perhaps more such actions should be provided? But the age thing, it's nothing more than a nuisance.

So yeah, trying to keep this as neutral as possible since things did get a little out of hand in the last thread. But we're not children so theoretically at least we should be capable of discussing this war without getting emotional over it.

Just a small update: Spearhold has ended their involvement on the coalition's side and declared war on Melhed to punish them for their betrayal. Meanwhile, Melhed's countryside has been plundered and the allied army beaten by the joint force of Thalmarkin and Ar Agyr in the battle of Trottie.

I don't care what you do or say, I'm just not!

I've been playing this game for close to 11 years now and played on through the rise and fall of empires and countless other changes, be they code or attitude. The fact of the matter is there is no billion-dollar game developer on earth that in these 11 years of digital revolution has created a game with such limitless possibilities as this "archaic" player-driven text-based game has to offer. Here you can imagine something and purely through interaction make it real. And through such interactions, create real bonds with real people, or even their characters. Sometimes especially their characters.

So try and make me leave! I'm here forever.

P.S.: I wrote this because I got tired of seeing the "I'm leaving." thread with all it's negativity but mainly, I wrote this because there is no game like BM and I've seen enough people leave and return to know there's no point in leaving in the first place. Kuddos to Tim and Tom for creating such a thing of beauty.

So, fun battle in Gor Ault. I missed the taunting when we took the deserted Mhed so had some fun with it this time around. :)

Title: Tournament Draw Fixing

Summary: Allow participants to bribe the tournament officials into fixing the tournament draw so that they can fight another participant of their choice.

Details: Less randomness, more rivalry, more active and immersive tournament experience.

Benefits: See above.

Possible Exploits: picking weak targets to advance yourself. Negligible as long as the bribe is high enough, in my opinion.

So, I figured this war needed a topic and decided to throw in something extra. :)
The poll will keep running and you can always change your vote so it can serve as a barometer for the war.

I also figured this war needed a name, so there we go.
On the left: Thalmarkin, realm of ice and bear (and wolves and eagles, I haven't forgotten about you guys!) on the right: Melhed, realm of sun and wolf.

A short explanation for the war:

Duke Outo Olavi Cosula, heir to the throne of Ar Agyr has laid claim to Melhed's capital of Agyr. Thalmarkin, itself heir to Ar Agyr, has overwhelmingly supported their Duke and declared war on Melhed.

Letter from Fingolfin Noldorin
Message sent to the Rulers of Beluaterra (8 recipients)
Rulers of Beluaterra,

I write you concerning serious matters. Thalmarkin has lived on the top of the continent for a long time, and we have seen many wars and invasions come and pass, being at the very heart of them several times. We have lived side by side with neighbours who are our allies and friends, but also with those we could have done without. If history has taught us anything, it is that the world needs strong and powerfull realms ready to act and take measures when the need is dire. History has taught us also that Melhed is none of these.

Too long have they sat on the riches of their ancestors and let times of war and invasion pass by without moving a finger. They are not worthy of their ancestors legacy, and they are not fit to rule their lands. We have all seen this for a long time, and the last few months have merely been the tip of the mountain that has made us prepare for war.

Thalmarkin intend to recreate a realm of warriors, upon the ashes of their forefathers. Ar Agyr died when abandonded by its allies, but I plan to once more let the realm thrive upon the riches that has been put into no use since their death.

Upon these words, Thalmarkin declare war upon the realm of Melhed. We have no goal in its total destruction, merely teaching them what war really is and distributing some of their regions to make them usefull for the world once more. Melhed has already been on the verge of attacking us twice the last year or so but backed out. Now there is no backing out to be had any longer.

Regards,

Fingolfin Noldorin
King of Thalmarkin
Royal of Thalmarkin

Letter from Yeux Serpentis 
Message sent to the Rulers of Beluaterra
Let's see what your "realm of warriors" can do, King Fingolfin. I'm sure I can teach you a lesson or two. Melhed will fight back theses bored thugs with honor to defend our borders. And be sure: if you began to lose, I will claim every region your realm received from our old glory until your friends of Old Grehk decide to save your people from the wolves. I don't care to burn Beluaterra to the ground to kick you back to the northern shores. Your claims for war is just to weak to be considered, then we will see what will happen in the battlefields.

Yeux Serpentis
King of Melhed
Royal of Melhed
Duke of Agyr
Priest of Bloodspeakers

And so it begins...

Dwilight(BM?)'s first mercenary company has been founded in Outer Giask.

Captain General Kamron Lorganson is now scouring the continent for warriors who wish naught but battles, gold and the finer things in life.

Abandon your life of boredom and responsibilities for one of adventure and perpetual war now and get a barrel of Dragon's Spit for FREE upon signing your contract!

I've recently convinced a friend to start playing the game and from his reaction it seems that what is bothering to new nobles the most is the slow pace. This is something I personally don't have much of an issue with since I play 4 characters of which two are deeply involved in their realms and two I play semi-actively. Of course it does take some time to establish your characters and get truly involved but then still a new player who can play only 2 nobles is going to quit because of boredom faster than one who can play 4 characters immediately, I would think.
Now, it can take a long time for a new player to get a little busier.

So what I'm saying is that in terms of player retention and making the game attractive not only to seasoned gamers like the DF community but also to new players who aren't familiar with this sort of game, it'd be better to give them as much to do/follow/get involved in as soon as possible. Which could be easily accomplished by allowing everyone to play 4 characters from the start.

Especially since there's not many games out there that are as slow paced as battlemaster and it takes some time getting used to for most people.

Two request for improving the wiki:

1. Make it possible to use soft return.
Only hard returns are terrible if you're trying to upload a text /and/ you want it to look good.

2. Put a link to http://wiki.battlemaster.org/wiki/Special:UserLogin somewhere on the main page so people can easily log in as long as the bar is blocking the normal log in link.

Right now, it is so that militia rallies totally unstructured after having been defeated, more affected by randomness than anything else as it seems.

Not only that, but they seem to rally only /after/ battles take place in the region.

I'd like to suggest a few things to change that and make militia somewhat useful again even after they have been defeated in the first battle.

1. Give the Lord a "rally militia" option, militia does not rally before he issues the call.
2. Change the order of sequence, make militia rally before battles take place.

Of course it should still be possible that some militia units don't rally when called upon, or that some get lost or whatever, they don't need to be 100% reliable, but it would actually be nice if you could count on a multi-thousand gold investment for more than one battle.

I like the new dynamic map and all of it's functions and I hope it'll be finished soon. :)

I've got a request to add the feature that currently exists already when you pick the realm view (that you click and the realm specific details like gold and food production show up) to the diplomacy map mode as well. I'd love to be able to see the combined strengths of my alliance and of my enemies with one simple click. :)

(0019184)
Tom (administrator)
2012-03-04 19:08
good catch.

SFs have lower caps, but the code applied the limit wrongly. You should now get the correct message.

And yes, the max capacity is 25 for a size 3 SF center.

This brings up a few questions...

• What capacity will a level 1 and 2 SF centre have under this new system?
• Will you reduce the price of SF RC enlargements?
• Will SF centres be allowed a higher max level?
• Have you changed the capacity of other centers?

If I need to pay over 1,000 gold for a max capacity of 25 - which is not even enough to replace one unit - I don't see why I would even want a good SF centre. They're already hard enough to come by now, you can't really aim for a SF centre, only waste hundreds of gold in the hope to get one, add to that their complete incapability of finding recruits and there's really nothing left appealing to them.

SF really aren't THAT special as to be worth this...

So I was thinking, the leadership skill unlocks various new Marshal settings but I don't see them being used much.

So how about allowing a skilled Marshal to make his own settings, aside from the standard settings?

I know that Ducal war is one of those things that has been frequently requested, frequently rejected. While I am personally in favour of it I can certainly understand though why it has been rejected. It could very easily become a mess and very confusing.

I was thinking however, looting is one of those things that you can do even in an allied realm. That has not caused any chaos or confusion so far, and if something out of the ordinary happens, it doesn't lead to greater conflicts most of the time. But I believe it would be a good compromise between the possibilities for internal strife - actually being able to physically harm your fellow duke and gain from it yourself - to introduce the option for troopleaders to loot in another duchy.
I can imagine it become one of those things that happens every once in a while by perhaps a confused or angry noble that wouldn't cause too much of a fuss. I think it would be very scarce that a duke actually orders to loot his own realm (en masse) but I would /love/ to have that be a possibility. Only the threat of actual destruction to your regions would make inter-ducal strife much more real and on edge.
It would also make people more careful in inter-duchal relations. You can't just piss off other dukes constantly and not expect real retaliation so in a way I think it might even benefit team play on a realmwide level. As well as on a duchy-level where a Duke will have to ensure himself of the loyalty of his nobles to be able to hold them over the heads of other dukes as a threat. All in all, the hierarchy would work like it is designed to. King>Dukes>rest.

I know there's probably not a lot of chance that this will happen, but I felt like I had to try anyway... :P

So I've got an infil on EC. He used to be in Ibby but since all that is falling apart, I'm a little lost on whether to keep him in a realm devoid of human conflict or move him somewhere else. That's why I'm wondering what the infil policies of the EC realms are.
Basically I'm interested in:
-infil freedom
-infil funding

So I was thinking that it would be kind of handy under the new estate system to be able to give guilds or religions an estate in your region.
It would be much easier to fund those institutions and it would increase the sense of patronage that I feel region lords should have over the guilds or temples they have in their region.

Of course to avoid abuse they wouldn't add to the region's efficiency but work more like wild lands or vacant estates? Perhaps they could give other bonuses like a higher conversion rate for temple estates?

Anyway, thoughts?

As the title says, the banker could levy a tax on income from looting.

I hope that it would encourage realms to start seeing looting as a legitimate source of income. Some smaller, poorer realms (OI comes to mind on EC) especially could benefit from essentially living off the lands of others, if they prove competent enough that is.

And well, to be honest, I think it'd be pretty cool if there were to be more raids on top of the "I will destroy you!" kind of wars we usually see.