Hello,
I will share some thoughts here about what I think in current setup of game mechanics is preventing game to be interesting from point of view where lack of competitive opportunities deprive us of fun.
Do not expect much more response from me, partly for not having time to hang on forums, partly for not being able to enjoy in offenses and rude talk from some forum member who express their disagreement that way.
So, here are some item related to current game mechanics state.
1. Since the time religions are castrated being deprived of ability to collect gold and with situation where religious takeover became only hypothetical possibility, all what I saw with religions is that they split in two types of religions: theocratic religions or religions tightly tied with some realm's hierarchies and independent religions. First group, who was more powerful before as well, now became overly too powerful, and other group cannot be significant in any way, anymore. so, now, on continents, we can see either totally dominant or completely weak religions. there will never be clashes or possibilities to change something in-game.
2. Though changes to tax system made some great step toward reinstating logical game hierarchy, where rulers are stronger than dukes, there is still untouchable and too comfortable position of dukes which make them more fun-killers than driving force to fun. Dukes cannot be replaced neither in rebellion nor via infiltrators attack, so they are here forever, they get used to such position and fall asleep. Not all of them, of course, but large majority.
3. The fact that game still have concept of honor and prestige and that rulers do not "earn" any penalty for large betrayal directly affects boredom in diplomacy all the time. While judges can lose incredible amount of honor by torturing lowly infiltrator, ruler can break long-term alliance and attack former ally within one -day. So we permanently have sudden change of side "all-against-one" gangbang which more looks as a lottery than as a consequence of some long-term diplomatic efforts. Alliances are shapeless and meaningless as game mechanics allow them to be such. The other example of it is possibility that realm can be allied to both opposing sides in war. If game mechanics does not enforce some logic at least on basic level, we can expect that grotesque situations will take place, and if such situations are not aligned with any in-game flavor, they are not funny at all.
4. Possibility to freely adjust realm government options made even realm type shapeless and tasteless. We have monarchies where all positions are re-elected, and monarchies where ruler appoint judge, which should be major characteristic of tyranny. Giving too many too easy options rendered government type insignificant.
5. Too many too long elections referendum - that is one of real sources of boredom and annoyer. The modern concept where elections are ideal just way of resolving political issues, while being questionable in modern world is really, really not aligned with medieval world. There should be as little elections as possible, power should be taken by force, plotting, rebellion, assassinating, not by "fair" elections, that are simply tasteless.
6. Weakening realm government positions rendered them non-attractive as many other things in game.
- I could understand why generals were deprived of power in times when some generals were micromanaging each and every troop in the realm, but I feel now it could be time that some power or at least some more options should be given back to them. For instance, if generals do not need to know conditions of each and every troop as that is marshal's duty, shouldn't they at least have overall troop condition of the army, to know how marshals are doing? Should they have opportunity to read all internal army orders and standing orders, or even to change marshals standing orders for each army, where something like that would be known to nobles? Should they know how recruitment centers are filled even when they are not in capital? If not giving them significantly more power, should at least some more buttons be given to them, to make that positions more attractive, as they are seemingly not so attractive currently. General is simply too responsible for realm affairs, while having too little power.
- It is even more the case for bankers. If bankers would be given more power, I humbly believe the whole concept of economics could more affect politics, intercept with it, creating much more fun. For instance - just an idea - should banker be given exclusive right for all foreign trade? Lords who does not want banker messing with their supplies would be able to trade only with internal regions, while all foreign prices would be set by bankers. Dukes who does not like that should simply secede! Or if they prefer current realm's shield, they should negotiate with bankers.
- Rulers also need, really need, more powerful exiles. That could give much more interesting clashes with government members, especially with judges, and put more logic in ruler's position. Should exiles be so penalized? Maybe some initial prestige loss would suffice? I am pretty certain exiles, especially many exiles, would be seen as unjust and tyrannical by most of nobility even without game mechanics to enforce it. The opinions comes from simple long-time observation - exiles are penalizing rulers so much that they are rarely used or not at all, while they could create lot of in-game fun. Why rulers have to beg judges to punish some noble day by day? Or why rulers should not get rid of some government member? In times where they are in clash, ruler should have some ultimate button that proves his/her position of ultimate power.
- Judges.. I don't think they need more buttons, but they certainly need more direction, very clear and authoritative direction about game policies. It is so common that judge fears to send any kind of fine against any noble as they simply fear or Titans so much that they would rather never take risk.
