One thing which I never see being discussed is how the game has REALLY changed. Flat maps into round maps. Taking the game into orbit. Taking the game into space. Taking the game to other planets. Occupying sola systems. Dare Uber take it further than this? Please discuss seriously.
Just how much farther can we go? I mean sure, it can turn into a Warhammer 40k: Dawn of War: Dark Crusade style metagame, but that doesn't really get me excited the same way that a really large solar system does. Rather than go big in terms of number of solar systems in a single map, I'd rather have a lot of variety in planets and asteroids in a single system and a large number of players in that same system. And coincidentally, that's what Uber is aiming to do. They've also mentioned interplanetary nukes, and once that goes through I imagine it'll be simple to launch recon satellites from one planet to another. Once we get an analogue for the nydus worm of starcraft, I think all hell will break loose in the best way possible.
I would like to see space wars happen since they have the potential to do that sort of warfare but.. This is idea creeping on their already awesome idea! I'm happy with what they are doing now... I think if we wait and let them hammer out the important issues.. these other options can be implemented. For now.. i'd rather they stay focused and the gas on the pedal. The Flat map wrapping around a round planet is not a bad idea. Don't got much to add but it would be a fancy custom add on... sorta like how Worms has Jpeg's turned into war landscapes.
Some more out there ideas I hope to see: 1: Battle on space objects that aren't planets, big derelict space hulks, old super sized solar arrays etc. 2: Pickup games, this could be in galactic war. It would works like this: - A large solar system battle would allow any number of people to join and leave when ever they like. - Each faction in the battle has an army controlled by who ever has joined for each team. - The game ends when only 1 army is left. - When you join your commander lands in a place of your choice. - if your commander dies you are eliminated from the game and cannot rejoin the battle. - if you choose to disconnect your commander leaves and lives to fight again if you rejoin. - It's complicated but allows players to come and go as they please instead of having to commit to a full game of an undefined length.
I think expanding the games mechanics is unnecessary now - the scope is fantastically large as-is. Building on diversifing the planets is the next key step IMO. Take TA - think of all the tile-sets! Sure you had green, metal, desert etc, but then there were huge abandoned cities, mysterious purple crystal planets! Acid lakes cutting through barren wastelands! THAT is what I want to see!
Round maps with no useable terrain. Besides opening some more possible points of attack I dont see a huge change there. Due to that terrain thingy its a bit of a step back. For now. Adding another air layer. By all means, please dont call that orbit. THIS is the huge change, multiple planets you can make use of. It adds enormous options and depth to the game which is a very welcome addition, especially for TeamArmy games. The step further would be some kind of galactic war, a constant game with dozens or even hundreds of players battling over a large number of solar systems. Constantly invading each others worlds, smashing them with asteroids or even (try to)blowing up the sun if invasion seems hopeless. This would not be some kind of browser based minigame but fully integrated into one big game. Thats one persistant instance of a large bunch of planets. Hard to balance and to simulate I guess. It would feature different alliances fighting each other, maybe even different factions. The game has to be completed with its currently planned feature set first of course . And it wont happen, ever. But one may dream a bit.
