Re: [glob2-devel] Gameplay guidelines

[Eli]

On Sep 13, 2005, at 12:48 AM, Andrew Sayers wrote:

> _Outline of a game_
>
> As a general rule, a game of Globulation 2 should involve an
> exploration phase, a building phase, and a competition phase.  These
> phases can overlap with each other, but each phase requires different
> skills, and should be fun in its own way.
>
> The initial exploration phase involves finding out what your
> surroundings look like, where you can find resources, how to guard the
> borders of your territory, and where to start placing your buildings.
>
> The building phase involves creating a large and successful town.
> Depending on the situation, this might be large or small.  There will
> be geographical obstacles to overcome (such as your town becoming
> overgrown or running out of resources).  The town will grow in
> different ways and at different speeds depending on the way it's
> managed.
>
> The final competition phase involves defeating your opponents.  This
> can be through direct means, such as stealing resources or fighting; or
> it can be indirectly through converting or prestige.
>
> A game of Globulation 2 should last long enough that the player has a
> chance to enjoy and strategise over each phase, but carry on at a pace
> that keeps the player on his toes.  An hour or two is a good length
> for a game.
>
>         - Andrew
The thing left out is replay value. What is it about Globulation 2 that 
will make you play it over and over again, if every game plays out 
along the same sequence? We don't have any of the usual elements --- 
huge variety of maps, variety of races, a continuous universe, or 
complex tactics. Basically, the only difference between maps is in how 
little of each resource you have (including building space as a 
resource.) That isn't a very interesting way to differentiate maps! 
Another thing that Glob2 doesn't do that worked in Majesty is to give 
the player a choice of which buildings to get, but not allowing them to 
get every building at once.

Well, people will probably still be able to play multiplayer, which has 
its own replay value, but I'm speaking from the single-player 
standpoint, seeing as I haven't been able to play multiplayer. If we 
want to take inspiration from Majesty again, the way to have an 
interesting single-player experience is to give the player a wide 
variety of enemies...

I've pondered this stuff, but nothing has come clear.