[Discuss] duchy system rework ?

[Tom Vogt]

Lately, a lot of us here, me including, have had the feeling that 
something is wrong with the game.

I think one part of it is that with the whole multiple layers and 
hierarchy things, it's become too political and too complicated, 
especially for the casual players.

I've been thinking a few hard design thoughts, on how to simplify things 
again without giving up the core of the gameplay. Here's what I think is 
a good solution:

We strip out the duchy level and the hierarchy.

Many small realms only have one duchy anyways, and it adds a lot of 
complexity without really adding much to the game. There's no reason we 
can't roleplay duchies, or other groupings of regions, but right now the 
game mechanics add very little to the game experience.

How about we have the gameplay on two levels instead: Regional and 
realm. There is a good, visible distinction between them, which helps 
clearing up all the confusion.

Region lords are appointed by the ruler, knights are sworn to regions. 
ALWAYS. It can be a 0% oath, but if we have absolutely everyone assigned 
to a region, then everyone knows where he or she belongs as well.
Strengthening regional allegiance is much easier than strengthening 
allegiance to an abstract construct like a duchy. We can do it simply by 
making estates more important.

It would remove a whole lot of code complexity as well.



Comments?



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