Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
The core gameplay loop is engaging and holds up well over many matches. However, for veteran players, matches can start to feel repetitive as established strategies become dominant. The current sources of variation, such as map layout and the number of squads, are good but could be supplemented with more dynamic elements to ensure long-term replay value and present new strategic challenges.
Describe the solution you'd like
I propose the introduction of a system of Game Modifiers and Scenarios. These would be special rulesets that alter the conditions of a match. This system could be implemented in two ways:
- Randomly Applied to Public Games: One or more modifiers could be randomly selected for each new public match, much like how maps are currently selected. This would ensure every game offers a unique experience.
- Selectable for Private Lobbies: Hosts could have the ability to enable, disable, and combine these modifiers to create custom game modes for their community.
Below is a categorized list of potential modifiers and scenarios:
A) Major Game Scenarios
These are significant, game-defining rule changes that would form the basis of a match.
- Fog of War: Player visibility is limited to a certain radius around their own and allied territories, requiring active scouting.
- Last Stand: A single human squad faces off against numerous, heavily boosted AI nations, creating an asymmetric survival challenge.
- Insurgency: The map begins with several powerful, pre-existing AI nations ("Insurgents") that are hostile to all players but can form alliances amongst themselves.
- Blitz: Players must conquer an enemy player or bot within a set time limit (e.g., every 3-5 minutes) or be eliminated (or turned into a bot).
B) Rule & Restriction Modifiers
These modifiers alter core game rules or place limitations on players.
- Conventional Warfare: Standard and hydrogen nukes are disabled, but MIRVs remain available, shifting focus to conventional arms.
- Veteran Mode: Friendly fire is enabled for area-of-effect weapons and direct invasions against members of the same squad.
- Aggression Mandate: Players must maintain an attack-to-defense unit ratio above a certain threshold (e.g., 50%) to avoid a penalty.
- Unbreakable Alliances: Betraying (backstabbing) allied players is mechanically prevented.
- Landlocked / Deindustrialized: The ability to build ports and/or factories is disabled for all players.
- Impassable Mountains: Mountainous terrain cannot be conquered.
- Coastal Waters: Ships are restricted to coastal areas and cannot traverse deep sea terrain.
C) Gameplay & Economic Modifiers
These modifiers adjust numerical values related to the economy, units, and map setup.
- Economic Boom / Bust: Initial gold for all players is doubled or halved.
- Arms Race / Détente: The cost of all nuclear weapons is doubled or halved.
- Rapid Deployment: The speed of transport ships is significantly increased (e.g., 5x).
- Population Boom: The rate of population growth is doubled.
- Clash of Nations: All AI opponents are spawned as full nations.
- Established Powers: AI opponents start with a massive gold advantage (e.g., +1,000,000).
- Scramble: All players, including squadmates, spawn in random locations on the map.
- Strategic Spacing: Players are guaranteed to spawn outside a minimum radius of their allies, which could be visually indicated during the pre-game phase.
D) Dynamic In-Game Events
These are random events that could occur during a match, forcing players to adapt.
- Civil Unrest: A city and its surrounding territory can randomly rebel, breaking away to form new, independent AI state. This could be themed differently (e.g., "Rise of the Workers" for factories, "Pacifist Protests" for silos).
- Treacherous Seas: Transport ships have a small, random chance of being destroyed while traveling at sea, making naval logistics riskier.
Describe alternatives you've considered
If randomly applying these modifiers to all public games is too disruptive, implementing them as selectable options for private lobbies would be a fantastic alternative and a great first step. This would give players the freedom to craft their own unique game experiences and allow the community to experiment with and popularize different combinations of rules.
Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
The core gameplay loop is engaging and holds up well over many matches. However, for veteran players, matches can start to feel repetitive as established strategies become dominant. The current sources of variation, such as map layout and the number of squads, are good but could be supplemented with more dynamic elements to ensure long-term replay value and present new strategic challenges.
Describe the solution you'd like
I propose the introduction of a system of Game Modifiers and Scenarios. These would be special rulesets that alter the conditions of a match. This system could be implemented in two ways:
Below is a categorized list of potential modifiers and scenarios:
A) Major Game Scenarios
These are significant, game-defining rule changes that would form the basis of a match.
B) Rule & Restriction Modifiers
These modifiers alter core game rules or place limitations on players.
C) Gameplay & Economic Modifiers
These modifiers adjust numerical values related to the economy, units, and map setup.
D) Dynamic In-Game Events
These are random events that could occur during a match, forcing players to adapt.
Describe alternatives you've considered
If randomly applying these modifiers to all public games is too disruptive, implementing them as selectable options for private lobbies would be a fantastic alternative and a great first step. This would give players the freedom to craft their own unique game experiences and allow the community to experiment with and popularize different combinations of rules.