Done it.

I would love if you guys could add observer slots for multiplayer. Observers can see all players can communicate among themselves but not to players.Maybe you can also add 1 referee slot to someone who can communicate with everyone so that someone can host a match and communicate with players.

It would be good for video makers as well.Observers can record video from multiple player perspective showing their moves and commenting on their strategies. Makes videos more attractive to watch .

Frequent show/tournament matches with lot of observers followed by fan made recordings of them in video sharing sites can build up a lot of interest/hype in the player base as well as prospective buyers.

Thanks for the game , absolutely love it.

The “Plans” bit of the title feels like click-bait. I was disappointed in the lack of plans beyond “we’re launching a new site for account maintenance”.

Still, it’s good that you’re taking a formal poll of where the players stand. Me, I love what we have, and want more classes and races. Bring on the Shadow Realm!

Ferrin wrote:

Done, is there any way you can notify people that do not visit the forums of this survey?

Hopefully the devs will post something on the Steam community and news pages at least?

I think Eternal Lords and 1.5 and 1.6 patches were steps in exactly the right direction. I would undoubtedly buy in an instant a new expansion similar to EL, in fact I’m throwing money at the screen with one hand and typing with the other 2.

Done.

To elaborate my answers:

I play single player exclusively so I don’t have particular opinion about multiplayer features. I also prefer random maps instead of scenarios/campaigns, so I am also indifferent to those aspects of the game.

I am satisfied with the essential aspects of Aow III, especially with EL and subsequent patches which increase racial diversity. However, I feel that City Economy, Diplomacy and Racial Governance can be enhanced further. We don’t need Civ-like economy, I agree with that, but adding new buildings and new mystical upgrades can make city economy more complex. Diplomacy would be great if AI have more distinct personality.

Racial Governance is a great system that can be expanded to make schism (for example: Elves players can choose “High-Elves” racial governance OR “Dark-Elves” racial governance which unlock other type of units). Halflings can choose to befriend Leprechaun OR Faerie Dragon, etc.

Other features that I strongly encourage Triumph to release is modding capacity, or at the very least Heroes Editor. We already have the excellent Leader Editor, I think it is easy to branch out the system to a dedicated Heroes Editor.

Of course, more classes and races are always great for the next expansions!

I must say that PBEm is a godsend for me as it’s only way I can play multiplayer so everything that develops this aspect is welcome.
Also the tactical battles are a masterpiece, but can be a little similar one to each other so something for it would be great : Scenarios like “king of the hill” or “line breakthrou” or more varied terrain that have impact on game (for example: bushes that slows but gives misile protection).

Uto_piec wrote:

Scenarios like “king of the hill” or “line breakthrou” or more varied terrain that have impact on game (for example: bushes that slows but gives misile protection).

Oh yeah, something along those lines would be a great addition.

I.e. varried terrain on tactical battle maps as in, partially swamps which slow units unless they have wetlands walking or the animated maelstrom on the maelstrom combat map could actually pull swimming/embarked units a random amount of hexes towards the center (in a spiral) each turn and once units enter the central part (e.g. a 3 hex wide area in the middle) take chipp dmg each turn etc.

Shadow realm and/or a second underground layer in the rmg, even more differentiation between the the classes, a spell that allows to create water, mountain and diggable wall tiles and an observer slot for multiplayer is what I think is most “pressing” but actually I’m quite fine with the current state of the game 🙂

Done. Felt a bit like nitpicking to me…
Somehow you guys already not only managed to surpass the hopes for improvements i had at the inital release of the game, but also added a whole bunch of new fun things. AoW3 might very well have grown from a good game in the genre, to the best one in it.

If i had to pick a theme for an upgrade content wise, it probably would be the underground.
While i always play with underground enabled, since i appreciate the strategic varieties it offers, i noticed a lot of people prefer to disable it. My theorie is, that it has something to do with it being often perceived as more of a hinderence than an opportunity. It’s harder to traverse than the surface, but doesn’t offer more rewards.
Adding unique sites, dwellings, tiles or such, might change that. Throw in another cave dwelling race, and you’d have an expansion i’d buy. “They came from the depth…” 😉

Otherwise, i’d say modability and multiplayer can never be good enough, when it comes to longevity. Especially the former had me play AoW:SM for ridiculous amounts of hours.

One more thing: I will buy any new content for this great game so just make it 🙂

AoW3 almost hasn’t problem as fantasy TBS and 4x strategy.

Leader Class System – what’s wrong with this? I’m okay with this part of game. Maybe you could propose to us new classes etc? Anyway, I think amount of classes is normal and no need for new ones.
Main Races – many people complain about absence of races from previous AoWs, but personally I don’t want to see new races, because this leads to different balance problems. We have numerous problems with race utility already. Look at tournament statistics, yes.
Magic system & Research – ok, but there are balance fixes needed. Also problem with utility of old elemental spheres appear.
City System & Economy – fine as is, but new building and more complicated city production chains are always welcomed.
Diplomacy & Relations – sorry, guys, but your diplomacy system is a piece of crap. Completely unpredictable and unclear. And rarely usable, yes.
Exploration, Sites & Dwellings – I’m fine with this, but I want to notice that dwellings in MP have low utility, because player often hasn’t enough cash and dwellings need a lot of investment. Maybe, you should think about sufficient prize or advantage which dwelling could provide to your entire empire.
World Map Army Strategies – okish.
Tactical Combat – don’t touch this, plz, it’s fine.
Random Maps – some problems with generation need to be fixed, but they’re ok.
Pre-made Standalone Maps – fine as is (I play only a few of them).
Single Player Campaign – fine as is. Interesting story.
Presentation (Audio/GFX) – I know it’s very expensive, so I’m fine with this.
Fantasy Setting – nice background and lore already. Good job!
LevelEd and Modding – I’m waiting for mod tools, which let me:
– creating/editing ALL stats of units;
– editing unit models (desirably);
– editing existing/creating new abilities for units;
– editing existing/creating new abilities and effects for spells and techs of different specs and classes;
– editing existing/creating new abilities of entire races;
– creating new races (desirably);
– to be continued…
Multiplayer Features – friend inviting system required.

I would like a trade focused expansion with trade goods located on map, automated trade lanes that goes over land and water and can be blocked by bandits and enemies. You would be able to establish trade agreements with neutrals and other players.

This would be great for good players, so the dark side would need buffs like options for rading enemy map locations, options to take slaves. Slaves would increase population in nearest city but create unhappiness. The good and evil levels should also unlock certain buildings and units. For example could evil players unlock slave markets and dungeons that could help the evil player keep the unhappiness down.

I would also like to see one or two race specific boats. If sea trade lanes gives good money they will be worth defending.

There is also room for a dessert Arabic themed race that is perhaps with trade and slaver focus. They might be in league with genies. Much like the old Azracs if I recall correctly.

I would also like a beastmen dwelling based on Greek mythology. Darkelf corsair water dwelling, hidden woodelf dwelling.

It appears that quite a few people agree that modding tools would be REALLY helpful to fix most the “problems” people have with the game…

More races, classes, units. That is what gives the game it’s meat and depth. More units is more to do with tactical combat, which i appreciate a lot.

Above all i’d put modding. I’d love to tweak things myself, or more easily customize maps. But it would also take a lot of the “balance” discussions away. Where people are more often than not argueing from “personal feel”, or pseudo-logic, or for the sake of multiplayer and it’s particularly limiting quircks.

If people can make their own rule sets that would all be something players can figure out for themselves. Want more realism? Make a mod. Want more multiplayer balance? Make a mod.

Here’s some music for inspiration: