Anyway, I've wanted to ask you guys what you think about the heraldry system as it stands. Are there things you would like to see added? I can do more layouts, or fun things like furs. Suggestions for additional symbols with special abilities are also very welcome!
I really want to make the heraldry permeate the game experience, so a thing I'm gonna add to the forums is that @-quoted usernames like @Zarkonnen will be linkified and have the coat of arms displayed next to them. :)
Finally, as a note, if you want to make me happy, support the project, and look extra fancy, you can lob me $20, and I'll design you a custom heraldic charge. The rules for custom heraldry are:
First come, first served. If someone ahead of you asked for a horse, you have to pick something else.
No genitals, swastikas, trademarks, or other embarrassing stuff.
The symbols are 14x14 pixels, so you want a simple, strong image.
If we can't figure out what symbol you would like, I'll refund you the $20.
Don't let anyone pick a horse! That sounds amazing, you should code and sprite that as an ingame one! And a tiny coat-of-arms appearing when you quote someone sounds like a great feature.
I've had a few ideas for some more banners, but I didn't put any thought into the bonuses they might give.
Wolf
Scorpion
Bear
Deer
Sun
Moon
Skull/Skull and crossbones
Chain
Stars
Fire
Sword
Shield
Rifle
Candle
Hammer
Drop of liquid (could be blood, water, milk, or lava depending on the coloring)
Maybe people should be able to combine symbols? For example, a sun over a moon, or a fire behind a sword. Or something like two hammers criss-crossing.
So I'm just gonna wildly speculate what these could do with zero guarantee that any of them will make it into the game...
Wolf
Hmm. Wolfpacks? Hunger? Maybe a bonus to small ships?
Scorpion
Poison, evidently. Maybe a bonus to assassinating leaders if leaders get put in?
Bear
Big, furry, tough. Bonus to crew HP?
Deer
This one is hard! Deer are nice! Maybe a stag? Noble house air-baratheon?
Sun
There's been some discussion about solar mirrors as a weapon type. Maybe these guys are extra-good at it?
Moon
How about better night vision once weather/time of day is a thing?
Skull/Skull and crossbones
That's gonna be reserved for air pirates. :D Fun fact: did you know that the "Jolly Roger" did not refer to the skull and crossbones at all, but to another flag, pure red, used by pirates? It's corrupted French from "Jolie Rouget" (jolly red).
Chain
How about slave crew? Cheap but a bit ineffective, and very willing to switch sides?
Stars
Faster map movement speed from navigation skills?
Fire
Obvious option would be flamethrower / arson bonuses, or some other pyromaniac thing.
Sword
Boarding combat bonus is already Lion. Not sure.
Shield
Armour strength bonus? Something in the strategic game about protecting stuff?
Rifle
Obvious option would be bonus to rifles, maybe both ship-mounted or boarders.
Candle
Better research when/if that is a thing?
Hammer
Special drop-ram command?
Drop of liquid (could be blood, water, milk, or lava depending on the coloring)
Hard in the sense that the meaning changes based on the colour.
Maybe people should be able to combine symbols? For example, a sun over a moon, or a fire behind a sword. Or something like two hammers criss-crossing.
Combining symbols is hard because it's unclear which bonus you get. But:
Can definitely have two of the same symbol criss-crossing.
Could have "neutral" symbols like stars, swords, roundels that can be added / combined with existing ones.
Oh, the color "gold" seems yellow in the Wikipedia page. In that case, I think the "Or" in airships looks more beige than gold. Unless I'm missing some other rule.
Horse
Bonus to airship speeds in the combat screen? (not the command screen)
Wolf
Maybe, on the command screen, ships could only move a limited distance depending on their size - how many supplies they could carry. Maybe the Wolf could carry more? The entire concept would have to be thought out more though, if at all. Maybe fleets of ships could share food, so smaller ships could "piggyback" off of larger ones in the fleet?
Deer
Maybe cities have a lower chance of revolting against you because you're the rightful king of Westeros. (well, not really, but that's besides the point)
Sun
You also mentioned sunrise and sunset blinding the gunners. Maybe this would make them less affected by it?
Skull/Skull and crossbones
I didn't know that! And I can't see a more appropriate use for that symbol.
Chain
That seems like a pretty big difference from normal gameplay, compared to the other symbols. Maybe the % of your crews that would be slaves could be chosen at the start, and the chain symbol would make them extra-obedient.
Shield
Maybe the tower bonus could go here, and the tower bonus could be that buildings are cheaper?
I feel like the shield would make more sense as a metal armor bonus, or general armor bonus though.
Hammer
It seems everyone already drop-rams though. Maybe a hammer could make them more efficient, or maybe the command would just simplify what everyone already does. Actually - a command for that would mean that people with a hammer coat-of-arms could accomplish in 1 command what other people must do in 2.
Also, the hammer depicted in the sprite could have a spark coming off it, to drive home what it means a bit better.
Drop of liquid
Yeah, I'm not sure either. Let's just say it's water and thus gives firefighting bonuses?
I think the rest of your ideas I didn't mention sound good as they are. I'm not sure what the sword would do either though.
Hi,
I have just found this game and I ablolutely want this game °-°.
̶i̶̶f̶̶ ̶̶i̶̶ ̶̶g̶̶i̶̶v̶̶e̶̶ ̶̶y̶̶o̶̶u̶̶ ̶̶2̶̶0̶$̶ ̶̶,̶̶ ̶̶y̶̶o̶̶u̶'̶l̶̶l̶̶ ̶̶d̶̶e̶̶s̶̶i̶̶g̶̶n̶̶ ̶̶m̶̶e̶̶ ̶̶a̶̶ ̶̶c̶̶u̶̶s̶̶t̶̶o̶̶m̶̶ ̶̶h̶̶e̶̶r̶̶a̶̶l̶̶d̶̶i̶̶c̶̶ ̶̶c̶̶h̶̶a̶̶r̶̶g̶̶e̶̶ ̶̶a̶̶n̶̶d̶̶ ̶̶g̶̶e̶̶t̶̶ ̶̶t̶̶h̶̶e̶̶ ̶̶g̶̶a̶̶m̶̶e̶̶?̶
Chess Pawn: 1-2 Extra crewmembers per quarters module? Not sure if a chess pawn is a really good symbol though.
Cat: Your ships are extra stealthy at night, whenever that gets added. Enemy ships won't notice them immediately. Maybe dynamic light doesn't come out of their windows and shine on the exterior hull.
Waves: Maybe ships sink slower in water?
Fish: Crewmembers move at full speed when wading or swimming. (When their ship is flooding)
Window: Telescopes are extra effective.
Feather: Your ships take less damage when they smash into the ground.
Lighting: Your ships are hardier during storms, when that gets added.
Volcano: Take over cities faster perhaps? Not sure how that would be useful though. Maybe taking over a city on the command map can be slower in the future and ships can counterattack during that time?
Drum: ???
Maybe some different symbols could share bonuses. Like the sword/lion, deer/chess king. It might make the symbols more confusing and redundant, but there could be more symbols for people to choose.
Gear or some Gears:
All "Machinery" get ??% more HP and is ??% more efficient.
Sphere Cross:
Maybe gentle Takeover goes faster and cities only rebel very rarely.
Hm, I don't think "Volcano" would really work for taking over cities faster. That doesn't really do anything.
Kinda unrelated, it might be cool if AI immediately counterattacked after you take one of their cities, if another fleet is close enough. It would mean that some battles would be fought in multiple waves. Maybe you could order your ships to leave the city right away, let the other fleet take it back, then move in to attack again with a bigger fleet.
Aerial Emperor
So apparently heraldry is in now: Minecraft is getting it. I am a trendsetter!
Anyway, I've wanted to ask you guys what you think about the heraldry system as it stands. Are there things you would like to see added? I can do more layouts, or fun things like furs. Suggestions for additional symbols with special abilities are also very welcome!
I really want to make the heraldry permeate the game experience, so a thing I'm gonna add to the forums is that @-quoted usernames like @Zarkonnen will be linkified and have the coat of arms displayed next to them. :)
Finally, as a note, if you want to make me happy, support the project, and look extra fancy, you can lob me $20, and I'll design you a custom heraldic charge. The rules for custom heraldry are:
Captain, Engineering Corps
I want and don't want to do it. I think it's pretty expensive... maybe be like an upgrade for about $10-$15.
Commodore
Don't let anyone pick a horse! That sounds amazing, you should code and sprite that as an ingame one! And a tiny coat-of-arms appearing when you quote someone sounds like a great feature.
I've had a few ideas for some more banners, but I didn't put any thought into the bonuses they might give.
Wolf
Scorpion
Bear
Deer
Sun
Moon
Skull/Skull and crossbones
Chain
Stars
Fire
Sword
Shield
Rifle
Candle
Hammer
Drop of liquid (could be blood, water, milk, or lava depending on the coloring)
Maybe people should be able to combine symbols? For example, a sun over a moon, or a fire behind a sword. Or something like two hammers criss-crossing.
And why isn't yellow a color you can pick?
Aerial Emperor
So I'm just gonna wildly speculate what these could do with zero guarantee that any of them will make it into the game...
Wolf
Hmm. Wolfpacks? Hunger? Maybe a bonus to small ships?
Scorpion
Poison, evidently. Maybe a bonus to assassinating leaders if leaders get put in?
Bear
Big, furry, tough. Bonus to crew HP?
Deer
This one is hard! Deer are nice! Maybe a stag? Noble house air-baratheon?
Sun
There's been some discussion about solar mirrors as a weapon type. Maybe these guys are extra-good at it?
Moon
How about better night vision once weather/time of day is a thing?
Skull/Skull and crossbones
That's gonna be reserved for air pirates. :D Fun fact: did you know that the "Jolly Roger" did not refer to the skull and crossbones at all, but to another flag, pure red, used by pirates? It's corrupted French from "Jolie Rouget" (jolly red).
Chain
How about slave crew? Cheap but a bit ineffective, and very willing to switch sides?
Stars
Faster map movement speed from navigation skills?
Fire
Obvious option would be flamethrower / arson bonuses, or some other pyromaniac thing.
Sword
Boarding combat bonus is already Lion. Not sure.
Shield
Armour strength bonus? Something in the strategic game about protecting stuff?
Rifle
Obvious option would be bonus to rifles, maybe both ship-mounted or boarders.
Candle
Better research when/if that is a thing?
Hammer
Special drop-ram command?
Drop of liquid (could be blood, water, milk, or lava depending on the coloring)
Hard in the sense that the meaning changes based on the colour.
Maybe people should be able to combine symbols? For example, a sun over a moon, or a fire behind a sword. Or something like two hammers criss-crossing.
Combining symbols is hard because it's unclear which bonus you get. But:
And why isn't yellow a color you can pick?
Ah! Heraldry rules. There's no yellow, there is only gold.
Commodore
Oh, the color "gold" seems yellow in the Wikipedia page. In that case, I think the "Or" in airships looks more beige than gold. Unless I'm missing some other rule.
Horse
Bonus to airship speeds in the combat screen? (not the command screen)
Wolf
Maybe, on the command screen, ships could only move a limited distance depending on their size - how many supplies they could carry. Maybe the Wolf could carry more? The entire concept would have to be thought out more though, if at all. Maybe fleets of ships could share food, so smaller ships could "piggyback" off of larger ones in the fleet?
Deer
Maybe cities have a lower chance of revolting against you because you're the rightful king of Westeros. (well, not really, but that's besides the point)
Sun
You also mentioned sunrise and sunset blinding the gunners. Maybe this would make them less affected by it?
Skull/Skull and crossbones
I didn't know that! And I can't see a more appropriate use for that symbol.
Chain
That seems like a pretty big difference from normal gameplay, compared to the other symbols. Maybe the % of your crews that would be slaves could be chosen at the start, and the chain symbol would make them extra-obedient.
Shield
Maybe the tower bonus could go here, and the tower bonus could be that buildings are cheaper?
I feel like the shield would make more sense as a metal armor bonus, or general armor bonus though.
Hammer
It seems everyone already drop-rams though. Maybe a hammer could make them more efficient, or maybe the command would just simplify what everyone already does. Actually - a command for that would mean that people with a hammer coat-of-arms could accomplish in 1 command what other people must do in 2.
Also, the hammer depicted in the sprite could have a spark coming off it, to drive home what it means a bit better.
Drop of liquid
Yeah, I'm not sure either. Let's just say it's water and thus gives firefighting bonuses?
I think the rest of your ideas I didn't mention sound good as they are. I'm not sure what the sword would do either though.
Commander, Engineering Corps
Hi, I have just found this game and I ablolutely want this game °-°. ̶i̶̶f̶̶ ̶̶i̶̶ ̶̶g̶̶i̶̶v̶̶e̶̶ ̶̶y̶̶o̶̶u̶̶ ̶̶2̶̶0̶$̶ ̶̶,̶̶ ̶̶y̶̶o̶̶u̶'̶l̶̶l̶̶ ̶̶d̶̶e̶̶s̶̶i̶̶g̶̶n̶̶ ̶̶m̶̶e̶̶ ̶̶a̶̶ ̶̶c̶̶u̶̶s̶̶t̶̶o̶̶m̶̶ ̶̶h̶̶e̶̶r̶̶a̶̶l̶̶d̶̶i̶̶c̶̶ ̶̶c̶̶h̶̶a̶̶r̶̶g̶̶e̶̶ ̶̶a̶̶n̶̶d̶̶ ̶̶g̶̶e̶̶t̶̶ ̶̶t̶̶h̶̶e̶̶ ̶̶g̶̶a̶̶m̶̶e̶̶?̶
Commander, Engineering Corps
The custom heraldic, I am the only one who can use "my custom heraldic" and can it get a special abilities?
how about a hammer and pick? The bonus could be that we get ceaper coal , stone and steel.
Aerial Emperor
You're the only one who can use your custom logo, yes. No special abilities in multiplayer though, I'm afraid.
Commodore
Chess Pawn: 1-2 Extra crewmembers per quarters module? Not sure if a chess pawn is a really good symbol though.
Cat: Your ships are extra stealthy at night, whenever that gets added. Enemy ships won't notice them immediately. Maybe dynamic light doesn't come out of their windows and shine on the exterior hull.
Waves: Maybe ships sink slower in water?
Fish: Crewmembers move at full speed when wading or swimming. (When their ship is flooding)
Window: Telescopes are extra effective.
Feather: Your ships take less damage when they smash into the ground.
Lighting: Your ships are hardier during storms, when that gets added.
Volcano: Take over cities faster perhaps? Not sure how that would be useful though. Maybe taking over a city on the command map can be slower in the future and ships can counterattack during that time?
Drum: ???
Maybe some different symbols could share bonuses. Like the sword/lion, deer/chess king. It might make the symbols more confusing and redundant, but there could be more symbols for people to choose.
Commander, Engineering Corps
Gear or some Gears: All "Machinery" get ??% more HP and is ??% more efficient. Sphere Cross: Maybe gentle Takeover goes faster and cities only rebel very rarely.
Commodore
Hm, I don't think "Volcano" would really work for taking over cities faster. That doesn't really do anything.
Kinda unrelated, it might be cool if AI immediately counterattacked after you take one of their cities, if another fleet is close enough. It would mean that some battles would be fought in multiple waves. Maybe you could order your ships to leave the city right away, let the other fleet take it back, then move in to attack again with a bigger fleet.