Mount and Blade 2 - Suggestions

[Igneous]

"Better graphics" : for me (and I hope the developers share that thought), it doesn't mean that the graphics should eat up more resources and processing time. It means the graphics engine should be more effective, more efficient and overall more elegant in displaying things on your screen. If they can't have photo-realistic graphics without seriously reducing the scope of the game and handicapping gameplay, then they should simply forget about photo-realistic graphics, there should be no dilemma.

I agree with that and also with the rest of the post.
I think also the scalability of an engine is important in this context. It should be possible to have relatively good graphics and framerates on both midrange and highend computer systems with an engine that has good scalability. There are a few engines with beautiful graphics that run even on smartphones very well (Unreal engine, Unigine engine for example and I am sure there are more).
Also the hardware technology has come a long way and is developing very fast. I am no tech expert but I would think that at the moment (or over the past few years), the hardware is actually kind of developing faster than the software. I mean I don't think we have yet seen what can really be done with the current hardware that is available in terms of graphics, and in the meantime games/tech demos with stunning graphics pop up on smartphones/tablets.
I think we are actually pretty close to seeing photorealistic graphics on midrange pc systems in games, without the necessity to cut game features or gameplay.
I think it is a question of the right engine, scalability and optimization (again, I am no expert).

[Marmz]

I think also the scalability of an engine is important in this context. It should be possible to have relatively good graphics and framerates on both midrange and highend computer systems with an engine that has good scalability. There are a few engines with beautiful graphics that run even on smartphones very well (Unreal engine, Unigine engine for example and I am sure there are more).

Yes! you are absolutely right about scalability.

On that subject, I think the game could offer graphical "presets". For example : low, medium, high (very unoriginal, but it keeps the example simple).

And each "preset" could be a unique visual style in itself (within reason, of course).

So for example, "low" setting could be somewhat cartoony and cel-shaded;

(click to show/hide)

"medium" could be grittier, with more details : neither too cartoony nor too photo-realistic

(click to show/hide)

and "high" setting could be photo-realistic.

(click to show/hide)

DISCLAIMER: the pictures are just some kind of spotty visual anchor to an already spotty fictional example. They aren't meant to express the opinion that M&B2 should seek to emulate the visual styles of the games depicted in said pictures.

Most importantly, each preset should be internally consistent; each preset must feel like the game was meant to look the way it does. In other words, each preset should follow the ideas I've expressed in my previous post. It must not look like one preset is a "watered down" and ugly version of another preset, so ideally each preset should have it's own artistic style.

(I'm an idealist, I know . Don't burst my precious little bubble of wanting M&B 2 to be perfect.)

[YourStepDad]

Above all, I want Calradia to see the dawn of a new period - late 14th or 15th century.

[pilouk]

MULTIPLAYER  COMPAIGN

[gaham1]

Dont spam with MULTIPLAYER CAMPAIGN and please spell it right so you don't sound like your 5. A well thought out suggestion would be more likely added then someone shouting

MULTIPLAYER  COMPAIGN

[aspis]

-Medival age!!
-Real map
-Not very big map. The best  map is the size of waband in my opinion
-Villages  be diferent from each other
It shold be a great game!!!

[MadocComadrin]

Actually, I wouldn't mind a map 1.5, 2x the size of the map we currently have--but cover the same area. I'd like to see another layer of development for places. Instead of being a village and town, it should be village, town and city. The current towns should be made into cities, some of the villages into towns (with some new towns as well), and more villages. Likewise, there should be more than one type of merchants in cities and towns, especially in cities, where there should be 4-5 of each. This would also need better economy simulation as well.

[Soveliss99]

 i think facial reacions, turning heads responding to hits etc. would add alot to the game. don't get me wrong i love the "stare straight ahead" expressions because they are hilarious. but i would welcome the improvement too!

[MadocComadrin]

I'd like to see actual separate head-movement--something aside from the character view. Throw in TrackIR support, and that would be awesome.

[Xbladeftw34]

Not that much of a suggestion giver, but what I want to see improved would be the AI. 

[bloodymerc]

Bring back Zendar.

More factions, and should be more distinctiveness between factions. (Kinda the same thing as my previous comment)

Possibility for new villages to be created as well as villages upgrading into cities with their own satellite villages, more parties and interactable mini factions on map (you could join Manhunters, a kingdom or Bandits, for example).

And most important of all, BIGGER MAP.

[Xanathos]

I) Durning warband single player i noticed when helping manhunters when they fighting with bandits, and we win, game show me info, that "you improve relations with kingdom of manhunters from 0 to 4".
This can be a good idea in new M&B. Example, when you increase realations with manhunters you can talk witch manhunters representative in your castle and get ability to use of their services, like hired X number of group manhunters patroling around city you chose in your kingdom, and you can pay manhunters representative more to increase quality and quanity of patroling groups.

II) Another suggestion is dialog option with minister to making vote about few interests of the kingdom. Example dialog option with minister:
"I would like submit decisions to a vote:
-I want to assign a fief (result of voting will be info who voted for thewhich lord)
-I want to start a military campaign (result of voting will be info which lord wish start campaign and wich like pace)
-I want to expel Lord beyond the realm (result of voting is info based on relationships between lords, which lord wish expel another)"
Bonus from voting is small negative relations and high positive relations (because you as a king count on the opinions of lords, they more respect you as a ruler). Example in normal game when giving fiefs to lord one increase relation to +10, and anothers lost -3 to -5 relations. When you do this after voting lord who aquire fiefs gain +15 relation and rest lost only -1 relation. This same will work with declaration of war or expeling lord.

III) New dialog options with captured lord in your prison. Actually you have only two not important option. New dialog would include "i release you from a prison" (you gain little honor and relation with lord - half of this when you release them after fight), "i wish talk with you about your kingdom and king", then if he want talk with you, then show you new subdialog option "I want you to be my vassal becasue .... (and hier text from warband)"

IV) Talk option with lords as you vassal, "There is anything I can do for you", old quest from lords plus few new avaiable only for own lords. This should increase relations with own lords, who always quicker lost reations with you than gaining new, and will be more attract than only doing fests.

V) New talk option for you when talking with minister, you vassal or even companion: "I want send a massanger to Lord ... to come meet with me." (Because you are King, lords you hired, should obey your requests, and if king wish talk with specyfic lord, then would not seek that lord riding through all calradia, but that lord will arrive to the king personally).

VI) Last my suggestion is "Tactical map of Kingdom". That option will show only when you make Camp, and show as a new camp menu option only durning war. When you enter you will see sketch like map of current Caldaria with color marked kingdom zones and sketched icons of Cites, Castles and Villages. When enemy lord attack you teritory and riding villages, you will see their position marked as they kingdom color small flag based on raports you get from Cities, Castles and Villages which spoted enemy nearby. Marked position will update every time when you open map in camp menu.


Generally i hope that M&B 2 will have more dialog options with different NPCs.

[Sef OK b]

I) Make Outlaws more annoying and you cant just ignore them because they can loot and steal from your villages that you have not built defenses in
II) A recruitment system that isn't faction specific. So instead you recruit Villagers from Villages, Citizens from Towns and Special faction troops from castles
III) Upgrading troops should be changed (Barracks. see below).
IV) More stuff to build in your fiefs: Barracks(Can equip your villagers with chosen Armour, Palisade walls(for village defense against bandits), Watch towers(Village defense), Upgradable gate houses (Battering rams!), Orphanages(stops petty crime and increases happiness), Sentry's (sends out patrols and man hunters to nearby villages), Town watch (reduces crime), Hall of Honor (special units can be build from here) i could think of more but i cant be bothered typing them down.
V) please change the clumpy ugly interface and the dfff! sound when you click on menu's.
VI) Make many more animations for death/walking/running/throwing/shooting arrows/ jumping.
VII) Being able to be knocked off are horses
VIII) Overall the Campaign map and more generations for random battles by adding animals running around and birds flying about maybe some abandoned buildings.
VIIII) Theater mode
X)More tools and easier use for modders to make excellent mods
XI) Facial Animations
XII) Kingdoms Wealth and Population
XIII) A much more in depth trade system that is the main focus of all kingdoms to stay strong and feed there population with what they want. War isn't the only way 
XIIII) Vassals and Kings should be able to die and new randomly generated (or heirs in the kings case) ones should replace them. They should be a more in depth personality system that effects how the vassal reacts/approaches things.
XV) New amours and weapons of course
XVI) Villages can be issued with what food they have, this effects what sort of people live here sort of like Anno 1404.

I could keep adding more but im sure they already have plans for m&b2 and i cant wait to see wat it has to offer

[Antonis]

This is a list of what I like to see in Mount and blade 2. Maybe some of these have been already mentioned by someone else:

1)Better designed map. I would like to see more rivers, islands and gulfs. Also ,in my opinion, Nords should have their own territory, as they represent the Scandinavian people who raided in the middle ages.
2)As a result of my previous wish , Mount and Blade 2 should include naval combat with the appropriate ship control and combat gameplay features.
3) I would also like to see many new items. Weapon and armour variety is not that big and the items lack a certain sense of reality. For a person that seriously roleplays, there is only one type of Nordic sword and also the sabres and scimitars are a bit...childish.Also, the shields should come in more shapes.
4) Some more banners would be welcome.
5)A SERIOUS MAIN QUEST!! This feature is the key to all RPG games. Also, more varied side quests and not only the delivery errands and the village saves from bandits e.t.c. In this point I would like to add that an option system that affects the story would be useful.
6)Better character creation system and starting gear. I think players could use more background story options and more skin textures.
Permanent death of horses. If they are killed in battle, players should buy a new horse and not ride their miraculously revived -but lame- horses again.

P.S. :Please ,excuse my poor English.It is not my main language.

[miltiadis]

real map!