True, its not a necessity. Just a different path to the same destination (absolute power)That's very fair presented I think. A thing related to this is the sort of liner progression of the game, you get in you grabbing power, and you obtained power, becoming powerful. It's abit too simple only a journey to power imo.
They already established that? Well I am kinda hijacking the topic, it might just be in this thread. Sorry for that, just trying to throw some rough bricks.
One thing I like about this kind of way of life is that it provides another option and make you feel more in the game, as you are standing close to the fundamentals of the world. It feels like a good idea without good applications. Like if only as a early game option then sure it feels like not a necessity.
I really love the roleplaying aspect of it and with advanced enough AI it could be a really fascinating experience.
The quality of the AI can totally make or break the experience. I thought that Bannerlord AI would be leagues ahead of warband with utilisation of formations by AI, smart leaders who used the terrain and used better tactics.
But they did nothing of the sort so even if they did magically implement the Freelance feature now, the stupidity of the AI would sap the fun out of it because how can you be immersed in battle if everyone acts like a retard?
Imagine being a soldier but in battle you truly feel like you are a part of an autonomous (doesn't need your guidance to make sensible decisions), living army that uses functional tactics and adapts to their opponents moves. Imagine if the AI could be smart enough to actually impress you with their tactics.
Like watching a HistoryMArch video but you are a soldier in that moment and you are one of the soldiers taking the orders as part of your unit.
FYI:
HistoryMarch is a YouTube channel which presents ancient wars and battles in an animated form, using the appropriate historical texts covering those events as the source. They essentially bring the warfare strategies and battles to life.
One of their videos:
No open word, sandbox game set in antiquity has been able to offer me such an experience, and I believe through the use of modern AI (e.g. OpenAI) and Machine Learning my dream can be actualised.
Here is a nice video exploring these innovations:
But I had been hoping that TW could possibly develop AI advanced enough to give the illusion of such competence. That's all.
Obviously Warband AI, even with mods was not advanced enough.
If only Bannerlord AI would have been more refined and ironed out, units more cohesive, commanders more measured and thoughtful, formations being better fit for the situation/varied and maintaining their shape better... just much more sophisticated than what it is now. That would be enough.
But this is an incredibly niche dream which I know is not what most fans are looking for, I guess i'm still yet to find a game that can truly provide such an experience. Hopefully something comes up before I die lol. Total war AI is one of the best from a commanding perspective but the games combat design is different to the TW formula which is what I prefer, where you are in the thick of it if you catch my drift and you are your own person outside of battle rather that a whole nation.
TLDR:
Went on a ludicrous tangent my bad. But essentially my hopes are for someone to make a revolutionary mod that overhauls the AI which would work really well with a fight as a soldier mod and general gameplay. I will be really happy once the AI becomes much more competent at using battle tactics, formations and takes into consideration the terrain and relative enemy unit type and numbers. (doesn't need to be perfect, just much better than now)
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