A building opportunity

[ShadowOfMirrors]

I'm new to this so here it goes,

A common topic within my alliance is that even with the varied opportunities to obtain more builders through in game progress and through the shop this still is not enough sometimes later in the Ages where the upgrade times are longer and multiple building to upgrade at once (I understand that this is part of the game). However, the idea I propose is the idea of the possibility of obtaining temporary builders which for instance could be available through a new style of economic wonder building or through dock expeditions.
Initially I though of 'minor' nations building similar to a countries embassy and like current wonders (such as the UN) which could provide unique and different economic/ defensive/ offensive traits either unlocked through the build or through research. Such economic traits could be an upgrade or research with stages; say stage 1, 1 extra builder, stage 2, 1 extra builder, stage 3 building time decreases by a particular percentage (1%/ 2% 3%). Defensive traits an example could be the recent event troop Impi, which could be hired with food, gold or oil as a defensive army for a particular time with various upgrades or research. Finally offensive traits could be like unique units from minor nations such as the Indian troops available to purchase at the moment the Sepoy army, providing an army or armies through gold, food or oil purchases every 1 or 2 days with opportunity to upgrade for various effects.


Following on from this to incorporate expeditions, as well as national trade goods and blessings, it would be an idea for ‘special’ expeditions for temporary builders. A number of potential ways to obtain temporary builders;

• A fee is required to launch a ‘special’ expedition using food, gold or oil to pay for the services of a government ect… to buy the services of certain number of builders.
• Or expeditions with a chance of rescuing prisoners, recruiting rebels or paying a fee or ransom to buy builders (permanent/ temporary) to help the building process.
• The builders could either last for say 2-3 days or per build so you could gain two extra builders which would last for say 1 or 2 buildings/upgrades. Then they either return to their lands or paid off their debt to you. The fee towards such builders could involve food, gold and oil and for increased use possibly crowns.

This would not necessarily change the balance of the building or building times in game but would encourage more players to launch ‘worthy’ expeditions not only for bonus resources, blessings, troop armies ect but for a chance to obtain temporary builders slowly increasing the number of buildings to be upgraded at once.

I apologise for the wordiness and lack of explanation but hopefully this puts the gist of my idea for a future update into the scrutiny of fellow peers

 

[KIngsRoyalRifles]

I think that's a terrific idea

 

[Strongbow]

Those are all great suggestions. Hope they will be taken into consideration. I would be more likely to do more expeditions if it means getting more workers, even temporary ones.

 

[KIngsRoyalRifles]

Same here Nexon should seriously consider this!

 

[GeeGee]

Loving this idea, nice one Shadow.

For a game that seeks to pride itself at least in part on the value of Alliance building, it would be ace to see teams doing more for each other. The current vogue of 'gifting' card purchased troops/kit is devaluing the purpose of Dock. Sure we can all send workers out on lengthy expeditions to bring back stuff to gift. Hell...we can even research time/people 'reductions' to help. But surely it would make sense to get more out of the Dock.

I love the idea of another Wonder too. For a game that's essentially premised upon attack, I've always wondered (sorry) why we have to live with relatively inconsequential resource collection opportunities to augment raiding (don't get me started on the animal slaughter and random fruit picking...particularly in later Ages).

Add to that the somewhat...'can't decide what I want to be' Wonders and you begin to question what the actual 'offer on the table' is. Is it a game of raid, steal, build...or is trying to appease the non-aggressive gamers too - i.e. those, like me, who opted for the Japanese Nation, Notre Dame, Hanging Gardens etc?

Re-scoping the role of 'economic' Wonders and adding bespoke new ones to do different jobs would not only add variety to the game, it would also provide a better gaming experience by allowing players to plot their own destiny through the maze of research that is now (thankfully) on offer.

For this game to survive in an altruistic, rather than simple 'cash cow' sense, it needs to broaden its core USP. It also needs to be a game that allows those who can't/won't (yay all you principled players) fork out hard cash on crowns to get a real sense of immersion in activities such as upgrading kit/troops.

Call me naive (bear with me), but build times are bonkers and essentially create a yawning divide between the 'haves' (crown snafflers) and the 'have nots' (casual gamers). A game that simply relies on the former will obviously survive...bit who will be playing in a year, two years, five years? However, a game that appeals to ALL will not only survive, it should thrive because it can offer more than just a fait á compli that simply boils down to 'buy, or be left behind'.

I've been GeeGee, thanks for reading