Ok I've realised as I'm writing that I've sort of gone down the wrong path. I've kind of started in the middle (i.e. with Civilisations, Units and Leaders) rather than start at the bottom (i.e. the feel, ideals and the general setting of the world) which would make it far easier to build on. I mean the things I've created fit but there's no way to join them when I'm doing it in parts. Its like I've built the second storey of the house without considering the first storey.
If I was writing solo that would be fine and, while at present, I am the only 'writer' this is a group project; I'm sure we all have ideas and our own concepts. So realistically I need to make sure the concepts are right to make sure everything fits into the world were creating. So basically I need to go through a rigorous design process which, for the first half, needs to be vetted by everyone involved. I might have to put it somewhere else so it doesnt clog up the area meant for general alpha discussion. Thoughts? Separate thread or some other medium (something like a skype chat or similar might be entirely useful for easy access general messaging).
Anyway general ideas:
Setting/Concept
So Ive been looking through this thread and the other design thread (I also need to get looking at the GitHub file. I will do so hopefully in the next week). Youve mentioned High Fantasy, Good vs Evil. When it comes to writing, from my end at least, I find things get a little boring and monotone when that happens. I mean it can be done and it can be done well but the problem I have is that it comes down to Sure they have cool units and look really different but ultimately their motivation is the same. What gets people interested is the motivation. I mean Im not a huge fan of Tolkien/LotR (dont get me wrong I enjoy the films [found the books a bit boring minus the hobbit] and the setting in amazing with all the background) with the whole good/evil thing but even then there is layers of why each races/faction is doing what. Minus Sauron cause hes evil. Yeah we get it. Baddy. World. Take. Over. (Although as I havent read much I admit I am larger ignorant so could be entirely wrong. Feel free to correct me
).
To make each race theres a few things that come to mind; Why do they do the things they do, how are they different, what is the their society like etc. Thus they need a motivation, a basic backdrop and theme. Just like a feudal, knightly race had the theme they also need something to explain it in my opinion, like why is it that way and everything in between. Take Game of Thrones; each house has the general same idea but is different. Now I havent played FFH, or even saw it until I was pointed to it, (I kind of skipped Civ4 as the drastic change from CivIII meant I couldnt be bothered to learn and then I just picked up Civ5 so it was kind left out for me) but from a brief skim I think what made is popular was the general tone, background and diversity of races. I am no way saying to copy it or base heavily on it as I cant be bothered to read up enough to do this plus I dont like writing like that, but what I mean is I need to start from the bottom.
So what I was thinking is a way to fit it in with the good/evil/neutral ideal without making it like that, if that makes any sense. In other words what is the general world concept? So I was thinking along the lines of the general mythology of the world. With the Gods it could be assumed that, through prophecy, old scrolls or whatever, that each race knows about the promised land i.e. the fact that one day they would be carried to another world. That could be the general vein of knowledge running through the world; regardless of which god/gods they worshipped. Thus how they perceive to go about this could be what determines their actions.
For example the Archons wish to bring back a pre-cataclysm race is due to wanting guidance in how to perceive. They also believe in the embodiment of the gods within one being or the one true god. Maybe this is to do with the hope that, by doing so, they will better advance down the path to the promise land or maybe this is the actual belief. It adds a bit of uncertainty. On the other hand a race like the Orcs might not care about the whims of the Gods; maybe they perceive that their actions dictate their fate and that they need to survive to take to the promise land and that the worship of the Gods was not the intention of the Gods but simply to live and proper until the designated time.
This somewhat throws away the notion of Good and Evil I suppose and therefore might not be what your aiming for. On one hand if that was the motivation of the Orcs then they could be perceived as Evil; if they raid lands in order to have a place to grow they could be seen as aggressive and evil. On the other hand, they are just trying to live. In a way it greys the borders but not too much. If I race tortures and maims people theyre rather bad souls, but now they have a reason to do so.
Race differences
This is more a minor note, and something Ill get a more general look at when I see the GitHub thing, but with the diversity you want to offer in game, does this mean were not having too much diversity in background? Sounds a bit confusing when I say it like that. Basically is the main freedom going to come from Policies, Religion and Good/Evil/Neutral? Im perfectly ok with this but, from a background point of view, shall I create a canon world and then players can stick to this, and any potential scenarios will too, but obviously theres freedom to alter as they wish? I presume the aim is to create a world, and the AI would stick to it, but then the player can go their own route if they want.
Technology
Again minor point that I can look up but I like clarifying. I presume the aim is medieval with swords and magic and then a couple of races have access to limited gun-powder? Im perfectly happy with this, I like the idea of it being essentially mundane magic that only a small minority have and it not being too powerful.
Also I will look at the tech tree; I like the idea of the first half being a linear progression of technology but then the latter periods being more a focussing on the advancements of society/progression of time. But that is more a preference and obviously should be ignored. More a comment
Magic
This has got me thinking so Im going to run ideas out there. Magic needs to be explained but in what sense, so how does it exist and what forms does it take.
So I was thinking along these lines of the following:
You mentioned two planes of existence (I believe) so Im obviously going to stick with that at the core. So basically Magicians have a connection to this plane and they channel it to create forms of energy i.e. Magic.
This connection is largely innate; people are born with it or they are not. However I had another thought about induced magic and then noticed you talking about Crystal plains. In a game ideal it could be a potential way of providing a strategic resource for extra mages. So I was thinking of some kind of crystal that, if introduced to a person (via injection of the dust or something along those lines) they could also potentially access the plane. Or die horribly in the attempt. Of course most could only have a limited connection even if they succeeded, hence why it isnt common.
Magic can also be stored in item (e.g. the crystals) and thus people can build up a store. With the right mind a person can channel magic to do pretty much everything; however there is limits depending on a persons willpower and control therefore most races teach a series of school/disciplines in order to help mages focus and not lose control. The truly great mages of those who break out from these edicts and can control the very essence but this is of course quite dangerous.
Thats the basic ideas of course. Thoughts?
Units
This is something Im going to focus on more with each race as it is more game focused. Also I will try and assign it to various technologies to make it easier for everyone.
But just a quick question; How much do we want? And for when? I presume the Alpha (in my mind) is there to both throw out the idea of the mod, to gain interest and to lay out the bare-bones for assessment and picking apart, yes? So how many unique units do we want for that? Also do we want a complete overhaul of units for each race, so it is pretty much completely different for each one? Id be happy to take that challenge one but thatll take more thinking and time, so doubt I could get it done for Alpha (I presume thatll be fine though). Minus basic things like archers (but again I could go crazy) I think eventually I could stick to a theme for each. Hopefully. Depends how many Civ we got through and how many eventually came out.