Frivolous tech tree?

**The Storyteller** · 10-10-2008, 08:40

This does not affect the game in the least. I just can't help wondering, since there is now a tech tree to research, whether there will be frivolous things to research into like "spiffy Prussian uniforms" or "just the right grog recipe".

**Martok** · 10-10-2008, 09:23

I would guess that CA will limit the tech tree to advances that are actually significant; I very much doubt they want to make it too complicated and full of "fluffy" stuff. For one thing, larger tech trees can be intimidating to new players. For another, they don't want to create a tech tree so huge and/or varied that the AI can't handle it -- the simpler it is, the better the AI will be able to use it. Thus, I would say there'll be fewer, more important techs as opposed to many, only semi-useful techs.

**The Storyteller** · 10-10-2008, 09:32

Originally Posted by Martok

I would guess that CA will limit the tech tree to advances that are actually significant; I very much doubt they want to make it too complicated and full of "fluffy" stuff. For one thing, larger tech trees can be intimidating to new players. For another, they don't want to create a tech tree so huge and/or varied that the AI can't handle it -- the simpler it is, the better the AI will be able to use it. Thus, I would say there'll be fewer, more important techs as opposed to many, only semi-useful techs.

Ought to be fairly easy to programme the AI to ignore the fluff altogether. It's just stuff for humans to fool around with and have fun. But they probably have more important things to worry about, so...

**Nelson** · 10-11-2008, 18:55

I'd expect armor upgrades to be out but I guess cavalry cuirasses could be improved via upgrades if CA still wants such things in the game. I've thought since Shogun that armor and weapon upgrades were simply vestiges of traditional RTS games that CA included because people might expect such things.

**Megas Methuselah** · 10-11-2008, 22:04

Apart from cuirasses, was armour still prevalent in this time period? And aside from melee, was it actually effective?!

**LadyAnn** · 10-13-2008, 08:42

Do away with tech tree! I hate tech tree and there are ways for game to work without it.

Annie

**Knight of the Rose** · 10-13-2008, 13:44

Oh I soooo hope there will be an "Upgrade Hat" tech line, so that my grenadiers will be the tallest on the battlefield!!! +15 morale bonus and improved granate toss range.

/KotR

**Mr Frost** · 10-15-2008, 03:08

Originally Posted by LadyAnn

Do away with tech tree! I hate tech tree and there are ways for game to work without it.

Annie

Perhaps a tech shrubbery ?

**Polemists** · 10-15-2008, 07:29

I have mixed emotions on the tech tree.

On the one hand, Total War games never had one before and I don't see the need for one now.
On other hand I realize every other major strategy game does, and CA want to advance to get more customers to buy this game.

That said, since I think we know the tech tree is a definite, we can only hope it is fun. Supposedly it will take time and you can only focus on certain things, I hope this stays the same as when you just research every single tech games bore me, it's like why have a tech tree, if there is no choice in it.

**Nelson** · 10-15-2008, 14:57

Originally Posted by Polemists

On the one hand, Total War games never had one before and I don't see the need for one now.

Err, all Total Wars have had a tech tree going back to Shogun. Perhaps our definintions differ.

**Polemists** · 10-16-2008, 07:24

Play CIV games, play rise of nations, play age of empires.

Games where you click specific button saying what tech you want, you spend time researching it, and then when it is researched you get new units, abilities, ships, etc.

This is the kind of tech tree they want to employ, a tech tree different then any previous total war game.

So this time you might see a technology called Smokless Gunpowder. Now instead of it just being known, aka you hit certain time frame and scroll of text pops up, you now spend money, research it, wait, then get the technology.

Or that's my take anyway.

P.S.-Yes history buffs I have no idea if Smokeless gunpowder is around in this time, it's just a example

**Sabuti** · 10-18-2008, 13:05

I'm thinking that the tech tree advancements will be automatically applied to your current units as well as future units. This way you wont end up with a lot of obsoleet units.

**Martok** · 10-25-2008, 19:29

Originally Posted by Sabuti

I'm thinking that the tech tree advancements will be automatically applied to your current units as well as future units. This way you wont end up with a lot of obsoleet units.

Agreed. I really don't want to have to manually upgrade my units once a new technology becomes available. Even if it would be more realistic, it'd also be a major pain in the neck.