Lets keep the economists out of this!

[Divinus Arma]

I disagree. I enjoy this part. I think that economy is a critical component of the game. RTW was made far better and far harder by Europa Barbarorum's economic system.

How about a compromise: A very deep and engaging economic system with the option to nerf it with a decent automanage system.

After all, look at how popular and engaging other strategy games with deep economic systems are; the Civilization series being a perfect example.

[screwtype]

Edit......

[Seasoned Alcoholic]

The economic apsect IMO keeps the game refreshing. Too many repetitive and pointless battles results in eventual boredom and / or burnout. This is why you may find yourself playing another game 2 / 3 months (or even less) down the line...

If you want to get the most out of the game, even if you don't have the faintest clue (or even care) about economics, you will at some stage have to learn how to use it to your advantage.

Leaving the economy in the hands of the AI is suicide IMO. The AI doesn't know (or care) what you want it to do, it simply follows pre-designed guidelines created by the developers (CA). If it starts building random buildings and wasting your money on unimportant areas, then this should set the alarm bells ringing for you. If you look at it from a different perspective, the AI-controlled economy forces you to take a hands-on approach of your own economy.

The AI-controlled economical aspect is designed for people who don't have any interest in this area. So, they won't be worrying if their settlements aren't generating any income, or if a rebellion is just around the corner, because they are so enveloped with the continual battle element. If you are concerned that the AI is managing your settlements inefficiently, you may have to consider sitting down and reading the manual to discover how to get the best out of your economy to fund your conquests.

[HighLord z0b]

It's a bit tricky to find the middle ground between AI economy and micromanagement. If the AI is too good then there would be no reason to do it yourself which some people would like but not all.
IMO it's better to have the AI be able to handle the economy but a player should always be able to do it better and get more out of it. That way those who don't want to manage the economuy aren't forced to but those who do will reap the rewards.

[TB666]

Well I would love a better economy system in MTW2.
RTW had a good system and was made even better in EB.
And if CA would improve on that then that part will be satisfied for me

[King Yngvar]

Total War really does not need a more advanced economy, I would be all open for a better AI handling of domestic policies (taxing, building, etc) while I handle the military aspect, and if CA manage to improve diplomacy I might even look forward to handle that aspect as well. For as it is right now, the only good thing you can do with diplomats is getting trade agreements, and even that is boring as hell, moving those little things around all the time.

[Gaiseric]

Maybe they could do a reversal of RTW automanage feature. If you want your settlement to be automanaged you have to move a family member there.
He would be your vassel and auto-manage the settlement. If he has low loyalty towards you he could become independent like in BI. I think that by having vassels CA could make this game more historically realistic. I'd also want a more complex economy but people should be able to choose if they want to manage it or not.

I know that the focus of the TW games are mostly on battles but the games could be so much more if you actually had to pay attention to your economy.

The AI economy in RTW and BI is a big joke. They can support huge numbers of troops for free. The AIs tall stacks of troops are fun to battle with through the first few campaigns but after a while it becomes riddiculous and boring. It would be much more fun if the damage I do to the AIs economy(blockades/sabatoge/raids) had an effect the number of troop stacks it can support.

[screwtype]

Total War really does not need a more advanced economy

Oh yes it does!

I would be all open for a better AI handling of domestic policies (taxing, building, etc) while I handle the military aspect, and if CA manage to improve diplomacy I might even look forward to handle that aspect as well. For as it is right now, the only good thing you can do with diplomats is getting trade agreements, and even that is boring as hell, moving those little things around all the time.

Yeah, diplomacy sucks in RTW, and it is really, really stupid that diplomats (and other strategic units) can only move one province per turn - not to mention the ridiculous way they get blocked in their movement by other strategic units or armies on the map!

Strategic units IMO should be able to move ANY distance on the map in a single turn. They shouldn't be blocked by other units, and they shouldn't need shipping to cross water.