Sid, you're my favorite game developer, period. Richard Garriott used to own that spot in my heart, but you've got it now, and it's something you should be proud of, because I'm one PICKY S.O.B.
I love Pirates: Live the Life, but I see it as nothing more than a frame with bare minimums with which to improve upon. I will be as concise as I can to get my points across as efficiently as possible, but this is essentially a wish-list, with a lot of good ideas that will add lustre to an already well-done franchise.
First of all, understand that variety is everything. I mean EVERYTHING. Electronic Arts has the right idea with regard to customizing a character's looks. (Skin color, face shapes, facial hair, eye color, etc...) A huge array of PURCHASED clothes, with their own defense bonuses, unique enhancements, etc. Would add considerably to a game. Imagine Pirates II to be a giant game world. Full of secrets, goodies, and special items. Instead of wooing the governor's daughters every turn, mix up hundreds of special items, and scatter them all over the world! Have markets, etc. That sell various clothing, jewelry, weaponry, and other equipment, but let it all be SPECIFIC equipment, and SPECIAL equipment.
The rival pirates may buy something before you can get your hands on it, or maybe even hunt YOU for something they've been trying to get a hold of. For example, a person has a bejeweled gold-handled, perfectly balanced rapier made with the finest metals available. Cost thousands of gold pieces to acquire, and Blackbeard has made it his mission to get it. He asks around, and starts pursuing you. Soon enough, you'll have him on your tail, and he'll be wanting what you have.
Jewelry with "magic" properties, fountains of youth, even offspring who learn the trade, and become invaluable crew members! Let land grants provide yields of gold, and/or cargo! Let the player choose the crops they crow, or how their land is used! Custom estates, etc...
You're getting the idea that this is a gigantic game, right?
It is. It's ambitious, and it will be one of the crowning achievements in gameplaying, because after all, what's a game if you can't replay it again and again?
I see the fountain of youth, I see CUSTOM SHIPS of every possible concievable size! (Limited only by one's pocketbook!)
Custom cannon calibers, ornate guns, personalized footwear, monogrammed clothing, permanent scars, and EVEN necessary amputation of limbs if combat gets too fierce!
Town doctors of various skills who'll heal certain problems (for an incredible fee, no less...)
Cities, villages, etc. With various shops, and enterprises. The things that come to mind:
Market
Tavern
Shipwright
Blacksmith
Bank
Warehouse
Estate (Personal? ) <establish estate?>
Magistrate/Police/Guards
Governor/Marquee
Provisioner
(Maybe even farm shoppes!)
Utilizing a building kit similar to that of the old Castles game, and re-created in 3D would add MUCH to the feeling of personal achievement playing a pirates game.
Yes, my dream game is overly ambitious, but bear in mind that once you create the matrix to the game, the REST is up to the player. You've got a hundred or more unique items scattered all over the world, and a character will never be able to own all of them. (Let some of 'em go down with the ship, to Davey Jones if needs be! Less'n a miracle bring 'em back!)
If Blackbeard has that special flintlock pistol that the player can't live without, and he ends up going down with his ship, that's the end of the gold-plated precision flintlock pistol!
Imagine a fountain of youth somewhere, a player having an absurdly long, legendary pirating career, developing a reputation that instills fear and/or respect (depending on the choices they make!) People cheer at the sight of your ship, or flee to their homes. The more brutal and sinister a pirate, the more gold he makes, (OR SHE!). But the price of purchased goods may go up some. If one is outwardly respectable, and admired, the public may love them so much that the pirate may get a sweet deal on just about anything if he/she's popular enough.
With regard to the specialized items... It's all about the acquisition of GOLD, TREASURE, WEAPONS, and BLING! (Okay, not bling, but it's about the toys! He who dies with the most toys still dies, but has more fun getting there, or so I think!) If a blacksmith in Port Royal made a perfectly balanced longsword thought blessed by God, and sold it to a Jesuit missionary who wanted it as a conversation piece, who had it robbed off him off the coast of Villa Hermosa, or had it stolen from his estate, word gets around asking for a buyer. (Of course a pirate's going to take it by force if at all possible, but....) It's the QUEST for these things that make the game that much more intriguing. Not only that, but these items can PERISH in the sea, or be burned! Leave it up to the character to make those big choices!
Imagine, if you would, a player, and a crew of 500 men, with a grand fleet of highly paid (routinely paid) experienced men, who are getting what they want to remain loyal. Land grants providing extravagant dividends, personal affairs managed by those specially hired by the pirate. Even CROOKED accountants that need "persuadin'"...
Got the picture? Drama, intrigue, scandal, heartache, tragedy, triumph, and the growth of a family! Suppose the cap'n makes a "titanic" ship full of luxury accomodations, and has his bride with him much the tour? Or his whole family? Bribing the law is certainly not a new concept, and was done gratuitiously back in these times.
It's practically a massively SINGLE player game I'm suggesting, but if the magnitude is such that a player would be taxed severely just to SEE the whole world, and can be motivated to play, and replay again to try and achieve more and more each time, you've got yourself something people are going to go back for time and time again. I wish I could help design something such as this myself, but alas...
You're one of the greats, Sid. I hope somehow you get to read this, and are inspired... To receive any kind of correspondence, or acknowledgement would be most welcome. I've many more ideas to share, an' willin' to share I be! ARRRRGH!!! :wink:
Regards,Daniel
WW6DJM
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