Dev Diary #116 - Agrarian Research Techniques

[druez]

Timing is everything. Normally, I don't mind things like this but your timing isn't good. We need some real information. It has been months since anything real has come out. Honestly, since the "road map of the castle", there really hasn't been a ton of information.

I suppose you could count on us picking a theme for the next event pack as meaty, but all we really did was pick a title without any meat on what would be in it.

I think the game is great, but I really think you should rethink your marketing approach to the game. It is frustrating more than enticing right now.

 

[TripleAgent]

Timing is everything. Normally, I don't mind things like this but your timing isn't good. We need some real information. It has been months since anything real has come out. Honestly, since the "road map of the castle", there really hasn't been a ton of information.

I suppose you could count on us picking a theme for the next event pack as meaty, but all we really did was pick a title without any meat on what would be in it.

I think the game is great, but I really think you should rethink your marketing approach to the game. It is frustrating more than enticing right now.

Seriously, I think PDX is really failing its employees in this regard by restricting them so much on what they can discuss and when they can discuss it. If the pace and scope of development were a bit more open and they would let their devs actually talk about what they're working on, morale on the forums (both of the employees and their customers) would be a lot higher. We talk more about what we aren't seeing than what we are, and that's because of a dearth of content on the latter. That's inherently negative, but it's all we have right now. We need something substantive soon. We needed something substantive a month ago. Even just a name of the expansion, that one crumb, SOMETHING for us to latch onto.

Edit: Also, Wokeg, I just want you to know that we all really really appreciate what you're doing, your posts and your communication with us. Please don't think that the more disapproving reaction to this DD is a reflection on you or your engagement with us, it isn't. What we're upset about isn't in your hands, we know, but unfortunately "respectfully disagree" sometimes feels like our only outlet to express our dismay. We know you guys are working hard on CK3, I just wish we could see you guys do it and have some concrete reassurance about pace of development, at the moment it feels like we've been spinning our wheels for months. I haven't played CK3 in a while, partially because of other games (Dwarf Fortress is currently scratching that itch), but partially because, although I love CK3, I'm kinda spent when it comes to gameplay/content right now. I've played the game and enjoyed it for many, MANY hours (far too many for a reasonable person), but at this point going back to play just feels like... the same as the last few times I've played it, and it's hard to stay engaged with that in a PDX game.

 

[krissuyx]

I think you would do yourselves a favour by reducing the amount of dev diaries you make. You rarely have anything interesting to say, so you end up disappointing more people than you please. If the game was in a good place, then sure, make pointless dev diaries - but the game is almost 3 years old and still shallow as a puddle. I'm personally tired of event DLC and event updates. Put some actual meat on these bones.

Don't encourage them to reduce the amount of dev diaries. They've been reduced as it is. I'd rather be drip-fed than starve.

 

[stevan3]

As established, the portraits are of elder relatives acting as regents to child rulers. How is this related to sickle shapes?

"the Hainalt Scythe" -> a agricultural tool named for Hainaut.

Richilde, Countess of Hainaut is mother to Arnulf III (child-ruler of Flanders until Uncle 'Robert the Frisian' usurped) and Baldwin II (child-ruler of Hainaut). Regency confirmed!!!

Also my best guess for Personal Decisions:

 

[Dostav]

Isn't the last picture clearly about falconry? Cages, heavy chain armor on forearm, that should be obvious. I always wondered why ck3 have forgotten such an important detail in medieval hunting, even though ck2 didn't have much flavor about it, but at least it mentioned it. We surely need to have more hunting events, right now they aren't comparable to ck2 with legendary beast hunting.

 

[Herennius]

I think you would do yourselves a favour by reducing the amount of dev diaries you make. You rarely have anything interesting to say, so you end up disappointing more people than you please. If the game was in a good place, then sure, make pointless dev diaries - but the game is almost 3 years old and still shallow as a puddle. I'm personally tired of event DLC and event updates. Put some actual meat on these bones.

If no DDs happen, a part of the community will complain because there is no communication at all...
If teaser DDs are posted, some people will complain that they are disappointing and should not happen
If too early informative DDs are posted, the outrage will be about placeholderish look, changed features on the way or a perceived long time til release from there
If DLC are released fast, rushed releases get targetted because of too many bugs
If releases are delayed, the anger is there for too long intervals between releases and because there are still bugs
...
I'm not implying that always the same people are complaining, but for Pardox the result is that always some people are complaining. So they have to pick their poison and they can't make it dependent on "oh, someone is complaining" and so they will go the route they deem best for the game. And no, they aren't perfect, they can mistakes, they are humans... I'm glad that I don't have to decide here and instead can patiently wait until the next release or more information about it comes up

 

[BrotherJonathan]

According to this company's usual strategy, I think they will release the dlc of two games in an adjacent period of time to ensure revenue. The group of stellairs is announced that the new dlc will be released on March 14, so I think one of the eu4 or ck3 dlc will be released in March. I'm not sure whether members of ck3 are allowed to disclose dlc content in the development log.

If it's a major DLC then March is probably too soon. Maybe Wards and Wardens drops in the spring, and whatever this is drops in late summer or early fall.

 

[Kaptem]

If it's a major DLC then March is probably too soon. Maybe Wards and Wardens drops in the spring, and whatever this is drops in late summer or early fall.

I think they confirmed that Wards and Wardens will come after whatever this DLC is.

 

[klopkr]

Speaking personally, I was very scandalised that my beloved Love & Lust was voted down partially by a large number of people assuming that Wards & Wardens, specifically, would come with certain mechanics. An outrageous injustice.

Dang that was the one I wanted too!

Well I mean they were all good in the end. But I guess my desires for more wife appreciating mechanics will have to wait for a less democratic patch

It's kind of funny how the very fact people feel strongly about their spouses in game to the degree they fear even more cuckoldry kind of steers them away from some of the love mechanics.

 

[Maxwell Tornado]

I honestly don't know why I even expected to get anything.

 

[Brightgalrs]

I wonder if the keyword is negotiation. Maybe there will be a new feature letting you bargain with your vassals and foreign rulers. "I'll give you this title if you let me revoke that title".
Another thought I had is that they might be changing all of the personal interactions so that they use the plot system. So for instance you would plot to revoke a title, and maybe some of the events that pop up for that would be related to negotiation, letting you offer payment to avoid the tyranny hit.

 

[KermitxTheFrog]

Given the theme of the characters seems to be about regencies im going to assume this is a list of interaction that you as a regent can do to your king
1. Revoke title maybe not from the liege but on behalf of one of your kings claims
2. Release prisoners (from your kings prison)
3. Pressing a claim for them?
4. Steal money? or maybe sell a title
5. Change succession law? or maybe some new interaction to steal prestige?
6. offer the crown to someone else?
7. Release vassal
8. No idea Maybe hold court but for your king?
9. editing your own vassal contract?
10. No idea maybe something like meet peers but for a young king your regent for?
11.?
12. Probably something about elective succession but part of me really wants it to about an empty throne
13. Disinherit or depose
14. unsure could be anything really

 

[Diskianterezh]

I have no ideas about what this DLC could be, and i am torn between two feelings :

- The incredible Hype that this will be something so unexpected that this will spectacularly change the game.

- The incredible fear that they will introduce something unexpected and out of context like "now your ruler can brush his teeths, with various 3D models of brushes"

 

[sreckom92]

I'd love to see better regencies, that's for sure.
However, there are 14 new interactions presented. Somehow I doubt they are all related to regencies, but could be wrong.
These interaction could be related to a rework of governments.
And for sure, governments are in a dire need of updating. At least in my opinion.
If this DLC is larger in scale and has new gameplay mechanic, then I could definitely see a reworked regency system alongside a government (notably of imperial kind) overhaul.
Could also be wrong, but if you look at CK3 Dev Diarry about "floor plan for the future", you could see one of the "entrances" to the floor directly pointing towards "Imperial Mechanics".

Spoiler

Just a fanciful speculation from my side, but I would be beyond thrilled to see this as the next DLC theme.

 

[KermitxTheFrog]

I'd love to see better regencies, that's for sure.
However, there are 14 new interactions presented. Somehow I doubt they are all related to regencies, but could be wrong.
These interaction could be related to a rework of governments.
And for sure, governments are in a dire need of updating. At least in my opinion.
If this DLC is larger in scale and has new gameplay mechanic, then I could definitely see a reworked regency system alongside a government (notably of imperial kind) overhaul.
Could also be wrong, but if you look at CK3 Dev Diarry about "floor plan for the future", you could see one of the "entrances" to the floor directly pointing towards "Imperial Mechanics".

Spoiler

View attachment 949683

Just a fanciful speculation from my side, but I would be beyond thrilled to see this as the next DLC theme.

i think they said next dlc wasnt going to be imperial mechanics a few DDs ago
Edit: found the quote
"As I’ve mentioned before, it’s too early to reveal the theme. However, the next Expansion is leaning towards the roleplaying side of the game. Without revealing too much we’re focusing in large parts on reinforcing the connection between map and character. The theme is not one that has been the subject of an expansion in previous iterations of CK - to make things extra clear; we’re not doing trade, imperial/byzantine mechanics, nomads, or similar this time."

 

[Norkei]

They all are in the throne room. Does it have anything to do with courtiers interactions, like influencing the inner life of the court ? Maybe courtiers will now play a bigger role, which would synergize well with Royal Court. Court scheming was an important part of powerful kingdoms and has a lot of RP potential. Unlanded characters with no perspective of owning land should still have more agency. These mechanics would be specially important in regencies where it's never clear cut who is actually in charge.

 

[sreckom92]

i think they said next dlc wasnt going to be imperial mechanics a few DDs ago
Edit: found the quote
"As I’ve mentioned before, it’s too early to reveal the theme. However, the next Expansion is leaning towards the roleplaying side of the game. Without revealing too much we’re focusing in large parts on reinforcing the connection between map and character. The theme is not one that has been the subject of an expansion in previous iterations of CK - to make things extra clear; we’re not doing trade, imperial/byzantine mechanics, nomads, or similar this time."

Well, that's a bummer...
Thanks for pointing this out. I almost started writing an elaborate suggestion list for the new government system.

 

[anbeck]

They all are in the throne room. Does it have anything to do with courtiers interactions, like influencing the inner life of the court ? Maybe courtiers will now play a bigger role, which would synergize well with Royal Court. Court scheming was an important part of powerful kingdoms and has a lot of RP potential. Unlanded characters with no perspective of owning land should still have more agency. These mechanics would be specially important in regencies where it's never clear cut who is actually in charge.

That makes sense.

The bird cages in the picture remind me of the "send the ravens!" fantasy trope, so maybe it hints at lots of game-of-thronesy scheming going on everywhere - not only (but especially) during regencies but all the time.

This could be something like a much-improved Conclave (council, laws, etc.).

 

[Tschobo]

Well, that's a bummer...
Thanks for pointing this out. I almost started writing an elaborate suggestion list for the new government system.

Well I had already also a list for more dynamic governments as that and Religion as those two of the bigger priorities. But they announced that it would be mostly Roleplaying first. So patience is King?

But I really hope for something in that regard for specific realms in that Pack. Like announcing a Co-Ruler for specific Empires and Kingdoms. That the ERE doesn't have such a position is a bit sad. It should also make the Co-Ruler the primary heir.

 

[Norkei]

That makes sense.

The bird cages in the picture remind me of the "send the ravens!" fantasy trope, so maybe it hints at lots of game-of-thronesy scheming going on everywhere - not only (but especially) during regencies but all the time.

This could be something like a much-improved Conclave (council, laws, etc.).

Yes ! Conclave but with more focus on RP and scheming inside the inner circle of power.

The 4th character is not connected to the first three. He is a (landed ?) knight as the others are regents. To me it looks like he's in the messenger birds tower thing that all castles had (historians correct me if wrong). We know that the focus will be on map/character integration so the emphasis on the word connection may have an interesting meaning here.

We can also maybe expect no more wacky medieval teleportation, and realistic delays in communication, so characters need to be physically connected for a lot of interactions to happen ?