Hearts of Iron Realistic Research Project

[Pepek]

Hey! I've decided to create research system for Hearts of Iron series which would be more realistic. That would make game more engaging. On the other hand it needs to allow players to automate itself if there is need to do that.
It would be reworked HoI3 research system with priorities instead of queue. More to the point it would easily scale into HoI2/HoI4 research system if player don't need that much detail. Plus you could request your own machines!
Overall idea goes like that - research single elements - like engine with small power output, small calibre gun, small turret and so on. Then you may use that tech to upgrade your existing machines with what you research (there would be a limit, for example you can not fit gun 3 levels higher then the one tank was designed for) or request your companies or research institutes to create new machines with better tech in mined.

Detailed description at https://trello.com/b/ItdkuDY9/hearts-of-iron-realistic-research-project

Here is some simple UI example I created in QT. More pictures on trello.

Overall I may try to prototype it for real, but I doubt I would be able to do it all. I guess that main problem for Paradox with something like this is that idea like that may be to complicated for players without proper UI and even then it may be to much. So they would need to use tone of resources to properly create that system.

 

[Anton Rex]

Looks really cool.

 

[MarcoRossolini]

Very, very interesting. I think I should point you to the research system in NWS's "Rule the Waves" game where the whole thing is randomised somewhat so you never quite know what you'll get, even if you can prioritise certain areas.

 

[Pepek]

I think I should point you to the research system in NWS's "Rule the Waves" game where the whole thing is randomised somewhat so you never quite know what you'll get, even if you can prioritise certain areas.

Looking at let's plays on youtube in game research system in Rule the Waves is interesting. But too much randomised stats and research dates would ruin that game. Players of HoI are used to not random style of research. So most of randomness would need to be in favour of player.

 

[Milarazor]

This looks a hell of a lot like theHOI3 system though, and I think all those priority mechanics woul make it too unclear.

 

[MarcoRossolini]

Looking at let's plays on youtube in game research system in Rule the Waves is interesting. But too much randomised stats and research dates would ruin that game. Players of HoI are used to not random style of research. So most of randomness would need to be in favour of player.

Oh, there are no research dates per se, things just lead on from the other. Certain nations have bonuses but other than that it's a pretty good system that makes you somewhat in control without the: "must reach this soonest and then its GG" nonsense.

 

[Pepek]

This looks a hell of a lot like theHOI3 system though, and I think all those priority mechanics woul make it too unclear.

True. Overall more detailed research system is cool. The problem is HoI 3 is to much micro sometimes. Priority system would allow you to interact with tech less. I always want infantry tech as soon as possible, so it would be automated with set priority. And if you don't like that system you could use HoI2/HoI4 like research system that would bundle light tanks techs for example.
The main problem is, that priority system is quite like streaming energy and metal in Total Annihilation/Supreme commander/Planetary Annihilation. And devs of those games say that people don't get that. On the other hand, system is great if you master it and it is used in HoI3 in intelligence tab in smaller scale.

 

[Wraith11B]

The main concern I have with HoI3 was that there was so much duplication of effort. Why shouldn't a DD AA-gun work aboard a CL? Or a CA, BC, BB or CV? Or even a TP for that matter? Why can't guns designed for offensive use aboard a fighter be used aboard a CAS or TAC? I didn't think that they needed to take us back to near-HoI2 with the current arrangement in HoI4, but could have just simplified the overall research system (with the current variant system) and had the complexity and the simplicity.

 

[Pepek]

The main concern I have with HoI3 was that there was so much duplication of effort. Why shouldn't a DD AA-gun work aboard a CL? Or a CA, BC, BB or CV? Or even a TP for that matter? Why can't guns designed for offensive use aboard a fighter be used aboard a CAS or TAC? I didn't think that they needed to take us back to near-HoI2 with the current arrangement in HoI4, but could have just simplified the overall research system (with the current variant system) and had the complexity and the simplicity.

That's true. You can search for mods that makes research more simplified and realistic.