Late Middle Ages aesthetics (for immersion sake). A message to the devs!

[Saman Wilson]

CK3 is one hell of a game, I have enjoyed playing every minute of it until now. My issue with it (apart from all the bugs) is that there is a lack of Late Middle Ages aesthetics (arts & graphics) from the units and the soldiers we muster to the clothing, and especially the armor for the customization of our characters and knights. Metal processing advanced super quickly in early 14th century, and by very early 15th century (literally as early as 1400 onwards) they actually started covering the WHOLE body of a "knight/warrior" with full plate armor with large sheets of metal (The warriors were covered from head to toe.)
Where are the full plate armor of the Late Middle Ages Paradox? Where are the coat plates that were worn over chainmail suits? Also where are the elaborate helmet designs of the Late Middle Ages (all we have in the game are Nasal Helmets and other variants of it)? The game goes till 1453, such aesthetics is definitely a must. I want to feel immersed in the era, so when I reach the Late Middle Ages, I want to feel like I am in it. It would be pleasing if you provided us with such iconic full plate armor of the era, and It would work as an incentive for players that continue the game till the end.
Also adding in different surcoats and brigandines would be pretty awesome too.
My questions is, are there any plans to add such things in the future or no?


Edit: Just found this! This would be amazing till 1450. I would love to have more availability for customization, especially now that we can customize our courtiers (Knights).
It would be amazing if Vassals could also change their outfits-military outfits automatically as time progresses.

 

[Saman Wilson]

This.

Your request/complaint is perfectly tailored to PDX "flavor" policy. For better or worse.

Personally, I hope they put out the much needed patch next week. Hopefully they'll be back from vacation by then.

Hopefully after the patch they'll work on flavours. As great as the game is, its in need of some serious flavours for middle-late game.
And they're on vacation?

 

[Saman Wilson]

Paradox, could you please also add in Viking Longship models to the game. I am actually surprised that something like that wasn't in the game from the start and it wasn't added in with the big update. Please, add more things to this game, for immersion sake!

 

[Saman Wilson]

Is it possible for a moderator to move this thread to the suggestions section please?
I really want the devs to read this before the major update (patch, DLC or whatever).
Thanks!

 

[King Anund]

As a fan of the Late Middle Ages (1300-1500) I consider this is a must. Maybe it could be part of a Late Middle Ages DLC with a 1337 or even later start date (I would like to have one in the 15th century and strech out the end date to 1500 but a man can only dream), some mechanics and events for the late Middle Ages like Centralization of Monarchies, Estates General etc and of course Late Medieval clothing, especially the most pompous kind. I would like to see houppelandes, chaperons, hennins and all the crazy women clothing that was all the rage in the courts of the 1400s.
Wikpedia has two entries for fashion in the 14th and 15th centuries that are very interesting and I would like to see them represented in the game.

 

[Antediluvian Monster]

For Europe, my minimalist suggestion:

9th century until mid 11th: Mail hauberk or sometimes lamellar cuirass. Open (typically nasal) helmet.
Mid 11th: Drop lamellar, add mail coif under the helmet.
Mid 12th: Add full mail coat with coif, mittens and leggings. Helmet could now occasionally have face guard, but not super important (Wiki calls this type "enclosed helmet" if you don't know what I mean). Surcoat?
Mid 13th: Replace helmet with enclosed great helm. Add coat of plates on top of mail (or replace surcoat with it).
Mid 14th: Replace helmet with visored bascinet, add plate limb protection (at least vambraces).

 

[TheFeudalBavarian]

Full plate armor only shows up at the very end of the Middle Ages. The first examples of full plate armor suits date from the early 15th century (around 1420). The game ends in 1453. We have to wonder, is it worth it for Paradox to pour time and effort into something that players will only see for a few years when they get to the very end of the game (which most players probably never will), or would it be better for Paradox to pour that time and effort into something that will be seen a lot more (like proper surcoats)?

For whoever is interested: Full plate came in heavy use in the 15th century. The movie "The King" on Netflix depicts they use of that armor very nicely during the battle of Agincourt. This movie is great when it comes to costumes, armor and stuff. And it has probably the coolest looking Trebuchet scenes from any movie. But the movie lacks a little of historical accuracy....but still a great movie if you like late medieval look and feel.

 

[Voy]

For whoever is interested: Full plate came in heavy use in the 15th century. The movie "The King" on Netflix depicts they use of that armor very nicely during the battle of Agincourt. This movie is great when it comes to costumes, armor and stuff. And it has probably the coolest looking Trebuchet scenes from any movie. But the movie lacks a little of historical accuracy....but still a great movie if you like late medieval look and feel.

Don't forget lacking acting direction and writing. WHERE BE THE BIG DOG?!

 

[TheFeudalBavarian]

Don't forget lacking acting direction and writing. WHERE BE THE BIG DOG?!

I don't think the acting was that bad, I actually liked the performance from Sean Harris, Timothee Chalamet and Joel Edgerton (only Johnny Depps daughter was kinda meh). But my biggest problem with the movie is

Spoiler: Don't read if you plan to to watch the movie!

the premise that Henry was pushed into continuing the war with France due to false intelligence and fake coronation present by his advisor William. That is historically just so wrong....

But again.....costumes and production design was pretty good and authentic. I think its a great example of late medieval armor and weaponry

 

[Prairie_Doggin]

This has been my biggest gripe with the game since back in Ck2. There is no real sense of the world evolving or time passing. Would be awesome if people's clothing, hairstyles, weapons, armor, building, and maybe even the UI itself changed as the centuries passed. The fact that there are a few mods out there that already introduce this concept to a degree shows that it is very possible to do. Unfortunately PDX seems to not consider the idea something worth pursuing. Such a shame.

 

[Prairie_Doggin]

And it has probably the coolest looking Trebuchet scenes from any movie.

Hmm idk, Edward's War Wolf was quite a spectacle.

 

[TheFeudalBavarian]

Yea no? Moderators?

Don't worry, they see the thread.....as they mentioned before, the keep an eye on the forum posts.....especially when they getting very long....

 

[Karlington]

Is it possible for a moderator to move this thread to the suggestions section please?
I really want the devs to read this before the major update (patch, DLC or whatever).
Thanks!

Use the Report button and put your request there.

 

[Saman Wilson]

Use the Report button and put your request there.

I see. Thank you!

 

[Saman Wilson]

Vote this up boys! It has been added to the suggestions section.

 

[Saman Wilson]

It is sad that we might (sometime down the line) receive this in piecemeal.
This game ends at 1453 paradox, the things mentioned in this post are a must for immersion.
Paradox, at least make the aesthetic mods achievement compatible.

 

[Saman Wilson]

It is actually quite shocking that we still haven't received any late game aesthetics for a medieval game that goes up until 1450s.
Paradox, please put this in your future plans. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the game doesn't end in 1200s! This game is in serious need for late middle ages aesthetics.
At least make the mods that give us such 'aesthetics' achievement compatible. Why are mods like "Community Flavour Pack" not achievement compatible, is there a reasonable explanation for this?

 

[Vityviktor]

I'm sure they'll eventually come up with some kind of cosmetic content for the late eras (I hope this would include a new start date and late Medieval mechanics).

 

[Myrkull]

I wanted to make similiar suggestion to make new innovation for High Medieval Era, adding Great Helm with small tougness bonus to heavy infantry and heavy cavalry and new helmet look for cultures having it. Plate Armor innovation could work in the same way. Also with upgrading to Late Medieval Era characters could get new sets of clothes.

 

[Saman Wilson]

I'm sure they'll eventually come up with some kind of cosmetic content for the late eras (I hope this would include a new start date and late Medieval mechanics).

It has been nearly 2 years since its release, and we've still got nothing on that front. I'm sorry but HALF of the game is in late middle ages!
But why are aesthetic/cosmetic mods not achievement compatible??? Does anyone know? Because this wasn't/isn't the case in previous Paradox games. I really don't understand this.

 

[Saman Wilson]

I wanted to make similiar suggestion to make new innovation for High Medieval Era, adding Great Helm with small tougness bonus to heavy infantry and heavy cavalry and new helmet look for cultures having it. Plate Armor innovation could work in the same way. Also with upgrading to Late Medieval Era characters could get new sets of clothes.

Actually you should probably make a suggestion thread, combining your idea with my idea.
The devs have said to me (on another thread) that these ideas/suggestions have to get enough support for them to work on them and implement them in the game. So maybe you should make that suggestion as well. At the very least, if you'd like, explain your idea here and they might read it.