Ahoy Mateys!
As most of you have probably noticed the slowdown in updates over the past month! The reason being the Mayors/Captains update has finally started development!
This is one of the biggest updates in years and by far the biggest since release. Almost every part of the project is being hit with this update. Many of the scaffolding and updates since release have contained elements in preparation for this update specifically.
This has been the most expected and requested system / feature set by far.
Disclaimer - a lot of programmer art & placeholders exist in the screenshots - many of the details here have not had any art pass so bear with me! I just want to fill ye in on the progress - nothing you see in the screenshots are finalized.
When its arriving
I intend to release this iteratively, with the first update arriving within a few weeks to the Test branch. In the initial update, you'll have access to the core update with the database of unique leaders taking charge of everything in the campaign.
I'm still undecided if I want to wait until the features are in a more complete state to release, or if I'll take a more partial approach like with Manage Settlement.
Existing campaigns
I'm trying to maintain backwards compatibility, so for those of you loading a long-running campaign, the first time you load in, it should set up everything and you can begin collecting and assigning captains to your fleet and islands, gaining benefits from their traits, class and bonuses. These bonuses are something you can improve on as the leaders gain experience.
Prisoner and Passenger Missions will now require a "physical" element to be transferred to your ships and protected also.
Conversational elements will arrive later and will allow you to hire these leaders and add them to your fleet as well as find out unique information and give fleet orders to your faction fleets.
Player leaders becoming captured and being wounded / killed (in hardcore) will arrive soon also.
Features
There are a bunch of things under development but the first iteration should contain some of this, depending on how the next few weeks go and testing ofc.
As mentioned, Leaders will have a set of core skills and traits that you can build upon as they level up. Some will be much better at governing settlements than leading a ship or crew into battle. Currently, 40 of these traits are available.
Manage Settlement -> Governance is getting a major overhaul, centered around the governor.
Assignment to Ships / Islands. Not just the Captain, but any leaders added to a ship will effect its stats. This system is done in the same style as the Drydock.
Faction Overview -> It feels like the perfect time to open this up, with the faction leader being the core of your faction, initially becoming the character that you created when first creating your campaign.
This will also contain a summary of all Islands under your control, as well as the Fleets you will eventually command.
There is a section where you can review your leaders and see where they are assigned.
Details views and popups.
New Naming conventions.
Origin factions for each leader. (This will come into play a bit more after conversations are implemented).
Capturing and ransoming / indoctrinating leaders.
Mission enhancements - Especially Transfer missions.
The Roadmap
This work opens up a bunch of Roadmap items, with bounties and mission types probably being the most obvious. Mayors captains has been the answer to so many requests and queries by players for so long and I'm delighted to finally be in a place to get through these items.
Thank you!
Thanks to everyone that has helped with the development of this major feature, and for your patience as I put it together. So many of your feedback items, suggestions and questions have helped me plan out and understand what players want and I'm excited for the finished mechanics.
I can't imagine any of the other roadmap or major items taking quite as long to develop as this piece!
These features are still very much in active development so remember you can influence the development in the comments here, or on the discord.
Thanks folks,
John
