With the release of the DLC Ikko Ikki pack for Shogun 2 total War, I have been thinking about potential factions which could be unlocked in future DLC packs.
Eventually, I came up with the notion that maybe it would be a good idea to allow players to play as the European Traders faction.
In the normal game, this faction is only normally seen by way of the black ship, a powerful Portuguese trading vessel that can be captured by the Japanese clans as an optional mission.
What would be good about allowing players to use this faction is that the goals are completely different to those of the Japanese clans at the time. The aim of the clans was to take control of land and place their Daimyo as the new Shogun. But the traders from Europe only had the goal of opening up trade routes and becoming rich from it. This would open plenty of opportunities for different types of gameplay. To campaign not for control of land but for trade rights, to convince the various clans to build Nanban trade ports and quarters in their territories.
Perhaps the game would demand that you convince a certain number of clans to trade with you in the allotted time.
Plus, having early access to technologies such as guns and cannon-ships, you could re-enact historic events and force trade on them through the threat of superior military technology, like Commodore Perry did at the end of the Edo period.
Allowing the European Traders to be a playable faction would add whole new dimensions and possibilities to the game and, in my opinion, really add to the experience of Japan during this period.
Please discuss. Any questions or opposing views are welcome.
Eventually, I came up with the notion that maybe it would be a good idea to allow players to play as the European Traders faction.
In the normal game, this faction is only normally seen by way of the black ship, a powerful Portuguese trading vessel that can be captured by the Japanese clans as an optional mission.
What would be good about allowing players to use this faction is that the goals are completely different to those of the Japanese clans at the time. The aim of the clans was to take control of land and place their Daimyo as the new Shogun. But the traders from Europe only had the goal of opening up trade routes and becoming rich from it. This would open plenty of opportunities for different types of gameplay. To campaign not for control of land but for trade rights, to convince the various clans to build Nanban trade ports and quarters in their territories.
Perhaps the game would demand that you convince a certain number of clans to trade with you in the allotted time.
Plus, having early access to technologies such as guns and cannon-ships, you could re-enact historic events and force trade on them through the threat of superior military technology, like Commodore Perry did at the end of the Edo period.
Allowing the European Traders to be a playable faction would add whole new dimensions and possibilities to the game and, in my opinion, really add to the experience of Japan during this period.
Please discuss. Any questions or opposing views are welcome.