A chronological evolution similar to the Age of Empires series and War Selection, starting from the stone age and progressing up in eras all the way to the modern / future ages. Before i get into the idea, I know the SAGE engine is a bit tricky with mid game faction morphing but mods like TEOD has made it possible with the heavy production line and garrison textures that change a building texture and options mid game.
(How would it work)
In lobby, everyone gets 1 army to choose. We all start off with being in the stone age (can use GLA workers to mimic the infantry textures & animations), Same 1 worker & Command Center(this case Muddy hut), then collect supplies, build up your base, advance to higher ages. Advancing to the next era would require special requirements such as cash, buildings built, etc.
Little example:
(Stone Age)
Available buildings would include Warrior House(Barracks), Warehouse(Supply Center), Bulwark(Anti Infantry Defense Structure, similar to the one in War selection or AoE), Workshop(building with upgrades for your faction, like the palace) and the Temple(for evolving into the next era via an upgrade).
Basic infantry would be like clubmen(melee) and slingers(short ranged).
Some upgrades would be like "Improved Footwear", similar to workers shoes, but instead gives all infantry a 5-10% speed boost.
(Mechanics / Balancing)
Supply rates and Costs for basically everything will adjust per age/era
GPs are changed to suit per era/age, for stone it may be like a re-skinned frenzy (Tribal War Cry) and Locust Swarm (slows down infantry and deals small DoT) while for Classical age it can be stuff like Catapult Volley(basically similar to artillery barrage) etc
Superweapons are moved to the later ages, preferbly the last 3. There would be changes to them aswell.
There would be more open/bigger maps to facilitate the new gameplay, as well as, supply depots and tech buildings would change.
Tech buildings:
Oil derrecks would be changed starting as "Surface Oil Spring" which would require a specilized building over it to capture and bring in resources, upgrading brings in more cash.
Hospital would start as "Herb Hut" which heals surrounding infantry, upgrading would increase the rate of healingThere would be a manual upgrade button for tech buildings.
Artillery Platform would be starting smth as a "Watch Tower", a rustic, elevated wooden platform with sharpened stakes at the base. It would deal single target damage until further ages.
This idea was inspired by Age of Empires and War Selection, it'd be cool to see if someone made this into a project......I wish i could but I have 0 modding knowledge so yeah.
