Totally agree. Two types of naval vessels sounds the way to go. Now just to manage expectations of those interested, I'll kick this off soon but at the same time I'm dealing with normal life (jobs, family etc) so don't expect to see Pirates too soon on VDip. Usually I find a variant takes me about 6-8 weeks to develop.

This sounds like a great game. I'd definitely like to try it out.

I like the idea of ships with different capabilities. Perhaps this idea can be integrated with the buried treasure/coves idea. For instance, buried treasure found at ports/coves not otherwise being used as an s.c. and it can be used to either build a new ship, or to enhance a pre-existing ship by altering its ship class. The treasure stays where it is, and if its captured by another player, then you lose a ship/class and the new occupant gets the treasure. I wonder if there would be a way randomize the placement of such treasure.

Perhaps, we can form a google waves page or on the dipdev I wuold like to make a map just for fun

Fine by me guys. I just came up with the initial idea. Really pleased to see it continue to improve. More than happy to share the Dev loving.

bump.

Hi everyone (and thanks Oli!) - I'm about to go on a week's summer holiday and during that time I'd like to kick off development of the Pirates! variant.

If you have any further advances on the above ideas let me know in the next few days, or forever hold your peace ;-)

This sounds really interesting. I think a naval oriented diplomacy map would make it very interesting. Im not sure how this would work out, but I had an idea of possibly doing something like a moving SC for pirates? They are rogues and tend to move around, never really settling down. I think it would be cool if they had some sort of boat that served as a supply center or in some way had their home centers move.

Hi Spartan I think the coding behind that would be a nightmare!

Maybe (don't know if this is possible, maybe Oli can advise) you could get the same impact if say the European powers and privateers had to build in the home SCs, and the pirates could build anywhere. That'd spice it up and help balance the gameplay a little better.

True, that does go along with the "roaming" nature of pirates. I am really interested in how this will turn out.

What about Pirate havens? Port Royal, Tortuga, Campeche, etc

If anyone has any favourite pirate destinations (real or fictional) you want on the map please let me know via the forum and include any links for background info on where it should be on the map)

Thoughts on having one or more SCs that grant 2 units? Perhaps they could represent "buried treasure"?

This could make for intriguing strategic gameplay revolving around obtaining/controlling the space(s).

Perhaps have one part of a map with a more traditional ratio of 1 SC spaces to empty spaces and another part(s) with sparsely located 2 SC spaces?

any word about the ''forced'' team thing-o?

Oli has indicated it's looking theoretically possible to have one lot of units moving at double speed/normal strength (clippers) and the other normal speed/greater strength (frigates). He also thinks (jump in if I'm wrong Oli) that the coding is possible for European countries and their privateers to not be able to attack each other.

Don't forget to also suggest not only pirate haven locations, but favourite pirates/privateers you think should be included.

Ok people, you have about 24 hours until I'll have to cut things off and go on holidays (where I'll do the map). So get in your ideas now, or forever hold your peace!

Fog of war !!!!

For pirates, you can include some famous ones like Blackbeard, Davey Jones, Jack sparrow (for fun), etc.

Who else wants Fog?

@Spartan - only problem I see with including Jack Sparrow is I'm not sure we want a trademark dispute with the Disney Corporation!

really ?
I want Fog !
;))

true, true. Well i think just a couple famous pirates would make it interesting enough. Also, i think FOG is a really good idea. Pirates are know to be elusive and can attack form anywhere so it would be interesting for the pirates to start somewhere and have a couple different attack routes towards the europeans. That way, with fog, the europeans dont know where the attack will come from.

Fog for sure. Also pirate/privateer ideas: Sir Francis Drake, Bartholomew Roberts, William Kidd, Mary Read

+1 FoG.

+2 fog

Looks like Fog is in due to everyone getting rather excited about it. What else peeps? You have about 10 hours left until I draw a line under inclusions.

Ever played Monkey Island? Some great locations in there.

Mêlée Island
Booty Island
Plunder Island
Lucre Island
Jambalaya Island
Scabb Island
Phatt Island
Plunder Island
Hook Island
Skull Island
Knuttin Atoll
Blood Island
Spittle Island
Pinchpenny Island
Gulf of Melange
Flotsam Island
Jerkbait Islands (Spinner Cay, Spoon Island, Roe Island)
Brillig Island
Boulder Beach
Isle of Ewe
Rock of Gelato

Remember folks, one more hour for last thoughts!

@kaner - those places real or fictional?

Possibly include Tortuga as an island

His mystical quest to the isle of Tortuga...

Tortuga needs to be in.