Territory

[Johniath]

Hello Distant Worlds 2 community! This is a fun game but, I would like to offer one suggestion if possible that's been on my mind recently.

And that is matter of borders or territory. Unless I am mistaken, the territory your empire has seems to be primarily if not solely determined by your colonised planets and population. I've heard that supposedly the bases you control also influence this but at least in my experience, this doesn't really seem to be the case? Maybe I am wrong here?

Either way, given the more simulationist nature of the game I can't help feel this could be expanded a bit. I'd say there should be two metrics for each system: control and claims. They'd be generated in similar ways but claims would represent who has a legitimate reason to want the system while control would be who actually does exert influence in the region.

The biggest change in my eyes should be that control of a system, and thus whose territory it is a part of, should be determined primarily (maybe even solely) by bases in the system given that these will represent who actually exerts power in the region. Certain bases like the space bastion should probably have a much larger contribution to this and maybe there should be a slightly earlier game alternative frontier base that should act as a way to secure contentious borders.

Then there should be claims which act somewhat similarly to in the game currently but essentially any system you have bases in, you'd have a claim to as well as systems close to your colonised planets being claimed by you. However, these claims would linger for some time, even if you lose the bases in the system you'd still have a claim to justify you taking bases in the system. In addition, bases in claimed systems could be requested in deals as well as the ability to concede claims in deals, acting as a more diplomatic route to determine borders between two empires.

Maybe some of these things are unfeasible for various reasons or maybe conflict with the theme of the game. I also wonder if this would require more AI work because ideally the AI would be able to fight for systems it has claims without necessarily going to war but, also be willing to settle border disputes diplomatically by conceding claims or bases.

However, I think ultimately this would improve the game in several ways:
-First I think it would offer alternative playstyles in that currently it feels like more population is just more good in terms of economics but also gives you more territory whereas with these changes lower population empires could still control vast territories if they have military might to maintain it.
-Secondly, it would allow territory adjustments without going to war and allow the borders to be dynamic, especially early game when you need to establish and secure your borders.
-And thirdly, I think it would make the map seem more alive, especially in wars, because currently if you can't see the fleets moving then borders change all at once with the capture of a planet. Instead with this, you could potentially see border changes system by system and have a more back and forth feeling, as well allowing wars without the capture of a planet to result in territorial concessions either in the war, or after a peace treaty.

I imagine any sort of changes to this system would be a fair while off given the roadmaps have shown that there might be a little bit on the team's plate already. I also don't such a system is particularly vital to the game, it works fine as is. Just that the game has the ability to do what other strategy games, most prominently the Civilisation series don't/can't, which is utilise the actual factors that determine borders. Force and the ability to exert control over in this case, star systems.

I would be interested to hear other peoples thoughts on the matter.

[Jorgen_CAB]

I don't think it is a terrible idea but not sure it is needed in general. I just think the game need a bit more diplomatic mechanical changes to be able to deal more with other empires in this area and the ability to wage more effective limited wars.

You can still build stations wherever you want, destroy other empires stations and/or take over them and build you own. In neutral space it is the one who has the military power who will decide if that is your strategy. So there is no need to be able to claim space. You even can keep your stations that end up inside the economic zone of an opposing empire after you built them.

The borders are not really empires borders as in terms of a nations border. It is more like an economic exclusive zone we have on the seas. The one that excert the influence have the claim to economically use the resources, but it does not hinder other empires to take those resources by force without taking out any planets.

You can overtake enemy stations at your hearts content without declaring war whenever you like. You just have to live with the reputation of not respecting other empires economic zones.

In general I think it make sense that you only can excert economic claims with population. But you are not restricted to use population to use resources. It is only if you respect other empires populations economic zones this becomes an issue.

So... more diplomatic options to deal with resources and types of wars you can engage in would be a better solution in my opinion. I don't like that just building a station would give you an economic zone... that is the same as just building the stations to use the resources anyway. If you want to protect your stations you need a fleet not a station.