When we started it made sense to stay as close to RE as possible. This was, in fact, a requirement in order to get a lot of key people on board with the idea of a new patch in the first place. The reasons were:
- We wanted to make it easier for people to switch from RE to EP and back
- It was easier to keep track of balance that way, since we already had a good understanding of RE patch balance
- We didn't have the time/manpower to discuss and test so many changes
- Many changes can make it hard to filter the significant changes from the patch notes
I tried to stick with this philosophy but I think it's time to breathe some fresh air into the game in every possible way. The above arguments still stand, but on the other hand there have been complaints about a stale meta, and that will happen if all you're doing is balancing. Take SC2 as an example: They frequently make big game-changing patches not just to improve balance but also to make room for new strategic ideas to pop up in the meta.
Another reason to explore more changes is the possibility that the DE people ask for our advice. I would if I were them. In that case we shouldn't give them advice on how to fix RE patch, but advice on how to fix the whole game. We don't have to hold onto RE patch as the base, since it will eventually be obsolete. We can explore design changes that are sorely needed in AoE3, for example we can actually try to fix water and make many irrelevant units relevant again. The time we have before DE is a time to test changes and come to as good of an understanding as we can of how to make the best possible AoE3. RE patch certainly isn't that, and by extension neither is the current EP.
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zoom has this vision. He did from the beginning, but I held him back because we had the mandate to stay close to RE patch. Recently the community as well as most of the people involved with the EP process have been coming around about this, so it's a very good time for Zoi to take over. He's a perfectionist, is very knowledgeable about the game, has a good grasp on game design and knows how to combine the opinions of various top players into one coherent patch. He has been doing most of the work for a while already, to be honest. For me he has always been indispensable quality control and a stream of fresh ideas, most of them good.
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[Armag] diarouga You have also been important to the process. You understand the game better than most, and your opinion is valuable. But if you can't work with Zoi by giving him constructive feedback then I can't blame him for cutting you out of the process. I warned you about this, as you mentioned in your OP. I gave this project to Zoi because I believe he is the best man for the job, and you should try to work with him on it. I'm sure if you're willing, so is he.
I look forward to the next patch. Balance may worsen if more drastic changes are explored, but long term the patch will improve either way.