There have been a number of posts regarding planetary invasion
Some about in-depth control giving tactical control to the player: https://forums.galciv3.com/459031/page/1/
Some regarding small changes to the overall mechanic: https://forums.galciv3.com/458905/page/1/
It is of course difficult to say specifics without knowing how exactly it is currently being developed but since this is also a period of time when features can still be contemplated here are a few things that might be worth considering if not done before and that do not change the overall game mechanic of GC2 significantly to throw the balance of GC3 off should it be done around the same way as GC2 was:
- Window dressing places more emphasis on soldiers fighting a bloody war in ruins (like suggested in the trailer). No changes to game mechanic, no player decisions just nice art to get the feeling across. GC2 tried to emphasize the battle - let the weight of mass destruction and murder sink in with static but well made art that emphasizes the soldiers on foot and dark but striking colors dominant e.g.: a couple of soldiers, exhausted, and with scared armor standing on rumble behind them burning Sci-Fi city buildings and above them red sky and dust flying up from the rubble. Maybe even a dedicated art for each race to get the differing art of ground combat more striking and build connection between the player and its chosen race. If played with custom race a placeholder image could be used containing generic Sci-Fi armored soldiers
- Elite ground troops as much more costly but less population demanding variant of invasion. A module could be produced containing state of the art amours, weapons and hover tanks thus carrying much less troops due to restricted space but the combat effectiveness of these would be much higher. This would enable some alternative for civilizations who have low population but have tons of money. Added bonus is the feeling and lore possibilities of using actual soldiers instead of the general population in battle. Back draw would be the low population of the occupied planet afterwards but that also happens if the battle is won only closely with a invading force.
- Transport module that does not get destroyed after usage. Enable player to build warships with troop transport capacity. In GC2 if a huge hull was equipped with guns and transport module the whole ship would be lost after the invasion loosing the combat ship experience in the process as well as the ship.
Naturally any changes to planetary combat are welcome though admittedly this is not the core game aspect here and due to budget limitations no major changes to GC2 can really be expected since emphasis is probably and hopefully more set on space combat. Point one would thus be viable option to give more atmosphere without any major investment while any other additional choices to game mechanic given to the player in comparison with GC2 are welcome additions. Some may be restricted even to specific races strengthening their unique play style.
