Both the original and Retold are rated ESRB T (Teen), which sometimes depict violence, sword clashes, and stabbings. However, the Aztecs, the most requested pantheon by far, may be in jeopardy because of their rituals involving sacrifice.
So how can sacrifices be implemented without causing the game to cross over into a Mature rating? Would garrisoning units into temples “permanently” without explicitly stating why they don’t come out be the answer? The developers could mention in the tutorial that the units are entering the temples to perform ritual rites to please their gods without saying the word “sacrifice”.
That said, I’ve seen and read from some hardcore “fanatics” who argue that if the word “sacrifice” isn’t explicitly used, then the Aztecs shouldn’t be included in the game at all. Or, they claim, there should be more obvious reasoning behind garrisoning units into the temple. But obviously they can’t do that. So we have to compromise and meet in the middle.
Therefore, the most popular requested pantheon shouldn’t be contingent on whether the word “sacrifice” is used or if its depiction is “watered down.”
If the devs can actually move past this stage (God, I hope so!), the next question would be: What units should be garrisoned? Should it just be villagers, or both villagers and other units?
Here are some ideas. Though if you have some of your own then please share. The Aztecs are a must!
A.) Garrisoning your own villagers and units into the temple. The stronger and more expensive the unit, the more favor is generated. To prevent a net loss, a temporary food, wood, or gold speed buff would be generated for a short time each time units are garrisoned.
B.) Enemies you’ve defeated are captured and dragged back to your base for garrisoning. However, this resembles the Norse mechanic but with extra steps and more micromanagement, so it might not be a popular choice.
C.) Players can construct a specific building that periodically spawns units to be garrisoned. The default units would be neutral camp villagers. Defeating enemy units will automatically make them spawn. To reduce micromanagement, players can set a rally point from that building to the temple directly.
D.) A combination of A, B, and C. You can garrison your own self-produced units, but when you defeat enemy units, those particular enemy units will spawn in that specific building structure as well. This would be in addition to the default trickle of neutral camp villagers, and you could still set a rally point directly to the temple.
E.) ???
F.) ???
G.) ???
Thoughts and recommendations?
