[DONE][Suggestion] Manual Promotions

[MaxMahem]

So a feature I have often wanted is a way to handle promotions manually. I know some people don't mind/appreciate the automatic promotions, but I've never been a fan, and I can dislike how sometimes an inferior soldier ends up promoted simply because they had seniority when a position became available (maybe this is realistic, never the less, I dislike it).

As I see it, implementation would be fairly straightforward. The existing `SaveGame::handlePromotions` function would get split into two functions, one that identifies openings (the current first half of the method) returning a `PromotionInfo` object with the available openings and one that then processes the promotions. When this feature is enabled, the debriefing screen will instead display new openings (if any) after a battle. I think new generic translation strings may be necessary for these openings as I know the rank titles can be overridden on a per-soldierType basis (I haven't investigated this yet, though). Some fallback option is probably possible to not-break existing mods.

To actually perform the promotions, I envision clicking on the rank icon (turning it into an interactive surface), which would open up a screen very similar to the SoldierArmorState window, except it would be populated with possible promotions. Clicking on the rank would then promote the soldier. Additionally, it might be desirable to have a "Promotions" view accessible via the combo-drop-down from the soldier screen in the same way the transformation overview screen is. This has the advantage of being more visible as the fact that you can promote via clicking the rank icon wouldn't be immediately obvious, I think. This implementation would be more work, however, so I do not envision creating this screen in an initial implementation.

Questions I have:

• If I was to implement this, would it be a patch OXCE would be open to accepting? To be clear, I'm motivated to make this modification simply for my own desires, but I'd be more motivated if chances were good it could be accepted more wildly.
• As I laid it out, the promotion screen would display all open positions, allowing (potentially) a rookie to be promoted to commander if desired. This is not typically how it works in the game. So instead, the promotion screen might simply give an option to promote to the next rank, if available. Ironically I think this would be somewhat more work to write, as I can't just crib off the existing windows (though there is probably a "confirmation" type window someplace I can crib-off of). Promotion from rookie to commander would still be possible, it would simply take more clicks.
• Should demotions be possible? A "demote" option could easily be added to the list of possible new ranks. In a "single-step" promotion scenario, the window that pops up could give promotion and demotion options. Alternatively, one might right-click on the rank to demote and left-click on the rank to promote.
• Should the existing promotion pyramid be enforced? That is, should it be impossible to promote a soldier to say sergant until an existing captain vacancy was filled?
• To what extent is it desirable for the above rules to be configurable? Should the ability to demote be an additional configurable option? How about the ability to promote from Rookie to Squadie?

So yeah, mostly concerned about the shape of the UI and configuration options. My inclination is, of course, to do the easiest possible implementation for a 1.0 feature, but I don't want to road-block future decisions with decisions made now (which probably means going for single-step promotion since I can later switch to multi-step promotion, but switching back would probably be disruptive).

Looking further down the road, it occurs to me that making ranks more configurable in general is probably desirable, and it's something I might be motivated to work on later, so I also want to avoid getting in the way of any configuration in that respect. However, it does occur to me that manual promotion might be a desirable feature in such a future, even for people who dislike the concept, if ranks were to become more unified with transformations in general, and so that, for example, a promotion might be a "transformation" that comes with both a benefit and a cost. For example, promoting a soldier to Captain or whatever gives them bonus stats, but requires them to be transferred off base for a week at Officer School, or whatever. I know some mods already do this via the transformation screen, but unifying the two might be desirable and could help make the drop-down not become so cluttered.

[Meridian]

1. If I was to implement this, would it be a patch OXCE would be open to accepting? To be clear, I'm motivated to make this modification simply for my own desires, but I'd be more motivated if chances were good it could be accepted more wildly.

Usually I say no to such (fluff) additions.

But this specific one I am kinda contemplating myself for a longer time already.
My use case actually doesn't have anything to do with the gameplay... as I said, it's 98% just fluff, very few things depend on rank (e.g. some vanilla morale bonuses/maluses, and a few OXCE modding additions).
Also, I really don't want RPG features in Xcom. If an RPG feature can be used for some strategical or tactical purpose as well, I am willing to close one eye, maybe even both eyes... but pure RPG features without any strategical or tactical benefit are in general not welcome.

My use case comes from my Youtube career Being able to manually promote a soldier named after an active viewer/subscriber would for sure feel rewarding both for me and for the viewers. And god knows there's not enough acts of random kindness in this world. I know I could also do that via save editing, but it would feel much better real-time on-camera. A pure RPG feature I know, but hey, an exception proves a rule (if that's even a saying in English).

2. As I laid it out, the promotion screen would display all open positions, allowing (potentially) a rookie to be promoted to commander if desired. This is not typically how it works in the game. So instead, the promotion screen might simply give an option to promote to the next rank, if available. Ironically I think this would be somewhat more work to write, as I can't just crib off the existing windows (though there is probably a "confirmation" type window someplace I can crib-off of). Promotion from rookie to commander would still be possible, it would simply take more clicks.

Sounds good. I'm relatively open to changes in the mechanics/limits of the vanilla promotions, if a backwards-compatibility with vanilla is ensured via a master on/off switch. You'll probably also change your mind several times during the implementation.

3. Should demotions be possible? A "demote" option could easily be added to the list of possible new ranks. In a "single-step" promotion scenario, the window that pops up could give promotion and demotion options. Alternatively, one might right-click on the rank to demote and left-click on the rank to promote.

Believe it or not, I have implemented Demotions in OXCE some years ago. But after some time I have removed it, because it wasn't used and because without manual promotions it was kinda meh. But yeah, if manual promotions would be available, manual demotions would make sense too.

4. Should the existing promotion pyramid be enforced? That is, should it be impossible to promote a soldier to say sergant until an existing captain vacancy was filled?

Not sure if I understand the question properly.

But it feels like the answer should be yes.

5. To what extent is it desirable for the above rules to be configurable? Should the ability to demote be an additional configurable option? How about the ability to promote from Rookie to Squadie?

There should be at least a master on/off switch.

As for the rest, it's up for discussion. In general, less is more... but having a couple of meaningful settings wouldn't hurt.

[Vakrug]

Also, I really don't want RPG features in Xcom. If an RPG feature can be used for some strategical or tactical purpose as well, I am willing to close one eye, maybe even both eyes... but pure RPG features without any strategical or tactical benefit are in general not welcome.

What do you mean by that? I have noticed earlier that many people misunderstand this term. "R" stands for "role". Just because "wondering traders" and "NPC's" appears in many RPG games does not make them RPG elements.

I will ask differently: do you think is is OK and desirable that all maxed out X-COM soldiers are basically the same? If not, then I have some suggestions...

[Solarius Scorch]

I will ask differently: do you think is is OK and desirable that all maxed out X-COM soldiers are basically the same? If not, then I have some suggestions...

I personally think it's OK and desirable. I believe that a soldier's worth should be determined by merit, courage and luck, not some ingrained "genetics". We already have segregation by Psi Strength, I wouldn't want to pile more on top of that.

However: for more story-oriented mods (literally only Piratez), I personally am in favour of different "backgrounds" with varying pros and cons. This is already a thing in Piratez: units recruited from various sources sometimes have different soldier bonuses to reflect their specialisations; but I'd like to be able to randomise these soldier bonuses instead of "one recruitment method = one specific bonus". But I guess it's not exactly on topic (and I don't know if Dioxine would agree).

[Vakrug]

I believe that a soldier's worth should be determined by merit, courage and luck, not some ingrained "genetics".

There is not enough luck in current equation!

We already have segregation by Psi Strength, I wouldn't want to pile more on top of that.

Yes, Psi Strength is pretty much the only RPG element in this game. And I think this is not enough...

I personally am in favour of different "backgrounds" with varying pros and cons.

Better than nothing. But, unlike Psi Strength, background is known before recruitment.

but I'd like to be able to randomise these soldier bonuses instead of "one recruitment method = one specific bonus".

This is actually very close to what I was going to propose. All right, I will spill the beans: random bonuses from same commendation. Most straightforward example: after participating in 10 missions a soldier unlocks it's first "perk" which will make him different from other soldiers even after he is maxed out. I will not go in details here -- wrong topic, but if this is somewhat interesting to someone I will make an official suggestion.

[Scamps]

There is a mod for randomized stat caps, so "maxed soldiers have same stats" problem can be solved by existing means. In Piratez there are freaks.
Commendations also help differentiate soldiers if they stick to different playstyles. I am not sure random commendations are a good way to solve that problem. For example, why should you play 10 missions to discover some natural inclination towards firing/melee/reaction that never manifested before? Using random commendations for random lasting injuries ("patient" commendations) seems more realistic. But it would be more frustrating and people would want a way to remove commendations 

[Meridian]

What do you mean by that? I have noticed earlier that many people misunderstand this term. "R" stands for "role". Just because "wondering traders" and "NPC's" appears in many RPG games does not make them RPG elements.

Yes, I don't want that R.
Soldiers in Xcom are supposed to be nameless faceless unattached resources used in cold blood to avert the alien invasion. I don't want anything that even hints at "role-playing".
(Note: I have over-exaggerated here to better convey my point)

I will ask differently: do you think is is OK and desirable that all maxed out X-COM soldiers are basically the same? If not, then I have some suggestions...

It is OK that they are the same.
It is NOT desired that they can max out... the soldiers in xcom should die long before they can max out.

More info here (long reading): https://openxcom.org/forum/index.php/topic,3748.0.html

[Meridian]

Also, this thread is about Manual Promotions.

If you want to discuss soldier max stats and stuff like that, please take it to a separate thread.

[DoxaLogos (JG)]

Just wanted to chime and get thread back on topic.

I think the Manual Promotions is a great idea especially if it is configurable  with a switch.   It fits the theme as 'you' playing the role of the commander of X-COM (or whatever mod has you in charge).  It seems logical that you would have a say in who gets promoted in your own organization instead of it being random. 

[MaxMahem]

So, still, some work to do, but feature complete enough to demonstrate functionality.

https://imgur.com/ZDG0yV8

Not much to comment on here. In the current incarnation, you can promote to any open rank, and demote to any rank, though if you demote to rookie, you cannot promote back up again. Not sure if I want to prevent that or not. Ideally, I think these sorts of rules would be configurable, but that's beyond the scope of what I want to do right now.

In creating this, I ripped into existing code a fair bit more than I intended to initially, so I'll want to do a fair amount of testing before I submit. I'm unsure to what degree getting into the guts of my changes to the code is appropriate here.

(sorry for all the edits, had some difficulty embedding the video)

[MaxMahem]

I guess I do have some questions, though:

• To what degree is feedback and/or negative feedback desirable? IE, if you select a rank that you cannot promote to, what should happen?
• Should ranks that are ineligible for promotion even show up on the list?
• I do not think any feedback is necessary when you successfully promote someone, the result is obvious, but I'm open to other opinions.
• Obviously it should have an on-off switch. But it occurs to me that you might want automatic promotions on and manual promotions on. Since if demotion is possible, you can just change who is promoted anyways. So it wouldn't just be a binary switch of automatic promotions off, manual promotions on, but two switches. Thoughts about this?"
• It also occurs to me though, that if there is a on/off switch for automatic promotions, it would make sense for that option to be combined with field promotions (which implies automatic promotions), as that option doesn't make sense without automatic promotions being on. However, actually implementing a 3 value switch is somewhat more complicated, and it would be somewhat difficult to do in a backwards compatible manner.

[Yankes]

in current iteration you can buy 100 soldiers on day one and promote every one to grain one commander?

I think would be preferred that manual promotion have some requirements that are needed to allow it.
And it could be different than used in normal promotions, probably less hard to grain.
Like you would normally need 10 mission to promote automatically some specific solder but after 6th mission you can manually do it.

[MaxMahem]

in current iteration you can buy 100 soldiers on day one and promote every one to grain one commander?

I think would be preferred that manual promotion have some requirements that are needed to allow it.
And it could be different than used in normal promotions, probably less hard to grain.
Like you would normally need 10 mission to promote automatically some specific solder but after 6th mission you can manually do it.

Well, you are still restricted by living space, so you cannot literally hire 100 soldiers day 1. Likewise, the rule that you cannot promote rookies is enforced, so anyone you want to promote to a higher rank must first participate in some combat to obtain that promotion naturally. However, at that point, yes, you could promote them to whatever rank you have available, given the current ranks filled and the number of soldiers you have on staff.

I think, in practice, this kind of "abuse" doesn't seem like that big a deal. Your ability to expand your ranks is limited by space in your living quarters, which also have to compete with scientists and engineers. Given this constraint, unless you actively worked against it, or suffer truly horrendous losses, your soldiers will naturally gain some xp and get promoted to rookie. At that point, ascending up the ranks is automatic, so long as you go on any missions. You only need to keep 10 squaddies out of 30 to fill the ranks. Or guess put another way, I don't think your ability to manually promote soldiers is unlikely to greatly exceed the rate they would be naturally promoted in most situations.

Instead, people wanting to abuse the system are more likely they would go the other way, and simply not promote anyone. That's the exploit that gets brought up in conversations with me. But if you want to avoid having high-ranking soldiers on missions, there are already other ways to do this.

Anyways, I do think that allowing mods to customize requirements for promotions is a good concept and something I'm interested in adding later if desired. Like you might have to have a certain soldier score (using the base game algorithm) or meet some arbitrary stat requirements in order to be eligible for promotion, but that's beyond the scope of what I wanted to do right now. Other then that, I guess I don't really understand what kind of system you are proposing.

[Yankes]

Anyways, I do think that allowing mods to customize requirements for promotions is a good concept and something I'm interested in adding later if desired. Like you might have to have a certain soldier score (using the base game algorithm) or meet some arbitrary stat requirements in order to be eligible for promotion, but that's beyond the scope of what I wanted to do right now. Other then that, I guess I don't really understand what kind of system you are proposing.

Its more a free thoughts about this, I simply consider mods that some how put more "meat" behind rank (aka give more bonuses to given solder).
And without limitation manual or automatic promotion could be problematic as it could allow abuses or have unhappy players when wrong unit get promotion.

For now this have small impact on game as ranks AFAIR are only used in morale lose calculations.

One solution I would see is link it to commendations, like each rank require specific list of them to progress (best if we could have `or`/`and` handling).
We could have different set of requirement for automatic and manual promotion (where manual one are easier to get).

Image case xpiratez where to get biggest rank you need kill Ethereal or alterative kill previous captain

[MaxMahem]

Its more a free thoughts about this, I simply consider mods that some how put more "meat" behind rank (aka give more bonuses to given solder).
And without limitation manual or automatic promotion could be problematic as it could allow abuses or have unhappy players when wrong unit get promotion.

For now this have small impact on game as ranks AFAIR are only used in morale lose calculations.

One solution I would see is link it to commendations, like each rank require specific list of them to progress (best if we could have `or`/`and` handling).
We could have different set of requirement for automatic and manual promotion (where manual one are easier to get).

Image case xpiratez where to get biggest rank you need kill Ethereal or alterative kill previous captain

Yeah, I am all for that, and plan to look into implementing something like that after I finish this. But the two features I feel are independent. Customizing ranks and what they mean mechanically can exist with or without automatic promotions, though I think it would work better with. But when customizing what a rank "means" would feel like the natural time to also add restrictions as to who could have what rank, to prevent the kind of abuse you talk about.