Direction 1 - Outpost in the Goblin Lands

This concept will be closest to what the game is currently.

Concept:

Build an outpost, amass an army, and overcome the goblin lands. Use magic to create wild combinations of upgrades.

Goal:

In universe: Tame the goblin lands, kill every goblin in this forest

Mechanically: Reach day 50 and slay the goblin king

Gameplay:

Recruit adventuring parties, build structures, research and deploy upgrades. 

(How does that differ from the pre-alpha?) - Instead of building structures to gain random upgrades, the structures will provide consistent choices of buffs/resources and you'll be able to buy new upgrades from the Wizard, or craft them with the Enchanter building.

Scope:

50 rounds, 5-10 enemy unit types, 3-6 player unit types, 3-8 building types, 100 upgrades, 30 enemy upgrades

Mechanics:

(night)

Sit back and watch your units slay goblins to gain Goblin Ears

(day)

Check next wave info (what upgrades do the goblins have, which goblin types can spawn, etc)

Trade Ears for Gold with merchant Dave

Trade Gold for adventurers (groups of 3-8 units of various classes) with merchant Dave

Trade Gold for buildings (each with a different role in resource production and unit upgrade) with merchant Dave

Trade Resources for random upgrades from Wizard (comes every 5 days)

Research specific upgrades at the Enchanter building

Post high scores online

World:

The goblin lands are a treacherous dark forest where goblins live. Randalf, failed son of King Tim, is tasked to tame these lands or (preferably for King Tim) die.

Characters:

Randalf - spends as much of his weekly stipend as possible on luxury, sharing only what he has left over with his advisor (you).

You are advisor to this lesser lord. Make due with what you are given to tame the Goblin lands or Randalf will die (and you too).

Dave the Merchant - visits daily with a new stock of adventurer contracts and tells you the exchange rate for Goblin ears. Jolly, but always hides in the forest (or the nearest building) when night comes.

Wonderous (tm) the Wizard - visits every 5 days with upgrade offers, rarer upgrades require rarer resources, but nothing is a sure thing. Is secretly providing the Goblins with upgrades as well

[Web and Linux versions have been compiled (and web actually works now, yay!)]