Alpha Centauri Cooperative Game I

Alpha Centauri Cooperative Game I

This is going to be my second attempt to create a AC 'demo' game similar in style to the existing demo-games for Civ II, III, and IV. A demo-game, for those unfamiliar, is where a number of forum members fill in for a number of fictional 'in-game' roles. Since the engines of none of the Civ/AC games allow for this to be done through the game, it all has to be accomplished outside. If you are still confused, consider this example from how it worked in a Civ II demo-game(approximately).

One forum member, usually the originator or current 'King', plays the game for a certain amount of turns/time. He/she is currently in a war. Another forum player may have been declared the "Commander in Chief". They would furnish the king with instructions on how the troops are to be conducted. It is the duty of the King to try and follow those directives as closely as he would according to the kind of role playing that is occurring. Role playing means things such as current government affect how 'characters' should try to act. In fact role playing is a big part of the demo-game experience.

The Basic Roles for the AC Co-Op Game:

Faction Leader - Since in AC, the faction leader never dies of old age, it will probably the originator(i.e. me in this case). They are the person who plays through the game in SP and furnishes screen shots for the consumption of everyone else.

Citizens - Each citizen will ideally be represented by one forum-goer participating in the ACCO. Obviously current citizen mood within the game(Drone/Talent/Specialist/Citizen) should affect priorities and influence in some ways.

Adviser Positions - Most likely cabinet positions like "war chief", "foreign relations adviser", etc. can be filled from citizens within bases. Also no one is limited in how many adviser positions they can have.

Units - Most likely unit control, military or none, will depend on SE choices and home base. This area is probably most flexible since all orders in this area must be interpreted anyway by the faction leader.


Basic Idea:

In bases the decision on what is built will be heavily influenced by the colonists in that base. However colonist participation in discussion of matters outside base is encouraged to a great degree.

Basic Execution of Ideas:

I will play out a portion of time once some decisions are made. Then I will post the results of that, and give a deadline for when all input for the next session is due by.

Basic Input from other ACCO(Alpha Centauri Cooperative) players:

For now it will be crudely accomplished through basic posting, so it will be a little confusing with all the discussion that will be occurring. Eventually much neater and tidier pages will be constructed and linked so information and orders can be more easily displayed.


For anyone who is interested:

I know this post has been long and I want to thank you for sticking with it. Here is what we should figure out first.

1) What faction is to be played(SMAC factions only)?
2) What difficulty is to be played upon?

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sir_schwick said:

Citizens - Each citizen will ideally be represented by one forum-goer participating in the ACCO. Obviously current citizen mood within the game(Drone/Talent/Specialist/Citizen) should affect priorities and influence in some ways.

Click to expand...

That seems rather untenable, how would we organize this?

I'd be up for some SMACtion though.

Most likely most of the citizen roles will be unfilled until this thing picks up speed. You up for being the first citizen?

Also, in about a week I should be able to start the game. Any ideas what the planet scan will show? Also, what faction?

Could I join this?
This including Alien Crossfire?

Certainly, the more the more interesting. Nope, this is just SMAC and no Alien Crossfire. This does mean if we play a faction that one of the SMAX faction splits off from, you can still carry their extremist position. Like I said, the scanning probes launched from the Unity will come back with results of the planet scan in a few days. What do you "think"(i.e., what kind of planet settings on a randomly generated planet) will he/she have?

How about are large fairly inhospitable world?
What difficulty?

I haven't played a full game of SMAC in a while, so probably Talent or the one one more difficult than that.

Ok, so how about you just set everything to random and take what it gives you?

UNITY REPORT ON CHIRON : PROJECT NINA

Time: T-Orbit - 0:8:12:35

(Paraphrase)
Initial scans from our NINA satellite probes indicate the atmosphere is a vast percentage of nitrogen with only trace quantities of oxygen. Radiometric measurements show a surprising lack of Carbon in the atmosphere. Around 60% of the surface is covered by ocean. Radar scans indicate some of the ocean is quite deep. Topographically, the entire is much more rugged than would be expected considering the suspected age of the planet, the two moons in orbit, and the large body of water. It is theorized that the massive red stains seen from orbit are native plant life that provides a stable root structure to limit erosion.


UNITY REPORT ON CHIRON: PROJECT ERIKSON

Several of the Viking II surface probes that survived have brought new light onto the nature of the biomass in Planet's surface. The weed like blooms of the red "xenofungus" is quite entrenched into the often rocky soil. Soil samples are even more interesting, containing the same low carbon and high nitrogen environments on the surface. It is likely the biomass extends considerably farther down into the crust of the planet. Unfortunately all the probes where destroyed by mechanical malfunctions or the biomass below. It appears that that local fauna have a symbiotic relationship with the xenofungus and protect it from intruders.


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So, which faction is reading this at this moment?

I say either the Hive or University.

Hive!

Let all surviving humanity be unified in the conquest and consumption of this barren new world. Let no man, machine, or force of nature bar the noble worker from his forsworn duty to toil in service of the greater good of all homo sapiens! Power to all citizens! Glory to our chairman! Swift death to all who would stand before the deeply burning patriotic fervor of the human hive! [etc etc. fade in Hive Anthem over montage of industrial triumphs and inspirational artworks]

"Learn to overcome the crass demands of flesh and bone, for they warp the matrix through which we perceive the world. Extend your awareness outwards, beyond the self of body, to embrace the self of group and the self of humanity. The goals of the group and the greater race are transcendent, and to embrace them is enlightenment."
-- Chairman Shen-ji Yang

Chiron, T-landing + 0:0:1:20

All my acolytes, it is time we begin to distribute the labor necessary to survive. We have been born into this world as a new creation. Each a vital organ of the social organism. As a baby from the womb and through old age, our tasks will grow, concurrent with those of the other organs. This is the start of the human transcendent journey.

Soul of the Hive - Chairman Shen-ji Yang(sir_schwick)
Mind of the Hive - (Perfection)
Eyes of the Hive - (nodikus)
Fist of the Hive - (Yuri2356)

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Sorry that there are no screenies yet. Anyone know good software that will not leave an ugly watermark to remove?

Also, the list above was based upon first come first serve, but does reflect pecking order on decisions in the hive and who gets what colony assignment.

I will be updating the reserved posts with much of this information, but will state it now for discussion and to keep you from having to go up.

Frontier Politics - The military and social institutions required for a completely loyal state are beyond our means at this time. For now it is suggested that ideal methods of ensuring loyalty and survival are high degrees of resource and labor management by our state apparatus. Their may be dissenters among the ranks that need extreme punishment. Also orders from above are expected to be obeyed without question, but communication troubles will likely leave local base commanders having to do on their own in trivial matters.

Simple Economics - At this time it is not possible to change our energy distribution rates without risking total collapse of our agricultural-industrial complex. Also it is a directive from the first Ten-Year Plan that industrial output of machinery and weapons is paramount to our survival.

So now that you know some stuff, make some stories, set down some directives. We'll figure out what matters as it comes up. Be liberal! No wait, be very very conscious of the Hive.

Humble Chairman,
I recomend that we construct and dispatch several reconesence teams before building anything else. The knowledge of potntial threats and resources would be of most immense value.

Annual Progress Address to the Hive Body, 12 PF

".....all attempts at discovering the position of other possible survivors have proven failures. It appears at this point we are the last remainders of humanity on this Planet. However we are not alone in our new Eden. Ever since an exploration teams encounter with the "mind worms", minor attacks have been persistently growing. Vigilance is required; loyalty demanded; survival guaranteed under our great Chairman Shen-ji Yang. All hail Yang! All hail evolution! All hail the Hive!"

"....Paramount is the development of industrial and military resources to deal with the emerging wildlife threat. However most important of all is the ability to feed the whole of the Hive. Since Planetfall we have developed the technology required to terraform terrain in the harsh grounds outside these great domed complexes. Soon the fields shall bring back the products of the field so they may be used to further the glorious machine of the Human Hive. All hail the human machine! All hail the Hive!"

"...This year we will be expanding the Hive. Colonists are preparing the machinery for the long trek, even during this address. The Foot of the Hive takes another step towards inevitability on this, our brave new world. ..."


Exploration Report 0078-JM4/P

[The data from the space object tracking radars was correct.] Already we have recovered several useful artifacts from supply pods dropped from the unity during its crash. Two hours ago in the hills east of our outpost a drop pod with a full platoon of Unity Rovers was discovered. Currently they are being adapted for our exploration equipment and should soon be ready to rapidly increase our scouting area. However we have not enough manpower in our party to properly scout on foot and using the rovers. A detachment of......


Planet Surface Map Summary, 12 PF

The Hive is situated on a coast near moist terrain and a large hill to its southeast. Along the north runs a few hundred square kilometers of fairly arable land on the coast. A mountain dominates that particular peninsula and most of the land appears barren. To the southeast lies many more aggressive hills, the only decent land running along the coast going directly east. A river runs near The Hive and into the nearest hill. To the east is a vast valley of worthless land.


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Like it says above, we have a colony pod and need to decide where it goes. Also there are now a few scouts out and about, so what do you advisers say the Hive should make next? Where does the colony go?

Current research priorities are Build and Conquer. Any recommendations? Who wants to be on the colony pod?

Basically we need to formulate the Ten Year Plans for 11-20 PF and 21-30 PF.

Hope you are having fun.

Do we have a recycling tank yet? No potential of any man, living or dead, should be allowed to go unused in furthering the prosperity of our great hive.

Otherwise, how do the mineral prospects look for the River and farmable areas? Since both should do well for feeding, the one with greater material capacity should be tapped first.

I agree with Yuri. Try to find a spot that balances minerals and farmland.

The Chairman says, "I agree that Recycling Tanks offer a chance for every member to contribute their fullest to the Hive. Theory on that kind of technology existed aboard the Unity, but we have none of the working modules to build on our own.

balancing the needs of the new colony to both agricultural and industrial capacity is wise. However I have yet of any of you to volunteer to lead the colony mission. Without suitable transport, it will be difficult for me to directly administer the Will of the Hive. A wise leader will be needed to carry out administration in my proxy.

Also, the productive land surrounding The Hive is soon to run short. Some priority should be given to using terraforming technology now available to us to convert more land. Ready some plans for once the 'converters' are online."

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So yeah, I'll leave an anonymous leader in charge of the new colony until I get a good administer(i.e. one of you guys to go). I think I'm also going to rename the Formers as Land Converters. Just seems more how the Hive would think. Maybe Reclaimers would be a good title too. Say any suggestions you have. In general lets think of better names for the unit designs than the default ones.

You guys know of any good snap-shot programs that are also free? I feel screenies would help in communicating information.

Additionally, I plan to roleplay somewhat in playing. For example, I will be less than usual Yang concerned about offensive military units since I believe no one else made it. Also means I will be slightly less expansive. Advisers should protest/cheer as see fit.

Headquarters, The Hive, early 16 PF

The stern faces of Counselors Yuri, Nodikus, and Perfection matched my own as I entered the grand strategy room. All the other Counselors, along with their respective aides, stopped chatter and fell into a stone silence. Most of them would have only had time for a rudimentary briefing, as the original release was still being kept under high secrecy.

"Comrades, we are not the last vestige of humanity on planet." This information was not extremely shocking, as even the best secrecy would not hide this important of a detail. "About an hour ago I was interrupted by an infrared voice communication from our long-lost nuisance, the Unity Security Chief. She now styles herself 'Colonel Santiago'," the bile in my voice barely describing how unpleasant the conversation had been.

"I have no desire or need to tell you what was said in exact. A threat was made and her boasting was countered. Although we have found another survivor on this planet, they will be surviving not much longer." The room erupted into a tumult of crosstalk and hurried examination of data logs. On the wall a buzzer hummed softly, indicating incoming information.

A staff officer pressed the button to send the message in the correct direction. After a moment she motioned in my direction, almost quizzically. I had expected this priority communique to the high-security strategy room. On the screen a grainy image of the inside of an air tent could be seen. Through the large viewing window one could barely make out the barren terrain of planet.

(Speaking in Chinese) "Captain Woo of the Gorgeous expedition, reporting, sir. The ambush was carried out as ordered, sir. As you predicted, soon after the link was terminated they attacked the Link Squad. If not for our setting this ambush, all of us would be dead before more information could be sent back. They had roving, armored vehicles that do not appear to be of the same model carried on the Unity. This force was very dangerous and retreated before we could fully destroy them. During the attack we also took heavy losses, sir."

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So yes gentlemen, and ladies, we are at war with the Spartans within five minutes of meeting them. They were seen to the west, pretty close to the river valley site of Huddling of the Masses. The mentioned attack occurred on a hill to the south of Huddling of the Masses. Preemptively the Unity Rover to the east is being sent west to deal with possible incursions. Should the former production in the Hive, about half done, be switched over to a scout patrol? What are some plans for the war? Any volunteer generals?