IOT Developmental Thread

[Ailedhoo]

So, I was sulking about the other day trying to figure out how TSR failed so catastrophically at resurrecting the old skool spirit, and I realized: it's not order locks, it's PMs. The key paradigm distinguishing the original games from pretty much everything after IOT7 is the secrecy of orders.

I don't have the time to reboot MPR, and I don't know if I can round up everyone necessary for IOT:A, but I want a simple IOT, and I want one done "right". Therefore, I thought I'd take this opportunity to conduct a little experiment.

It would be possibly the most bare-bones game short of total anarchy. Blank map, no provinces, neither fixed turn length nor update schedule, where pretty much everything is carried through roleplay. It'd be akin to Roll to Dodge in that players can basically claim to do whatever the hell they feel like and it's entirely possible it'll show up on the game board, subject to mediation by the GM. In short: casual atmosphere and no hard-set rules, just impromptu arbitration.

Any takers?

Also, potentially run by the Downfall Gang on Tani's forum as a faux ultra-complex venture.

This will be intresting.

I will look forward to this!

 

[Tee Kay]

I'd go with contemporary-ish, allowing for some fantastical elements a la DYOS-verse (but not quite)

Also, I support no provinces. They are artificial and since we don't have ANY game play element in IOT:A that needs them, why have them?

I could see a use for provinces in keeping borders neat and tidy.

 

[Tani Coyote]

They also prevent the "claim half of Asia" insanity that happened in IOT I.

They were introduced for a reason.

However with a reasonable GM I see no reason the slightly extra work load would bog things down any. Your claims will more or less be around the same amount of pixels as eachother I'd presume, possibly influenced by RP. Not too difficult.

 

[Ailedhoo]

I look forward to set out the borders!

I am thinking of claiming Hong Kong as my capital in advance. I am making a vision of a power brewing in my mind.

 

[JohannaK]

This is interesting. I fear for it.

 

[Double A]

If you're concerned about secrecy and stuff, why not just not accept PM orders?

I want more IOTA.

 

[Tani Coyote]

I feel my role in the IOT IV timeline is done... short of Sombra one day returning to lead an Abhorrent war on humanity. And the blood traitors that are the human-allied Kaetif.

Though the idea shows promise.

The most shameful thing is it will be a setback to the idea of a TK/TF/Thor co-GMed game that's been suggested in chat.

 

[Thorvald of Lym]

If you're concerned about secrecy and stuff, why not just not accept PM orders?

That is precisely what I plan to do.

I want more IOTA.

I made a vow to revisit it, but I want to make sure I can give it the attention it deserves.

The most shameful thing is it will be a setback to the idea of a TK/TF/Thor co-GMed game that's been suggested in chat.

"People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public[.]"

 

[Terrance888]

They also prevent the "claim half of Asia" insanity that happened in IOT I.

They were introduced for a reason.

However with a reasonable GM I see no reason the slightly extra work load would bog things down any. Your claims will more or less be around the same amount of pixels as eachother I'd presume, possibly influenced by RP. Not too difficult.

From my experience, expansion is the easiest thing. Couple pixels for "free". Chunk of land for assimilation issues. etc.

 

[Tani Coyote]

"People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public[.]"

You say that like it's a bad thing.

Though really, I'm sure we could find some way to make it work!

Though between your often heavy workload and Tailless not being that active, I'm not sure what could be done.

Obviously I'd have to be the GM Chair.

 

[Ailedhoo]

Wait I have a idea!

When in the year will the three Ts all have free time at the same time?

That might be the best time!

 

[Tani Coyote]

I have free time almost always (hence the suggestion I be the chair). So ball's in TK and Thor's court.

 

[Gzz]

What do you think about an Army Men IOT ? With different types of "armies" ( the plastic , the aluminium and so on ) ?
Anyway , some rules sketches


ECONOMY : simple and plain : every territory , exectpions excluded , gives you an army , but , when you bet 3 ene,y armies , you get one gratis .

TYPES : Plastic : the classic green guys , no bonus nor malus
Aluminium : resistent , powerful , but they have an hard time to grow in numbers , they have 2 extra dices when attacking pr defending , but they get one army for every 2 territories .
Clay : numerous , but fragile , they have 2 armies poer territory , but they lose 3 dices when defending

COMBAT :

 

[Thorvald of Lym]

Sounds like more of a RISK-style game, but it could work.


Some details on how this proposed game of mine would play out:

Territory

Start from a small patch representing a municipality, expand through direct settlement and/or growing political influence. No divisions means borders shift organically, and tend toward habitable geography.

Combat

Plans and strategies are roleplayed. All orders are public. The goal is not to "win" the fight so much as make the campaign entertaining. There's always an element of random chance, so don't take war too seriously.

NPCs

None at the start. Some may appear as the game progresses to add flavour to the map, others as a result of player-orchestrated partitions and/or internal schisms; if left alone, will generally live and let live. I'm looking at drafting a roster of most of the characters that appeared in MP2, this time with full policy profiles, so players can call them in to rule puppet states and the such.

Timeline

What do you think of this: Start the game in 4000 B.C. and keep the date in line with the average tech paradigm as determined by general roleplay. Allows the creation of entirely original cultures and a completely blank-slate history. Assuming I can keep it up, it'd be a literally epic-scale game.

 

[NinjaCow64]

Holy words that aren't allowed on CFC that sounds amazing if you could pull that off.

 

[Tani Coyote]

Sounds simple yet delicious.

Will my precious furry empire be allowed?

 

[Double A]

Combat

Plans and strategies are roleplayed. All orders are public. The goal is not to "win" the fight so much as make the campaign entertaining. There's always an element of random chance, so don't take war too seriously.

You don't need quotes around something if you can literally do it.

 

[Thorvald of Lym]

*cough*Vietnam*cough*

Will my precious furry empire be allowed?

Given VladDrakken received no complaint in IOT4, and I'm making no judgments on the prehistory...

 

[Terrance888]

What do you think about an Army Men IOT ? With different types of "armies" ( the plastic , the aluminium and so on ) ?
Anyway , some rules sketches


ECONOMY : simple and plain : every territory , exectpions excluded , gives you an army , but , when you bet 3 ene,y armies , you get one gratis .

TYPES : Plastic : the classic green guys , no bonus nor malus
Aluminium : resistent , powerful , but they have an hard time to grow in numbers , they have 2 extra dices when attacking pr defending , but they get one army for every 2 territories .
Clay : numerous , but fragile , they have 2 armies poer territory , but they lose 3 dices when defending

Abaddon ran an army-men style NES a long long time ago. Green men or something. Might wanna take a look.

 

[NinjaCow64]

We should really merge the threads.