Omega124
Challenging Fate
Oh god, not another Sons of Mars. 
IOT Developmental Thread
- Thread starter Joecoolyo
- Start date
Tani Coyote
Son of Huehuecoyotl
- Joined
- May 28, 2007
- Messages
- 15,195
Oh god, not another Sons of Mars.
Don't be hatin' on the brand just because in the first one you were ravaged by Red Alert 3's imbalances and in the second by inactivity.
That's not really a constructive critique, anyway.
Omega124
Challenging Fate
Don't be hatin' on the brand just because in the first one you were ravaged by Red Alert 3's imbalances and in the second by inactivity.
That's not really a constructive critique, anyway.
As much as I respect you as a mod, you did the concept of Sons of Mars to death already. It was unique the first time, and you gave enough time between I and II, but god, you haven't even finished your next IOT and you are planning a third Mars?
Actually, the first Sons I quit because nothing was happening for way too long (It was claim and research, claim and research. For roleplaying a Rome-like nation, there was nothing really suitable to conquor) while the second way too much happened in a critical three days (You said you wouldn't even start the first update until the day I came back, before I stated I was leaving, in the first place.)
Anyways, this doesn't even look like a Sons of Mars in the first place. There's no nationbuilding, there's no teching (At least from what I see. You make references to it like if it was there, but nothing actually covers it), and diplomacy with NPCs are watered down. You'd be better off just calling it, say, "A Game of Nations" instead of Sons of Mars III.
Also, you tried the concept of soft powers before, and it doesn't work well in the model of IOT.Sure, you can try making a NATO/Warsaw Pact, but it's easier to just conquor the crap out of your foes. It just ends up you railroading us to slow down the pace of the game.
Tani Coyote
Son of Huehuecoyotl
- Joined
- May 28, 2007
- Messages
- 15,195
What exactly is a "Sons of Mars." To me, it's pretty much just a semi-complex IOT designed by me. I can't really think of any unifying features that none of my other games don't share.
As for tech, it's there but changed around. You have Army, which is tech through and through, and then you have Industry. Diplo and Civics are just worthless so I canned them. Economy vs. Army, basically.
Nationbuilding isn't exclusive to SoM; it's the foundation of IOT in general.
I canned most diplomacy because it's too much for a keyboard and .png game. Imagine a board game getting that complex.
Diplo is still there; it doesn't have to be hardcoded. There will still be royal marriages and whatnot if one wants.
As for tech, it's there but changed around. You have Army, which is tech through and through, and then you have Industry. Diplo and Civics are just worthless so I canned them. Economy vs. Army, basically.
Nationbuilding isn't exclusive to SoM; it's the foundation of IOT in general.
I canned most diplomacy because it's too much for a keyboard and .png game. Imagine a board game getting that complex.
Diplo is still there; it doesn't have to be hardcoded. There will still be royal marriages and whatnot if one wants.
Tani Coyote
Son of Huehuecoyotl
- Joined
- May 28, 2007
- Messages
- 15,195
The in-progress Sons of Mars 3 map.
Notable changes are the USA and Canada. The United States, for example, now has 89 provinces instead of 50.
Intended changes:
-Reconstruction of Australia
-Reducing Afghanistan's provinces to 6.
-Maybe increase China's slightly?
-Chop up the larger provinces.
-Some northern islands will be changed to a shade of black or grey to indicate they are not claimable.
Feel free to toss out suggestions. Africa and Brazil are likely to get a makeover.
Tani Coyote
Son of Huehuecoyotl
- Joined
- May 28, 2007
- Messages
- 15,195
Really, I just roll with it. My only goals were really to increase the number in areas, decrease it in others(no need for Afghanistan or Paraguay to have so many provinces), and slightly alter straight borders to give a more natural look.
I've already made a ton of modifications though....
Spoiler :
SouthernKing
crickety cricket
Decrease the # of provinces in SE Asia and central Africa.
MaxaTheGreat
Feel Prussian Iron!
Okay, I think I'll have events that hurt warmongers and/or encourage coalitions.
One last question before finishing up: Should I use the drawing resources, or should I go back to colors? The drawings are pretty frustrating, but I'd need a new map for colors.
To-Do List:
1. Put the pictures i need into the ruleset.
2. Create the group for the IOT.
3. Look through all the rules and edit anything that needs changing.
4. Do some Alpha testing to see if there's anything game breaking.
5. Open the Beta.
6. Release the IOT!
One last question before finishing up: Should I use the drawing resources, or should I go back to colors? The drawings are pretty frustrating, but I'd need a new map for colors.
To-Do List:
1. Put the pictures i need into the ruleset.
2. Create the group for the IOT.
3. Look through all the rules and edit anything that needs changing.
4. Do some Alpha testing to see if there's anything game breaking.
5. Open the Beta.
6. Release the IOT!
Optical
The Fall of the Eleventh
If the drawings frustrate you, use the colours.
GhostWriter16
Deity
Make sure if you hurt "Warmongerers" you have rules in place to allow those with legitimate reason for war to fight without these penalties.
Optical
The Fall of the Eleventh
Casus Belli?
GhostWriter16
Deity
Something along those lines yes. It could be hardcoded or merely "I the GM think this is totally ridiculous so I'm going to enforce a penalty," but it should be there.
If its the latter though, the different types of states should be taken into consideration (A state like Imperial Japan should be able to get away with more than a liberal Democracy.)
If its the latter though, the different types of states should be taken into consideration (A state like Imperial Japan should be able to get away with more than a liberal Democracy.)
Tani Coyote
Son of Huehuecoyotl
- Joined
- May 28, 2007
- Messages
- 15,195
This is where the delicate balance of gameplay vs. realism comes into effect. Players find themselves incentivised towards autocratic regimes.
Being the exception if fun.
Optical
The Fall of the Eleventh
I'd be interested although I have no experience with Command and Conquer. I'd be interested to see what you could do with it.
I'd be interested.
GhostWriter16
Deity
I don't know what C&C is, but if the game looked really cool I'd join it.
