New NESes, ideas, development, etc

[a_propagandist]

So SporeNES?

 

[Lord_Iggy]

Spore done right? Basically, that would be awesome. That was actually vaguely similar to the idea that I had with the Star Wars Christmas Special- ahem, the 'Alien' thing in LINESII.

 

[a_propagandist]

And the menace to the west of the Spice Islands and stuff, eh? I hope you'll resolve that for us.

 

[Arian]

While talking extra-terrestrial, I made a concept-ruleset for a TrekNES:

Spoiler :

Playable races (maybe more, if needed):

1. Humans
2. Klingons
3. Romulans
4. Cardassians
5. Ferengi
6. Tholians
7. Gorn
8. Breen

Template:

Race/Empire/Player
Race Attribute Military Effectiveness (RAM):
Race Attribute Research (RAR):
Race Attribute Intel (RAI):
Race Attribute Trade (RAT):
Race Attribute Production (RAP):
Home System: .../ 1 SC/turn
Colonized systems: ...
Income: (Home System + (#colonized systems/10, rounded down)) * RAT-modifier
Expansion Sphere = 10 lightyears (ly)
Planetary Defense: 1000 Troops (at 75% + bonus% from RAM)
General Technology Level: 0
Cloaking Technology Level: 0
Scouts/Clk: 0/0
Frigates/Clk: 0/0:
Destroyers/Clk: 0/0:
Cruisers/Clk: 0/0:
Battlecruisers/Clk: 0/0:
Battleships/Clk: 0/0:
Dreadnoughts/Clk: 0/0:
Transports/Clk: 0/0:
Star Troopers/Clk: 0/0:
Fleets:


Race attributes (can't be changed during the game):

To reflect the differences between the races each race has it's advantages and disadvantages.
For sake of simplicity these differences are basically a set of 5 race attributes, each with a specific advantage.
The base value for each attribute is 0.

Race Attribute Military Effectiveness: +10% hitpoints for ships/pt, +5% strength for Troopers and Star Troopers per point
Race Attribute Research: +10% science/pt
Race Attribute Intel: +10% success on spy missions and +5% counterespionage/pt (max = +50%), +10% cloaking tech research/pt
Race Attribute Trade: +10% income/pt
Race Attribute Production: -10% ship-construction cost/pt (max = -50%)

Example:

RAM = 1: effect = +10% hitpoints for ships (scout 110 hp, frigate 220, etc.), +5% strength for Troopers and Star Troopers
RAR = 1: +10% science, each point invested in GT gives 1.1, doesn't apply for CT!
RAI = 2: +20% success on spy missions, +20% cloaking tech research, each point invested in CT gives 1.2
RAT = 3: +30% income, so if your Base Income = 4, your income would be 4 * 1.3 = 5.2 rounded down to 5
RAP = 2: -20% ship-construction, a dreadnought would cost 1-0.2 = 0.8 * 12 = 9.6 rounded down to 9


Space Credits (SC)

SC are the 'gold' which can be invested in the following areas:

1. Colonize system = 2 systems/SC
2. Invest in General Technology (GT)
3. Invest in Cloaking Technology (CT)
4. Buy ships
5. Buy Star Troopers
6. Invest in spy mission


Home System

This is were you come from. Your homesystem generates 1 SC + current General Technology level thus if you are at General Technology level 3 your home planet generates 1+3=4 SC each turn.


Colonize Systems

Each turn you can colonize 2 systems/SC, so if you invest 4 SC in colonization, you can colonize 8 systems.
Colonized systems generate SC: 10 colonized systems generate 1 SC


Income

Your Home System generates SC (see Home System)
Also colonized systems generate SC (see Colonize Systems)
Base Income = Home System SC + (#Colonized Systems/10, rounded down)

The Race Attribute Trade adds 10% to your base income per point


Expansion Sphere

This is how far you can colonize each turn measured from your colonized systems. Each General Technology level increases this sphere by 10*GT.
GT-level = 0 : Expansion Sphere is 10 ly
GT-level = 1 : Expansion Sphere is 10 ly + 10*1 = 20 ly
GT-level = 2 : Expansion Sphere is 20 ly + 10*2 = 40 ly
GT-level = 3 : Expansion Sphere is 40 ly + 10*3 = 70 ly
GT-level = 4 : Expansion Sphere is 70 ly + 10*4 = 110 ly
GT-level = 5 : Expansion Sphere is 110 ly + 10*5 = 160 ly
etc.


Planetary Defense

Planets in colonized systems can defend themselves against invaders. Each planet start with 1000 Troopers by default. Each increase in GT-level increases the amount of Troopers on ALL planets by 1000.
So at level 1 each planet in your empire has 1000 + 1000 = 2000 Troopers to defend the planet
At i.e. GT-level 4 you would have 1000 + 4*1000 = 5000 Troopers to defend the planet
These troops cannot be moved and will fight at 75% of normal Star Troopers
A race with RAM = 1 would fight at 75+5=80% of normal Star Troopers and it's Star Troopers at 105%


General Technology Level

Increasing the General Technology Level has several benefits for your empire. You start at level 0.
The cost to increase a level = (current level + 1)*10, so researching level 5 would cost (4 + 1)*10 = 50 SC


Cloaking Technology Level

Cloaking Technology allows you to travel space under cloak, handy for surprise attacks and espionage missions.

You start at level 0.
The cost to increase a level = (current level + 1)*10, so researching level 5 would cost (4 + 1)*10 = 50 SC

To be able to detect cloaked vessels your GT-level must be at least 1 level above the CT-level of the vessel.
Example: To detect cloaked vessels from an empire which has CT-level 2, you need GT-level 3 or above.


Ships and fleets

You can build different types of ships, all from the start.

Scout : cost 1 SC for 2, 100 hitpoints
Frigate : cost 1 SC for 1, 200 hitpoints
Destroyer : cost 2 SC for 1, 400 hitpoints
Cruiser : cost 4 SC for 1, 800 hitpoints
Battlecruiser : cost 6 SC for 1, 1200 hitpoints
Battleship : cost 8 SC for 1, 1600 hitpoints
Dreadnought : cost 12 SC for 1, 2400 hitpoints

Each General Tech Level adds 5% to hitpoints.

Transport Ship: cost 1 SC for 1, 50 hitpoints, capable to transport 1000 Star Troopers to enemy planets.

These are the cost without a cloaking device. Add 1 SC to the cost if you want a cloaked version.

The stat: Destroyers/Clk: 3/1 means you have 3 normal destroyers and 1 cloakable destroyer

Ships can travel anywhere within your Expansion Sphere. No restrictions whatsoever.
Ofcourse they can travel outside it but with only the distance as defined by your Expansion Sphere each turn. So at GT-level 3 your ships can travel 70 ly, measured from their current position (x,y-coordinates, Pythagoras etc...)

You can order your ships to patrol your border perimeter and engage any hostile or unknown vessels.

You can create fleets to make things easier. The strength of the fleet is the total of hp of its ships.


Troops

There are Troops and Star Troopers. Star Troopers cost 1 SC per 1000.

Troops are on ALL your planets (see Planetary Defense).
Star Troopers are your Empires special forces. They can be employed anywhere within your Expansion Sphere, only restricted by the number of transports in your Expansion Sphere. So if there are 10 transports in your Expansion Sphere, you can move at most 10000 Star Troopers.
You can also transport them to enemy systems by Transport Ships and try to conquer the system. They always have to fight the defenders (Troops) and possibly additional Star Troopers from the enemy empire.


Ship Detection

1. Uncloaked ships can be seen by all players (and be displayed on the map, maybe).

2. Also all cloaked vessels with a cloaking level 1 below the GT-level of ALL empires can be seen by all players.
To clarify this: if all empires have at least General Technology Level 4, ships travelling under cloak level 3 can be seen by all players.

For the MODs sanity if a cloaked vessel is detected within the Expansions Sphere of an empire, it will be revealed to all players (might change this for more game fun).


Space Battles

Under normal circumstances if two ships/fleets engage in a fight, the hp of each are calculated with RAM-modifiers if applicable.
Then it's basically throwing dice until one side reaches 0 hp and is then destroyed.

If a cloaked vessel attacks a non-cloaked vessel it gets a 100% hp bonus, to simulate a surprise attack.

To keep it simple ships are at 100% hp at the start of each turn.


Planetary Invasions

To conquer an enemy planet you have to drop Star Troopers on the planet.
They have to fight the enemy Troops (and possibly Star Troopers) on the surface of the planet.

Number of Troops for each side is then calculated with RAM-modifiers if applicable.
Then it's basically throwing dice until one side reaches 0 troops and either the planet is conquered or not.
If the planet is not conquered the next turn it will have its full complement of troops again.
If the planet is conquered the next turn it will also have its full complement of troops again plus the Star Troopers (might be less than the invasion force)


Espionage

You can start doing spy-missions when your empire borders another empire and send spies overthere.
A mission cost SC. The success rate depends on how many SC you put into the mission (+10% success/SC) and the RAI of both races.
A mission can cost at most 4 SC. Results are immediately given next turn.

Example:
Your race : RAI=5 (success-rate=+50%)
Target race: RAI=2 (contra-espionage=10%)
Investment in spy-mission = 4 EC
Successrate = 50% + 4*10% = 90% - 10% = 80%

Examples of missions.

Steal technology (GT/ST), result = more or less techpoints than you invested
Steal Ship Data (result = position of (some of the) cloaked vessels)
Destroy a colony (-60% initial success-rate)
Steal a small ship (scout/frigate), (-50% initial success-rate)
Steal a medium ship (destroyer/cruiser), (-60% initial success-rate)
Steal a large ship (battlecruiser/battleship), (-70% initial success-rate)
Steal a dreadnought, (-80% initial success-rate)
Destroy a small ship (scout/frigate), (-40% initial success-rate)
Destroy a medium ship (destroyer/cruiser), (-50% initial success-rate)
Destroy a large ship (battlecruiser/battleship), (-60% initial success-rate)
Destroy a dreadnought, (-70% initial success-rate)
Missions defined by the players...???

For the MODs sanity only 1 spy-mission per turn per empire

Notes:
1. Again concept-rules.
2. No concept-map yet, but I'm making a spreadsheet for data which I might post later.
3. Space = 3D, map = 2D. Not figured out how to handle this...
4. I might abandon the whole thing.

Reactions welcome, ofcourse.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

I always think that a space NES would be much more fun if we could create our own alien races- and make sure people are creative- no copying pre-established body plans!

 

[North King]

Yeah. Humanoids outlawed unless by special permission of the mod is a good start.

 

[Arian]

I always think that a space NES would be much more fun if we could create our own alien races- and make sure people are creative- no copying pre-established body plans!

There could be some sort of freeform while spending racial points.

Yeah. Humanoids outlawed unless by special permission of the mod is a good start.

Humans are an important part of the Trek-universe

 

[North King]

I was talking about a space-NES in general. With all due respect, a TrekNES doesn't hold that much interest for me.

 

[Lord_Iggy]

Ditto to that.

 

[Abaddon]

Would there be interest in a NotW NES-style thing, here? Essentially really push out the RP and turn it into something worthy of a NES?

 

[Neverwonagame3]

Ditto to that.

I'd find a space NES more fun too, but don't feel any pressure. A TrekNES could be decent.

Would there be interest in a NotW NES-style thing, here? Essentially really push out the RP and turn it into something worthy of a NES?

Not sure if you could get it past the mods.

 

[Abaddon]

I didn't ask that, I asked about interest

 

[Daftpanzer]

I'm another who'd find a 'trek NES kinda limiting - if it was in space, I'd like custom races and maybe a little more realism. Not too much gritty-ness though.

@Abaddon I'm not sure about this whole NotW thing. Someone is secretly a werewolf and has to kill the others or something? How would it be different as a NES?

EDIT:

A GalaxyNES would be entertaining, though roughly impossible to run. Basic idea is that you have players running planets (from evolution of life to rise of intelligent civilization to its fall), timescale geologic, and see how the galaxy changes.

I'd really like to see that

Hmm, since its probably unfeasable to make it realistic, maybe do it as a 'light' NES ( ) and throw in some fantasy elements or magic particles or natural wormholes or something?

 

[North King]

Hmm, since its probably unfeasable to make it realistic, maybe do it as a 'light' NES ( ) and throw in some fantasy elements or magic particles or natural wormholes or something?

Nah, just do soft sci-fi, that should be easy and loose enough.

 

[a_propagandist]

Arian, check out Chand's NES. Very nice stuff.

Anyways, the hitpoint concept for the ships is probably too problematic for a large-scale space NES.

 

[Chandrasekhar]

Arian, check out Chand's NES. Very nice stuff.

I appreciate the plug, but I should say before anyone else that it's in cryogenic suspension at the moment. I still need to post the final update of the Pre-NES, and then I have to go through a whole development cycle if I'm ever to make it into a "real" NES. Still, if any of you are interested in hosting a Sci-Fi NES, it might be a good idea to look at mine and see its successes and failures, to learn from it.

 

[Cobalt Command]

If i posted a brief ATL in here, would someone here be able to help me figure out a problem I can't get past?

 

[Birdjaguar]

If i posted a brief ATL in here, would someone here be able to help me figure out a problem I can't get past?

Welcome CC; I'm sure our alt history guys would love to see your effort.

 

[Cobalt Command]

Thank you Bird. The TL I've drafted is one based around Napoleon's interests in America being more adamant than in OTL:

Moderator Action: Reposted in alt history thread, so go there contribute to the discussion.

Spoiler ATL Draft :

1802- Napoleon’s rule in Haiti is unquestioned as Slavery is not to be reincorporated in the colony.

April 30, 1803- Napoleon, planning a North American empire, demands too high a price for the Louisiana Purchase by the United States. The United States stays the same size.

1803-1814: OTL is minimally affected. Events occur generally unabated. Colonization of French North America is encouraged for those not related to families being conscripted in the French military.

March 30, 1814- Napoleon, fearing repercussions of the Napoleonic Wars, flees to the colony of Haiti hoping to rebuild his empire in America.

May 30, 1814: With France put back in its place under Louis XVIII, the Royal Navy begins attempting to capture Napoleon as he hides in the Caribbean. Eventually leading to his self-exile in French North America.

1814-1819: France is allowed to keep its overseas colonies (mainly due to fear of USA growth), and several extreme revolutionaries in France are forced to emigrate to French North America by Louis XVIII in attempts to restabilize his country, and fill the vastly uncolonised territory in America. This leads to prolonged search for the fugitive Napoleon, as he is helped by sympathizers in the colony while hiding from the Royal Navy and French search parties.

1819: Napoleon, with armies of willing revolutionaries stages a coup of the current governor of French North America. He proclaims the colony the new nation French Republic of America (FRA), and sets himself up as the King and military commander. Britain and France immediately declare war.

1819- May 5, 1821: FRA Revolution. The United States fights on the side of the FRA against a British and French coalition. British aggression is mainly in the north from Canada; battles are few but decisive. The USA splits British forces by keeping a front open in Ontario, and French aggression, mainly in Louisiana, is weak due to the Napoleonic wars shelling out the nations economy and man power. Britain, unable to gain significant ground and with US forces in vital areas, ends aggressions with the French Republic of America and officially recognizes the nation. France, yet again facing rebellion, also end aggression. In the treaty signed on May 5, 1821, the FRA becomes a sovereign nation, the USA returns all Canadian acquisitions but gains land on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, and France retains control of Haiti.

1821-1835 : Settling of the FRA’s interior is encouraged under Napoleon I, and immigration sometimes spills over into Mexican territory.

November 18, 1835: As the Texan offensive against Mexico begins to deteriorate, Napoleon I declares war against Mexico to protect his interests in the region. The First Mexican-French American war begins.

February 23, 1836: A force comprised mainly of FRA soldiers defeats Santa Anna’s forces. The Mexican offensive is halted.

February 23,1836-April 21, 1836: Santa Anna, unwilling to accept defeat, attempts several invasions of Texas. Under personal supervision by Napoleon I, Mexican advances are defeated and Texas, occupied by FRA forces, is defended from Santa Anna’s army. With the capture of Santa Anna, Texas is liberated from Mexico.

1837-1872: Napoleon I annexes the short lived nation of Texas. Settlement in the FRA eventually reaches the Pacific Ocean, and a border dispute between the FRA and Britain is created by the Columbia territory. War looms, but is avoided when the nation divisionary line is set at the Thomson River, with Vancouver Island placed in the hands of the FRA. Napoleon I dies. Joseph Napoleon is briefly the elected King of the FRA as Napoleon II; he dies shortly after taking office. Louis-Napoleon Bonaparte is elected King of the FRA as Napoleon III. Second Mexican-French American War; ends with the annexation of all of California West of 120th Vertical.
Division is forged over time in the USA over the problem of slavery, the Southern Slave States (as they call them) believe the FRA will support their secession.

1873: As war between the Republican Anti-Slavery North and the Democratic Pro-Slavery South seems inevitable in the USA, Napoleon III dies on September 4, 1873 (Successor not yet decided). The Southern USA goes to war with the Northern USA without guaranteed support from the FRA.

This is the Trigger Point, which side does the FRA support. Whichever side they choose determines the other sides allies, and those allies determine even more allies, and even more possibilities. Or, they could simply not choose a side and the Civil War(although delayed) stays just that. I may not have enough information, but I'm trying to base the decision off economic, political, and world social standards at the time... but with the addition of a strong French Nation in the Midwest.
Any form of criticism or recommendations are welcome. Still new, and don't mind the critiquing.

 

[Northen Wolf]

If i posted a brief ATL in here, would someone here be able to help me figure out a problem I can't get past?

Alternate History thread

This thread, just like its three predecessors, is a place in which to post ideas, timelines, maps, and comments on alternate history. Meaningful contribution is most welcome from any quarter!