The Next FGC...

[Daemonknight]

As we all know, Dave has been busy working on the new rules for the FGC 91 campaign, that began as the FGC 62 campaign on CBT.com several years ago. It's gone through many changes, both in rules and leadership, and right now, it's in such a state of limbo. Dave has decided that untill he can get the new rules made up, the game will stay in a state of lockdown. The future of that much loved FGC campaign nessecitates a new brand of rules, some simply more detailed, and others totally different in operation.

However, that leaves many of us in a difficult position. With no alternate FGC running on Intelser, we've had to look to CBT.com to have any hope of an operational FGC. But with that iteration of the FGC dying out, and the lack of a Solaris 7 game, there is a decided lack of a continuous Battletech-themed strategic roleplaying game.

I asked Dave's permission and recieved it: I'm starting a fresh FGC. I'm using the currently published rules, so as to remove the difficulties faced by the previous CBT.com attempt. We have a fully functional set of rules. True, some areas don't have much going for them(I'm looking at you, Research and Communictations), but those can be worked on- whats really important, is that the economic and military rules WORK. True, they could be improved, but that's what Dave is doing. And we all know how annoying it can be to build a faction for a current ruleset, and then find out that some aspect is changing, and you're not able to function the way you are accustomed to.

That WILL NOT be happening with this game. We have a stable ruleset for everything but the two sets of rules listed above, Communications, and R&D. If and when those rules change, there will be an announcment well in advance, and depending on how the rules are changed, everyone will have an opportunity to get a good long look at the new rules before they are active. But they won't be changing anytime soon(in the case of research, there simply isn't any).


First thing's first: this thread is to be used only for voting on which era of the BT universe we would like to start. I will leave it upto you, the players, to choose your favorite starting point. Once the start point is chosen, we will have open registration. People will choose which faction they wish to join, although if I find that some factions are very over represented versus very under-represented, I may have to lock some factions down. Faction registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis, BUT not until registration opens after the era is chosen.

I welcome you all to both Intelser.org, and our new FGC. I hope we can all have a great time together.

[Daemonknight]

Okay, it's awesome that we have 6 votes already for this campaign and it's been less than a full day, I hope everyone is talking to their CBT buddies and trying to convince them to come join us over here.

Just so I can get a quick headcount, who exactly has voted already? You don't have to tell us which vote was yours if you don't want to, I'm just curious to see who is interested in playing. So far the votes are pretty spread out, with only the 3048/Pre-Revival Era having more than a single vote.

[Jaim Magnus]

I'd really like to cast a vote, but apparently I can't.

[Daemonknight]

Don't know if it helped or not Jaim, but I modified your membergroups. Try again, if it doesn't work, tell me your vote and I'll put it up myself.

[Ian Sharpe]

I've voted, but in the end, I just want to play as the Elsies this time. 

[Crunch]

I voted '67, BUT '85 would be my real choice.

[Cannonshop]

we'll see.  It looks like '48 is leading the boards, but there's still time left.

[Daemonknight]

Wow, I was not expecting such a sudden surge of interest. 8 votes already, and atleast one more would be cast, but for technical issues. I was truly hoping for a minimum of 10 players, and it seems we are close to that number. Assuming we are going with the most popular starting era, we're looking at the pre-game warm ups for Operation REVIVAL, which should make for some VERY interesting goings on, both among the Clan and Inner Sphere players.

The factions that will be availible for play at the beginning of the game(assuming the OpRev Era start date) are as follows:

Lyran Commonwealth/FedCom
Federated Suns/FedCom
Free Worlds League
Draconis Combine
Capellan Confederation
Free Rasalhauge Republic
Clan Jade Falcon
Clan Wolf
Clan Ghost Bear
Clan Smoke Jaguar

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

[GreyJaeger]

I hate to be one of those guys, but I am game for anything. I have a preference for the earlier Eras, rather than later. So, I am Voting for all.

[Marlin]

I'd want a rather small one so voted FWL civil war. The pre invasion we are currently headed at seems too large to me in scope to do. Rather some factions with some players than many with 1 or less, shutting some down and burning out the GMs. (in this case, the one)

But I would try it once more. More low tech would be nice, Clan vs Sphere was on most of the time and I would want a change.

Or would I really wanna do Smoke Jags? In balanced games their fat machines would only loose, in not so balanced ones, they would be terror. Or glutton myself on the need of others for my weaponry as Marik Captain? Or hamper all his actions as Substate? (dont wanna really be alone in a faction)

I am getting in the mood again, obviously.

[Daemonknight]

So, Marlin's request for a smaller game, aswell as Crunch wishing for a, '85 game...would anyone be interested in playing out the Wars of Reaving? So ignore the Inner Sphere and play just the Homeworlds? It would be actually much more detailed, since we have the exploded Homeworlds map availible to us, which would allow us to put a lot more detail into our games.

I'm also open to having a secondary game at that small scale open, but only as long as it doesn't draw away too much interest from the main game. I'd rather have 1 game with a lot of players, even if it isn't what everyone wants, than cater to 2 games that have barely enough players to remain fun.

[Crunch]

So, Marlin's request for a smaller game, aswell as Crunch wishing for a, '85 game...would anyone be interested in playing out the Wars of Reaving? So ignore the Inner Sphere and play just the Homeworlds? It would be actually much more detailed, since we have the exploded Homeworlds map availible to us, which would allow us to put a lot more detail into our games.

I'm also open to having a secondary game at that small scale open, but only as long as it doesn't draw away too much interest from the main game. I'd rather have 1 game with a lot of players, even if it isn't what everyone wants, than cater to 2 games that have barely enough players to remain fun.

I would try it, but honestly I hate playing clan and don't do it well. I'd be much more enthusiastic for a FWL splinter game.

[Daemonknight]

That could be arraigned, but as I said, it would have to not impact the main game's ability to function smoothly.

[Daemonknight]

I have enabled vote changing, as I know that Crunch was after a 3085 setting. Feel free to change your votes if you so wish. I've also removed the 4th Succession War and the FedCom Civil War, as they've gained no attention, and even if people came in for them, I doubt it would derail any of the already picked options.

Since we have 9-10 people here ready to go, I'd really like if we could have this wrapped up by Monday, Wensday at the latest. For those people who have the sole vote in a timeslot, I'm sorry, but the game is going to be starting in the area with the majority interest. If you'd please change your vote to one of the front running timeslots, so I know which of the prefered eras to start in, I would greatly appreciate it. If/when we get enough players that I'm comfortable with running a second game, perhaps it would be better served in the more focused campaign.

[Marlin]

No matter what is done, I will take a look at it. Reaving is not my thing as I would not like to kill Clans off. Never was in favor of that, except in some cases of gross betrayal of course, but well. The Civil War would be cool, but hey, if the players are good in any game and it runs ok, why not?

[Daemonknight]

Also Marlin, in looking at one of your previous posts, you said something about choosing the Marik Civil War because it's a smaller game: that start date is still a full IS game, it's just that the Marik Civil War is the only major cannonical war that year. It's not limited to the FWL.

[Avatar Zero]

Hmm... guess I'm going to have to re-read BT history and put some considerable thought about whether or not I'm going to be able to commit to a game...

I mean, I've been thinking about jumping in for a while, and a restart is the perfect place to do so, I'm just uncertain if I'd be able to reliably commit the creative and intellectual resources for it. On the other hand, I haven't had any gaming opportunities in quite a while...

Hmm...

[Daemonknight]

Well thats the beauty of being 2nd or 3rd player in a faction, you can afford to be inconsistent in your posting without being detrimental to your faction.

[Daemonknight]

Okay, let me ask you guys this: for those players who have voted otherwise, are you willing to accept the 3048 Pre-Revival Era as the start date, or would you, if forced, choose one of the other popular options(67/Jihad, 3039), or Crunch's requested 3085 RotS Era? Because if we're locked into 3048, I see no reason to wait untill Monday/Wensday to open registration and let people start RP while I continue building the faction sheets and get Chaos to work on the map.

[Ian Sharpe]

Re-posting what I posted at CBT...other thoughts on it?

Revival era just seems so massive and I fear one or two players per faction.  It might be better to focus on the LC, FRR and DC v Clans rather than everything.  Still allows for foreign units to play, say volunteers to fight the clans.  Things like Davion units inLyran space would be triggered by events or loss of key worlds.  To expound on that, FWL and CC units can assist the FRR and DC, but their numbers and the like are determined by the GMs, just like Davion units in Lyran space would be.  That way, if players want to RP a brigade or regimental CO from their favourite faction, they still have the chance, but it keeps the action on the Invasion, removes the FC superstate to some extent and still allows for GM intervention/fickleness.  It might also work well with the Clans, keep the JF/Wolf/GB/SJ corridors, but change up the Nova Cats/Vipers/Sharks to different Clans if players would rather have those.

[Marlin]

I share Ian's sentiments. And understood, DK. I just think its too massive for our playerbase. :/

Anyway, if I get a faction with some players, I shall like it.

[Daemonknight]

Ironiclly enough, in terms of the 2nd wave of Clans, I was fully intending that when they showed up, players could change which Clans got the call to be activated.

As for restricting the FWL, CC and FS factions, I will have to think about it. I don't see dropping 3 playable factions as changing much in the game. But I'll think about it, depending on if we continue to gain players over the next few days before I open up registration.

[Daemonknight]

After careful consideration, I'm going to move ahead with Ian's idea, and make the FWL, Davion half of the FedCom, Confederation, and the St Ives Compact off limits as playable factions. They will act as GM factions and will be fully capable of having diplomatic interactions, and there is the ability to negotiate deals with them as normal. Any forces deployed by their military will be either GM controlled, or else seconded to the senior officer present from a player faction.

[Ian Sharpe]

I apologize if my suggestion ends up being unpopular, but IMO its best to have a focus on the action.  Especially as we have only 9 votes; the three IS states directly involved and four Clans already require seven players.  As more players come into the game, we can open up the other IS/Clan factions as needed/desired.  It also prevents the de rigeur Davion/Liao fight and allows for the fear and uncertainty in the realms not directly involved.  'We're not sending help, they're just making it up!' 

[GreyJaeger]

The small player base is why I voted for 3039. We would easily cover the Five Houses, then have the FRR, St. Ives Compact, and then the Periphery. Granted no Clans, but if the base was big enough after a while, a small time-jump and we could then go into Revival.

[Avatar Zero]

The small player base is why I voted for 3039. We would easily cover the Five Houses, then have the FRR, St. Ives Compact, and then the Periphery. Granted no Clans, but if the base was big enough after a while, a small time-jump and we could then go into Revival.

Gotta say, this makes the most sense to me out of every position that's been posted so far.  Enough so that I think I'm going to go ahead and vote for 3039 (also because I've never had a particularly strong interest in the Clans).  I'll warn you guys, though, that I'm going to be quite in-and-out through to the end of the summer (my schedule is rather busy until the start of September), but, if you'll have me, I'd feel comfortable acting subordinate under an experienced player.

[Daemonknight]

Well either way, the Era will be selected by Monday, barring a tied vote. I'd like to see the last remaining votes be moved into either 3048 or 3039 before then if possible, so we can get a finalize idea of the map and faction situation.

[Cannonshop]

changed my vote.

[Daemonknight]

Barring another suprise swing of voting, it looks like 3039 is our new starting date. As previously stated, if and when the population increases enough to support it, and if there is enough interest in doing so, a minor timejump to the pre-REVIVAL era can easily be accomplished.

As it is, I am currently building the faction sheets, and will be getting with Chaos ASAP to get the map done up. The new list of playable factions are as follows:

Federated Suns
Lyran Commonwealth
Draconis Combine
Capellan Confederation
Free Worlds Leauge
Free Rasalhauge Republic
St Ives Compact

Once a minimum of 3 players for each faction is reached(obviously not enough people here for this yet), I'll open up the Taurian Concordat, Marian Hegemony, Outworlds Alliance and Magistracy of Canopus to players, one at a time and only if we can get 2 players per faction, without dropping any of the other factions below 2 players. I don't want to run single-player factions, especially not in the Great Houses.

[Daemonknight]

I'm opening up Registration now, as it seems unlikely to have another major shift in Era. Please head to the Registration thread to post your faction choices.