Role Playing with Armada II

posted on November 29th, 2008, 7:42 am

Hey folks. A friend and I have played an online text-based RPG for about 8 years now, and we've become Role Playing freaks. Going on games like Age of Empires and role playing different aspects. It's just a weird little thing we do, we've done it on Star Craft, Company of Heroes, and Armada II as well.

Unfortunately we don't get to do it as much anymore and I was just wishing to test the waters and see if anyone else does anything like this or would like to give it a shot.

It's not for everyone, just depends on what interests you really. While of course there is some fighting and strife going on in our little worlds, the game play is more than just building a fleet and attacking the enemy. We role play first encounters and diplomacy's, rebel incursions and mad scientist. It just really varies from situation to situation.

Anywho, just looking around for potential Role Players on Armada II. Feel free to ask any questions about it if you've never done it or want to know what it's like. I'll check back here daily for the next few weeks, and you're welcome to xfire me at: daviscod2

(ps- I run StarTrek Armada II - with patch 1.1 I've downloaded some Mods that I thought would be nice for Role Playing and maybe adding a little more Realism to the gameplay. Fleet Operations was alright but I couldn't get into it. I had found a realism mod that changed the mechanics a little but not the overall game, wish I could remember where it was, but I've lost it... Anyways sorry for rambling there, just wanted to let you know I only have 1.1 patch installed.)

[Mortographer]

posted on November 29th, 2008, 3:23 pm

Last edited by Mortographer on November 29th, 2008, 4:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I like the concept, but I think most of us here (me at least) are much more interested in the next release of fleetops than going back to stock A2, for whatever reason.

I would like to know what other online games you are using currently, however, as I would be very interested in seeing how you go about it and how it plays out.

just wanted to add: I don't know if you're into this sort of game, but GTA IV looks like it might have a lot of roleplaying potential in multiplayer, especially if you can get a bunch of people to do it.  Won't be for PC's until dec. 3rd.

posted on November 29th, 2008, 4:50 pm

I know there is actually a role-playing thread around here.... it's kinda been inactive for a few weeks though, since the players are relatively infrequently on (I think)

posted on November 29th, 2008, 9:29 pm

Yeah that's the response I am hearing a lot is everyone is too busy modding the game and not actually playing the game. That's unfortunate .  Hmm the other games include: Age of Empires: The Conquers, StarCraft, Company of Heroes, Stronghold 2, and of course Armada II. Usually it's The Conquers, StarCraft, or Armada II. The other two can be difficult to Role Play on sometimes.

posted on November 29th, 2008, 9:31 pm

What's wrong with role playing fleet operations? The only thing I think it severely lacks over stock A2 is the trade system.

posted on November 29th, 2008, 10:49 pm

Oh I'm sure there's not a thing wrong with Role Playing with the Fleet Operations Mod. I just personally could never get into the mod and prefer the stock. Just a personal preference that's all.

posted on November 29th, 2008, 11:52 pm

Of course! Haha, I just wanted to see it from your perspective haha, but if you want to play a game I own, I'd be willing to try to roleplay.

posted on November 30th, 2008, 1:52 am

Yep yep not a problem at all. If you wanted to install a second copy of Armada II with 1.1 patch I'd be more than happy to help you figure out role playing on Armada II. Then you'd have both a copy of standard and your Fleet Operations. Or if you wanted to give it a try on a different game that's fine too, just say which game and I'll see if I got it. Most games I play unmodded with the latest patch. Company Of Heroes I do play the Commando Realism Mod.

posted on November 30th, 2008, 1:54 am

I guess I am a bit confused maybe I misted some thing. What do you mean by role playing?

[danielxrxdavis]

posted on November 30th, 2008, 2:05 am

Last edited by danielxrxdavis on November 30th, 2008, 2:10 am, edited 1 time in total.

No you didn't miss anything, the blame lies with me I thought that Role Playing was a little more widely known, but no worries at all. I'm going to copy over something I posted at a previous website to try and give you a better idea.

Now the easiest way to grasp the idea is to of course see it first hand, but I will try to offer an insight. Role Playing will vary from game to game, simply because of differences in mechanics and gameplay itself. In Armada II you begin a game as you would any other time. You pick your race and you start on the map. (Stock Maps are fine, though we've made a few larger and different ones for Role Playing.) So now the game has begun, what do you do? Normally we take about 10-15 minutes just setting up base and getting started. As my own personal preference I try to make my structures in an order that it would appear as in real life. (If any of this was real of course.) This is mostly just because I enjoy trying to make my home system look organized and "alive."

Normally we start out not knowing their are any other races/civlizations/whatnot around. So we can have some fun with "first contact" scenarios. How does a first contact work? Well heck, it can work anyway you wish. It's Role Play, it's your imagination. Captain Solvian who's on this Sabre class vessel attempts to hail the unknown ship. What does the unknown ship do? Well that's up to the other player. Each player chooses what their race is like in general. Peaceful? War like? Isolated? Galaxy Police? It's all up to you and how you want to play.

(I play Federation a lot, so I'll use Federation as an example.) I know many games we end up having numerous different places on the map with structures that don't actually "belong" to me even though I am the player over them. One place may be the Federation, while another base of operations may be Pirates, or Rebels, or just another colony not affiliated with the Federation. The easiest way to grasp this is to look at the universe as a leader of your race. You see the Federation outpost over here, you see leading it President blahblah, not the player. You see a Federation Outpost over there, you contact them and see that they are a colony lead by some crazy old coot, not the player.

Everything that is happening during the game, is seen through the eyes of the people in the game, not you as the player. It can be hard to understand what I mean by this without actually having played in this style and watched others who do it. Like I said it's not for everyone, some people say "That sounds neat!" and try it and turns out they hate it. Some people say "Eh, okay whatever. I'll try but no promises." and turn out loving it.

So how does the game mechanics work? Well this is all decided upon by the players normally, but I'll give you a sketch over how my friend and I do it.

First off the "people" in the game. You don't have to name a Captain or Admiral or what have you for every ship in the game. Normally I only have some like a leader, an admiral, and 2 captains that become known through-out the game. It's these characters that you'll use to interact with the other races in the galaxy. When you're making up a Captain in your head, give him a personality. Think of how you want him to act like, and what you want him to come to be known as. It's all up to you.

Knowledge and the Universe around you aren't general knowledge to the "people" in the game. If I have two outposts, that aren't affiliated with each other. Outpost number 1 doesn't know the borg just attacked outpost number 2. Ship number 1 can't intercept and help ship number 2. Unless of course their within communication range.

What is communication range? Well we really use this just to give the ability to "cut" someone off from their main forces or structures. A Sensor Array can communicate 12 grids in all directions.

The main hub of your communications is a starbase, which also reaches 12 grids. If you have two different bases, let's say 72 grids apart. You'd need 4 sensor relays between then, at 12 grids a part, to have instant communication established between the two different bases. A ship out on recon must likewise return within 12 grids of a connected relay to, well, relay their findings and whatnot. Also a ship can carry a message, if an relay isn't setup for instant communication. You'll have to send your ship within 12 grids of the recipitant for them to get the information/battle plans/message.

And this is what I mean by X may know something while Y doesn't. A ship out of communication range is attacked by another ship. They won't be able to call for help unless they find a way to get within range of another ship or communication relay.

Whew that was a lot of typing. I know you can be feeling confused right now, it's a different type of gameplay than most aren't use too. Really the easiest way of grasping the concept is to just jump in and see first hand. Of course I'll gladly keep trying to explain best I can on the forums, and keep the questions coming!

[Mortographer]

posted on December 1st, 2008, 4:25 pm

Last edited by Mortographer on December 1st, 2008, 4:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I am very interested in trying this!
I have all the games you mentioned except for CoH

posted on December 1st, 2008, 7:32 pm

Awesome Mortographer. Just add me on xfire sometime. I got a few guys wanting to try it this weekend.

posted on December 7th, 2008, 6:25 am

Okay looks like the exact time will be at 4:00 PM CST today. (Sunday) Feel free to xfire me or leave a note here if you want to join in.

posted on December 7th, 2008, 11:47 am

I should have mentioned that I won't be able to access any of my games until I return to the States Dec. 15. 

posted on December 16th, 2008, 1:39 am

If only you could get into fleet ops .