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Lets forget going several or even several dozen centuries into the future. I propose a game which will take place last century or even earlier. It would run much like a STGOD with each player creating there own nation, but with low tech and one planet.

I'm throwing several rough timeframes out for a vote, if one gets a clear majority then we'd discuss what year within it to start at, if not then we discuses the timeframe anyway. Now obviously if we started in 1870 technology would rapidly pass into the 1880's range but I don't want to have to many choices. It makes the poll less decisive.

The choices are

[1] 1660-1805
[2] 1805-1880
[3] 1880-1910

In all cases fantasy elements would be permissible such as Industry Elves and limited magic, but technology will dominate. If anyone's wondering about a map and such, we'd decided that after a timeframes chosen. My current idea is to assemble a new world by screwing around with a current global map via cut and paste.

Sounds interesting. I voted for 1805-1880, though the first choice would be interesting as well.

I'll join if it's pre-1805 and will provide assistance if requested for details.

The Duchess of Zeon wrote:I'll join if it's pre-1805 and will provide assistance if requested for details.

If we go significantly before 1805 I'm goanna need it for a few things. Personally I prefer somewhere around 1830-40

Sea Skimmer wrote: If we go significantly before 1805 I'm goanna need it for a few things. Personally I prefer somewhere around 1830-40

Just ask and I can provide. BTW do you have any messenger service other than ICQ?

I'd like to see one happening just after the rennaisance - beginning around 1500-1600. That would be rather interesting.

However, a 19th century one would be just as nice - but we have seen something like that before. (I think there once was a computer game called "Imperialism" where the player controlled a nation during the Industrial Revolution)

Captain_Cyran wrote:I say between 1805-1880...but that's mainly because most of what I know about military history is stuff around Civil War era and before that.

I have a question, about what technology level was that one planet in Weber's book "Heirs of Empire"? Pikes were still in use, but they had cannons, grapeshot, 'rifles', muskets.

1660-1685 in the terms of the times defined here; the pike/matchlock formation (the "spanish tercio" and its later dutch/swedish/english variants, oft-copied) phased out of all major European armies except those of Spain and Russia by 1685 and out of the armies of those two powers by 1715. Rifles took about a minute to load, couldn't use a bayonet, and were only marginally more accurate. Decent for snipers but totally useless to equip infantry with--just skirmishers. They were, however, in limited use.

The Duchess of Zeon wrote: 1660-1685 in the terms of the times defined here; the pike/matchlock formation (the "spanish tercio" and its later dutch/swedish/english variants, oft-copied) phased out of all major European armies except those of Spain and Russia by 1685 and out of the armies of those two powers by 1715. Rifles took about a minute to load, couldn't use a bayonet, and were only marginally more accurate. Decent for snipers but totally useless to equip infantry with--just skirmishers. They were, however, in limited use.

That sounds like a good time period to start at.

Here is my order of preference: 2 , 1 , 3

I would prefer to have option number 1

Fear my German speaking Maritime nation....

I'd be interested in any of them, preferably 123 in order.

sounds interesting... Any time period would be fine...

Instead of starting the second period at 1805, I'd start it at like 1785. That way, you're just getting done with the American Revolution, and the revolution in France is about to kick off. 1805 Would be a start point right in the middle of the napoleonic wars.

irishmick79 wrote:Instead of starting the second period at 1805, I'd start it at like 1785. That way, you're just getting done with the American Revolution, and the revolution in France is about to kick off. 1805 Would be a start point right in the middle of the napoleonic wars.

I don't think they mean historically, just technology wise.

irishmick79 wrote:Instead of starting the second period at 1805, I'd start it at like 1785. That way, you're just getting done with the American Revolution, and the revolution in France is about to kick off. 1805 Would be a start point right in the middle of the napoleonic wars.

These are merely ranges of times within which we start, if 1660-1805 wins the vote then we might agree to start at any time within that range. 1785 would be covered by a vote of such. Though I'm suspecting we will need a second poll so dont worry if you voted for 1805+.

As for the Napoleonic wars, these dates are for technology, not history. I chose 1805 as a cut off point because it marks the end of battles between SOL on the high seas, and things like practical steam engines, shell firing guns and armor begin to crop up fairly rapidly after words.

I happen to like fighting with Ships of the Line...

Alyrium Denryle wrote:I happen to like fighting with Ships of the Line...

I like the old style ship fights and things like that.

As do I... Majestic Galleaons exchanging brodsides, 16 lb cannon balls smashing against wooden hulled ships. The two ships pull along side and the boarding actions begin, men swing from hull to hull, musket fire peppering the deck of the other ship, as men wth bayonets and boarding pikes try and stave off boarders...

Beautiful...

Alyrium Denryle wrote:As do I... Majestic Galleaons exchanging brodsides, 16 lb cannon balls smashing against wooden hulled ships. The two ships pull along side and the boarding actions begin, men swing from hull to hull, musket fire peppering the deck of the other ship, as men wth bayonets and boarding pikes try and stave off boarders...

Beautiful...

Yes it is indeed.

And I love the land battles, such poetry involved. It's great really. Care to team up when this thing starts?

I woud be happy to...

I plan on modelling myself after an odd combo of British Maritime strength, and German language/culture...

But failing that... Britain...

I vote for as early as possible.

Will we be limiting the ability of people to apply concepts which are ahistorically early but could have worked, for example mass conscription?

Pablo Sanchez wrote:I vote for as early as possible.

Okay, you can control a stone age Indian tribe that the rest of us race to conquer with a few hundred men.

Will we be limiting the ability of people to apply concepts which are ahistorically early but could have worked, for example mass conscription?

Yes there will be some limits on that sort of thing. Mass conscription for example might be allowed if your country became hard pressed in a massive war, but your not going to start out with it.

Will we be operating on earth or on a fictional world of our own creation?

Alyrium Denryle wrote:Will we be operating on earth or on a fictional world of our own creation?

The latter, note my mention of creating a map.