Cities at War - A New Game Idea

Axis Kast · Post by **Axis Kast** » 2003-03-27 05:57pm

I've got a new proposal. Call it a bit of a simulation for all you tactical or strategy junkies out there. Considering the large number of you into either politics or military history, this should go over rather well.

A few months ago I came up with a new idea. Why not hold a simulation in which three or four commanders battle over objectives within a small urban quarter? Each participant will be placed in direct control of the city’s resources, including police, firefighters, medical technicians, emergency services personnel (ie, SWAT teams), and in more controlled cases, local National Guard. Every quarter will posses one or more annexes, station houses, and hospitals. Certain territories will host arsenals, airports, barracks, or construction yards from whence items can be taken and deployed.

The game would begin with purchases and deployment. Players would be obliged to supplement a universal platform of personnel and material by laying down points in return for new equipment. Therefore, while his (and every other) quarter might begin with eight police cruisers, two pumper trucks, and four ambulances, Player One might chose to add a collapse unit (to rescue fallen combatants), a crash squad (to clear wreckage from roads or tarmacs), four armored personnel carriers, a SWAT van, and one armored police car. He could also buy new personnel (including soldiers) or heavier weapons (squad-automatic weapons, man-portable anti-tank missiles, or recoilless rifles). Each of these assets would then be deployed. A roadblock on this street and roving orders for service units such as the fire-engines. An insertion plan for the personnel carriers in which police cars and cops run interference. A SWAT team intended to repulse enemy thrusts through the park. The options go on.

After writing up initial battle plans (and submitting them by e-mail), the situation would be continually updated by a pair of battle moderators. They would confer, make the necessary determinations, and then offer casualty reports. After two or three rounds, each side would gain the option of reinforcement or refit. After this “half time,” the game would continue until one or more sides achieved their objectives. After a certain number of rounds, the game would end and a winner be declared.

So – what kind of interest do we have? If people like this idea, I’ll need some maps – if somebody has SimCity, I’m sure they could provide screen-shots of a good map); a few volunteers (with explicit knowledge of weapons and tactics) for the Mod positions; and some players.

Okay … That’s it. I'll begin the rules if we get enough support.

Nathan F · Post by **Nathan F** » 2003-03-27 06:13pm

I can donate some pics of urban areas from Sim City 3000.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-03-27 06:17pm

Can you say Counter Strike Mod?

Axis Kast · Post by **Axis Kast** » 2003-03-27 06:18pm

Great. I appreciate it.

Does it come with a City Building, btw? We could really use an editor so that actual landmarks - and support sites (police stations, fire stations) are accurately mapped. That would be the best help.

Also - are you interested in participating, or only providing the pictures?

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2003-03-27 06:18pm

I'd be interested in something like this. I could provide SimCity 3k maps as well.

Axis Kast · Post by **Axis Kast** » 2003-03-27 06:26pm

Great.

Anyone else?

The Dark · Post by **The Dark** » 2003-03-27 06:30pm

If this is still going on when I get back on campus next semester, I'll play. I've only got about another month before I'll be going on a 3 month hiatus, though, so it wouldn't be good for me to get involved right now (particularly when I'm writing two term papers).

Axis Kast · Post by **Axis Kast** » 2003-03-27 06:37pm

Okay. So we've now got maps.

Who's playing again - just to be sure?

jegs2 · Post by **jegs2** » 2003-03-27 06:37pm

To be realistic, civilians could have weapons and fire at you too, but you can't shoot back unless you positively identify the threat. The damage being that if you kill too many civilians, you're forced from the game due to bad public support and lose.

Axis Kast · Post by **Axis Kast** » 2003-03-27 06:42pm

Yes. All neighborhoods will have gun-toting civilians.

The problems with deploying them heavily are however significant. On the one hand, they could tie down many of your emergency services. On the other, while cheap (you can buy more with points), they are ill-trained, ill-equipped (usually), and unwilling to fight for the most part.

I don't see killing civilians as being problematic - it's an unusual situation -, but if we get into ranked play and go on conquests, it could be an issue.

Are you playing, btw?

jegs2 · Post by **jegs2** » 2003-03-27 06:49pm

Axis Kast wrote:Yes. All neighborhoods will have gun-toting civilians.

The problems with deploying them heavily are however significant. On the one hand, they could tie down many of your emergency services. On the other, while cheap (you can buy more with points), they are ill-trained, ill-equipped (usually), and unwilling to fight for the most part.

I don't see killing civilians as being problematic - it's an unusual situation -, but if we get into ranked play and go on conquests, it could be an issue.

Are you playing, btw?

Don't think I'll have time to play something like that, but as an actual Army officer, I can give you some advice. Civilians on the Battlefield (COB)'s are quite real and can be either an asset or a danger for force protection. The actions of the players toward civilians, via Civil Affairs (CA) and psyops teams could be key in gaining support of the population. In turn, COB's could provide you with key information on the enemy, providing invaluable intelligence and and extra set of eyes on the battlefield. Moreover, bringing the population over to the players side could increase support for the war at home, thus increasing funding and availability of more forces and equipment.

On the other hand, if that portion of the battle sours, and the COB's oppose the player, they provide intelligence on you to the enemy and may even carry out guerrila warfare against said player. Furthermore, that PR disaster could erode public support for the war and even cause the recall of the players forces, thus ending his play in a loss.

Those are my thoughts. Run with it.

kojikun · Post by **kojikun** » 2003-03-27 07:01pm

i wann play!

Axis Kast · Post by **Axis Kast** » 2003-03-27 07:18pm

All right.

I need five or more people to really make this worthwhile.

That's four players and another Mod.

Nathan F · Post by **Nathan F** » 2003-03-27 07:21pm

I don't think I would have the time to play, either, but, I could help with being a technical advisor if needed.

Post by **K. A. Pital** » 2003-03-28 04:20am

I can participate as an advisor, too, since unlikely I will have time to play. Great idea, Axis Kast.