TANX (Iron Strike)

[WILL]

Problem Fixed:

Ah, fear not gents! (and ladies too ) Dirk fixed the editor and I'm back at it. In fact he added the last of the features I needed to complete the missions.

So far it's 1 out of 7 in total. Well almost one. I still have to add the dialog, triggers and in-game events, but the map is done. It was a small map though. Next few will be bigger.

On map design:

Actually, you know what? If I only got help with adding trees so that it looks good, I think that'd be enough. It seems to be the hardest part of making these levels. Making a convincing wood-line/forrest assortment.

Some background Graphics for Mission briefings

Hey does anyone out there want to help make some nice looking world/regional maps for the backgrounds of the briefings? All thats really needed is either a drawn/satellite picture of the western-Kazakhstan region, North of the Caspeian sea. That is where this version of the game will be taking place. Some basic HUD-like graphics indicating where the mission will be taking place on a 'real' map [size=9px](something that'll look good in the game)[/size] and in what direction they'll be coming from. Just to give a bit of an idea of the bigger picture of whats going on in the story. Any takers? Deadline for this will be end of August [size=9px](so we have time to plug it into the game)[/size]

[Chebmaster]

is either a drawn/satellite picture of the western-Kazakhstan region, North of the Caspeian sea.

Well, I have this huge map on my wall. I shot its portion, but... the map is very old and a bit crumpled, and my digital camera is a piece of cheap shit. Try these, maybe you'll be able to salvage something out of them:

http://host-17-99.imsys.net/_share/_ck/

[Traveler]

Try these, maybe you'll be able to salvage something out of them:

Ok, I just had to give it a try.



I made this from the first photo in your list. Little less than an hour work. The black/white photo should not be used, but I thought it would be cool to place in there. (It's a actually a photo taken from the NRO website (yay google images). And I dont think you should actually use that in your game.)

In any case, let me know what you think of it. :-)

[WILL]

Whoa thats awesome! Better not let Dirk see that this thread will turn into drool session all over again. :lol:

It looks great Alex. If you recall how the menu system looks with the alpha blended transparent 'black glass' forground screens. I think this would work great on top of where you have the green stuff.

This is actually something that I had in my 'brain box' as per concept of the briefing screen. I think Dirk will like... Nice work guys!

[Huehnerschaender]

Amazing!!!!

I don't know how to say it.... but GIVE IT TO ME!! Can't wait to bring it into the game! Alex, you are hired for this task

[WILL]

The only thing will be to match the exact location we'll be in for each of the 7 missions. I can PM you a mission details list if you are up to this?

I know I've already put you to work for that other thing and all.

Lemme know ok?

And thanks again Chebmaster! You are of course a contributor to this aswell. [size=9px](Hence we'll need your full and proper spelling for your name for the credits. )[/size] I love the fact that the map is in Russian too!

[Chebmaster]

The only thing will be to match the exact location we'll be in for each of the 7 missions. I can PM you a mission details list if you are up to this?

Ok, I'll try to look into it - in about 24 hours from now [sleepy]. It's pity that map doesn't fit into a scanner. 2x3 meters vs. A4...

Note, that the location you pointed at is at Azov sea, not Kaspian one. Closer to Ukraine than to Kazakhstan.

Note 2: tis is the map of USSR, so the now state borders are shown as administrative. You may want to correct that (kinda, make them bolder?..)

But for now - good night... [snoozes out]

[WILL]

The main border between Coalition[size=9px](bad guys)[/size] and the Alliance[size=9px](former NATO + friends / good guys)[/size] follows down the mountains that split Russia in half to the northern tip of the Caspian Sea.

To the West is The Iron Coalition (ran buy a former Russian General turned rouge opertunist tyrant and now dictator) and to the eastern side is the Alliance. Austrailia, India, Pakistan, China and Japan amoung other countires joinned former NATO countries in forming the new Alliance of Free Nations to fight the Iron Coalition. [size=9px](hence the game's title)[/size]

The region south of the Caspian Sea is still unrsolved in the story though as there is a greater story that we can tell with all the Arab, Jewish, Persian and Turkish factions already there. It is afterall the middle east and a obvious location for mass conclift to ensue. Perhaps a 3rd faction or so for campaigns in that region.


[size=9px]Please note that the similarities to these names and any real-world titles have no other connection than simply that. We are not expressing any political views of our own about current events, just telling a fictional story about a dark future based on what we know of today's world.[/size]

Ok that should ward off a few death-threats.


The basic gist of the story is that in the near future the world experiences a troubled time. A 'Year of Terror' in Europe. During that time the EU(European Union) and NATO begin to feel the strain of combating repeatedly increased terror attacks throughout Europe, Africa and the middle east. The following year the Russian President and several other members of his cabinet are assassinated. This throws the Russina government into chaos and ultimately into collapse. Proventing nuclear weapons from getting into the hands of terrorists and the arresting of rouge military personnel takes top priority. Most of Europe turns into a war zone.

Not long after the fall of Russia the United States and most of Canada and Mexico are attacked by nukes. North America is turned into a nuclear wasteland. Those few that survived (including military units and personnel) were taken in by other NATO countries.

With the fall of both key members, US and Russia the Untited Nations disbands as remaining members lose faith in it. China, Japan and several other major countries petition to join NATO in their fight against the terror organizations that threaten what was left of the free world.

One organization successfully taking advantage of the chaos in Europe and Russia seizes large amounts of land in Western-Europe was led by a former Russian general who turned rouge and seized many weapons and vehicles for his war campaign. With his extremely large success rate he became known as the 'Iron General' and thus his army 'The Iron Fist'.

After months and months of fighting and loyalty changes the world was split up into 2 major military factions. The Iron Coalition (those loyal to the General) and the newly formed Alliance of Free Nations (China, Japan, surviving Canadian-US-Mexican military, Austrailia, etc).

A war then raged for several years until both sides gainning very little ground signed a non-agression pact. A pact that has lasted for few years, until a recent incident sparked new hatred and a new war would ensue. This bring us up to the game's start.

[Chebmaster]

So, the real area where the action takes place?.. You did previously say it's north of the Caspian sea. If it's south, then, I'm afraid, I need to move the table (heavy one) away from the wall to shoot it.

:idea: An idea (for side-mission, maybe?): The North Kaspean and estuary of Volga are the (as far as I know) the last natural areal of the caviar-producing sturgeon. Even now (it's a real-life fact!) the poachers grew so bold that it takes an armed force (the border patrol) to keep them down. The patrol helicopters have sometimes to return to base without finishing their mission, because their blades are damaged by enemy gunfire. There were very real terrorist acts against the families of border patrol officers (one or two high-rise appartment buildings blown up). Well, if the matters are like this in our, relatively "peaceful", time - imagine what a war would wage for the caviar in an uncontrolled war zone?.. Iron coalition (it's our caviar) vs Alliance (you are enemies of peace and ecology!.. Oh, and it's our caviar!) vs poachers mafia (we'll take it while you, fools, fight each other). Add here a tale of all caviar farms over the world struck by some disease (or bio-weapon), leaving the area the only source of the product...

I still didn't get your PM with mission details, to try to... how to call it... proof-check them against the local geography.

[Chebmaster]

Oh, and... Maybe I watched too much anime, but better to make the situation a bit questionable. Some positive and noble traits to the Iron Coalition (why else it gained so much followers), some negaitive and selfish traits to the Alliance. Like it's always in the real world. I don't think this would affect the game so much (anyway, all the story is in the mission texts, yes?..) - just slip sometimes between the lines. Or in the enemy radio transmissions: they firmly believe their side is just and you are evil

Oh, and the gaping contrast between the public press-releases and the internal disciplinary manifests (I believe it's quite common for the corporations as well as for the armies).