Cyborg Mage
2012-02-11, 10:13 AM
So. Having recently purchased Sid Meier's Alpha Centauri from GoG.com, and stumbling upon this (http://lparchive.org/Sid-Meiers-Alpha-Centauri/) Let's Play, I have been inspired to do my own. So, here's the deal.
First off, much like the linked one, this LP will be narrated from within context, though the faction switching will not be used.
Second, I will be playing on Talent difficulty-for starters, anyway. Talent being the game's "moderate" difficulty-easier would be boring, and I don't have the MAD SKILLS to steamroll Transcend or anything, so yeah.
Whenever a sufficiently important circumstance arises, such as the discovery of a new faction, the faction government will turn to the Unity Representative Council-(You, the Playgrounders)-some of the project's most trusted men and women, the individuals intended to keep the Unity crew under control-and the only ones with the authority to override even the descisions of Captain Garland himself. The council will, upon such circumstances arising, will have five days to vote on one of the provided options. In addition, if one option receives an overwhelming majority, which will initially be set at four votes, voting will close immediately, and said option will be put into place.
Any Council member may make a proposition to the Council, the contents of which may vary from simply renaming a settlement to the design of a new unit to the complete redirection of the government. Every 50 turns, a Council Referendum will be held, updating the Council members with the latest developments on Planet and allowing a three-day period dedicated to making and voting upon said propositions. Any proposition must, at present, have three votes to pass.
Council members can vote in opposition to any proposition still in the voting period, or to an ongoing proposition (i.e. all Synthmetal Sentinels must hold at their home base), in which case three votes, without opposition, secures an immediate veto. If the vote is opposed, a 2:1 majority secures a veto or defeats the motion. If a veto motion is defeated, that proposition cannot be vetoed until the next referendum.
Under the Unity chain of command (and the suggestions of one Exectutive Officer Yang), the faction leader reserves the right to veto one proposition every referendum that they perceive as detrimental to the faction's performance.
I at no point guarantee that all my interest in this LP will not at some point spontaneously evaporate, but anyone with a copy of the game and a knowledge of how to share save files is free to take over.
I don't have Alien Crossfire. Just putting that out there.
Now, with that out of the way, the Unity Representative Council will now vote for the first time, on the following topic:
What faction will the Council follow?
Supplemental datafile:
Gaia's Stepdaughters
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/gaia-logo-100.gif
Gaia's Stepdaughters, the brainchild of famed eco-political activist Lady Deirdre Skye, are the scholars, caretakers-and if need be, staunch defenders-of Planet's fascinating ecosystem. Their government and followers are dedicated to preserving Planet's ecology, and preventing a repeat of the ecological nightmare of Earth(+1 Green; grants a 25% chance to capture native life and boosts their performance), which has also resulted in careful use and preservation of resources. (+2 Efficiency; reduces energy lost from colonies far from the capital) However, their dedication to environmental preservation starves them in military and authoritarian power. (-1 Morale, -1 Police; Human military units start weaker and are less effective in reducing Drone numbers), and an economy that disregards the environment is unthinkable to their people. (Cannot use Free Market) In addition, their experience with work tending to Earth's biosphere transfers well to Planet's native flora. (+1 Nutrients in xenofungus)
Human Hive
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/hive-logo-100.gif
The Human Hive, held in the tight iron grip of Chairman Shen-Ji Yang, is the result of a unity between social experiment and spiritual virtue, equal parts communism and Confucianism, where the law is martial-and that law is one's nation before oneself. The oppressively collectivistic nature of the Hive encourages hard work and healthy population upkeep (+1 Industry, +1 Growth; Units/structures 10% cheaper, bases grow 10% faster.), though the brutally controlled economic climate stifles the faction politically and economically. (-2 Economy; -1 Energy at every base-Cannot use Democracy) On the bright side, Yang's brilliant political mind-and his people's natural submissiveness-eliminates Efficiency penalties from Police State and Planned economy civics, and his bases are built underground-perhaps to keep the public in check, but it does have the double-effect of providing easily-defensible territory. (Free Perimeter Defence in every base)
University of Planet
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/uni-logo-100.gif
The University of Planet forms the scientific capital of Planet, headed by Unity Chief Science Officer, Academician Prokhor Zakharov, whose dream is to make his society a great beacon for reason and discovery amidst the stifling ideologies of some of Planet's other factions. The University's status as a hub for the well educated and scientifically minded brings some truly astounding discoveries to the fore (+2 Research; new techs discovered 20% faster-extra free tech at the start of the game), though the nation's passion for inquisitive thought and scientific publishing makes them vulnerable to espionage (-2 Probe; enemy spy operations 50% cheaper and likelier to succeed) and utterly opposed to religion (Cannot use Fundamentalism), and the faction's lower classes are less than pleased with the usually... liberal ethical restrictions applied to their researchers. (One extra disgruntled lab rat Drone for every 4 citizens)
Morgan Industries
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/morgan-logo-100.gif
Morgan Industries is, at its core, capitalism personified. Led by CEO Nwabudike Morgan, funder of the Unity project, and backed by their leader's vast business expertise (and wealth-100 extra starting Energy), the faction aims to utterly dominate Planet's economic scene. The faction's economy benefits greatly from its nigh corporate nature (+1 Economy; 1 extra Energy at every base-double income from inter-faction trade), though the extravagant tastes of the citizens stifle military development (-1 Support; Each base can only support one unit before production starts to slow down), result in extravagant, high-maintainence housing (Max population without a Hab Complex is 4 instead of 7) and provoke fierce opposition to economic meddling (cannot use Planned economics).
Spartan Federation
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/spartans-logo-100.gif
The Spartan Federation does well to live up to its militarist namesake, long since lost to the mists of time. Flocking to the command of Colonel Corazón Santiago, the Spartans comprise the hardiest and most dedicated survivalists on Planet, (+2 Morale; troops start with a higher combat bonus) who, despite their right to freely bear arms, are an orderly and well-disciplined society (+1 Police; military units negate more Drones), if one with a dramatically inflated defence budget (-1 Industry; units/buildings 10% more expensive) and vocal opposition to "cushy" economic policies. (Cannot use the Wealth value) Their high military budget, however, lends itself to phenomenal military engineers (No extra cost for prototype units) and hardware. (Start with Scout Rover instead of Scout Patrol)
Sigh...Lord's Believers
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/believers-logo-100.gif
Stupid Fundies who I won't be playing as. Moving on.
The Peacekeepers
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/peace-logo-100.gif
The humanitarian paragons of the Peacekeepers make up the followers of Unity Chief Surgeon Commissioner Pravin Lal, a man dedicated to the preservation of human rights and U.N. law-and, perhaps, the only sensible person amongst the Unity crew. His freedom-loving society attracts the social elite (1 extra Talent for every four citizens) and civically-minded (Needs Hab Complex at pop 9 instead of 7) of Planet's citizens. In addition, his factional constitution and government-a near-carbon copy of the United Nations of old Earth-give his votes extra electoral weight (double votes for Planetary Governor and Supreme Leader elections), although bringing with it mounds of bureaucratic red tape. (-1 Efficiency; all bases far enough from the capital lose a bit more Energy)
An Eighth Faction?
Rumours amongst the Unity crew speak of a visionary-some would say legendary-savant of old Earth aboard the Unity, a genius beyond his time. A few even claim him to be a reincarnation of one of the great wise men of history-Nikola Tesla, Aristotle and Nicolaus Copernicus are all candidates. Some say that, despite his political ineptitude (No civic bonuses or penalties), he holds some critical insight into the core workings of the universe. (Start with Singularity Mechanics, a very advanced tech) A few even claim he walks aboard the Unity-fewer dare to place a name-Sid Meier.
Let voting commence!
Current vote tally:
University of Planet: 4-Winners
Spartan Federation: 1
Peacekeepers: 1
Human Hive: 1
MYSTERIOUS EIGHTH FACTION: 1
First off, much like the linked one, this LP will be narrated from within context, though the faction switching will not be used.
Second, I will be playing on Talent difficulty-for starters, anyway. Talent being the game's "moderate" difficulty-easier would be boring, and I don't have the MAD SKILLS to steamroll Transcend or anything, so yeah.
Whenever a sufficiently important circumstance arises, such as the discovery of a new faction, the faction government will turn to the Unity Representative Council-(You, the Playgrounders)-some of the project's most trusted men and women, the individuals intended to keep the Unity crew under control-and the only ones with the authority to override even the descisions of Captain Garland himself. The council will, upon such circumstances arising, will have five days to vote on one of the provided options. In addition, if one option receives an overwhelming majority, which will initially be set at four votes, voting will close immediately, and said option will be put into place.
Any Council member may make a proposition to the Council, the contents of which may vary from simply renaming a settlement to the design of a new unit to the complete redirection of the government. Every 50 turns, a Council Referendum will be held, updating the Council members with the latest developments on Planet and allowing a three-day period dedicated to making and voting upon said propositions. Any proposition must, at present, have three votes to pass.
Council members can vote in opposition to any proposition still in the voting period, or to an ongoing proposition (i.e. all Synthmetal Sentinels must hold at their home base), in which case three votes, without opposition, secures an immediate veto. If the vote is opposed, a 2:1 majority secures a veto or defeats the motion. If a veto motion is defeated, that proposition cannot be vetoed until the next referendum.
Under the Unity chain of command (and the suggestions of one Exectutive Officer Yang), the faction leader reserves the right to veto one proposition every referendum that they perceive as detrimental to the faction's performance.
I at no point guarantee that all my interest in this LP will not at some point spontaneously evaporate, but anyone with a copy of the game and a knowledge of how to share save files is free to take over.
I don't have Alien Crossfire. Just putting that out there.
Now, with that out of the way, the Unity Representative Council will now vote for the first time, on the following topic:
What faction will the Council follow?
Supplemental datafile:
Gaia's Stepdaughters
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/gaia-logo-100.gif
Gaia's Stepdaughters, the brainchild of famed eco-political activist Lady Deirdre Skye, are the scholars, caretakers-and if need be, staunch defenders-of Planet's fascinating ecosystem. Their government and followers are dedicated to preserving Planet's ecology, and preventing a repeat of the ecological nightmare of Earth(+1 Green; grants a 25% chance to capture native life and boosts their performance), which has also resulted in careful use and preservation of resources. (+2 Efficiency; reduces energy lost from colonies far from the capital) However, their dedication to environmental preservation starves them in military and authoritarian power. (-1 Morale, -1 Police; Human military units start weaker and are less effective in reducing Drone numbers), and an economy that disregards the environment is unthinkable to their people. (Cannot use Free Market) In addition, their experience with work tending to Earth's biosphere transfers well to Planet's native flora. (+1 Nutrients in xenofungus)
Human Hive
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/hive-logo-100.gif
The Human Hive, held in the tight iron grip of Chairman Shen-Ji Yang, is the result of a unity between social experiment and spiritual virtue, equal parts communism and Confucianism, where the law is martial-and that law is one's nation before oneself. The oppressively collectivistic nature of the Hive encourages hard work and healthy population upkeep (+1 Industry, +1 Growth; Units/structures 10% cheaper, bases grow 10% faster.), though the brutally controlled economic climate stifles the faction politically and economically. (-2 Economy; -1 Energy at every base-Cannot use Democracy) On the bright side, Yang's brilliant political mind-and his people's natural submissiveness-eliminates Efficiency penalties from Police State and Planned economy civics, and his bases are built underground-perhaps to keep the public in check, but it does have the double-effect of providing easily-defensible territory. (Free Perimeter Defence in every base)
University of Planet
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/uni-logo-100.gif
The University of Planet forms the scientific capital of Planet, headed by Unity Chief Science Officer, Academician Prokhor Zakharov, whose dream is to make his society a great beacon for reason and discovery amidst the stifling ideologies of some of Planet's other factions. The University's status as a hub for the well educated and scientifically minded brings some truly astounding discoveries to the fore (+2 Research; new techs discovered 20% faster-extra free tech at the start of the game), though the nation's passion for inquisitive thought and scientific publishing makes them vulnerable to espionage (-2 Probe; enemy spy operations 50% cheaper and likelier to succeed) and utterly opposed to religion (Cannot use Fundamentalism), and the faction's lower classes are less than pleased with the usually... liberal ethical restrictions applied to their researchers. (One extra disgruntled lab rat Drone for every 4 citizens)
Morgan Industries
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/morgan-logo-100.gif
Morgan Industries is, at its core, capitalism personified. Led by CEO Nwabudike Morgan, funder of the Unity project, and backed by their leader's vast business expertise (and wealth-100 extra starting Energy), the faction aims to utterly dominate Planet's economic scene. The faction's economy benefits greatly from its nigh corporate nature (+1 Economy; 1 extra Energy at every base-double income from inter-faction trade), though the extravagant tastes of the citizens stifle military development (-1 Support; Each base can only support one unit before production starts to slow down), result in extravagant, high-maintainence housing (Max population without a Hab Complex is 4 instead of 7) and provoke fierce opposition to economic meddling (cannot use Planned economics).
Spartan Federation
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/spartans-logo-100.gif
The Spartan Federation does well to live up to its militarist namesake, long since lost to the mists of time. Flocking to the command of Colonel Corazón Santiago, the Spartans comprise the hardiest and most dedicated survivalists on Planet, (+2 Morale; troops start with a higher combat bonus) who, despite their right to freely bear arms, are an orderly and well-disciplined society (+1 Police; military units negate more Drones), if one with a dramatically inflated defence budget (-1 Industry; units/buildings 10% more expensive) and vocal opposition to "cushy" economic policies. (Cannot use the Wealth value) Their high military budget, however, lends itself to phenomenal military engineers (No extra cost for prototype units) and hardware. (Start with Scout Rover instead of Scout Patrol)
Sigh...Lord's Believers
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/believers-logo-100.gif
Stupid Fundies who I won't be playing as. Moving on.
The Peacekeepers
http://alphacentauri.us/Gifs/peace-logo-100.gif
The humanitarian paragons of the Peacekeepers make up the followers of Unity Chief Surgeon Commissioner Pravin Lal, a man dedicated to the preservation of human rights and U.N. law-and, perhaps, the only sensible person amongst the Unity crew. His freedom-loving society attracts the social elite (1 extra Talent for every four citizens) and civically-minded (Needs Hab Complex at pop 9 instead of 7) of Planet's citizens. In addition, his factional constitution and government-a near-carbon copy of the United Nations of old Earth-give his votes extra electoral weight (double votes for Planetary Governor and Supreme Leader elections), although bringing with it mounds of bureaucratic red tape. (-1 Efficiency; all bases far enough from the capital lose a bit more Energy)
An Eighth Faction?
Rumours amongst the Unity crew speak of a visionary-some would say legendary-savant of old Earth aboard the Unity, a genius beyond his time. A few even claim him to be a reincarnation of one of the great wise men of history-Nikola Tesla, Aristotle and Nicolaus Copernicus are all candidates. Some say that, despite his political ineptitude (No civic bonuses or penalties), he holds some critical insight into the core workings of the universe. (Start with Singularity Mechanics, a very advanced tech) A few even claim he walks aboard the Unity-fewer dare to place a name-Sid Meier.
Let voting commence!
Current vote tally:
University of Planet: 4-Winners
Spartan Federation: 1
Peacekeepers: 1
Human Hive: 1
MYSTERIOUS EIGHTH FACTION: 1