Thanks for Your feedback, although I do prefer constructive critique. I understand that You do not like my idea/concept for some reasons.
bellator wrote: ↑ugh, I don't like this at all. Your "Japan" faction is totally divorced from Japan's actual modern military tradition. I hated RA3, or "command and carnival" as it is generally known. The third "empire" faction was a complete disgrace, an awful joke: I definitely don't think we need to bring it into Openra.
Well, I never played RA3, although I must admit that it gave me inspiration of some sort. I am not trying to re-create the RA3 Japan.
But back to Your critique: Red Alert 2 has nothing to do with military tradition, history tactics, or strategy. It is a abstract real time tactics game, and not a simulation. Just look at the level of simulation, tactical formations, units, technology -- Chrono anyone? I played and modded for real military simulations - not games, mind You. There such arguments are of importance, but not here.
bellator wrote: ↑
No naval units? Japan was a maritime Empire: its land military was a joke, mostly capable of pushing over its far less developed neighbors, but even against young land military of the US, it was a paper tiger. Japan's true strength was in its fleets and air-force.
Yes, of course it was. The Combined Fleet was Japan's sword and shield in world war two, and directly resulted from its military doctrine. But again, this is a game, and I hope You have read my idea of a technologically funky super power of the far east.
Having said that, I would be happy to intergrate naval assets, change any design plans. But in general I tend to include stuff that is already partly done. Have You seen a couple of japanese ship SHP files flying around? Tell me. Or make some. That would really help.
Also, air ships might be a nice deviation from the normal RA faction gameplay.
bellator wrote: ↑Airships are just massive targets for missiles or flak, completely meaningless for military purposes except in some air-defense roles.
Good point. Yes, I think that has to be carefully balanced. But again, I am not going for a clone of the allies or soviet faction with other graphics.
bellator wrote: ↑
Over-use of vacuous go-go gadgetry and scifimangled crap does not belong in Red Alert. I mean, why no classic firearms? Firearms are good: cheap, reliable and way cooler than lasers. And since RA1 takes place in the 1960s, not 2500s, firearms would be mostly used. Laser weapons are boring and overused.
This argument lacks any base. Even in the 1960, Chronospheres and Iron Curtain mashines were not abundant in use.
Ever build a high energy laser? I did. It's a lot of fun actually. I would love to have a "super-future" high power laser rifle. Instant hit. What annoys me that the weapons have a sound in the game, though. And that the lasers are visible. But oh well.. for gameplay's sake.
bellator wrote: ↑
Perhaps the Japan faction could have laser-firing support vehicle to complement tanks, but energy weapons should not be their standard ordinance. Their basic tank could be a multi-turreted vehicle, something that harkens back to earlier, primitive designs.
Yes, the amount of laser weapons in the mod will be balanced, a laser tank support vehicle is already in the works.
bellator wrote: ↑
Japan was not, at any point, technologically superior to west: their military should be less advanced, not vastly ahead, of allies and the soviets. So no invisibility cloaks.
This depends on the perspective. Ever looked at the sharpness of a japanese samurai sword? That take of blacksmith techniques never arrived in Europe from Asia. Or the Zero attack plane at the begin of the Pacific war?
Again - and last time - historic arguments do not matter to me very much when it comes to alternate timelines. Japan is a funky faction for me -- a highly technologically advanced faction with some quirks.
bellator wrote: ↑
Ion cannon is a GDI thing, why drag it into RA?
Someone invented it. It must have been the japanese Yakuza. But seriously: I am not sure whether it will go in, but it is tempting to use such an asset.
bellator wrote: ↑And its empire, just empire. Empire of Japan. Not Imperial Empire.
Saying 'Imperial Empire' is like saying 'humanoid human'. Redundant.
Well, the name is not of much importance. Believe me, it was deliberate, playing with the problematic translations and weird cultural differences. Kike the weird bar-code on the japanese flag.
Thanks for the feedback.