» Tue Aug 28, 2012 1:29 am A quest mod by Someguy2000
Current Status: 33%
Tagline:
"Quaeritur belli exitus, non causa"
General Synopsis:
As the NCR braces for the looming conflict at Hoover Dam, its leaders must also deal with an imminent Legion assault on a remote outpost, Firebase Zulu. Having long since proven himself/herself as a capable contractor, the courier is hired to buttress the defenses of the undermanned and undersupplied post. The player will be tasked with restoring morale, augmenting defenses, and once the battle begins in earnest, defending the outpost against overwhelming odds, all while cut off from adequate resources. Furthermore, the player's decisions will influence the outcome of the battle, as well as the individual fortunes of numerous combatants.
Features (when finished):
- 33 quests
- Fully voiced & lip-synced (even if it drives me to alcoholism)
- 5 Worldspaces
- Multiple, wildly different endings
- All manner of new weapons and armor, but nothing outlandish or unbalanced
Images (bear in mind this is still a WIP):
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg801/scaled.php?server=801&filename=zuluposter.jpg&res=landing (The style should shed light on certain cinematic influences)
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg528/scaled.php?server=528&filename=rorkespass0825.jpg&res=landing
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1290/fbzulufrontgate0824.jpg
http://img16.imageshack.us/img16/4471/rorkesaerial0824.jpg
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg21/scaled.php?server=21&filename=rorkespassaerial0825.jpg&res=landing
FAQ's: (I'll post more if necessary):
Q: When will this be released?
A: When it's tested, stable, and fully-voiced. I'm aiming for winter or early spring.
Q: How can I help?
A: I will be posting openings for technical assistance, artwork, and yes, voicework, when they are needed, at http://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/767749-wip-the-siege-of-firebase-zulu/.
Q: Does this mod take place in the Mojave Wasteland?
A: No, the player will travel to Firebase Zulu, a distant outpost east of Bullhead City.
Q: [censored], is this like Dead Money, where I'm stuck there?
A: Yes and no. Yes, it is essentially a one-way trip, but you are encouraged to bring all your weapons and gear. You'll need them.
Q: Is this connected to New Vegas Bounties?
A: Only in subtle nods and in the form of one character, Ranger Josey. He is a cousin of Joaquin (NVBII).
Q: Who are you fighting for/against?
A: Superficially, you're a mercenary fighting for the NCR against the Legion.
Q: Is there more to this plot than "Go there, kill bad guys, leave"?
A: Yes. I don't want to post spoilers. Sorry, I'm secretive like that.
Q: Do you have to be on good terms with the NCR to play this mod?
A: In a word, yes. However, the initial quest giver will offer a frivolous mission to temporarily rectify your reputation.
Q: Will playing this mod screw up my reputation with [Insert Faction]:
A: Not really, since the factions in Rorke's Pass (the setting) are independent of those in the Mojave, technically speaking. While your choices at pivotal moments will have ramifications in the Mojave, killing random npc's won't affect reputation.
Q: Will there be an option for Legion players?
A: Yes, though you will have to at least "act out" as an NCR-friendly mercenary until the attackers manifest.
Q: How long will this take to play?
A: I honestly don't know. I've finished the primary quests leading up to the battle, and that can run about one hour for a typical playthrough. I suspect the finished product, with numerous sidequests and randomized battle events, could span 4+ hours, depending on play style. This remains to be seen.
Q: Can the player install/upgrade defenses?
A: Hell yes, it's a critical side-quest. Woe be unto the player who forsakes the side-quests.
Q: Why are side-quests important?
A: My plan is for every major decision/action (in various quests/conversations) to affect the order and outcome of battle. This will unfold in spawn rates, morale, etc.
Q: Is this another outrageous Spaghetti Western like Bounties?
A: No, it's a war mod. There are some easter eggs, but most will be subtle in this plugin.
Q: Do vanilla actions (killing Caesar, etc.) affect the story?
A: Absolutely, particularly with antagonist.
Q: Can I bring companions?
A: Looking at it right now, probably not. There are nuanced, scripted events, particularly in the beginning, that could go awry with companions thrown in the mix.
Q: Will this have those annoying "gotcha" moments and ambushes that featured in New Vegas Bounties?
A: By and large - no. It's war, not a Western.
Q: How difficult is this mod?
A: It really depends on the player's actions, but I'm shooting for something between NVBI (too easy) and NVBII (too hard). I plan on making the major battles somewhat randomized, so it can vary with each engagement.
Q: Will this have the corny black/white morality that's prevalent in Bounties?
A: No, as it doesn't fit the theme or tone of the mod. Some of the quests present legitimate moral dilemmas with far-reaching consequences.
Q: Speaking of consequences, will there be random encounters after the mod is "finished"?
A: There's always someone looking for payback...
So yes, though it depends on player choices. It ain't a Someguy mod without encounters.Q: I want to be a voice actor!
A: Terrific. There will come a time when I'll need willing volunteers. However, voicing a mod is the absolute last stage in development for me. Therefore, it could be a while. I will post the roles in http://forums.nexusmods.com/index.php?/topic/767749-wip-the-siege-of-firebase-zulu/ when I begin the process of implementing voice-acting (during beta testing, typically). It will offer a detailed list of characters so you can audition for various parts.
Q: Bounties is clearly influenced by the Fistful of Dollars trilogy. Is there a similar inspiration for this mod?
A: Uh, it's Zulu meets Platoon. I think.
That's all I could muster at the moment. If more questions roll in I will address them accordingly. Thanks for the encouragement of late. I will try to post information as I make progress.
