OpenXcom Forum

Modding => Released Mods => The X-Com Files => Topic started by: tkzv on September 02, 2017, 06:09:09 pm

Title: A mission idea
Post by: tkzv on September 02, 2017, 06:09:09 pm
In not-so-recent news I saw this: https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/kzakkn/nasa-destroyed-hundreds-of-mystery-tapes-found-in-a-dead-mans-basement-apollo-era A former NASA and IBM employee died in 2015. His heirs found fridge-sized 1960s computers and around 325 data tapes in his basement. A NASA expert studied the tapes, identified data from Pioneer-8,9,10,11, Helios-1 and Intelsat-4, failed to identify 215 more tapes, but suggested to burn everything, calling them hazardous to health because of mould.

Of course, this raises a question: what really was there that needs to be erased? :) It could be:
- signals from some alien installation in Solar system,
- more complete datasets from Pioneer-10 and 11.

The former could give coordinates of Cydonia or an intermediate base on the back side of the Moon or some other alien orbital station. The latter could give the answer to Pioneer anomaly (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pioneer_anomaly) — the 1998 theory is that Pioneers accelerate a bit faster because of uneven heat emission, but it may be gravity from a dwarf planet aliens want to hide or an undiscovered law of physics at work. Maybe this information could help understand gravity engines and make your own — but anything without elerium would be too bulky and inefficient.

Or it could be a red herring — nothing the player doesn't already know at this point.

The mission itself would be seizing the tapes while fighting Men in Black (or Red Dawn?) in an urban area.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: mumble on September 03, 2017, 09:29:07 am
Could also be nasa hiding extremely huge lies : Nasa, never a straight answer.

For the mission, I could see perhaps a mission with later level MIB troops with tapes which give some late research for free, essentially catapulting the player forward tech wise.

Could be something like "strange coordinates" with a background of a random email from a stranger about something "big", requesting you to "bring firepower" : a huge risk reward assessment for a player in promotion 2 / early 3 to take on, when MIB is still growing.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on September 03, 2017, 06:52:30 pm
Could also be nasa hiding extremely huge lies : Nasa, never a straight answer.
What kind of lies?

For the mission, I could see perhaps a mission with later level MIB troops with tapes which give some late research for free, essentially catapulting the player forward tech wise.
a huge risk reward assessment for a player in promotion 2 / early 3 to take on, when MIB is still growing.
I thought of the opposite. Early mission with two agents on a car and too many cartridges/reels/whatever to carry at once — they can grab a couple and run, but leaving this treasure trove seems wasteful, and they end up trying to neutralize every Man in Black within view.

Could be something like "strange coordinates" with a background of a random email from a stranger about something "big", requesting you to "bring firepower"
Yes, something like that. Strange activity of plainclothed people in a sleepy suburb and a tip telling where is the thing they're after. May be a better way to introduce Men in Black than crop circles mission.

And only studying those tapes/papers/magnetic drums reveals their connection with NASA.

And next mission could be fighting Men in Black over a landfill where some mysteries were buried.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: mumble on September 03, 2017, 11:57:12 pm
Well, too early on, any fighting with mib would be extremely bad, you need at least a van and Kevlar, preferably promotion 1 to get to the point of standing a chance against several mib, even with just blackops pistols. There's also an issue of what exactly you get out of it.

As for nasa lies that might exist, I'd rather not go off topic too much with conspiracies and big questions : figure it could roll down hill into a ban pretty fast.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on September 04, 2017, 04:05:47 am
I'd rather not go off topic too much with conspiracies and big questions : figure it could roll down hill into a ban pretty fast.
What I like about this mod, is that it takes crackpot theories and states they all are true. With a straight face :) Like the original UFO, only more so. When I started this thread, I hoped to discuss wild conspiracy theories. With people who don't really believe in them.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: SteamXCOM on September 04, 2017, 08:12:05 am
The Illuminati were in physic communication with the Greys who crashed landed in 1908 Siberia awaking the long slumbering Yeti who found the Spear of Destiny hidden by Hitler in Antarctica; then traded it to the Monks of Shamballa who were captured by black helicopters then interred in secret FEMA internment camps but escaped by hiding in the tunnels under Walmart where molemen are extracting the Codex Alimentarius from NASA's missing tapes and posting it on the Internet.

------------------
EDIT
Walmart store Closure Conspiracy Theories
http://www.snopes.com/politics/conspiracy/walmartclosures.asp

Walmart, Pentagon try to knock down conspiracy theory
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/walmart-pentagon-try-knock-down-conspiracy-theory
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on September 04, 2017, 11:58:14 am
Thanks for opening this thread, I'll certainly keep an eye on it and fish for ideas. Keep them coming!

Also if I may suggest, please keep them as simple as possible. This isn't an RPG, it's a tactical game - not much text content is possible, or indeed necessary.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on September 04, 2017, 05:26:23 pm
Thanks for opening this thread, I'll certainly keep an eye on it and fish for ideas. Keep them coming!

Also if I may suggest, please keep them as simple as possible. This isn't an RPG, it's a tactical game - not much text content is possible, or indeed necessary.
It's a game where all the text is mission briefings and Ufopaedia articles :) I keep that in mind.

Mission name: House search
Mission description: We've got a tip that some inconspicuous plainclothed people are searching for something in this suburb. Stop them and capture whatever they are after. Avoid hurting civilians caught in the crossfire.

Loot:

Old mainframe
An old transistor computer manufactured in 1965, that went through multiple repairs and upgrades. Apparently it once belonged to NASA, which sold it as obsolete around 1980. A retiring employee bought it together with a collection of old tapes.
The machine is of no use to us, but old computer enthusiasts will gladly buy it.

Price: something like $3000-$5000.
Size for storage: something huge, like Avalanche missile.

Data cartridge
A cartridge that was used to store computer data back in 1970s. The inscriptions on it are "Property of NASA" and a serial number.
Most likely it contains telemetry data. For some reason Men in Black were willing to kill to ensure this information stays buried.


Mouldy data cartridge
A cartridge that was used to store computer data back in 1970s. The inscriptions on it are "Property of NASA" and a serial number.
Most likely it contains telemetry data. For some reason Men in Black were willing to kill to ensure this information stays buried.

The cartridge has been damaged from being stored in suboptimal conditions. Reading data off it will require a lot of effort and success is not guaranteed. All the accumulated mould makes it a health hazard.


Reading intact cartridges may require some token effort from the workshop, like $50 and 8 man-hours per cartridge. Reading a damaged cartridge should be an order of magnitude harder, like $1000 and 160 man-hours. This will create "Processed data cartridge", with a 3.5" floppy disk added to the picture.


The discussion inspired two more mission ideas. This time in the wilderness, but with an excavator (if there are sprites for that), bulldozer or tractor:

Mission name: MiB landfill raid
Mission description: We've got a tip that Men in Black are searching for something in an old landfill, presumably to destroy it for good. Capture whatever they are after.

Mission name: Osiron landfill raid
Mission description: We've got a tip that Osiron are searching for something in an old landfill, presumably some storage media with valuable information. Capture whatever they are after.

The loot in both cases would be mouldy cartridges. As well as old bags, old shoes, animal bones and such :)


Update:

Researching a processed data cartridge may give several subjects. I can think of 3: "Anomalous acceleration", "Black asteroid" and "What astronauts talk about".

What astronauts talk about
Have you ever wondered what astronauts talk about with Mission Control? What kind of mysteries they may discuss? What jokes they tell? I was very enthusiastic when I saw a log of such conversations on one of the cartridges.
Actually, it all proved extremely boring. I almost broke my jaws yawning. Maybe the juicy parts did not make it to the log.


This is just a joke item, that doesn't lead anywhere.

Anomalous acceleration.
It's well known that several space probes accelerate a bit faster than they should. Numerous theories have been proposed, but remain unproven. The telemetry data we've uncovered does not fit the recently accepted theory of anisotropic heating. As far as we can tell, radioisotope generators give those ships some extra push.
This effect may allow us to create a new propulsion principle.


This unlocks "Gravitic propulsion":

Gravitic propulsion
By studying anomalous acceleration of RITEG-equipped space craft we have discovered that electromagnetic emission at certain resonance frequencies can shake gravity waves out of atomic nuclei. The effect is more pronounced for heavy elements and unstable isotopes, but unfortunately, it is too weak to be practical for any element we tested -- the device won't lift its own weight. Trans-actinide elements seem promising, in theory, if only we could get some.

This will also explain how hyperwave decoder works without elerium. It can be a requirement for the decoder, for UFO propulsion or for both. Or it can be another dead end.

Black asteroid
Trajectories of several interplanetary probes seem to have been distorted by a heavy body orbiting between Earth and Mars orbits. Optical telescopes do not detect it, presumably because it isn't reflective enough.
The bigger question is: why did NASA have to hide this discovery?


What could be the implications? I haven't decided.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on September 04, 2017, 09:18:11 pm
Thanks!

I can make more missions, but we also need to think where it leads to. You recover this tape, or computer, examine it, and then what? Does it give you some article, or unlocks something, or does it do something else? Or maybe it should just be unspecified data which gives you points? That last option would be easiest, but feels kind of dull - after such a climatic entrance it should be something more satisfying.

Perhaps we could have a new category of dossiers, something like here (https://openxcom.org/forum/index.php/topic,5236.0.html) or the first entry here (https://openxcom.org/forum/index.php/topic,5228.msg80102.html#msg80102). But it'd require many new articles and someone would have to write them. ;)
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on September 04, 2017, 10:53:23 pm
I can make more missions, but we also need to think where it leads to. You recover this tape, or computer, examine it, and then what? Does it give you some article, or unlocks something, or does it do something else?
I've written my suggestions above after the word "Update" :)

"Anomalous acceleration" followed by "Gravitic propulsion" can be either an extra requirement to get UFO propulsion and hyperwave decoder, or an alternative route to get them earlier.

"Old mainframe", "Data cartridge" and "Mouldy data cartridge" give points and explain what's up.

"What astronauts talk about" is for points and quick laugh. Not funny enough, I'm afraid.

"Black asteroid" can uncover an alien staging area. Which would explain how UFOs react to player's actions quicker than distance to Mars would imply. The asteroid should be Earth's quasi-satellite then. The player may want to deal with it before Cydonia. Or it may prove a dead end — just an empty landing pad.

Or maybe it should just be unspecified data which gives you points? That last option would be easiest, but feels kind of dull - after such a climatic entrance it should be something more satisfying.

Perhaps we could have a new category of dossiers, something like here (https://openxcom.org/forum/index.php/topic,5236.0.html) or the first entry here (https://openxcom.org/forum/index.php/topic,5228.msg80102.html#msg80102). But it'd require many new articles and someone would have to write them. ;)
I fully agree that research just for points is boring. That also applies to dossiers, unless you want to do something interesting with them. Will you turn each of them into a mission like "Meridian hunt"? :) I'll write several anyway.

What are your plans about Underdark, zombie caves and Reptoids? Some tapes can contain the data from orbital radar scanning that reveals caves of potential interest.

A spy satellite passing a certain area has been downed by Aquatoids, who thought it was spying on them. Their abandoned installation is still of interest. Or maybe it isn't abandoned.

Update: keep forgetting to add this one. The most obvious. Collision of an unmanned probe with an UFO. The recovered debris are stored somewhere. Now that X-COM knows the details, it can ask the right questions and get a random alien artefact. Either research data or the artefact itself.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on September 04, 2017, 11:01:54 pm
I've written my suggestions above after the word "Update" :)

Ah, right. It makes things clear.

"Anomalous acceleration" followed by "Gravitic propulsion" can be either an extra requirement to get UFO propulsion and hyperwave decoder, or an alternative route to get them earlier.

I'm a bit anxious to do it either way, since extra requirement would mean a significant RNG element to the game, and alternative route vould be hard to fit... But we'll see.

"Old mainframe", "Data cartridge" and "Mouldy data cartridge" give points and explain what's up.

Yeah, more articles are good. I like the space element, we need more space stuff.

"What astronauts talk about" is for points and quick laugh. Not funny enough, I'm afraid.

Worry not, it's better than half of my stuff. ;)

"Black asteroid" can uncover an alien staging area. Which would explain how UFOs react to player's actions quicker than distance to Mars would imply. The asteroid should be Earth's auasi-sattelite then.

Yes, we can just let it grow organically.

I fully agree that research just for points is boring. That also applies to dossiers, unless you want to do something interesting with them. Will you turn each of them into a mission like "Meridian hunt"? :) I'll write several anyway.

Oh hell no, dossiers (or 99% of them) are just fluff. My point was that fluff should be interesting, not just useful.

What are your plans about Underdark, zombie caves and Reptoids? Some tapes can contain the data from orbital radar scanning that reveals caves of potential interest.

Probably. I'd like to start working on that, but the amount of work needed is staggering - it's like another T'Leth arc, but without all the resources already existing in TFTD.

Anyway, I like where this is going. ;)
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on September 04, 2017, 11:14:33 pm
Probably. I'd like to start working on that, but the amount of work needed is staggering - it's like another T'Leth arc, but without all the resources already existing in TFTD.
My suggestions so far try to rely on the existing sprites. Of course, Ufopeadia articles need some graphics, but that's not a priority.
Edit: Ah, you meant Underdark. And I was asking about the possible connections between space research of 1960-70s and the unfinished arcs. Mapping caves could be one.

--- posts merged ---

http://www.snopes.com/politics/conspiracy/walmartclosures.asp
Thanks. I found one theory I liked. Especially the name.

DUMBS
Orbital infrared photos of NATO member states allowed NASA to map a network of mysterious bunkers and tunnels.
Unfortunately, this discovery is of no use to our mission. We know about existence of deep underground military bases (DUMBS for short. Hey, it wasn't me who came up with the name!) and this map is 20 years out of date.


The Illuminati were in physic communication with the Greys who crashed landed in 1908 Siberia awaking the long slumbering Yeti who found the Spear of Destiny hidden by Hitler in Antarctica; then traded it to the Monks of Shamballa who were captured by black helicopters then interred in secret FEMA internment camps but escaped by hiding in the tunnels under Walmart where molemen are extracting the Codex Alimentarius from NASA's missing tapes and posting it on the Internet.
:) Mind if I copy it with slight corrections? To bring it closer to established canon and avoid anachronisms.

Decrypted text
The cartridge contained a single encrypted file, which we managed to decipher:

The Illuminati were in physic(sic) communication with Sectoids who crashed(sic) landed in 1908 Siberia awaking the long slumbering Shamblers who found the Spear of Destiny hidden by Hitler in Antarctica; then traded it to the Monks of Shamballa who were captured by black helicopters then interred in secret FEMA internment camps but escaped by hiding in the DUMBS where molemen are extracting the Codex Alimentarius from NASA's missing tapes and distributing it through Arpanet.

(I suggest we do not act hastily on that one.)


Or should it be Mongorns instead of Shamblers?
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on September 05, 2017, 12:26:12 am
Thanks! I'll get to implementing it sooner or later.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: SteamXCOM on September 05, 2017, 02:03:51 am

:) Mind if I copy it with slight corrections? To bring it closer to established canon and avoid anachronisms.


With reasonably placed anachronisms, such theories  become more preposterous
...and believable.

Go right ahead, edit as you wish. You could probably cook up even more additions  with a google search and string even more unrelated conspiracy theories together.  Conspiracy theories appear to  take advantage of inherent contradictions and coincidences found in any situation and depend on an assumption guised as fact to get to the next step.   
 
Those vapor trails caused by aircraft? Chemtrails!  They can put any additive they want in jet fuel and no one would be the wiser. It is  the spraying of the atmosphere with chemicals by  corporate and governmental interests no doubt pressured by outer-worldly powers  to make this planet more habitable for the eventual alien presence on earth ... MuhHAha.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on September 05, 2017, 03:11:07 am
Those vapor trails caused by aircraft? Chemtrails!  They can put any additive they want in jet fuel and no one would be the wiser. It is  the spraying of the atmosphere with chemicals by  corporate and governmental interests no doubt pressured by outer-worldly powers  to make this planet more habitable for the eventual alien presence on earth ... MuhHAha.
Actually, chemtrails are already part of Hybrids' arc :) They add chemicals to airplane fuel to make people more "numb and docile".
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: SteamXCOM on September 05, 2017, 11:17:46 pm
Actually, chemtrails are already part of Hybrids' arc :) They add chemicals to airplane fuel to make people more "numb and docile".

It gets better and better

"...they first spray to makes us uncaring and docile, excited only by the lottery and which movie star is doing what to who;   likely followed up by the next big fog that will almost certainly be designed to transform the planet into THEIR world."
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: mumble on September 23, 2017, 08:06:19 am
Alright, so I have one for hybrids, involving vaccinations. A mission with a brainwashed population, a couple aliens, hybrids, and brainwashed civilians done in by tainted vaccinations. Could be a fun mission where killing off civilians incurs a VERY bad penalty, and you need to carefully neutralize (non fatally) ornery civilians with typical civilian weapons (knives, bats, shotguns, pistols) hybrids (with any weapon I suppose) and possibly a few aliens. Could end up with something for the "cult of Cyrus" arch, if this is done, mentioning stuff about pharmaceutical corruption. 

Would also frankly be a challenging mission, multi tasking between not killing civilians (imagine handling a child wielding a knife while an alien is trying to kill you) and killing extremely dangerous aliens. 
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on September 23, 2017, 01:49:01 pm
Sounds kind of anal to play, but I'll consider it. :3
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: mumble on September 23, 2017, 05:54:25 pm
That would kind of be the point solair : a mission specifically involving careful tactics and restraint. For an investigation beuru, xcom seems too damn trigger happy. it would be a necessary change of pace IMO
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: ohartenstein23 on September 23, 2017, 06:09:48 pm
That would kind of be the point solair : a mission specifically involving careful tactics and restraint. For an investigation beuru, xcom seems too damn trigger happy. it would be a necessary change of pace IMO

The trigger happy just comes from the players, it's not Solar's fault everbody is so bloodthirsty.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: mumble on September 23, 2017, 06:30:00 pm
What I'm getting at is, short of capturing suspects here and there for advancement, you can straight up nuke almost any situation without punishment. I would love for this to change up a little, so some missions, straight up gunning down everything in sight would end up with the council screaming at you.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on September 23, 2017, 09:01:23 pm
That would kind of be the point solair : a mission specifically involving careful tactics and restraint. For an investigation beuru, xcom seems too damn trigger happy. it would be a necessary change of pace IMO
Seconding that. More missions where non-lethal weapons are required will bring more variety.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: niculinux on September 24, 2017, 01:16:54 am
Seconding that. More missions where non-lethal weapons are required will bring more variety.

Would be a nice/nasty surprise but i gonna like these!
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: mumble on September 24, 2017, 08:24:01 am
More missions where non-lethal weapons are required will bring more variety.
Exactly. And again, xcom starts as an INVESTIGATIVE BEURU, yet they very much perform like a hit squad for swat or something.  Even with farmers, you can light up every person with a hail of lead, and face minimal consequences. A small town situation with xcom, saving hostile civilians from the aliens, and themselves, with JUST enough news coverage to look VERY nasty for xcom if they killed everyone, but not enough to put xcom under would be interesting, not to mention the pressure between not having your squad wiped from not shooting a young woman for stabbing your troop in the throat with a combat knife nor being shot with a plasma pistol totting sectoid, and trying not to gun down civilians on presumably live news coverage.

Around promotion 2, with Kevlar or armor, this would be a pheasable mission, with very high risk, very high reward early on (compared to promotion 3 and arial combat to shoot down UFO's)

It would also give the player a chance to use alternative tactics, like smoke screens to rush with tazers, using a tonfa and pistol together, and being calculated about overwatch / attacks

This was an element I really liked about piratez (a sharp guy with a 50 cal pistol? Do you try and capture him, risking a massive hole in you, or kill him and face the consequences of the government jumping down your throat for killing a CEO? Pick your poison) in that you really need to calculate between multiple risks and try to take the best course of action amid a shit show. Sure, you could indeed kill a few civilians, even all of them, but with camera crews watching, it would be very rough to explain, and xcom would be on trial for "police brutality" almost.

Even better if there was a brainwashed VIP there (a pastor, buisnessman, ect) who was the aliens target, and capturing / killing him would hold a very large stake in the outcome of the mission, with capturing giving xcom IMMENSE credit, and killing would make xcom out to look like a secret government hit squad, while aliens would look like benevolent protectors. I think it would be a superb mission that doesn't boil down to "more cultists, more guns, more daka!", like the current arch of most missions.

I'm not entirely sure how to make more discreet missions, but this was supposed to be inspired by the x-files right? I don't recall the x-files involving so many gun fights.

GRANTED, it IS your project solair, and I'm not trying to shit on it at all, its my favorite mod in a while! But I think a few missions that evolve past "shoot bad guys to win" would bring something good to the mod. Especially when capturing is mostly optional, beyond a 1 time capture per rank, it would be nice to get a more anal approach now and then for "alright, we NEED to capture this person alive, or there will be hell to pay".

Remember, just as police cannot go around shooting everyone who is a perceived threat, I think xcom in certain situations (at least outside cultists) should be held to the same standard : expected to use less than lethal means of force, to de-escalate, and solve problems with minimal destruction or loss of life.

...except for cultists, you know. Fuck those guys  ;). And farmers... Because they are very isolated anyway.

As for how the media would perceive it, perhaps they would see it as a "cult" in the town, speaking with strange creatures, unaware the "cult" is actually brainwashed townsfolk, and the strange creatures are nefarious aliens....they only have to go off of what they see happen, and if this is xcom killing off everyone, this will look very bad.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on September 24, 2017, 12:50:29 pm
OK, I'll do it as soon as I have a good enough concept. Should not be too work intensive.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: SteamXCOM on September 24, 2017, 06:29:12 pm
Exactly. And again, xcom starts as an INVESTIGATIVE BUREAU, yet they very much perform like a hit squad for swat or something.  Even with farmers, you can light up every person with a hail of lead, and face minimal consequences.....snip .....and if this is xcom killing off everyone, this will look very bad.

Yes, if the game engine allows it, more of these  sorts of things to consider, I do not know if terror missions can have greater point loss per civilian killed by Xcom  specifically without increasing that point loss by those killed by aliens.  The Idea that if civilians are a high point loss if kiled by XCOM, on those types of missions the rocket tank, for example might better be left at the house and different tactics employed.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: mumble on September 24, 2017, 09:14:50 pm
Actually steam, I was thinking just a copy of how piratez did it, with different types of enemies armed or unarmed, with some giving positive points for killing (alliens) and some giving a NEGATIVE point value for killing (little kids charging you with knives, or mothers with shotguns).  It actually works pretty well, you need to carefully plan out reaction fire, and calculate who to shoot, who to hesitate on, and when to risk non fatal take downs.

And its not to say you absolutely CANNOT kill a mother with a hunting rifle, just you know if you blow away a mother / school teacher, the news will end up crucifying you for it, and the council will end up incredibly mad. This is what I loved about piratez, you COULD gundown a sharpguy if you needed, but you knew there would be some consequences...and you knew if you gunned down an entire transit vehicle full of civilians, you would DEFINITELY be consequences.

...Come to think of it, this might be an interesting MIB mission, if they are in the process or making an alien witness "disappear" and you need to capture the person alive before MIB does, and the person has been given a gun and told that XCOM is coming to kill them. So capturing a person to save them, who is actively trying to kill you. Even if they are a terrible shot and have low nerve, trying to capture a single person with a blackops pistol would be a slightly harrowing experience.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on October 01, 2017, 02:07:43 am
Inconsequential Ufopaedia entry, a piece of information that can be gained from a homicidal maniac. Or a low-ranking cultist. Or a farmer driven crazy. Or NASA tapes.
Quote
Doomsday Prophecy

On the 28th of November 1996, on the day of the Holy Martyr Steven, the world will crash into a heavenly axis.

This sounds familiar, but I can't pin it down... Anyway, we can rest assured this one was false.

Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on October 01, 2017, 04:19:58 am
Doesn't seem familiar to me, but I'm intrigued.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on October 01, 2017, 10:28:49 am
It's a quote from an obscure SF novel, with a changed year. It proved false there too.
The Heart of a Dog by Mikhail Bulgakov. The rumour caused by transformation of a dog into human. In the film it was given 3 days after the fact.
Something that sounds pompous ans scary, but proves ridiculous.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: SteamXCOM on October 03, 2017, 05:59:17 pm
Actually steam, I was thinking just a copy of how piratez did it, with different types of enemies armed or unarmed, with some giving positive points for killing (alliens) and some giving a NEGATIVE point value for killing (little kids charging you with knives, or mothers with shotguns).  It actually works pretty well, you need to carefully plan out reaction fire, and calculate who to shoot, who to hesitate on, and when to risk non fatal take downs.


THAT is pretty good idea and I agree with what you suggest
 and since it already exists in another mod, it might not be to difficult to implement here
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on October 11, 2017, 02:36:54 am
More ideas on that invisible asteroid.

Research item: "Alien Staging Area" or "Alien Refuelling Station".

Prerequisites: all typical UFO types (no Envoy and other special types):
      - STR_SMALL_SCOUT
      - STR_MEDIUM_SCOUT
      - STR_LARGE_SCOUT
      - STR_HARVESTER
      - STR_ABDUCTOR
      - STR_TERROR_SHIP
      - STR_BATTLESHIP
      - STR_SUPPLY_SHIP
      - STR_SENTRY_SHIP
      - STR_FIGHTER_SHIP
      - STR_LAB_SHIP
      - STR_EXCAVATOR

Ufopaedia text:
All UFOs we've downed had their elerium reserves filled to the brim. Our research indicates they all uses some artificial or natural satellite of Earth as a refuelling station and rendezvous point. To reliably triangulate this invisible satellite we need Hyperwave Decoders at 8 bases.

There's also a chance that some space agency has already discovered this satellite, but is covering it up. If only we knew where to look...

The number of required decoders may be lower than 8, but triangulation requires at least 3 :) Maybe conventional radars can be employed too.

The following item is either unlocked by having 8 decoders after having researched "Alien Refuelling Station" or is given randomly for researching a decoded cartridge:

Research item: Pelops

Ufopaedia text:
Pelops is an asteroid orbiting Sun in 1:1 resonance with Earth, making it a quasi-satellite. Due to its unusual black colour it is virtually undetectable by optic telescopes. Aliens have placed a fuel depot there, which they occasionally resupply. It can be raided by any of our elerium-powered ships, but we expect it to be heavily guarded by robots and booby-trapped.

Size: 100 x 100 x 200 m
Distance to Earth: <2.5 million km

There may be a random event "Pelops fuel depot restocked" after which any ship can be sent to raid it for a while, or it can be available at any time.


I envision the mission itself as something similar to the surface part of Cydonia mission, only without the "sphinx", with black terrain (does it need a new set of tiles, or would changing the texture suffice?) and with no underground entrance. Protected by holodrones, cyberdisks and sectopods. The containers that hold eleruium detonate randomly, destroying their contents. The player may break containers with plasma(?) fire and pick elerium or kill all guards and get elerium from all unexploded containers. Only space-capable weapons are allowed.

Mission name: "Asteroid Raid"

Mission Briefing:
Our approach has triggered the self-destruct sequence of elerium containers. Some of them will explode every turn until none is left. Eliminate all guard robots and you will be able to disarm the remaining containers. To abort the mission return X-Com operatives to the vehicle and click on the 'Abort Mission' icon.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on October 15, 2017, 12:42:42 pm
I'm glad to see these ideas accumulate. :) Not doing anything with them yet, but one day I will.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: mumble on October 15, 2017, 11:49:46 pm
Any chance we could get a VIP rescue sort of thing like one of the missions in xcom enemy unknown? Perhaps a spawn point for xcom, spawn point for cultists, and spawn point for VIP's and security, and trying to rescue the VIP before hes killed.

Also, What if zombie parasites were connected with a drug outbreak? Like zombies outbreak in the slums because a dirt cheap "drug" is being sold and converting drug addicts into literal zombies... Would be interesting to see, particularly if it involved gangers and ghetto people fighting zombies in the streets in a police no go zone. It would also better explain the large zombie presence in the world.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on October 16, 2017, 01:38:58 am
Any chance we could get a VIP rescue sort of thing like one of the missions in xcom enemy unknown? Perhaps a spawn point for xcom, spawn point for cultists, and spawn point for VIP's and security, and trying to rescue the VIP before hes killed.

We can't have a spawn point for VIP, potential nodes are shared with enemies.
But otherwise there are already several such missions.

Also, What if zombie parasites were connected with a drug outbreak? Like zombies outbreak in the slums because a dirt cheap "drug" is being sold and converting drug addicts into literal zombies... Would be interesting to see, particularly if it involved gangers and ghetto people fighting zombies in the streets in a police no go zone. It would also better explain the large zombie presence in the world.

Not sure... You need at least partially grown parasite to overtake a human. But maybe something can be arranged. :)
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on October 16, 2017, 01:53:05 am
Not sure... You need at least partially grown parasite to overtake a human. But maybe something can be arranged. :)
What about energy? A zombie gets a limited doze of plasma and the only way to get more is to eat other zombies. If an infected only gets a drop of contaminated blood, the doze would probably be too small for anything and the zombie would die from starvation before X-COM arrives.

Now, if someone distributes this stuff disguised as cheap drugs, there's enough energy and you get a zombie outbreak in a big city. The question is: who would do it? Hybrids are obvious culprits, but that may get boring.

Can it be the Syndicate? What for? How about getting more zombies for their experiments?

Can any of the 4 starting "cults" do it?

How about cultists of Apocalypse? Would Luchadors try to make more food for themselves?
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: mumble on October 16, 2017, 04:03:55 am
Maybe people are injecting pure zombie blood / eating zombie flesh in ghettos for an insane high / performance enhancement, which expedites the zombification process?...
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on October 17, 2017, 06:46:00 pm
What about energy? A zombie gets a limited doze of plasma and the only way to get more is to eat other zombies. If an infected only gets a drop of contaminated blood, the doze would probably be too small for anything and the zombie would die from starvation before X-COM arrives.

Now, if someone distributes this stuff disguised as cheap drugs, there's enough energy and you get a zombie outbreak in a big city. The question is: who would do it? Hybrids are obvious culprits, but that may get boring.

Can it be the Syndicate? What for? How about getting more zombies for their experiments?

Can any of the 4 starting "cults" do it?

How about cultists of Apocalypse? Would Luchadors try to make more food for themselves?

That would be rather hard to do intentionally, since plasma itself is mostly harmless to people. Someone would have to also distribute the parasite. I'm not saying it's impossible, but I'm not sure anyone would go to such lengths for... well, not sure why.

I can imagine some corporation or government institution breeding zombies in a lab for research purposes. In fact, M.A.G.M.A. seems to be in the business. But general populace? Too complicated and not much of an incentive apart from sewing chaos (Cult of Apocalypse!).

Maybe people are injecting pure zombie blood / eating zombie flesh in ghettos for an insane high / performance enhancement, which expedites the zombification process?...

Well, Luchadores do just that, as Mumble mentioned. The results... vary.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on November 01, 2017, 11:19:03 am
How about synthetic ellerium? It even fits the canon. Of course, it's a dead end. (Or is it?)

Quote
Element-115 Synthesis.

Earth nuclear physics has already come as far as synthesizing element 112. After seeing our data on ellerium and knowing that the isotope 299 is long-lived enough, our partners in JINR, GSI and RIKEN came up with several synthetic pathways and tried them all in a matter of weeks. This part was a success.

Unfortunately, the obtained isotope possesses none of the useful properties of ellerium. Even the atomic mass is slightly lower. Looks like we need a different isomer, and are still clueless about how to make it.

Still, this was a big achievement for Earth science. I heard they were going to name the element Moscovium.

--- posts merged ---

How about roadside ambushes and highway robbery? X-COM agents travel far and wide. Surely, a group of rich foreigners in a good car would grab attention of wrong kinds of people. What if somebody decides to rob them?

This would turn some missions into two-parters. The first part only triggers if the transport is a public/private car, van or jeep and in certain regions. Or would it require to make 2 missions: high-chance 1-parter and low-chance 2-parter?

If the mission is a zombie hunt, the attackers can be Luchadores. If it's a monster hunt, there can be cavemen, motormen or westmen. If it's Osiron or Red Dawn there can be lowest-level thugs making a bit of cash on the side. Alternatively, there can be some unaffiliated bandits, but interrogating them would reveal the encounter wasn't entirely random -- somebody suggested for them to wait there. Like the Apocalypse cult.

Now that I thought about roadside ambushes, this may add variety to cult safehouse/outpost/base missions. Beat the ambush quickly enough, and the 2nd part becomes easier: some enemies start unarmed (but can pick weapons). Take too long, and they arm themselves better, and higher-ups may evacuate with money and valuables. If this isn't doable with the engine, it can be done like that: if you can't beat the ambush in 10 turns, everybody still conscious runs away, no 2nd part. Same for undercover missions against Osiron and Syndicate, only in the slums instead of wilderness.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on November 01, 2017, 07:28:05 pm
How about synthetic ellerium? It even fits the canon. Of course, it's a dead end. (Or is it?)

How about not double-posting :P

But to the point: E-115 is in fact artificial (at least in the canon XCF shares with Piratez), but it is generally easier to develop other energy sources (like fusion) than to make Elerium from scratch. This will be addressed more decisively in the future, but M.A.G.M.A. already has some elements of it (experimental reactors).

How about roadside ambushes and highway robbery? X-COM agents travel far and wide. Surely, a group of rich foreigners in a good car would grab attention of wrong kinds of people. What if somebody decides to rob them?

It's a fun concept. :) But what if X-Com travels in a helicopter? Or an Avenger? So not really practical, unless you have an idea how to solve it.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on November 01, 2017, 10:17:38 pm
How about not double-posting :P
Two my posts in the same thread? I didn't realize it was a problem. I'll stop.

By the way, if somebody starts answering my post and I change it, does the forum engine display a warning?

But to the point: E-115 is in fact artificial (at least in the canon XCF shares with Piratez),
I haven't reached that point yet :) By canon I meant the TFTD manual, where artificial element 115 was created around 2004, but proved useless.

but it is generally easier to develop other energy sources (like fusion) than to make Elerium from scratch.
That's the idea. But somebody has to try to know that.


It's a fun concept. :) But what if X-Com travels in a helicopter? Or an Avenger? So not really practical, unless you have an idea how to solve it.
I suggested that it only happens for early missions — before flight training — and for undercover missions.

Flight training requires only 1st promotion and military envoy, therefore flying craft can be used in any mission except cult apprehension. Is it possible to check the craft upon arrival? Or does the type of mission have to be generated when the marker appears?

If the latter, then only undercover missions remain. And I don't think that such things should happen on the way to mountain or seaside resort. What does this leave? Osiron and Syndicate?

P.S. I checked the *.rul files. There are "STAKEOUT" and "INFILTRATION". What is the difference? Other that allowing Hummer, helicopters and Dragonfly for infiltration.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on November 01, 2017, 10:31:30 pm
By the way, if somebody starts answering my post and I change it, does the forum engine display a warning?

I think it should. I don't know, though.

I haven't reached that point yet :) By canon I meant the TFTD manual, where artificial element 115 was created around 2004, but proved useless.

Yeah, likely too expensive to make.

That's the idea. But somebody has to try to know that.
 I suggested that it only happens for early missions — before flight training — and for undercover missions.

That someone is M.A.G.M.A., and quite possibly every single one of the Great Fac- eh, sorry, I've almost spoiled some plot. :P

Flight training requires only 1st promotion and military envoy, therefore flying craft can be used in any mission except cult apprehension. Is it possible to check the craft upon arrival? Or does the type of mission have to be generated when the marker appears?

No, we can't check the craft upon arrival. And the mission is determined at the start of month, with location, faction and everything.

If the latter, then only undercover missions remain. And I don't think that such things should happen on the way to mountain or seaside resort. What does this leave? Osiron and Syndicate?

Maybe... Or we could simply turn these missions off after we get Basic Flight. :P

P.S. I checked the *.rul files. There are "STAKEOUT" and "INFILTRATION". What is the difference? Other that allowing Hummer, helicopters and Dragonfly for infiltration.

They're just different. Stakeout is for observation and entering, while infiltration is about blending in.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on November 02, 2017, 01:20:54 am
Yeah, likely too expensive to make.
No, that wasn't the problem. The synthesized element didn't have the properties of the one aliens used. Thus the need to dive for UFO remains, which transformed X-COM to an underwater salvaging company, and later the formation of mining colonies on Mars and beyond.

I went with the idea that humans synthesized the most stable isomer of the required isotope, but alien technologies use some excited metastable isomer. It may be created by some other process and may even form naturally somehow, but the transition between the two isomers is "forbidden", i.e. highly improbable to near-impossible.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on November 02, 2017, 01:26:12 am
No, that wasn't the problem. The synthesized element didn't have the properties of the one aliens used. Thus the need to dive for UFO remains, which transformed X-COM to an underwater salvaging company, and later the formation of mining colonies on Mars and beyond.

I went with the idea that humans synthesized the most stable isomer of the required isotope, but alien technologies use some excited metastable isomer. It may be created by some other process and may even form naturally somehow, but the transition between the two isomers is "forbidden", i.e. highly improbable to near-impossible.

Yes, it certainly makes sense. So in fact only the aliens (Ethereals?) can make full-fledged Elerium.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on November 02, 2017, 02:13:43 am
Speaking of scientific theories, has anybody mentioned (about Cyberweb arc) that lone red dwarfs don't normally go nova? If their universe is old enough, and the dwarf is big enough, it may expand to a red giant, but that isn't a nova according to Wikipedia.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on November 02, 2017, 11:33:39 am
Speaking of scientific theories, has anybody mentioned (about Cyberweb arc) that lone red dwarfs don't normally go nova? If their universe is old enough, and the dwarf is big enough, it may expand to a red giant, but that isn't a nova according to Wikipedia.

Did I really write of a red dwarf that goes nova? Damn, I must've changed the concept mid-sentence or something. Because indeed it's nonsense.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: khade on November 02, 2017, 10:31:46 pm
Just add a reference to some sort of 'red matter' and you'll be fine.   ;D
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on November 02, 2017, 11:32:51 pm
Just add a reference to some sort of 'red matter' and you'll be fine.   ;D

Actually I have just changed it to "dying". And then I thought: there is not way in hell a red dwarf would have the time to grow so old in our Universe, because it would take much more than 13 billion years. But instead of rejecting this idea I've decided to actually mention it in the text. Figure out some headcanon. :P
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on November 02, 2017, 11:50:13 pm
Actually I have just changed it to "dying". And then I thought: there is not way in hell a red dwarf would have the time to grow so old in our Universe, because it would take much more than 13 billion years. But instead of rejecting this idea I've decided to actually mention it in the text. Figure out some headcanon. :P
I vaguely recall that Apocalypse mentioned something being wrong with the alien star. Which forced them to invade. Probably becoming a red giant and engulfing the planet. I searched https://ufopaedia.org, but didn't find it.

And yes, I was going to suggest a much older universe to make that happen :)

Speaking about the alien dimension. How did the X-COM survey team launch a satellite? Does the planet have such a weak gravity? Did they pull something like Firestorm through the gate? Did they have some outside assistance with the survey?
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on November 02, 2017, 11:59:55 pm
Speaking about the alien dimension. How did the X-COM survey team launch a satellite? Does the planet have such a weak gravity? Did they pull something like Firestorm through the gate? Did they have some outside assistance with the survey?

They used a rocket.

Yes, they actually dragged a space rocket through the portal. The Council would make it possible quite easily.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on November 03, 2017, 02:21:32 am
They used a rocket.

Yes, they actually dragged a space rocket through the portal. The Council would make it possible quite easily.
:) Well, this is 1990s. Repurposing a Topol won't be a problem. As long as the vehicle fits the gate.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on November 05, 2017, 05:53:39 pm
It's a fun concept. :) But what if X-Com travels in a helicopter? Or an Avenger? So not really practical, unless you have an idea how to solve it.
we can't check the craft upon arrival. And the mission is determined at the start of month, with location, faction and everything.

If you like the idea of a rare 2-part mission, here's one possible answer. Is it possible to create a map that has no flat areas without forest? The mission description is normal, but the briefing after landing states that the area of interest is inaccessible to ground vehicles and has no flat clear areas to land a helicopter. The player needs to reach the exit grid, clearing any possible obstacles. Of course, some armed obstacles quickly appear. Either that, or the briefing states that the base has posted a lookout, and agents need to reach the exit grid or neutralize the lookout in e.g. 10 turns. If they don't, the base would be abandoned and the lookout would flee. I imagine them something like this:

Zombie infestation description: "A group of aggressive 'Zombies' was spotted in this region. We must secure the area and make sure nothing escapes. Capturing any previously unknown living specimens is also encouraged."
Zombie infestation, mountains, part 1 briefing: "The area infested by zombies has terrain too uneven to drive a car or even land a helicopter. You have to proceed further on foot. Local police reports possible presence of hostile humans in the area, but the information is dubious. To abort the mission return X-Com operatives to the craft and click on the 'Abort Mission' icon."
Zombie infestation, forest or jungle, part 1 briefing: "The area infested by zombies has vegetation too dense to drive a car or even land a helicopter. You have to proceed further on foot. Local police reports possible presence of hostile humans in the area, but the information is dubious. To abort the mission return X-Com operatives to the craft and click on the 'Abort Mission' icon."
Zombie infestation part 2 briefing: "A group of aggressive 'Zombies' was spotted in this region. We must secure the area and make sure nothing escapes. Capturing any previously unknown living specimens is also encouraged. To abort the mission return X-Com operatives to the exit area and click on the 'Abort Mission' icon."

Monster hunt description: "People went missing in the vicinity, some were found butchered - seemingly by some wild animal. With help from the local forces, we have located a possible reason: some unidentified creature. We should identify this threat and put an end to it."
Monster hunt, mountains, gold diggers, part 1 briefing: "The likely area to find the animal of interest has terrain too uneven to drive a car or even land a helicopter. You have to proceed further on foot. Be careful — there may be illegal gold diggers in the area, who may mistake you for competition. To abort the mission return X-Com operatives to the craft and click on the 'Abort Mission' icon."
Monster hunt, forest or jungle, poachers, part 1 briefing: "The likely area to find the animal of interest has vegetation too dense to drive a car or even land a helicopter. You have to proceed further on foot. Be careful — there may be poachers in the area, who will not welcome outsiders. To abort the mission return X-Com operatives to the craft and click on the 'Abort Mission' icon."
Monster hunt part 2 briefing: "People went missing in the vicinity, some were found butchered - seemingly by some wild animal. With help from the local forces, we have located a possible reason: some unidentified creature. We should identify this threat and put an end to it."

The possible enemies for part 1 may include:
Cult base description: "We have located a major base of operations of {CULT NAME}. This building is heavily defended by numerous and well-equipped troops. There will be a high-ranking officer present, so take this opportunity to capture and interrogate them."
Cult base, part 1: The {CULT NAME} outpost is strategically placed in an area inaccessible by car and without spots suitable for a helicopter. You need to proceed on foot.
There is a forward observation point that should give an evacuation signal if they fail to stop you. You only have 10 turns to neutralize them, sneak or force you way to the exit grid to the main base. If you take too long, the surviving lookout and the base inhabitants will escape.
Cult base, part 2: "Your agents have reached a major base of operations of {CULT NAME}. This building is heavily defended by numerous and well-equipped troops. There will be a high-ranking officer present, so take this opportunity to capture and interrogate them."
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: Solarius Scorch on November 05, 2017, 07:04:21 pm
If you like the idea of a rare 2-part mission, here's one possible answer. Is it possible to create a map that has no flat areas without forest? The mission description is normal, but the briefing after landing states that the area of interest is inaccessible to ground vehicles and has no flat clear areas to land a helicopter.

Making a new terrain would be possible, but a big pain. Still, I don't think we really need to represent aircraft inaccessibility directly by removing all non-hills, it would be fine to simply make a rule that airborne vehicles cannot land there (or any selection of vehicles really). This is how Stakeout missions work.

I actually like this idea. It would also give some point to a special arrangement I thought of, but couldn't fit it in: paradropping. Such a terrain would be accessible by parachutes, meaning no craft and no escape.

So lots of interesting ideas out there. I will come back to this thread when I'm satisfied with the most pressing parts.
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on November 05, 2017, 11:46:49 pm
I don't think we really need to represent aircraft inaccessibility directly by removing all non-hills
There can be flat areas completely covered by forest.

I suggested removing open areas to avoid "gameplay and story segregation". When the narration says there are no open areas, yet the player can clearly see them, the game doesn't look good :)

I have also forgotten about swamps. Yet another terrain unfit for transport.

By the way, how is Syndicate CEO removed from Syndicate CEO Arrest missions that happen after the victory?
Title: Re: A mission idea from news
Post by: tkzv on November 16, 2017, 07:08:11 pm
:) Well, this is 1990s. Repurposing a Topol won't be a problem. As long as the vehicle fits the gate.
Just saw a driving test on a 3-stage ICBM launcher, decided to share. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojhnSrrbu9c
How about some sort of an escort mission, where X-COM clears the path through caves for such a vehicle?
Title: Re: A mission idea
Post by: Solarius Scorch on November 16, 2017, 07:29:07 pm
I  dunno, doesn't really sound that exciting. I have a big list of missions to make already.
Title: Re: A mission idea
Post by: tkzv on December 07, 2017, 05:48:03 pm
Found several old news articles in Russian about tests of subterrenes ("underground boats") in the 20th century. Two claim that in 1964 Soviet nuclear-powered "combat mole" could dig at 7 kilometres per hour and carried a crew of 5 pilots/engineers, 1 ton of weapons and 15 soldiers. It was 3-4 m wide and 35 m long. One article said that it exploded during its second test — after digging a 10 km tunnel under a mountain and encountering an underground civilization. After that all works were stopped and any traces of them eliminated. In 1970s USA tried to create similar subterrenes of their own, patented many required technologies, but no results were revealed. One problem, that was never solved, was navigation — back then there was no way to compute the precise location of a boat.

https://rg.ru/2015/06/04/krot.html — the article that mentions underground aliens, untranslated
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Frg.ru%2F2015%2F06%2F04%2Fkrot.html — Google Translate

Earlier articles that don't mention underground aliens:
https://www.popmech.ru/made-in-russia/5405-ushel-v-pokhod-podzemokhod-gluboko-kopaem/
http://fb.ru/article/209860/atomnaya-podzemnaya-lodka-boevoy-krot-sekretnyie-razrabotki-sssr
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=ru&tl=en&u=https://www.popmech.ru/made-in-russia/5405-ushel-v-pokhod-podzemokhod-gluboko-kopaem/
https://translate.google.com/translate?hl=&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Ffb.ru%2Farticle%2F209860%2Fatomnaya-podzemnaya-lodka-boevoy-krot-sekretnyie-razrabotki-sssr

Would X-COM need underground transport? Those patents (and prototypes, if any survived) could be a starting point. It will need to be transported by air to the dig site, of course.

P.S. There were 2 more higher-quality pictures of a subterrene as a segmented train. I uploaded them, but they disappeared. For now I'll assume they were deleted by a moderator and won't reupload them.
Title: Re: A mission idea
Post by: Solarius Scorch on December 07, 2017, 09:47:28 pm
Interesting. In fact, I've already tackled this in relation to the Shogg arc. However, I do not plan any underground vehicles other than alien vessels, because I simply don't need them for the intended arc. So yes and no. :)


Attached is a map of an underground craft you will be using.
Title: Re: A mission idea
Post by: tkzv on July 23, 2018, 12:51:59 am
Are there any mods that have an abandoned mine map? Or a working mine? I saw a video of an abandoned uranium mine, looks fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oBJUQubKYs (Unless it requires drawing the whole new terrain, of course.)
Title: Re: A mission idea
Post by: Solarius Scorch on July 23, 2018, 02:07:23 am
Are there any mods that have an abandoned mine map? Or a working mine? I saw a video of an abandoned uranium mine, looks fun: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oBJUQubKYs (Unless it requires drawing the whole new terrain, of course.)

No such terrain yet, but you have the caves! Which everyone loves! Right?