NationStates Jolt Archive


OOC: RP Policy for TEO

The Evil Overlord
24-10-2003, 19:58
This is probably going to be greeted with yawns by all and sundry, but I'm posting it to avoid potential future problems.

The Dominion is based in real-world modern technology. I have defined this as being based on actual functioning prototypes or production models available in the real world. I will occasionally allow tech that is outside these parameters for the sole reason that I think that someone has come up with a really neat idea.

Accordingly, I only RP with countries using those technologies that meet this criteria. Fusion powerplants, hand-held energy weapons, FTL drives, gravity generators, and the like are therefore the stuff of some future world that my country cannot interact with.

Similarly, there are no vampires, elves, orcs, giants, intelligent squid-beings from Atlantis, witches, or other stuff of fantasy. These creatures all belong to some wildly improbable parallel universe where such things can happen. Magic is right out.

There are enough conflicting reports from various universities in the real world on the subject of telepathy/ESP/whatever for me to grudgingly admit the possibility, so I've invented technology to nullify it. This allows ESP-related nations to interact with me without giving them unfettered access to my secrets by a widely used method known as Designer's Fiat.

Spacetech- up to a point not far in advance of modern Real-world technology, is fine. I have made several posts ranting on the subject of realism when using spacetech, which I insist on. Lunar colonies? No problem. Orbital factories? Go for it. Mining the asteroids? Glad to have you on the team. All of these things are possible using off-the-shelf real-world technology.

Genetic modifications? Let's talk. A lot of things are possible in real life that are not permitted due to philosophical/religious reasons. If you want to develop a meta-vaccine that immunizes your soldiers against every known disease, I'd have to say that belongs in future tech. Developing designer drugs that cure several currently incurable diseases is fine by me- provided they're fairly expensive or difficult to produce. Same thing with anagathics- extending human lifespans. I concede the possibility, so your 300 year old president can talk to my Minister for Pre-Subjugation External Affairs.

Don't get me wrong- there are a lot of good RPs out there using these technologies. I enjoy reading some of 'em. But I decided long ago to restrict myself to real-world tech as much as possible, so I wrote this post.

Anyone wanting to roleplay with me who is unsure about whether he/she fits my criteria is welcome to TG me with a question- a good idea for every nation planning to roleplay in any case.
24-10-2003, 20:01
Well, I personally don't consider fusion power far-future tech because under current programs the real world should have a working fusion power plant in the next 10-20 years, but I guess it's your own decision as to what's realistic and what isn't. Other than that, though, it makes sense that you stick to only one mode for RPing.
24-10-2003, 20:04
I use more or less Modern Fantasy tech; like Dwarves with bazookas, machine gunners flying on Dragons, etc. :twisted:
The Evil Overlord
24-10-2003, 20:31
I use more or less Modern Fantasy tech; like Dwarves with bazookas, machine gunners flying on Dragons, etc. :twisted:

LOL

I've read a few of that type of RP. some good, others not so good. It's a little tougher than sticking to one RP style.

BTW, I used to play Shadowrun, which had quite a bit of that.
The Evil Overlord
24-10-2003, 20:34
Well, I personally don't consider fusion power far-future tech because under current programs the real world should have a working fusion power plant in the next 10-20 years, but I guess it's your own decision as to what's realistic and what isn't. Other than that, though, it makes sense that you stick to only one mode for RPing.

I've roleplayed with countries using futuretech before, subject to certain conditions. A lot of people seem to think that a fusion powerplant will be something small enough to fit in a car's engine compartment. If you have fusion power from powerplants the size of modern nuclear powerplants, I have no problem with it. Something small enough to power an aircraft or tank is another matter.