AAR 4: Something a bit Different. Custom Faction Madness

[Buster's Uncle]

...I would guess she'd hate commies just for being commies, anyway...

[JarlWolf]

Yeah, though Communism does have a fair bit of roots in Christian ideals. And Communism itself isn't against religion, been plenty of Christian Socialists and Christian Socialist groups throughout history. It's state Socialism (particularly my former country) that's oft against religion.


Though I doubt Miriam will like Vazheli or his faction as they are pretty rough necked and not exactly all for religious conservatism. Should be funny how they play out, in my play through (not recorded obviously) my major contentions are normally with  (Usurpers automatically enemy me, its funny how they hate me and how I made the lore that way) and often  and .  is a mixed bag, she'll like the Crimson Comrades often for their more benevolent ways but she'll hate them for their planned industry and such, as the planned social choice has no drawbacks as part of the Crimson Comrade's bonuses. So I have no idea how Miriam will react. Lal, Drones, and University are often potential friends. Depends what policies are chosen really.

[Buster's Uncle]

Didn't Marx call Jesus an early proto-communist?  The early church was certainly into communal living.

But the point stands that American religious conservatives have a tenancy for rather passionate anti-communism, so story possibilities there --- and that I would love the see the Comrades in this AAR.

[JarlWolf]

I believe he did. Marx himself was part of the Hegelian communes/groups, which were a sort of Christian sect focused on communal living. He was heavily influenced by them so he carried the idea's he learned from them, and with Engels and inspiration from other things they formulated the idea of Communism.

The reason red has always been associated with revolution, particularly communist ones is that way back when when the Slave trade was going on Black Slaves used to use Red cloth to wear after they revolted, often making makeshift banners out of them. Since that point the tattered Red banner has always represented Egalitarian revolutionary movements across the world.

[Kilkakon]

Yeah from my understanding it's quite inspired by the early church, just minus the whole God factor.

Still, should be a fun faction.

[Green1]

Yes. One of the big things of 1980s and 90s United States Christian fundamentalism was an irrational fear of communists. Indeed, in the more hardcore fundy churches, Ronald Reagan was often mentioned in the same sentence as Jesus himself. However, by Miriam's launch date, glasnost was well in effect which changed things and the USSR had broken up.  Never mind most of these guys never even read the Communist Manifesto! Much of what is in there has actually been implemented into US society to an extent.

Atheists, of course, were the icing on the cake. On the chart of evil, atheists ranked even below Satanists. Of course to me, that makes no sense. Satanists are a parody religion based on pageantry and selfishness. Atheism is based on rational thinking and "free thought". But, back in the day if you called yourself an atheist in many parts of the United States, you were a social pariah. Only stupid kids who wanted an excuse to be retarded and wear black called themselves Satanists. Atheists actually read more and were better conversationalists than the fundies! Thank goodness the internet came along and got rid of (most) of that BS.

[sisko]

i'm promoting this AAR to the frontpage

[JarlWolf]

Yes. One of the big things of 1980s and 90s United States Christian fundamentalism was an irrational fear of communists. Indeed, in the more hardcore fundy churches, Ronald Reagan was often mentioned in the same sentence as Jesus himself. However, by Miriam's launch date, glasnost was well in effect which changed things and the USSR had broken up.  Never mind most of these guys never even read the Communist Manifesto! Much of what is in there has actually been implemented into US society to an extent.

Atheists, of course, were the icing on the cake. On the chart of evil, atheists ranked even below Satanists. Of course to me, that makes no sense. Satanists are a parody religion based on pageantry and selfishness. Atheism is based on rational thinking and "free thought". But, back in the day if you called yourself an atheist in many parts of the United States, you were a social pariah. Only stupid kids who wanted an excuse to be retarded and wear black called themselves Satanists. Atheists actually read more and were better conversationalists than the fundies! Thank goodness the internet came along and got rid of (most) of that BS.

Mhm. As for myself I never grew up with religion as when I was growing up religion was basically outlawed in a sense. Churches were closed down, and only when I got into my teens did they start being opened back up, and they weren't allowed to preach either. My experiences later on in life kept me an atheist, never found reason to believe in a god.
As for glasnost, I am not a big fan of Gorbachev and even less so Yeltsin. Laissez Faire capitalism leads to brutal oligarchies, corruption and a halt in progress. It was only until more strong leadership with Putin that we saw progress. Not saying Putin is the best choice for our politics, but he was better then the former people in power. My area is on the fringe of the Red Belt, the Red Belt being a region where the Communist party and New Socialist party of Russia are commonly elected to represent us. Putin's party is United Russia, a Nationalist group.7

Also, thank you Sisko.

I am looking forward to this AAR Green, no matter what factions you choose I am interested just in how this is going to play out. It seems almost comical the mix of factions you have.


Edit: Here's the new and improved Crimson Comrade's files for you if you want to use them.

[Rymdolov]

Atheists actually read more and were better conversationalists than the fundies! Thank goodness the internet came along and got rid of (most) of that BS.

It almost looks as if you're saying that the internet stamped out being well-read and a good conversationalist, especially among atheists. Actually, that's not far from the truth. 

There are a few sanctuaries of sanity on the net, though, like this forum.

[Rymdolov]

Jack T Chick is still active, btw. I'm even subscribed to his newsletter, since I had a period when I was interested in fringe religion (although Chick is frighteningly close to the mainstream). The back catalogue can be found here.

I think he's more of a Disney-style cartoonist; someone who overlooks a staff of artists.

There's a funny Chick parody, that I will dig out once I get around to it.

And, once again, I'm looking forward to this AAR!

[Green1]

Atheists actually read more and were better conversationalists than the fundies! Thank goodness the internet came along and got rid of (most) of that BS.

It almost looks as if you're saying that the internet stamped out being well-read and a good conversationalist, especially among atheists. Actually, that's not far from the truth. 

There are a few sanctuaries of sanity on the net, though, like this forum.

Actually, it kind of did come out that way though I did not mean it that way.

But, I will agree with you now that i think about it, at least on the web. Many big "atheist" forum boards like RantsnRaves are one liner troll boards. Misrepresents freethinkers, though.  If you actually meet them in person at Unitarian Universalist churches or Freethinker meetings (US side), they are still very well read and good conversationalists. Even so, even the worst atheist boards are still more fun than most Christian boards. Some of those are moderated by Nazis that would make even the worst forum mod blush. Try posting anything just slightly against dogma on Rapture Ready and see what happens.

But I agree, AC2 is a nice place. BU does not even have to moderate because this game attracts a small group of intelligent and cool folks.

[JarlWolf]

Plus, last I checked spambots and other nuisances aren't really pigeonholed here much either given the small amount of people this game generates.

I think I went a little crazy today with custom factions, I was playing so much the game, and my computer froze xD

[Green1]

Plus, last I checked spambots and other nuisances aren't really pigeonholed here much either given the small amount of people this game generates.

I think I went a little crazy today with custom factions, I was playing so much the game, and my computer froze xD

They do not clear out the accounts, but then again, I have not seen viagra spam here (yet).

Do not worry about small numbers. This game is classic enough that it will always, even years from now, have it's diehards. It is on the same order as Master of Magic (1994 - Yes, folks still are playing!),  Age of Wonders : SM (2002 -Though they are FINALLY getting a sequel), Ultima Online (2000 - still pumping), and many others. Plus, I prefer quality over quantity. Some of the big game boards have no conversations like we have.

[Green1]

A Decision has been made!!!

While I would like to chat for another week, we kind of are being pumped on Facebook, AC2's front page, and who knows maybe Civ Fanatics. We also have a lot of lurkers who just want gameplay.

the winner is

CRIMSON COMRADES (Jarlwolf - Alpha Centauri 2 forum community)

While I considered Shaggy and looked at some other files, atheist communists were just too good to resist for Miriam.

From the backstory, Vazheli Vatzev is a true follower of Lenin and believes in Communist values with all his heart. Unlike Domai who is more a unionist type socialist or Yang who is more a total control full on police state type communist like North Korea, Vatzev believes Marx to the letter. But do not think he is some philosopher that just reads and directs. Vatzev believes in work and getting his hands dirty. Of course, this work ethic and care for the well being of his people does not include any plan for a higher power like God. Miriam is not going to like this.

^LEADER: {Vazheli Vatzev}
^BACKGROUND: {Russian Commonwealth, Unity Chief Janitor}
^AGENDA: {Communist Communal Society}
^TECH: {Centauri Ecology}

#DATALINKS2
^+3 SUPPORT:   {Resources are willingly shared}
^+1 MORALE: {Diehard revolutionaries}
^-1 ECONOMY:  {Rejection of free enterprise and capitalism}
^-1 PROBE: {Information is also shared, vulnerability}
^Free Formers {Janitor access to unity storage}
^{May not use Free Market in Social Engineering}

Nice + SUPPORT and Morale. This guy probably can be a military powerhouse like Sparta without the industry penalty. A free terraformer to boot gives him a leg up.

Thanks, Jarlwolf!

[Green1]

SETTINGS

PATCH Kyrub's SMAX patch PLUS (2010)
In my opinion, the last stable patch that addresses both AI and some bugs. In my opinion, this should be THE patch you are using for SMAX at least. However, I will be honest that I would love to move away from Scient/Kyrub patches and move to a more active modders efforts like Yitzi. Unfortunately, Yitzi's efforts seem to crash and are not quite finished. At some point, I will revisit and help Yitzi out with that. We get this solved, I will move to Yitzi.

Map Size small.
LIFEFORMS/EROSIVE FORCES/CLOUD COVERAbundant/Weak/Abundant
DIFFICULTY Thinker.

All other settings are standard. Blind Research is OFF