Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 3:29 pm Post subject:
Red Europe Blog 1: September 3rd, 2007
Subject description: Warning! Words!
Good Morning, Commander
Welcome to the very first Red Europe blog! As it is such, we have quite a few things to talk about.
Special Abilities for Sides
The first thing I would like to talk about is the various special abilities each side will get. In Red Europe you simply will not have "Allies" and "Soviets" (well, first release may be the exception to the rule). Instead, it will be a lot like Red Alert: You'll have the English, the French, the Germans, the Americans, the Russians themselves, the Chinese, the Ukrainians and possibly even the Cubans. But that last point is for another blog.
However, lets discuss today the powers that the Americans have.
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Since the American-Nippon war of the forties, early warning and detection of any possible attacks has become a center point of the American armed forces. Throughout the fifties a series of radar installations and Early Warning systems were designed and implemented along the Pacific Islands, Alaska and even in a few NATO Europe countries. Even then, someone needed to be integrated with this system to allow a zero-minute attack to be launched if the need arouse in the new, Nuclear world. With this, the Strategic Air Command was born.
The SAC, which is actually an offshoot of the American Air Force, offers two services. First off, the SAC commands all bomber based and strategic/ballistic missile based nuclear weapons in America's arsenal. Within a minute of confirmed attack from the North American Aerospace Defense Command SAC forces could be en-route to strategic targets across the globe. Even without the immanent thread of Nuclear War, the SAC allows American commanders to utilise strategic air strikes and even bombings if the need arises.
It's second job allows for the SAC to provide battlefield commanders with an up to date radar image at nearly all times as long as they have a way of communicating. This allows Americans to produce a "SAC Advanced Warning Outpost" in place of a radar dome for a much lower price than a standard radar installation. It is also able to clear off large areas of shroud by calling in a small squadron of fast, high flying F14s, effectively giving Allied forces a spy plane.
However, the American tech center does not produce and launch it's own GPS system, as American commanders do not have the required clearance for constructing and launching advanced rockets from their bases. This also means American commanders are not allowed to construct Strategic Missile Silos, either. Instead, American forces may call for bombing runs from the SAC building once proper clearance is given. These do cost quite a few credits, and a properly defended Soviet base may be able to take out bombers before they deliver their payload.
In spite of this, the SAC played a central part in keeping America safe and even helping push American forces, along with French, Germans andnumerous other European forces into Moscow, bringing the Allies to victory at the end of the Second Great World War.
A bit of Backstory
"The 'American-Nippon war", you ask. "What the hell is that?"
Well...
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The American-Nippon War (Decmber 8th, 1941-1945)
Prelude to War
After the First World War (1914-1918), America was prepared to never enter another war abroad again. Millions had died in World War One with tens of millions more wounded. Europe would be scarred for decades and the damage estimates were in the billions. It was a horrible, gruesome war and the general consensus was that the next one would be even worse.
Even so, the following decade was referred to as one of the best the world had ever seen. The Roaring Twenties came forth with the generalhopefulness that the public had after the victory of the "War to End All Wars", with money to spend and new goods to spend it on. Mass Production, the Assembly Line and a general shift in economy made products all that much more affordable. The Radio became apivotal point in many a modern society,giving the average family news, entertainment and music all from a central point in the home. For the first time ever, many regions got telephone lines, indoor plumbing andelectricity . It was the general "Modernization" of America and even the world. Art Deco, the Woman's Suffrage, Cinema and the Prohibition became center points of the era.
However, a much darker age was on the horizon. So much money was suddenly being poured into the world economy that it became unstable. Finally, in America on October 29th, 1929, after a few days of massive, sudden changes in the stock market it all came crashing down. Millions of people lost loads of cash in one day as the stock market closed many people realized ow far they had come from just a few years earlier. A few business men, unable to cope with such a reality, took their own lives by flinging themselves out of their own high rise offices.
The effects of the '30s, commonly known as the "Great Depression", were not immediately felt. In fact, business spending was at an all time high come 1930. However, a weary American public after Black Tuesday held on to their money. Profits dropped like a rock, leaving to massive layoffs and even less money in the market. At the same time a massive drought raved the central United States during an extreme summer. Many years of soil erosion andoverfarming left the area extremely susceptible to massive dust storms, signalling the beginning of the Dust Bowl.
Around the world, everyone was feeling the effects of the Great Depression. Some countries that relied on imports and exports of crops and other goods, likeAustralia , were hit the hardest while countries like Japan barely felt any effects. This became a major point in the coming years as Japan started to increase military spending, finding a weakened world and deciding that it may be time to expand the empire. After all, the world economy was changing and not for the better of countries that didn't hold stock of desired natural resources like soy and oil.
Best of all for the Japanese side, America's continuing commitment towards isolationism and the continuing depression helped it build it's military force under the radar, to an extent. When the entire thing became clear in 1938, after a continued Japaneseadvancement into the Pacific, China launched a preemptive strike against the smaller island nation. This, in turn, started the Second Sino-Japanese War. Instead of successful deterrent to invasion, China quickly found Japanese forces crawling across it's boarders. By 1940, Japan had a major foothold in China as well as almost half of the Pacific Islands under it's control. By this point America was still reeling from the effects of the depression but was still able to make out the thread of the Imperial Japanese. As such, Washington quietly upped Military spending, establishing a modern fleet in the Pacific by early 1941.
However, Japan had come to expect American intervention since the mid '30s. Afraid that it's advancement into the Dutch-East Indies and Malaya might bring unwanted Americanaggression, it was decided that a pre-emptive strike was necessary.
The attack on Pearl Harbor
Come December 7th, 1941. It is a cool December morning on the Hawaiian island of Ohau. Suddenly and without warning, death rains down from the sky as hundreds of Japanese fighters and bombers descend upon the pacific naval base of Pearl Harbor. Within thetimespan of thirty minutes five battleships were sunk, over a hundred planes lost and over two thousand lives lost with over a thousand more wounded. On the home front the news was delivered withinminutes, not hours of the attack thanks to the integration of mass media in the nation. Everything stopped for that brief moment as the realization sank in. As the day passed the number of dead and wounded climbed, and with it the rage of a nation that hadn't known war for twenty years. The following evening Japan launched a major offensive againstHong Kong, Malaya and numerous remaining Pacific islands.
On the morning of December 8th, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt addressed a joint session of Congress and spoke one of the most famious speeches of the war, calling Japan's attack "Dastardly" and that December 7th was a "Day that would live in Infamy". Rallying on the outrage of a nation awoken from a peaceful slumber the vote to declare war on the Japanese Empire had only one vote against it. The War in the Pacific, or the American-Nippon war, had begun.
Pacific Fighting and the deployment of the Mobile Construction Platform
Within weeks the American economy had successfully shifted over to a War-Time economy, with many dormant factories suddenly becoming active again. While the war had no issue gaining support behind it, one of the most major moral boosting battles came early on, the three aircraft carriers Japan failed to destroy playing a major part in these battles. At the same time the British Commonwealth launched an attack against Japanese-Held-China and as a counter attack to the invasion of India. However, island combat against a very entrenched, dedicated enemy turned out to be a major trouble for America, who's armed forces were still being rebuilt after years of isolationism. A breakthrough, however, came following a large draft in mid 1942.
The Mobile Construction Platform was designed initially to be able to produce a fully functioning factory anywhere on the globe in under an hour. It contained all the required materials to complete a number of buildings including mineral extractors and limited automation to allow this to be done in a timelyfashion. The original MCPs were over five train-trailer cars in length but still proved a crucial asset to the invasions of the Pacific Islands. Thirty minutes after landing on the beaches, an MCP could be transformed into a completely functioning outpost complete with mineral extracting abilities, airfields and proper sleeping areas and defenses. Within a month the British Commonwealth forces started using the same thing in their campaign against Japan, spelling disaster for the Japanese Empire in many early battles.
However it wasn't long before Japan unlocked the secrets of the MCP and started producing it's own. Suddenly battles weren't over in days; they took weeks and even months. And while America was making slowprogress in the Pacific, England's progress into China had all but stopped. With enemy morale higher than ever it was decided that something would need to be devised if this war was going to end without a major blow to the armed forces.
1943-1945 Stalemate and the introduction of Soviet China
Unfortunately by the time American forces gained a foothold on Iwo Jima Imperial Japan had fortified itself in quite a way that further advancement was impossible by naval forces. While Iwo Jima was a major battlefield for over seven months, Japanese forces started retaking smaller and insignificant islands in the pacific as well as redeploying into China, bringing with it the enhanced Mobile Construction Platform. While more resources were needed to complete a base, it's smaller size allowed it to be packed onto one single trailer truck and trailer, earning it the name "Mobile Construction Vehicle". For almost the entire year of 1944 Japan pushed into China and Mongolian territory. However, this all came to an end on August 4th, 1944 when Japan entered Soviet Russian territory. While talks had been established between the government of China and Soviet Russia this push brought a new alliance to the world: China became the Soviet Republic of China, adding another large block to theCCCP. The war turned around almost overnight with Russian might pressing down hard on Imperial Japan's foothold and American forces using the decreased Japanese presence in the pacific to make a major push. Finally, Iwo Jima was taken and the Pacific, sans Japan itself, belonged to America.
In spite of this Japanese fighting spirit was never higher. All forces were recalled to Japan to fortify the homeland, leaving China to take back all of it's land previously lost to Japan. However this became a major problem for American forces as a fortified Japan became impossible to invade without major casualties. While talks with Soviet China started, nothing was never ironed out with a growing disposition in America overCommunist intents.
1945
July 16th, 1945. A park ranger in central New Mexico is taken by surprise as a giant flash lights up the sky to the west, followed by a rush of wind and a huge explosion. From over two hundred miles away windows rattled and the explosion could be heard. In response to this the United States Air Force admits that a remote ammunition dump suddenly exploded. However, not a single person or limb was harmed.
The truth, however, was much more sinister, for the United States with help from Scientists from all across Europe, had successfully created the most destructive weapon ever. The explosion, which was caused due to a nuclear chain reaction, measured in the tens of kilotons of TNT.
In the following days America called a meeting with England, France, Germany and Russia to explain that they had the most destructive weapon in human history and if it should be used in the increasingly costly war against Japan. While English, French and German delegates were taken aback, the Russian delegate said nothing. As it would later become clear, Russia already knew about the weapon and had all plans pertaining to it thanks to the most sophisticated espionage actcommitted in the early 20th century.
In early August, America called for Japan's unconditional surrender. Two days earlier China had mounted a full invasion of Japan and was getting dangerously close to Tokyo. Even so, the Japanese laughed at America's request and closed all diplomatic channels.
On August 6th, three B-29 bombers took off from an airfield on the Pacific Island of Tinian. It's target was a major urban center that also housed an Army depot, that of which was surrounded by hills. At 8:15 Hiroshima time, the bombers dropped their payload and vacated the area.
What followed was the complete annihilation of a modern city center. Anyone caught outside was incinerated, buildings reduced to rubble and over one hundred thousand lives squelched out in an instant. Within an hour an advanced battle group of one aircraft carrier and two battleships complete with a landing party appeared on Japan's eastern shore. The American ambassador had already been flown into Tokyo with the surrender proposal already written out. With Chinese forces miles away from Tokyo and American forces ready to wage a ground war Japan'sminister Togo agreed with one condition: "Does not compromise any demand which prejudices the prerogatives of His Majesty as a Sovereign ruler". America agreed to the conditions and the American-Nippon war ended that night.
Post War and the Tokyo DMZ
Within an hour of arriving in Japan, American forces found themselves fortifying the western side of Tokyo in preparation of a Soviet invasion. It was made clear that if Soviet forces crossed into Tokyo it would be considered an act of war against the United States of America and that all measures would be used to keep Soviet forces out of Japan. While Russia knew about America's new weapon they had neglected to pass the plans on to the Chinese, causing the Soviet China forces to back down on their invasion. Over the following weeks a line was drawn down the islands of Japan, marking off American and Soviet territory. The defining line, a one mile stretch down the nation was named the "Tokyo Demilitarized Zone" and that crossing the DMZ wouldconstitute an act of war by the acting nation.
As the war wound down the costs became obvious. Over ten million lives had been taken combined and the United States had developed the most frightening weapon in the world. The Soviet States were slowly creeping across the Eurasian continent, takingAfghanistan and riding up on the boarders of Persia. American politics shifted towards "homeland defense" and a deterrent to war, followed by the creation of the Strategic Air Command and the string of Early Warning bases and radar installations that would follow. A "Red Scare" descended upon America and Europe in the early to mid fifties following the Soviet'sacquisition of many countries including Korea and various tiny European countries. Communism became an outlawed thing with "Communist agent hunts" being enacted in many cities.
However, technology took a major leap after the American-Nippon war. The advanced electronics used in the Japanese MCV lead to integrated circuits and much smaller produced computers. These computers were later integrated with the next generation main battle tanks. When the Soviet Union launched it's attack on Western Europe in 1958 the MCV became the backbone of both forces with the European Allies using the latest American designs in tanks and other vehicles as well as infantry weapons.
Whew! That was a lot of typing. Now I've got just two more things left on my agenda.
Pretty pictures!
Team Openings
Currently the Red Europe staff is looking for a few more good men to join our ranks. Currently we have a need for modelers, mappers and most importantly: Testers. If you are interested in any of these positions or possibly another, feel free to contact Ackart. (Most of his contact info can be found in his profile. If you wish to use EMail, his address is redfoxmcbeth@gmail.com )
Also Known As: evanb90 Joined: 20 Feb 2005 Location: o kawaii koto
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:51 pm Post subject:
Amazing stuff, Ackart. Suddenly, the buildings look alot more pleasing to the eyes. (particularly the WF and Ref)
The silo is ugly to no end though. I'd look at the RA1 silo's remap patterns.
As for the vehicles, it seems like their skins were just made into remap, which lowers the quality of certain details on the them. (the Allied symbol on the Light Tank in particular) _________________ YR modder/artist, DOOM mapper, aka evanb90
Project Lead Developer, New-Star Strike (2014-)
Former Project Lead DeveloperStar Strike (2005-2012), Z-Mod (2006-2007), RA1.5 (2008-2013), The Cold War (2006-2007) QUICK_EDIT
Joined: 19 Aug 2006 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria, Yellow Zone
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 10:09 am Post subject:
Amazing. I think that making the whole unints remapable isn't quite good idea we're in 2007. It's pity such beautiful assets to be wasted with full body remap. Make them look more in the time. I know all of our good memories with TD and RA were fully remapped, but it's just natural. _________________ The only true freedom is the one you have won. QUICK_EDIT
Very nice work, just a few things:
I don't like the silo much, just look at RA's silo to make it better.
Service Pad seems a bit small from what I can see of it.
Everything looks kind of flat. I don't know why that is...
Finally, the cameos plain suck. You should remake them from the original images. _________________ QUICK_EDIT
Also Known As: banshee_revora (Steam) Joined: 15 Aug 2002 Location: Brazil
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 4:26 am Post subject:
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Everything looks kind of flat. I don't know why that is...
I think you are talking about the first picture. In order to make snow maps, the mapper has set a very strong lighting. This has compromised the overall look of units. I know making a big set of new textures is a hard work, but it is the best thing to do... and make the lighting a bit weaker. QUICK_EDIT
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Red Europe Blog 1: September 3rd, 2007
