What's in a name?

Pepzi · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 8:43 pm Post subject: What's in a name?

I have noticed that in certain C&C games and also mods there is a common error in logic of certain infantry unit names. Giving units names such as "Fanatic", "Terrorist" etc is not really logical from the point of view of the faction the units belong to. They would rather say "Freedom Fighter", "Martyr", "Liberator", "Believer" etc.
Would you call those of your own Fanatics and Terrorists?

Names such as "Saboteur" are more neutral of course and doesn't equal as shooting themselves in the foot propaganda wise like the previous mentioned names. OK I think I have made my point clear enough, discuss! =)

gufu · Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 11:21 pm Post subject:

Those are foot soldiers. They are meat shields.

_________________
DUNK!

DaFool · Defense Minister **Joined**: 07 Nov 2006

look at it in cultural perspective. If you are a terrorist or a fanatic you are probably proud of it.

_________________
Please, read the signature rules of the forum.

Paranoia · Cyborg Specialist **Joined**: 04 Aug 2007

I think Pepzi is right.
One's terrorists are another's freedom fighters. It doesn't make any sense at all that such factions would call their own soldiers fanatics or terrorists.

But then, since when in open battlefield do your tanks get destroyed by waves of suicidal arabs with bombs strapped to their chests? Generals is just too politically incorrect for words.

Lt Albrecht · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 12:23 am Post subject:

Or publishing...

_________________
Yes, work on MV continues. It is not forgotten.

RedScare · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 1:44 am Post subject:

Tiberian Sun and Red Alert called units for what they are. Riflemen, rocket trooper, heavy tank, mobile artillery etc. I think it is easy to identify a unit by its role not by its name.

_________________
a title="Cyber Nations, A nation simulation game" target="_blank" href="http://www.cybernations.net/">
<img src="http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd188/18932471/imgad2-1.png" border="0"

DaFool · Defense Minister **Joined**: 07 Nov 2006

I think there are three types of names:

1)Role name (rifleman, heavy tank, etc) These are very efficent names

2)Number Names (this is the m78457892) These are very poor names used to make a unit more like something in real life. It's useless.

3)Symbolic Name (Rhino Tank, Titan, desolator) these names are used to add personality to the unit and a bit of flare. They are usually fun.

I prefer the symbolic names, then role names, and I absolutly hate number names.

_________________
Please, read the signature rules of the forum.

Lt Albrecht · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 11:47 am Post subject:

I prefer a mix of 1 and 3, like Titan Battle Walker or Orca Attack craft for vehicles, however, infantry need role names most of the time, a little liscence can be used but too much makes it sound stupid. And you can always give character through voices...

_________________
Yes, work on MV continues. It is not forgotten.

Suiseiseki · Commander **Joined**: 06 Oct 2003

It's not from the unit's view point, it's from the all powerful commander's view point. The high ranking officers can see the mindless fanatics as what they actually are (whilst being ironically blind to what they are).

ChielScape · Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 9:48 pm Post subject:

id call them expendables.

_________________
Please, read the signature rules of the forum.