Megacorps & Mechs
Inspired by: Ace Combat, Armored Core, Mechwarrior, C.O.D. & the novel 1984 by George Orwell.
The World:
In recent history, once powerful democracies have fallen to authoritarian regimes, more puppet states for Megacorps. than true nations. Political dissension is met with an iron fist. Surveillance, Political Police and Corporate funded elections ensure authoritarian power. The proletariat suffers, living in slums and ghettos near the Megacities where corporate elite live lavish lifestyles. The workers of the nations are forced to toil for powerful companies continuously stripping the land of dwindling resources. Outside of the megapolis, a desolate wasteland of overworked rural areas, abandoned cities and stripmined mountains dot the landscape. Nature prevails in some places, reclaiming abandoned military facilities from centuries past.
Note:This is decidedly not Earth but is set in a slightly future setting. Details on technology given below. Here is a world map to get you started. Stake a claim and edit as you see fit:
Corporations:
The mega-corporations of the future act like autonomous governments within the more traditional countries. The economies and armies of the corporations are often more powerful than the nation it resides within. Short of declaring an all out dictator-ship, the corporations act with impunity in international politics and affairs. Only a few foolish citizens believe their nations act without corporate interference, the rigged elections more a circus than a democracy.
Nations:
As corporate campaign contributions expanded, governments became more centralized, and weaker. Over the past two hundred and fifty years, governments slowly ceded power to the megacorporations behind closed doors. Nations rule in name only, politicians the plaything of CEOs and Company Boards. Any dissent is ruthlessly silenced or quickly covered up.
Conflict:
War is inevitable. As resources dwindle, conflict erupts openly and covertly between Corporations and Nations alike. Distant lands (and the unfortunate foreigners) are often the locations of these wars, Megacities safe from the destruction resulting from incessant warfare.
Technology Examples:
This is not a hard sci-fi RP. Feel free to pull some Trek style Techno-babble out whenever you need it. Obviously keep it in the realm of possibility however.
Kataphract Suits
To give soldiers an edge on the battlefield, Synthetic Armor suits were developed. The Twenty-Five million dollar suits give a soldier increased damage control, durability, fatigue resistance, healing and communications. The technology is highly classified and only a handful of companies have access to it.
Drones
Combat action of the future relies heavily on unmanned drones for fire support, recon and surveillance. Drones have evolved beyond the single fixed-wing aircraft of the past few decades. Helo-choppers, hover-drones and even simple bi-pedal support-fire drones have been developed.
Energy Weapons
Laser weaponry was originally developed for defensive measures, but has since been switched to a more offensive role. Originally intended for fixed-site firing platforms, energy weapons have advanced so far that even small-arms are in development. Rifles and Rail-Guns are commonly equipped to soldiers.
Shielding
High-yield energy weapons are efficient killing machines, but can be thwarted with molecule-dense energy shielding. Computer guided sensors analyze a firing pattern and provide a shield grid for incoming fire. Overheating shields can explode.
Mechs
Mechs are classified into several distinct categories: Heavy, Support, Lightweight, and Experimental. Once clunky and inefficient, new power sources developed by Megacorpations have advanced Mech warfare greatly in the past few decades, overtaking the role tanks once played.
Useful Tools & Links:
Name Generator
Nations of 1984
Concepts & Themes in 1984
Armored Core Wikipedia
Armored Core at TVtropes.org
Ace Combat Wikipedia
Random Corporation Names
What Can I Play?
You can play as a Megacorp, a private company, a puppet nation or any other sort of faction/government you can think of. If you have a suggestion not listed that's fine too.
How Does the Game Work?
This is a free-form style game. You can post however you wish, whether that be character driven stories or more simplified goal-orientated nation/corporation etc. bullet style posts with what your up too.
Rules & RP Expectations
Maintain decent grammar and writing structure. Do not make any outrageous claims like "I invented time-travel" and don't jump the timeline ahead. I expect at least two posts a month.
Example Nation Sheet: (Add subsections as you feel necessary, but keep the sections below at the top)
All artwork is the property of the respective artist
