Sir Shockwave

The RA2 Subfactions Mod is something I've been attempting to work on for years. However, my years of working in TibEd have taken their toll a little (I only started coding RA2 by hand last year, but have caught up a little on it). So anyways, the Mod replaces the Country Specials system with a Subfaction System similar to Zero Hour/Kane's Wrath. Each subfaction has unique strengths and weaknesses, and play in similair style to their original faction.

FAQ

What will this Mod be for?

This is intended as a Red Alert 2 Yuri's Revenge mod.

Will this Mod use Ares?

We've already started taking advantage of the things offered by Ares. It is very likely this mod would not be possible without Ares as it is.

What is the current progress (at time of writing)?

I'll try updating this as often as I can, but for now know I have five of the six (three Allied, three Soviet) outlined. They are as follows:

Allies

Special Operations Command
The Allied SOC units specialize in disrupting and raiding - striking at critical points and effectively shutting down the map, before using Stolen weapons against their opponents to deliver the deathblow. They make up for their lack of a Vehicle Pool with a decent helping of Elite Infantry. Recommended for Players who value Skill, Guile and Cunning.

Airborne Battalion
These Battalions specialize in versatility and precision strikes. They have access to Paratroopers and a number of flavors of Death from Above, but have a weaker Ground game than most other factions. Recommended for Players who like Aircraft (duh), as well as those who enjoy outmaneuvering and outflanking the enemy.

FutureTech Battalion
Allied FutureTech battalions employ experimental weapons in their fight against the Soviets - from Battlesuits to Chrono Weapons, Prism tech and Ion Cannons. While they have the most firepower, the majority of their units are very Glass Cannon, and are prone to being destroyed easily if caught by the enemy. Recommended for players who like devastating, long range firepower and an unpredictable Arsenal.

Soviets

Black Guard
The Black Guard are the Elite of Mother Russia. They have heavily armored and high firepower units, who's only shortcomings are slow speed and short range. Recommended for Players who enjoy Quality over Quantity, and Steamrolling opponents with legions of Apocalypse Tanks and Kirov Airships.

Penal Legionnaires
Soviet Penal Legions are made up of Deserters, Scum and Losers. They are sent into battle with equipment that makes Conscripts look Elite by comparison. They empthesise a Horde playstyle - using overwhelming numbers of cheap, disposable infantry to grind down their opponents. Recommended for Players who enjoy Rush and Horde related tactics.

Sovet·skoe gosudarstvo Ministerstva nauki (Soviet State Science Ministry, working name)
The counterpart to the Allied FutureTech Battalions, the Soviet Science Ministry keeps it's own prototypical army on standby, full of bizarre and dark experiments. Stay tuned for further developments relating to this faction.

Are you hiring/seeking Help?

Due to my own limited abilities (I'm a coder - I can rig in your Maps, rebalance the game and port in your new Art, but that's about it), I am indeed hiring. Positions available are below, listed by Primary (immediate) and Secondary (nice to have, but not needed right now at this stage).

Primary

AI Programmer - I'm going to need someone who can program the AI, who has an understanding of it and (more importantly) can actually understand those fancy numbers it's using instead of laying things out like the Rules, Art and other INI files.

Voxol and SHP Artists - I don't want to depend upon Public Assets forever.

Secondary

Secondary Coders - See later in the FAQ for why.

Testers - Because having people who make sure it's balanced asides me would be nice.

Soundtrack Artists - Nice if you can do it, but not that necessary unless I decide to replace the original RA2 soundtrack.

SFX Artists - Because new weapons mean new sounds to fire with them.

Voice Actors - Because using recycled voice clips from other units is lazy. Would prefer people who can accent and add some personality to the units.

Map Makers - I haven't officially decided on any new maps to be added at this point (the big focus right now is on writing the Soviet and Allied Subfactions), but it is a welcome skill.

Image Editors - This means people who can use Photoshop, Paint.NET or some other Image editing program. You will be making new Flag Icons, Loading Screens etc.

If you wish to apply, PM me here. A Portfolio of some previous experience is not required, but will vastly increase your chances of getting in...assuming you are interested and this picks up. If you are hired, I will send you further details for you to contact me with.

What version are you using?
For the time being, I am using my copy of First Decade, patched with the unofficial 1.03 Patch (Link to patch here). I am also using Launch Base to compile and run the Mod.

I have a question, but it's not on the FAQ!
Relax and chill out! Post it in this thread, and I'll try and answer the question as best I can. The FAQ will also be updated as the Mod progresses.

Why are there Public Assests in your screenshots?
For the time being, I am borrowing Public Assets as a temporary solution to representing some newer units. Though it goes without saying, I will credit the person who made the original Asset. If I have forgotten to add the person, or have made an inaccuracy in that regard, please point it out here in this thread, and I will correct my mistake.

You strike me as unskilled/lazy/made of Derp, what exactly will you be doing?
First off, I should mention I has Aspergers Syndrome, so yes, I am not exactly as smart as someone the same age who is also a NeuroTypical (or "Normal Person"). Secondly, I am going to try and shoulder the bulk of the coding. However, as is owing to my lack of perception resulting from my condition, don't find yourself estranged if I ask a question, or require help Coding. I know my drawbacks, and I'm trying my best to work to the best of my ability, and not allow my own condition to hinder me.

Also, if you work for me, I am your boss. Cringe and fear.

Where is Yuri?
Because I think this one needs to be addressed, there are no plans to utilise Yuri in this mod. This is for two reasons:

1) Adding and removing new Countries is proving to be impossible (even with Ares), which would be required to make Yuri fit (this is not helped by a severe lack of working tutorials).

2) Speaking of Yuri, Mental Omega already covered all the branches Yuri could possibly fill. Making Subfactions for Yuri here would require "ripping off" Mental Omega, and of course you should never really copy of others.

For now, Yuri is on the backburner, though it is possible he may be implemented at a later date.

Shrine of Progress
Coding [----------]
Balancing [----------]
Testing [----------]
New Unit Implementation [----------]
Sound Recording [----------]
Dr Pepper gallons drunk during Mod Progress: 0 litres.

Each block represents 10% of progress done. When the bar is fully colored, a piece of the mod will be completed. Provided of course this actually takes off.