lovalmidas

What if Chinese was the one who gave last warhead and platform to Rashidi sometime after Focus Shift?

And then Rashidi be like: "Nah, I just want the launch platform for my research. Yuri will eventually sense me having warhead. That won't be good. Platform OK, I give warhead back to you."

And gave warhead back to Yunru.

And Yunru be like, "I can't have an unexplained warhead when Chinese HQ inspects my base! They will think I am revolting or something!"

And gave the warhead back to Rashidi.

And so on.

And so forth.

And while Yunru worries about the warhead that Rashidi sent back to her for the 17th time.

Wondering, "I can't use it."

Then people started arriving. People of red and purple.

Then Yunru be like, "Oh. I know now. " 

Then planted evidence in her head to put blame on Rashidi, in case Yuri's forces ever got to her.

The reason why Malver is so invincible in Obsidian Sands (as opposed to Singularity) is because Malver was the one carrying the warhead over thousands of miles. His psychic and muscular powers have risen with the exercise.

While this is the inspiration for China's flag and their star positions. 

(No, I am not serious)

Just be glad Libra didn't take the role of the EVA.

She will really have fun with the role. 

Binary Counter

Purpose:

To create a trigger set to emulate a counting function. RA2 does not counting everything (especially not very customized conditions), but there is a way. We will find a way. >:-D

Requirements:

• Did not fail at Math (know at least how to count in Binary)
• Some proficiency in Trigger management. (must be proficient in using the Set / Clear Locals actions) 
• Have a basic proficiency on using Local Variables.
• One Local variable to toggle 'addition'
• One initialization trigger to perform the 'addition'.
• Several Local variables to store the counter, one for every power of two.
  • Powers of two: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, ...
• Several triggers to handle the 'carrying over' process to save the addition to the counter.

Setup:

See below image:

Early Uses (not limited to these):

• Allied Coop: Attack on Buggy (There are ~12 Bomb Buggies to intercept, this counter monitors the number already destroyed by you)

Maybe YOU are Vladimir   

I believe it makes the INI checks more resilient in multiplayer, or an additional failsafe against cheaters (even if it is spawned it will be useless).

It also allows mappers / scripters to build their weapons independently from the main rules. Global changes break missions. 

Mappers and modders can always re-enable the weapons by taking the code from the respective source missions.

Or........ the paradox is just rebuilt and repurposed?

Coronia HQ?

Libra will just make the Mental Omega Device go *pop*. 

To have more people talking about Cornered being cornered. 

My own notions on how good a map is:

Remember that a map is, at most, a (mostly) environmental canvas from which the game is played, and hence the good maps are usually those that can utilize the existing game resources (engine) to meet or exceed player expectations.

What makes a good game?

- Compatibility with the player's expectations

- Compatibility with the rest of the game elements

Player's expectations?

- Activity control.

The human mind (and the human body) has a range in both type and multitude of activities for optimal engagement.

Too much activity = overwhelmed, feeling of helplessness as you cannot react sufficiently to adversaries.

Too little activity = disengaged, boredom.

Too complex activity = confusion, stress

Too mundane activity = grindingly tiresome.

This is usually dependent on the player, their opponent's skill/activity level and their expectations of the game. So it would be prudent to engage with what most would be comfortable with. 

Or use difficulty settings to discriminate the players for a better fit.

- (PvP) Fairness

Nothing ruins a game more than perceived unfairness. Especially in an area where you have expected, and in an area you have no control over. (Note: Don't expect fairness from our campaign )

A symmetry is the simplest way to ensure fairness, but a complete symmetry is not always required.

We love symmetry in maps. Partly because the changing meta means it is going to be hell to balance the asymmetry in asymmetric maps.

But other things can break the illusion of fairness as well. Map elements, even if symmetrical, can benefit one faction more than another, so keep that in mind

Of course, that is if you plan to make true multiplayer maps that are fair.

- Resource balance

The main resources here are

Money (map: ore, gems, money generators VS game: costs of units)

Space (map: buildable area, paths to strategic areas / opponents VS game: size of structures / armies)

Advantage, usually 'Technological' and/or 'Environmental' (map: pre-placed tech structures, strategic areas, high ground + game: tech tree)

Time (not very relevant to the map)

Deploy them as you see fit to keep the Activity Control in a good spot.

- Aesthetics

This is also part of the map's function: To immerse the player in the game environment, because the map is the environment. As all aesthetics are as abstract as art and asserting art achieves agony (woah, that alliteration),  do not take my following words as some gospel.

Aesthetics should be sufficiently engaging but not overwhelming (see Activity control, but in the context of the eyes and ears)

Aesthetics should make sense to the overall design (sometimes, putting people off-track and implementing crazy ideas can work - behold the gimmicks! But only sometimes.)

Aesthetics should not get in the way of the player's objectives, or they may be deemed as irritating (too bright, too dark, too flashy, too much rain, enemies too camouflaged)

The game elements?

Foremost, the game engine. Few would play on a map that runs on 5 FPS. (Unless you are into pseudo turn-based MO, or are simply trying to cheese a little more micro)

Very incompatible elements and arrangements may result in crashes or desyncs (e.g. overlapping buildings). Consult the forum.

Next, the pathfinding engine. The pathfinding is not the best (see Westwood's attempts in CnC and RA1). Please don't stress it further.

Then, the graphics engine. This is usually handled by the mod assets. On the map, just make sure the lighting settings make sense. Consult existing maps to learn their settings.

Lastly, the meta. This is the least controllable because the meta shifts before the balance can say "kurwa". Straying too far from the meta can lead to either (1) sub-optimal gameplay, or (2) a surprising breakthrough in the meta. There is no such thing as 'too open' or 'too restrictive' if you do not clash with the other points mentioned, but remember that some maps are more enjoyable than others. Use maps that to not confirm to 'standard tactical map designs (whatever that is)' at your own risk.

Happy mapping!

It will be Unthinkable for the Allies to chronolift the Mental Omega Device, and plop it into the Paradox Engine, and then driving away. 

Allied Engineer: I hope this works like the Psychic Beacon...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Allied Intel: WE HAVE MISCALCULATED!

No, wait, I just thought of it, and now everyone who read this will think about it...

Fission Mailed

I doubt that stealth tech is stolen from allies, since we already had shadow ring back in Human shield (although huehuecoyotl talks about it as if it the first time we get to use it since it wasn't introduced in 3.0)

 What? You have Shadow Ring in Human Shield???

Rahn's probably been genetically programmed to be absolutely loyal to Yuri or something.  As for Libra, I kinda get the impression she doesn't really care who she fights as long as she's got someone to fight.  It's when Yuri wins and there's no more enemies that the trouble starts... and then Foehn wakes up and she's suddenly happy she's got prey to toy with again.

Yuri: "The time has come for our new er- Libra, what are you doing to that Proselyte?"

How about Yuri is using Kappa technology for flotation?  

perhaps instead of a faction with tunnels, I propose tunnels to be used in a Tech Building.

Tech Subway Station. :3

Tech Teleporter. >:3

Tech Bloatick Tunnel (non-humans only) )>