I figured as much from "I'm totally down" ;)
I'd like to get 5 players, if we can. If we're lacking that in a reasonable period of time(let's say a week from now?), I'll proceed with fewer and people can jump in down the line. Feel free to work on your planning for the first turn, or to make suggestions for how you'd like to see this run.
I don't expect email will be needed - I was figuring forum posts and PM's would be sufficient. Were you thinking of a particular need for email? I've run face-to-face RPGs before, but never via forum, so I'm not sure if I'm overlooking something.
Forum posts and PMs would probably be enough.
Maybe something like:
Turn 1, 2350-2360
The Terran Hegemony has been building Warships - heavily armed Jumpships - using compact core technology. This technology has reached the hands of our designers, and we must decide how to secure the future of the $StarNation in this dangerous era.
Your total budget for Naval Construction is $300 Billion CBills
CAPITAL PRODUCTION:
As this is the first turn, your fledgling design bureaus may only design, prototype, and enter into production one new capital vessel. Warship prices vary based on size and dropship carriage, and larger warships tend to be cheaper relative to their combat power than smaller vessels. A Typical 500,000 Ton Warship likely costs around ~10 Billion C-Bills.
Capital Production Assets:
Yard Space: 4 Million Tons Total Construction
Maximum Slipway Size: 400,000 Tons
DROPSHIP PRODUCTION:
As this is the first turn, your fledgling design bureaus may only design, prototype, and enter into production one new combat dropship. Transport and Cargo Dropships are outside the scope of this simulation. If you do not choose to design combat dropships, your level of investment will be taken into account by the GM to indicate the priority your navy places on combat dropship production and operation. Combat Dropships are very expensive relative to their mass and tend to suffer heavier casualties in combat, but may be produced very quickly compared to warships. A 10,000 Ton Combat Dropship costs ~2.5 B C-Bills
Dropship Production Assets:
Yard Space: Unlimited
Maximum Dropship Size: Any
FIGHTER PRODUCTION:
As this is the first turn, your fledgling design bureaus may only design, prototype, and enter into production one new aerospace fighter. If you do not choose to design fighters your level of investment will be taken into account by the GM to indicate the priority your navy places on fighter production and operation. Aerospace fighters are relatively inexpensive and may be produced in vast quantities, but require carriers to operate and suffer from higher operational costs, operational losses, and fuel restrictions that make make them difficult to employ. A typical 50 Ton Fighter costs ~ 2.5 Million CBills
INVESTMENT:
Any C-Bills left unspent may be allocated to other uses you believe beneficial to the future of your star nation. The GM will adjudicate what impact this has, if any.
OPERATIONS AND DOCTRINE:
Please indicate here what sort of naval operations you want your navy to prioritize. Are they clearing the way for invasion fleets? Are they engaged in commerce raiding? Are they defending the borders?
How aggressively will your fleet operate? Will it seek out engagement? Will it accept only on the most favourable of terms? Is it strictly limited to a suvival/fleet in being doctrine, where you are willing to risk the loss of all but the most important of worlds to retain the strength of your fleet?
What is your policy towards Nuclear Weapons? Nuclear munitions are a major advantage, but may anger other powers, and the Terran Hegemony is still the largest fish in space...
((Etc - just an initial thought))
((Also, if we get more than 5 interest parties, Im all for playing one of the major periphery powers. Long live the RWR!))
((Also, Also - we will need to all be using the same design software, because I believe 0 of us are interested in building warships by hand, but we need to be getting the same answers. Whatever everyone chooses is fine, although I haven't budgeted for Heavy Metal this quarter.))