Satellites in Defcon!
Posted: Tue Jul 20, 2010 7:13 pm
Ever see those pictures of maps with the wavy lines going across them that map out the paths of satellite's orbits around Earth? Defcon should somehow incorporate satellites into the gameplay. You could use them as weapon platforms (they could only fire down on a country when orbiting within a certain range above that country) or even early warning systems. Possibly give them the ability to be shot down out of the sky, too (missiles from ships or by nukes shot into space). You could see the satellites of you and your allies by zooming far out. They would be following those orbit lines that I mentioned before. These lines could be turned on or off with another button in the bottom-right corner (nukes, people, etc.). When zoomed in, the satellite could be represented by a small icon following the lines.
To communicate with your satellites, you could have a tracking station on the ground, like the radar building. Each player could be limited to two or three each. Maybe the number of tracking stations would determine how many satellites you have (one satellite for each). Once they're destroyed, you can no longer communicate with and utilize your satellites. These tracking stations could either be set to scan the skies for enemy satellites as they pass (so you can shoot them down in Defcon 2 or 1) or to communicate with a satellite of your own so you can launch nukes from it (much like how carriers can either scan for subs or attack). If your satellite is destroyed before the tracking station, then the tracking station can only be used to scan for enemy satellites until it's destroyed.
Maybe even make satellite warfare an option in your game- you could check a box when setting the game up to allow for satellite warfare or not in case you still wanted to play the original way. I just think this would add an entire new layer on gameplay, giving it much more depth and allowing for numerous destructive possibilities.
One more thought- maybe the satellites can be used as early warning systems or as mobile radar. They could only see within a limited range of what's below them as they move. If they did this, then maybe they should only be launched into space from their respective tracking station at Defcon 3 or 2.
Just a thought!
To communicate with your satellites, you could have a tracking station on the ground, like the radar building. Each player could be limited to two or three each. Maybe the number of tracking stations would determine how many satellites you have (one satellite for each). Once they're destroyed, you can no longer communicate with and utilize your satellites. These tracking stations could either be set to scan the skies for enemy satellites as they pass (so you can shoot them down in Defcon 2 or 1) or to communicate with a satellite of your own so you can launch nukes from it (much like how carriers can either scan for subs or attack). If your satellite is destroyed before the tracking station, then the tracking station can only be used to scan for enemy satellites until it's destroyed.
Maybe even make satellite warfare an option in your game- you could check a box when setting the game up to allow for satellite warfare or not in case you still wanted to play the original way. I just think this would add an entire new layer on gameplay, giving it much more depth and allowing for numerous destructive possibilities.
One more thought- maybe the satellites can be used as early warning systems or as mobile radar. They could only see within a limited range of what's below them as they move. If they did this, then maybe they should only be launched into space from their respective tracking station at Defcon 3 or 2.
Just a thought!