73 replies to this topic

[mikker]

Okay, some ideas;

X-corps can be put into 2: the X-crops, and the founding guys. The founding guys are equally as secret as X-corps, and are the ones that ensures money for the project.

The scientists in x-corps are grouped into 3 departments, the autospy department, the technology department (who does most of the work), and the interogation department. But stuff are flexible, so scientists might work better in one department, but can still help with the others. No need for gameplay adjustment.

The x-corps chain of command is pretty undemogratic - you are the head of the whole x-corps, and you can point out everything you like. Although there are Executives that does stuff that you don't need to worry about (transportation, base construction, keeping your soldiers happy, etc.). Stuff like preventing detection, politics, media intefearence, and such are a job for the founding guys.

That's all i can come up with

[tzuchan]

Hmm... The way I see it, X-Corps is an independent body contracted by the various countries(Actually formed, but from the way X-Corps acts, it's like it's a multinational Corp, pun unintended) to battle the alien threat.

As such, the various funding countries are actually "Customers", and if they are happy with you, they stop using your services, and if you go bankrupt, no-one's going to bankroll you.

Internally, I would see X-Corps as a three part organization, completely under the control of the Captain(ie, the player). The three parts are Operations, Research and Manufacturing.

The Captain would oversee the Overall Strategy of the Organization, and personally leads the Operations Division. Research and Manufacturing have their own Head of Departments, but both of them take their cue from the Captain. There can only be one Captain, and after him comes the Commander. Again, there is only one Commander, and he is the Captain's XO, meaning he handles the personel, and day to day financial stuff(Basically, the Captain sez "Do" and the Commander does). Fresh recruits will be that, Recruits, with battlefield experience(Meaning at least seen the enemy and shot at them), will be promoted to Private. Twelve soldiers form a squad, and each squad has a Sergeant. Minimum size for a squad is six person, including the Sarge. Two squads form a Platoon, with a Lieutenant and a Master Sergent. For each base, assuming there's enought soldiers for a platoon stationed there, will get a Lieutenant Commander.

For example, Base A has 40 soldiers and Base B has twelve,

Base A would then have four squads each with ten soldiers, two platoons, and four sergeants, two master sergeants, two lieutenants with one of the lieutenants having a brevet rank of Lieutenant Commander, which he keeps as long as he's the first highest ranking person in the base. Transfer him to another base, and he drops back to Lieutenant.

Base B, although you have enough people to form two squads of six, is considered to be one squad, and the highest ranking officer is the Sergeant.

Lieutenant Commander is not really a rank, more of a Lieutenant-in-charge-of-a-base. Also, according to my ranking system, the highest possible rank for soldier on the battlefield is a Lieutenant. The Captain and Commander should be "invisible" personel at the main base. But, ofcourse, feel free to ignore that and send them into battle anyway.

[tzuchan]

I was thinking more of it organised into divisions, for example:

Research Division
- Biochemistry Department
- Quantum Physics Department
- Xenopsychology Department
- Psionic Department

Engineering Division
- Laser Development Department
- Plasma Development Department
- Craft Development Department

Logistics Division
- No departments, you are this division, you do everything.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Aw frag! I lost my post!

Research Division
- Section 1 - Bioscience (Autopsies, Basic Lifeform Observation)
- Section 2 - Technology (Alien tech)
- Section 3 - Weapons (Alien weapons, developing new weapons)
- Section 4 - Design (Crafts, Facilities)
- Section 5 - Intelligence
- Section 9 - Interrogations

Engineering Division
- Section 1 - Basic Production (Equipments, Armor)
- Section 2 - Weapons (Craft Weapons, Handheld Weapons, Ammo, X-CAPS)
- Section 3 - Heavy Construction (Crafts, Craft Components, Assisting with Base Construction and Maintenance)

[mikker]

explaining how soldiers are hired might also be in order.

[dipstick]

I was thinking more of it organised into divisions, for example:

Research Division
- Biochemistry Department
- Quantum Physics Department
- Xenopsychology Department
- Psionic Department

Engineering Division
- Laser Development Department
- Plasma Development Department
- Craft Development Department

Logistics Division
- No departments, you are this division, you do everything.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think this is close enough, with a few tweaks:

Research Division: XenoBIOLOGY Dept and PARApyschology Dept

Engineering Division:

Xenoengineering Dept
Quantum Physics Dept
Biochem Dept
Aviation and HWP Dept


Logistics Division:

Human Resources Dept
Transport Services Dept
Maintainence (sp) Dept

Military Division:

High Command
X-Corps
Reserves
Air Force + NEUDAR


How 'bout that?


EDIT:

In terms of squads:

6 man squad with sarge
2 squads - lieutanent (platoon??)
2 platoons captain
and so on and so forth

I think, although this isn't really realistic, I think that you should be able to get a soldier in the top ranks. You could make it realistic, and just have the soldiers get promoted dependant on experience....

Edited by dipstick, 16 February 2005 - 02:57 PM.

[dipstick]

ok, but I would think that you would only give either section number OR title in one go, otherwise it sounds a bit haphazard

[tzuchan]

Ok, it's just a naming issue anyway, I must, however, insist on a XenoPsychology Department, someone has to analyze data from interrogations, prepare the interrogations themselves, try to divise Alien strategy, how they think, how they'll attack, I think it's necessary.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ahem,

- Section 5 - Intelligence

[tzuchan]

it needs a Section 9 - Interrogations... But then this is a highly classified section, whose members are never known Except for the CO, mikker

[AlienInBlack]

Research Division
- Section 1 - Biochemistry (Alien autopsies and studies)
- Section 2 - Technology (Study of all Alien technology)
- Section 3 - Development (Research of new weapons, Human made)
- Section 4 - Intelligence

Engineering Division
- Section 1 - Basic Production (Equipments, Armor)
- Section 2 - Weapons (Craft Weapons, Handheld Weapons, Ammo, X-CAPS)
- Section 3 - Heavy Construction (Crafts, Craft Components, Assisting with Base Construction and Maintenance)

So, does this sound good enough?, I pretty much left out logistics, since they don't seem to appear on any text of fluff, so no real need to go there, I think. Tell me what you think.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Perhaps either section 1 &2 could be combined into Xenoscience or sections 2&3 could be combined into R&D. Just an alternative. The way it is is fine, but, personally, just don't like the naming scheme on some of them.

Xenochemistry suggests that the scientists spend all their time playing with the alien recreation center. Biology would cover autopsies of dead aliens, and the study of live ones as well.

Technology, I don't feel is specific enough. Add either Alien or Xeno to the front.
Development also isn't very specific.

Should Intelligence even be in the research division? I'd think that'd be more of a military thing, but I really don't have any experience in these matters.

Suggested Alternative:

Research Division
- Section 1 - Xenobiology (Alien autopsies and studies)
- Section 2 - Xenotechnology (Study of all Alien technology)
- Section 3 - Research & Development (Research of new weapons, Human made)
- Section 4 - Intelligence



Should there be subsections?
ex.
Section 1 - Xenobiology
A - Autopsies(Cutting apart dead aliens. Fun job.)
B - Containment(live alien study)

Section 2 -Xenotechnology
A - Alien Craft(anything to do with ships)
B - Personal Gear (Weapons, grenades, devices carried on aliens)


The names aren't the greatest, but you get the idea.

[dipstick]

The way I see it is that the above system is perfectly acceptable - but as some people have said, intelligence is not quite strictly the right term. Maybe Xenopsychology?

As for autopsies and the like, should it be xenopathology for autopsy work, and alien interaction for containment?

Possibly this could be incorporated under xenopsy. It is all a question of what anyone would like.

That said, it would be nice to tie it into CTs, but then, we would have to make sure that the references do not become integral parts of the CTs as that could pose a serious logistical problem.

[Astyanax]

Building off of Az's idea, I was thinking of:

Research Division (the "pencilnecks" referred to in some fluffs)
- Section 1: Xenobiology and Xenobehavioral Studies, aka "Xeno" (Alien studies and autopsies)
- Section 2: Interrogation and Intelligence, aka "I&I" (Alien missions; often coordinates with Section 1)
- Section 3: Alien Technology, aka "A-Techs" (Alien weapons and equipment research)
- Section 4: Integration and Development, aka "I&D" (design of new Alien-Terran weapons, facilities, and crafts)


Engineering Division (maybe the "grunts"?)
- Section 5: Prefabrication, aka "Prefab" (mentioned in the Workshop CT)
- Section 6: Armor and Equipment, aka "A&E"
- Section 7: Munitions (soldier weapons and XCAPs)
- Section 8: Heavy Construction, aka "H-Cons" (craft and craft weapons)

And of course...
- Section 9: Xenocide Internal Investigation Division aka "XIID"

Edited by Astyanax, 28 March 2005 - 11:24 AM.

[Shinzon]

those look good now... but im sure that there has to be a military division responsible for deployment, detection/tracking, propoganda?, and the actual troops?

This seems like it could be turned into a giant easter egg... like all of the workshop departments can be turned into X-corp departments... and that anti-asy gun can come into play

[Astyanax]

Oy... at that point, we might as well add Logistics and Operations, Finance and Accounting, Recruitment, Inventory, Surveillance and Intercept, and Interior Design.

Oops, forgot Maintenance (craft and facility), Medical, Information Technology, and Janitorial Services.

Edited by Astyanax, 30 March 2005 - 12:09 PM.

[Astyanax]

Oooh, "techies" and "gearheads"... maybe even "techheads"?

[dipstick]

Now, how about pen pushers... 'those freaky xeno guys' and many many more insulting names in the 10001 names you never knew and never want to know

Seriously though, a couple of fluffs that hint at various names, which will eventually lead to a large easter (oh what day is it ) egg

Now then... that gives me an idea.... I will post a new thread shortly.

[mikker]

when I think about it, we should make 3 texts: soldiers, scientists, and technicians. Well, you can 'buy' them as 'equiptment', just as weapons, ammo, and such. So why don't they have a text?

[kafros]

1) Research division
2) Engineering division
3) Military division
4) Organisation and Maintenance division

just the big categories, we will think about the sub categories if you like this one

[kafros]

Hhhhhhhhhhhmmmmyyyesss... IMHO it's too general. If you introduce subcategories to it (i.e. what I proposed) it would be perfect. For example,
Interrogation and Intelligence in Research?! It sounds (and actually IS) military stuff.

Anyway, Xenocide isn't just what you see in the "silly" planetview and base management screen! It's a WHOLE CORPORATION! People gotta clean the facilities, military factors contribute, people have to make transfers to/between bases, weapons need maintenance, medical attention is also needed (soldiers, whatever they are supposed to do, are HUMAN, that means they come down with flu from time to time, or they just have... "intestinal problems", etc etc etc etc etc), people gotta take care of computer systems (OS/bios updates, cleaning, crash retrieval...) and maaaaaaaaaaaaaaany other important or silly things...

We want to sound realistic, don't we?

[Astyanax]

Well, I was just focusing on Research and Engineering...

I think we need to decide how encompassing this "organization scheme" really is. IF we want to map out the ENTIRE Xenocide organization... it'll have to be very detailed.

Oy... at that point, we might as well add Logistics and Operations, Finance and Accounting, Recruitment, Inventory, Surveillance and Intercept, and Interior Design.

Oops, forgot Maintenance (craft and facility), Medical, Information Technology, and Janitorial Services.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[kafros]

I said these were the BASIC categories, of course we have to add the subcategories, and astyanax did fine with that!

My point is that just having "R&D" isn't enough for a military organisation like X-Corps.

If we stick with R&D, Astyanax's is just great

@Asty: sry pal, didn't notice Post #22

[kafros]

Then, why do you just have these 2 departments? (Research & Development(Engineering))

[Kikanaide]

I like Asty's layout.

Here's a question - within that setup, say for example A-Tech, is it acceptable to identify certain people as "leads" with regards to individual sciences? What I have in mind here is my [heavy plasma rifle] fluff, where I thought it made sense to have a "physics lead," basically a guy who leads a team that attempts to understand the basic physics of alien weaponry. I could easily imagine chemistry, electronics, and materials leads as well.

How's that sound? I don't think it would have to be mapped explicitly, you could just mention an area of research within each division when you talk about scientists...aka "John Doe, a physicist working in A-Tech" or something like that.

[Moriarty]

if we have too many sub-divisions, we might end up with one-man-departments. after all, it is perfectly possible to play and win a game with a total of about 100 people. and if we have these "specializations", how will we explain that it does not matter for example which scientist is researching which subject?

I would go for the very simple version:

1) Military division ( = soldiers)
2) Science division ( = scientists)
3) Engineering division ( = engineers)
4) Administration division ( = you)

[kafros]

Indeed, that's more or less what I thought about, I agree with Moriarty. But, JUST FOR NOW, let the other 2 categories aside and work with Engineering and Research. But, there is no reason to have a Military Secret Hi-Tech Corporation with R&D and without Military division!!! It's just wacky!

[Astyanax]

Here's a question - within that setup, say for example A-Tech, is it acceptable to identify certain people as "leads" with regards to individual sciences?  What I have in mind here is my [heavy plasma rifle] fluff, where I thought it made sense to have a "physics lead," basically a guy who leads a team that attempts to understand the basic physics of alien weaponry.  I could easily imagine chemistry, electronics, and materials leads as well.

How's that sound?  I don't think it would have to be mapped explicitly, you could just mention an area of research within each division when you talk about scientists...aka "John Doe, a physicist working in A-Tech" or something like that.

This sounds fine to me. I can envision several scientists (leads) having their respective specialities in each section. Any other opinions?

I would go for the very simple version:

1) Military division ( = soldiers)
2) Science division ( = scientists)
3) Engineering division ( = engineers)
4) Administration division ( = you)

From what I understand, you want to make the organization scheme as general as possible, since we cannot predict how the player will play, right? Think of it this way... Most of the CTs don't get down to "Section" level; most just refer to "Research Division" and "Engineering Division". The "Military Division" and "Administration Division" likely do exist, but because the CTs seldom deal with the military chain of command and administrative aspects of Xenocide, they aren't referenced much. As long as we only make passing references to the detailed sections of Xenocide, I think we can maintain believability.

But to quell any remaining resistance (hopefully!), I've addressed each division here:

Research Division ("pencilnecks")
- Section 1: Xenobiology and Xenobehavioral Studies, aka "Xeno" (Alien studies and autopsies)
- Section 2: Interrogation and Intelligence, aka "I&I" (Alien missions; often coordinates with Section 1)
- Section 3: Alien Technology, aka "A-Techs" (Alien weapons and equipment research)
- Section 4: Integration and Development, aka "I&D" (design of new Alien-Terran weapons, facilities, and crafts)

Engineering Division ("techies", "techheads", or "wizards"/"wizzes"?)
- Section 5: Prefabrication, aka "Prefab" (mentioned in the Workshop CT)
- Section 6: Armor and Equipment, aka "A&E"
- Section 7: Munitions (soldier weapons and XCAPs)
- Section 8: Heavy Construction, aka "H-Cons" (craft and craft weapons)

Administrative Division ("admin")
- Section 9: Xenocide Internal Investigation Department, aka "XIID" or "the coats"
- Section 10: Human Resources, aka "HR" (recruiting)
- Section 11: Finance, Accounting, and Inventory, aka "FAI" (money and materials)
- Section 12: Maintenance and Upkeep, aka "Maints" (facility, mess hall, computer, and sanitation people)

Military Division (high rank: "brass", middle rank: "collars", low rank: "grunts", "flyboys", "airheads"?)
- Section 13: Logistics and Operations, aka "Logistos" (ground ops)
- Section 14: Surveillance and Intercept, aka "SurvInts" or "Servants" (Neudars and flight ops)
- Section 15: Repair, Maintenance, and Resupply, aka "RMR" or "Reamers" (craft and weapons)
- Section 16: Medical, aka "Docs" (coordinates with Sections 1 & 2)
Soldiers (grunts) and Pilots (flyboys/airheads) are not a part of a specialized section.

I hope I haven't missed anything. Still, most CTs only make division-level distinctions, and usually only to Research or Engineering. The extra details are mainly for our information, and mostly "just for fun". In any case, they'll come in handy if we ever need them in the future for consistency reasons.

EDIT- Forgot to add that these 4 divisions are all under Xenocide High Command (you).

Edited by Astyanax, 04 April 2005 - 11:40 AM.

[kafros]

There's nothing more I should say than:
I just love that!!!

[Astyanax]

Whew, I'm glad, kafros.

Hm, I just noticed something while going through other texts. I don't know whether this is the right place to bring up the topic, but it is somewhat related to Xenocide's organization scheme. What's the ranking system?

In many fluffs, I've seen things ranging from Captain, Sergeant, Private... but I've also seen things like Recruit, Squaddie, Ensign. We should probably stick to one style or the other.

[tzuchan]

As an attempt to seduce my muse and make her return to me, I'm trying my hand at a CT for this. Unfortunately, my monitor decided to give of a burning smell, so I decided to post what I have so far and pick it up again tomorrow...

Enjoy!
P/s, couldn't find any reference to "pre-fab" in the Workshop CT, so am planning on leaving that section out... Also did some reorganizing to fit my concept of organization priority

Project Xenocide Organization Structure
X-Net://Pegasus.net/Organization/Project Xenocide/Organization Structure

--------WARNING--------
Omega Level Security Clearence Required.
Unauthorized access of this document will result in the permenant incarceration and/or termination of offender and/or accomplices.
--------WARNING--------

X-Corps is an independent international organization created as a response to the increasing extra-terrestrial threat. In order to successfully accomplish this, X-Corps will have to engage the extra-terrestrial threat, research and reverse-engineer alien technology, and develop and manufacture new and improved weapons and/or equipment. To this end, X-Corps can be broken down into four main divisions: Military Operations, Research and Development, Engineering, and Administration.

The Military Operations Divisions consists of four sections:
- Section X-01 - Ground Combat Operations
- Section X-02 - Surveillance and Interception
- Section X-03 - Logistics
- Section X-04 - Medical

Section X-01 consists of soldiers organized into small tactical squads for the purpose of engaging enemy troops in order to defend military and civilian targets, acquire alien technology, and to engage in offensive action on enemy territory.
Section X-02 will be tasked with the detection and interception of enemy aircrafts. As such, this section is staffed by technicians in charge of detection arrays and aircraft maintenence, as well as the pilots who will engage hostile aircrafts in both offensive and defensive actions. The pilots are also resposible for the insertion of ground forces.
Section X-03 is given the vital task of maintaining the combat wortiness of both Section X-01 and Section X-02 by both maintaining and providing the equipment and logistics of both departments, as well as planing and providing diversions as to maintain the quality of morale.
Section X-04 is tasked with providing the facilities required to assist combat troops in recovering from wounds sustained in combat as well as returning them to active combat status. To this effect, Section X-04 not only provides medical assistance, but is also staffed with psychologists and psychiatrist to provide counselling .

The Research and Development Division can also be broken down into four sections:
- Section X-05 - Xenobiology and Xenobehavioral Studies
- Section X-06 - Interrogation and Intelligence
- Section X-07 - Alien Technology
- Section X-08 - Integration and Development
Section X-05 is given the vital task of examining both dead and live speciments that Section X-01 recovers in order to both discover weaknesses as well as learning the origins of the extra-terrestrial threat. To this end, Section X05 will conduct autopsies and experiments on the speciments recovered.
Section X-06 main focus will the the recovery of intelligence from captured enemy officers. To this end, Section X-06 will co-operate with Section X-05 in the study of live speciments. Ultimately, the objective of Section X-06 is to recover intel that will enable X-Corps to take effective offensive action against the threat by locating and pinpointing weaknesses in the extra-terrestrial threat.
Section X-07 will be focus on understanding and reverse engineering successfully recovered alien technology. This is of vital importance as alien technology is demonstrably more advance than current human technology levels. It is vital that this advantageis taken away from the enemy forces by equiping X-Corps with similar technology.
While Section X-07 will attempt to diminish the extra-terrestrial advantage, Section X-08 will attempt to take it to the next level. After having gain an understanding of alien technology, Section X-08 will then attempt to intergrate and develop technology that will provide X-Corps with an advantage over the menace.

The Engineering Division is made up of three divisions as follows:

[j'ordos]

Administrative Division ("admin")
- Section 9: Xenocide Internal Investigation Department, aka "XIID" or "the coats"
- Section 10: Human Resources, aka "HR" (recruiting)
- Section 11: Finance, Accounting, and Inventory, aka "FAI" (money and materials)
- Section 12: Maintenance and Upkeep, aka "Maints" (facility, mess hall, computer, and sanitation people)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Shouldn't we get two 'special' acronyms in the "admin" section? I'm thinking of MICAH and STEWART (or possibly IBLIS) here
something like Internal Blue Line Investigation Service, or whatever, I'll leave that to CTD

[Astyanax]

Sorry to hear that your muse is still MIA; mine's unfortunately gone and devoted herself to to the wrong text (bad muse, bad!).

Anyway, the text looks nice, even it's not in demand at the moment. Off the bat, it looks like you're changing the order of importance: military, research, engineering, and admin. That's a good idea. I must confess that I put Admin 3rd only because of "Section 9" in my silly "Status Report" CT. Your ordering system makes more sense.

You also fixed up the Military branch. I had a bit of trouble with it and I like your version better.

I don't really know why I thought pre-fab was mentioned in the Workshop CT...

Ohhhh... I get it. I envisioned the Manufacturing Room workers to be "Prefab" people; they focus just on making parts. The parts are later assembled in the Machine and Electronics Rooms by other technicians- the armor and equipment folks, the munitions people, and the heavy construction group.

j'ordos: Well, it's tough getting an acronym to fit MICAH or STEWART... but maybe we can code-name the Central Computer STEWART and the OS MICAH... or maybe the other way around depending on who's the bigger honcho.

Edited by Astyanax, 29 June 2005 - 06:23 PM.

[tzuchan]

Aside from the prefab, which afaik, wasn't mentioned in the workshop ct, and a minor re-ordering of the groups, I don't see anything that needs changing...
Although I might change the numbering scheme by adding a division prefix then numbering them by order within the divison, eg
MILOPS-01
MILOPS-02
and
RESDEV-01
RESDEV-02
and so forth...

P/s: I'll definately sneak in XIID one way or another, but as for the rest... I'll see what I can come up with...