My involvement depends on the levels of commitment needed as well. Both ideas sound exciting. If we do the first, would it be a complete reboot of the series or start off wherever the second ended? In the second, are you thinking of players taking character roles or just competing factions within the treaty port?
I'm thinking total reboot. I'm going to re do the map, I was never really satisfied with it.
In the treaty port scenario I'm not 100% sure, but I'm leaning toward characters as individuals, though of course they could be working for a terrestrial interest group of some kind.
For those unfamiliar, a brief rundown of the concepts.
First, the setting. It's the 1880s, and thanks to a wondrous substance known as Phlebotinum (element -1) earthly civilization has taken to the vastness of space. On earth they encounter a very old civilization of green-skinned humans (or very near humans, anthropologists disagree). They live in city states and have regimented lives under a strict caste system. Mostly they seem to live at a medieval level, with inexplicable signs of a more advanced civilization. Their cities have headlights and steam heat, and Mars is criss crossed with epic canals that dwarf the pathetic Suez. There are dead cities in the wilderness, and wild Casteless nomads. Thus being the Age of Imperialism the powers of Earth immediately start jockeying for position and control. Hilarity ensues!
In version 1, the game resembles a simplified version of a Paradox strategy game. Players control a faction from Earth. You seize territory, build industry and armies, and try to bring the natives under your control by force or diplomacy, for the glory of (thing with glory here).
In version 2, players are individual earthlings within a city-state that has agreed to open itself up. There may be a theoretical neutral commission set up to govern Terran-Martian affairs. Players conduct their affairs to pursue their agenda, gaining wealth and power to use as they see fit.
In either case, exploration of Mars ancient secrets can bring revolutionary discoveries that will change the face of two planets, or inexplicable curses and an early grave.
Links to old games:
London:
https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/foru...ame-cogs-in-the-machine.855939/#post-19315419
Mars:
https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/steampunk-mars-2.739137/
https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?threads/iot-the-scramble-for-mars.655735/
