New category in Ideas and Inspiration Question

[GTX_Admin]

Folks,

One idea that I have toying with for a while is to introduce a dedicated area for posting of scenarios.  By these I mean those ideas for alternate timelines/countries etc that you may have and wish to develop.  They wouldn't necessarily be linked to any one platform but rather the general background.  I hope that makes sense.

By way of example, the concept of a Communist Canada might be one such scenario that could be discussed and developed ...and ultimately provide inspiration to others to make models/do profiles/write stories (all of which would be posted elsewhere in the appropriate areas).

Before doing so though, I want to ask your opinion.

Poll is up for 14 days and you can change your mind if so be.  As always, please feel free to post any arguments for/against into this thread.  Please also feel free to post questions.

Kind regards,

Greg

[elmayerle]

So, you're saying a general change in the stream of events rather than a change specific to a particular platform?  Such as a Jewish state in the Middle East being started after WW I rather than after WW II?  Or the parties partitioning the remains of the Ottoman Empire after WW I being a bit more sensitive to local groupings sintead of just drawing lines on a map?

[GTX_Admin]

Yes.  This would not be a platform specific area...though that doesn't mean that platforms couldn't be mentioned/discussed as part of a scenario. 

For example, what if Israel adopted a Communist/Soviet leaning rather then a Western/Captialist one.  One could then possibly see Israeli MiGs and Sukhois and by default (possibly) Arab air arms with Western Equipment .  Basically an entire flipping of the coin.

I trust that is clearer.

[Volkodav]

Well there was a proposal to form a Jewish state in north western Australia between the wars. I can't remember the exact details or even the title of the article but imagine Israel or what ever they called it existing in mostly uninhabited land within a secular democracy before Nazi Germany. Also what effect would it have on Australia, good or bad?

[GTX_Admin]

Err guys, please don't start discussing particular scenarios in this thread.  I only posted what I did by way of an example.

[Volkodav]

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

[GTX_Admin]

Keep your powder dry...or start a new thread...

[upnorth]

Is this sort of thing not what the "Stories" section is for in the "Current Builds" area?

[GTX_Admin]

Is this sort of thing not what the "Stories" section is for in the "Current Builds" area?

Not really.  The stories area is for completed works or at least fully formed works in action.  This area would be an area for people to explore ideas or to simply post an idea that they haven't really formed fully.

[GTX_Admin]

Folks,

For those of you against this idea, would you mind giving your reasons.  I am equally wanting to hear reasons for/against so that it might help others make up their minds or highlight issues we haven't considered.

Regards,

Greg

[upnorth]

OK, so it's a place to "Kick the ball around" and maybe get some feedback on your ideas before committing to them?

[GTX_Admin]

OK, so it's a place to "Kick the ball around" and maybe get some feedback on your ideas before committing to them?

Exactly.  I figure the stories area would only really have contributions from a single writer whereas this area would have multiple contributions to an idea.

[upnorth]

OK, so it's a place to "Kick the ball around" and maybe get some feedback on your ideas before committing to them?

Exactly.  I figure the stories area would only really have contributions from a single writer whereas this area would have ,ultiple contributions to an idea.

As one who has taken the notion to write stories, I can certainly support that idea.

[perttime]

Sure, why not.
My own example is what I've been posting since I joined: airplanes from a history where Nazi Germany fell early but Soviet Union became the enemy as soon as that happened.
I've made a thin scenario for the north of Europe but have little clue what happened elsewhere.
Ideas & Inspiration could have a place where others can add pieces to a story, without confusing things in a completed/in-progress thread.

[raafif]

good idea - I have a few scenarios ready to go - M.A.D. & I were going to do a story but his real life got in the way

Caveat ----- as long as we don't get caught up in the minutia of Geek like those on Alt.History tend to do.  Too many histories tend to follow minor variations instead of being NEW ideas & scenarios.

I have an idea that involves indiginous-design hardware - mostly not anything that currently existed in popularity.

[apophenia]

Good idea. A 'sandbox' for alt history concepts  :)

Caveat ----- as long as we don't get caught up in the minutia of Geek like those on Alt.History tend to do.  Too many histories tend to follow minor variations instead of being NEW ideas & scenarios.

Maybe contributors could ask for particular types (or levels) or response? "Am I missing something" would be asking for a whif reality check. "Let 'er rip" is asking for live fire to fully test out a concept.

[Logan Hartke]

"I say go."

Cheers,

Logan

[AGRA]

Caveat ----- as long as we don't get caught up in the minutia of Geek like those on Alt.History tend to do.  Too many histories tend to follow minor variations instead of being NEW ideas & scenarios.

I once visited that forum and some guy had written a Whiff scenario based around his favourite wrestler winning in WWE!

It was a case of slowly walk out to the car and don't make any sudden moves:

[GTX_Admin]

Last chance to make comment...

[GTX_Admin]

Well, that was definitive.

New board will be up shortly.  Thanks to all who have voted. :)

[Logan Hartke]

I still have the Tomania and Thriftiland threads in the main I&I board.  Can you move those to Scenarios, too?

Cheers,

Logan

[GTX_Admin]

Done.