GH2: Special Endings For All?

[Joseph Hewitt]

I am currently working on two special endings for GH2: "Peace and Love" and "Pirate God". In "P+L", the PC attempts to negotiate peace with the enemy faction on behalf of the player faction. To qualify for this ending the PC has to do a whole bunch of different things, including one optional plot which is activated when DEF_5 (the fifth choice in the defensive track) is completed. This side story is based upon the allied faction and the enemy faction.

Now, the question: Should all AllyFac/EnemyFac combinations allow this particular ending? I'm finding it hard to picture how two corporations would negotiate a peace treaty, for instance. On the other hand, no matter how obvious I might think certain faction exclusions are, there will definitely be players who see things differently. Since you'd have to play through to discover that a certain faction combo can't get this ending, that's a recipe for frustration.

I ask this question now because, if I were to restrict factions, DEF_5 would be a logical point. As mentioned above this episode loads a side story which is based on the two factions involved. It would be easiest to only include plots for the legal factions, and ignore all the restricted factions- you'd be able to tell the ending isn't possible if you complete DEF_5 and there's no world-shaking event.

Currently, there is one side story working: If the enemy is one of the two pirate factions and the ally is any of the major L5 powers, one of the Bohemian stations will get occupied by troops from either the Silver Knights or the Aegis Space Force. There will likely also be a side story for the Blades as allied faction and one of the L5 factions as enemy. I have a good idea for a generic DEF_5 side story for POLIT/MILIT factions. That should cover just about everyone in L5. The exceptions at this point are the corporations, the Pro Duelist Association, and the Red Mask Raiders as the allied faction.

Thoughts?

[JohnnyDmonic]

I think it's fine if certain factions aren't able to access certain special endings, but probably best if each of them ends up having access to at least some optional ending or another.

[Forethought]

Should all AllyFac/EnemyFac combinations allow this particular ending? I'm finding it hard to picture how two corporations would negotiate a peace treaty, for instance. On the other hand, no matter how obvious I might think certain faction exclusions are, there will definitely be players who see things differently.

To play devil's advocate, are there any reasons other than "these two factions don't fit together"?

In order for a lion to lie down with a lamb, the respective natures of both animals have to change and the two have to reach a compromise. The same goes with factions. If the two factions really don't fit together, one or both parties might have to change as part of the "P+L" ending.

To use the example of two rival megacorporations, they could have a merger. Things like BP Amoco, ExxonMobil, and Square Enix. A somewhat less extreme option would be for them to take whatever they were fighting over, form a joint venture, and split the profits. An example would be one restaurant offering the services and having the decorations of two different fast food chains. In both cases, the factions are changed radically in that part or all of both factions now fly the banner of a third, combined entity. However, on the small scale, far away from the point of conflict, it's business as usual for both corporations.

[Joseph Hewitt]

To play devil's advocate, are there any reasons other than "these two factions don't fit together"?

The reason is "these two factions and the specific sequence of events which activate this choice don't fit together". You idea about a merger or a joint venture are good, but these would be completely different endings requiring different actions to activate.

[EuchreJack]

Regarding corporations becoming peaceful to one another: It does happen, with two companies generally deciding "My company will produce X, that company will produce Y, and we'll keep anyone else from producing X or Y".

For example, Holler and MUGL coming to peace may be the realization that MUGL is better suited to creating mining mecha whereas Holler is better at making industrial mecha.  Even without merger, they would be better off teaming up and dividing their expertise when attempting to expand into the Bohemian colonies, effectively turning the Bohemian colonies into "Corporate run" space, ala Shadowrun.  And if they work together, they can keep Comet out.

But some factions really do not belong together.  Aegis Overlord is a prime example.  Only Rishi Spinner, the Red Mask Raiders, and the Rocket Knights should be able to reconcile their differences and make peace.  Aegis Overlord simply is not interested in a true peace with anyone else, and in fact Aegis appears to only be using these three factions as pawn in their long-term plans.  And isn't the Red Mask Raiders ruled by a Queen that is too crazy to negotiate a peace treaty?

I'd suggest just asking us for ideas on those factions that will not be able to work out a peace treaty.  We'll give you ideas, and you can decide whether they seem logical enough to include.  If a player wants to reach the "peace and love ending", they can always play Rishi Spinner (as that is probably the only faction that is guaranteed to be able to work out a peace treaty with everyone).

EDIT: Oh, Free Commerce States could also probably negotiate a peace treaty with anyone, as they seem willing to negotiate with anyone.  The ending could be colored by how likely the peace treaty is to last, and how the peace treaty is likely to affect the other factions generally and in regards to their views towards the ally faction.

For example: Free Commerce States works out the Mighty Metal Trade Agreement with Aegis Overlord.  Estimated length of treaty: Until Aegis builds enough Mecha to take over metal sources by force.  Estimated faction response: Pirate factions wiped out by the combined FCS-Aegis Taskforces (sadly this includes the Bohemians under Aegis Doctrine).  L5 Law and Privateer's Guild disbanded by request of Aegis.  The divide between L5 Spinners and Rishi Dominion disappears as they both fear the FCS-Aegis Alliance.  End Result: Aegis finally annexes the FCS, and war is fought between the L5-Rishii Alliance and the FCS-Aegis Alliance.  Hm, perhaps the player's actions and the RNG should determine the estimated future history?

[Daemonward]

Hm, perhaps the player's actions and the RNG should determine the estimated future history?

This reminds me of the ending montages in Black Isle Studios/Troika games that tell what becomes of the various towns/factions based on the character's actions.

[Forethought]

Regarding corporations becoming peaceful to one another: It does happen, with two companies generally deciding "My company will produce X, that company will produce Y, and we'll keep anyone else from producing X or Y".

For example, Holler and MUGL coming to peace may be the realization that MUGL is better suited to creating mining mecha whereas Holler is better at making industrial mecha.  Even without merger, they would be better off teaming up and dividing their expertise when attempting to expand into the Bohemian colonies, effectively turning the Bohemian colonies into "Corporate run" space, ala Shadowrun.  And if they work together, they can keep Comet out.

In other words, they form a conglomerate.

But some factions really do not belong together.  Aegis Overlord is a prime example.  Only Rishi Spinner, the Red Mask Raiders, and the Rocket Knights should be able to reconcile their differences and make peace.  Aegis Overlord simply is not interested in a true peace with anyone else, and in fact Aegis appears to only be using these three factions as pawn in their long-term plans.  And isn't the Red Mask Raiders ruled by a Queen that is too crazy to negotiate a peace treaty?

There are plenty of real life examples where two nations which ideologically do not belong together were nevertheless allies. The UK and Russia during World War II comes to mind, as do many of the alliances involving the United States during the Cold War.

If Luna is inspired by China, then there is good evidence in favor of Luna specifically being able to tolerate lasting peace; consider China's relations with Taiwan, for example.

[EuchreJack]

Joseph, is there a country that inspires Luna?  To me, they seem more like Nazi Germany or the USSR than China.

And no, I definitely did not mean a conglomerate, as that would denote they are the same company.  What I'm refering to is a cartel, in which two companies (or more, but the faction relationships of Gearhead 2 tend to be binary instead of encompassing more than two factions) decide to split the L5 region between themselves.

[Joseph Hewitt]

Aegis isn't really based on any specific country. Mostly it's just generic fascist, with some trappings and rhetoric inspired by various empires throughout history.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascism