RE: Multi-genre Dirtside II at conventions...

G'day,

> What I have in mind is to run three different games, each 
> with different scenarios, one showing how DSII can do 
> WWII conflicts, the second representing modern conflicts, 
> and the final scenario showing a futuristic conflict.

Sounds cool.
 
> In fact, it would kind of be ideal if the stats between
> scenarios kind of reflected how much better an Abrams is than a Tiger,
> and how much better a Bolo MkIV is than an Abrams.  While 
> someone would be more than welcome to participate in 
> all three games, it shouldn't be necessary for them 
> to appreciate the goodness that is DSII...

The only hot potato may be reflecting the resolution within an era as
well
as keeping it between eras. The place to start may be to sit down and
decide
what you want in the scenarios. Sorry my knowledge of modern military
history and weapons tech is still poor so don't grimace to much as I
take a
ham fisted swipe at this (Oerjan would be the person to get help from
I'd
say)

Anyway lets say....

WWII = German tanks vs Soviet Tanks
- CFEs
- tracked
- RFACs, HVC and/or HKPs depending on what's appropriate (if it fits
with
the real effects etc, may be you should steer clear of buying the
absolute
max size weapon that fits the vehicle and go for smaller sized weapons,
so
you can have extra punch in  the other era's too)
- even though there is no incentive in the current DS design system not
to
have full armour maybe for this exercise you could buy less armour than
max
if that better matches reality, only have ablative or reactive if that
is
appropriate (sorry don't know much about the tanks really)
- no stealth (I would've thought)
- no missiles (though I'm on shakey ground here...)
- artillery and lots of it from what I've heard... biochem if you so
desire,
but nukes are out obviously (not that I'd put these in "standard" games
anyway), but treat all calls as if artillery off-board (even if on)
- aerospace would be fine, but no VTOLs (sorry if this is telling you
how to
suck eggs I'm kinda thinking out loud here)
- basic system qualities (e.g. fire control)
- if you want to have infantry have them as pure foot sloggers, in
trucks or
parachutes (they may well have had APCs too, I'm not sure myself but the
accounts I've read don't mention them)
- I'd steer clear of water related stuff (like boats) for this one
(though
you could use it as a barrier down one side of the board

Modern = US vs Iraq (or some what if scenario if you prefer)
- CFE's (I'm guessing)
- tracked
- RFACs, HVC and/or HKPs depending on what's appropriate (this time
buying
big guns of they fit, to show the extra punch)
- the fancy armour types would now be OK (as far as I know)
- GMS, ECM, PDS, LAD etc no OK
- Enhanced sensors (keep superior for your sci-fi version)
- some stealth if you consider it miniaturisation or something
- artillery
- aerospace and VTOLs (if helicopters actually do feature in modern tank
battles)
- use of APCs and line infantry, IAVRs
- I'd still keep water out of it for now (or have it as a barrier or
river
to roll across)

Sci-fi = kravak vs human (to really capture scifi)
- example of potential humans = hmts, gev, fancy armour, some stealth,
enhanced and maybe some superior sensors, dffgs and hels
- example of potential kv = fgp, grav, fancy armour, stealth, superior
systems, mdcs
- GMS. ECM, PDS, LAD etc all present
- artillery, aerospace and VTOLs
- power armour infantry
- walkers if you like them (I know some people don't)
- oversized or modular vehicles if you're trying to catch people's eye
(oversize are easy, but modular can be trickier in a con setting depends
how
confident you are)
- you could have water bodies in this one as they won't phase the
grav/gev

Apart from these ideas you may also want to think if there's specific
facets
of the various eras not covered by DS as is and whether or not a few
modifications need to be made... especially in the area of
communications.

Cheers