Old World Blues Expanded

[greenknightfury]

heh

 

Cazador Queen makes me think of The Wasp Woman.

 

The "crazed unique brain" is a very interesting angle...and one that could easily be accepted since you learn that the Think Tank has been trapped in a memory loop by Mobius. All kinds of things could happen and then get erased by the next time the loop was activated. Especially with the fact they can purposely erase their own memories, and indicate they have when something "disturbing" comes to their attention.

[theDemonJackal]

Exactly.

The explanation could be something like:

A group of fiends see the transmitter crash the night its sent to the Mojave and decide to check it out for anything useful and then wreck it for fun. Of course these men are some of the first people taken from the mojave and experimented on. Almost all of them became labotomites except that of their leader whose brain was labeled Abnormal (which was taken as unique by that of the machine) due to the fact he had ten times the normal amount of chems in his system, which realistically should have killed him long before then. His body was subject to several different surgerys while his brain was subject to almost triple the dosage of mentats so as to wash out the negative chemicals. However this resulted in a brain with Mad Scientest level intellect and Drug induced Insanity that would rival that of Mobius. However, just as it was plotting the ultimate plan A new brain came along. One that inspired more interest because its body was still capable of rational thought. Clearly a failed surgery,but a failure that inspired more interest to the think tank than that of the raiders brain.

 

So What im thinking is that this raider had developed a kind of God Complex where he was the centre of attention and worship by these scientests because he could control his body with just a thought of moving his arm. Now he had been replaced by that of a lesser brain. He has returned now seeking revenge against the Think Tank and the Brain that had taken his rightful spot.

I think it would be rather Typical of OWB's if the voice module for women was taken by him in a rush to escape. So while they are hard to come by the only one they had in BigMT was taken by the pyscho brain. (the dog from the movie "Up" actually was the inspiration for that)

[tnu]

Honestly i'd shoot bigger thens ome two bit raider. like if they had Hitlers brain Or maybe Chariman Cheng or General Jingwei. Though "Faceless Fiend" or "The Fiend Without a Face" would make an awesome quest title.

Edited January 14, 2014 by tnu

[devinpatterson]

Oh had a thought (since I just ran through OWB again *heh*), the Y0 facility would be really cool to actually be able to see, especially since (according to the half buried terminal just outside) it was where the Dead Money vending machines came from.

Definitely, they left that one all ready for a little expansion. A few notes from the wiki that we need to storyboard. The military trucks had two cages (maybe night stalkers?). Dr. Klein destroyed Y-0 by miscalculating (no other info available-that one is probably pretty easy since it seems like most of the think tanks work is one unlucky step away from back firing).

 

If you remember those machines had a special popup when you first look at one, that mentions the coin slot was obviously a tacked on afterthought. That got me thinking that most likely the original design would have had a hopper or something connected to it, put trash (any misc. item) in the hopper and then get to make items.

Could be. If the wiki is correct ("It can recreate any item (limited by the templates stored in its memory) by using Sierra Madre chips as a battery and source of raw material for the created goods.") there is something specific about the chips both as the base matter and energy storage. So I'm not sure if any old junk could work or it *has* to be a very specialized item like the chips.

 

On the other hand I'm sure it's just one of those things the developers did for game balance/mechanics and there probably isn't a realistic (for fallout) reason other input materials couldn't work, but we'd still need to balance it.

 

Maybe a early prototype that had a hopper, but is limited by it's input materials. It would essentially be a lot dumber, simply converting one type of input matter/item into another *related* output matter/item. It wouldn't have access to new codes. Something akin to a campfire activator and a high survival skill. The idea being that is breaks down the input into more a generic and simple output. For example ammo is broken down into it's lead, primer and powder. Metal items broken down to scrap etc. It's mostly for atmosphere/show since it's a pretty trivial ability, and most players will have skills that do far more.

 

Another prototype could be completely off the rails and be relying on a line of research that ultimately became a dead end. Using quantum technology, instead of matter reconstruction, to draw items from parallel universes (the ones that boarder this reality and thus are virtually indistinguishable from our own, save by as little as one particles momentum or location difference). There is an infinite supply of universes to draw on, but the quantum effects were never able to be properly accounted for (yeah, just spouting pseudoscience here) and as such it's a random product produced. I'm not sure what the input would be and if the item produced has any connection to the input item/material, since it doesn't need the matter to build the item, it's just using it to "balance the equation" in the parallel universe. This is just an excuse for a little random fun :smile:

 

I can think of at least three ways it could go. 1. like produces like (output item is similar to input item), 2. Output item is similar to the same power/value level as input or 3. just totally off the wall random cr*p.

 

For #1 If we think it could be interesting we can use a shortcut to save work and simply use some of the tiered form lists for items. For example if you put AM rifle in you could have a script randomly select an item from the same high level weapon tiered formlist.

 

For #2, it would probably be pretty boring. Input a nuka cola and get a random selection for similar items (sunset or other beverages).

 

#3 could be fun. Crazy stuff. Maybe you throw someting in and get a teddy bear dressed as a ninja. Maybe you get a activated landmine with a few seconds left before detonation. Maybe you get a strange alien ray gun. Maybe you get a box that can't be opened. Off the wall stuff.

 

Codes or some other limiting method would still be required on the quantum machine for #1 & #2 because no one is going to script the results for all the 1000's of items that could be dropped into the quantum machine. We're probably better off with #3 which just draws from a random list of weirdness and doesn't require any input materials or items. And possibly explodes after dispensing a random number of items.

 

The next one I can think of is a different model reflecting a company line or type of item category dispensed. So say one made and branded for a different business (a resort, country club, casino) with a bit different model. They don't even have to work, just look differnt to show that their were other buyers/contracts. For the same category it could be a food only one (drop in sugar bombs and from any other food item). Not particularly useful, (unless there is a favorite food that's essential for recipes or something). it doesn't have to be a food item only dispense you could do it with just about any category of items, but it should be very high end brands for company's or business that can afford to burn bookoo $ just to show off the tech.

 

The last one I can think of would be a A.I. prototype to make a Sierria madre vending machine sink personality. He'd/it/she would talk like a high roller or some other personality characteristic reflecting casino's (maybe it has a gambling addiction and wants to bet on everything). It would be nice to have one in teh sink to buy items with and maybe it can even produce chips each day or some other bonus.

 

Anyway that should be some starting points to populate Y0, and if nothing else there should at least be a functioning Sierria madre machine inside and probably a lot of test chips, codes, etc too :smile: But I'd welcome info on other prototypes or ideas to fill the facility.

 

Of course the limits of what kind of items they might have codes to produce on the machines in the facility is totally up for grabs. *heh* And of course who knows what kind of item codes they might have scattered around the facility, or if the systems used to create new item codes still function.

I don't have a problem with having a few extra codes in there as booty. Unique ones that the Sierria Madre doesn't have. But I don't think we should go with a machine to produce them unless it's a real nightmare of a quest to fix. Some real blood, sweat and tears to earn, what would in essence be, all codes from a single quest. I'm hesitant partly for game balance and partly because then I have to write up a list for anything a player may conceivably jam in the scanner. It's not a monumental task to add a entry to the vending machine script/recipe (or so I assume, havn't looked at it yet) but in aggregate, to include all possible items............it's a daunting chore.

[devinpatterson]

Oh and challenges for Y0. Not sure what opponents or other ways to balance/earn access to the new vending machines.

[devinpatterson]

Some way could we incorporate a cloning device? It might be cool to have a player character follower, if his/her stats could change with your's it would be much cooler. Also, the Gene Splicing lab needs to have a code for a cyberdog/nighstalker hybrid. Just an after thought.

Possibly, I remember there was a console command to spawn the player, but we need a function we can use in a script (not a console command). Plus I think the player copy spawned with equipment, which may or may not work for the story we're shooting for.

 

Is it actually a clone (same DNA, no experiences, could even be a baby), a clone with a memory transference (aged, skills and perks duplicated), or a full duplicate with everything the same as well as equipment? What lines we're you thinking along.

 

There's a function, matchFaceGeometry to copy the looks, and I suppose one could go through a script that contained a sort of checklist of every perk and skill with a whole lot of if else statements to copy anything the player has to the clone.

[devinpatterson]

Also, the Gene Splicing lab needs to have a code for a cyberdog/nighstalker hybrid. Just an after thought.

Yeah, I think I could whip that up without too many tears, nice idea :smile:

[greenknightfury]

Well as to the chips being needed by the vending machines, you can learn from the woman how to make counterfeit ones with a fusion battery and some scrap metal. So not that much in the way of special construction. *heh* I can definitely see ones bent to a particular purpose though of the machines, branded or not: Food, Ammo/weapons/combat(or security)armor, clothing, chems and cigarettes.

 

Some oddball ones could be very interesting, just one or two made for the purposes of being a kind of really interesting "quarter machine" like at stores (usually grocery stores and department stores have them, every Walmart I've ever seen has them). It would fit the rather odd tone of OWB and be something that would be perfectly reasonable to see at some high end store or casino in prewar Vegas, it could even have some kind of "gambling" theme or gimmick; like looking like a big slot machine and being named "Big Winner!" or something like that.

 

Love the idea of one to restore and put into the sink as well.

 

 

 

About the clone your character thing..there is at least one mod that creates a place where you can buy "android" copies of your character as companions, so that would be something to look at to see how they do it.

 

http://www.nexusmods.com/newvegas/mods/53765/? It supposedly at least gives it the same traits as you choose on setup.

[theDemonJackal]

And we have a new enemy graceing our presents.

Now See i just thought of this. Imagine if this mod opens with you logically doing what your told by the think thank. Like giving your DNA for science, brining them a certian number of Cazador eggs, Restore the vending machines to the wasteland, upgrading all their systems, and killing the legedary bloatfly.

 

In the end however you have listened to insane individuals who have ordered you around and only made things worsE(bioshock style). The Vending Machines are now firing live grenades at anyone who passes them(think baseball launcher meets vendor. Plus makes a nice little trap)

The DNA you gave has been cloned and then stolen and made into new form of super soldiers who are now under the Evil Brains patrol (think its better than Experiment B), The Legendary Bloatfly was the only one to keep the rest of the insects at bay and now the Cazadors are in Charge thanks to their new queen (think Antagonizer but less human), The think thank have fallen into a deep coma(where virtual reality comes into play) and BOS and Enclave approach the BigMT. The courier only has a short peroid of time before all hell breaks lose in The Big MT, Can the Courier save them?

[tnu]

I wouldn't say that works. when you beat Old World Blues you beocme thwe one in charge not them.