Jean-Luc

Israel has a relatively small population and great need for a military so I expect they have quite a few women serving. I think I saw a documentary some years ago with a female tank driver (or something tank related) in the IDF. Edit: Yep. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Defense_Forces#Women http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women_in_the_Israel_Defense_Forces All women in Xenonauts could've been IDF.

Show me where to sign.

I'm not sure how "deliberate" it was but we're stuck with the choice now. Still, I'm glad of it. Like with most modern technology the idea is to make things faster and easier. Just look at movies. "Sets" are so retro, everything is done before a blue screen nowadays (yes, technically that's a set to, you know what I mean ). Here, compare BG2 and NWN2. Game menu: Inventory screen: People just don't bother nearly as much anymore yet the cost of game development has skyrocketed.

I have heard of Desura before so my impression is that a lot of other people have too (it's still pretty new though) but who knows. In any case, if you really want to play the alpha/beta builds you can bear with Desura for a while and delete it later on when you receive the Steam key.

I'll take this as agreement that there should be a "liberation" mission with Xenenauts facing off against a combined alien/turncoat force.

If you're going to be rude to me for trying to answer your question at least approach it rationally with a valid cause. But I did tell you, didn't I? I pointed you to the faq info and tried to explain the quantitative factors involved. Even without the exact figures enough info is available for one to realize the scope of the work. That's not what you were asking. You were asking how *much* work it is, not how it works. Maybe, maybe not. Depends on the question. As you see Chris' answer still doesn't answer your percentage question. It simply adds numbers to, ,what I've already told you. You're welcome.

It's hundreds of thousands of frames, every single combination of armour/weapon/gender/skin colour needs to be processed separately for each of the 8 different facings. I can't tell you the exact numbers (I wouldn't be surprised if Chris himself couldn't) but it doesn't take much to realize it's an insane amount of tedious work just to produce a bit of visual variance. The amount of time and effort invested is vastly disproportionate to the effect achieved. Asking for an exact percentage in relation to the entire development process up to release is a bit silly. Non-inclusion of female soldiers wasn't a decision that was reached at random with no good reason. Just so it's clear female civilians are included because they have no different visual variance (no weapons, armour, etc.) so only 8 frames (one for each facing) are required for each civilian as opposed to hundreds and thousands that your soldiers need.

It's this much work: FAQ: http://www.goldhawkinteractive.com/forum/

Happened all the time in history and would almost certainly happen again if were to be invaded by a superior extraterrestrial force (provided the aliens are even interested in any kind of diplomacy).

I have Steam, Impulse and Desura all installed. I simply don't run the ones I don't need atm. I'm also registered at GOG if that counts.

Attacking a fortified compound holding the turncoat nation leaders guarded by both alien and human troops would be a lot of fun imo. The humans could use either alien or earth-tech weapons, doesn't matter much to me, they're just there to provide fluff and atmosphere (the scary feeling that there are actually humans fighting on the aliens' side) and a bit of an additional challenge together with the alien guards. They could use heavier weapons (MGs, snipers...) that can at least put a dent in more advanced Xenonaut armour. They could even have Hunter vehicles on their side. Bonus points if human troops are coloured army green. The Hunters as well. If the leaders are being mind controlled there could be a secondary objective to liberate them within X turns before the aliens decide their position is indefensible and kill the "hostages". If successful, you're rewarded with extra nation relations and maybe even a one time $$$ reward.

I came across this rank list in a forum dedicated to some kind of SWAT role playing game (actual role playing, not a video game). 1. Private 2. Sergeant 3. Lieutenant 4. Captain 5. Major 6. Commander These have been mentioned a lot of times by now but this list just seems simple, practical and clutter free. It's recognizable, makes it very easy to identify who stands where in the hierarchy (things like lance-corporal and such would probably be a bit confusing to most) and it's free of the "uber titles" like general or marshal or whatever. Also there's six of them like in X-Com. This is the source if anyone's curious: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Swat_Forums/topic/718599/1/ I removed the vice-commander because he's simply not needed.

I did check it out back when I first learned of AoD, was definitely interested. It's just that AoD's development is sooo slow which means Dead State's is likely even slower meaning it barely pays to even think about the game atm. I'll let it stew and check in on it in like 2 years.

It's not 100% on topic but some days ago I came across this very interesting story on contemporary gaming. It's titled "Who killed video games?" but it's actually more focused on the addictive "free to play" game schemes targeted, among others, at traditional non-gamers (housewives for example) referring mostly to farmville-esque Facebook social type of games. It's a bit long but a fascinating read that details and explains just how much deviousness goes into something as silly as Tap Petshop. Link: http://insertcredit.com/2011/09/22/who-killed-videogames-a-ghost-story/

Surprisingly (or perhaps not) Mass Effect has some great tracks in the vein of tense, eerie, night time confrontation with the unknown: I've been doing a playthrough recently and the music made me think of x-com/xenonauts night time missions.

Instead of direct combat bonuses what if the NCO ranks had a synergy with officer ones so that both are needed to achieve an effect. This is what I had in mind.: -Officer rank - the ability to lead, determines the potential strength of the "leadership aura" -NCO rank - the ability to take advantage of leadership and implement it on the field Example: Let's say you have a rank 3 officer providing a +3 (to whatever) aura to nearby men. However the accompanying NCO is of rank 2 so his received bonus is only +2. Same logic applies across the board. Officers are weaker because they can't receive aura bonuses (they're job is to lead) while NCOs are front line guys with greater combat potential provided they have good enough leaders. NCO rank means nothing without an officer to fulfill its potential and vice versa, both classes need each other. Officers are more valuable since they are the bonus providers and are likely to lvl up more slowly due to not receiving the aura benefits. Players will also have a tendency to keep them away from harm. The snag lies in the fact that officer rank still needs to carry a certain bravery bonus for the officer in question since they are supposed to be more "mentally reliable" than those they lead and to whom they provide the aura benefits. Therefore this situation assumes the aura effects would go beyond just bravery and would also provide other bonuses like better reaction fire, defense or maybe even a small TU bonus (soldier needs to start his turn inside the aura to gain the bonus for that turn).

They are pissed off about the FPS remake.

Weather balloon. This whole "war" thing was just a weather balloon invasion.

When the game is released you'll be able to choose between Desura or Steam keys.

You get new weapons and vehicles (and other things) by researching alien tech. Getting basically the same stuff, only earth based, would be redundant. Though I believe you'll be able to upgrade your "human vehicles" with alien weaponry like a laser cannon for the Hunter. At least until you research a new chassis.

I don't think this will happen unless you start reloading the game every time one of your guys kicks the bucket.

The Chinook (as well as other dropships I expect) has multiple exit points so disembarking should be a bit easier and safer. We also know that LZs will be relatively clear of enemies so your guys won't get D-day'd like in X-Com.

Yes, the morale aura for higher ranks has been confirmed for a long time now.

Yes, thanks you!

Not so sure, I heard he might be a Chrisalid.