SRW Unification OOC Comm

Recently a lot of people had trouble connecting to mission rooms using AIM or other software that supports AIM. It has always been an issue for some but usually one we could get under control - but it got a lot worse during the last few weeks.

So we're considering using irc to run missions. We'd still use AIM for communication, but this is an alternative in case someone gets dropped and AIM won't let them rejoin during a mission.

Without further ado, which of those options do you prefer best?

1 - Stay as it is now. Don't use irc for running missions.

2 - Try to use AIM for running missions, but keep irc around as an option in case AIM is acting up.

3 - Use irc for mission running every time.

Say which option is your favorite, and maybe also why. Discussion is welcome and encouraged. Make your voice heard on this matter.

We received a lot of suggestions regarding Unity Group base locations. Eventually after a period of discussion we decided on the following:

First, we have Fort Alhambra. It's located somewhere in the US, in a wilderness a fair distance away from population centers. It is a military base that is a hand me down from the American government, so it may feel used or old - but it's serviceable and comfortable enough. Fort Alhambra was used for mecha testing and development, so the surrounding area is full of test fields, mock combat grounds and other surprises, left to rust and unused for years now.

Second is Sakihama Base in Japan. It is a super robot style underground facility, with a lot of command rooms, people sitting in front of computers and secret tunnels - they provide convenient and quick transportation near other points of interest that are sure to pop up in Japan. The base uses a cheapo, slightly sleazy looking hotel as a cover, it's actually used as low-security quarters for the personnel.

Third is Star Rose, a space station. It's huge and well guarded by GDF and UN Spacy forces, and is also a tourist attraction with many facilities that make life surprisingly comfortable and even luxurious for a space object. Unity Group does not own the Star Rose, rather the GDF does and we are only guests who have to listen to commander Simon Gato. Fortunately GDF is cooperative with Unity Group.

Fourth is a space ship - but it's not ready yet! This fourth mobile base will launch during the course of the game, as one of the first missions. Also I'm not saying it's Macross, but yeah... it's totally Macross.

These locations will soon be added to our locations page. But that's not all!

Since we know what Unity Group bases are yet, players whose characters are with the Group already can (and should) decide which base their characters are stationed in. Please either tag this post with the option you pick, or tell one of the mods on AIM - just so we know where everyone is residing.

To restate, your options are:
-Fort Alhambra: military base in the US, rather remote, was used as a testing area
-Sakihama Base: secret underground base in Japan, super robot-styled, in a coastal city
-Star Rose: a station IN SPAAAACE, popular tourist attraction, GDF's main military base
EDIT:
-Macross: big ancient alien spaceship, currently under refitting

There is an option to pick Macross as your "home base", but nothing important will happen there until the first SDF Macross mission. It's also kinda busy and loud because of all the work. Something to consider.

Also, thanks to the TSEN system of teleporters, moving personnel between bases is fast and hassle-free, so there are no consequences from picking a base - you are NOT locked out from interacting with characters from other bases!

As the locations page tells us, player characters in this game will be housed in several bases located all around the globe. We need your input - suggest what kind of locations would make a good base! We are not asking you to make up locations, but to use existing ones that are established in canons you or other people have app'ed (or plan to app) into the game. In particular we are looking for:

-A location in North America
-A location in Japan
-Possibly a location in space, around Earth (but not too far away from it)
-Possibly a space ship that is capable of travel between the others

If you have any suggestions, please respond to this post. We are really interested in your input here.