Looking to start an immersive military role play group.

[Herrick 1]

Roleplay in the Foxhole.

Can it be done? We see a host of addons and mods that try to simulate city life, such as the various RP mods that have came out since the launch of Arma and Arma 2... but I'm talking about more than just a simulation. I'm talking about taking an extra step to tell the story of the soldier who's shoes you are stepping into.

Roleplay for me is not about filling the gap for a theme, putting on a costume and going out and playing soldier... its about making your character real, and believable. Give them wants, desires, feelings, likes and dislikes, a history, and a mission that defines who they are, and as well, helps shape them into who they are going to be. This is not simulation, like these RP mods that claim to be RP mods typically entail. This is writing your own interactive story, the same way George Martin would write a chapter on his characters (The writer of the Song of Ice and Fire series, or game of thrones television show). Its making choices for the soldier you are simulating, to match that of his character, and not necessarily as you the player behind the screen. For those of you who are unfamiliar with what 'role-playing' is, think of it in the same way that you would think of someone writing a story... only in this instance, you are writing only for your character, placed into a dynamic world that you don't have control over. You only have control over your player. And as you interact with other role players, the story and history of this world changes according to your choices and the choices of others. Some consider it a nerdy practice, and perhaps it is! I like to think of it as one of the greatest forms of creative writing!

Chances are though, if RP does not interest you, you've already closed this tab and moved on elsewhere, wading through a new thread....... or you are mulling over thoughts of what would be a great troll post to this wall of text--- but for those of you this is meant for -- you writers and storytellers out there, I want to extend the invitation to start forming the foundation for a project I want to get in the works. I'm not trying to write stories and play the characters of policemen, and criminal lords, in a chernarus RP mod. I'm trying to build a persistent forum of stories, deep meaningful stories, that revolve around the life of a soldier. People role play efficiently all the time in many MMOs, playing Knights, and wizards, and there are huge communities for this. And its understandable why most people haven't tried to RP the story of a modern soldier because there really hasn't been a good foundation for it, as most games that centralize around modern warfare, don't offer mechanics that cater to this kind of niche. But Arma does, and with the power of imagination, some good scripts, and a good mission editor, as well as a great community of like-minded storytellers and RP'ers, an idea like this could be achieved.

So, here is a list of the things I think would make for good foundation for this kind of project. If you think this is something that would interest you, please keep reading below and feel free to respond with your own thoughts and suggestions, or even criticism.

The Group Structure

I don't ever see a group of players like this ever getting real big, so I think the best course of action is to follow the stories of a small outfit... most likely a Special Operations Unit (consisting of both Tier 1 SF, and Tier 2 SF Support Units such as transport, a mission logistic team, among other things). I don't particularly like the idea of pretending to be some badass of some badass group of men, like Delta Force or DEVGRU. Those men have earned their colors, and trying to portray what they go through, and the kind of men they are would be complete disrespect... or perhaps, better to say completely without understanding, of the type of men they are, the type of situations they face, without being consulted by one to help us tell their story. And I'm not trying to write a biography... this is creative writing, works of fiction. So the unit, will most likely be completely fictitious, and its affiliated support units.

The Dangers of the Battlefield

War is dangerous... it is not easy. To survive war, you have to stick to the highest standards of training and knowledge of the arts of war. It also helps to have a little bit of luck. I want the dangers of war to be as real as they can be for the characters portrayed in this group. I think the best way to do that, means accepting permadeath as the only true outcome to a failed and botched mission. This means we'll have to work with a good mission editor, and find out the right formulas for game balance to keep us from getting ourselves wiped out early on and rolling a new character for the group. But I think one of the best ways to overcome this is becoming disciplined, and focusing on the group from the beginnings of these soldiers' training. Such as running missions that aren't actual livefire but are MOUT training drills and skirmishes. This means the best means for the survival of these soldiers is following authentic tactics and having good soldier discipline.

Authentic Strategy

The only good way to be versed in good military strategy and tactics, isn't from watching a movie, or playing Call of Duty... its from having someone who has been there, pass on their knowledge down to you. I think as an actual tactical structure for in game missions, that would require that we take on the template of training that most hardcore tactical realism clans do. Making sure that our tactics are good, thorough, and are cohesive to the team. So, its my hopes that we will find some veterans on here that love storytelling as much as I do, and would be happy to get on board to make this happen.

R&R A place to relax when not on mission to continue the stories of our soldiers off the battlefield. This will probably include a server that operates as an HQ or secured FOB, in conjuction with web forums for RP and announcements that keeps everyone on the same page as well as keeps a summary of what has happened with the unit so far, service record, and all that. The typical stuff you would see on a role playing community webpage.

Anyway, I'm curious as to what you guys think? Can there be RP in the foxhole? Would you be interested in an idea like this? Have any thoughts or suggestions? And if you're interested, send me a PM and I'll make it a point to get some contact information. Once this idea garnishes enough interest, I'll see that it happens.

[Sardinia 10]

Join another one that already exists..

[corello 1]

So this really does have potential so I'm going to do like the post says and PM you. :)

[DarrenV 1]

I would have sent you a private message but my post count is below two. I would like to express my interest in your concept of a roleplay military roleplay group. I believe that, with enough effort, determination and passion, this can actually work. I'm an experienced roleplayer (4+ years) and I'm quite passionate when it comes to military roleplay and military in general and so, if you need me, I'll be lurking around.

[mathiask1 1]

*cough cough* http://forums.bistudio.com/showthread.php?148479-Arma-3-Serious-Roleplay

Were doing our best to make the best RP as a soldier, we dont just do combat RP, but we do passive RP too.

Also we use chain of command, real RP names, eg. "Pvt. Mathias Jackson".

Infantry cant just fly a helicopter or use a tank since they are not trained to do so.

[Herrick 1]

Thank you very much for your responses, all of you. I am actually not looking to join another group, though I appreciate the information. This is actually more or less a revival of a small intimate project that was started back in ArmA days called "SPARTAN". That being said though if serious immersive RP is something you guys are into, it might be interesting later on to do 'joint-ops' later on, if that is something you may be into.

With that being said, I've got a rather large number of members supporting this project. Some were around in the old 'Spartan' days, most are new to the group. I will be working on getting the website up as well as getting an official name out there. Thank you all for your kind responses and support. Those of you who have sent me PM's I'll be sure to respond within the hour.

[Clamacc 1]

I think this is a great project!

[Clamacc 1]

I think this is a great project!

I can't PM you due to not having 2 or more posts so I'll be messaging you publicly, I guess.

Anyways, Like I said, this is a great Idea and I would love to be a part of it! If you need any help at all please tell me.

[Rampage914 1]

This sounds like a great idea and I'm very interested. Looking forward to seeing what comes of this idea!

[silverwave 11]

PM me if you find something interesting! I'm all for your idea!

I'm an active canadian infantrymen for 6 years so I can bring a lot to the group!

[jbryan 3]

I'm interested in a group like this... "Hardcore military roleplay" all from Basic training to a variety of ranks... Both, on base and combat, as well as on going training, as a platoon, unit, etc. Not just initially basic training and so be it... If anything like this out there exists, let me know... Pretty new to ARMA but loving it so far... ARMA 3 only.