A quick introduction to the Hammers Slammers collection by David Drake for those unfamiliar with them. Hammers Slammers is a collection of stories about a mercenary group commanded by Colonel Alois Hammer and set centuries in the future when man has expanded into the galaxy. The Slammers have the reputation of being the best equipped, most ruthless and all around best soldiers for hire in a future where most wars are fought by highly trained mercs fighting alongside local armies. Their weaponry consists of tanks, combat cars, infantry, and such that are armed with a variety of energy weapons known as Powerguns, as well as artillery and some other weapons systems that resemble modern technology. Anyways if you want to know more you should buy the complete collection that comes in 3 volumes and is priced around $12(US) per volume. I'm sure there is a wikipedia or something out there as well.
While I was re-reading the book it re-kindled the idea that these stories could make a great game. I was wondering if anyone else who was familiar with the series had any ideas for how to turn it into a GOOD game. My idea for the game would either be a RTS where they give you a fixed nunber of units to complete specific missions as part of a campaign, include elements such as placing a firebase and coordinating artillery as well as the ground units doing combat. Also I would make it necessary between campaigns that you would have to replenish your forces with new recruits as well as make sure to maintain equipment with funds, and even purchasing more equipment such as tanks and researching new techs. A slightly similiar model of play to the old game War Inc., which is a very old RTS that used an economic management system outside of the traditional missions.
My other idea would be if the game was developed as a third person shooter/ tank sim where you can be a line trooper or in command of one of the vehicles and participate in missions as part of a platoon or task force etc. Though I can't see it as being all that different from most other shooters in that case.
Anybody else have any ideas about the concepts or alternate options? I would also like to hear about other novels, series or military SF that you might suggest reading or would like to see as a game as well.
While I was re-reading the book it re-kindled the idea that these stories could make a great game. I was wondering if anyone else who was familiar with the series had any ideas for how to turn it into a GOOD game. My idea for the game would either be a RTS where they give you a fixed nunber of units to complete specific missions as part of a campaign, include elements such as placing a firebase and coordinating artillery as well as the ground units doing combat. Also I would make it necessary between campaigns that you would have to replenish your forces with new recruits as well as make sure to maintain equipment with funds, and even purchasing more equipment such as tanks and researching new techs. A slightly similiar model of play to the old game War Inc., which is a very old RTS that used an economic management system outside of the traditional missions.
My other idea would be if the game was developed as a third person shooter/ tank sim where you can be a line trooper or in command of one of the vehicles and participate in missions as part of a platoon or task force etc. Though I can't see it as being all that different from most other shooters in that case.
Anybody else have any ideas about the concepts or alternate options? I would also like to hear about other novels, series or military SF that you might suggest reading or would like to see as a game as well.
