Homeworld & GUNDAM: Thoughts?

[Rackhir]

While I can certainly see why actual G.U.N.D.A.M. style mecha would never make it to a serious drawing board, assuming humanity survives long enough, I think it is at least conceivable that some kind of war machine capable of indoors close quarters and space combat will eventually be developed. Whether it has arms or legs (more akin to Mech Warrior) would certainly be up for debate. Of course, you could say that you could have a fighter-shuttle carrying space marines that can do both, but it is inefficient to have to leave your vehicle outside (along with all of its heavy weaponry) in order to board a ship/station or explore a planetside complex. Of course, perhaps by then everything will be completely mechanized anyway...

Actually, a little while back I was at the university library, and I came across a book that postulated the theory that science fiction was really about study and simulation of future conflicts. I don't recall the author or title, but I could probably find it again if I were to go back there another time, assuming no one had taken it out.

Well if it fits indoors, then you're talking about powered armor. Powered Armor is a whole nother ball of wax. Unlike giant robots, Powered armor does solve a lot of problems and offers possibilities that are too compelling to ignore. Only problem is that technology just isn't there yet.

Vehicles are pretty much by definition not going to fit inside of anything smaller than a city. Also people have been leaving their vehicles outside for centuries, they're called infantry and there's no sign they'll be going away anytime soon.

 

[Kaodi]

Well, now I have turned my attention to the notion of " realistically " designed space ships, with engines, power conduits, armouries, bridges, living quarters, and the whole bit. No mecha carrier, and probably no ship/factory, but towards a system where damage is not measured in points, it is an effect. So, open a hole in the side of a ship, crewman die and get sucked into space. Get a lucky shot in that penetrates the armoury, ship might go boom. Blow up a storage compartment, lose the cargo but compartment sealing prevents significant damage to the ship itself. Stuff like that. Other games have used more primitive versions of things like that, but I think we are getting to the point where we could manage it. Of course, not attacking strategic points would not work very well, so strategic targetting would be to make battles normal, not easier.