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[scrdest]

Foreword: So this started off as a more general thing but then I figured that the Half-Life universe is actually a perfect place to set the concept so I guess I'll just pretend it is because games set in that universe outside the core Half-Life games would be nice.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

A (turn-based I suppose) strategy game based around asymmetric force (hear me out here), where one player is an incredibly strong military occupier (the Combine) and the other plays as a resistance force (the rebels). The game would take place across a conurbation where different regions come with particular qualities, for example agricultural areas will have less security activity, and residential areas make it easier to hide operations in.

The different factions would have different win objectives. The rebels have the simplest, which is to destroy the central Combine base of operations in the area, which is an incredibly difficult task given that it's where the heaviest forces are mobilised from. Once it's destroyed the rebels should well be able to seize the rest of the area without comparable resistance.
The objective on the Combine side, on the other hand, is to keep the rebel group's support below a certain threshold for a period of time, after which it can be effectively concluded that they've been defeated proper. Of course the rebels are not reliant on a single base of operations so direct combat is not as straightforward.
In addition, the Combine has to keep away an outside threat that is easy to deal with but could be dangerous if left unchecked (Xen wildlife). This exists to keep the Combine from just keeping an overbearing military presence everywhere. It diverts resources. And should the defences be compromised, there would be problems, so while the wildlife isn't sided with the rebels, it would be in the rebels' best interest to sometimes help them along.

Actions would be taken every turn depending on resources available. Combine would have to build up facilities for holding units in order to improve numbers, while the rebels would focus on setting up safehouses, scavenging weapons and building support. Other more general actions would be sending armed units to areas for combat purposes, and distributing propaganda. The Combine player would have an advantage in terms of the forces that can be brought to bear, while the rebels have the advantage in being able to respond faster and disengage faster when an action is completed or called off, meaning that it's harder to ambush them or catch them at a base.

Probably some other stuff too but to be honest I kind of don't care too much about specifics. Really I just want a game with a reasonable portrayal of rebellion against a force that would be superior in a direct confrontation, and also a non-FPS game set in the Half-Life universe.

I actually think the whole asymmetric turn based warfare would make a really great boardgame.  One player is occupiers, everyone else plays different resistance factions, one player takes all.  Or maybe resistance factions partially work together, either way.

You could probably manage something close with the basic Risk boardgame, although it would be better suited as a kind modification with clearly defined rules.

Risk cannot really simulate assymetrical warfare to my knowledge.

[Niveras]

You'd certainly have to bend the box rules, but it could be managed under house rules, with some foresight. You have one player with many troops in each region (more than the default max), and then the other players are scattered and have only a couple troops... but they can work together to brute force a region directly, or have cards or other bonuses that let them destabilize a region and either eliminate the oppressor's troops with small effort or even turn them to their side, and probably move units around the map without needing to own the regions.

The underplayers having secret win objectives is also a nice idea, since the rebels wouldn't necessarily be interested in global domination themselves.

It would definitely be more favorable to design the underplayer mechanics from the ground up rather than jury-rigging it into an established game.

[Draxis]

It could work with a scaled-up Diplomacy map (covering a country or region in detail rather than all of Europe).  Basically, the map is divided into territories, each of which can hold one army or navy.  Each army or navy is identical in strength, and you must support attacks and defences from neighbouring territories to try to dislodge (force into retreat) enemy units.  Roughly a third of the territories hold a Supply Center, which when captured by a player allows you to support one unit.  The players all see the map and can talk freely, but orders are secret and simultaneous; you win by controlling over half of all supply centres.

With a few changes - eliminating armies and navies in favor of one unit type representing simply the ability to project from an area, different win conditions for different groups (some want to control a holy/national city, some want to hurt the occcupier, the occupier wants to hold certain objectives),  a custom map - that would work great.  The beauty is that the asymmetry would come simply from the map design - the occupier starts with a better position, with a very dense SC zone along a coast or something, representing strategic ports - and abstract out all the details without losing realism or balance.

[Fniff]

This is more a mod I wish existed...
A total conversion mod of Doom (Preferably with Brutal Doom added too) that recreates Hotline Miami 1 and 2, down to the graphics style.
I would love to see how the game plays in a first person mode.

[Bohandas]

This is more a mod I wish existed...
A total conversion mod of Doom (Preferably with Brutal Doom added too) that recreates Hotline Miami 1 and 2, down to the graphics style.
I would love to see how the game plays in a first person mode.

Similarly, Doom levels in Hotline Miami would also be cool

[Bohandas]

Also, I wish there was a sequel to Dungeons of Dredmor. Preferably one where you controlled multiple characters and the order of the level themes wasn't fixed; but otherwise more or less the same.

[Fniff]

This is more a mod I wish existed...
A total conversion mod of Doom (Preferably with Brutal Doom added too) that recreates Hotline Miami 1 and 2, down to the graphics style.
I would love to see how the game plays in a first person mode.

Similarly, Doom levels in Hotline Miami would also be cool

I can see the cover now...
Jacket and the Marine standing back to back. Russian mobsters are charging at the Marine on one side, and the demons of hell are charging at Jacket on the other side. Both have shotguns.

[Lossmar]

Games you wish existed

Aurora 4x with 3d engine capable of displaying hundreds of ships and VAST distances of cosmos, thousands of missiles, beams etc. Preferably Nexus Jupiter Incident like....

That would be the "game to end all games" for me..

[Urist McScoopbeard]

Games you wish existed

Aurora 4x with 3d engine capable of displaying hundreds of ships and VAST distances of cosmos, thousands of missiles, beams etc. Preferably Nexus Jupiter Incident like....

That would be the "game to end all games" for me..

Hell ya! Can we customize the look of the ships???

[Lossmar]

Hell ya! Can we customize the look of the ships???

Of course.
Imagine flexible graphics engine that actually morphs ships depending on the included parts, weapons etc ...

Plus of course moddability, ability to apply custom paint jobs, visible fleet/racial emblems, tactical numbers etc.

God, that would be fucking awesome.

[Wysthric]

This is more a mod I wish existed...
A total conversion mod of Doom (Preferably with Brutal Doom added too) that recreates Hotline Miami 1 and 2, down to the graphics style.
I would love to see how the game plays in a first person mode.

Similarly, Doom levels in Hotline Miami would also be cool

I can see the cover now...
Jacket and the Marine standing back to back. Russian mobsters are charging at the Marine on one side, and the demons of hell are charging at Jacket on the other side. Both have shotguns.

Have you played Action Doom (the original)? 1 hit KO's. Very tough.

[MrRoboto75]

Quake III esque arena FPS based almost entirely around rockets.

Everyone has a rocket launcher that can kill with about 3 average splash hits.  Direct hits do double damage.  Players also have a shield they can parry with, if they can time it.  Parried rockets are redirected where the shielder is looking.  Parried rockets move a bit faster and are more powerful.

Maps have a vertical focus.  Navigation by rocket jump is encouraged.  Health, armor, and ammo is stashed away in various parts of the map, no regenerating health.

[Bohandas]

I'd like to see Chaos Overlords 2 actually get completed, instead of remaining vaporware forever

[PTTG??]

Quake III esque arena FPS based almost entirely around rockets.

Everyone has a rocket launcher that can kill with about 3 average splash hits.  Direct hits do double damage.  Players also have a shield they can parry with, if they can time it.  Parried rockets are redirected where the shielder is looking.  Parried rockets move a bit faster and are more powerful.

Maps have a vertical focus.  Navigation by rocket jump is encouraged.  Health, armor, and ammo is stashed away in various parts of the map, no regenerating health.

I'd give a hit or two more damage, but I'd add lots of hazards around the maps. Knockback can really help...

Other than that I'm totally on board, it sounds awesome.

[EnigmaticHat]

Quake III esque arena FPS based almost entirely around rockets.

Everyone has a rocket launcher that can kill with about 3 average splash hits.  Direct hits do double damage.  Players also have a shield they can parry with, if they can time it.  Parried rockets are redirected where the shielder is looking.  Parried rockets move a bit faster and are more powerful.

Maps have a vertical focus.  Navigation by rocket jump is encouraged.  Health, armor, and ammo is stashed away in various parts of the map, no regenerating health.

So what you want is a TF2 mod that adds the airblast onto a soldier's rocket launcher, and changes a bunch of soldier's stats.

That's a pretty attainable goal.  I think you could do it with console commands, hell if I know how though.