International 2300

[Rodina]

One of the things that always appealed to me about 2300 was the fact that Earth remained balkanized and space exploration remained a proxy for Earth-bound political fights.

I liked the somewhat weakened (but now ascending) America of 2300. I'm curious, however, about what aspects of the balkanized Earth were of interested to our non-American players. Did you like the role your own countries played in the year 2300 as outlined by GDW?

 

[Arsulon]

I thought it was a little strange to not see Canada shaken up a bit more. The fact that we come through WWIII more or less intact is likely due to the fact that most non-Canadians don't realize how regional our nation is. Likewise, Canada is noted to have recovered quickly because of our abundant natural resouces: why wouldn't the shaky new America annex (through political or military means)certain Canadian territories in order to speed their own recovery?

 

[Rodina]

I've always assumed that since the United States was too busy beating itself up through 2020, about the same time the French Peace was starting to take shape, any skirmishes (and I assume there were a few), were probably put down by French troops.

Moreover, strong French influence would (gulp) reinvigorate Quebec as a center of Canada, keeping the Maritimes and Ontario together.

 

[Arsulon]

Interesting idea. However, France traditionally dislikes Quebec and snickers when they hear the Quebecois speak (usually calling them "les paysants" or the pesants). Quebecois French retains certain anachronisms from the 18th century when France abandoned them, AND utilises too many anglicisms for the French to bear. But then, this goes back to the generally poor relationship France has with many of its former colonies, making the 2300 "Paixs Francaise" hard to swallow. Quebec as a RALLYING point for Ontario and the Maratime provices? Hahahahahaha! Oh, (sniff), that's a good one. Whew. Well, it IS a science fiction game... I suppose with a powerful resurgent France making ties with former colonies, Quebec would be the recovering Canada's diplomatic link to precious foreign aid and international markets.
I wonder if any 2300 players from the U.K. wonder at how quickly Britain recovered and regained a position of international influence considering how badly pasted they got in WWIII: the list of sites that were hit in Twilight 2000 are a nightmare scenario as the British Isles are so small that detonations would frequently overlap, leaving most of the island uninhabitable.

 

[Rodina]

My point is that if Vancouver, Toronto, Ottowa, Calgary and Edmondton are all radioactive slag, the equation changes. France is going to start pumping cash into Quebec first.

Please, don't think I *approve* of this, I think the French Quebecois are about as silly as shoes on a snake, but I think given the scenario set out in 2300, Quebec begins to play a bigger role in Canada.

 

[BMonnery]

Originally posted by Arsulon:
I thought it was a little strange to not see Canada shaken up a bit more. The fact that we come through WWIII more or less intact is likely due to the fact that most non-Canadians don't realize how regional our nation is. Likewise, Canada is noted to have recovered quickly because of our abundant natural resouces: why wouldn't the shaky new America annex (through political or military means)certain Canadian territories in order to speed their own recovery?

Canada was split into 4 rival governments (2 of which, Provisional Gov and Alberta are still "Canada"), including a Quebecois seperatist faction. By 2001 about half of Quebec was independent and regular French troops were in theatre to preserve what remained of Quebec. However, by 2008 they are going to the Middle East instead, and require British support, so I suspect they dropped support for Quebec which was quickly reintegrated into Canada.

The US keeps it's civil war going until 2045 (when the last New American enclave was finally overrun), and so is in no position to annex any Canadian provinces, especially since Canada is friendly with 2 of the ages three major powers (France, UK and Japan, who retained industrial/ petroleum economies). Canada's place in this new world is as a supplier of raw materials to the United Kingdom, and together they take Greenland and exploit that.

Bryn

 

[doomhunk]

Personally I think it's the stabilising effect of Canada's loyalty to the British Royal Family that keeps them together....

 

[Murph]

The sun never sets on the British Empire!

 

[TWILIGHT]

It seems (in 2300AD edition anyway) that the writers seem to have something against the British. It's hardly mentioned in any of the books despite it being arguably the 3rd or 4th power (it's sections in the referee's book and earth/cybertech book are slim in respect to other nations like America and Mexico) and it's even blamed for starting the Napoleonic wars in the history section!(Napoleon's megalomania more like!...a bit like saying France started WW2) Also, can anyone clear up where I read that 'King Charles' hid in aboat on the Thames and led Britain in recovery after the Twilight War? I can't for the life of me remember where I read that.

 

[Rodina]

I think that's in the Europe section of the Earth Sourcebook (ugh, I don't read the Cybertech part of that book, it just so... not up to GDW's standards).

 

[BMonnery]

Originally posted by TWILIGHT:
It seems (in 2300AD edition anyway) that the writers seem to have something against the British. It's hardly mentioned in any of the books despite it being arguably the 3rd or 4th power (it's sections in the referee's book and earth/cybertech book are slim in respect to other nations like America and Mexico) and it's even blamed for starting the Napoleonic wars in the history section!(Napoleon's megalomania more like!...a bit like saying France started WW2) Also, can anyone clear up where I read that 'King Charles' hid in aboat on the Thames and led Britain in recovery after the Twilight War? I can't for the life of me remember where I read that.

Yes, Britian got ignored a lot, which is strange as it's the second largest colonial empire after France and has the second largest navy, also after France.

By SGUK, King Charles III is in Portsmouth (the provisional capital) commanding what remains of the country, and with the return of forces form Europe was just embarking on a pacification campaign....

Bryn