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Thread: Martian Musings

  1. #1

    Default Martian Musings

    I watched a TV series some time ago called the Expanse. If I recall correctly some of the characters had lived their entire lives in the Asteroid belt where gravity is not the same as Earth's. Going to Earth was a crippling experience for them due to their changed physiology. I was wondering given that the gravity on Mars is approximately 38% of ours what effect it would have on those pesky Martians.? Does anyone know if a machine built to function in 38% gravity would be up for working in ours? Assuming the machines are the same as those operating on Mars, maybe there should be some sort of random damage factors in local rules to cover our difficult conditions.
    Last edited by Baxter; 07-31-2019 at 15:37. Reason: Spelling

  2. #2

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    I remember that show. I think there was an episode where they had someone from the belt on earth and it was like torcher to be in that environment. The machines build for here more then likely.

  3. #3

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    I haven't read the full War of the Worlds, only condensed or illustrated versions. However, I recall that Martians were squat and had difficulty moving on Earth. They had the Tripods specifically to allow them to move about in the heavy (to them) gravity. So, the machines were built for our gravity, not for Martian gravity.

    Therefore there shouldn't be any added 'penalty' for the environment. Just like we make allowances for the environments we send our machines and probes into within our solar system. Although, we don't always get it right...
    Mike
    "Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
    "Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59

  4. #4

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    This is an interesting dynamic inherent with this game. Those who have read the books have an added understanding laced with nuances. Those who have been indoctrinated by the original have an Edwardian science view, while those experienced with the cinematic expressions are more modern in ideals. Then there are those who have the sequel experience which blends both worlds and their science and society outlooks. Add the movies and the mystery/horror/sci-fi aspects mix into an exotic flair. I find myself drawn towards an elegant/nostalgic/romantic simplistic stylised tripod and mechanics while others a more battle mech style. Our Ares minis are a blend with cross over of mechanical elegance that is a bit rustic and complex. Am I making sense or just need more sleep?

  5. #5

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    Machines designed in a different gravity: A JPL scientist dragged out various bits and pieces stashed in his desk (this was at the Lab) of a mini-rover he was working on for use on asteroids. I asked him what was the escape velocity on an asteroid - his response was that the rover’s speed was indeed, restricted. Pop too big of a wheelie and you blast off!

    Basically, if we can design for hostile environments, differing gravities, lesser or greater air pressure, radioactivity, dunno why theoretical Martians couldn’t. The difficult thing would be the effect of gravity on the Martians themselves. But if we can’t peel their technology off of them, it doesn’t matter from our perspective.

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by clipper1801 View Post
    This is an interesting dynamic inherent with this game. Those who have read the books have an added understanding laced with nuances. Those who have been indoctrinated by the original have an Edwardian science view, while those experienced with the cinematic expressions are more modern in ideals. Then there are those who have the sequel experience which blends both worlds and their science and society outlooks. Add the movies and the mystery/horror/sci-fi aspects mix into an exotic flair. I find myself drawn towards an elegant/nostalgic/romantic simplistic stylised tripod and mechanics while others a more battle mech style. Our Ares minis are a blend with cross over of mechanical elegance that is a bit rustic and complex. Am I making sense or just need more sleep?
    I'm going to say yes to both, David.

    In the original WotWs, the narrator rationalized that the Martians wouldn't be a threat, due to the higher gravity. When this was proven wrong, it was stared that the higher levels of oxygen in the air offset this issue. Edwardian science at it's best .

    That said, I'm sure we could build machines that could operate in 3G environments. How well the operators do long term, is a different issue.

    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  7. #7

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    To expand on this line of thinking, obviously Martian medical technology had to make vast strides since the first invasion to counter our germs. Will captured Martian tech make humans any better prepared for the Spanish flu in 1918?

  8. #8

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    . . . they definitely did not surcome to the biologics the second invaision . . . spoilers.

  9. #9

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    Quote Originally Posted by clipper1801 View Post
    . . . they definitely did not surcome to the biologics the second invaision . . . spoilers.
    And they did have flying machines...

  10. #10

  11. #11

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    Quote Originally Posted by Biggles downunder View Post
    And they did have flying machines...
    Oh, that will make life fun. Which sequel book/series was that in?
    Karl
    It is impossible for a man to begin to learn what he thinks he knows. -- Epictetus

  12. #12

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    The Flying Machines are mentioned in the original book near the end and appeared to be in the process of development by the Martians right up to the end. One reference I recall was their use to spread the black fog . . . the sequel has a few references of the sighting of fully functional flying machines, the description of which is still top secret, I will slip into the elves's workshop and sneak a peek . . .

  13. #13

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    Quote Originally Posted by clipper1801 View Post
    The Flying Machines are mentioned in the original book near the end and appeared to be in the process of development by the Martians right up to the end. One reference I recall was their use to spread the black fog . . . the sequel has a few references of the sighting of fully functional flying machines, the description of which is still top secret, I will slip into the elves's workshop and sneak a peek . . .
    Sequel?!!!

  14. #14

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    Quote Originally Posted by clipper1801 View Post
    The Flying Machines are mentioned in the original book near the end and appeared to be in the process of development by the Martians right up to the end. One reference I recall was their use to spread the black fog . . . the sequel has a few references of the sighting of fully functional flying machines, the description of which is still top secret, I will slip into the elves's workshop and sneak a peek . . .
    The War of the Worlds kickstarter (mentioned elsewhere) includes them, as well as tanks and dreadnoughts:

    Click image for larger version. 

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  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dobbs View Post
    Sequel?!!!
    Yes, Stephen Baxter got the licence from the Wells foundation to write a sequel entitled:
    The Massacre of Mankind (available from Amazon etc.) Written in a similar style he spins a yarn about the return invaision. Very cool, very interesting, and very thoughtful. I for one did not care for the X-Files ending, they are out there . . . spoilers! Meanwhile more interesting ideas and developments . . . fodder for us!

  16. #16

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    There are flying machines in the Stephen Baxter book.

  17. #17

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    Quote Originally Posted by Biggles downunder View Post
    The War of the Worlds kickstarter (mentioned elsewhere) includes them, as well as tanks and dreadnoughts:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I ordered extra 3D models with my pledge.

  18. #18

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    I have lost all interest in KS projects. If they take as long as Ares did I will be 70 years old when they deliver it to my room in the home. Years have been lost when I could have just made my own Martians and got playing instead of being strung along. KS fun is a young person's game, not mine. Man I sound so old and bitter, sorry! I need a hobby . . .

  19. #19

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    Quote Originally Posted by clipper1801 View Post
    I have lost all interest in KS projects. If they take as long as Ares did I will be 70 years old when they deliver it to my room in the home. Years have been lost when I could have just made my own Martians and got playing instead of being strung along. KS fun is a young person's game, not mine. Man I sound so old and bitter, sorry! I need a hobby . . .
    Well I’ve heard about this great tabletop game where you move miniature aircraft around to try and shoot your opponent down. Sounds like a lot of fun...

  20. #20

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    Where it all began so long ago . . .
    Tripods & Triplanes - An Invasion from Mars

  21. #21

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    Default

    Both The War of the Worlds and The Massacre of Mankind offer great background for Tripods and Triplanes, with many ideas for games and scenarios. I, too, like the look of the Ares tripods - the Victorian/Edwardian steampunky look is very cool, and they do look menacing on the tabletop. TWOTW has the Martians looking like huge round heads with large eyes and tentacles around the mouth. They lie around until their tripods are assembled, and the narrator suggests that they may have 'mind powers' that allow them to manipute their little worker machines into assembling the tripods and doing other construction work in their landing pits.it's vague enough and yet thought-provoking at the same time.

    It will be interesting to see if Ares follows up with any further releases of war machines to support the game...

    All the best,
    Matt

  22. #22

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    Quote Originally Posted by matt56 View Post
    Both The War of the Worlds and The Massacre of Mankind offer great background for Tripods and Triplanes, with many ideas for games and scenarios. I, too, like the look of the Ares tripods - the Victorian/Edwardian steampunky look is very cool, and they do look menacing on the tabletop. TWOTW has the Martians looking like huge round heads with large eyes and tentacles around the mouth. They lie around until their tripods are assembled, and the narrator suggests that they may have 'mind powers' that allow them to manipute their little worker machines into assembling the tripods and doing other construction work in their landing pits.it's vague enough and yet thought-provoking at the same time.

    It will be interesting to see if Ares follows up with any further releases of war machines to support the game...

    All the best,
    Matt
    Matt knows the ropes. The books offer many inspirations for T&T scenarios. I must admit - recalling my recent complaints about some ARES WGS product lines - that the look of the tripods is second to none. Yes, they look very stampunk/victorian. I do love the designs. Moreover, they do not look like those tripods in the books we know. The designer did a truly great, creative/innovative job.
    <img src=http://www.wingsofwar.org/forums/image.php?type=sigpic&userid=2554&dateline=1409073309 border=0 alt= />
    "We do not stop playing when we get old, but we get old when we stop playing."

  23. #23

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    I have read many different version of sequels in novel and graphic novel form. None are as good as the original book. There is definitely enough material with all the written literature to do a pretty amazing campaign with the tripods. I remember watching on a late night creature feature the 50's (I think it was the 50') movie where they had the flying machines with the huge heat ray instead of the tripods. Everything was in threes. Which kinda had nothing to do with the books.

    I agree with Matt, the sequel material was decent, but I didn't care much for any of the endings. Lots of good material that could be used. DVG games has recently made a War of the Worlds game that is pretty good. The USA version has Tesla tripods which are pretty cool. They use EMP weapons to disable the martian tripods.

    I was wondering if you could capture a heat gun and mount it on a Sopwith Camel? Give those martians some of their own!

  24. #24

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    This is a panel from Classic Comics War of the Worlds:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    According to this, they overcame the gravity issue. Being squat lumps didn't hurt, either, I suspect.

    Archive.org - Classics Illustrated #124 - War of the Worlds
    Last edited by OldGuy59; 08-02-2019 at 09:33.
    Mike
    "Flying is learning to throw yourself at the ground and miss" Douglas Adams
    "Wings of Glory won't skin your elbows and knees while practicing." OldGuy59

  25. #25

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    Thanks for that link, Mike.
    Although I still have a lot of comics, I don’t think my Classics Illustrated survived,
    along with a bunch of other ‘treasures’ I left at my parents’ house in the ‘70s.

  26. #26

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    Quote Originally Posted by clipper1801 View Post
    I have lost all interest in KS projects. If they take as long as Ares did I will be 70 years old when they deliver it to my room in the home. Years have been lost when I could have just made my own Martians and got playing instead of being strung along. KS fun is a young person's game, not mine. Man I sound so old and bitter, sorry! I need a hobby . . .
    Hmmm, 64. Two birthdays between signing up and getting the KS. You know, I was going to laugh, but it seems I closely resemble this remark. Two more KS and your prophecy will apply!

  27. #27

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    Martian flying machines - then we'd have trouble ..


    Unless they'd miscalculated the scale...
    "Hey, watch where you point that thing fella.."


    Loads of gen on Roger Russell's site here http://www.roger-russell.com/war/war.htm

    "He is wise who watches"

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  29. #29

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    Dave, those are the ones I remember as a kid. The groups of three flying machines. I think we are going to need more planes!



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