Tumgik
wordwyrm · 10 years
Note
What kind of weaponry would be the most effective in a highly urban environment? It's a futuristic setting, but most weapons are improvements on existing ones, so many are still valid. Would it be SMG type things, or lighter pistols?
It wouldn’t be pistols. If you’re talking about actual military operations, handguns occupy a position somewhere between “badge of office” and, “that’s cute, it thinks it’s a gun.”
Before I get going, I’m going to be naming a lot of guns, feel free to Google Image Search these as you’re going, so you can get an idea of what I’m talking about. When it comes to the firearms themselves, my recommendations are about near future aesthetics.
If your characters are dealing with an area where there are a lot of civilians they don’t want to kill accidentally, you’re probably looking at SMGs and shotguns with an ammunition solution.
Rounds like the Glaser safety slugs are expensive as hell, but frangible ammo might be a good solution when dealing with combat where you do not want blowthroughs. Also, if you’re talking about DoD contracts, you could expect the price on those rounds to be a little more manageable.
Even if that’s the case, in fairly tight quarters combat shotguns are still a solution to both the blowthrough issue, and a good close combat weapon choice.
The Kel-Tec KSG might be a good one to look at. The UTAS UTS-15 might not be a bad shotgun to look at.
Now, actual urban combat presents a real problem for weapons. Full size rifles are very awkward for room clearing and moving through tight spaces, but SMGs don’t (usually) have the accuracy to replace a combat rifle in engagements at ranges over 100m.
One of the biggest solution has been bullpup weapons. These are weapons where the grip is located towards the front of the gun. The FN P90 is an excellent example of the design that’s all over the place in popular media.
In close quarters, a shorter weapon offers enemies less to grab in the event they try to get the gun away from the shooter. It also provides less to get caught on the environment, and, in general, allows more mobility. This is part of why SMGs and compact rifles are preferable in city fighting situations.
Normally, when you simply shorten the barrel, you end up with a firearm that’s harder to control and less accurate. Bullpup designs get around this by keeping the barrel length, and by using the stock as an integral part of the firearm instead of dead weight.
This results in compact, highly accurate, assault rifles that can be used indoors and in the streets.
You might want to look at the FAMAS, FN f2000, Enfield L85 and FN P90 for inspiration here. Also, if you want a more rugged looking bullpup, the Russian OTs-14 “Groza” (“Thunderstorm”) might be a good choice. As I recall, the OICW was also supposed to be a bullpup when finished, that project was abandoned about a decade ago.
The FAMAS is a bit bulky, but it already looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie. The L85a2 is (reportedly) incredibly accurate in the right hands. The P90 is technically an SMG, (because the FN Five-Seven uses the same round) though, honestly it’s a weird little monster all it’s own; not a true assault rifle, but with some of the characteristics of one.
Beyond this, there are also a few very compact SMGs like the H&K MP7 and MP9. The KRISS Vector probably deserves a mention, this is a new .45 that has a fairly compact form, and an interesting recoil control mechanism, that redirects the force down, reducing climb. This technically isn’t a bullpup, but it’s worth looking at. Just keep in mind, all of these would be substandard solutions because your characters would have to switch weapons when heading outside.
It’s worth pointing out, that for law enforcement, SMGs are actually a better choice. Combat rarely occurs at long range, outside of dedicated police marksmen/snipers), so the short range of an SMG actually becomes an advantage.
If you’re wanting some high tech pistols to go along with them, the Berretta PX4 (this was Cobb’s pistol in Inception), the H&K USP and USP compact (the USPs actually have an internal counter-spring that does amazing things to reduce recoil), the Walther P99 (this has also been used in a few of the more recent Bond films, and I distinctly remember a sci-fi film trying to pass them off as distant future hardware), the SIG Sauer SigPro pistols (like the SP2022).
I know I’m missing some examples there, but that should give you a start on what you want to tinker with.
If you’re a gamer, Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 is a virtual buffet of near future hardware to play with, including a lot of non-weapons tech, interspersed with levels set in the 1980s. Crysis 2 has a nice mix of modern/near future weapons in an urban environment, though the focus there is the nanosuit… and alien invasion, rather than high tech guns. (I’ve also got a soft spot for Crysis’ take on the FN SCAR.) Come to think of it, Deus Ex: Human Revolution might be a bad choice, again the guns aren’t really the focus, but it might mesh with what you’re trying to do.
If you’re not a gamer, or at least not that kind of gamer, some of the old Shadowrun source books might be worth looking at as a reference. Just be prepared to filter out the fantasy elements you don’t want from the ones you do.
-Starke
515 notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Text
Prayers would be appreciated. My family's dog has cancer and we're going to have to put him to sleep tomorrow. We've had him for over ten years, ever since he was a puppy.
1 note · View note
wordwyrm · 10 years
Text
That awkward moment when you argue with your characters.
Tumblr media
21K notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Photo
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
EXTON ELIAS DOWNEY (born February 7, 2012)
Tumblr media
68K notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Text
And you expect that to kill me? BWA HA HA.
for someone who’s 70% water you don’t look very refreshing
692K notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Photo
ALWAYS.
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
318K notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Photo
re: men loving to cook: Heck, my dad's the best cook in the household.
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
#BreakingStereotypes
916K notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Photo
Much Powerpuff Girls today... I only remember this show from commercials that ran in Dexter's Lab, I never actually watched it, but still brings back memories.
Tumblr media
358 notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Photo
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
Bubbles compilation because she’s so accurate.
358K notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Video
youtube
It’s the Steam Summer Sale! DUCK AND COVER!
0 notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Photo
Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media Tumblr media
So one night while my sisters were watching VeggieTales, I decided my Minecraft world needed a but more pizzazz. So I built the Transistor (from Supergiant Games' masterpiece game Transistor) over it. Took me a few hours, but it wasn't bad once I had some good art references. This is all purely vanilla Minecraft, no mods or texture packs at all. If I had modded it, I might have been able to get the blade to taper, but oh well... it's still pretty darn close.
The insides are green wool and quartz blocks, coated in a shell of stained glass --- I forget exactly which shade. The 'eye' is made with emerald blocks instead of wool, and also redstone blocks and lava, so it makes for a good beacon during the nights. Kinda reminds me of one of the songs in the game... if you've played it, you can probably guess which one. I'll not spoil it. The hilt is nether brick stairs and half-slabs to keep monsters from spawning on it. Attention to detail, mates: it's important.
Think it turned out all right, aside from the fact that as soon as I built it a bloody snow biome encroached on it and started covering it up. Now I just need a base that's as awesome as my decor. :P
53 notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Text
That feeling...
...when you submit your short story to three different places at the same time, because you know there isn't a snowball's chance in Dante's Inferno that all three will accept it and because you're sick and tired of not having anything submitted.
Is not what I'm feeling right now.
Because I also have faith that this story is one of the best things I have ever written and that it might---just MIGHT---be accepted at at least ONE of those places.
THAT'S the feeling that I have right now. Hesitant triumph in my own accomplishment, with the hope that it might come through this time.
0 notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Link
Hey, check this out! I've got a story in the book as well. (Although I didn't make it into Writer's last quarter. Curses.)
But I am back now!I have been working hard at another story for the third edition of Continuum. I don’t want to say too much, but I think it’s going to be amazing. Potential for being one of my best pieces yet.
I’m still waiting to hear back from Writers of the Future, but the deadlines is passed...
2 notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Quote
"Dealing with a trained operative is like playing chess with a master. Dealing with criminals, on the other hand, is like playing checkers with a three year-old: they like to change the rules."
-Michael Westen, Burn Notice 207: Rough Seas (via howtofightwrite)
377 notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Note
Well, this could not be more opportune.
Okay, weird but could you possibly guide me on how to play a mute character? Or if you know where a guide would be? Please and thank you so so much!~
On Writing Mute Characters
Playing A Mute
Tips on Writing Mute Characters
FYCD answer
Guide on How to Write A Mute Character
Advice on Writing Characters Who Are Mute
Writing Mute Characters
Playing A Character Who Is Mute
Pre-ASL Communication for A Mute Character
Books with Mute Characters
Portraying A Character that Is A Mute
Hope those help!
717 notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Text
Xtreme Culture Questionnaire
For anyone doing some hardcore world-building.
Read More
3K notes · View notes
wordwyrm · 10 years
Note
Are dragons a fantasy cliche, if you use them in a noncliche way? I think they're a fantasy icon more than anything, but my friend is begging to differ.
Dragons are one of those cliches that a lot of people still love, but it can’t just be a dragon. It has to do more than exist and breathe fire to be interesting.
Some cliches about dragons are:
Super wise, intelligent, sentient beings
Hundreds or thousands of years old
Only one species exists but this is more of a pet peeve/an observation rather than a cliche but I guess it could be an unintentional cliche
Almost always Western-style dragons
The hero gets to ride a dragon which may or may not have been tamed by said hero
Why Stories About Dragons Suck - read before you judge the title
268 notes · View notes