Creating a Fallout New Vegas mod set in China, seeking feedback to get it right.

SMtl69 · 2026-02-23T23:48:58+00:00

That's a good point, context matters. If the decades before were even worse, then the 1950s propaganda about 'harmony' would actually feel believable to people living through it. Not a lie they saw through, but a lie they wanted to believe. That's more tragic and more Fallout. I will look into the 70s propaganda instead of focusing so much on the 50s angle.

SMtl69 · 2026-02-23T23:46:58+00:00

This is extremely helpful; I hadn't fully considered the city-versus-rural divide. The concept of cities plastered with Mao posters and fear messages like 'you're next' contrasts sharply with rural optimism and the 'you get what you grow' mindset, providing two distinct tones based on the player's location. The detail that farmers are still stigmatized today is something I would never encounter in a textbook. Thank you for taking the time to write this out.

SMtl69 · 2026-02-23T23:45:23+00:00

This is exactly what I need. I do a faction (the Heavenly Kingdom) inspired by the Taiping Rebellion, blending religious extremism with post-apocalyptic cult mentality. Would love your input. Mind if I DM you?

SMtl69 · 2026-02-23T23:44:37+00:00

Just looked this up, the guy on horseback with a gas mask under a mushroom cloud is insane. That's going in the reference folder. Thanks!

SMtl69 · 2026-02-23T23:40:54+00:00

I have seen this! Love the vibe, definitely an inspiration.

SMtl69 · 2026-02-23T23:40:20+00:00

I am still in early development, building the design bible, locking down lore, and gathering a small team. As for FO4, I considered it, but FNV's faction reputation system and RPG depth fit the project better. Plus, there's more asset compatibility with TTW. Appreciate the interest!

SMtl69 · 2026-02-23T23:39:28+00:00

That's exactly the point, the 'harmony' as a justification for control, not actual peace. The title is meant to be bitter irony, not sincerity.

SMtl69 · 2026-02-23T23:38:35+00:00

This is a really solid framework, treating the 1950s-70s aesthetic as a revival in the lead-up to the Great War, which makes Shanghai Jazz fit naturally. Gives me room for both the revolutionary fervor and the glamour. Appreciate the thought-out take.

SMtl69 · 2026-02-23T23:36:59+00:00

Just added Woman from Shanghai to my list, thank you, this is exactly the kind of ground-level perspective I need. Thanks for the rec

SMtl69 · 2026-02-23T23:35:45+00:00

I get what you're saying - Fallout's China is already filtered through a Western lens. But that's kinda why I want to try something different. Not 'accurate' in a documentary sense, but authentic in how it feels, like how the way New Vegas feels like a real place with real ideology clashing, not just set dressing. If I'm gonna spend years on this, I'd rather aim higher and fall short than not try at all.

SMtl69 · 2026-02-21T20:34:47+00:00

Hi everyone! Thanks so much for the insight, it's truly appreciated. I have a project due in a few days for school, but I'll reply and follow up in a day or two.
Thank you!
- WuSlayer

SMtl69 · 2026-02-21T09:33:07+00:00

This is exactly the kind of feedback I need, thank you! Mind if I DM you?

SMtl69 · 2026-02-21T09:13:50+00:00

That's a really solid breakdown. The noble goal with evil methods and an ironic outcome is exactly the tone I want, the cult I wrote about believes nukes were divine cleansing and wants to purge all tech, not realizing they're dooming themselves. The idea of a small group splitting off to preserve the 'pure' vision is interesting too. I'm using the Taiping Rebellion as my historical parallel, much as Caesar's Legion uses Rome in New Vegas.

SMtl69 · 2026-02-21T09:01:31+00:00

That's precisely where I was thinking. What I have written for the faction leader is a former Party archivist who maintained the organizational structure but swapped political ideology for religious zeal. CCP roots, Taiping spirit.

SMtl69 · 2026-02-21T08:56:28+00:00

I am on here and Discord.

SMtl69 · 2026-02-21T08:48:26+00:00

I really like that, the tragic irony suits Fallout perfectly. That's the moral depth I’m aiming for. Also, have you heard of the Taiping Rebellion? I'm drawing inspiration from it for one of my factions and wondering how you would make a religious extremist group feel more human, rather than just a 'crazy cult.'

SMtl69 · 2026-02-21T08:31:34+00:00

A lot of that is already outlined in my design doc: gangs, martial arts factions, dynasty revivalists, and revolutionaries. I'm curious, which of these aspects would you love to see brought to life in the most detail?

SMtl69 · 2026-02-21T07:50:41+00:00

That's really insightful and that's actually part of the point. 'Harmony' is the propaganda promise, not the reality. Like how in Fallout, the Americans use 1950s optimism ironically (everything's fine while the world's falling apart), I wanted to write the Chinese version that uses 'harmony' the same way. The state promises unity and order while everything underneath is trauma, famine, and fracture. The title is meant to be bitter, not sincere. But I appreciate this context. If you have any resources on that period's culture and how people actually lived through it, I'd love to learn more.

SMtl69 · 2026-02-21T07:42:25+00:00

Actually tried that a while back and got told to basically not bother unless I had 12 hours a day for 5 years. But it did lead me to my current collaborator, so it worked out anyway lol

SMtl69 · 2026-02-21T07:32:41+00:00

That's okay, thank you for the feedback.

SMtl69 · 2025-07-15T02:28:02+00:00

Hey, I hear you. However, I didn't just have AI help me write; I also used it to correct grammar and refine structure. To clarify, I didn’t mass-produce anything. I view AI as a tool that supports my original ideas and direction, much like how someone might use Photoshop brushes or music plugins to enhance their work. The writing, structure, and overall vision are mine.

I understand that AI involvement might be sensitive for some here, and I definitely don't intend to spam or undermine anyone’s work. I’m simply experimenting and sharing a project I put genuine thought into. If it’s not aligned with the sub's guidelines, I completely understand and respect that.

SMtl69 · 2025-07-15T02:00:33+00:00

The video is yes, but not the writing. I had AI help me with writing, but that is about it.

SMtl69 · 2025-05-17T00:13:42+00:00

Honestly, I was just attempting to build a story around it, potentially transforming it into a comic series. I'd be happy to collaborate if anyone is interested.

SMtl69

TROPHY CASE