Introducing Theatre Operations

It’s time to formalise Theatres

You’ve already seen missions within Theatres play out, and therefore, J3 is confident in its further development of the system. It works! But how?

Why Theatre Operations?

• In the old campaign system, a fixed Campaign Team must be assembled around a long-form storyline and goal on a reserved terrain. This commitment takes time. 
• The incentive to make these campaigns ‘worth it’ in length, uniqueness and scope was high, which meant there was little room for short campaigns, let alone one-shots.
• Imagine the scheduling headaches, too.

Newcomers in Field Leadership and Mission Support roles were tough to onboard in this environment, in part because the expectations were often lofty, and because planning around ongoing efforts was tough.

Theatre Operations streamline this process.

What are Theatre Operations?

There are five pre-defined Theatres:

• Future Warfare (2025-2045)
• Modern Warfare (1991-2025)
• Global War on Terror (2001-2025)
• Cold War (1960-1990)
• Historical (pre-1960)

Keen eyes will spot a pattern in there: Theatres broadly align with an era per our Equipment SOP.

The odd one out, GWOT, overlapping Modern Warfare is additionally defined in its scope by its adversaries and mission requirements.

Theatres dictate their available factions

• You can get the list of greenlit factions and associated mod sets from J3.
• Because they are centrally managed, you cannot custom tailor factions or loadouts for individual operations.
• Keep an eye on the campaign centre for details on each Theatre. They do what they say on the tin.
• Within each Theatre’s parameters, your storytelling and scope are completely free.

Really, though?

• Have a look at the deployment history and the Future Warfare Theatre:
• Operation Kikimora is Mattjamco’s storyline around the SCP Foundation, a fantastical sci-fi setting characterised by thrill, horror and the unknown.
• At the same time, Operation Overlord and Operation Black Rain follow wholly different themes: conventional warfare and a peacekeeping effort.
• Of course you can re-enact real-world scenarios, give them a twist or escalate them in new and exciting ways!

How do I make a Theatre Operation?

• J3 centrally manages Theatres. Unlike Campaigns, for which only the rostered Campaign Team can schedule a mission, anyone can request Theatre Operations directly through a member of J3.
• We encourage the use of the matchmaking tool.
• Unlike Campaigns, Theatre Operations must follow a name format. For example: Operation Overlord I, with no subtitles, only incrementing the Roman numeral for each deployment.
• Mission creation then follows the same steps as campaigns once the FL/GM team is assigned by J3 on a per-deployment basis.
• Note that tier requirements are still in effect. Newcomers looking for a first outing as either FL or GM may need an assigned supervisor.

Do we abolish campaigns?

• No, campaigns will remain just how you’ve come to know them.
• Campaign Development Teams can form around an idea and present their pitch to J3 like before.
• We encourage forming a complete FL/GM couple with a tentative schedule before requesting approval, because:
  • Campaigns retain their reserved parameters as long as they are active.
  • Campaigns are considered inactive following a 3-month period of no deployments.
  • After this, all Theatres can deploy on their previously reserved terrain and new CDEVs can claim it.

What’s next, then?

• You’ve just seen the launch of the Global War on Terror Theatre with Operation Albion I.
• FM/SOP will be released soon. For now, refer to this announcement and OC/J3 Staff for policy advice.
• You can help the effort by getting in touch with J3! Run missions and provide feedback. The more the merrier.

Thanks and enjoy!

on behalf of the J3 Staff