Picked this game up in the Steam sales after eyeing it up for a long time and I've got to say, had I known it was this good I would've picked it up full price no problem. I'm loving every minute so far
However, I have one question that I can't seem to find clarification on. How is the universe made?
Is it randomly generated with a few set systems, or is the whole thing the same for every player?
In terms of how the game engine creates the universe I have no idea... someone else more technically-minded will be able to answer that. But I can tell you that the experience is one of a seemless and literally never-ending universe. You could fly in a straight line and leave the game running for the rest of your life and your ship would still be coasting through space! With regards to systems, there are several known systems (as shown on the in-game quadrant map), and several hundred uncharted systems. I believe most of them have now been discovered and logged on the external map on SeeJay's website. That map is one big spoiler, so if you prefer to discover systems yourself don't consult it! All the uncharted systems are generally located within the area covered by the quadrant map... reports are that way out beyond the boundaries of the quadrant there is nothing but empty space and strange AI ships (and the occasional ghost sighting!).
The universe in not procedurally generated ala Minecraft or anything. All the planets/stars/asteroid field/nebulae etc are all exactly where Vice put them. The only thing that change are player-made space stations since those are created on a server and can be destroyed by enemy players.
But by asking that question, I think you actually are suggesting the next step this series should take! Procedurally generated universes, this way every time server is started, the systems would have a random layout and exploration would never be in danger of spoilers!
From post: 141893, Topic: tid=9641, author=Agent Zirdik wrote:Procedurally generated universes, this way every time server is started, the systems would have a random layout and exploration would never be in danger of spoilers!
You should change your name to Chaos ... the 5th Horseman.
From post: 141893, Topic: tid=9641, author=Agent Zirdik wrote:But by asking that question, I think you actually are suggesting the next step this series should take! Procedurally generated universes, this way every time server is started, the systems would have a random layout and exploration would never be in danger of spoilers!
VICE, DEVELOPER ALMIGHTY, MAKE IT SO!
Agreed, this would be awesome
Thanks for the answers everyone. Also, ghost sightings?
Yes, Marvin, I am the 5th horseman of the gaming apocalypse. My job is look into the eyes of developers and tell them their game isn't complicated enough.
But seriously, if an engine could procedurally generate its universe (obviously in such a way that makes sense) it would provide a lot of replayability. I mean, I know that I don't HAVE to look at SeeJay's website, but if I really want to become good at this game I need to know the locations of things, so I can't help but look at maps.
But with a different universe each time . . .
I mean how many more things are there to discover at this point? How many systems am I going to find that haven't already discovered?
Anyway, that's not what this game needs right now, but it would be an incredible feature for future space exploration simulators.
