The Space Project - Design Update #2 From: ericsum@aol.com (EricSum) Date: Fri, 23 Oct 1998 00:00:00 +0000 Okay I have added the ability to name planets and systems that someone discovers. Since this game does not necessarily take place in our galaxy, I am going to stick with allowing people to name systems as they enter them. As for the alien races, I am still of two minds about it. Once I work on the Alien AI I will make the final decision. It all depends on how much of an impact the aliens are going to have in the game. If it evolves that the aliens are nothing more than placeholders on planets that can someday be conquered, then I will let the players name them. However if I develop some of them into large forces that may have to someday be reckoned with, then I will name them myself. I suppose that would be a good point of discussion. Assuming that there are a good number of human players, each with their own motives, would large alien races be necessary? I suppose that they would keep someone from gaining too much of an advantage early on by imposing a limit on how many systems someone could claim easily. But just because someone is the first person to visit a planet they will not have any special hold on it until they can erect defenses for it. I had intended for the game to be open ended, no specific goals for players except for the ones that they devise themselves. Today I was thinking about adding a Random Mission Generator to add some spice to the game for newer players and for a way to obtain money when someone gets strapped for cash. Basically if you end the turn in a system that has a base, then there will be some missions offered. The missions would range in difficulty from easy to hard. For instance one mission might merely involve going to System X and launching a Probe into Planet Y. Once the player returns to the base that he got the mission from, he could claim the reward assuming that he completed the mission. Tougher missions could involve longer exploration missions (exploring several systems) or combat situations (attack ship X that has been seen in or near system Y). Payment would be scaled according to the difficulty of the mission. Any input on that aspect of the game is also welcome. Thanks, Eric Up