Just how far will this game go?

[cailean_556]

I've only just come across this game, it looks right up my alley as I enjoy exploring space and planets, finding new things - and I like the possibility of finding and using alien technology.

But I'm wondering just how far the devs intend on taking this game - and by that I mean, what other features that we're not currently seeing in the demo or trailers are planned?

Planetary surfaces?
Shuttles? (assuming the ship itself can't land)
Different types of starship?
Modding support? (you know people are going to mod in the Enterprise, or an SSD...)
AI/NPC starships?
War with alien species? (or at least an option to turn this on and off)
Planetary outposts?

While I can appreciate the game is called *Starship* simulator, just wondering if there'll be a little more interactivity with planetary bodies beyond orbiting them and firing a probe? And whether or not we'll see other types of starships being released with different designs and capabilities, and/or mods that allow us to fly around in spacecraft from our favourite sci-fi shows.

Looking great, keeping an eye on this one.

[El Conch]

I just came across this game yesterday, downloaded the Demo and was actually quite taken back by the intricacies of it all. I think that if the Devs stay on it, this game could go light years (excuse the pun). It could even go so far as becoming like a "second life" - with the ability to hop in and out of the same game/server as resume the roll you were acting as before you dropped out of your last session.

What comes to mind for me, is that if you've ever wanted to LIVE in the Star Trek world, then this is your chance. And if the community takes it seriously as a RPG, with everyone performing their assigned duties and really acting their part, then it's nothing short of a wet dream for Trekkies and other Sci-Fi fans alike. The potential shown just from the Demo is immense. I'm praying that it doesn't die before a stable release and see where we go from there!

[DanGovier]

hey, thanks for the questions, I'll answer each as best i can.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Planetary surfaces?

Yes, this will eventually be a big part of the exploration experience, and we have every intention of implementing detailed surface environments. The big question is whether or not landings will be seamless, and right now the most likely answer is no for a variety of technical reasons. I would say to expect surface transitions more in line with Starfield or Spacebourne 2, as opposed to Elite or No Man's Sky.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Shuttles? (assuming the ship itself can't land)

Correct, the main ship is orbital only. You'll need head to the shuttle bay and grab a shuttle if you want to go down to a planetary surface, or transport to a station/etc.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Different types of starship?

Yes, the Magellan is really just our proof of concept ship. There will be many more to come, some big, some small. The next ship we build will very likely be something designed around a small 5-10 person crew.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Modding support?

This is a difficult one, because the ships in the game are made up of many thousands of individual pieces. It's not simply a case of just swapping out a few models. We have nothing against modding though, it's just the practicalities of it.

I would definitely like to achieve custom player-made missions/stories on the steam workshop though, at some point in the future.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

AI/NPC starships?

Yes, the alien races you encounter will be anything from stone-age tech to interstellar ships that are way more advanced than yours. Filling the galaxy with interesting life will be one of our primary focuses.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

War with alien species? (or at least an option to turn this on and off)

Each race you encounter will require some initial diplomacy, and if you get that terribly wrong you could have that race become hostile towards you. We'll try and add some ways to win back their favour, but it might need to be the case that you simply just avoid their star system in the future. They won't pursue you beyond their system.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Planetary outposts?

There will be alien outposts, but no human ones (yet). In the game's lore this is the first ever deep space exploration ship, so humanity hasn't yet expanded beyond Sol. Your ship itself is supposed to be a mobile base in its own right however, so you'll be dealing with all of the same sorts of problems, like food production for the crew.

I hope that answers your questions :)

[cailean_556]

Originally posted by DanGovier:

hey, thanks for the questions, I'll answer each as best i can.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Planetary surfaces?

Yes, this will eventually be a big part of the exploration experience, and we have every intention of implementing detailed surface environments. The big question is whether or not landings will be seamless, and right now the most likely answer is no for a variety of technical reasons. I would say to expect surface transitions more in line with Starfield or Spacebourne 2, as opposed to Elite or No Man's Sky.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Shuttles? (assuming the ship itself can't land)

Correct, the main ship is orbital only. You'll need head to the shuttle bay and grab a shuttle if you want to go down to a planetary surface, or transport to a station/etc.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Different types of starship?

Yes, the Magellan is really just our proof of concept ship. There will be many more to come, some big, some small. The next ship we build will very likely be something designed around a small 5-10 person crew.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Modding support?

This is a difficult one, because the ships in the game are made up of many thousands of individual pieces. It's not simply a case of just swapping out a few models. We have nothing against modding though, it's just the practicalities of it.

I would definitely like to achieve custom player-made missions/stories on the steam workshop though, at some point in the future.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

AI/NPC starships?

Yes, the alien races you encounter will be anything from stone-age tech to interstellar ships that are way more advanced than yours. Filling the galaxy with interesting life will be one of our primary focuses.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

War with alien species? (or at least an option to turn this on and off)

Each race you encounter will require some initial diplomacy, and if you get that terribly wrong you could have that race become hostile towards you. We'll try and add some ways to win back their favour, but it might need to be the case that you simply just avoid their star system in the future. They won't pursue you beyond their system.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Planetary outposts?

There will be alien outposts, but no human ones (yet). In the game's lore this is the first ever deep space exploration ship, so humanity hasn't yet expanded beyond Sol. Your ship itself is supposed to be a mobile base in its own right however, so you'll be dealing with all of the same sorts of problems, like food production for the crew.

I hope that answers your questions :)

Hi there.

Thank you for your answers - they did indeed answer my questions. I guess the next question for you is: WHAT ARE YOU DOING INSIDE MY HEAD!?

I'm too far gone to drop everything and make a game, but what I *want* in a space game is, mostly, met by your concepts here.

If you want ideas for another space game once Starship Simulator is out (or perhaps potential expansion/DLC ideas), send me a message. I'm sure literally everyone says that, but the offer stands.

Really looking forward to this now.

[ODST_General]

Dan is fairly committed to Starship Sim for a long time and has a rough idea planned out for several DLCs down the road after launch. But he is pretty open to suggestions. I would suggest joining the discord, there is a good chance some of the suggestions may even be planned for down the road.

[Skyblade]

Dan seems very committed from these answers! The most exciting project I have seen in a long time. Looking to support! :)

[DiamondDuty]

Originally posted by DanGovier:

hey, thanks for the questions, I'll answer each as best i can.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Planetary surfaces?

Yes, this will eventually be a big part of the exploration experience, and we have every intention of implementing detailed surface environments. The big question is whether or not landings will be seamless, and right now the most likely answer is no for a variety of technical reasons. I would say to expect surface transitions more in line with Starfield or Spacebourne 2, as opposed to Elite or No Man's Sky.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Shuttles? (assuming the ship itself can't land)

Correct, the main ship is orbital only. You'll need head to the shuttle bay and grab a shuttle if you want to go down to a planetary surface, or transport to a station/etc.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Different types of starship?

Yes, the Magellan is really just our proof of concept ship. There will be many more to come, some big, some small. The next ship we build will very likely be something designed around a small 5-10 person crew.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Modding support?

This is a difficult one, because the ships in the game are made up of many thousands of individual pieces. It's not simply a case of just swapping out a few models. We have nothing against modding though, it's just the practicalities of it.

I would definitely like to achieve custom player-made missions/stories on the steam workshop though, at some point in the future.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

AI/NPC starships?

Yes, the alien races you encounter will be anything from stone-age tech to interstellar ships that are way more advanced than yours. Filling the galaxy with interesting life will be one of our primary focuses.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

War with alien species? (or at least an option to turn this on and off)

Each race you encounter will require some initial diplomacy, and if you get that terribly wrong you could have that race become hostile towards you. We'll try and add some ways to win back their favour, but it might need to be the case that you simply just avoid their star system in the future. They won't pursue you beyond their system.

Originally posted by cailean_556:

Planetary outposts?

There will be alien outposts, but no human ones (yet). In the game's lore this is the first ever deep space exploration ship, so humanity hasn't yet expanded beyond Sol. Your ship itself is supposed to be a mobile base in its own right however, so you'll be dealing with all of the same sorts of problems, like food production for the crew.

I hope that answers your questions :)

What about a starship builder mode if not mods?

[ODST_General]

Originally posted by DiamondDuty:

What about a starship builder mode if not mods?

Going to go out on a limb a bit here as a fan of the project and not a member of the development team.

For the same reason modded ships are unlikely, a ship builder mode is also unlikely which is due to the huge amount of complexity involved in the ship being functional. At least in terms of building a ship from the ground up.

In fact I would go so far as to say modded ships are more likely as a ship builder mode would require a massive amount of work and changes and basically rebuilding the ship from the ground up to be allow the ship to be assembled piece by piece and in different configurations. Where as a modded ship would just need to utilize the existing tools and design methods and would just take a great deal of time and effort. Neither are impossible, but it's a massive amount of work for what is currently just one developer working on the project. At least in the short term.

"In the future I think some form of modular approach to custom ship building definitely needs to be looked at, and just off the top of my head I imagine that would be a class-based affair. So each ship class would have its own selection of pieces that fit together smoothly. I would also need to make all the wiring and plumbing line up as well, because again these ships are living, breathing wee beasties." Dan Govier (The developer)

Dan has talked about the possibility of modular rooms in regards to customization of the current ship though, the ship also has several customization options currently that allow the changing of the ship name, colors, registry, flooring materials and that will be expanded upon further too at some point in the future. There will also be scientific discoveries that will lead to advancements and changes to the ship if you choose to implement them.

[Jayplaygame]

The "Bethesda" and "Paradox" model work very well in terms of modding, such communities always bring passion and life to games and they thrive around mods. Modding communities have kept 20 year old games flourishing, even to this day. It's mutually beneficial to give people as much customisation as possible, and if that can't always be provided by the developer themselves, then supporting those who can is in everyone's best interest.

It is my opinion most games in 2024 should be designed and built around modding almost exclusively. This game is guaranteed success if mod support is well thought out and planned for. I am afraid that despite my interest, if there is little to no mod support, this title may not be for me.

[DanGovier]

Originally posted by Jayplaygame:

The "Bethesda" and "Paradox" model work very well in terms of modding, such communities always bring passion and life to games and they thrive around mods. Modding communities have kept 20 year old games flourishing, even to this day. It's mutually beneficial to give people as much customisation as possible, and if that can't always be provided by the developer themselves, then supporting those who can is in everyone's best interest.

It is my opinion most games in 2024 should be designed and built around modding almost exclusively. This game is guaranteed success if mod support is well thought out and planned for. I am afraid that despite my interest, if there is little to no mod support, this title may not be for me.

As a former modder myself of various games, I definitely support the modding community. We've got no problem at all with modders adding content to the game, and we'll support it as much as we're able.

I do firmly believe that modders can add a lot to the longevity of titles, and games like Skyrim are the poster child for modding success.

In all honesty, I've regularly seen modders create better content than a game's original developers, and our future recruitment plans will very much keep that in mind. Who better to bring on board than someone who is already doing it for free out of sheer passion. Making them a part of the team is a no-brainer for me.

The biggest issue we have in terms of official mod support however, is purely the complexity of what it is we're building. I might be doing modders a disservice here, but the Magellan Class for example is constructed from tens of thousands of individual parts, and most of those parts are running code. Modding in a new ship would be a massive undertaking.

I definitely do want to add some form of ship building system in the future, but logistically it will likely have to be something like a series of core chassis designs that you can then bolt new sections onto. All the pipes and wires and things need to line up, which is something that Starfield for example doesn't need to worry about.

But yeah, if we can, we will.

[Sp3cial1st]

About food production, i did not see a role about a farmer or a producer, the only similar was the morale officer and bartender, which servers drinks and food but not one where you have to actually plant crops and harvest them. Unless its a magical food 3d printer or something like in star trek.