Ok, this is a strange question...but would it be feasible to create and RPG set in space (yeah...kinda like EV, but let me finish before you think of that game) but with perhaps the ships being entities in themselves...like robots living in space or something, and the towns being planets or stations or etc.? For a "space enviroment" would it be possible to introduce inertia and etc. to be a movement factor in the engine (in a finished game)? Get my meaning here? BTW...I am not out to make an "EVRPG" or something of that sort...just curious as to what I might be able to do with this engine...! What would you think to an RPG set in space (moving from planet to planet, maybe if it's possible conquering things, stuff like that)?

YES, I'VE READ THE PROGRESS LOGS! (One might almost say devoutly!)

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From Left Hand Phoenix of the AWL
(url="http://"http://www.awl.cjb.net/")http://www.awl.cjb.net/(/url)
(url="http://"http://www.saturn.spaceports.com/~awl/halo/index.html")Halo(/url), (url="http://"http://www.saturn.spaceports.com/~awl/home.html")Homeworld(/url), (url="http://"http://www.saturn.spaceports.com/~awl/d2/index.html")Diablo II(/url), (url="http://"http://www.saturn.spaceports.com/~awl/terminus/termhome.html")Terminus(/url).

Well, if you want a tile-based space shooter without the shooting. :rolleyes:

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We are Microsoft.
You will be assimilated.
Resistance is futile.

...I am sorry, this is going to be rude, but I did not ask so I could get a very sarcastic response...I apologize if I've hurt your feeling in any way.

Quote

Originally posted by Phoenix155:
**Ok, this is a strange question...but would it be feasible to create and RPG set in space (yeah...kinda like EV, but let me finish before you think of that game) but with perhaps the ships being entities in themselves...like robots living in space or something, and the towns being planets or stations or etc.? For a "space enviroment" would it be possible to introduce inertia and etc. to be a movement factor in the engine (in a finished game)? Get my meaning here? BTW...I am not out to make an "EVRPG" or something of that sort...just curious as to what I might be able to do with this engine...! What would you think to an RPG set in space (moving from planet to planet, maybe if it's possible conquering things, stuff like that)?

YES, I'VE READ THE PROGRESS LOGS! (One might almost say devoutly!)
**

Hey, that's a pretty good idea. I wouldn't have thought of making something like that but with a good amount of work, it seems possible.

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As we all should know by now I am no authority on, well, anything -- but here's my 2 cents anyways. It seems unlikely that you would be able to pull off something like inertia in the engine (from the prog logs that I've read + demo movies) as it stands now. It seems like from what you are suggesting so far, you might just want to make some big ole' pluggins for EV instead of trying to modify ColdStone. The movement tile system seems to be set up to allow you to move smoothly from one tile to the next, but not neccessarily to slide across a board in whatever direction you are "thrusting." I'd like to see a screen capture of the tile system sometime just to make sure I'm not being a complete idiot by posting this.

However, there is a very good chance that I'm just plain full of it, because if ColdStone is designed to accomodate conditions like sliding on ice, then inertia in space could just be another step from there. So, if I'm wrong, then you have full permission to hit me with something blunt.

Madman does have a point though (albeit you are right, a sarcastic one). Space games tend to relly on things like weapon systems and long range battles, and you would be much better off revising a game like EV to be more like an RPG than the other way around. Still, the idea is origional, and therfore has potential in my eyes. If you can do it, I say: go for it.

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Do not follow me for I may not lead. Do not lead for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. Just leave me the hell alone.
-Jedi

Do you need some encouragement?

I do agree that the idea is fairly original. Just like the others said, translating a space-simulation type game onto an RPG engine will probably require you to think about things not many of us have thought of before. But if you can pull it off, it'll probably be fairly unique.

The background can simply be a star field. Different maps can represent different star systems and you might be able to create a "warp" effect to transition from one map to another. It'll probably not be limited to the famous "36-ship rule". Although frankly, I'm not sure how you're going to pull off fighters docking in carriers.

Anyways, I hope you will continue to pursue this idea. Good luck in whatever idea you finally settle with.

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Cotton Mouse: "I'm not surprised at Htyang or whatever, he strikes me as an ultra-conservative pro-life tree burner."
Dr. Tall to htjyang; "your a communist dictator beholding only to your own prejudicies"
foo12 commented on one of my posts: "I remember watching a "there is no global warming!" documentary---funded by OPEC. Gee... talk about impartiality there."

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Originally posted by htjyang:
**Do you need some encouragement?:)

I do agree that the idea is fairly original. Just like the others said, translating a space-simulation type game onto an RPG engine will probably require you to think about things not many of us have thought of before. But if you can pull it off, it'll probably be fairly unique.

The background can simply be a star field. Different maps can represent different star systems and you might be able to create a "warp" effect to transition from one map to another. It'll probably not be limited to the famous "36-ship rule". Although frankly, I'm not sure how you're going to pull off fighters docking in carriers.

Anyways, I hope you will continue to pursue this idea. Good luck in whatever idea you finally settle with.
**

Thanks bud! I eas thinking of something of that sort or background. I'll try and think up some type of background story...

About modifying EV/EVO/EVN...I live these games, but am not so hot at modifying the engine...if you get my meaning (albiet I'm thinking over "porting" EVO and then EV to EVN...same storires and universes with upgrades ships...and perhaps some modifications to systems and etc...).

I also feel it would be easier (in my view, anyways) to make an RPG with a real RPG engine...get me? Again, I'l look into this more! I'll post when I think up and write a background story for a character!

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From Left Hand Phoenix of the AWL
(url="http://"http://www.awl.cjb.net/")http://www.awl.cjb.net/(/url)
(url="http://"http://www.saturn.spaceports.com/~awl/halo/index.html")Halo(/url), (url="http://"http://www.saturn.spaceports.com/~awl/home.html")Homeworld(/url), (url="http://"http://www.saturn.spaceports.com/~awl/d2/index.html")Diablo II(/url), (url="http://"http://www.saturn.spaceports.com/~awl/terminus/termhome.html")Terminus(/url).

hey, I just wanted to post a follow up of sorts: I'm an idiot.

I think you could actually pull off what you are thinking of doing in ColdStone. I should have paid more attention to the logs... I'll bet you anything that there will be a way to define the distance/speed at which NPCs will move, so by tweeking the distance of each "step" you take, you could probably pull off an inertia - like effect. Either that, or you could just have the ship fire retro-thrusters every time you move so it at least looks like there is a plausible reason for why your ships stop moving every time you let go of the keyboard.

good luck with it. it'll also be interesting to see your port of EV to EVN. I'd love to play through EV again on a better engine.

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Originally posted by jmitchell:
a plausible reason for why your ships stop moving every time you let go of the keyboard.

That's easy: the ships use an inertialess drive - high speed when you are moving, no speed when you aren't. And no random battles unless you're moving, because when you are at rest, you don't have the drive signature to let others know you're there.

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Originally posted by Wyvern:
**That's easy: the ships use an inertialess drive - high speed when you are moving, no speed when you aren't. And no random battles unless you're moving, because when you are at rest, you don't have the drive signature to let others know you're there.

**

Good explanation! ... Now, can you explain why only 36 ships can be present in any system in EV?

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memory reasons.

::whispers in Glenn's ear::
...hey! it's not real!

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Originally posted by Glenn:
Now, can you explain why only 36 ships can be present in any system in EV?

The subspace drives interfere with each other - thus, if a 37th ship were to show up, it would cause a cataclysmic chain reaction, destroying every vessel in the system. Moreover, the interference caused by having 36 ships in system is sufficient to prevent any vessel from exiting warp into the system.

Technobabble! Whee!

Actually, I have a fairly thorough pseudo-science explanation of EV, though I had never previously considered applying it to the more exotic limitations, like num-ships-in-system or max-beams-on-screen. In my opinion, a good scenario design would make such limitations transparent, that is, impossible (or nearly impossible) for the player to ever encounter the limit.

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Originally posted by jmitchell:
Space games tend to rely on things like weapon systems and long range battles

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Originally posted by Glenn:
**Good explanation! ... Now, can you explain why only 36 ships can be present in any system in EV?

**

actually, I have a real answer for that one. the origional EV was programmed to work on the average computers of the day: the Quadras. The major PPCs haden't even come out yet. I mean, we're talking 603 chips here. I am presently using machines of this caliber to level out my desk. I think Matt Burch was just trying to make sure the game couldn't slow down to the point where it actually lagged.

One of the most magnificent things about a low-graphics game is that it's fast , and so any lag at all will be pretty apparent. In some of the systems in EV 1.01 (old stylee...!) where you had both high sensor interference and massive quantities of asteroids the game actually slowed down a little on my machines. So, the 36 ship thing is just a way to keep the game up to speed. I just wish it applied to Sol too... (just... one... more... frigate...).

oh, and as for my quote:

"Space games tend to relly on things like weapon systems and long range battles"

sorry about that: I realized that spell systems could mimic weapon systems almost as soon as I posted that, but I got distracted and forgot to edit the post.

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Do not follow me for I may not lead. Do not lead for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. Just leave me the hell alone.
-Jedi

(quote)Originally posted by jmitchell:
**
oh, and as for my quote:

"Space games tend to relly on things like weapon systems and long range battles"

sorry about that: I realized that spell systems could mimic weapon systems almost as soon as I posted that, but I got distracted and forgot to edit the post.
**(/quote)

Perfectly alright. I was kinda rude there in my response and I apologize. I was not trying to say you're and idiot or anything (which I am sure you're not)!
(qhote) Just creating space! Here's some of the ideas I cooked up: (/quote)

1. If I can't use inertia, I am going to use the "inertia-less drive" someone thought up...hope that's alright with them!

2. To create systems, and the illusion of movig from system to system, one could (possible) create "lanes" from system to system, where the lane leads into the center of the system, and branches into other systems, etc.

3. I've been thinking over battles...but have been having trouble thinking up an explanation for them...any suggestions?

4. Again, I'll write up a storyline soon, but it will basically be about a robotic race whose main dwellsing is deep space and around planets, etc...again, I need some help here!

I'll post more later...what do you think so far (though it isn't much to begin with yet, I'll admit)?

Quote

Originally posted by Phoenix155:
**1. If I can't use inertia, I am going to use the "inertia-less drive" someone thought up...hope that's alright with them!

2. To create systems, and the illusion of movig from system to system, one could (possible) create "lanes" from system to system, where the lane leads into the center of the system, and branches into other systems, etc.

3. I've been thinking over battles...but have been having trouble thinking up an explanation for them...any suggestions?

4. Again, I'll write up a storyline soon, but it will basically be about a robotic race whose main dwellsing is deep space and around planets, etc...again, I need some help here!

I'll post more later...what do you think so far (though it isn't much to begin with yet, I'll admit)?**

EVRPG, Cool
Keep cooking those idea up!

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Why does everyone uses the username 'M' these day?

what do you mean by "thinking up an explaination for battles?" I don't really understand your confusion -- do you mean "why are they fighting?," or do you mean "how are they fighting?" the first... well, that's why we have pacifists, now isn't it? the second won't be that hard to solve though: you could either go for the ole' EV style of long range battles (which might get awkward on an RPG engine), or try something like "ships with arms carrying big edged weapons" (we all laugh at the implausiblity, but at the same time we all have the word "cool" hopping along through our brains).

and as for story help, I have a feeling that it'll turn out a lot better if you work that out for yourself, then ask questions on specifics when it's done. everybody is so wrapped up in their own solo projects that any ideas we give you are probably just going to be reflective of our own games. good luck though.

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Do not follow me for I may not lead. Do not lead for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. Just leave me the hell alone.
-Jedi

NOOOoooooo panic Phoenix155 is also making a space RPG! I was hoping I was the only... Well, if everyone else is making fantasy games I guess there's room for a few space rpgs. Good luck Phoenix

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Originally posted by warder:
**NOOOoooooo panic Phoenix155 is also making a space RPG! I was hoping I was the only... Well, if everyone else is making fantasy games I guess there's room for a few space rpgs. Good luck Phoenix:)
**

wanna "join forces?" I haven't even started! I merely said I was thinking about making a space-based RPG! Anyhow, I'm gong to be busy with some business for a while so i can't start for several months. Please drop me an email!

(url="http://"mailto:awl_phoenix@yahoo.com")mailto:awl_phoenix@yahoo.com(/url)awl_phoenix@yahoo.com