So I've been playing beta 2 for a bit, and on the whole I really like it, but there is a few things I would like to comment on.
First is the way solar systems are handled. I really don't like the fact that there is specific jump lanes (I'll call it that, even though I'm not sure if it's the right in game name) from certain planets to others (but the way traveling between different suns is implemented is great). Not only is it a bit restrictive, it also just doesn't feel very 'spacey'. So here is how I would like to see it, without departing to far from the way the game works now, technically:
All the planets/asteroid fields in one solar system should be connected with each other through jump lanes. These would be invisible to the player, except if you select a fleet and hold the mouse over a different planet. Then the jump lane connecting the two planets should light up and you can move the fleet in the regular way. For game play purposes you could not travel through, or close to the sun. Not all planets are connected with each other because of this so some traveling around would still be necessary, but for logical reasons in stead of seemingly random jump lanes. There could even be a tech that allows your ships to travel closer past the sun, thus giving you a tactical advantage! Discovering new planets should not occur by flying blindly through a jump gate, but maybe with fleets having a 'line of sight'. Or perhaps all planets in a solar system should be visible, except you can't see precisely what it is. There could also be a movement penalty to fly to an undiscovered planet (say, because navigation is harder if you do not have the exact coordinates). So there would still be exploring to do, but in a realistic way as opposed to artificially masking planets before you've discovered some random other planet. Also planets and asteroids could be placed around the sun more realistically.
The purpose of the above is to give the game a
much more space look and feeling, without needing a large change in the way the game is programmed now (although AI-pathfinding might become a bit more complex).
Ah.. long post already so I won't bore you with other stuff
What do you think?
regards,
spregger
PS I haven't browsed the forum a lot, so if this idea is already floating around just ignore it!
