The explanation of the Starmade universe's features

[Master_chief_150]

I had a thought for a way to add some more backstory to Starmade, by discussing the science behind some of Starmade's most iconic features, even the history of the Starmade universe.

These include discussing

• The Weapons
• The Jump/Warp Drive
• Plex Doors
• Machines
• Engines
• Shields
• Galactic Diplomacy
• Stellar Piracy
• And more!

Would this be a good idea? as it may explain how certain mechanics of the game work, giving more immersion into the game, as well as a back story.

It's just a thought, what do you guys think?

 

[Crusade]

Everyone knows Dr. Plex made everything.
Although some lore behind it would be pretty cool.

"By delivering power through the refractive Cubatom assembly layers, a beam can be formed, however it is weak. The Mad Dr. Plex developed a method of concentrating the output beam through the use of more beam modules. By stacking more of the modules together, the mad Doctor was able to achieve increased energy output.

These modules have been adapted for use with technical specialisations - such as emitting a constant energy beam at lower power, or a 'pulse' of much higher power.

It was also found that by using specific energy modifiers (see: Tertiary effects) the energy could be converted into other uses, such as kinetic effects, radiation to spread damage on impact (explosive), nullification of power systems and more effective disruption of shield systems."

Yeah I got bored. Cool idea though.

 

[Master_chief_150]

I was thinking something similar to that.
an example would be for Plex doors:

"The plex door was a revolution in molecular manipulation invented by Dr Plex. Through the use of quantum entanglement, the plex door is able to disperse the molecules adjacent to each other when supplied with a specific signal current. This signal is universally applied to all player suits, as well as docking beams in ships. This signal can change the molecules to disperse, or to recreate them in solid form. To prevent the spread of molecular dispersion to undesired blocks, the plex door consists of a synthetic molecule, preventing any adjacent block to plex door to disperse. This advancement of first dispersing/creating molecules allows for the invention of plex doors, which have helped billions of pilots with their hangar designs, as well as the need for interior blast doors."

 

[sayerulz]

I feel as though this would be a bad idea, as most people (or at least many people) like to make up their own lore for how their ships systems work, and while this wouldn't exactly prohibit that, it discourages it somewhat.

If I want to say that my ship runs on nuclear fusion, it's a bit discouraging to see reactors that say they use zero-point.

I think that if something like this were implemented, we would see a lot fewer people making up cool and creative lore for how their ships work.

 

[Crimson-Artist]

while I'm sure that there is an official lore I'm actually developing a language pack that does just this. The explanations arn't quite as technical on how the technology works each item description gives just a little bit of background on the history of the item and its place in the universe. All this is heavily based on the way the Dark Souls series tells its story.

heres an example of a few items descriptions:

Spoiler: Item Descriptions

Crystal Composite Description
“An omni-mold of processed crystalline circuitry. This block is primarily used as a resource in the construction of various blocks. Its usage for decorative purposes is also quite popular. Can be molded into other shapes by selecting them through its hot bar radial menu.

While its structure can feel rigid when placed through a build matrix its actual consistency is quite different. It is said that under certain conditions these mish mashed cubes of crystal circuitry liquify into a soup-like mix. It is speculated that in the construction processes of factory units this helps fill the gaps between a system’s various components. Build scripts of an item determines that exact makeup of the circuitry.”

Macet Ore Raw Description
“An ebony chunk of unprocessed Macet ore. Harvested from drifting asteroids or mined from the crust of a planet. Useless on its own however if refined into a more purified form it can be of use in production.

Eons before the discovery of the frontier, the race that we know as “the Masters”, discovered a strange set minerals in their little corner of the universe. These minerals radiated energies that would lead them to discover the Rift. Among the two resources the metal was called: Nacht, a name meaning “Catalyst” in their language. Was it also a coincidence that our ancestors happened upon a similar set long long ago?”

Build Block Description
“A stand alone construction matrix terminal. Can be placed on any entity to enable the access of build mode. Required to be able to utilize build mode on Space Stations and Planets. The terminal only allows one citizen to access it at a time fortunately multiple Build Blocks can be placed on the same entity.

Press $ACTIVATE to enter Build Mode.

In an age that has been largely defined with hardware you would never think that one piece of software drove it all. The modular Construction Matrix, commonly referred to as the ‘Build Block’, allows for a real time data-to-matter placement of components. By syncing with a fabricator’s inventory, this technology allowed the first pioneers to erect entire cities and fleets of ships in a matter of hours.”

 

[Master_chief_150]

I understand how players would like to write their own lore for their ships, as it allows players to create their own designs, and that is a downside for this, but for those who don't care AS much about their ship's lore, it doesn't affect them. This suggestion was more to improve on the somewhat lackluster descriptions on some of the blocks, besides the instructions for their usage. Any criticism is helpful.

 

[Lone_Puppy]

I thought it had something to do with the grand schema of things.

 

[Crimson-Artist]

I thought it had something to do with the grand schema of things.

 

[Dr. Whammy]

A faction's lore can easily be adapted to any story StarMade might have.

Example:

Toward the end of the 21st Century, the United Star Axis led a mass exodus from the Sol system via a prototype high velocity gravity catapult; which we destroyed with timed explosives after we left, to prevent Earth's government forces from following us.

We set up small mining colonies where we encountered hostile craft; seemingly of Earth origin. Research into the enemy wreckage uncovered extensive use of "Plex" materials and "schemadyne" components; enhanced with minerals not found in Earth's solar System. We've since adapted our own construction methods to use these new resources and technologies in the absence of terrestrial industry and in preparation for upcoming encounters with the inhabitants of this part of the galaxy...

 

[Master_chief_150]

I agree, factions can still implement their lore to fit with the starmade universe, and it could even give a history of how said faction came to power. The descriptions would make the blocks seem more interesting, especially if they have a little bit of backstory, science, or universal use mentioned in them. So instead of just "A block of hull," it could be more like "A block of hardened plasteel designed for armor in ships due to it's hardness as well as it's malleability, thanks to the discovery of the versatile plasteel material." Just as an example, it helps give the player a feeling that there's more in the starmade universe they don't know yet.

 

[sayerulz]

I agree, factions can still implement their lore to fit with the starmade universe, and it could even give a history of how said faction came to power. The descriptions would make the blocks seem more interesting, especially if they have a little bit of backstory, science, or universal use mentioned in them. So instead of just "A block of hull," it could be more like "A block of hardened plasteel designed for armor in ships due to it's hardness as well as it's malleability, thanks to the discovery of the versatile plasteel material." Just as an example, it helps give the player a feeling that there's more in the starmade universe they don't know yet.

But what if I want armor made of titanium, or tungsten alloy, or graphene, or ceramic composite?

 

[Crimson-Artist]

But what if I want armor made of titanium, or tungsten alloy, or graphene, or ceramic composite?

then i would say play on a server where that is the lore. or just ignore it in single player

 

[Master_chief_150]

If you want your description to be something else, you can make the lore suit itself. The description's only there for those who don't care for specific lore, and just want something to use. We could also add the descriptions so that it allows some freedom for lore, such as "a plasteel-composite alloy" so then you can also add your own lore to it, such as the alloy could be titanium-plasteel or plasteel-glass or so on

 

[sayerulz]

then i would say play on a server where that is the lore. or just ignore it in single player

Your missing the point. My favorite CC entries and shipyard threads are the ones that talk about what their ships are armed with, what their made out of, what their power source is, Ect. While this doesn't technically prevent people from writing things like that, I have absolutely no doubt that if this were implemented you would see a dramatic drop in the instances of people writing lore for how their ships work, because all the blocks just come with their own canned explanations.

It discourages creativity, just like having a premade ship for every situation built into the game would. People will make their own version of something far less often if there is a version in the game already.

 

[Crimson-Artist]

Your missing the point. My favorite CC entries and shipyard threads are the ones that talk about what their ships are armed with, what their made out of, what their power source is, Ect. While this doesn't technically prevent people from writing things like that, I have absolutely no doubt that if this were implemented you would see a dramatic drop in the instances of people writing lore for how their ships work, because all the blocks just come with their own canned explanations.

It discourages creativity, just like having a premade ship for every situation built into the game would. People will make their own version of something far less often if there is a version in the game already.

it depends on how the descriptions/lore is written. if its insanely detailed with every possible thing having an explanation then yeah i can see less ppl making up their own lore. However if its written vague enough to allow some interpretation but gives a basic canon description then it won't affect the creativity in the community one bit.

thats why I adore the souls series. they managed to find a way to create a storied universe with so much player interpretations. theres basic explanations for things to allow players to get a understanding of the lore but it leaves just enough gaps to allow every player to come up with their own original interpretation.

i've told schine that if theres going to be lore you might want to do it Dark Souls style. that way they can work on the gameplay features and leave it up to the players how every detail of the universe works.