While certainly possible, it would require quite a bit of attention from the kitty which would slow the development of other things. Also, if the system relies on algorithms for procedural mesh generation, this makes it more difficult for modders to add in their own things. It might be possible to include both systems or allow them to work together, but that's even more complex, and even more work for our coding cat.
Believe me, if given the opportunity to implement them, I have PLENTY of ideas for Flora.
Still a lot yet to be decided regarding the possibilities of Flora, though.
Giving way to an insanely diverse universe? That's the plan. :D I'll be doing everything I can to make things as variable, unpredictable and diverse as possible. And NOT like Spore, where everything may look different but it all acts exactly the same. (Also true of Starbound, though it isn't nearly as much of a problem there.)
I would love to have enough depth to the NPCs that you could set up a station that basically runs itself, and runs like clockwork. Even better, one that can react to different situations, such as telling crew or ships to only be sent out if they are in good enough condition. (As you mentioned.)
I know some programming and I have been thinking about marking a mod if I ever get the time to make one and you like it I'd be happy to let you add it and edit it as you pleases I'd be happy to help if I get the time to do so I love the game and I think npc that can do stuff like that will bring ways to better balance and make game play more fun.Giving way to an insanely diverse universe? That's the plan. :D I'll be doing everything I can to make things as variable, unpredictable and diverse as possible. And NOT like Spore, where everything may look different but it all acts exactly the same. (Also true of Starbound, though it isn't nearly as much of a problem there.)
If the cat and I can work some serious magic, I dream of the possibility of landing on a planet with great canopies like nothing you've ever seen before, and as you walk beneath them you see some random Fauna hanging from a vine by its teeth/teeth-like-apparatus-or-feature. (Which when it sees you, looks shocked, falls off the vine and runs off to hide in whatever way the species has evolved to protect itself.) In other words, vast ranges of behavior and characteristics for both Flora and Fauna, creating a universe where there is always something new to find, and they're interesting enough to be worth finding. All that being said, that's just a dream, my imagination let loose. For now, better to focus on the more immediate matters. Right now, the focus is Fauna.
I would love to have enough depth to the NPCs that you could set up a station that basically runs itself, and runs like clockwork. Even better, one that can react to different situations, such as telling crew or ships to only be sent out if they are in good enough condition. (As you mentioned.)
Things like this can actually be surprisingly simple as long as the foundations are in place, such as the ability of the NPCs to take the commands and do things like pilot ships, or dock them. Mix it with some basic priority systems (so NPCs act based on which action that needs to be done is highest priority on their list), the ability to coordinate (have stations/groups send certain set numbers or percentages of available NPCs to do tasks, to avoid having some problem come up and suddenly every NPC you have runs to fix it), and the ability to have it manage NPCs based on location, condition or settings (so if something needs to be done by a few engineers, it would find the closest NPCs who are both engineers - as opposed to soldiers or something - and in proper condition to do the task - such as not in critical medical condition or busy with a much higher priority task) would allow amazingly effective and detailed NPC activity. (This is not a statement of what will be in the game, rather a discussion on NPC artificial intelligence programming in games as it could theoretically relate to StarMade.) I can't say exactly what you should expect from StarMade's NPC control and AI, but I'd certainly love it if what I just described came to fruition.
While I fear you may have a severe punctuation deficiency, (just teasing) I'd be happy to see what you might make when the options are there.
But I think the point is more for us to provide you with the easiest, most flexible and most efficient system possible with the goal of letting you realize your own dreams. The best thing many people will be able to do with the community is offer their work to others as mods. A healthy modding community can and will make all the difference. :D Those who do can offer their extensive and dedicated work to the community as mods if they like, helping keep the game and community healthy.
Ok and the mod I'm working on is a off shot from Mecjeb I have not posted anything official yet. The idea is more flexible auto pilot to the point where it won't even need to be loaded to work so you set the flight plan hit go and then go do something else. I started with just wanting to make my plains act like that were piloted so I can have five jets fly in a v shape around my planet.While I fear you may have a severe punctuation deficiency, (just teasing) I'd be happy to see what you might make when the options are there.
Also, YAY KSP. Any mod I might know? Or just kind of a personal project? Either way, many people have limited time to play. That is part of why an easy and efficient system is so valuable. It's best if the features of the game, even the more technical ones, can be enjoyed by anyone interested, not just those the with large amounts of free time necessary to figure out an awkward and complex system. However, it's still important that such streamlining doesn't prevent those who DO have the time from being able to make things more amazing than I can even begin to imagine.
