Wild Space Explorers

Tshara · Nov 5, 2014

Expanding

Salvage operations of local wreckage have been largely successful. With a steady increase in credits its time to start expanding the fleet. We’ve been lucky so far. The occasional Isanth was taken care of by the Queen Bee. But now they know we are here.

To better protect further operations a dedicated warship is needed.

We caught a lucky break when one of our local contacts pointed us towards an auction of the shadier ferity.
A purchase was made and our fleet is now the proud owner of a Fire Beetle.

We will put this ship through some thorough testing. Manny asteroids will have to be sacrificed.

[DOUBLEPOST=1415230759,1415230166][/DOUBLEPOST]Featured ships

The Fire Beetle is a fleet escort ship. Often used to protect dedicated carriers or stationary targets.
Equipped with a set of deadly lasers and a number of explosive missiles it will handle both long and close range targets.

In addition to its main weaponry the Fire Beetle comes equipped with two sentry drones. Together with the light turret system it makes it an ideal combination to intercept enemy missile fire.

Additional features include:

Automatic drone launching system
Med bay
Secure storage facility
Red alert
Fully capable jump drive

Download:
http://starmadedock.net/content/ws-firebeetle-mk1.1638/

Eye candy:

StarchedPie · Nov 6, 2014

Stunning ships!

I love the insect aesthetic, it makes for some really interesting designs, and I love the drones - it is a shame AI can't use salvage beams.

What are the attack drones called? If the workers are bees, the attackers must be wasps.

I can't wait to see more from this shipyard!

Creeper__God · Nov 6, 2014

Nice ships

I really like the insect like look to all of your ships so far. All of the ships here fit together and look like they would actually be found working together in a fleet. Props for that.

Tshara · Nov 6, 2014

StarchedPie said:
Stunning ships!
What are the attack drones called? If the workers are bees, the attackers must be wasps.

Wasps is not a bad idea. I didn’t name the drones anything specifically yet.
I would really like it if the AI could be given more specific orders. These drones would be perfect to act as guards to the ship to shoot down missiles.

Creeper__God said:
Nice ships
I really like the insect like look to all of your ships so far. All of the ships here fit together and look like they would actually be found working together in a fleet. Props for that.

Glad you like them. I like the style I developed with these ships so I’ll be sticking to it for a bit to expand the fleet.

I’m already planning an update for both the Fire Beetle and the Queen Bee now that the latest update hit.
Scanners for everyone!

Tshara · Nov 7, 2014

Its ship update time already. Just my luck releasing a ship just as the latest update hit.
The new universe is awesome though. And scanners are a fun to play with.

QueenBee MK1e

Installed a basic sensor package.
Wedges everywhere!

http://starmadedock.net/content/ws-queenbee-mk1.1210/updates

FireBeetle MK1b

Installed a basic sensor package.
Tweaked the jump drive.
Nerved the guided missiles by 50% to work with the current build.
Increased power storage significantly because of the missile power drain.

http://starmadedock.net/content/ws-firebeetle-mk1.1638/updates

Tshara · Nov 9, 2014

Recon

With operations expanding recon of wild space has become even more important.
Although the Queen Bee and the Fire Beetle are both equipped with sensors neither fits the role for the task ahead.

The decision was made to design and produce a dedicated recon ship in fleet.
The design the engineering crews came up with resulted in a vast small ship that could get into a system, scan it and get out.

Once build the ship was named the Bombini after the bee family better known as the bumble bee.

One of our crew members called it a cure little ship.
We have no idea what she is talking about. The Bombini is a highly sophisticated platform of sensors and systems. At the moment it is the only ship capable of ‘double jumping’.

Featured ships

The Bombini is a recon ship usually attached to a larger fleet. Equipped with a full sensor array it’s capable of vast recon of systems. Additional systems include a salvage array able to take core samples of any asteroid it finds.
Some defensive weaponry is installed. However its main defense comes from its speed. A highly sophisticated ‘dubble jump’ system was designed and implemented making this ship very hard to catch.

Features include:

Salvage aray
Plenty of storage
Lock on missile
2 fully optimized jump drives
This ship will function as a perfect starter ship as well once you start exploring the universe.

Download:
http://starmadedock.net/content/ws-bombini-mk1.1666/

StarchedPie · Nov 11, 2014

How on earth do you make your ships look so...
Cute?

I love the shape of the cockpits you make - I love the way they are like bubbles...
Can I 'borrow' the design? I have an idea for a ship it would be perfect for.

Also, I havn't seen many of your ships engines - what are they like?

Tshara · Nov 12, 2014

StarchedPie said:
How on earth do you make your ships look so...
Cute?

I love the shape of the cockpits you make - I love the way they are like bubbles...
Can I 'borrow' the design? I have an idea for a ship it would be perfect for.

Also, I havn't seen many of your ships engines - what are they like?

It will defeat its enemies with cuteness!

I don’t mind if you use the cockpit design. Let me know how it turns out.

As for engines. Most of the blocks are in the engine pods to the sides as you would expect.

Tshara · Nov 15, 2014

Its finally possible to download the Bombini. It was stuck on approval for a week. I managed to alert the staff and it was resolved.

Released for a week and already an update. I know its fast but nothing can improve your design then actually using it in survival.
The main problem I encountered was docking the ship. Turrets are not taken into account when doing so and the ship got stuck every time. The main purpose of the turret was anti missile defense. So I removed it and designed a brand new turret system for that.
Bombini MK1b

Added a faction block
Removed the bottom turret and replaced it with a docking block. Possible cargo slot.
Added two anti missile turrets to the sides.
Modified the frame so it’s possible to land the craft on a planet.
Tweaked the jump drives to compensate for the changes.
Modified the doors so they are in more in line with the design.

Download:
http://starmadedock.net/content/ws-bombini-mk1.1666/updates

Updated Eye candy:

Tshara · Nov 28, 2014

Mayday mayday mayday!

We are under attack. I repeat… we are under attack!
Our jump engine is not charged. We need urgent assistance.

The QueenBee out on a survey was jumped by a number of unidentified fighters. They came out of nowhere.
Without a charged jump drive the ship is a sitting duck. Outrunning them is nu use. They are a lot faster than The QueenBee. There only hope is for the FireBeetle to arrive in time.

Featured ships

The Raven is a fast attack fighter. Able to jump unsuspecting pray. Best utilized in groups.

The chassis design has been completely revised from earlier designs of the Raven class. All systems where completely overhauled and brought up to date.

Its robust power system allows for a broud set of options to be brought online.

Features include:

Functional jump drive
Rudimentary scanning
Radar jamming
Twin tracking missiles
Rapid fire AMC’s
Missile defense canon

Download:
http://starmadedock.net/content/ws-raven-mk4.1767

Eye candy:

DekkerDave · Nov 29, 2014

I like Raven's sleek and dangerous design and the fact you actualy did a real cocpit

Tshara · Jan 24, 2015

Interlude

Somewhere else in space a familiar faction has set up shop.

- Radio chatter -

Elysium control calling sector patrol come in please.
…
This is sector patrol 116. Clearance codes confirmed. What can I do for you Elysium control?
…
Be advised sector patrol 116. Pirate activity has been detected in sector 12.15.6.
Overwatch has requested you investigate.
…
Roger that Elysium control. Charging jump drives.

Featured station

The Elysium Trading Hub is a trade guild station providing a wide variety of services for any space trader. From the many different docking vacillates to the shopping plaza and parks. The station has it all. But don’t mistake it for an easy target. Its powerful missile areas, drone compliment and a ridiculous amount of shielding make it a tough nut to crack.
Features include:

Internal docking bays.
Ship elevator. Because!
Park and playground.
Shopping plaza (Anno 2070 inspired).
A number of service and control areas.
Drones
Cargo bays.
And much more…

Download:
http://starmadedock.net/content/elysium-trading-hub-mk1.2084/

Eye candy:

The first version of the station I’m uploading will not include any shop interiors. This is so any players can customize it to their own specifications. I will be working on an updates version that will include them and any other tweaks I can think of.

psteiner · Jan 24, 2015

Nice, I love it, so clean...

Drakkart · Jan 24, 2015

i always liked your ships the firebeetle and the bee survive like every cleansing of the model database... i can say i am a fan, so hopefully that station is accessable soon

Good work on your stuff really love the detail you put into it.

Tshara · Jan 25, 2015

The resource has been aproved and is availeble for download.

Tshara · Jan 27, 2015

Elysium Trading Hub 1.1

I’ve releasing an update of the Elysium Trading Hub with a number of small tweaks and improvements. I think these changes will make the station more complete.

Modified all monitors so they display flavor text or useful info.
Added a turret system to protect the drone launchers.
Modified the locker room between the crew quarters.
Added additional airlock logic.
Some minor cosmetically changes.

I’ve also been tweaking the ship elevator. However I think further modifications will be needed.

Download:
http://starmadedock.net/content/elysium-trading-hub-mk1.2084/updates

Tshara · Feb 12, 2015

Meanwhile…

Things are heating up. Not far from the ambush on the Queen Bee the pirates have their own backup waiting. A Storm Crow is waiting for the right time to strike.

Will the Fire Beetle be able to withstand the surprise attack? Or will they be prepared.

Perhaps the Trade Guild forces will arrive in time to be the deciding factor.

Featured ships

The Storm Crow has been a favorite of mine for a while. This version of the ship is a complete imagination of the version I released on the old docks. It’s bigger, tougher and meaner.

Its core concepts is still the same. A multi gun corvette able to engage multiple targets at the same time. Able to clear local space of fighters or drones fast.

Features include:

A set of drones for additional support.
Fully jump capable.
Rudimentary scanning system.
Missile defense grid.
Lots of heat seeking missiles.
EMP lasers.

Download:

http://starmadedock.net/content/ws-storm-crow-mk4.2217/

Eye candy:

sp33dfire · Feb 12, 2015

Well, I don´t really like your insects but the station and the other ships are really looking great!

Tshara · Feb 14, 2015

The Storm Crow was featured in a new series that Skylord Luke just started.

I think he nailed it what the ship is about. Go check it out here:

Tshara · Feb 14, 2015

WS StormCrow MK4b

As usual I always go through my ship designs after release to see if I can improve them. I take all the feedback into account and add my own improvements.

As for the Storm Crow the following changes have been made:

Additional airlock logic.
Logic missile cycle. Auto fires on or off with the press of a button.
Slight redesign of the larges turrets.
Some cosmetic changes to the ship hull.
Moved the upper and lower forward cameras a bit for clearer view.
Slight stat changes to the shields.

Let me know what you think about the changes. I especially like to hear any of the combat you experienced in this ship. I’ve take on most of the pirate stations that are in the game and there didn’t seem to be any problems with that.

Download:
http://starmadedock.net/content/ws-storm-crow-mk4.2217/updates