Cities in space?

elayeth · Dec 11, 2014

Looking at the trailer and at my memories from X3:TC... I wonder...
Are there any plans to populate space around stations?
Why is it always only one object (except for asteroids)? By 3300 there should be cities in space...
Ok... I know its still an early development stage (I hope) but are there any plans to change that?

I mean something like that:
(within elite concept though)

View attachment 4102

Avnas · Dec 11, 2014

if you look at the cubic stations they have skyscrapers coming out of them....

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if you look at the long stations with a ball end they have kilometers worth of farmland

elayeth · Dec 11, 2014

Without external traffic… it still feels a bit lifeless. Population means also some traffic from those populated areas you mentioned meaning lots of ships coming in and out from more than one hole in the object/station...
However taking game mechanics into consideration... the most simple solution would be adding some more objects/stations next to each other…

Dr. Funkenstein · Dec 11, 2014

Here's some concept art:

View attachment 4108

Avnas · Dec 11, 2014

what are you talking about? that last one is already in the game....

circular section with rings and long body coming off it

you're litterally asking for the stations are are already ingame

there's just no spacejunk floating about in ED

FoxTwo · Dec 11, 2014

elayeth said:
Without external traffic… it still feels a bit lifeless. Population means also some traffic from those populated areas you mentioned meaning lots of ships coming in and out from more than one hole in the object/station...
However taking game mechanics into consideration... the most simple solution would be adding some more objects/stations next to each other…

I know what you mean

In Freelancer and Evochron Mercenary, you can HEAR traffic control and other ships talking.... they'll ask what they're hauling, or where they are going. You can see ships flying all over the place. Really gives a feeling of being "alive". I actually followed a ship once, after hearing the radio comms in Evochron Mercenary. That ship had said it just came up from the planet below and asking permission to dock. So I followed it and listened in on the whole conversation all the way in until that ship docked.

I was truly impressed, especially since that game was made by a single person.

In X-Rebirth (I know, bad word)... at the very least it GAVE you the impression of "life" by having long queues of ships milling about the stations.

cpbtrading · Dec 11, 2014

Must admit it does feel pretty lifeless in all the stations.

hologramix · Dec 11, 2014

I am sure we will see things like this in the future. I hope.

Singularity · Dec 11, 2014

I have felt that things seem lifeless too. Almost sterile. And the lack of differing hanger environments contribute to that feeling imo

elayeth · Dec 11, 2014

I am happy with the game as it is... for now. I like the development so far and just hope for more structures within the same close space in the future.
I have not found any posts regarding this subject yet but lots of posts relating to planetary landing. I think the most reasonable step forward (before planetary landing) is to add some life to space around stations. Yes... it means some "space junk" floating around (i.e. some nice looking structures), lots of docking bays within one stations, several different platforms in the visible space around you, more intelligent and meaningful traffic (including hearing it) etc...

Poseidal · Dec 11, 2014

Am I the only one who sees some massive congestion around Orbis stations? When I leave, there are often lots of dots around on the scanner too.

In terms of buildings and stuctures, you will see them but they will point inwards (I think someone mentioned the ring).

Check out the Orbis at Delta Phoenicis too, it's a bit more luxurious than normal.

I wouldn't mind seeing some long range cruisers or Lynx bulk transports docked outside attached though. Maybe a capship in some of the more central systems, though I haven't visited Facece in this game yet (how do you get the permit?).

Avnas · Dec 11, 2014

Poseidal said:
Am I the only one who sees some massive congestion around Orbis stations? When I leave, there are often lots of dots around on the scanner too.

In terms of buildings and stuctures, you will see them but they will point inwards (I think someone mentioned the ring).

Check out the Orbis at Delta Phoenicis too, it's a bit more luxurious than normal.

I wouldn't mind seeing some long range cruisers or Lynx bulk transports docked outside attached though. Maybe a capship in some of the more central systems, though I haven't visited Facece in this game yet (how do you get the permit?).

permits are either not in yet or rep based idk which

[ADK] Spyderbyte88 · Dec 11, 2014

yes would love to see more life brought to the game... That may be accomplished with the release of the game and alot more players... who knows only time will tell damn 5 days won't end!!!

majogl · Dec 11, 2014

I hope that one day, when atmospheres and landing on planets are modeled, station like bespin will be introduced... now that would be awesome...

Zephyriel · Dec 11, 2014

I agree with all those saying we need more traffic in space. It could very well be small civilian ships flying towards and away from stations, which would act as walker-on ships, carrying no weapon and cargo so you wouldn't interact with them. Comms chatter would have been great too but they chose to go with text comms in ED so we won't see that.

Indeed Freelancer is a great example of space traffic and comms chatter done right, and I was happy to see that Evochron Mercenary follows that.

Hawkmoon · Dec 11, 2014

elayeth said:
Looking at the trailer and at my memories from X3:TC... I wonder...
Are there any plans to populate space around stations?
Why is it always only one object (except for asteroids)? By 3300 there should be cities in space...
Ok... I know its still an early development stage (I hope) but are there any plans to change that

Why by 3300 would you expect cites in space when there are plenty of planets with only a few hundred thousand people living on them. Space is a very hostile environment for humans and so it would be better to stay on planets when possible.