Space Engineers - "Open" Changes Everything

[Darkfyre99]

Anyways, you should drag Dark with you to benefit from the light. I've always advocated playing public servers. However, I never got around to permanently vesting in these because I'm driven by ADHD. And hence the destructive need to craft/build and restart scenarios while trying to meet my org needs. All while warping off to other universes to check in on my other game titles all the time

A kindred spirit!

The next game of Space Engineers I'm likely to start is probably going to be online. Not sure when this is going to be, because once I get Kerbal Space Program out of my system again, I'll likely be playing Cyberpunk. I'm going to Alpha the heck out of Elite Dangerous Odyssey, before the Veruca Salts of the ED community ruin the experience, and of course I'd like to complete my last SE project in my SE vs EGS thread... and EGS will be a part of that...

So many games I want to play, so little time!!!

 

[Old Duck]

So many games I want to play, so little time!!!

This is my problem as well. It's one of the reasons I play so little ED these days. Playing SE online has made it more "sticky", because unlike a saved game, the online world continues on with or without me, and I have a vested interest in keeping tabs on my assets in this world.

These days the games competing for my time are SE (first and foremost), MFS, RDR2, and Overwatch. I also have a huge list of games like Stellaris and Rebel Galaxy that I've barely touched. ED has really fallen to the back of the deck lately, but I don't blame Frontier, it's just that I've basically "finished" ED while these other games have so much yet for me to do!

ps - I own KSP but have yet to even try it, because I know it'll be yet another distraction for me. Besides all these games, I also have a real life demanding my attention. I need to clone myself...

 

[Revenant69]

This is my problem as well. It's one of the reasons I play so little ED these days. Playing SE online has made it more "sticky", because unlike a saved game, the online world continues on with or without me, and I have a vested interest in keeping tabs on my assets in this world.

These days the games competing for my time are SE (first and foremost), MFS, RDR2, and Overwatch. I also have a huge list of games like Stellaris and Rebel Galaxy that I've barely touched. ED has really fallen to the back of the deck lately, but I don't blame Frontier, it's just that I've basically "finished" ED while these other games have so much yet for me to do!

ps - I own KSP but have yet to even try it, because I know it'll be yet another distraction for me. Besides all these games, I also have a real life demanding my attention. I need to clone myself...

Same problem here; so many games, so little time.

 

[Old Duck]

Whether in ED or SE, I really REALLY like my space black. This new skybox feels so much more like proper space!

Spoiler

 

[LanceLord]

After printing the ship at my deep space outpost, I brought it back to earth for an orbital insertion. Notice the terrible IMO skybox in the previous pictures. I've since figured out how to replace this skybox, even on a server with mods turned off!

Spoiler

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE! AND HOPE YOU'RE FEELING WONDERFULLY STUFFED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR!

View attachment 201857

BTW, that ion thruster and rear "bumper" are temporary, used to get my ship down to earth from orbit. Once I'm in atmosphere, I no longer need these.

Other new features are two "bomb" attachments so I can either drop decoys or actual bombs, a beacon so I don't lose my ship again, some timers which I find very handy for automating certain processes, and an autopilot for those long boring trips. I'll be using the decoys to test base defenses, having been shot down one too many times by hostile bases; I can drop the decoys from high altitude and watch what the base does in response.

Can u upload a YT vid showing how you get your ship down using that? I've always wanted to build one of those. But lack the sense the Lord gave sheep on how to use it even if I did figure out how to build it

Can't wait for EDO #BringOnOdysseey

 

[Old Duck]

Can u upload a YT vid showing how you get your ship down using that?

What exactly are you looking for - the printing process or the "dropping an atmo ship from orbit" process? I can't easily make vids, but I can make a nice little presentation with stills that should make things clear.

In other news, I've been spreading holiday cheer throughout the solar system with my various Christmas beacons:

Spoiler

Basically what I've got is a projector displaying a holographic "sign" I made in creative, which rotates at 2 RPM. In space I use a gyro for the rotation, and on earth I use a rotor. I also have flashing green and red lights, which can be seen from far away when flying over the desert where I left the earth sign. I also have a beacon broadcasting my Merry Christmas message. The batteries have five days left, after which I'll decommission these until next year. Of course half the players think it's a trap, but at least my allies have enjoyed it! I've got a beacon in orbit over the moon and Mars, along with a beacon in the desert on earth.

My other project was to borrow my welder idea to create an official "teleporter" for my base so I can quickly get back up to my starship in orbit above:

Spoiler

 

[LanceLord]

What exactly are you looking for - the printing process or the "dropping an atmo ship from orbit" process? I can't easily make vids, but I can make a nice little presentation with stills that should make things clear.

Why everything of course. Steam Workshop doesn't have anything so cool looking. I'm simply feeling too lazy to bother designing one (actually anything atm). And so blatantly now trying to flatter you so I can pilfer your intellectual property

btw: It's really easy making a YT vid. First just download Bandicam here

Screen Recorder Download - Best Screen Recording Software, Bandicam

Try the world's best screen recorder, game recorder and webcam recorder. 100% safe and virus free.

www.bandicam.com

• fire it up and have it overlay the area of your screen you want to record. Set the Bandicam window option to be always on top of whatever it is you're recording on your desktop/video etc.
• Press record (make sure sound/speaker is on if applicable)
• Press stop once footage recorded then
• create free account on YT (if you don't have one already). Use the free channels YT gives you and hit the upload video button
• after a few mins/secs the video will be uploaded.
• Then all you need do is share/post the link here for ppl to see it

 

[Old Duck]

Why everything of course. Steam Workshop doesn't have anything so cool looking. I'm simply feeling too lazy to bother designing one (actually anything atm). And so blatantly now trying to flatter you so I can pilfer your intellectual property

btw: It's really easy making a YT vid. First just download Bandicam here

Screen Recorder Download - Best Screen Recording Software, Bandicam

Try the world's best screen recorder, game recorder and webcam recorder. 100% safe and virus free.

www.bandicam.com

• fire it up and have it overlay the area of your screen you want to record. Set the Bandicam window option to be always on top of whatever it is you're recording on your desktop/video etc.
• Press record (make sure sound/speaker is on if applicable)
• Press stop once footage recorded then
• create free account on YT (if you don't have one already). Use the free channels YT gives you and hit the upload video button
• after a few mins/secs the video will be uploaded.
• Then all you need do is share/post the link here for ppl to see it

LOL, well I'm too lazy to do all those steps to make a YT video for the sole purpose of your laziness

Now I might upload my atmo ship to the Workshop if you want.

 

[LanceLord]

^^
okay then. upload when you get the chance

 

[Old Duck]

A new and very active faction has moved into the neighborhood, and it's become a regular hangout for me to go visit. These guys are ambitious, building all sorts of big and crazy bases and ships and outposts. I've found it to be relaxing and enjoyable to just park and watch them work.

Spoiler

They also have an operation in orbit above this base:

Spoiler

After hanging out with the gang, I found a nice patch of trees to camp out at while I'm offline. Needless to say, I'm very much the minimalist (look at my tiny ship) compared to this new faction. On the other hand, good luck finding me, whereas this new faction is a base griefer's dream

Spoiler

 

[LanceLord]

On the other hand, good luck finding me, whereas this new faction is a base griefer's dream

Only if they're dumb or crazy enough to not use shields and at least one safe zone block

Oh wait....a certain someone wasn't thinking of doing an innocent fly by all that unprotected base infrastructure with their 'Conda now, would they?

Also why aren't they adapting their ships to Star Trek tech like this?

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8-yr_pmzi4


latest version of said ship shield mod on Steam Workshop:

Steam Community :: Error

steamcommunity.com

 

[Old Duck]

Only if they're dumb or crazy enough to not use shields and at least one safe zone block

Nope, no safe zones for this base. Now a guy I know on the moon uses a safe zone 24x7. How he funds this expense is beyond me, but he does.

Oh wait....a certain someone wasn't thinking of doing an innocent fly by all that unprotected base infrastructure with their 'Conda now, would they?

That base is well protected with defense turrets, but a determined griefer will find ways around that. Me personally, I would either tunnel underneath and set a bunch of high-yield warheads or I would bomb it from above with hardened warheads. But I only attack enemies, and we are friendly neighbors.

Thing is, I actually think this guys welcomes an attack. He loves building for the sake of building, so rebuild a destroyed base would probably make him happy LOL.
Also why aren't they adapting their ships to Star Trek tech like this?

The official servers have mods and scripts turned off. I'm actually okay with this because I prefer SE feeling more like The Expanse than Star Trek (otherwise I'd be playing EGS or Avorion). I do miss scripts, however..

When I played in solo mode, I did use the shield mod along with the wing mod and speed mod. NPCs can be brutal because they have nothing to lose, whereas a real player will often back off if the battle isn't going their way, so I don't mind using shields against suicidal NPCs.

 

[hems303]

I'd just like to thank you @OldDuck for introducing me to my next game purchase. SE looks absolutely great, and I love your insight/honesty speaking of the downsides like server drop-outs/respawn probs/falling thru the terrain etc. etc.

Is this a big thing for me? I've played ED since Alpha and nothing else until CP2077 (Not greatly impressed re: latter TBH)... so what you have inspired in SE; for me is HUGE!

 

[Old Duck]

I'd just like to thank you @OldDuck for introducing me to my next game purchase. SE looks absolutely great, and I love your insight/honesty speaking of the downsides like server drop-outs/respawn probs/falling thru the terrain etc. etc.

Is this a big thing for me? I've played ED since Alpha and nothing else until CP2077 (Not greatly impressed re: latter TBO)... so what you have inspired in SE; for me is HUGE!

Right on! I'm on Keen CA #2 server, but there are lots of servers to chose from. Each server is its own universe with its own player base and structures (unlike ED which shares a single BGS across all modes and platforms), so that part does matter. Being new, I highly recommend watching the following tutorial series:

Source: https://youtu.be/kL8XQ1Avz-0


This guy is excellent and entertaining to watch IMO, and you'll learn a lot of the nuances of SE.

Welcome to the Engineers!

 

[hems303]

Right on! I'm on Keen CA #2 server, but there are lots of servers to chose from. Each server is its own universe with its own player base and structures (unlike ED which shares a single BGS across all modes and platforms), so that part does matter. Being new, I highly recommend watching the following tutorial series:

Source: https://youtu.be/kL8XQ1Avz-0


This guy is excellent and entertaining to watch IMO, and you'll learn a lot of the nuances of SE.

Welcome to the Engineers!

Thanks Old Duck... way ahead of you here... I've already watched all of his videos since you first linked to one of his vids way back up top of your OP (or perhaps I found it on my in-depth YouTube trawl prompted by this thread).... This guy rocks... could listen/watch all day long! Thanks again!

 

[LanceLord]

I'd just like to thank you @OldDuck for introducing me to my next game purchase. SE looks absolutely great, and I love your insight/honesty speaking of the downsides like server drop-outs/respawn probs/falling thru the terrain etc. etc.

Is this a big thing for me? I've played ED since Alpha and nothing else until CP2077 (Not greatly impressed re: latter TBH)... so what you have inspired in SE; for me is HUGE!

if you're playing on your own private server, be sure to checkout the tons of free, amazing mods for the game in Steam Workshop. Especially the Asp X ship mod. And note SE has several DLC released, so make sure you get the Economy DLC update at minimum

Source: http://youtu.be/iz9JdUfmQO4


Of all the DLC, this is the only one that adds critical game mechanics eg player trading/player agency with NPCs and other players, banking, PvP. & PvE security features like base/ship force fields etc. A steal at $5 USD or so.

 

[LanceLord]

Nope, no safe zones for this base. Now a guy I know on the moon uses a safe zone 24x7. How he funds this expense is beyond me, but he does.

Ok so I misunderstood the world scope. You're on a MOON in space and not an atmospheric/earthlike planet scenario somewhere? Well that definitely changed quite a bit of strategy. What are the resources on the moon? He must have either been one of the pioneers on that world and/or is one of the biggest hoarders on that server. Or more likely, found a way to trade for his energy resources with the trading block. Either way, his overhead costs have got to be sky high.

You should consider changing your good character alignment to gray. Take on a double agent role. Contact them, get close and try to buddy up. Find out what his secret anti Kryptonite is. Then sell his secret to your next door neighbors (or whatever the highest bidder is).

That base is well protected with defense turrets, but a determined griefer will find ways around that. Me personally, I would either tunnel underneath and set a bunch of high-yield warheads or I would bomb it from above with hardened warheads. But I only attack enemies, and we are friendly neighbors.

True. But the fact they don't seem too concerned makes it sound like it's a more pro PvE (aka my) kind of server. Where most ppl tend to be hopeless absorbed in their building projects/business. And so trend towards the more anti social/non interactive end. Regardless, that whole tunneling concept is really intriguing. Definitely a worthy, challenging mission worth every SE's salt. Wonder how long it would take to tunnel under their base though. Sounds like they have a ton of infrastructure in place.

The official servers have mods and scripts turned off. I'm actually okay with this because I prefer SE feeling more like The Expanse than Star Trek (otherwise I'd be playing EGS or Avorion). I do miss scripts, however..

oh my bad. I haven't played on a public server for a while. Have become so accustomed to my mods I totally forgot about that one tiny limitation.

 

[LanceLord]

Right on! I'm on Keen CA #2 server, but there are lots of servers to chose from. Each server is its own universe with its own player base and structures (unlike ED which shares a single BGS across all modes and platforms), so that part does matter. Being new, I highly recommend watching the following tutorial series:

Source: https://youtu.be/kL8XQ1Avz-0


This guy is excellent and entertaining to watch IMO, and you'll learn a lot of the nuances of SE.

Welcome to the Engineers!

I Splitsie. This prolific Aussie is considered the walking encyclopedia historian of the SE 'Verse. He's also got a ton of helpful guides over at Steam as well

Steam Community :: Splitsie

As I'm often recording and I'm hopeless at remembering to turn notifications off I have all of my steam notifications off all of the time. This means that I'll almost certainly miss direct messages made through steam. If you're wanting to chat, Discord or YouTube are always the best options as I...

steamcommunity.com

 

[Old Duck]

Ok so I misunderstood the world scope. You're on a MOON in space and not an atmospheric/earthlike planet scenario somewhere?

Somebody hasn't been reading my diary. I started on earth and maintain a base there, but now I have an FTL starship, so I can go wherever I want. I've been focusing my exploration to earth and the moon, though I did drop in on Mars for a very quick visit. I'll probably add an O2 tank to my atmo explorer and build one specifically for Mars someday.

Spoiler

 

[Old Duck]

DUCK DOWN, DUCK DOWN!!!

General Clang has struck a crippling blow to my starship! All started well enough as I manufactured a new torpedo for testing. In the past I've built the torpedo directly onto the rotor that holds / launches it, but this time I decided to build it separately and use the "attach rotor head" feature instead. This was a terrible mistake. The resulting clang explosion (note that the warhead was disarmed) did significant damage to my ship...

Spoiler

After recovering from the shock of what happened and assessing the damage, I prioritized damage control and repairs. First priority was restoring life support, as both my cryo pod and survival kit was destroyed. Thankfully the accident happened near my starbase, which is well stocked with parts, so that wasn't an issue. However I was adrift thanks to the loss of my starboard nacelle. I can fly with just the port side, but it's hard to completely stop drifting. I used my shuttle (which by some miracle survived) to slowly stop the drift, and then repaired life support. I then built a temporary lateral thruster on the starboard side so I could fly the ship back to the starbase and attach to the connector, allowing me to use starbase power, as my reactor had been destroyed. Thankfully the port / starboard redundancy of critical systems like batteries, gyros, O2 and H2 tanks meant I had a powered and flyable ship despite the damage.

After docking and restoring a more permanent source of power, I installed a temporary projector for the purpose of damage control. I lost the most valuable component on my ship, the frame shift drive, but thankfully I have enough resources to rebuild. Once I've got the FSD back online, the ship will be usable for mining (despite being a mess) in case I need more material for assembling all the components I'll need to rebuild. Otherwise it's just weld, weld, weld. I really can't use the printer to do this because of the way the ship was gutted, so I'll be hand welding, but at least the station will provide everything I need.

Spoiler

The moral of the story is, AVOID ATTACH ROTOR! It can be deadly. For now on I'll go back to building my torpedoes already mounted to the ship!


ps - people who rage quit ED because they "lose" a ship to something dumb like getting stuck in the mailslot would never survive a game like Space Engineers, LOL.