Elite / Frontier Something to keep you going until E4 arrives, well for sight seers anyway.

[Darkman]

I was told about this in a newsletter:

http://www.mpl3d.com/solar.htm

You can explore the local universe with this program not just the solar system. Even the black hole at the centre of the galaxy is included.

The newsletter was the latest version of The Game Creators from the folks who produce Dark Basic and it's associated add-ons.

I haven't spent too long on it, but the graphics are nice and its got some decent features. It could give you an indication of what you may expect from Elite IV but by the time that's released the graphics will probably be even better in that game.

There are videos and pictures of some in program shots giving an idea of what to expect once you get it installed.

David B might want to take a look at this.

 

[DraQ]

What's with the rows of particles emitted by stars? They look beyond .

 

[Darkman]

I don't know and was puzzled myself, but if they irritate you can always switch them off - although I think "" is a bit harsh IMHO.

Anyway, I think the creator has done a good job with this one. It may not be perfect but it's still a good attempt at a simulation.

 

[DraQ]

although I think "" is a bit harsh IMHO.

Oh, but I like being harsh.

 

[Darkman]

Oh, but I like being harsh.

Heheh keeps the developers improving I suppose - well I still don't know what those particle things are . I might drop the developers a mail later and see what the explanation is.

 

[MPL3D]

Here I am for answering any questions...

well I still don't know what those particle things are

Well, they try to represent the emissions of a star. As you know, every star is a thermonuclear reaction place, so all kind of ray emissions and mass-ejections are made continually.
So the particles are part of the effects that represent these emissions.

I understand they might look simple, but the effect is better when it is saw in movement rather than in pictures. Also performance has had to be taken into account.

Other than that, I also like Elite / Frontier saga, as I've been playing it since the very beginning. If you have any other questions, I'll be pleased to answer them if I can.

 

[Steve O B Have]

Hey - welcome to the forums!

Very nice of you to come along to give some answers

Full respect for what you have done - it looks great and is far more than I suspect any of us here are capable of. Nice work.

I will have to download and have a play from the looks of things.

 

[Sir.Tj]

Yep welcome to the forum.

Just downloaded it...can't get it to run at the moment. will keep trying as it looks facinating.

 

[Darkman]

Hi MPL3D, it's GalaxyExplorer here from your forum - though, as you can obviously see, my name is Darkman in these neck of the woods.

Actually I never had a problem with the particle effects and have known from the start that they were representative of something. Shame on me for not knowing though .

Just yesterday I enjoyed watching a star getting swollowed up by Sagittarius' A* for the first time and the explosion of matter and the jets starting up. Nicely done !

I also came across some videos on Youtube that show stars colliding and a binary star ripping matter off it's companion. I have yet to visit such systems for myself.

Have you heard of "Deep Space Explorer" from Space.com ?

It's a visual catalogue of all the galaxies contained within so many light years of ours, the "Tully collection, " and you can fly around and visit each one - you can fly through them but you are flying around randomly generated stars of course. Do you have plans to add more galaxies in the future ?

 

[MPL3D]

@Steve and all, thanks a lot for the warm welcome, sorry that I've had a small issue and I've not been able to be around.

@T.j, if you or anyone else has any trouble running the simulation, I'll be glad to help, just send me an email with the error message.

@Darkman, thanks for your support, glad to know that you're enjoying it
It has been taken into account little parameters here and there so each star swallowed can be slightly different. I've tried that the same view is not exactly the same twice.
If you want to visit the mass-transfer systems, well, there is a list of the ones available published at the other forum.
Yes I think I know 'Deep Space Explorer', and about the galaxies, I guess the first to be added would be the ones at the local cluster. What would you prefer, new galaxies or new moons for the solar system? I guess both

As Darkman pointed, the aim of this simulation for the gamers would be to explore all of the represented celestial bodies, until eventually complete a 100% on all categories. You travel with the camera, there are no spaceships so far. It is mainly a visual experience (with some space tunes too )

 

[Darkman]

@Darkman, thanks for your support, glad to know that you're enjoying it
It has been taken into account little parameters here and there so each star swallowed can be slightly different. I've tried that the same view is not exactly the same twice.

Nice touch. Let's hope that David Braben and his crew will include Sag' A* in Elite IV eh ?

If you want to visit the mass-transfer systems, well, there is a list of the ones available published at the other forum.

I'll pay a visit and check those out soonish - I noticed the last time I was there that you were building up a guide to interesting systems etc. I like the fact that you can take screen shots though, an essential feature when travelling around . Maybe I'll create a small website with some of my pictures of exploration in the future.

Yes I think I know 'Deep Space Explorer', and about the galaxies, I guess the first to be added would be the ones at the local cluster. What would you prefer, new galaxies or new moons for the solar system? I guess both

Both would be great, but in order of preference I would go with adding new moons first - the thing is a lot of the outer moons of the gas giants tend to be asteroidal so if you were to go for new galaxies first you won't be sacrificing a great deal. It would be more interesting to visit all the different types of galaxies, especially those that are colliding. Implementation could use some sort of galaxy generator that creates the general structure, size and shape about right for each one but generates a slightly different galaxy for all the other galaxies that share those same variables of structure, size and shape. Deriving such variables would be similar to using a catalogue of data as used in the star generation in your simulation except this time utilzing data gathered in the Tully collection. I have no idea how hard that would be though since I'm only a novice programmer.

As Darkman pointed, the aim of this simulation for the gamers would be to explore all of the represented celestial bodies, until eventually complete a 100% on all categories. You travel with the camera, there are no spaceships so far. It is mainly a visual experience (with some space tunes too )

Have you come across a program named "Noctis" ?

It has a randomly generated galaxy with billions of stars, planets, moons etc and you use a basic spaceship to explore the galaxy. That too is all a visual experience, but is now somewhat out of date - although there has been a new version in development for years.

 

[DraQ]

Well, they try to represent the emissions of a star. As you know, every star is a thermonuclear reaction place, so all kind of ray emissions and mass-ejections are made continually.
So the particles are part of the effects that represent these emissions.

They still look dumb, sorry. Effects of this kind should either be omitted completely, or done with faint, translucent "fibers" aligned along the lines of magnetic field, plus some protuberations. Strings of planet-sized blobs fired by the stars in all directions look neither cool, nor convincing.

 

[MPL3D]

Nice touch. Let's hope that David Braben and his crew will include Sag' A* in Elite IV eh ?

Definitively a scientific research station would make sense there
Also, there are many other black holes out there. To add some more in the future is also in the to-do list.

It would be more interesting to visit all the different types of galaxies, especially those that are colliding.

Well, I'm afraid that colliding galaxies would be out of scope, because of its complexity and also the long duration period of events.

Implementation could use some sort of galaxy generator

All you said makes sense. Galaxies are complex elements, but if there are just a few it has been mainly because lack of time to add more. The same applies to everything else, so plans include more moons, more stars and of course more galaxies

Have you come across a program named "Noctis"?

No, I didn't know that one. It looks a great concept to me. Quite close to what I could apply into the simulation, but I've tried to keep all along the scientific rigour about being a real universe. So, although tempted to add alien signs, I've hold myself so far. Nevertheless, to achieve properly this idea, a lot of resources would be needed, as we all know how today games look like.

Strings of planet-sized blobs fired by the stars in all directions look neither cool, nor convincing.

Hey all feedback is welcome, so thanks for letting me know your opinion. Well, as Darkman said, they can be turned off. I think they look acceptable, specially from the right distance (where they do not look like 'blobs' anymore).
Nevertheless, I admit that they can be improved (of course), and that they might look artificial too.

 

[Darkman]

Definitively a scientific research station would make sense there
Also, there are many other black holes out there. To add some more in the future is also in the to-do list.

Oh definately, maybe if you could buy a new type of ship on such a station that has been developed to survive the gravity of a black hole or you could come across some sort of exotic alien device that will allow you to survive the forces of Sag' A*, maybe it could serve as a gateway in to a second galaxy somewhere. Maybe Andromeda since it's the closest.

Well, I'm afraid that colliding galaxies would be out of scope, because of its complexity and also the long duration period of events.

Absolutely, what I was thinking of though was some generated [static] graphic showing two galaxies in the process of colliding but not showing the evolution of such an event because of the time scales you just mentioned.

All you said makes sense. Galaxies are complex elements, but if there are just a few it has been mainly because lack of time to add more. The same applies to everything else, so plans include more moons, more stars and of course more galaxies

It was a surprise to have the ones already included because I just thought the Milky Way was the only one available when I first used the program. Looking forward to future updates !

No, I didn't know that one. It looks a great concept to me. Quite close to what I could apply into the simulation, but I've tried to keep all along the scientific rigour about being a real universe. So, although tempted to add alien signs, I've hold myself so far. Nevertheless, to achieve properly this idea, a lot of resources would be needed, as we all know how today games look like.

If you do choose to do alien signs in the future then maybe there could be an option to turn them off for those who don't want them ? It's a bit like the particle effects, they won't agree with everyone but at least there is a switch available to turn them off.

 

[DraQ]

Definitively a scientific research station would make sense there

Well, apart from being a little bit out of the way, it'd be cool. Of course, there would be other problems:
-You use up four thousand tons of alloys a week on WHAT!?
-Radiation shielding.

Oh definately, maybe if you could buy a new type of ship on such a station that has been developed to survive the gravity of a black hole or you could come across some sort of exotic alien device that will allow you to survive the forces of Sag' A*, maybe it could serve as a gateway in to a second galaxy somewhere. Maybe Andromeda since it's the closest.

Supermassive black holes are large enough to not turn you into spaghetti anywhere above their event horizon. Were it not for radiation, you'd be able to orbit one of those relatively safely, albeit at mental pace.

I'm all for finding and restoring network of (obviously mysterious) alien very long range (meaning trans- or maybe even inter-galactic) gateways. Other BDO's and ordinary derelicts and ruins of civilisations would also be most welcome.

 

[Darkman]

Well, apart from being a little bit out of the way, it'd be cool. Of course, there would be other problems:
-You use up four thousand tons of alloys a week on WHAT!?
-Radiation shielding.

Exactly it would be a worth while challenge .

Supermassive black holes are large enough to not turn you into spaghetti anywhere above their event horizon. Were it not for radiation, you'd be able to orbit one of those relatively safely, albeit at mental pace.

I recall something about this on Space.com a long while back -although my memory is foggy on the subject. Orbiting such a black hole would be one hell of a round-about ride !

I'm all for finding and restoring network of (obviously mysterious) alien very long range (meaning trans- or maybe even inter-galactic) gateways. Other BDO's and ordinary derelicts and ruins of civilisations would also be most welcome.

[/quote]

Sounds like a good idea to me and would add a lot to the exploration aspect of the game. I think I mentioned something similar in another topic about finding [unique] derelict spacecraft and other interesting things.

 

[MPL3D]

if you could buy a new type of ship on such a station that has been developed to survive the gravity of a black hole or you could come across some sort of exotic alien device that will allow you to survive the forces of Sag' A*, maybe it could serve as a gateway in to a second galaxy somewhere. Maybe Andromeda since it's the closest

Hey that is very creative, quite nice idea indeed.

finding and restoring network of (obviously mysterious) alien very long range (meaning trans- or maybe even inter-galactic) gateways. Other BDO's and ordinary derelicts and ruins of civilisations would also be most welcome

I think that's brilliant too, even both ideas could be mixed for a story.

I'll tell you my own one: Humans have to find another world to survive. An alien spaceship found on the solar system, lets say Mars for example, allows us to travel real quick and explore for the new Earth. However once a new world is discovered, some kind of interestellar path must be opened for the standard ships to make hyperspace jumps. Of course this would eventually lead to meet the owners of the alien ship

Oh well just an story. To be realistic, those things are hard to develop and it would take me too long to make it productive. I would have to start with less ambitious projects. I've thought sometimes about integrating a landing procedure I have half-developed, and being able to walk on surface, etc. Pretty much in a 'Starflight' way, with rovers and all. This opens again any kind of weird encounter. But again, I found myself then trying to compete with mega-productions around, leaving all my job useless or with not enough quality to survive.

What I mean: I'm fighting to open a way for the simulation. I'm going to keep on developing, but direction could slighty point in one direction or another. So far I can see that this community could be interested, so I'll take that into account. As the project is in continuous wip, I accept suggestions and comments all the time, and I will be there to answer and thank.

Talking about thanks, well if someone around is very interested in the software, he or she may ask me for a discount coupon. Far from trying to make a sale, I just want to thank you. I appreciate your feedback and interest

 

[Darkman]

Hey that is very creative, quite nice idea indeed.

Cheers !

I'll tell you my own one: Humans have to find another world to survive. An alien spaceship found on the solar system, lets say Mars for example, allows us to travel real quick and explore for the new Earth. However once a new world is discovered, some kind of interestellar path must be opened for the standard ships to make hyperspace jumps. Of course this would eventually lead to meet the owners of the alien ship

Sounds good to me.

I found myself then trying to compete with mega-productions around, leaving all my job useless or with not enough quality to survive.

You've already got a fully working simulated galaxy , even Egosoft who produced the X series never got that far - although the graphics and trading systems were nice in those games, the sector system layout was, to be frank, pathetic. Stargates, unless used sparingly, are a cop out and an excuse to not put the effort in to simulate a space game properly. It seems to be one of the major compaints with such games, they can't seem to simulate realistic solar-systems never mind a full galaxy. Frontier Developments nailed it nicely with their Frontier releases and even Eve-Online deserves a pat on the back for what they've done so far ( I only hope they make use of planets and their moons eventually, for exploration as well as mining for resources as some have suggest on their forums).

What I mean: I'm fighting to open a way for the simulation. I'm going to keep on developing, but direction could slighty point in one direction or another.

Follow your heart and I'm sure the directions you take will be fine. I'm very interested is seeing where the path leads in the future.

 

[Alien]

Google Sky

I was going to start a new thread but as it's similar to what this thread was started about I decided to post here.

I watch BBC's Click programme http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/ each weekend and they have a section where they recommend websites. This week they recommended Google Sky http://www.google.com/sky/

Here's what Click's Kate Russell who presents her webscape section on Click has to say about Google Sky :

Google Sky is where you can take a tour of the heavens, cruising through galaxies as you tour planets and stars many millions of light years away. Just like Google's popular Google Maps, you can pan, zoom in and out, and search for particular far off destinations.

For example, type Saturn in the search box provided. Click the planet symbol to see text about its most recently recorded position, then use the zoom bar to glide through open space towards your destination.

The thumbnails across the bottom jump you to various different sections such as solar systems, constellations and the Hubble Showcase. Click one for further thumbnails to see the stunning space images. Clicking Home here brings you back to the top level menu.

Having played with it a bit all it is are photos of the galaxy (mmmm chocolate) which you can zoom in to but when I zoomed into Mars for example as I got really close there were no background stars, just white with "no image available" on it. I assume (dangerous, I know) that it will be updated and added to as time goes by but it's still not bad.

 

[Darkman]

RE: Alien

I checked out Google Sky, it's pretty neat.

However, there is another free application - just launched:

http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/experienceIt/ExperienceIt.aspx

It's from Micro$oft Research and has some nice features, find out more about it here before downloading:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WorldWide_Telescope