Making multi-planetoid colonies necessary/interesting in ONI with a long linear space map

[evilcat19xx]

As a big fan of the Spaced Out DLC, one main issue in the game is once you unlock hydrogen rockets (or even the petroleum rocket), there's no incentive to establish multiple colonies since you can reach most destinations without needing to refuel. Even before that, there's not much reason to colonize other planetoids.

To encourage multi-colony gameplay, instead of a circular (hexagonal) star map, we could go back to the roots and have a long space grid extending from left to right, like the illustration. Similar to the base game's space exploration, the further you go, the better resources and challenges you encounter. In this linear star map, there would be long stretches without any planets, so you'd need to set up bases or space stations along the way to refuel your rockets. This would make establishing additional colonies much more essential.

Typically, Klei expansions tweak the early game, but after that, things stay exactly the same. Cluster Generation Manager mod (by @SGT_Imalas ) already exists that changes the star map's size in a hexagonal shape up to a 25-radius, so implementing a similar idea shouldn't require significant changes to the game's fundamental systems.

I'm unsure if I'm in the minority in really liking Spaced Out or if there's a solid fan base for it.

 

Image: Our base planetoid is positioned on the far left, while the Temporal Tear and some of the planetoids lie far to the right, requiring extended space travel. Refueling would need to happen at mid-way planetoids (or space stations) along the route.

[bialix]

Interesting idea. It would be nice to have ability to build space stations in empty hexes as well. But I'm not sure how bad that would be for game performance.

[meekay]

You could make a ring-shaped map, and have it wrap around via Pac-Man physics. 

[Nanachi01]

I really like the idea, also adding the need for permanent space stations, it would be interesting.

[cyberwarlord]

On 11/10/2024 at 2:56 AM, evilcat19xx said:

As a big fan of the Spaced Out DLC, one main issue in the game is once you unlock hydrogen rockets (or even the petroleum rocket), there's no incentive to establish multiple colonies since you can reach most destinations without needing to refuel. Even before that, there's not much reason to colonize other planetoids.

To encourage multi-colony gameplay, instead of a circular (hexagonal) star map, we could go back to the roots and have a long space grid extending from left to right, like the illustration. Similar to the base game's space exploration, the further you go, the better resources and challenges you encounter. In this linear star map, there would be long stretches without any planets, so you'd need to set up bases or space stations along the way to refuel your rockets. This would make establishing additional colonies much more essential.

Typically, Klei expansions tweak the early game, but after that, things stay exactly the same. Cluster Generation Manager mod (by @SGT_Imalas ) already exists that changes the star map's size in a hexagonal shape up to a 25-radius, so implementing a similar idea shouldn't require significant changes to the game's fundamental systems.

I'm unsure if I'm in the minority in really liking Spaced Out or if there's a solid fan base for it.

 

Image: Our base planetoid is positioned on the far left, while the Temporal Tear and some of the planetoids lie far to the right, requiring extended space travel. Refueling would need to happen at mid-way planetoids (or space stations) along the route.

I would honestly like to see them traveling in circles changing place on the map over time.

[meekay]

5 hours ago, cyberwarlord said:

I would honestly like to see them traveling in circles changing place on the map over time.

That would add an interesting (fun?) dynamic to rocketry as you might have to wait for an "orbital window", especially if you're using an underpowered CO2 bottle rocket or the like. And you had better be real sure you packed your favorite toothbrush because the next trip home isn't available for 60 cycles or whatever.

[cyberwarlord]

32 minutes ago, meekay said:

That would add an interesting (fun?) dynamic to rocketry as you might have to wait for an "orbital window", especially if you're using an underpowered CO2 bottle rocket or the like. And you had better be real sure you packed your favorite toothbrush because the next trip home isn't available for 60 cycles or whatever.

Exactly. Have a planet x that goes outside the map for a time.

That or maybe a phasing planet.

[evilcat19xx]

8 hours ago, cyberwarlord said:

I would honestly like to see them traveling in circles changing place on the map over time.

This could be a great idea, especially for larger star maps where travel distances matter more. I think space exploration still has many aspects that could be expanded.

2 hours ago, meekay said:

And you had better be real sure you packed your favorite toothbrush because the next trip home isn't available for 60 cycles or whatever.

Hope you're not allergic to berries because dinner is Berry Sludge for the next 60 cycles.

 

[cyberwarlord]

3 hours ago, evilcat19xx said:

This could be a great idea, especially for larger star maps where travel distances matter more. I think space exploration still has many aspects that could be expanded.

Hope you're not allergic to berries because dinner is Berry Sludge for the next 60 cycles.

 

What if there were solar storms, like meteor events but for rads and visual effects.

Dust storms that block light on some planets or hinder launches.

Rain? Acid rain?!