MoltronMontro, I do like the concept and don't mind the simplicity at all. A good idea is a good idea, and we will need a lot of these if the tech system is going to work out.
My own idea about the tech tree is every new node is like a mission that needs to be completed in order to progress. I'm not entirely sure about its mechanics, but maybe an achieved milestone (like launching your first orbital satellite) cold be saved as a token that's transferred to an R&D Station? Each R&D Station would be unique, and presumably is a group of player only rewarded once for the same token/milestone (so 5 player can't simply launch an orbital satellite each for a simple brute-force through the early tech tree on the same station). So milestones are in that context essentially level caps.
This could actually work well with a the concept of backing up your entire tech tree and its respective milestones in a tech book (or some other type of storage media). Namely, if you lost your current R&D Station or wanted to transfer your technology to another one, it would be no problems.
Though yet again, details regarding the actual tier 1 tech tree and its respective milestones still needs to be worked out.
On a sidenote, early version of GC used to have (or maybe they are still there) something called 'Galactic Level', which is seen in this cropped picture ripped from YogLabs - Lift Off!:
I have no ideas about its intended mechanics though.
Anyhow, I've given the concept of hardware upgrade some thought. Or more specifically, the EVA suit:
It's an initial attempt at elaborating modular and configurable space suits. There's a free slot for each suit piece, which are together previewed as a 3D model in the black window to the left. It's infact not that different from the current GC's inventory.
Among the new features is a separate page for each suit piece. In this concept is the torso/chestplate page open. Hence there will be "chestplate" specific module slots visible. Here's my thoughts regarding it:
- The parachute and backpack thingy (EVA-pack maybe?) is kind of there as fillers.
- Oxygen tanks would be tedious considering the current system. Although, perhaps a worn space suit could be in direct interface with an Oxygen Compressor via a 'Refill Suit' button? In that case there would be no need for manual removal of your oxygen tanks whenever a refill is required.
- To provide your suit defensive properties, I thought you maybe could just integrate a regular piece of armor into the suit? That's exactly what I mean with the chestplate shaped icon in the middle. While the suit itself might never actually break, maybe that piece of armor would retain its own respective armor values and durability points?
- The display gadget to the right is meant to be a wrist computer inspired by one of Ezer's ideas from another topic. The idea is you can install a wrist display on your suit that grants an enhanced HUD (like enabling a minimap through an established orbital satellite). Maybe the computer can be upgraded separately, or it could depend on other sensor modules, like an oxygen indicator for the helmet.
When it comes to visual customization, well, I'm still considering how it could ideally be done.
My own idea about the tech tree is every new node is like a mission that needs to be completed in order to progress. I'm not entirely sure about its mechanics, but maybe an achieved milestone (like launching your first orbital satellite) cold be saved as a token that's transferred to an R&D Station? Each R&D Station would be unique, and presumably is a group of player only rewarded once for the same token/milestone (so 5 player can't simply launch an orbital satellite each for a simple brute-force through the early tech tree on the same station). So milestones are in that context essentially level caps.
This could actually work well with a the concept of backing up your entire tech tree and its respective milestones in a tech book (or some other type of storage media). Namely, if you lost your current R&D Station or wanted to transfer your technology to another one, it would be no problems.
Though yet again, details regarding the actual tier 1 tech tree and its respective milestones still needs to be worked out.
On a sidenote, early version of GC used to have (or maybe they are still there) something called 'Galactic Level', which is seen in this cropped picture ripped from YogLabs - Lift Off!:
I have no ideas about its intended mechanics though.
Anyhow, I've given the concept of hardware upgrade some thought. Or more specifically, the EVA suit:
It's an initial attempt at elaborating modular and configurable space suits. There's a free slot for each suit piece, which are together previewed as a 3D model in the black window to the left. It's infact not that different from the current GC's inventory.
Among the new features is a separate page for each suit piece. In this concept is the torso/chestplate page open. Hence there will be "chestplate" specific module slots visible. Here's my thoughts regarding it:
- The parachute and backpack thingy (EVA-pack maybe?) is kind of there as fillers.
- Oxygen tanks would be tedious considering the current system. Although, perhaps a worn space suit could be in direct interface with an Oxygen Compressor via a 'Refill Suit' button? In that case there would be no need for manual removal of your oxygen tanks whenever a refill is required.
- To provide your suit defensive properties, I thought you maybe could just integrate a regular piece of armor into the suit? That's exactly what I mean with the chestplate shaped icon in the middle. While the suit itself might never actually break, maybe that piece of armor would retain its own respective armor values and durability points?
- The display gadget to the right is meant to be a wrist computer inspired by one of Ezer's ideas from another topic. The idea is you can install a wrist display on your suit that grants an enhanced HUD (like enabling a minimap through an established orbital satellite). Maybe the computer can be upgraded separately, or it could depend on other sensor modules, like an oxygen indicator for the helmet.
When it comes to visual customization, well, I'm still considering how it could ideally be done.