Hurray! Another multiplayer clone project. :)

[Hak86]

So you've made a trader ship with a ship's shop system. And just as you've created it in the shipyard - you've flown to the ship and the shop was empty?
If that the case then it's normal - because shop's stock is generated when the ship is added by an event.

That's a relief, I thought I was doing something wrong.

[Perogie]

I'm unable to access my pc right now but I've drawn one ship from scratch. I'll post it as soon as possible but would enjoy making ships and art. Also I don't really need any money, this is a fun project to me so I'll get right to it as soon as possible. Also about the "only 1layer" I'll do that but I poorly explained that what I meant was do you have plans for versions of beams, like how there's burst lasers 1/2/3 etc. Or do I make a load of different beams for different things. I could pump out (still quality weapon sprites but since they are small), but ships may take longer.
When the game reaches release though, if I'm still the art designer it'd be awesome to have my name on it.

[kcd.Spektor]

I'm unable to access my pc right now but I've drawn one ship from scratch...

I've replied in a PM.

[Manters]

Well, If you're going to have him draw the art for the game, Is there going to be anyway for us here on the forum to do anything to help in the game's development?

Like as in, will you still accept art for complete custom ships that don't use any FTL assets?

[kcd.Spektor]

Well, If you're going to have him draw the art for the game, Is there going to be anyway for us here on the forum to do anything to help in the game's development?

Like as in, will you still accept art for complete custom ships that don't use any FTL assets?

Ofcourse!
The more the better!
I will use everything I can.
We just need to select the style how ships/weapons of different races look. So that we have them looking simmilar.
Or someone could work on ships of one race, and someone else could work on ships of the other race.

[Manters]

I like the idea of different artists working on different races' ships. It would create a very alternating and alien style; We'd see human designs and tech exposed in their ships; and then we'd see Spider ships designed around their way of life, Let's say with different looking technology (I'd imagine that the spiders would be slightly more backwards in technological terms, and their ship interiors would be more exposed in circuitry and wiring and rather more steampunk in a way, designed with functionality over look, while human ships would have brightly lit and clear corridors)

I'd always imagine the exterior of Spider ships to be dark and sleek; more on the stealth side of things; They strike quickly from the darkness against lone ships, but they would have one or two large Battleships for when open war and invasion is nessisary. (That could be a spider boss ship in the future btw. xD)
I have exams tomorrow (Should really be studying now ) but I'd love to work on the spider ships at some point. (Maybe over the summer)

[Perogie]

I like the idea of different artists working on different races' ships. It would create a very alternating and alien style; We'd see human designs and tech exposed in their ships; and then we'd see Spider ships designed around their way of life, Let's say with different looking technology (I'd imagine that the spiders would be slightly more backwards in technological terms, and their ship interiors would be more exposed in circuitry and wiring and rather more steampunk in a way, designed with functionality over look, while human ships would have brightly lit and clear corridors)

I Really like your way of thinking, and yes everyone submit all your greatest work for the great dev in the sky to judge worthy!
Anyways I found (as in my folders, not from the web) a rough base for a merchanty ship, kinda clean and plain like you said, nothing exposed,
so I thought I'd post it:
(maybe a starter ship?)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0xng8 ... paQkU/view
(Can't figure out how to get image to show up, internet so heres a drive link)

I'd always imagine the exterior of Spider ships to be dark and sleek; more on the stealth side of things; They strike quickly from the darkness against lone ships, but they would have one or two large Battleships for when open war and invasion is nessisary. (That could be a spider boss ship in the future btw. xD)

You should make some spider ships for us to see! And come up with some more race descriptions.

I have exams tomorrow (Should really be studying now ) but I'd love to work on the spider ships at some point. (Maybe over the summer)

Yeah I got exams soon too. But should get plenty of time to make ships.

[Manters]

Anyways I found (as in my folders, not from the web) a rough base for a merchanty ship, kinda clean and plain like you said, nothing exposed,
so I thought I'd post it:
(maybe a starter ship?)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0xng8 ... paQkU/view
(Can't figure out how to get image to show up, internet so heres a drive link)

I like it; Yes, It could definitely be a merchant ship. Those sides would be cargo holds (In game, they could probably be different shops).

Or it could be a human carrier class ship; The sides would be either hangar bay for fighters, or holds for drones to be deployed.

All in all, a very solid base. The only problem that I have is a self inflicted one that I can't even blame you for; It's a general problem in Sci-fi, is the elevated bridge. In actuality, The bridge is the head of the ship, and it's left very vulnerable. A single shot could smash the bridge apart, killing all the commanders and "Beheading" the ship. (See: The Battle of Yavin, The fate of the super star destroyer)
It makes good cinematography and side profiles, but it just really annoys me (As someone that hopes to write my own original Sci-fi in the future) that such a basic design point is so consistently replicated across Sci-fi. I'm OK with bridges sticking out the front of ships a bit more (All least they aren't bulls eyes saying 'Here I am! Please don't shoot here!')

Woah, a simple critic was turned into my rant on a basic design blunder in all of Sci-fi. Uh oh.

But now, In fairness, In the game, the elevated bridge makes no difference , except making the single deck level feel confusing

[Perogie]

All in all, a very solid base. The only problem that I have is a self inflicted one that I can't even blame you for; It's a general problem in Sci-fi, is the elevated bridge. In actuality, The bridge is the head of the ship, and it's left very vulnerable. A single shot could smash the bridge apart, killing all the commanders and "Beheading" the ship. (See: The Battle of Yavin, The fate of the super star destroyer)
It makes good cinematography and side profiles, but it just really annoys me (As someone that hopes to write my own original Sci-fi in the future) that such a basic design point is so consistently replicated across Sci-fi. I'm OK with bridges sticking out the front of ships a bit more (All least they aren't bulls eyes saying 'Here I am! Please don't shoot here!')

Guess I should put more thought into this stuff . Any corrections are more then welcome, so always let us know.

But now, In fairness, In the game, the elevated bridge makes no difference , except making the single deck level feel confusing

Ehhhh... I think it might still work. The raised bit is like a high roof over the bridge?

[Perogie]

Was planning to do some concept art for the other races and here are my thoughts.

Humans- not much here.

Pirates- not much either, but they should be distinguishable, how bout humans (federation etc.) all have a uniform, some colour palette or something, while pirates are just random "pirate" clothes?

Robots- (need special name?) Could be like more machiney instead of human shaped, boxy but still advanced looking. Should have a logo or colour scheme for each race too(worked for FTL ships).

RAI- I thought these guys could be like human shaped but all metal and wirey, but definitely like a human. And I thought... chrome... with a glowing red bar for the eyes...

Spiders- Simply spiders, but since they've evolved to be intelligent enough for space travel they should be upright with refined features, so they seem a big step up from just spiders.

Now for the fire, energy, rock metal dudes we could have just two races instead and have

Energy- About speed, lightness, sleek. These people could then still have fire and air and water versions which would be neat, but I think just energy would work. These guys are rivals (not archenemies but rivals) to:

Mass/ or Matter- these would have the rock and metal versions. Would focus on toughness and be bulky like. If these guys are singular races then I propose one more race.

Clowns- Jk
(Sorry srul )

So the story is that a group of humans found some sort of superintelligent goo, it merged with the humans, using them as a vessel to spread their physic ways and conquer the other races, maybe it shows up in late game sectors. It'd be kinda like slugs. But more malevolent and all knowing.