Difference between revisions of "Realism"
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{{OXPNote|This Page is under construction!}} | {{OXPNote|This Page is under construction!}} | ||
| − | <br><br> | + | <br>[[File:Oolite-304.png|right|600px]]<br> |
| − | == Issues with Physics/Science | + | == Issues with Physics/Science & Economics == |
[[Classic Elite]] was written for early computers. David Braben's [[Frontier]] series (written a decade later for more powerful computers) tried to import more real-world physics and astronomy into gaming. But Oolite, being a copy of Classic Elite, suffered from the simplicity inherent in the early game. Thus the astronomy, the physics and the economics are all unreal simplifications which, however, combine to make a much more playable game. | [[Classic Elite]] was written for early computers. David Braben's [[Frontier]] series (written a decade later for more powerful computers) tried to import more real-world physics and astronomy into gaming. But Oolite, being a copy of Classic Elite, suffered from the simplicity inherent in the early game. Thus the astronomy, the physics and the economics are all unreal simplifications which, however, combine to make a much more playable game. | ||
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As the years have gone by, there have been those pushing for a more realistic approach (originally, some who came to Oolite through Frontier), and other pushing for a more game-focused approach (perhaps those who preferred Classic Elite - Frontier had playability problems). The arguments on each side are good, and the open nature of Oolite means that there are a plethora of OXPs which modify the game in one's desired direction. | As the years have gone by, there have been those pushing for a more realistic approach (originally, some who came to Oolite through Frontier), and other pushing for a more game-focused approach (perhaps those who preferred Classic Elite - Frontier had playability problems). The arguments on each side are good, and the open nature of Oolite means that there are a plethora of OXPs which modify the game in one's desired direction. | ||
| + | == Issues with Gameplay == | ||
| + | There is no ability to do anything inside one's ship other than pilot it (use the mediStim bay, sleep, eat, ''etc''.). There is as yet no ability to perform an [http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=21339 EVA]. Interaction with the Orbital Stations is minimal - as is the ability to do anything different on the planet's surface (except for [[Feudal States]]). The [[crew]] for the larger ships do not exist in any meaningful manner. | ||
| + | |||
| + | == Realistic Solutions == | ||
[[File:Scale Oolite-011.jpg|right|320px]] | [[File:Scale Oolite-011.jpg|right|320px]] | ||
| − | |||
=== Astronomy/Physics === | === Astronomy/Physics === | ||
*[[Strangers World]] attempts to sort out a large number of these: to whit, some of the issues of scale/distance, astronomy, fuel-less travel, visible laser beams ''etc''. | *[[Strangers World]] attempts to sort out a large number of these: to whit, some of the issues of scale/distance, astronomy, fuel-less travel, visible laser beams ''etc''. | ||
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*[[HardShips]] adds physical armour to the ships in the game - but also increases chances of ''eg'' fuel leaks | *[[HardShips]] adds physical armour to the ships in the game - but also increases chances of ''eg'' fuel leaks | ||
| − | *[[Cheating]] - despite being less player-centred than the original Classic Elite, there are still a handful of areas where the game code gives players an unfair advantage over NPC's. See the | + | === Player centrism === |
| + | *[[Cheating]] - despite being less player-centred than the original Classic Elite, there are still a handful of areas where the game code gives players an unfair advantage over NPC's. See the collection of "anti-cheating oxp's" listed here. | ||
=== Death === | === Death === | ||
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==== Other ==== | ==== Other ==== | ||
*[http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8581 A moment of existential angst] (2010) - Religion, Food | *[http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8581 A moment of existential angst] (2010) - Religion, Food | ||
| + | *[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=21339 Enabling EVA's in Oolite] (2022) | ||
| + | *[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21325 Using the ship's mediStim Bay] (2022) | ||
| + | *[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=281794#p281794 Resuscitatory Project for Life in the Frontier] (2022) | ||
| + | *[[Crew]] | ||
==Gameplay and Balance indicator== | ==Gameplay and Balance indicator== | ||
Revision as of 12:24, 14 December 2022
Oolite is modelled on Classic Elite - a very simplistic but very playable game published in 1984. Realism is often seen as conflicting with playability.
Please note: This Page is under construction!.
Contents
Issues with Physics/Science & Economics
Classic Elite was written for early computers. David Braben's Frontier series (written a decade later for more powerful computers) tried to import more real-world physics and astronomy into gaming. But Oolite, being a copy of Classic Elite, suffered from the simplicity inherent in the early game. Thus the astronomy, the physics and the economics are all unreal simplifications which, however, combine to make a much more playable game.
As the years have gone by, there have been those pushing for a more realistic approach (originally, some who came to Oolite through Frontier), and other pushing for a more game-focused approach (perhaps those who preferred Classic Elite - Frontier had playability problems). The arguments on each side are good, and the open nature of Oolite means that there are a plethora of OXPs which modify the game in one's desired direction.
Issues with Gameplay
There is no ability to do anything inside one's ship other than pilot it (use the mediStim bay, sleep, eat, etc.). There is as yet no ability to perform an EVA. Interaction with the Orbital Stations is minimal - as is the ability to do anything different on the planet's surface (except for Feudal States). The crew for the larger ships do not exist in any meaningful manner.
Realistic Solutions
Astronomy/Physics
- Strangers World attempts to sort out a large number of these: to whit, some of the issues of scale/distance, astronomy, fuel-less travel, visible laser beams etc.
- Ship Configuration OXP implements the impact of equipment volume, weight, heat production and breakability.
- The Rescaling experiment attempts to sort out some of the distance/size issues.
- Guide to Ambience OXPs details a number of OXPs addressing issues of astronomy.
- Astrobe's Inertia.oxp (2017)
Combat
In Oolite when you get hit, your shields absorb the damage. When your shields are gone, the damage impacts directly on your ship, and may damage equipment or trade goods. It never destroys equipment. It never causes damage to your hull, or fuel leaks, etc. This is remedied by these oxp's:
- BattleDamage designed just to make damage more realistic (Smivs)
- CustomShields shows visually the effects of damage - including fuel leaks
- HardShips adds physical armour to the ships in the game - but also increases chances of eg fuel leaks
Player centrism
- Cheating - despite being less player-centred than the original Classic Elite, there are still a handful of areas where the game code gives players an unfair advantage over NPC's. See the collection of "anti-cheating oxp's" listed here.
Death
- Penalize Death.oxp Making death hurt (2012). By Spara.
Economics
- See Economics for a number of attempts to sort out issues with trade and markets.
Time
- Cargo Handling OXP- by Phkb (2018): Loading/unloading cargo now takes time rather than being instantaneous!
Discussions
Here on the wiki
On the BB
Laws of Physics
- Oolite essay: game lore, features and mechanics Stranger's Essay for Roolite (the Russian Oolite web-site)
- Is it possible to add in Gravity/Inertia? (2017) ...with Astrobe's .oxp link
- GAME CHANGER - A little overlooked law of aerospace science. (2011) The dynamics of travel in space. Friction, cosmic ray secondary muons, Bermuda Triangle, absolute zero, achilles' heels in ship designs, Uberships...
- Artificial Gravity and Space Stations (2012)
- Calculating the mass of Oolite ships (2010]
- Selezen's take on physics - leading on to Captain Hesperus on the courses at Lave Academy (2008)
Astronomy
- Asteroids in clumps rather than in belts (2006/22).
Trade
- Commodity sub-types (2015+): note Redspear's powerful defence of the playable Oolite trade model.
- Perfectly balanced economics? (2022): szaum-ix's thread on making Oolites trade model more realistic.
Other
- A moment of existential angst (2010) - Religion, Food
- Enabling EVA's in Oolite (2022)
- Using the ship's mediStim Bay (2022)
- Resuscitatory Project for Life in the Frontier (2022)
- Crew
Gameplay and Balance indicator
Sadly, making the game more realistic almost invariably involves making it tougher (often much tougher) to play!
