Difference between revisions of "Realism"

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<br>[[File:Oolite-304.png|right|600px]]<br>
  
== Issues with Physics/Science/Economics in Oolite ==
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== 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.
  
 
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.
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== Issues with Gameplay ==
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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 ==
 
== Realistic Solutions ==
*[[Strangers World]] attempts to sort out a number of these: to whit, some of the issues of scale/distance, astronomy, fuel-less travel ''etc''.
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[[File:Scale Oolite-011.jpg|right|320px]]
*The [[Rescaling experiment]] attempts to sort out some of the [[Distance (Oolite)]] issues
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=== Astronomy/Physics ===
*[[Guide to Ambience OXPs]] details a number of OXPs addressing issues of astronomy
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*[[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''.
*See [[Economics]] for a number of attempts to sort out those issues
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*[[Ship Configuration OXP]] implements the impact of equipment volume, weight, heat production and breakability.
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*The [[Rescaling experiment]] attempts to sort out some of the [[Distance (Oolite)|distance/size]] issues.
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*[[Guide to Ambience OXPs]] details a number of OXPs addressing issues of astronomy.
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*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=255314#p255314 Astrobe's Inertia.oxp] (2017)
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=== Combat ===
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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:
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*[[BattleDamage]] designed just to make damage more realistic (Smivs)
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*[[CustomShields]] shows visually the effects of damage - including fuel leaks
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*[[HardShips]] adds physical armour to the ships in the game - but also increases chances of ''eg'' fuel leaks
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=== Player centrism ===
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*[[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.
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=== Death ===
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*[http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=12439 Penalize Death.oxp] Making death hurt (2012). By Spara.
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=== Economics ===
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*See [[Economics]] for a number of attempts to sort out issues with trade and markets.
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=== Time ===
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* [[Cargo Handling OXP]]- by [[User:Phkb|Phkb]] (2018): Loading/unloading cargo now takes time rather than being instantaneous!
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[[File:Ooniversal Cooling YAH C 19.png|right|320px]]
  
 
== Discussions ==
 
== Discussions ==
*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21096 Oolite essay: game lore, features and mechanics] Stranger's Essay for Roolite (the Russian Oolite web-site)
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=== Here on the wiki ===
*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10238 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, [[Ubership]]s,
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*[[Newtonian modelling]]
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*[[Cheating]] - see the anti-cheating discussion
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*[[Handwavium]] - explaining away unrealistic elements
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=== On the BB ===
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==== Laws of Physics ====
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*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=21096 Oolite essay: game lore, features and mechanics] Stranger's Essay for [[Roolite]] (the Russian Oolite web-site)
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*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18664 Is it possible to add in Gravity/Inertia?] (2017) ...with [[User:Astrobe|Astrobe]]'s .oxp link
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*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10238 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, [[Ubership]]s...
 
*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11476 Artificial Gravity and Space Stations] (2012)
 
*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=11476 Artificial Gravity and Space Stations] (2012)
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*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=111579#p111579 Calculating the mass of Oolite ships] (2010]
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*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=57695#p57695 Selezen's take on physics] - leading on to Captain Hesperus on the courses at Lave Academy (2008)
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==== Astronomy ====
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*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=283299#p283299 Asteroids in clumps] rather than in belts (2006/22).
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==== Ships ====
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*[[Ubership]] has links to a number of BB threads on unrealistic ships
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*[http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10174 Dance the Balance] has an analysis of ship size (''ie'' cargo hold size) vs speed.
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==== Trade ====
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*[http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=17366 Commodity sub-types] (2015+): note [[User:Redspear|Redspear]]'s powerful defence of the playable Oolite trade model.
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*[http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21219 Perfectly balanced economics?] (2022): szaum-ix's thread on making Oolites trade model more realistic.
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==== Other ====
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*[http://aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8581 A moment of existential angst] (2010) - Religion, Food
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*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=21339 Enabling EVA's in Oolite] (2022)
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*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21325 Using the ship's mediStim Bay] (2022)
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*[http://www.aegidian.org/bb/viewtopic.php?p=281794#p281794 Resuscitatory Project for Life in the Frontier] (2022)
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*[[Crew]]
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==Gameplay and Balance indicator==
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Sadly, making the game more realistic almost invariably involves making it tougher (often ''much'' tougher) to play!
  
  
 
[[Category:Factual]] [[Category:Concepts]]
 
[[Category:Factual]] [[Category:Concepts]]

Revision as of 23:15, 31 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.


Oolite-304.png


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

Scale Oolite-011.jpg

Astronomy/Physics

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

Economics

  • See Economics for a number of attempts to sort out issues with trade and markets.

Time

Ooniversal Cooling YAH C 19.png

Discussions

Here on the wiki

On the BB

Laws of Physics

Astronomy

Ships

  • Ubership has links to a number of BB threads on unrealistic ships
  • Dance the Balance has an analysis of ship size (ie cargo hold size) vs speed.

Trade

Other

Gameplay and Balance indicator

Sadly, making the game more realistic almost invariably involves making it tougher (often much tougher) to play!