A few passing thoughts and observations

[Waiwaera]

This might be something, it might just be material for someone here who happens to pack jokes with them.

Lemme start by saying, at first, I was back against the wall against this idea (Yes, clinging die-hard to SR). I've slowly grown a bit more open to the thought of essentially an Mk. 2 version, kinda interested now to see where this might go.

And now, on to the thoughts (entering dangerous territory here )

1. I am 100% against releasing this to Armor Games or anyone else...spreading it to the bulk of the internet is like putting it on death row out of the gate. The very foundation that keeps SR going is that it's a small, tight-knit community group. Spreading something like that across the entirety of the net...there goes the moth to the flame.

2. For factions, perhaps associating a color to a certain general "citizen class."
i.e. Blue - blue collar workers, tradesmen, hands-on engineers, etc
Green - white collar, business owners, lawyers, etc
Red - yeah, maybe have them stick as military?
Purple - something "above" green, like the "old money"/gentry?
White - scientists, medical doctors, that kind of thing?
Orange - anyone who is in a "school" to get to a certain job class?
Yellow - new to the game, working odd jobs about town
Now for some crafty names?

3. A "storm drive" engine? really? what happens on a clear, sunny day? no engine power? perhaps something a bit more on the realistic side - rotary-type engines for prop planes, along with standard blocks, maybe some basic jet designs, as jets existed and were used during WWII (Messerschmidt Me262, Luftwaffe).

4. How is the endgame going to be differentiated from SR, apart from a few more gimmicks, gizmos, and shiny buttons to push?

5. PvP availability, say, with an Arena type setting at certain skylands (or whatever they're being called here)?

6. Apart from presumed more customization in place, how is this /really/ gonna set itself apart from SR? I'm not seeing it yet, personally.

And finally, I admit, I'm a horrible artist, at best, and my programming knowledge and ability is about as useful as a wet blob of rust, but if somebody can take general (in some cases, specific) ideas and artify them, I'll certainly hang around and help out where, how, and when I can.

/me stares out into the abyss, wondering just what might be lurking...only one way to find out! *dives in*

[Ellington]

Mostly, we don't want to see Skyrates die a slow, slow asphyxiating death. The game stopped mid giant RP event, for blanks sake!

Apply ice to head to counteract brain overheating.

1) Noted and understood. It survived the JIG crowd, though, so we shall see.

3) ever play Skies of Arcadia? That is the idea behind things like 'storm drives': A way to do flight license without the arbitrary of Skyrates. Also, permanent storms are Rule of Cool.
Probably no jets. Short answer is cause of technical evolution and people demanding more stuff cause of jet engines.

4. Well, at minimum, we hope to you know, finish RP events. We have tossed around several ideas; what gets in what version will be interesting to see. Brutally honest: In 1.0, probably not too terribly different. But then, you want SR anyway, don't you?

5. PvP availability, Possible. Again, some ideas (Steambirds style?) but depends on practicality, coder time, fun, etc.

6. Different world. Better art (no offense Third, but my guys are incredible) New planes. RP events with endings. Hands- on Devs like the Good Old Days. What else do you want? Also, makeup your mind: More SR or new stuff? (suggest stuff you want to see!)

We need all the help we can get!

[Marcus Langley]

Since Ell missed #2;

We have three core factions, referred to as Red/Green/Blue for the time being, since three was determined to be the optimum amount. They don't exactly mirror their SR counterparts though, and they're closer to actual nations/empires, compared to the factions-within-a-Skytopian-nation of Skyrates.

[Tommy Chong]

Nov 2, 2011 11:15:17 GMT -5 Waiwaera said:

3. A "storm drive" engine? really? what happens on a clear, sunny day? no engine power? perhaps something a bit more on the realistic side - rotary-type engines for prop planes, along with standard blocks, maybe some basic jet designs, as jets existed and were used during WWII (Messerschmidt Me262, Luftwaffe).

GEE THANKS.

You are the first to take that seriously.

[matejcik]

oh come on. "storm drive" is the awesomest name for an engine i have ever seen. we absolutely must have that, realism be damned

[Waiwaera]

Hey Marcus, has a basic faction for "independent" types been considered, or is that attached to one of the current three?

@tommy - Say man, the artwork was there for it...just goin' with what there was.

matejcik - Never said "storm drive" wasn't awesome, just questioned the mechanics behind it lol...what really tweaks my mind are the engines with the plasma props...having jello spin at 30,000 rpm just seems like a bad idea XD

[Ellington]

A storm drive works with little tiny storm leprechauns trapped in the engine. Be sure to feed them weekly. They eat gold and whiskey. They are trapped for a term of ten years, then you have to release them and capture more. Selling engines close to the ten year period is so common its called 'storm scamming'

[Marcus Langley]

Nov 3, 2011 9:31:48 GMT -5 Waiwaera said:

Hey Marcus, has a basic faction for "independent" types been considered, or is that attached to one of the current three?

As far as I understand it, no. There's some reasoning behind it I can't recall right now.

Faction membership is more like citizenship though, or at least that's the impression I got. I imagine there will eventually be emigration options or the ability to effectively declare yourself an independent pilot, but that depends on how things pan out later on in development.

Ed: Storm drives make me think of the tibanna gas used in Star Wars for blasters. Spin it off the big storms and seal it up in a can or something...

[Redstorm Breckenridge]

I'd love to see a return to Faction/Nation politics, since that was my biggest draw not only to the game but to the then Green Republic. I miss the days of making treaties and watching to ensure that no one breaks said treaty.

[talon]

Yes, attempts at backstabbing in a 'fair and open' treaty is something that's probably going to make a heck of a return (though that's also dependent on player personalities, of course).

[talon]

Also, re #1 of Wai's point: it may be necessary at some point to attract a larger audience, but now is certainly not that time.

[Redstorm Breckenridge]

Ahh Talon how I've missed the days of old with the backstabbing.

[eeptog]

On the subject of factions, what about wings/player guilds? Or what that just have you branded as an outlaw/deserter?

Someone mentioned Conquerable Skylands/Skylets i think, that would be much cooler if you were ruling your own faction, but i guess thats the problem isnt it? too many people would make their own factions just to call themselves king...
Still, the backstabbing comes into play too, im reminded of EVE online and how personal things can get knowing you can lose millions in the blink of an eye. Do you think there needs to be some form of sabotage, subterfuge and politics built directly into the game? A "send assassin/thief" option? Faction Leader votes? That was an annoyance in SR, you could have rulers but it didnt really mean anything unless you were role playing, and if you werent role playing or taking part in the community...well...you werent really playing the game properly if you ask me.


also the lack of a Order equivalent saddens me, but i guess i can make do.