Oolite Bulletins

Keeper wrote:

In my installation, I went ahead with my idea that these trains are delivering goods for the big convenience store companies already established by the YAH OXP's constores. While I couldn't figure out how to make it choose the same store brand that's already in the system (assuming one is in the system), I figure these brands have plenty of stores planetside so you'd still see their delivery vehicles once in a while even if they don't have a station in the system.

Thus I have set it up that it will spawn as one of the seven different brands (in my installation, I replaced one of the two Star constores with a GalaxyMart -- parody of the Japanese chain FamilyMart), i.e. all its escorts will be the constore defender Sidewinders for that particular brand.

While I was at it, I set it up to have differently coloured locomotives at the front, so they're not always that pinkish purple. Initially, I broke up the textures and used shaders to generate a random colour, but the lighting on the locomotive never looked good, so I just made four different textures. Two brands use the original pinkish purple, two use blue, two use red, and one uses green.

The temptation now is to put the store logos on some of the trailer containers... I'll try to resist going that far.

If Rorschachhamster doesn't mind, I can put up the changed/new files I made, for those who'd like the same setup (of course you must have all the constores installed to get the constore escorts).

Zieman wrote:

Why would anyone want to change the train tow ship?
It looks like the Fruitbat was designed for the job and thus I see no reason to replace it :).

Rorschachhamster wrote:

I don't know if the Sidewinders are buff enough to hinder the pirates or a dedicated player pirate from obliterating the trains and spam the lanes with quite a lot cargo canisters, though...

                        Fruit Bat       Constore Sidewinder
Max Energy              225             250
Energy Recharge Rate    2.2             2.5
Forward Weapon          Military Laser  Military Laser
Aft Weapon              Military Laser  none
Has ECM                 0.95            no entry (can add line)
Pitch                   1.7             1.6
Roll                    1.95            2.8
Max Speed               350             370
Missiles                4               1
Thrust                  65              37

Keeper wrote:

Here is a comparison.

Code: Select all

                        Fruit Bat       Constore Sidewinder
Max Energy              225             250
Energy Recharge Rate    2.2             2.5
Forward Weapon          Military Laser  Military Laser
Aft Weapon              Military Laser  none
Has ECM                 0.95            no entry (can add line)
Pitch                   1.7             1.6
Roll                    1.95            2.8
Max Speed               350             370
Missiles                4               1
Thrust                  65              37

A line can be added to give the Sidewinders the same 1.8 Pitch rate that a default Sidewinder escort is supposed to have, unless the idea is that they don't pitch as quickly as a normal Sidewinder escort because these constore defenders have had a missile added which a standard Sidewinder doesn't have.

Otherwise, they have more energy and faster recharge, are quicker and more maneuverable than the Fruit Bat, but don't accelerate as quickly, only have a forward weapon, and only have a single missile. But, as your specs for the Fruit Bat say that it's the same size as a Sidewinder, I wonder whether a ship this size has room for four missiles... (indeed, the normal Sidewinders in the game have no missiles, so the constore defenders having one is already quite an upgrade).

So, I dunno... they seem like a pretty good deterrent. I'm open to opinions... I could, perhaps, give the Sidewinders shield boosters and/or enhancers.

Keeper wrote:

Zieman wrote:

Why would anyone want to change the train tow ship?
It looks like the Fruitbat was designed for the job and thus I see no reason to replace it .

The Fruitbat is not the tow ship; it is the intended escort ship(s). The tow ship shown in the pictures IS included (as is a cargobot but I haven't seen those in action yet... where do those appear?).

Zieman wrote:

Keeper wrote:

Zieman wrote:

Why would anyone want to change the train tow ship?
It looks like the Fruitbat was designed for the job and thus I see no reason to replace it .

The Fruitbat is not the tow ship; it is the intended escort ship(s). The tow ship shown in the pictures IS included (as is a cargobot but I haven't seen those in action yet... where do those appear?).

Oops, my bad .
Looks like my brains (that little what is left of them) are becoming less and less functional by the day ...

JazHaz wrote:

Does the fruitbat appear as a separate ship or only with the freighttrain?

I'd like it only as the latter.

JazHaz wrote:

I objected to the towing ship as it doesn't fit in with my Griffied Ooniverse.