Oolite Bulletins

There have been a couple of OXPs made which aim to offer new players the functionality of a docking computer without having to buy one – in large part because docking is, and always has been, a barrier to new players enjoying the game. However, there might be an option which assists new players, not by allowing them to skip docking, but to learn how to do it right. It might also add a bit to the game's atmosphere. I suggest this, of course, without having the requisite skills or inclination to code it myself ...

Would it be possible to create an OXP which:

1. slows the rotation of all the main stations. This not only makes docking easier, it makes the stations seem larger and more impressive. Personally, I'd suggest this as a change to the core game, but that's not up to me!
2. runs a corridor of flashers from the dock to the station buoy, to give new pilots something to line up on and follow (this could be restricted to stations in systems above a certain tech level, to provide a bit more system-by-system variation). The flashers could also change from green to red if an NPC ship was about to launch.

Worth considering?

Thargoid wrote:

Both would be quite easy - indeed I think the first one already exists somewhere?

You're right – it's the [wiki]Delightful Docking[/wiki] OXP. I had thought there was something out there but was looking under the "Mechanics" section, but it does make more sense to file it under "Ambience"!

Thargoid wrote:

I'll write the second one when I get chance this week. The flasher colour bit would be slightly more tricky, but do-able with a second entity.

The second one also already exists for Buoy Repair stations.

And the ELS system in the original version of dertien's system stations, and in cim's RRS stations.

You can say what you like about these alien flesh-eating bug invaders from beyond, but you can't fault them for service!

Thargoid wrote:

And now in  Docklights OXP too. Including the switch to red on launching.

After seeing them at the GRS station, I always thought it would be cool if main stations had them too.. think I'll install this for the sheer coolness factor, even though I don't need them!

Diziet Sma wrote:

After seeing them at the GRS station, I always thought it would be cool if main stations had them too.. think I'll install this for the sheer coolness factor, even though I don't need them!

Me too. And just to prove that the read-me sometimes is, there's a reference there to a dependency on the big ships oxp, which I guess is a c&p leftover.

Disembodied wrote:

Would it be possible to create an OXP which:

1. slows the rotation of all the main stations. This not only makes docking easier, it makes the stations seem larger and more impressive. Personally, I'd suggest this as a change to the core game, but that's not up to me!

 Smiv's Delightful Docking OXP.