Oolite Bulletins

In the vein of the question: "What are the most essential OXPs?", I've been outlining an OXP set that would concentrate on maximising the bling with minimal effect on game balance. No new features, no new equipment, no new mechanics, just pure eye candy to maximize the visual impact. Functionality aside, just stunning visuals.

1. Retexture/replace models
This I have already gone through here. In essence Griff's normal mapped ships and Deep Horizon buoy.

2. UIs
BGS + XenonUI + Nova LUX HUD.

3. Space
Zygo Cinematic Sky & Nebulas

4. Planetary textures
The current default ones are nice, but I still prefer Povray Planets.

Am I missing something essential or is there an OXP out there that has even more bling? Is this list of any use? Could this be something that a fresh Jameson with a high end rig looking for "safe" OXPs would benefit from?

As usual, lists come down to personal preference, no matter how well-intentioned.
The hud is an example, as are the nebulae - neither would be my choice.

Would remove: Extra bling, HUD and Xenon UI, each for a different reason.

Just goes to show, no way to please everyone and I still think it's the best idea to let players choose their expansion sets themselves.

Cody wrote:

As usual, lists come down to personal preference, no matter how well-intentioned.
The hud is an example, as are the nebulae - neither would be my choice.

Indeed. This is not my fav list. It's a list of OXPs I find look really nice and which I think might be worth checking out, if one is looking for bling.

Don't worry, I ain't be making any compilation OXP thingies .

<grins> About Zygo's nebulae: they're too overpowering for my taste. I've attempted to tinker but couldn't get it right, so I play with no nebulae at all.
A shame actually, as some of them are truly beautiful - but too many too often for me.

spara wrote:

In the vein of the question: "What are the most essential OXPs?"

No such beast as an essential OXP/OXZ exists.
I just went and counted my non essentials.
104 installed.
Absolutly not essential.
Just not my game without them.

And huge thanks to all you writers of my non essentials

Alex wrote:

spara wrote:

In the vein of the question: "What are the most essential OXPs?"

No such beast as an essential OXP/OXZ exists.

Indeed. I've been here long enough to know that . I'm more interested in producing the most visually stunning, minimally game affecting set. Well, the beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I can still try .

Cody wrote:

<grins> About Zygo's nebulae: they're too overpowering for my taste. I've attempted to tinker but couldn't get it right, so I play with no nebulae at all.

True, they are a bit gay, but all in all they are the most visually stunning backdrop set out there. Not that there's much competition.

another_commander wrote:

Would remove: Extra bling, HUD and Xenon UI, each for a different reason.

Just goes to show, no way to please everyone and I still think it's the best idea to let players choose their expansion sets themselves.

Of course. I actually like the BGS default backgrounds the most, but on modern resolutions they are a bit fuzzy. Xenon UI provides consistent high resolution backgrounds. There's also Norby's HD backgrounds collection, but to my eye they vary in style too much, due they are from different artists.

The best looking HUD is a hard one. Nova LUX is a beauty and I also like the looks of the latest Coluber HUD.

Some one , Who, fails my diminishing brain cells , Did an absolutely awesome over hall of the Galactic Navy OXP... I do miss it...

With a list like this it's probably worth mentioning (a) the pros and cons of each OXP, and (b) alternatives (if any). That way anyone reading the list is armed with a bit more knowledge before downloading.

Or we could just fine people for making lists.

Wildeblood wrote:

Or we could just fine people for making lists.

Yeah, we need to make a list of them and.....

Duggan wrote:

Some one , Who, fails my diminishing brain cells , Did an absolutely awesome over hall of the Galactic Navy OXP... I do miss it...

Nemoricus made the latest version of GalNavy and ADCK did an unfinished project to update it. I finished it and the upgrade is available from wiki.

There are actually heaps of nice and cool looking oxps out there that add ships, features (sometimes controversial ones) etc. to the game. My scope here is minimalism of added features. Preferably no features added features if possible. Only enhancing visuals of the core game. And for that reason, I have removed extra bling (planetary rings and famous planets) from the first post.

phkb wrote:

With a list like this it's probably worth mentioning (a) the pros and cons of each OXP, and (b) alternatives (if any). That way anyone reading the list is armed with a bit more knowledge before downloading.

Good point. Although a short text about what the oxp does would be best. Let the user weight the pros and cons. One thing's common here though. These updates require more power from the computer, but that should be obvious.

Smivs wrote:

Wildeblood wrote:

Or we could just fine people for making lists.

Yeah, we need to make a list of them and.....

I'll be waiting...