Oolite Bulletins

Saudi Arabia’s Overwater Villas Look Fake… But They’re Real!

https://youtu.be/Xaz-E69SDRw?si=uxs_GOHybf5drZpV

When I first saw Kara and Nate’s video on Saudi Arabia’s newest overwater villas, I honestly thought it was AI-generated. The futuristic design, the sleek architecture, and the way the villas float over the crystal-clear waters—it all looks like something straight out of a CGI render. But this is 100% real, and in today’s reaction, I’m breaking down everything Kara and Nate showed, from the insane luxury features to the things that might not be as perfect as they seem.

Wildeblood wrote: ↑Wed Mar 05, 2025 6:34 pm

The Jetsons landed in Saudi Arabia, apparently

Jetsons?

Cholmondely wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 9:02 am

Jetsons?

They were a family who lived in a retro-futuristic, flattened-ovoid-shaped dwelling in the 1960s. There was a television documentary series made about them.

Digression:
In the 1980s, I had the opportunity to purchase a Futuro house dirt cheap, and [additional words go here] did not. It was soon after destroyed by vandals, so neither I, nor anyone else, now have the benefit of it. This is one of my many regrets.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Futuro

They say regrets come from the things one doesn't do, much more than from the things one does.

https://lostperth.com.au/2018/07/27/the-spaceship/

Quite intriguing. I wonder how you ever dug up the Saudi film.


Change of Subject.

Oolite.

What sort of changes would you like to see in the game? What would you like to be able to do that you currently can't?

Personally speaking, I'd love an E:D style docking experience (I presume that other games have them too).

And I'd love some OXPs to be finished. LitF. HotRods. New Deal. Amber Moon Chronicles. And a SotL-style hyperspace jump.

Cholmondely wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 9:51 am

Change of Subject.

Oolite.

Excuse you. How rude.

Cholmondely wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 9:51 am

What sort of changes would you like to see in the game?

Just thought of one: asteroids that are claimed by big mining companies. So, when the player vaporizes a random asteroid in the spacelanes, instead of a 1cr reward for clearing a navigation hazard (does that still happen?), they suffer a fine for claim-jumping.

Wildeblood wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2025 10:09 am

Cholmondely wrote: ↑Thu Mar 06, 2025 9:51 am

What sort of changes would you like to see in the game?

Just thought of one: asteroids that are claimed by big mining companies. So, when the player vaporizes a random asteroid in the spacelanes, instead of a 1cr reward for clearing a navigation hazard (does that still happen?), they suffer a fine for claim-jumping.

Yes, it still happens. One of the few ways of earning a bit of dosh when one is skint.

I really like this one. It could apply just in Corporate states and help make them a little different.

And then maybe brand the RH's too, according to the prevalent Corporations (Smiv's Accessories OXP almost managed this, but with coffee house chains - like service stations - rather than serious corporations).

A little more ratiocination:

1) The fine. The average asteroid might yield up to 6 boulders, and each boulder up to 5 splinters (is this correct?).

The highest vanilla game value (Rich Industrial orbital station) for a splinter seems to be 14₢ - so a fine of 30x14 doubled (840₢)? Or more?

(This ignores the effects of Risk-based Economy & Risky Business, the 8 expensive variants introduced by New Cargoes, etc. It also ignores the stonking massive boulders introduced by e.g. Asteroid Storm).



2) OXP fine increases. There would have to be an increase in the fine for players with either Ore Processor OXP or Hermitage OXP loaded in their game, since they can add substantially to the value of the splinters.



3) Names. Since Littlebear's Galactic Almanac can name the individual asteroids, one can be issued with a warrant detailing the details of one's depredations!

(e.g. Zahn 005, Baldwin 107, Tarrant 243, Foster 026, Aherne 372, Tyler 109, Jimenez 042, Callaghan 099, Zheaton 132, Clancey 304, Tuscarora 211, Fenton 345)



4) Ramming There should also be fines if one rams an asteroid/boulder/splinter.



5) Scooping What if one scoops up a splinter? In a totally owned Corporate system, one is presumably stealing from the Corporation. (Theft/fines depending on say 30₢ a splinter (or more to cover processing costs for such small amounts?).

But in other systems? One is presumably stealing from the miner (or the Commie/Dictatorial state).

Wildeblood wrote: ↑Fri Mar 07, 2025 10:09 am

Asteroids that are claimed... when the player vaporizes a random asteroid in the spacelanes, instead of a 1cr reward for clearing a navigation hazard, they suffer a fine for claim-jumping.

https://youtu.be/Tab9WziiYAs?t=6949