Oolite Bulletins

Oolite could certainly do with a complete update of the basic set.

Instead of people doing separate replacement sets I think that the game would benefit more from a new basic set being made in corporation by a team of good ship makers with different strengths.

First suggestion for a Dream Team to produce new models, textures, lights (and perhaps even update the main shipdata):
Cmdr Wyvern, Ramon, Ramirez, Charlie and Griff


Sorry if I overlooked a talent Don't be shy to put yourself on the list.

Other things might also do with an overhaul - LB may for example have noticed things that could be nice to have in some of the AIs during his work with those. And perhaps also be able to update the main script to fix the mission screen clash bug.

Besides that a general update of the interface and trading screens to make the visuals more modern (less Lego-ish) would go a long way to make Oolite look more attractive to newcomers.

new models? as in a redesign, or a (eg) Cobra MkIV??
i like the original ships, the textures are ok but some (like the coriolis) tend to look like polished marble instead of metal plates. the problem w/ new texture packs is that some can look good and some not (i'm referring to people's tastes not artistic talent!). I like some of Sung's stuff, but not others, for eg.
given that all textures are in a common library, would it be beneficial to set up folders for each ship. then if you wanted a new Constrictor texture your could go to the Constrictor folder and pluck out one that took your fancy and dump it in your apps folder. be like a showroom, when it's set up, and a nice bit of display gallery stuff might be cool to pimp Oolite in general

I think the more textures the merrier, but the basic ship models should be left as they are (unless you're talking about increasing the overall size of ships such as the Anaconda - though that would mean increasing the size of stations and probably planets/suns as well). I happen to like the clean, simple lines of the original ships - I'd describe them as "angular" rather than "cardboard cutouts" Cutting little chunks out of them (or whatever) would make the game less Elite-like, IMO. But more cool paint jobs - absolutely!

I agree with Roberto, but it would be nice to have a bit more detail to the models, perhaps some radio masts, scanner dishes and such like (as Ramon did with the DW Cobra!).

Most (all) of us are here because we played 8-bit and/or 16-bit Elite, a few more because they came across CPs TNK.

I think the "original" ship shapes should stay the way they are - even the DWCobra just added a few niceties it didn't change any of the fundamentals - they could be added to or superceded but they should always be there - just as we have restricted gameplay perhaps we could have "original ship shape set" as another option.

By all means replace the original angular lines of the old (computationally limited at the time) ships with newer ones but leave the option to keep them in if you so wish.

I'm not sure I could handle flying a smooth CMk3 and it just wouldn't feel right looking at one out of my viewer either!

I'm with LB and Roberto, I like the original ships, but I really like the DW Cobra, and Sungs new textures, so it's a combination of added detail like pipework, antennas, turrets, cowlings, etc plus improved textures. It just wouldn't feel right as Commander Jameson with a 100Cr piloting a lesser spotted weeviloid! So I say stick with the current ship set but pretty them up.

If I understand what most seem to be saying correctly they actually agree with what I'm saying - though it sounds a bit like they think they disagree.

I didn't mean to suggest to replace the ship types, but to have an update of the original ships replacing the models and textures with something in the vein of the DW-Cobra. Something to be released with the game to attract new players to the genre and Oolite in particular.

The REAL original ships were lines without textures, since Oolite has already moved beyond that, I see no why not to complete the step away from 80's style graphics - purists will always have the option to emulate their favorite 8-bit machine

Dr. Nil wrote:

If I understand what most seem to be saying correctly they actually agree with what I'm saying - though it sounds a bit like they think they disagree.

I was going to disagree as well, before you cleared up what you meant! Yeah, an update to the original designs would be worth a try - I believe Ramon was planning on doing something like this, though giving every ship the full DW Cobra treatment would be a massive amount of work! Given the existing models are geometrically quite basic, it leaves plenty of scope to add little bits and pieces without altering their iconic shape or going over the poly limits. There are other space games out there with weird and wonderful designs, but it's the appearance of classics like the Asp and the Cobra that make Oolite special in my book.

@Dr Nil - I disagreed with the idea of any change to the basic geometry of the standard models - but I guess little things such as pipework (as TGHC said) and recessed panels would be OK. As long as it's not like "Hey, let's have a cool sticky-out cockpit section/machine gun right here!"

I'd still keep the polys to a minimum, though, as one of the best things about Oolite is that it's not too demanding, performance-wise.

But, yes, I guess in the end we are in agreement, as you said

Roberto wrote:

But, yes, I guess in the end we are in agreement, as you said

And it would be a good occasion to push for having the the size issue resolved too

I'm ok with the idea to work on a identity look of Oolite. The original models should not be changed, because this is the spirit of elite. I'm not a friend of static cockpits, because in the end every shipmodel must have his own cockpit. I prefer a neutral HUD, with thinn lines maybe the color can be changed . The HUD should be compact, no dominant cross or something else.

Thats all

I'd be happy to contribute some time to updating the basic set.

Yes the basic ships should NOT be changed but even so much could be done to improve their look.

The DarkWheel Cobra is a good example of what I mean...

As Dr Nil suggests only part of the problem:
More polish to the .plists
Better lighting for the ships

Reminds me, I keep thinking about replacing the standard Cobra on the opening screen with the DW Cobra. Think I'll do that now...

If I'm correct the 3D files ( not .dat ) are kept on a server somewhere - where?

Is there a .dat -> 3D file converter?

A little care would also mean Sung would not have to redo his textures...

@charlie.

If you download the new version of Ramons DW Cobra from Oosat2, it replaces all the Cobra IIIs in the game with the DW model (including the one on the start screen). If you install Snugs textures then his version replaces all the Cobra's in the game. Should be able to tweak the DW versions though so it only replaces half allowing you to see both artists takes on the Cobra III.

@Sung: I agree except on the models. I still think that the models could be made a lot nicer without changing their style away from being the basic Elite ships we all know.

@Charlie: There used to be an archive with the basic ships (minus stations) as Wings models. I couldn't find it but if you pm me a mail address I'll send it to you (~270kb). There's no way for PC users to convert .dat to 3D afaik. I think Mac user may have a way

[quote="Dr. Nil@Charlie: There used to be an archive with the basic ships (minus stations) as Wings models. I couldn't find it but if you pm me a mail address I'll send it to you (~270kb). There's no way for PC users to convert .dat to 3D afaik. I think Mac user may have a way [/quote]

It's right at the bottom of Oosat One.

Captain Hesperus
"Sorry, that was too quick for a smart ass comment."