Space Monster/Dragon/Creature to battle in Oolite deep space
Posted: Wed Feb 18, 2009 8:46 pm
A detailed proposal:
(Motivation:)
Ok, so I thought I finally give this a shot - if anyone can help me get this into a space sim, you can. Ok, now don't laugh, it's not as silly as it may sound. There was a game by Psygnosis called Awesome, (only) a few years ago. I even created a SOTB "shrine" some years ago (http://kickme.to/sotb). Now the publisher Psygnosis was famous for one thing and that wasn't great games, it was style. They published several popular graphics demos by talented coders such as Shadow of the Beast, Hired Guns and of course Awesome. Awesome was in fact an Elite/Sandbox style game WITHOUT any Elite/Sandbox style elements and only the pure graphics/style/experience component. And to me it is the definitive early 90s envisioning of a gritty space sim that reeks of a strange atmosphere.
(Inspiration:)
And what I basically want from that game in Oolite is this:
http://hol.abime.net/hol_popup_picture. ... ot%20n%B09
(this is just an example of how such creatures could look like)
Here are some more shots about the interesting design of the unfortunately mediocre game:
http://hol.abime.net/3352/screenshot
(Concept:)
To actually implement this idea, it should be kept manageable, small, simple and clear. In one word doable. My idea would be - based on what Oolite can do - some kind of "ship" in the shape of a monster/dragon/creature which spawns somewhere in deep space and does not attack you but fly towards your ship to harm it. The player needs to shoot it down before it does too much damage and that's about it. Think of it like an attack of Moby Dick in space. To keep it simple, no missions/rewards/quests should be involved for a first release. Based on what I learned about Oolite, its engine and scripting this should be actually doable
(Possible problems:)
A. The "ship" creature will probably just behave like an enemy vessel (pirates etc.) which would be fine, as long as it looks like a "creature".
B. Creating an interesting creature will probably result in a large and polygon-heavy object.
C. You may probably think this is a stupid idea.
(Requirements:)
Well, I have an exact idea of how this should look and would also do the texture for the model as well as any backstory other other 2D art. I have some skills as you can see in my Aliens vs. Predator 2 Retexturing modification here:
http://aliensvspredator2.filefront.com/ ... haul;83836
and here:
http://forumplanet.gamespy.com/editing/ ... 281/p1/?58
As well as in my texture modification for Shadowgrounds here:
http://frozenbyte.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=160
And in my 2D remake of the game Turrican which can be found here:
http://kickme.to/t4f
But someone needs to do the scripting and modelling (model doesn't need to be very nice, a lot can be done with the texturing alone).
Let me sum the current lore background up:
(Backstory and lore:)
[including excellent ideas by Screet]
We have a semi-organic worm-like lifeform which dwells in space/deep space. The lifeform navigates effortlessly through space, effectively streaking another dimension its organic fabric interpenetrates. (similar to jellyfish or eels practically floating through water, you could also imagine a fantastic chinese dragon flying through air). To survive, it only needs the energy emitted from the nearby sun of the system as well as metal/other anorganic extracts it needs to assimilate from asteroids or metallic/other anorganic objects floating through space (would also explain growth and why it attacks ships). It can travel long distances alone but eventually needs to return to it's herd.
Exaggerated additon:
Following one of these herds further into space eventually leads to a large asteroid/moon so big you could easily land on. The creatures are disappearing somewhere inside it. Taking a closer look you recognize that it's not an asteroid, but a larger specimen of the same species the others treat as some form of mother/queen/hive mind.
To fuel your imagination:
(Wishes and very overly complicated enhancements:)
Battle music that starts when the creature appears.
Kill counter or a bounty/reward system.
(Conclusion:)
So this is not just a request like "hey do this I'm too lazy", but a project that can be done in reasonable time
I did not include every detail possibly necessary to complete the proposal. Feel free to bash the idea, I just hope someone likes the general idea 
Anyway, thanks for reading!
Kind regards,
Dima
(Motivation:)
Ok, so I thought I finally give this a shot - if anyone can help me get this into a space sim, you can. Ok, now don't laugh, it's not as silly as it may sound. There was a game by Psygnosis called Awesome, (only) a few years ago. I even created a SOTB "shrine" some years ago (http://kickme.to/sotb). Now the publisher Psygnosis was famous for one thing and that wasn't great games, it was style. They published several popular graphics demos by talented coders such as Shadow of the Beast, Hired Guns and of course Awesome. Awesome was in fact an Elite/Sandbox style game WITHOUT any Elite/Sandbox style elements and only the pure graphics/style/experience component. And to me it is the definitive early 90s envisioning of a gritty space sim that reeks of a strange atmosphere.
(Inspiration:)
And what I basically want from that game in Oolite is this:
http://hol.abime.net/hol_popup_picture. ... ot%20n%B09
(this is just an example of how such creatures could look like)
Here are some more shots about the interesting design of the unfortunately mediocre game:
http://hol.abime.net/3352/screenshot
(Concept:)
To actually implement this idea, it should be kept manageable, small, simple and clear. In one word doable. My idea would be - based on what Oolite can do - some kind of "ship" in the shape of a monster/dragon/creature which spawns somewhere in deep space and does not attack you but fly towards your ship to harm it. The player needs to shoot it down before it does too much damage and that's about it. Think of it like an attack of Moby Dick in space. To keep it simple, no missions/rewards/quests should be involved for a first release. Based on what I learned about Oolite, its engine and scripting this should be actually doable
(Possible problems:)
A. The "ship" creature will probably just behave like an enemy vessel (pirates etc.) which would be fine, as long as it looks like a "creature".
B. Creating an interesting creature will probably result in a large and polygon-heavy object.
C. You may probably think this is a stupid idea.
(Requirements:)
Well, I have an exact idea of how this should look and would also do the texture for the model as well as any backstory other other 2D art. I have some skills as you can see in my Aliens vs. Predator 2 Retexturing modification here:
http://aliensvspredator2.filefront.com/ ... haul;83836
and here:
http://forumplanet.gamespy.com/editing/ ... 281/p1/?58
As well as in my texture modification for Shadowgrounds here:
http://frozenbyte.com/board/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=160
And in my 2D remake of the game Turrican which can be found here:
http://kickme.to/t4f
But someone needs to do the scripting and modelling (model doesn't need to be very nice, a lot can be done with the texturing alone).
Let me sum the current lore background up:
(Backstory and lore:)
[including excellent ideas by Screet]
We have a semi-organic worm-like lifeform which dwells in space/deep space. The lifeform navigates effortlessly through space, effectively streaking another dimension its organic fabric interpenetrates. (similar to jellyfish or eels practically floating through water, you could also imagine a fantastic chinese dragon flying through air). To survive, it only needs the energy emitted from the nearby sun of the system as well as metal/other anorganic extracts it needs to assimilate from asteroids or metallic/other anorganic objects floating through space (would also explain growth and why it attacks ships). It can travel long distances alone but eventually needs to return to it's herd.
Exaggerated additon:
Following one of these herds further into space eventually leads to a large asteroid/moon so big you could easily land on. The creatures are disappearing somewhere inside it. Taking a closer look you recognize that it's not an asteroid, but a larger specimen of the same species the others treat as some form of mother/queen/hive mind.
To fuel your imagination:
(Wishes and very overly complicated enhancements:)
Battle music that starts when the creature appears.
Kill counter or a bounty/reward system.
(Conclusion:)
So this is not just a request like "hey do this I'm too lazy", but a project that can be done in reasonable time
I did not include every detail possibly necessary to complete the proposal. Feel free to bash the idea, I just hope someone likes the general idea Anyway, thanks for reading!
Kind regards,
Dima
?
It was supposed to be a bit creepy!
