Add 28 new diagonal beam parts and over 465 (up to 3,255) plate parts

[Sirisian]

Since the engine doesn't support point to point arbitrary beam creation I'd suggest adding the following 28 beams that follow the standard 24, 36, 48, 72, 96, 192 and 384cm offsets. Below I've shown these 28 new parts and their reflections to paint a picture of the shapes they might form.

This image was generated.

I'd suggest they'd have predefined bolt placements like:

So in the ship editor if you used auto bolt it would use 2 bolts (or 4 depending on what the developers decide is sufficient). The 45 degree beams would have a bolt on each side.

Plating Complexity

The complex part would be adding plating if the goal was to make an airtight exterior (or make it aesthetically pleasing). An example of plating that matches the beams in 2D:

The new plates would exist at the corner between the new diagonals and other diagonals and regular orthogonal beams. (Including the special 30 degree one). The main goal is the corner plates would be designed to fit the standard sized plating between them. I haven't thought about how many combinations that is, but 28 parts and 2 orthogonal angles and the 30 degree part would mean 465 combinations times how many length options, 7, so 3,255 total new parts. Not sure if any of them overlap and can be removed. (Could write a program to generate them visually if there's interest).

The nice thing is the corner pieces could largely be context-sensitive in the editor. That is the editor could detect the two beams at the corner and choose the appropriate specialized plate to use.

If users wanted diagonally cut corner plates this would increase the combinations further if for instance people wanted to paint stripes diagonally across a corner parts.

Conclusion

I'm not sure how serious this suggestion is, but I've seen builders bemoan the lack of diagonal parts in their creation. This might help centralize ideas or maybe create a starting point for a simplified and realistic system the developers could consider. I'm not familiar with the limitation on parts or the maximum number of parts. Thoughts?

 

[dusty]

This would be absolutely wonderful to have as an idea, but I think loading an additional 28 beams might be a bit.. much?

 

[KingQuantum]

i think its an really goood idea, ive seen a few stream where ppl struggle with the aaktual ammount of beams, this sortiment would be a giant help for better designing ship, the aktual CA ships are industrial blocks or large sruggles of beauty designing

 

[MrFaul]

Na I don't think this is necessary, people will find creative ways to circumvent those limitations.
They always do. Besides isn't that fun to find novel solutions that baffle peoples expectations

I'm pretty sure there will be some interesting new parts in the future.
And as I understand cosmetic "DLCs" is part of the planned revenue streams for the game.
I wouldn't mind to buy that as a "addon" to keep the servers running.

 

[Kibbles]

I wouldn't mind to buy that as a "addon" to keep the servers running.

I'd have to disagree with that. I think having these as an add-on would upset much of the player base as Starbase's main idea was to have a fair playing field that can't be tipped in anyway with money.
But I do agree with you about the fact that the fun of engineering and designing is to overcome the limitations of what your given. I think that because of the limited beams we're given that ship designers would actually be able to sell their designs for more, making it more fun for them and allow them to make more of a job from it.

 

[kevinTOC]

Wouldn't 3+K additional plates be a bit much for the average player? It seems to me that sifting through thousands of plates just to find this one <1*2*5*30°*45° Top*30°Bottom*45°Left*30°Right>. plate that I need to place it in that one exact spot. It just seems cumbersome and unnecessary.

I don't think the diagonal beams are bad, I just think the additional 3K+ plates is too many and would make the designing of ships far more complicated and cumbersome.

 

[MrFaul]

I'd have to disagree with that. I think having these as an add-on would upset much of the player base as Starbase's main idea was to have a fair playing field that can't be tipped in anyway with money.

Cosmetics don't tip anything, having access or not to those parts won't inhibit you in anyway to build a functional ship.
Besides everything will still be available for purchase via in game mechanics the FB CEO was very clear about that.
It is just a matter of grind.

But since they are nice people I suppose most cosmetics will be trinkets and decals anyway.

 

[Kibbles]

I just think the additional 3K+ plates is too many and would make the designing of ships far more complicated and cumbersome.

Well, there could always be an option (like a checkbox) on the ship designer to change the beams from normal to diagnol?

 

[Kibbles]

Cosmetics don't tip anything, having access or not to those parts won't inhibit you in anyway to build a functional ship.

Many games now make loads of money just from cosmetics so they do pay out. Also, it will inhibit you as there could be ship designs released out there that you won't be able to buy or use because you haven't bought that add-on. would be frustrating to many players.

 

[MrFaul]

Also, it will inhibit you as there could be ship designs released out there that you won't be able to buy or use because you haven't bought that add-on. would be frustrating to many players.

You have read my entire post, haven't you?
I think you greatly overestimate the importance of cosmetics.
This is mildly annoying at best.

 

[KingQuantum]

i played a bit hydroneer and i found out, you dont need much for a funktional setup but much for a beautiful setup, this beams here could be addet, but in to a extra folder, so ppl. know they dont need them but when then they can use them,
or wait until laser cutter get released, then can you produce them by yourself

 

[Kibbles]

You have read my entire post, haven't you?
I think you greatly overestimate the importance of cosmetics.
This is mildly annoying at best.

I did read your entire post, hence why I added "Cosmetics don't tip anything". There's also no need to get pissy with me "This is mildly annoying at best", this is a forum page, its purpose is for discussion so chill out.
You said I overestimate the importance of cosmetics yet games can make millions from cosmetics and even billions when done well. The most recent example is Fortnite. They made about $1 billion just by selling cosmetics.

 

[MrFaul]

Please don't bring Fortnite into this, cosmetics are the sole way people have to express them self there.
Besides with that ridiculous player-base amassing that amount is not impressiv. (it's f-ing gambling)
I predict that Starbase won't break a mil players for the next 2.5 years. It is still to niche for that.
The game has the potential to completely blow that assumption out of the water but I highly doubt that.
(That also depends on how good we get a grip on the current pandemic... if it is prolonged it could be beneficial but we shouldn't talk about that)

The target group of this game is more interested in the creative side of things, cosmetics won't sell this good anyway.
But if it delivers what it promises it is likely that those packs would be bought more out of devotion and wish to support the devs than anything else.

Those "cosmetics" will still be acquirable through in-game means, that makes them a nice to have.
Anything that is "nice to have" is just a "mildly annoying" at best.
That fraction of players enraged by it can safely be ignored.

Also sry if that sounded pissed off, wasn't meant that way...
I have a tendency to appear agro, causes me a lot of unnecessary headaches so don't take it seriously. 😉

 

[MoonSet416]

Cosmetics don't tip anything, having access or not to those parts won't inhibit you in anyway to build a functional ship.
Besides everything will still be available for purchase via in game mechanics the FB CEO was very clear about that.
It is just a matter of grind.

But since they are nice people I suppose most cosmetics will be trinkets and decals anyway.

Except these are not really cosmetic. These new beams allow for tighter hulls. Sure they look better, but at the same time they probs weigh slightly less, which is a small but real advantage.

 

[Joshua]

I doubt this would be possible given how many sizes of beams you are suggesting. Maybe a fewer number of additions could work though, however metal beams have to melt and cool. Large beams may not be able to be produced in real life meaning it won't make sense in the game to have one of large size (at large scale of production don't mistake for not at all). Larger plates or custom sized plates may be nicer though. That way you don't place thousands of different plates for hours with a huge ship.

 

[KingQuantum]

Large beams may not be able to be produced in real life meaning it won't make sense in the game to have one of large size.

where start your word "large" ?

Spoiler: Large Beam Picture

 

[Joshua]

where start your word "large" ?

Spoiler: Large Beam Picture

That is used in bridge construction, and no those beams are not always entirely steel. It depends on the bridge, however pieces like that are not mass produced and have to be made in specialized facilities. You can't just go out and buy it at the nearest store. If you are wondering about the type of beam that is, its called the eye beam. Don't consider someone not knowledge, because they kept a short comment, I was keeping it simple rather than complicated on the business side of things. I was referring to items that can be produced easily vs what cannot. plus the game's goal appears to be in interchangeable parts, large beams like this one cannot be used interchangeably unless they are made in large quantity under contract (were the steel industry comes into play, and is the kind of steel normaly found in your average building).

 

[Brushes]

"Mass produced" and "specialized" are not exclusive of eachother. Look at naval ship construction. Theyre very large, specialised, and theyre thousands floating around.

The fact we're forced to use I-beams for space ship construction is silly anyway.

 

[KingQuantum]

a bit of both, i was going to far with the big beam and at the other hand, starbase beams arent verry long at all.

 

[Joshua]

a bit of both, i was going to far with the big beam and at the other hand, starbase beams arent verry long at all.

Sorry took so long to reply, honestly I do not know the size of the beams exactly so you may be correct. I would need to get hands on to see exactly what fuss is about. From the videos I seen I thought it was fine, however experience with the game would probably cause a different opinion.