quote:
Originally posted by Krsqk:
Actually, this provides an interesting problem for all the realists out there. 
If a 20kt cargo unit can carry 70kt of cargo, then a 300kt ship suddenly becomes (30 kt C&C comps) + (60kt engines) + (20kt cargo comp + 70kt cargo) * 10 cargo comps = 990kt. However, despite the sudden 230% increase in mass, the speed of the ship becomes the same. Perhaps in SEV, true QNP will be possible, with the mass of cargo factored into total ship mass, and ship sizes actually relative to volume. That would drastically change ship design.
Yes, this is another reason why I limited the capacity of cargo storage, and don't make it get really large at high tech levels. That is, it may make sense that high tech materials could make a very light cargo bay with a high capacity, but that doesn't mean that the stuff that it holds will weigh any less. So, if engines and ship maneuverability are based on only the vehicle class, there is no way in SE4 to take this into account. To keep QNP semi-faithful, you need to build ships with higher capacity and higher "engines per move" settings. Still, this does not take into account the difference in speed that should occur for large but empty cargo ships. SE4 won't do that.
PvK