Adding a new ship size

Arak Koba · #1 March 27th, 2002, 10:39 AM

If I create a new ship size- specifically, a Worldship along the lines of the Baseship, but with 2500kt size- will the AI use this size automatically?

I can see that some of the AI files have tonnage ranges for ship designs, i.e., 10 minimum, 5000 maximum.

PvK · #2 March 27th, 2002, 12:03 PM

In theory yes, within those size limits you mentioned. It also depends on the other limits of the new ship size. Sometimes it takes some trial and error to get the AI to use a ship size; other times with luck it works first time.

PvK

Suicide Junkie · #3 March 27th, 2002, 03:59 PM

Also, note that starbases are 2500 KT as well.
I'd start with 10MT worldships and go up from there.

If you limit them to one MP, and be sure to jack up the price then you can keep the game balanced.

Arak Koba · #4 March 27th, 2002, 09:24 PM

I added a 2500kt baseship size, but unfortunately I can't test it out with my current game since it comes up with an error.

I think some things are strange with the ship sizes:

Massive weapons mount starts at 1100kt, but the tonnage goes from 1000 to 1500.

You can't put sphere/ringworld components on any ships, even though in the description it says you can.

That's why I wanted a 2500kt ship- to be paired up with the starbase size.

Suicide Junkie · #5 March 27th, 2002, 09:31 PM

I was just thinking that a Starbase sounds much smaller than a "worldship".

What might the error be?

Arak Koba · #6 March 27th, 2002, 11:44 PM

It was a strange error; can't remember what it was at the moment.

And I know that 'worldship' is a bit much for a starbase sized ship, but I am at a loss for another title at the moment. Any suggestions?

Phoenix-D · #7 March 28th, 2002, 01:02 AM

"You can't put sphere/ringworld components on any ships, even though in the description it says you can."

Oh, you can.. it's just there are no ships BIG enough. As opposed to not being able to place them even if you mod the ship size to 1000000000000000000000000000000kt.

Phoenix-D

Gandalph · #8 March 28th, 2002, 01:40 AM

I have also been toying with a Ring/Sphere world ship. My idea was to create a ship that is large enough to accomodate the components but could not be used as a mass destruction ship (ie. no weapons). In the components.txt file it says you can use custom Groups to enable this ability on the vehicle size, but alas all my trials have failed (ie. was able to put 30 high energy discharge cannons on WHOA!!) Any ideas here?

Suicide Junkie · #9 March 28th, 2002, 01:44 AM

"And I know that 'worldship' is a bit much for a starbase sized ship, but I am at a loss for another title at the moment. Any suggestions?"

How about "Stellar Manipulation Barge"

Gandalpf:
Custom Groups have not been implemented yet.

Fyron · #10 March 28th, 2002, 01:49 AM

Custom Groups do not work.

Try giving the ship -200 to hit and +200 to be hit, so that it can't be missed, and it will rarely be able to hit anything. That way, player might not want to use it. Also, you could have it require 2000 spaces of cargo, and add the cargo ability to the RW/SW components. That way, it can't have any weapons, and so couldn't be a war ship. Sure, people could load it up with cargo bays (or fighter bays, etc.), but don't leave any room for defenses (shields and such), and only allow it to have space for a bridge, CQ, LS, one engine, and then 2000 spaces for a RW/SW comp. Or, you could try not allowing it any space for CQ or LS, and make it size 2020. That way, it would only be able to move one space, no matter what sort of movement bonus it would get from its engines.