Space monsters - Page 3

CheshireKatt · #21 May 20th, 2001, 03:52 AM

If you're interested, check out this post:
http://www.shrapnelgames.com/ubb/For...ML/002529.html

Some of us were discussing ways to do space monsters in an earlier thread.

And yes, I get really excited about space monsters.

(Even if one DOES show up and eat most of my worlds sometimes)

--Chesh

Sinapus · #22 May 20th, 2001, 04:08 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Q:
I like the idea of space monsters. But I think it would be unfair if they would attack only certain races. Make them move randomly from one warp point to the other and attack everything that lies in their path. And may be it should be a possibility to "tame/catch/board" them and then to use them yourself.

How about nice space monsters that come along and protect one empire or another against other empires/space monsters?

["GAMERA!!!"]

------------------
--
"What do -you- want?" "I'd like to live -just- long enough to be there when they cut off your head and stick it on a pike as a warning to the next ten generations that some favors come with too high a price. I would look up into your lifeless eyes and wave like this..." *waggle* "...can you and your associates arrange that for me, Mr. Morden?"

Q · #23 May 20th, 2001, 07:37 AM

Sinapus this is a good idea IMO, if the space monster picks the weakest player to help.

Sinapus · #24 May 20th, 2001, 08:34 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Q:
Sinapus this is a good idea IMO, if the space monster picks the weakest player to help.

Yes, but if the weakest player is a human player, they are required to sing the Gamera Song from Mystery Science Theater 3000.

[o/~Gamera is really neat/he is full of turtle meat!/ We all love you GA-ME-RA!!!!o/~]

Hm.. Maybe a Monster Planet, where all the various space monsters can call home?

Baron Munchausen · #25 May 20th, 2001, 08:21 PM

People keep asking for 'backstory' to make the game more interesting. Personally, I'm against backstory because it makes the game LESS customizable and adaptable to any play style. BUT... we could possibly have little fragments of backstory rather than an 'over-all' theme that might restrict the game.

How about a space monster that protects a NEUTRAL race? It could be something that lives in the system sun, or in a storm in the system. It attacks any ship that doesn't have a special device on it, and the device is a racial tech restricted to the neutrals.

The neutrals could have a 'religious' awe of the beast and turn out to support it when it goes into combat against your ships. It's their "god" after all. If you are fighting with it, they are darn well gonna help it out. This would help solve the problem of neutrals being too wimpy, also.

That and a classic "Master of Orion" type guardian standing over an empty ring/sphere world are the two best ways to add non-random space monsters to the game.

RANDOM space monsters are easy. Create some graphics of monsters and treat them as ships. Have a folder called "monsters" with the graphics and a full set of AI files just like a race. The game would then use those files to design a monster when a random monster event was called for. Only a few 'special' settings would be needed for the monsters.

[This message has been edited by Baron Munchausen (edited 20 May 2001).]

Q · #26 May 20th, 2001, 08:30 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Baron Munchausen:
RANDOM space monsters are easy. Create some graphics of monsters and treat them as ships. Have a folder called "monsters" with the graphics and a full set of AI files just like a race. The game would then use those files to design a monster when a random monster event was called for. Only a few 'special' settings would be needed for the monsters.

Would you create one and post it in the mod section? That would be great.

Baron Munchausen · #27 May 21st, 2001, 02:12 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Q:
Would you create one and post it in the mod section? That would be great.

Oops! I didn't mean to give the impression that it's doable in the current Version of the game. I meant that it would be easy to code because most of the existing AI and ship code can be re-used.

He can just treat a space monster as a ship and let you create a design file for them. I don't think it could be done in 1.35 as it is, but someone might prove me wrong.

klausD · #28 May 21st, 2001, 10:06 AM

I think the easiest way to have space monsters in the game is to create some really good graphics of space monsters and send them to MM. IMO this will inspire Aaron to add them. (it shows him the dedication of SE4 fans for his game)

bye
Klaus

dogscoff · #29 May 21st, 2001, 10:37 AM

QUOTE:
The neutrals could have a 'religious' awe of the beast and turn out to support it when it goes into combat against your ships. It's their "god" after all. If you are fighting with it, they are darn well gonna help it out.
/QUOTE

Woah, major Space Empires / Black & White crossover happening here...

Now *that* would be addictive...

------------------
"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"Uh, I think so, Brain, but balancing a family and a career ... oooh, it's all too much for me. "

Sinapus · #30 May 21st, 2001, 05:09 PM

quote:
Originally posted by dogscoff:
QUOTE:
The neutrals could have a 'religious' awe of the beast and turn out to support it when it goes into combat against your ships. It's their "god" after all. If you are fighting with it, they are darn well gonna help it out.
/QUOTE

Woah, major Space Empires / Black & White crossover happening here...

Damn, I'm still feeling silly. I just thought of those natives that worshipped Mothra on some old kaiju film.