Hello, Space Explorers!

We’re back with another DevLog for our galaxy-crawling project Eternity! There’s a lot to cover as we’ve made significant strides in creating the mechanics that will shape our player’s exploration of the universe. We’re excited to share what we’ve been working on, and we can’t wait to hear your feedback.

Procedural Galaxy Generation:

Since our last update, we’ve been diving deep into the game’s procedural generation. Our goal is to provide a unique galaxy (tiny) for players to explore each time they start a run.

In essence, the galaxy creation algorithm produces a sequence of solar systems. The systems are arranged in a mainline with branches occasionally sprouting out and looping back into the main path, ensuring a diverse, non-linear exploration experience. A galaxy contains around  20 of these systems, rich with celestial bodies like stars, planets, moons, and asteroid fields. For now, we are keeping generation at 20, but increasing it is as easy as writing the desired number in the code 🙂

We’ve been mindful of adding a dash of realism where it makes sense: the systems are generated according to the rules of astrophysics, the type of star conditioning the rest of the celestial bodies around it in some way, like size, type, atmosphere, resources, etc. But don’t worry, there will be plenty of exotic and unexpected sights to discover!

UI Wireframing:

 Parallel to our work on the procedural galaxy generation, we’ve also begun implementing the UI’s wireframe in the engine. We’re focusing on making the UI intuitive, minimalistic, and informative. Aiming to strike the right balance is challenging, but we’re confident our design will provide players with all the necessary information without overwhelming them or detracting from the beautiful cosmic scenery.

Jump Gates and Gameplay Loop:

To navigate these star systems, we’ve introduced the concept of portals, or “Jump Gates”. These are the gateways between the solar systems, offering a tactical element for players deciding on their next jump destination. Whether you choose to stay on the main path or venture off onto the branching paths is up to you.

Fleet Compositions:

In addition, we’ve been brainstorming and exploring potential fleet compositions for players. Our goal is to offer an array of fleet options that suit different strategies and play styles. Do you prefer a balanced fleet with the versatility to handle any situation? Or do you like to take a risk with a specialized fleet tailored for specific scenarios? We’re laying down the groundwork to make these strategic decisions a core part of the gameplay experience.

While the game doesn’t go super-deep in fleet maneuvers and formations, we will try to make it interesting and fun.

That’s all for this update! We’re hard at work on Eternity, and we can’t wait to show you more of what we’ve been working on in the next DevLog. Stay tuned, and as always, thank you for joining us on this exciting journey through the stars!

Clear skies, The Dev Team