Stargazing, from Wreckage to Habitable Planets

Hello Space Adventurers! This week we’ve been working on a number of updates for our space game, focusing mainly on improving the solar system to make it more immersive and realistic. Let’s dive in!

Solar System Construction

We started off by revisiting the generation of our solar systems. Previously, we used static numbers to position planets and moons around a star. This time, we added an extra touch of realism by considering the actual size of the celestial bodies and the distances between them.

To generate these positions, we utilized Vector3 coordinates, factoring in the sizes of the planets and moons to ensure that no celestial bodies were unrealistically overlapping. This has resulted in far more accurate orbit representations and a realistic sense of scale.

Wreckage Additions

This week we’ve introduced a new feature to the game- wreckage! These abandoned pieces of ships or space stations will be floating around in our solar systems. Players will have to navigate carefully as they explore new territories.

The addition of wreckage introduced a unique challenge: how to prevent them from interfering with the orbits of planets? We had to ensure that our wreckage didn’t end up being an annoying obstacle for players. To achieve this, we created a function that calculates potential positions for wreckage based on the occupied orbits of planets, ensuring they are placed within the gaps, adding a touch of realism and challenge to our game.

Habitable Planets and Colonies

Another interesting update is the introduction of habitable planets and colonies. Now, based on the type of star, the game will decide whether a planet within its habitable zone can support life. If it does, we roll a virtual die to determine if there is a colony on that planet, and if so, what size (city, outpost, base) and type (mining, research, military, etc.)

Jump Gates

Our game universe is vast, and we’ve been working on mechanisms to help players traverse this expanse. Enter: Jump Gates! Each solar system will now have a Jump Gate at its outskirts, allowing for quick travel between systems. We created an algorithm to determine the best position for these Jump Gates, avoiding existing orbits to provide a seamless travel experience.

Wrapping Up

We’re excited about these new additions and the depth they add to the game. Eternity’s solar systems are becoming increasingly dynamic and lifelike. However, there’s still much to do. Keep an eye on this devlog for future updates as we continue building our space adventure!

Stay curious, adventurers!