[New build - DEFAULT] 20w22e: Space Station Modules

[tsunamayo]

In this build I am introducing a new paradigm for space station building.

Please note: 1) none of this is mandatory, you are still free to build in space and call your build a space station! 2) This is very early wip! A lot of things are missing - but please book case when you find something! I just want you guys start building on some modules!

First this new paradigm address a few key elements regarding stations building:

• People interested in building stations wants to build massive stations, usually overestimating what the game can handle (and also what they can handle as a builder)
• Many people are not really interested in space stations
• I need a framework to spawn a wide array of space stations for gameplay in a semi-procedural way.
• I want station with full interior, with npc walking around and more!

This new approach aims at providing better performance while allowing a modular assembly approach.

• Stations build voxel size is 4m instead of 1m. It makes a build 64x time cheaper for a given size!
• A new block called connector define a Outside (at 4m grid size), and an Interior with the standard 1m size. The interior is only loaded when entering the station through that connector.
• You can dock a module to another using the station connector tool.

Also it this build is a new shipyard block: it works like a gravity block where you need to specify an area. For now only landing is supported but I will add a toggle, and improve UI and UX.

That is essentially it! It is great as we will get bigger station with great detailed interior for a very small cost on performance. The modular approach will make some decently station possible, all with a full interior! The outside / inside loading trick is also important for when I will want to add npc.

Stations lover should enjoy that system. For non-stations lover (people who dont want to spend a huge amount of time making their module), I plan to add gameplay around that: you will buy module and assemble your station over time, making it an end-game gameplay element.

Missing:

• Right now you dont need to close your station exterior. I will add a constrain => if the module hull is not closed, you can not enter.
• Multiplayer support for connector
• NPC adjust for new shipyard.
• Some windows transparent only on the inner side. => I also want to add a tank block, will be arriving soon!

Now what I would very much want is you guys make some module for me! As release is soon it is quite important for me to have a few modules. a) some basic connecting elements: mini hug with connector on all side, corridors. b) Shipyard! Some stuff like the old one, some other concept like you want. Please make it so that the ship area is cubic. Interior should have mechanical / servicing stuff (not living quarter). I will add an elevator working like the connector for entering inside the shipyard! c) A hub for gameplay. Some stuff where I will add mission board and other gameplay elements. d) Some random living quarter. For immersion!

=> Please send screenshot, and any wip blueprint! I will start working on spawning these stations, and having npc interact with them.

Some concept for inspiration:

Thanks a lot guys! Now lets build some cracking station modules ;)

[tsunamayo]

Build is live! Thanks

[tsunamayo]

I should mention that the connector outside dock is the bulky one. Once you enter, you can place normal block onto the large outer shell of your station, they will stick to the small grid. Blueprint are exported in BlueprintStations. Do dock a module, pick the new tool, click on the module connector you want to move. Then click on the target connector, you can rotate the module before doing so.

[Sullos]

Hey Tsuna, love the update, where would you like the pictures and space station modules/blueprints posted? Right here in this thread, or perhaps somewhere else? Thanks and great work!

[Womble-TC]

Like the new feature, though I have a few issues/questions:

Firstly, how do I switch back to large grid mode once I've started building an interior? It seems to be stuck the normal grid size now.

Secondly, you cant link a switch on the interior the the connector doors

And finally, any chance the interior door could be square so it is easier to build around? right now you have to hide the door clipping through the walls, but then there is an awkward gap between the round part of the door and the walls.

[Kaiser-Indrasil]

I struggle to connect the two stations together. Edit: I should've mentioned that I was in a multiplayer game at the time. These are the steps I've taken:

1. Build 2 separate station starter blocks
2. Attach the docks to each of them, making sure that the longer ends face each other
3. Try to click and drag the connection from one docking hatch to another.
4. Nothing happens.

[Alkaliii]

starting to get a hang of the module system

[tsunamayo]

@Kaiser-Indrasil no need to hold the mouse, I think that was the issue on your side. I will add a mini checklist on the side! @Womble-TC You need to exit through the connector. It is made this way because I will add a "Hull closed" condition, so you would be really inside. But I will also add a key to do the switch.

[Dwarf-LordPangolin]

Started work on a small shipyard for Cat 0 ships:

[itsKeq]

for the station does it have to be all the same way up?

[tsunamayo]

@itsKeq you mean gravity wise? No you can build them as you want...

[itsKeq]

Ok , corridor module

[Majikmonster]

Will tiny ships and/or hovercraft be able to enter the station interiors? Could I take a "jetpack" or hoverbike and drive it into an open connector?

[tsunamayo]

@itsKeq it looks amazing! Cant wait to see more in this style. @Majikmonster yes as soon as they can fit no problem! And I will add an elevator that can rescale, so potentially yes we could entire ship with that.

[Dwarf-LordPangolin]

Been working on my connectors; I want to get all the possible joints (2-way, T-join, 4-way, etc) down before I get too deep into the system. All the connectors will fit into a 9-block cube; then I can make the other modules fit into multiples of those cubes if they end up being bigger. Then everything will be standardized, and should be easy for the procedural generation system to handle (as well as being simpler for people to build with).

[tsunamayo]

@Dwarf-LordPangolin it is looking great, and very much in your style! If you could it my way even wip I will start implementing the spawn workflow.

[Dwarf-LordPangolin]

Thanks! Will-do! :+1:

[Majikmonster]

I've been building under the assumption that stations can/will have universal unidirectional gravity. Will gravity only apply to certain modules? Can we specify which modules have gravity? Will each module have it's own 'down' direction, or will the entire station have a single direction of pull?

Build style would be very different for stations/modules with gravity versus no gravity, like the difference between Star Wars/Star Trek stations and the ISS.

I'd like to get an idea of how it might work before I get too deep into the design process.

[itsKeq]

update had to redo the module