{"author_name":"5parrowhawk","cat":"LD #16 - Exploration - 2009","comments":[],"epoch":1260653760,"likes":0,"metadata":{"p_key":"72035","p_author":"5parrowhawk","p_authorkey":"792","p_urlkey":"107857","p_title":"Wakey wakey.","p_cat":"LD #16 - Exploration - 2009","p_event":"LD16","p_time":"1260653760","p_likes":"0","p_comments":"0","p_status":"UPD5","us_key":"792","us_name":"5parrowhawk","us_username":"5parrowhawk","event_start":"1260489600","event_key":"2","event_name":"LD16"},"text":"<p>No new pics since the last update. I&#8217;m now rethinking my design.<\/p>\n <p>The original design was very much along the lines of Sins of a Solar Empire mixed with a more traditional RTS and a dash of MOO (special planets). At this point, though, I&#8217;m really not confident of pulling off an enemy AI in the time I have left, and it was kind of going off-theme. So here&#8217;s the new plan &#8211; a dash of SAIS, a pinch of Sins, a smidgen of Star Control, and a liberal sprinkling of MOO2:<\/p>\n <p>&#8211; The player is on a mission to this star cluster to find the Relics of the Ancestors. When you bring them together, something is supposed to happen. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n <p>&#8211; The player can colonize planets with a colony ship. I may remove the idea of building up the planets. Possibly the number of cities on the planet merely increases over time, leading to faster production and more income?<\/p>\n <p>&#8211; The relics can be found by exploring the star cluster and conducting archaeological digs on planets with Ancestor ruins. First you must colonize those planets.<\/p>\n <p>&#8211; Some planets are defended by hostile giant creatures (Space Crystal, anyone?). Those planets usually have good stuff and\/or a relic.<\/p>\n <p>&#8211; The player&#8217;s steps are dogged by these nasty aliens who drop out of a pocket dimension now and then. They will start arriving when the player reaches a certain level of power. The alien attacks come in waves which get stronger over time.<\/p>\n <p>&#8211; Normally, each wave will contain a Virus Bomb &#8211; a special alien ship. If allowed to reach a player-owned planet and re-enter the atmosphere unmolested, the bomb will destroy all life on the planet, returning it to an uncolonized state.<\/p>\n <p>&#8211; I may raise the stakes by turning the Virus Bomb into a Planet Buster that not only destroys all life but turns the planet into a molten wasteland &#8211; it can still be re-colonized but will produce no income.<\/p>\n <p>&#8211; The aliens may also have other tricks up their slimy sleeves&#8230;<\/p>\n <p>Will be going off to church in about an hour &#8211; good to clear my head. When I get back I shall have to go quite frankly nuts.<\/p>","time":"December 12th, 2009 4:36 pm","title":"Wakey wakey."}