Real Star Names

[Osito]

File and installation instructions updated for Universe.

The new file contains just over 1,500 'real' star names, i.e., they are generally accepted names of (mostly nearby) stars catalogued in the milky way galaxy.

The file does not duplicate star names, so where there are several names for a given star, I have picked the one which seems best known. For example 'Sirius' is a better known name than 'alpha canis majoris' so it is Sirius that appears in the file. Edit: Oops this is not completely true, I uploaded the wrong file. The file is updated compared with the previous one, but in this file I had not deleted the Bayer names (i.e., the alpha/beta/gamma 'whatevers') which had corresponding common names. If anyone wants the latest file, let me know and I'll upload it.

If you don't like this type of star name, then I refer you to Historyis' alternative file, here:

tm.asp?m=3348987

My file does not include “Sol” (in fact the game might include it anyway, because it is an ancient home system name for humans). If you want, just add it to the end of the text file (along with anything else you want).

Installation Instructions:

1. If you're already using any themes, just drop the attached text file into the folder for those themes. The star names will then load along with the rest of the theme. There shouldn't be any conflicts, unless the theme is using it's own systemName.txt file, in which case you probably shouldn't use my file.

2. If you're not using any other themes, just create a folder (e.g. called 'Real Star Names') inside your 'Customization' folder, drop the attached text file into your newly created folder, and change to the new theme within the game menu.

Osito

[invaderzim]

Nice work! There's also some variables for nebula names in GameText.txt. I'm not sure what could be added, but maybe it's worth tinkering with.

[font="Courier New"]'Nebula names
NEBULANAME Arm ;{0} Arm
NEBULANAME NEBULATYPENAME ;{0} {1}
Cluster ;Cluster
Cloud ;Cloud
Expanse ;Expanse
Nebula ;Nebula
Murk ;Murk
Gloom ;Gloom
Fog ;Fog
Zone ;Zone
Region ;Region
Drift ;Drift
Corridor ;Corridor
Storm ;Storm
Tempest ;Tempest
Typhoon ;Typhoon
Squall ;Squall
Turmoil ;Turmoil
Maelstrom ;Maelstrom
Desolation ;Desolation
Waste ;Waste[/font]

[Osito]

I believe the text you've referred to is the suffix for the nebula name. So, in game, you'd see something like "Anurbes Drift" as the nebula name. The fact that these suffixes exist in GameText.txt probably means it's not possible to edit nebula names - not for me, at least. I sure would like to edit them, though.

Osito

[Tree Dog]

ORIGINAL: Osito
The file does not include “Sol”. If you want that, just add it to the end of the text file (along with anything else you want).

Doesn't matter, it can still pop up or be used as part of a name whenever, it's set as the Human's home system in their race file. You'll have to change it there if you don't want to see a randomly generated Sol either.

[Osito]

ORIGINAL: Tree Dog

ORIGINAL: Osito
The file does not include “Sol”. If you want that, just add it to the end of the text file (along with anything else you want).

Doesn't matter, it can still pop up or be used as part of a name whenever, it's set as the Human's home system in their race file. You'll have to change it there if you don't want to see a randomly generated Sol either.

Indeed, good point. I often build Sol in the game editor because I like playing it, then I rename Sol as "New Sol" if it comes up.

By the way, I love the dog pic.

Osito.

[invaderzim]

Would it be possible to mod the actual Sol system into the game so that it the Human homeworld every time you play them? I think Stardrive (a much simplified clone of DW) puts you into the Sol system whenever you play as Humans.

[Osito]

ORIGINAL: invaderzim

Would it be possible to mod the actual Sol system into the game so that it the Human homeworld every time you play them? I think Stardrive (a much simplified clone of DW) puts you into the Sol system whenever you play as Humans.

I don't think it's possible at present. I think you can only mod the map after you have started a game. It's quite a tedious process, but I have created a "real" solar system. The proportions are not exactly right (it's impossible to make them exactly right and have a decent game), but it has a good feel to it, in my view.

Osito

[Silaith]

Good idea! To reinforce realism and immersion, thank you

[Osito]

Thank you! When Universe comes out, I'm hoping to be able to create a milky way galaxy with our solar system represented accurately and stars at the correct position and distance (well, as near as you can get with a 2D representation!). I don't know whether Universe will let me do this, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. of course, I could do it now using the editor, but I'd be stuck with the same starting conditions every time I play it.

[Osito]

Just letting people know that the instructions for this small mod have been updated for Universe along with the file itself. If you're using the previous version of the file, the differences between this file and the older one are:

1. Corrected some spelling errors.
2. Removed a few names that turned out not to be real star names. Star Wars and Star Trek get in everywhere!
3. Removed all duplication of star names. For example, in the previous version 'Sirius' and 'alpha canis majoris' were allowed to co-exist. That is not the case in the attached file: each name in the file should represent a unique star. Edit: As noted in the OP, I uploaded the wrong file. The file is updated compared with the previous one, but in this file I had not deleted the Bayer names (i.e., the alpha/beta/gamma 'whatevers') which had corresponding common names. If anyone wants the latest file, let me know and I'll upload it.
4. Added a few new names.

Thanks,

Osito

[Grotius]

Thanks for doing this! Look forward to trying it.

[Darkspire]

ORIGINAL: Osito

Just letting people know that the instructions for this small mod have been updated for Universe along with the file itself. If you're using the previous version of the file, the differences between this file and the older one are:

1. Corrected some spelling errors.
2. Removed a few names that turned out not to be real star names. Star Wars and Star Trek get in everywhere!
3. Removed all duplication of star names. For example, in the previous version 'Sirius' and 'alpha canis majoris' were allowed to co-exist. That is not the case in the atfached file, each name in the file should represent a unique star.
4. Added a few new names.

Thanks,

Osito

Great list [:)]

Is it okay to use this in a theme? I can hit 4930+ names for systems then [8D]

Darkspire

[Osito]

ORIGINAL: Darkspire

Is it okay to use this in a theme? I can hit 4930+ names for systems then [8D]

Darkspire

Sure, no problem. That's a lot of star names!

Osito

[Darkspire]

ORIGINAL: Osito

ORIGINAL: Darkspire

Is it okay to use this in a theme? I can hit 4930+ names for systems then [8D]

Darkspire

Sure, no problem. That's a lot of star names!

Osito

The lists I have worked through have been edited so that the names follow the default vanilla one as regards the length of names, the number of names that have that length etc, they are then sorted and resorted by the position of a letter to mix them up. I only play on a 700 star map and it really gives a good mix of names, for those on a 1400 it means that they should also end up with a good mix as well when generating a map [:)]

Darkspire