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long distance travel

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 4:51 pm
by dingbat911
Greetings Distant world community!

A quick question came to my mind while watching the size of the galaxy (Which may I saw is amazing! [X(] [&o] ) but I wanted to ask about longer distance travel and how it functions

in the movies I've seen warp jumps to (what I belive are) local systems, but how is cross sector and galactic region movement controlled? does warp become capable of reaching that distance late game or are there some forms of extra propulsion like jump gates, or natural phenomena like wormholes? And if so how is this controlled so you don't get an empire jumping across to any point in the galaxy whenever he wants (I know there is some sort of fuel so this question is more in case of wormhole or jump gate travel)

just something that interested me! looking forwards to the release! [:D]
-
Dingbat

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:08 pm
by Gertjan
Good questions!

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:28 pm
by elliotg
ORIGINAL: dingbat911
A quick question came to my mind while watching the size of the galaxy (Which may I saw is amazing! [X(] [&o] ) but I wanted to ask about longer distance travel and how it functions

in the movies I've seen warp jumps to (what I belive are) local systems, but how is cross sector and galactic region movement controlled? does warp become capable of reaching that distance late game or are there some forms of extra propulsion like jump gates, or natural phenomena like wormholes? And if so how is this controlled so you don't get an empire jumping across to any point in the galaxy whenever he wants (I know there is some sort of fuel so this question is more in case of wormhole or jump gate travel)
Long distance travel uses hyperjumps where the ship accelerates to very high speed to cross these distances. So the jump still takes time to cover the distance - it's not instantaneous - but much faster than standard sub-light travel. Pretty much the Star Wars model.

There is no limit on the range of a hyperjump. However the practical constraint on jump distance is fuel capacity. So realistically you can't just jump to any point in the galaxy. Logistics around fuel is a big consideration, especially with your fleets in war-time. Establishing strategic refueling points is important.

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:40 pm
by dingbat911
ORIGINAL: elliotg
Long distance travel uses hyperjumps where the ship accelerates to very high speed to cross these distances. So the jump still takes time to cover the distance - it's not instantaneous - but much faster than standard sub-light travel. Pretty much the Star Wars model.

There is no limit on the range of a hyperjump. However the practical constraint on jump distance is fuel capacity. So realistically you can't just jump to any point in the galaxy. Logistics around fuel is a big consideration, especially with your fleets in war-time. Establishing strategic refueling points is important.

Right I see! thanks for that

I'm guessing fuel is mined or somehow produced by colonys, can ships only be refueled from colonys or are there space installations and/or ships that can do that job, as having a station in orbit of a planet or even dark space (if possible? are jumps and movement limited to system-system or can things be placed in dark space?) as a staging point for expansion would be pretty fun...and so would the raids on said installations!

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:46 pm
by elliotg
ORIGINAL: dingbat911
I'm guessing fuel is mined or somehow produced by colonys, can ships only be refueled from colonys or are there space installations and/or ships that can do that job, as having a station in orbit of a planet or even dark space (if possible? are jumps and movement limited to system-system or can things be placed in dark space?) as a staging point for expansion would be pretty fun...and so would the raids on said installations!
Yes, all of the items you mentioned happen in the game:
- gas fuels are mined from gas giant planets and gas clouds
- refueling locations include colonies and various bases: space ports, gas mining stations, specialized military resupply ships
- you can travel to any location in the galaxy (bearing in mind the fuel range restrictions mentioned earlier), even any point in deep space. And, yes you can hide stuff in deep space if you like...

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:57 pm
by dingbat911
Awesome, thanks for all your time [:D]

so as one last question on this matter (from me anyway) are all jumps easily detectable via sensors or is there a form of stealth drive?

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 8:21 pm
by Gertjan
I hope the AI is able to deal with all these strategic elements, such as refuelling. Don't get me wrong I really like these innovations a lot, but if the AI isn't able to deal with them as a skilled human player would, then it may become an issue for this game.

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 9:04 pm
by elliotg
ORIGINAL: dingbat911
so as one last question on this matter (from me anyway) are all jumps easily detectable via sensors or is there a form of stealth drive?
There are long range scanners that allow visibility over wide areas, to give you warning of approaching enemies. There are also stealth components that partially defeat long range scanners, allowing a ship or base to only become visible when it gets closer to the target.

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Tue Feb 02, 2010 9:06 pm
by elliotg
ORIGINAL: Gertjan
I hope the AI is able to deal with all these strategic elements, such as refuelling. Don't get me wrong I really like these innovations a lot, but if the AI isn't able to deal with them as a skilled human player would, then it may become an issue for this game.
The AI can handle all of the strategic elements in the game, including refueling logistics. There are no game features that the AI does not know how to use.

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 1:25 am
by martok
ORIGINAL: elliotg

The AI can handle all of the strategic elements in the game, including refueling logistics. There are no game features that the AI does not know how to use.

These words are music to my ears. [&o]



On a tangentially-related subject: How exactly do resupply ships work, anyway?

I presume they can support only so many ships in a fleet at a time (as otherwise it could be a serious exploit). What I'm wondering, though, is if the limit is based more on numbers, or on tonnage. In other words, does a resupply vessel support (as a hypothetical example) 30 frigates, but only 4 capital ships? Or does it support 30 frigates and 30 capital ships equally?

Also, by how much does a resupply ship extend the range of a fleet? And do resupply ships themselves run out of fuel, or are their reserves considered to be effectively "infinite"?

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 10:54 am
by Gertjan
Answer to 10 is no, since I've already asked it. Why not bring a lot of tiny fighters along your fleet. It gives the same impression in my opinion.

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 11:36 am
by ypsylon
Is Tibana Gas mining profitable in DW? [:D]

I have one question with regard to galaxy size. OK with huge galaxy space on the screen is taken over by galaxy view. But if you select smallest galaxy possible is it possible to generate more than 1 galaxy at once?

I would love to explore other galaxies and void/matter/space between galaxies. This is the stuff which (I think) should finally be implemented in sci-fi 4x games. It is sci-fi after all. We should experiment here a bit. [:)]

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:08 pm
by martok
ORIGINAL: Gertjan

Answer to 10 is no, since I've already asked it. Why not bring a lot of tiny fighters along your fleet. It gives the same impression in my opinion.

Perhaps you intended this post for another thread? Because the questions I asked don't have yes/no answers....


RE: long distance travel

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:36 pm
by Gertjan
Yes, you're right. Apologies that's what you get when you like to mingle in the discussion but have only limited time.

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:46 pm
by elliotg
ORIGINAL: martok
On a tangentially-related subject: How exactly do resupply ships work, anyway?

I presume they can support only so many ships in a fleet at a time (as otherwise it could be a serious exploit). What I'm wondering, though, is if the limit is based more on numbers, or on tonnage. In other words, does a resupply vessel support (as a hypothetical example) 30 frigates, but only 4 capital ships? Or does it support 30 frigates and 30 capital ships equally?

Also, by how much does a resupply ship extend the range of a fleet? And do resupply ships themselves run out of fuel, or are their reserves considered to be effectively "infinite"?
This will be explained in the video on Combat and Fleet Operations, but briefly: there are no artificial numeric limits on resupply (e.g. number of ships it can handle, etc). Resupply Ships mine fuel from the normal sources: gas giant planets and gas clouds. They are basically large mobile military bases that deploy at a fuel source and then become a refueling point for your fleets.

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 7:48 pm
by elliotg
ORIGINAL: ypsylon
I have one question with regard to galaxy size. OK with huge galaxy space on the screen is taken over by galaxy view. But if you select smallest galaxy possible is it possible to generate more than 1 galaxy at once?

I would love to explore other galaxies and void/matter/space between galaxies. This is the stuff which (I think) should finally be implemented in sci-fi 4x games. It is sci-fi after all. We should experiment here a bit. [:)]
Having multiple galaxies is a cool idea, but doesn't happen in DW. There's plenty of space between star systems in DW though, and sometimes you'll find stuff out there 'in the void' too.

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:13 pm
by dingbat911
ORIGINAL: elliotg
This will be explained in the video on Combat and Fleet Operations, but briefly: there are no artificial numeric limits on resupply (e.g. number of ships it can handle, etc). Resupply Ships mine fuel from the normal sources: gas giant planets and gas clouds. They are basically large mobile military bases that deploy at a fuel source and then become a refueling point for your fleets.

This quote pulled my interest here and thus brought another question to my mind?

what is the current setup with creating outposts:
do they have to be central to a planet?
are there dedicated stations that can be made for the distinct purpose of a staging post?
will it be possible to modify station equipment like ships if that is possible?

And on another note how is space construction managed?
via ships? civilian automated ships? or is it a progress over time thing?

Thanks for your time!
-
dingbat911

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:21 pm
by elliotg
ORIGINAL: dingbat911
what is the current setup with creating outposts:
do they have to be central to a planet?
No, you can build bases anywhere: at colonies, at uninhabited planets, asteroid fields, in space in the middle of a star system, at a gas cloud, or even in deep space.
are there dedicated stations that can be made for the distinct purpose of a staging post?
Yes, you can design bases of any type the same way you design ships
will it be possible to modify station equipment like ships if that is possible?
Yes, bases can be designed just like ships. You can add any of the components you can add to ships, and some components are in fact more suited to bases.
And on another note how is space construction managed?
via ships? civilian automated ships? or is it a progress over time thing?
You have state-controlled mobile construction ships that you can send out to build any type of base wherever you want - e.g. mining stations, research stations, refueling outposts, monitoring stations, etc.

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:31 pm
by Tycow
Any idea when the next video is going to be released? I need my next DW fix! [:D]

RE: long distance travel

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 11:21 am
by PJL1973
ORIGINAL: elliotg
This will be explained in the video on Combat and Fleet Operations, but briefly: there are no artificial numeric limits on resupply (e.g. number of ships it can handle, etc). Resupply Ships mine fuel from the normal sources: gas giant planets and gas clouds. They are basically large mobile military bases that deploy at a fuel source and then become a refueling point for your fleets.

So if there is no ship limit, then is there at least a limit on how much fuel they can store? And presumable they have their own range limit as well? Otherwise I can see them being abused as a nasty exploit if they don't have any such limits.