So, I assume most people here have at least heard of Kerbal Space Program, since this RP is heavily inspired by it and another very similar thread on the MC forums, which I may even link because of the excellent idea.
The point of this RP is basically space exploration. Not the later, very advanced intergalactic exploration, but the humble beginnings of every space-faring race: from the first satellites in orbit to the colonization of the most distant planets in the star system.
So basically, how it works?
Well, the game works via a turn system.
Each turn, every player can do several actions: manufacture new parts, assemble spacecraft, describe it's plans to the public, trade/donate/sell parts to other players, interact with other players etc.
Rules
First of all, before I start going into detail about the gameplay mechanics, here are the rules (these are compulsory, first two times you break them you will be warned, third time kicked from the RP!):
1. No power-gaming: It is not allowed to "control" other player's characters without their permission. E.g. you can't say: "A meteor crashes into B's satellite and obliterates it."
2. No meta-gaming: Basically, you can't know things you aren't supposed to know. If player A says:"Currently working on a secret spy satellite", B can't know he is having a secret project unless he has a spy there or another very good reason to know something like that.
3. No god-moding: Pretty self-explanatory. It's OK if sometimes you simply do not want something bad to happen to you, but don't make your organization literally unsurpassed in luck(only good things happen to you)
Now, the actual gameplay.
The currency system
Every player begins with the same amount of currency: 100,000$ (it's an alien planet, so they probably don't use dollars there, but we'll just use it as a currency marker)
Of course, you're funds will fluctate depending on your profits and expenses
Profits:
Due to lack of general public services at the beginning of the game, most of your profits will be gained from your investors, or if you are a space agency, the government along with investors (I will describe organization types later)
Later on, you will be able to profit off of comm satellites and other public services.
Expenses
Initially, most of you're expenses will be simply building maintainance, but later on, you will also have to maintain more advanced space missions
Bankruptcy
If a player's funds are below 0$ for more than 3 turns, he goes into 'bankruptcy' for another 3 turns. During that time, they cannot do anything. All of their space missions will continue to operate, however further orders cannot be issued
After the 3 turns, the player will get a minimalist sum of money and be able to continue to make orders.
Public opinion
Public opinion is a value that scales from 1-10, and is applied only to space agencies. The higher the PO, the more money you get from the government. This is changed depending on events, missions, etc.
Buildings
Players can initially only build 1 building per turn and 3 parts per turn (this will fluctate)
Current buildings (only 1 per turn):
Production
Small manufactory (40,000$, m. 5000$ per turn)- Enables +1 part per turn, parts are 10% cheaper
Launchpads
Public launchpad(15,000$, m. 1000$ per turn)- Not necessarily required for launch but trust me, it will be messy if you don't use this. The public version allows the public to spectate your (hopefully) fantastic launches, increasing your PO, or decreasing it if you fail Secret launchpad(15,000$, m. 1000$ per turn)- The public version, except away from the eyes of the public, not changing your PO almost all of the time
Scientific
Research station(35,000$, m.5000$ per turn)- Can do research (during research, you can only produce -2 parts)(later you will be able to make buildings specialized in researching certain fields) Small ground telescope(20,000$, m.1000$ per turn)-Can be used to detect most dwarf-planet sized objects in your star system and very primitive observations of very near stars
Crew
Training center(35,000$, m. 1000$ per turn)- For training astronauts
Tracking
Radar(15,000$, m. 1000$)- Good for tracking local sub-orbital craft Small Dipole Radio Antenna(20,000$, m. 1000$)- For tracking craft up to (and including) orbit. This building is stackable, and the more you have of these, the stronger the signal Directional Antenna(25,000$, m. 1000$)- Used for tracking craft with tracking transmitter
Parts
Used for rockets.
NOTE: New parts (and buildings) will constantly appear as technology advances and old ones be decommissioned. After every turn, I will announce what parts have become available, and what have been put out of manufacture.
Players can also research specific parts themselves. Just say that you are currently researching X, say what X will give you (don't go too ahead of the time period, this on an alien planet which begins with level of tech similar to humanity in the 50's) . You will get exclusivity to that part for the next 3 turns (only you will be able to use it), and after that it goes public and everyone can use it.
Fuel and engines
Solid rocket booster(2500$)- It's power is greater than it's weight, so it is good for the early stages of a flight. Negliable weight. PP is 1, lasts only 1 turn Large solid rocket booster(5000$)- Much more powerful than the ordinary version, used for heavier craft. Negliable weight. 2 PP, lasts only 1 turn Liquid fuel tank(5000$)- Contains 5 units of liquid fuel. Weight is 2 units of weight Large fuel tank(10,000$)- More fuel (10 units) and weight. Weight is 4 units of weight
Liquid fuel engine(7000$)- Ordinary version. Requires 3 liquid fuel per turn. Produces 5 units of propulsion power per turn. Weight is 1 unit Dual-nozzle liquid fuel engine(15,000$)- Heavier (2 units) and more powerful (8 units of propulsion per turn). Consumes more fuel(5 per turn)
Structural and aerodynamic
Set of fins(5000$)- Craft made more aerodynamic, prevents major strafing with most craft
Payload
These aren't produced, just bought
Power
Small silver-zinc battery(1000$)- Stores 3 units of electric power
Communications
These can, apart from their general uses, be leased to TV companies, governments etc.
Radio transmitting unit(2500$)- Used to communicate with stations with radio dipole antennae. Tracking transmitter(7500$)- Requires transistor processor to operate. Stronger signal and increased ranged (up to and including the planet's closest moons)
Computers
Relayed processor(5000$)- A system that carries out commands and collect data. Transistor processor(10,000$)- Required for tracking transmitters. Can also carry out more advanced tasks than a relayed processor
Scientific
Thermometer(500$)- Used for measuring the local temperature Barometer(500$)- For measuring local pressure Small black-white camera(1000$)- The most primitive type of camera. Takes pictures in black-white low quality Radiometer(500$)- Measures local EM
Landing equipment
Small military parachute(1000$)- Used to be used to land heavy weapons, now can be used to slow down the descent of smaller objects
Launches
Probably the most important part of this RP, launches work like this:
First you say what parts your craft will contain (e.g. Parts: Liquid fuel engine, liquid fuel tank...)
Then you launch the craft and can operate it. Later, once decouplers are invented, you will be able to throw of dead weight by putting *decoupler* between stages
The 3 most important values during your flight will be:
Propulsion power (PP)- Used to move you spacecraft. Produced by engines. To succesfully change your 'location' (e.g. from sub orbital to orbital) you will be required to first generate a certain amount of 'used PP' (Propulsion power - weight). If used PP is less than 0, your craft will: a)Start losing height if it is in sub-orbit or lower b)If in low orbit or greater, you can still move, however your generated PP will be equal to one divided by the absolute value of the negative number, or if the number is a zero, then it will be equal to 1. If the number is greater than -1 but lesser than zero (e.g. -0.5) then it is simply equal to 1. (e.g. if generated PP = -1 and you are in orbit, generated PP will instead be 1/1=1) Weight- Increases with the amount of parts your craft has Electric power- Required to operate your craft. Depending on your parts, you will use a certain amount every turn.
Finally, your application
Name of organization: Put any name you like Organization type: Only 2 right now. Either a space agency (mostly funded by government and to a lesser degree by investors aswell. Public opinion is very important for these) or private company (funded by investors, public opinion not important)
The Cimmer-Waldikan star system (NOTE: The list posted here is only of known planets in the systems, as new planets are discovered, the list will be updated):
Waldikan The primary star of the Cimmer-Waldikan system, Waldikan is a yellow dwarf in it's early stages of life. It is currently the only known star which has a planetary system, although it is generally agreed upon that there are probably planets around other stars aswell. Due to it's prominence in the sky determining the cycles of day and night, it was treated as a god by the older residents of Haelga.
Planets:
Korliwa Due to it's surface conditions, Korliwa is seen by many as something close to hell in the universe. It is tidally locked to Waldikan, so one side is permanent day, the other night. The temperatures on the day side of Korliwa are what can be described as close to an inferno - Almost 800 Kelvin, while that on the night side is somwhat lower. The atmospheric pressure here is unbearable - around 1150 atm, crushing nearly anything that comes here. Due to the raging temperature and monstrous atmosphere, it is speculated that the surface of Korliwa is liquid, in the form of molten rock, although this is yet to be determined due to the fact that the atmosphere is so thick the surface cannot be seen at all from Haelga.
Moons:
Waronezch A relatively small moon, orbiting a relatively small distance away from Korliwa, little is know about it.
Glantnik Korliwa's more distant moon, it appears to be much larger than Waronezch, almost 3 times bigger.
Gizmin Gizmin was known since time immemorial by old civilizations, and some of the earliest calendar seemed to have been based upon it's place in the sky, probably due to the characteristic correlation between it's and Haelga's orbit, since every 10 Haelgan days, Gizmin appears to swap it's place from it's lefternmost place in the sky with it's righternmost place in the sky. It was one of the first objects in the sky to be observed with the first primitive telescopes, which has quickly lead to the discovery to it's currently only known moon - Gizm'Flynn, and the first ever celestial object not visible from Haelga without an optical instrument to be discovered.
Moons:
Gizm'Flynn The first object to be discovered using a telescope, Gizm'Flynn when translated means 'Gizman Moon'. It appears to have a red surface and a thin atmosphere. Gizm'Flynn currently holds the title of the largest moon in the whole Waldikan system - bigger than most independant planets (twice the size of Haelga, four times the size of Hollux, a little bigger than Maurn Fayer). Due to it's large inclination and distance from Gizman, many astronomers speculate that it initially used to be a planet with a very unstable orbit that eventually got caught up in Gizman gravity.
Holux The smallest planet in the Waldikan System, located in the Holuxan asteroid field. It was initially regarded as an asteroid mainly due to a specific quirk with telescopes back in time that greatly disorterted objects with a small apparent size from the viewer. It was classified as a planet once several skilled mathematicians from the small island nation of Haelax, from which it got it's name in their honor, finally proved that Holux (Called Syrga back then) was actually round, and had a quite notable mass. Haelga Currently the only know planet that supports liquid water and life, Haelga is planet of vasts forests that cover around 45 % of the planet, while the other 30 % are covered by an expansive equatorial desert, inhabited by a unique type of oasis that inhabits the occasional natural water reservoir, and 25% by a vast array of seas in the planet's north pole. Most craters have been erased from it's surface by erosion long since, with the exception of Lake Guissan, the largest lake on Haelga - A crater thought to have formed some 200 million years ago, with a large asteroid collision that is thought to have erased 50% of the species inhabiting Haelga at the time and throwing the planet into an ice age, after which the crater started getting filled by water from the ice that melt after it ended. The civilized residents of the planet are scientific and well-organized, eager to start exploration of the universe and the discovery of it's secrets.
Required generated PP to leave atmosphere: 4 Required generated PP to enter low orbit: 2
Moons:
Flynn The gray, universally recognized moon of Haelga has been known since the dawn of Haelgians. It determined the tides of the equatorial lakes, was used in calendar systems along with Gizmin, and has always fascinated Haelgians. It is thought to have formed some 2,5 billion years ago when a large rogue planet collided with Haelga and stripped away a notable portion of it which later formed the Flynn. It seemed to have had a turbulent geological past - there are several notable basins on it's surface formed by cooled down lava, which affirms the theory that the Flynn once had an active core. Gorloviet An asteroid thought to have formed the same way and at the same time the Flynn did, however since it was ejected much further from Haelga than the Flynn did, and didn't culminate enough matter to properly circularize itself. Gorloviet literaly means 'flying rock', a name jokingly given to it by astronomers due to it's appearance, but the name eventually caught on and soon became official. Kiell A recently discovered asteroid, it was initially thought to be an independent object passing by Haelga, however astronomers soon discovered that it is in fact a moon of the planet. Other than the fact that Kiell has probably formed the same way the Flynn and Gorloviet did, little is known about the moon.
Maurn Fayer A cold, reddish planet with a visible ring system and currently only one known moon. Maurn Fayer has been known since ancient times. It currently has ice covering both of it's poles, making it a relatively attractive location for future colonization. It has a relatively thin atmosphere however, and it's cold conditions also make the planet a less-than-perfect location for colonization.
Moons:
Sanian A recently discovered moon, it was for years impossible to detect with at the time telescope technology due to it's very small size. Very little is known about it, and is currently being widely studied.
Sterhauf Very similar to Maurn Fayer, Sterhauf only has a thicker atmosphere and is thought to be slightly bigger. It also has a notable ring system, via which it is differentiated from Maurn Fayer by amateur astronomers.
Moons:
Bativa and Knieb Two recently discovered moons, both appear to have their entire surfaces covered by ice.
Gloomnik Gloomnik got it's name from the Haelgan word for eye - gloom, due to the huge storm on it's visible atmosphere which looks like an eye. It was recently observed throughoutly by astronomers in search of new moons. So far only 2 have been discovered, however there are probably still many left to be discovered.
Moons:
Ingerfyasa A world unique due to the fact that it has a dense atmosphere despite the extremely low temperatures that rule in the outer regions of the Waldikan system. Due to the extremely low temperatures, it is thought that Ingerfyasa has weather on it's surface, however instead of water, liquid methane falls in the form of rain. This makes scientists believe that Ingerfyasa has entire seas of methane on its surface. It also has a ring system - the only known moon to have such an anomaly. Goblen The first moon of Gloomnik to be discovered, Goblen is mainly composed of ice and unlike other ice worlds discovered so far, has a significant size. Due to it's significant size, Goblen may have an active core, forming a vast sub-terranian ocean which may, as some say, very well be the closest candidate in the Waldikan system to support life. Due to this, it has gained fame in the general public as many are confident that there may be life in the sub-terranian ocean which can't even be confirmed yet.
Cimmer The second star in the Cimmer-Waldikan system, Cimmer is an orange dwarf. Currently, no planets orbiting Cimmer have been discovered
Build: Small dipole radio antenna (20,000$) Produce: Large solid booster(5000$) Large solid booster(5000$)
Building and part production is seperated, so you can make 3 parts per turn.
QuoteBilly_Mayes ()
Can you launch and do other stuff in the same turn?
Of course
QuoteBilly_Mayes ()
I'm a little confused by the fuel tanks and engines, since it's apparently impossible to advance with just a normal fuel tank and liquid engine. Care to explain?
Oops, my mistake, I am fixing the weight-propulsion ratio right now
Added (20.10.2013, 19:05) --------------------------------------------- Also, I have changed a rule for flying in orbit and above, which makes it possible to fly in orbit even if you have more weight than PP. (take a look at the rule, the only problem currently is the fact that having 1 more PP than weight is the same as having -1)
Produce: Small rocket booster, Set of fins (total $7500)
Buy: Parachute, relayed processor, small battery (total $7000)
Remaining funds: $85500
(question: is buying and production separated? Because it seems so.)
The test for today is quite simple: can we control a rocket's trajectory more easily by using fins? We'll use the computer to control the fins using a rudimentary steering system (very early prototype - not sure if will work) and conduct a series of tests while the rocket is accelerating upward. If anything goes wrong, the parachute will automatically deploy.
Note: Rocket emptied of most fuel. Planned for estimated 30 seconds of flight. We ain't goin' to space today.
Log: Rocket launched fine. It went up nearly perfectly. At 15 seconds, executed 45 degree turn south as planned. Rocket held stable flight at 45 degrees for 6 more seconds. At 21 seconds, Rocket jerked violently west and went into a tumble. Rocket started spiraling for 10 more seconds, then the fuel cut out and the parachute deployed. Rocket landed (relatively) unharmed.
Results: Computer recovered and logs analyzed. At 21 seconds, a bug caused an unplanned maneuver, jerking the rocket violently and as a result dislodging the computer, disconnecting it from the rest of the systems. The fins worked fine, however. Additional testing required...
We need more screws. -Dr. Nonmous
Meta post: Am I doing this right? I may be doing a lot of things wrong in this post.
I also stickied the first post for convenience. I recommend more spoilers so it doesn't take up too much space.
question: is buying and production separated? Because it seems so
Buying and production are for two different things. Production is used for non-payload items (Fuel, engines, look in the OP), you still have to pay production costs (placed in brackets) and have to wait 1 turn until it is produced (you do not get it the same turn you announce its production).
Buying is for payload items (comms, scientific stuff, it is in the OP). You obviously have to pay for the items, but unlike production, you get the parts immedietly and can use them the same turn you buy it. You can also buy things that need to be produced to get them right away, albeit for a 50% higher price. Since it is my fault that I did not mention that earlier, you do not need to pay the extra money for getting the parts you used for the launch instantly this time.
Players can also trade/donate/sell parts to each other for unlimited times and all changes happen instantly.
Quoteanonymousgamer ()
Meta post: Am I doing this right? I may be doing a lot of things wrong in this post.
I think we should put meta-posts in double brackets ((like this)) to avoid confusion. Anyways, you are doing everything exactly as you should be. Detailed and in-depth posts are appreciated, since this is an RP which really depends on those kind of posts.
Quoteanonymousgamer ()
I also stickied the first post for convenience. I recommend more spoilers so it doesn't take up too much space.
Thank you. I am going to go and put the different categories into spoilers, fix any typos and update some of the descriptions.
On a side note, you have gotten 1 research points towards getting the 'Set of fins Mk2' (when researching deeper into some parts, you will get new 'marks', these give better effects than the last mark, and are more expensive). Currently the set of fins decreases required generated PP to leave the atmosphere of planets with one by 10%. Upon getting the set of fins mk2, the required PP is reduced by 15%.
========== Effects: All parts are 20% less expensive to buy (production cost is still the same), due to a major manufacturer reopening it's biggest wing of production ========== Players:
Deathstar: Funds: 83,500$(59,500$ + 25,000$ (20,000$ from the government + 5000$ from investors) - 1000$ (b. maintanance)) Public opinion: 5 (remained stagnant since last time) Investor support: Moderate (No major negative nor major positive events) Current missions: None Current research progress: None
Billy_Mayes: Funds: 84,500$(60,500$ + 25,000$ (20,000$ from the governments + 5000$ from investors) - 1000$ (b. maintanance)) Public opinion: 5 (remained stagnant since last time) Investor support: Moderate (No major negative nor major positive events) Current missions: None Current research progress: None
anonymousgamer: Funds: 110,000$(85,000$ + 25,000$ (25,000$ from investors)) Investor support: Moderate (Reduced from moderately high due to rumors of a failed launch) Current missions: None (Rocket test completed last turn) Current research progress: Set of fins MK2 - 1/3
RockoRocks: Funds: 87,500$(63,000$ + 25,000$ (25,000$ from investors) - 1,000$(b. maintanance)) Investor support: Moderately high (No major negative nor major positive events) Current missions: None Current research progress: None
IMPORTANT: Also, when you are having a launch, you also need to make a name for the mission unless it is simply a test
Added (21.10.2013, 22:11) --------------------------------------------- Build: Small radio dipole antenna
Current Buildings: Public launchpad
Produce: None (I will buy the things I want to produce this turn, anyone can do that if they want to, but for a 50% higher price, or only 30% for the next 3 turns (because of a recent event))
Buy: 2x Solid rocket boosters (2*2500 + 2*900 = 7000$ (it is really 6800$, but I want to keep the numbers round))
In stock: Liquid fuel engine, liquid fuel tank, solid rocket booster, Radio transmitting unit, Relayed processor, Small silver-zinc battery, Small black-white camera, Small military parachute
Launching: Limit Breaker I
Goal: Take pictures of Haelga from the stratosphere or above
Parts: 3x Solid rocket boosters, liquid fuel engine, liquid fuel tank, Radio transmitting unit, Relayed processor, Small silver-zinc battery, Small black-white camera, Small military parachute
Phase 3 (atmospheric re-entry, time to deploy parachute and recover the craft):
Small military parachute: Deploy
Log: Phase 1 and Phase 2 pass without any major complications, Phase 3 represented a problem as the small military parachute could not slow down the craft properly. The craft fell into an ocean, and seemed mostly intact upon recovery. However, it was almost instantly noticed that a structural joint between the payload and rest of the craft broke and most of the craft was barely dangling from the payload. Time of damage unknown.
Achievements
This is something I have been thinking about to actually reward players for their discoveries and achievements. Every time your mission does something very important for the first time in the RP, you get an achievement for that. Achievements can also be gotten for being profitable, discovering exoplanets, etc.
Produce: Liquid fuel tank + Liquid fuel engine (12,000$)
Buy: Small military parachute (1000$)
Launching: Tartaros Space Probe I
Goal: Investigate conditions in vacuum in preparation for future manned spacecraft.
Parts: 2x Large solid fuel boosters, radio transmitting unit, relayed processor, thermometer, radiometer, small silver-zinc battery, small military parachute.
Flight: 2x2 PP from 2x Large solid boosters. Craft reaches sub-orbit. Thermometer and radiometer activated. Craft re-enters. Small military parachute deployed.
Log: A large crowd gathered near the launchpad, and the launch went as expected. Once the craft reached space, the crew at the small dipole antenna only barely managed to contact the craft. The radio transmitting unit was slightly damaged by the launch, though it did manage to send the data back to the ground.
After about 15 minutes in space, the craft re-entered. The radio transmitter completely broke off the ship and was disintegrated. Luckily, the parachute was deployed before that, the other parts survived the re-entry and were recovered 32 km from the planned landing site.
The info the thermometer and radiometer had gathered was kept tightly secret and details of the ship were not released to the public.
Current funds: 57,000$
((I think this is really fun, and I hope I did this right.))
((Are we still doing this? This was really fun, I don't want this to be buried. ))
((I would love for this to continue, but there is a lack of interest right now. I will try and revive it sooner or later, but I will change the rules. I think that people left so early is mainly because of the sheer amount of rules which made the whole thing feel like a very rigorous RTS))
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))