Forums » Suggestions

Make objects dimensionally sensible.

May 12, 2010 FistOfRage link
So I won't offend people's sensitivities by thread jacking, the dimensions ships and stations sucks.

The only thing right about stations are the docking and launching bays. Everything else is too small and gives no real sense of arriving at a hub of commercial, military or mining activity. At present, its like flying up to one of those cartoon characters with the huge head and tiny body.

Ship dimensions / capacity do not make sense when compared to the 'image'. One of the worst offenders is the Maurader which is 12 m long and has a capacity of up to 60 cube. This ship is the same length as the vulture, has only 2-3000 more armor and similar engine thrust. It looks like a lobster when it should look like a blow fish. I assume part of that 12 meters includes the claws or weapon / engine appendages. The nearest comparison, the Centaur (yes, I have seen this ship) at least makes a bit more sense by having an additional 4 meters in length and a reduced cargo capacity of a maximum of 50 cu. For the ship design, the Maurader should start at 16 meters and increase for any additional storage over 48 cube. This would at least put it in the same range as other trade ships, even if it does not solve the overall size problem with ships.
May 12, 2010 ladron link
+1
May 12, 2010 Chaosis link
Also, the Revenant is smaller than the Warthog. Plz fix
May 12, 2010 Dr. Lecter link
But, but, but... MINI-PROM!?!??
May 12, 2010 ShankTank link
Thanks for stopping the thread jack lol...

Anyways, yeah, this has always detracted from my immersion and should definitely be a big priority after the redux.

This has been discussed a bit in the past, and I recalled some threads I took a part in and I found this thread which goes into it a little bit half-way through its life:

http://www.vendetta-online.com/x/msgboard/1/22647

Anyways, it's got some nice links in it. Specifically, see:
http://upsidedownturtle.com/voShips/
http://kitchen.nfshost.com/ships/ships1.png
http://kitchen.nfshost.com/ships/ships2.png
May 13, 2010 Alloh link
Cargo Lenght Carg/Len Ship
002 12 0,17 Vulture
002 12 0,17 Valk
010 17 0,59 Hornet
008 10 0,80 Centurion
008 10 0,80 Hog
018 19 0,95 Ragnarok
016 13 1,23 Wraith
032 21 1,52 Prometheus
022 13 1,69 Revenant
018 10 1,80 EC
032 14 2,29 Atlas
024 10 2,40 Hog Miner
048 18 2,67 Centaur
038 14 2,71 Atlas X
120 34 3,53 Behemoth
048 12 4,00 Marauder
200 34 5,88 XC
May 13, 2010 Alloh link
Definitly, proportions are not respected in VO. And that is a major factor against immersion for me.

Some consequences of that:
-Stations are too small overall. But have unlimited storage capacity, both for ships and cargo.
-Capships accepts infinite ships inside. Why make a convoy? Simply dock everybody at departing sector.
-Ships with 200cu of storage looks almost same size of those with 2cu.
-Miner Hog and Centaurs make no sense in relation to size/storage.

Proposed solution:
1) Adjust ship dimensions relative to its content volume, add factors:

+Cargo space - Xcu
+Engines: size relates to delivered power
+Weapons slots: 1cu for Sports, 2cu for Lports, 3cu for turrets
+Support systems: Fixed amount.
---------------------------------------
Ships size

Now simply calculate ships volume using a simplified model, and adjust dimensions according.

2) Expand stations a lot. Simply take one axis and tile its walls a lot. Make them longer, or taller, or wider. Or increase 2 dimensions at most. Simply make flat walls, featureless. In ascii art:

Now: [==#=] becomes: [========#===================]
May 14, 2010 Kierky link
-1 Alloh. And those stats you posted. Make no sense.

Try fucking labelling them properly so we can actually understand.
May 14, 2010 ladron link
Back on topic, please. The OP is a great idea. Ignore the Neanderthals.
May 14, 2010 Alloh link
Kierky, read 1st line. And notice this forum does not accept multi-spaces, tab, fixed width fonts or tables.

Cargo - Lenght - Carg/Len - Ship

Cargo/Lenght should correspond to other dimensions of ship to make sense. And now have no relation, as table shows.
May 15, 2010 Kierky link
Cargo Length (Cargo to Length) Ship
002 12 0,17 Vulture
002 12 0,17 Valk
010 17 0,59 Hornet
008 10 0,80 Centurion
008 10 0,80 Hog
018 19 0,95 Ragnarok
016 13 1,23 Wraith
032 21 1,52 Prometheus
022 13 1,69 Revenant
018 10 1,80 EC
032 14 2,29 Atlas
024 10 2,40 Hog Miner
048 18 2,67 Centaur
038 14 2,71 Atlas X
120 34 3,53 Behemoth
048 12 4,00 Marauder
200 34 5,88 XC