In regards to FTL travel...

Some general ponderings...

from Sins Forums
I have here some general questions about the Phase Drives, these questions are aimed at no one in particular, it's more out of interest than anything else.

1. Will there be upgrades available, and will the improvement be speed related (ships go faster) or range related (ships go further, assuming range is an issue)

2. Can you (and if not it might be a good idea) order your ships to change course while they are in transit.

3. Can you impose countermeasures that stall enemy FTL drives when they enter your system, forcing them to go it at sublight.

4. Is it possible for your ships to deplete their fuel reserves during a jump and be forced to a) stop and recharge or b) be towed and/or refueled by another vessel.

5. Finally, Phase Gates, do these consist of two gates with a stable link between them, or an anygate to anygate scenario, or can ships use on gate to increase speed (exiting through it without entering another one)

I only wonder because of the impact faster than light travel has on a lot of RTS games. ie, ships get there too quickly, making game too easy (not an issue for Sins) or being unable to communicate or control ships while in Phase Space (don't know about this on yet).
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Reply #1 from Sins Forums Top
1. trough research, there will be some ship speed up. of what i know its only for ships in transits

2. Dont think thats a good idea. It wount let you think alot in advance, before sending most of your ships on a 10min journey. Like traveling true a wormhole, you just dont change the course back.

3. the advent might have something like that.

4. refuling by other ships would be nice, but shouldnt be allowed in battles.

5. dunno, but the gate to gate thing, like in homeworld you mean? hmm, could nice, if done right. Didnt use it must there.
Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top
The ships will only run out of fuel for a period of time, which is antimatter. All FTL capable ships produce it them selves over time.
*edit*
The gates are going to be in the game I think..hopefully. Will need them to set up a true beachhead in another galaxy. Yes taking a system will give you a beach head, but think about reinforcements, they may take a while. Set a phase gate up in one of your systems that has nice shipyards and connect it to one gate in the beach head system. This strategy of course would be useful if the gates do provide a lot more faster travel then ships can go, and how long it takes to build one of these phase gates. Maybe being able to set up a network of phase gates would be useful also, maybe 4-5 in one network. Kinda like the stargates on SG-1.
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Reply #3 from Sins Forums Top
Kinda like the stargates on SG-1.



That would be nice, creating dedication Gate networks with a central hub at you capital world (assuming more than one gate can be built around a planet) meaning that ships can be sent anywhere quickly from your homeworld.
Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top
phase gates

I think only the vasari have them. so they cant be incredibally powerful
and besides, I think they are transient, ephemeral, not very long lasting
Reply #5 from Sins Forums Top
The Phase gates increase travel through Phase Space, otherwise ships have to Phase jump. Which takes longer. thats the basic diffrence i think.
Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top
but the only things confirmed so far to have that is the vasari fighter ship.
I haven't seen it in any other place.
Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top
Phase Gate: Establishes a temporary phase gate at this ship’s location, allowing friendly capital ships to phase jump there at an accelerated rate and further into a gravitational well.



The way the article goes out of its way to put temporary in there makes me think that the scout ship creates a temporary Wormhole in Phase Space, so it leaves it open to discussion whether or not an actual physical (ie permanent) gate can be built around a planet which creates a more stable node in Phase Space.

Basically a scout is useful because it can jump into enemy orbit and quickly open up a wormhole (gate whatever) so ships can swoop in quickly and attack. It is not mentioned anywhere as to whether this is the only type of Phase Gate in the game or whether they can be built as orbital stations.

Once again....race updates....pleeeasse....keeping us in limbo may be a good marketing strategy but its torture!
Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top
so it leaves it open to discussion whether or not an actual physical (ie permanent) gate can be built around a planet which creates a more stable node in Phase Space.

I'm saying we have no confirmed reports. so lets not make assumptions
besides, it isnt labeled "wormhole" its labeled "phase gate"
It is not mentioned anywhere as to whether this is the only type of Phase Gate in the game or whether they can be built as orbital stations.

its difficult to confirm a negative. so I wont argue this point.
its just that I dont believe thats the case because the name is already tied up in another thing.
Reply #9 from Sins Forums Top
its difficult to confirm a negative. so I wont argue this point.
its just that I dont believe thats the case because the name is already tied up in another thing



Fair enough, my point is really based on the fact that the scout description stated deliberately that it was a *temporary* phase gate, which led me to believe that there was another type, otherwise the description would've just said "Phase Gate"
Reply #10 from Sins Forums Top
but that would leave an incomplete message. some people could end up assuming it was permanent.
Reply #11 from Sins Forums Top
Another thing that leads me to believe that Phase Gates can be built as physical structures is this exerpt from the gameplay section

Only when they draw nearer to the planet do you realize there is an operational Phase Gate on the other side of the planet.


To me "operational" implies that it is in someway mechanical. Since it is doubtful that the scoutship has raw materials on board to build a mechanical gate, it seems that the "Scoutgate" is just an opening in Phase Space rather than a structure, which means that there may well be two forms of gate since the above exerpt heavily implies (to me anywho) that the once mentioned in above exerpt is a structure, whereas if the gate was created by the scout (which as aforementioned is not likely to have materials to build a physical gate) then it would've said "Open Phase Gate" rather than "Operational Phase Gate". It's a technicality I know but that is an explanation for how I see it from my standpoint.

It also seems to me that the Vasari would not hinge an entire planets defence on a temporary Phase Gate, unless they were prepared to park a scout in orbit and continually have it form a gate.
Reply #12 from Sins Forums Top
makes sense to me...
Reply #13 from Sins Forums Top
Cant argue with that logic.
Reply #14 from Sins Forums Top
but its all based on connotation, which is poor in the first right.
lets just ask blair.
Reply #15 from Sins Forums Top
yes, lets.

Has anyone seen him.
Reply #16 from Sins Forums Top
nope. I think he was sucked into the "hole of non-existance" in the wallpaper.
what a cruel, cruel fate...
Reply #17 from Sins Forums Top
Yes, so many have met that fate already!!!

WHY?!?!? Dark whole of doom!!! WHY?!?
Reply #18 from Sins Forums Top
Like I said, its all just technicalities which strung together gave me the impression of two kinds of Phase Gate.

I believe if we say Blair's name three times he shall appear.
Reply #19 from Sins Forums Top
I believe if we say Blair's name three times he shall appear.


like beetlejuice ?
Reply #20 from Sins Forums Top
Blair... blair... blair...
ok, now we wait.
Reply #21 from Sins Forums Top
We should start chanting his name, untill he gets annoyed enough.

I know hes stalking the boards!!
Reply #22 from Sins Forums Top
Maybe you should look into a mirror when you say Blair. Maybe it's like Bloody Mary....except hopefully without the acidents and deaths....
Reply #23 from Sins Forums Top
That would be interesting.
Reply #24 from Sins Forums Top
*looks into mirror*
Blair! Blair! Blair
*Blair comes out of mirror*
ah what the hell! who are you???
*calls police*

Blair:
"WTF???
how the hell did I get here???"

now thats FTL travel.
Reply #25 from Sins Forums Top
Truely, you figured out the secret.