The state of the Lander in modern games

from StarControl Forums

   It seems to me that as the graphics and detail of modern games has increased, exploring random planets, and Landers in general are less viable.   You cant procedurally generate a whole universe and have it be non-stop thrills (see also No Mans Sky).  We just expect too much when you give us a 4k/60fps color view of the universe and its not realistic that it will be entertaining AND magically generated.

  It seriously breaks my heart since games like SC II and Starflight are still entertaining to me because of the vast unknowns on the planets you can explore.  I know that the Stardock team has been struggling with the 'fun' factor on planet exploration and I can't say I'm surprised.  I thought I would try to start yet another thread on it from a slightly different direction.  Instead of giving us lots of slick graphics and information, maybe we need less.  Imagination used to be an actual THING.   It was packed into the box right next to the floppy disks. 

  I just started playing Scavenger SV-4.  The planetary lander system in it has a lot of potential, but much of it is so far wasted.  Its feeling is something between Starflight and Duskers and its...  Great... in its own way.  It feels more like a part of a game rather than a game in itself, but the amount of imagination in it is amazing.  Information is extremely limited, video fidelity is super bad, and the lander is a total pig at first.  I love it.  There is a certain amount of hand waving around WHY it sucks (radiation, deadly whatever, all that) but I found I didn't really care.  There were random upgrades of dubious usefulness down there and I really wanted them.  Also you cant really repair them since they are alien, so don't loose them.

  If you have played SV-4 or Duskers and enjoyed it you will know what I mean.  Its decidedly low tech in a high tech universe and it really works for some reason.  What are your thoughts?

61,063 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from StarControl Forums Top

If I am remembering correctly Stardock decided planet random generation was not fun enough so they hand crafted a lot of planets although a lot are still randomly generated.  I am hoping that the hand-crafted planets have mini-adventures on them like Stardock mentioned they could have.

Reply #2 from StarControl Forums Top

As far as I understand the adventure builder, yes they could. From what we've been told you can create adventure triggers on pretty much anything, time based, encountering something or someone, etc. No reason why certain planets can't have an adventure trigger based on encountering a 2010 monolith or driving to the top of the tallest mountain (invisible proximity trigger at that mountain peak) etc.

I'm really looking forward to seeing adventure construction in action and getting my teeth into it.

Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from StarControl Forums Top

I just want that lander not to look like a generic sci-fi hover craft. Can we get it redesigned? At least that ugly hexagonal cabin?..

Reply #4 from StarControl Forums Top

Star Control 2's lander looked like a generic sci-fi shuttle too.

 

Also the SC:O lander needs to be able to hover to be able to dodge in any direction while fighting creatures down there and have that boost ability to leap over terrain.

 

The game Homeworld proves that polygonal does not have to be ugly.  I think the lander looks fine even though it's cargo bay looks rather small compared to what I assume is a human-sized cockpit.  Star Control 2's lander had a small cargo bay too.

Reply #5 from StarControl Forums Top

Those are the typical Tardis brand cargo bays.  Tardis makes hangar bays, too.  Most sci-fi ships buy from Tardis, inc.

;-)

 

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Reply #6 from StarControl Forums Top

I take it back. It doesn't look generic. It looks plain, therefore boring in design. The best part of its design are animated engine parts.

Reply #7 from StarControl Forums Top

The Origins lander will eventually have various thrusters and other effects.  Just not in yet.

Reply #8 from StarControl Forums Top

I, too, think the lander needs an overhaul in the looks department. It should be striking, and stand out a LOT (since you'll be using the lander, arguably 2nd most in the game, besides capital ship). Something like Subnautica comes to mind. Every single ship in that had this incredibly unique look, unlike any other game I've played. White. Bulbous. Ultrasleek. Like it was made by a designer, rather than an engineer. 

Not to say you should copy the look - just make sure it doesn't look like every other ship that's ever existed in the scifi space.

Another recent impeccable vehicle design is in Surviving Mars. The rockets sort of resemble killer whales - so it successfully throws out your previous knowledge of what a ship should look like, and replaces it with this fun, interesting new design you've never seen before.

I mean, even the original lander! Lime green???? It definitely stuck with you. 

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Reply #9 from StarControl Forums Top

I like the Lander but it is a work in progress.

It's meant to be more like...

Well, this:

Reply #10 from StarControl Forums Top

The flagship is your guys' absolutely BEST design decision. I love it to death. The rotating rings give it this incredible look that no one will ever forget. The lander just could use some tweaking to make it stand out, and maybe a paintjob. I'm not against lime-green ;)

Reply #11 from StarControl Forums Top

Quoting cuorebrave, reply 10

The flagship is your guys' absolutely BEST design decision. I love it to death. The rotating rings give it this incredible look that no one will ever forget. The lander just could use some tweaking to make it stand out, and maybe a paintjob. I'm not against lime-green ;)

The flag ship, since it's user customizeable, will end up looking totally different by the end of the game as players make it their own.  But I'm glad you like the starting point! ;)

Reply #12 from StarControl Forums Top

I had forgotten that gameplay teaser. Was that just a rendered animation then? Because the planet looked really good.

Reply #13 from StarControl Forums Top

Quoting bleybourne, reply 12

I had forgotten that gameplay teaser. Was that just a rendered animation then? Because the planet looked really good.

It was all game assets but rendered externally.

Reply #14 from StarControl Forums Top

Quoting Frogboy, reply 13

It was all game assets but rendered externally

The trees and mountain/rocks looked really nice. Lighting needed work (it's better now), but those features and the look of the canyon etc were awesome.

Reply #15 from StarControl Forums Top

Frogboy, is planetary landing going to look *that* nice when it comes out?

That little screen-shake as the lander departs for the surface is friggin' incredible. Really adds personality to the whole thing. 

And such a smooth transition!!

And the way the sky comes into view and then changes to night? Please tell me this is all in-game, or will be.

Reply #16 from StarControl Forums Top

Quoting cuorebrave, reply 15

Frogboy, is planetary landing going to look *that* nice when it comes out?

That little screen-shake as the lander departs for the surface is friggin' incredible. Really adds personality to the whole thing. 

And such a smooth transition!!

And the way the sky comes into view and then changes to night? Please tell me this is all in-game, or will be.

That's the idea.

Reply #17 from StarControl Forums Top

Quoting cuorebrave, reply 15

Frogboy, is planetary landing going to look *that* nice when it comes out?

That little screen-shake as the lander departs for the surface is friggin' incredible. Really adds personality to the whole thing. 

And such a smooth transition!!

And the way the sky comes into view and then changes to night? Please tell me this is all in-game, or will be.

It already does (mostly) look that good. Some of the effects are missing, as Brad said, but the day/night transition (your lander headlights turn on automatically, which is cute) and the smooth transition/flip up into the sky etc are all in there already. It really is coming along awesomely.

Reply #18 from StarControl Forums Top

I think Lander should be more aerodynamic looking. More polygons, smoother curves. I just absolutely dislike it's hexagonal head/cabin.

reminds me of the graphics of this era: