Starting Design Doc

I got bored this evening so I started writing a DD for an idea I have. I''ve just been working on fleshing out the universe and gameplay on the broadest level. Anyway, I''m just fishing for comments and ideas. Anything is welcome. _____________________________________ Project Not-Privateer Space Saga Game Overview The game is envisioned as a space combat simulation of epic proportions. Originally it was planned to be an upgraded verion of Wing Commander: Privateer. It is now shaping up to be a combat oriented space simulation in the vein of Descent: FreeSpace. Game World Description and History Approximately 250 years in the future, man has colonized other planets in the Orion Arm of the Milky Way Galaxy. After the development of the Controlled Quantum Singularity Generator(CQSG), space exploration experienced and incredible boom. Instead of merely travelling to Mars or waiting years for probes to reach some distant destination man could simply "create" a wormhole to virtually any location in space. As the generator is far too large and requires far more than any ship can generate, the first of the CQSGs was built in lunar orbit. It was the most massive undertaking anyone had attempted since the Great Wall of China. After successfuly using it to transport a probe to Alpha Centauri, they attempted to send another probe to the outer edge of the galaxy. Unfortunately the wormhole created was only stable for distances of 4 light years or less. This led to the construction of several space installations and CQSGs to further Terran reach on the galaxy. Such installations range from the miniscule Centauri Station to the artificial planet Tuttle. Over a 300 year period, Earth had colonized 14 planets in the Orion Arm. Two governmental entities existed at this point. The Central Earth Government(CEG) and the Terran Colonial Government(TCG). After a brief conflict the two were unified as the Orion Federation(OF). Military forces were combined as the Orion Federation Armed Space Forces(OFASF). The next century saw a period of growth and stability for the OF. However, when they began to reach beyond the Orion Arm, they came across the Haesphtan. The Haesphtan are a race of humanoid "reptiles". Although warm blooded, they have a scaley skin which they shed as they grow. Far stronger than a human, they also possess an extra cerebral lobe. Based on studies conducted shortly after the first encounter, this lobe appears to be dedicated entirely to vision. As such, they have a remarkable ability to picture 3-Dimensional space and have eyes sharper than a hawk. However, they seem to have poor hearing. After 20 years of war, an unsteady peace was formed. The OF gained quite a bit out of the deal: technology(ship design and constuction, near light speed propulsion), passage through other portions of the galaxy and trade. The Haesphtans gained knowledge of the CQSG and trade. Despite what many Terrans considered an equal gain by both sides, some of the Haesphtans felt differently and broke away. Although there has been no trouble with them for the past 50 years, both the OF and Haesphtan Confederation remain wary of dangers to their still relatively fragile peace. Gameplay Overview Space combat is the primary focus. The player will have to access to several diferent types of ships and will be required to complete intercept, search and destroy, patrol, ship attack, planetary assault, and escort missions. The flight model is envisioned as being similar to modern day jet fighters. The plan is for combat similar to a cross between the WWII like dogfights seen in the X-Wing series and the fast, head-on style of Wing Commander. I. Missions Intercept - Just like it sounds. Take a thretening force before it can close with and damage friendly craft. Search and Destroy - Again, like it sounds. Go in, sweep an area, and clear it of any and all hostiles. Patrol - Guard the borders. Hold off attacks and report them so that more forces can respond if needed. Ship Attack - You''re going after the bad guys capital ships. Planetary Assault - Get ready for atmospheric flight. You will be launched from a carrier with a heat shield over the front of your craft. No visibilty except for the radar. You must guide your ship through the atmosphere, jettision the shield, and proceed to your assigned target. Escort - Ensure the safety of a friendly vessel until it reaches its destination. II. Available Craft A. Control Types Pressure Jet - The pressure jet fighters are the oldest, toughest, and largest of the OFASF inventory. They maneuver via a series of jets around the nose, tail, and wing tips. They can out turn anything midrange and down. They are very resistant to shock damage. Handling is similar to a modern day hydraulic fighter. The Russian MiG-29 or Su-27+ series fighters come to mind. The hulls are reinforced to prevent structural damage when performing rapid tight turns. On average, the PJs are more likely to be destroyed by an experienced pilot than a missile. The OF still operates many PJ fighters and all of its bombers are controlled by pressure jet. Vectored Thrust - Newer, smaller, lighter, faster. Equivalent to a modern fly-by-wire jet. They are far easier to handle safely than a PJ and can out turn one at high speed in most circmustances. It is possible for an experiencd pilot to out maneuver a VT fighter in a PJ, but it would almost certainly result in structural damage to the craft. Despite being incredibly maneuverable at high speeds, the slower you go in one, the longer it takes to turn. There is a manual overide to remove the electronic control safety, but it''s not recomended. The VT fighters are no where near as tough as the PJs. What a PJ could fly away from, has a 90% chance of destroying a VT. The OF maintains a large force of VT fighters in an interceptor and recon role. Some are starting to find their way into patrols though. The HF uses them primarily in the fast attack role. _______________________________________ If you''ve read all that, you deserve a reward of some kind. But since I don''t have anything, I can''t give you anything. Except maybe an HTML bound copy of my short story compilation. Phil and Lisa together!