varying planet sizes

from Sins Forums

for a little more planet variety, what would you think of a second parameter size, next to the existing one type?

what about 'small ice worlds', 'huge desert planets', 'big asteroids'? the sizes then also changes the underlying parameters, such as pop size, logistics space, tactical space and stuff. that way, we have a bit more variety with a fairly easy way and it probably can be balanced, so that players are not disadvantages vs one another. those types are then further diversified by all those bonuses that are already in the game, but at least there is an obvious, discernible variance that makes a feelable gameplay difference.

if not, maybe this idea can be implemented in one of the mods (at least I think it is not yet), because as I see it, there are a few out here that introduce several new types. hope they are at 1.11 soon.

20,614 views 8 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Planets with rings and stuff, even moon even if only for eye candy would be kewl!

 

Really if the moons acted mostly like a starbase but without the cost (if your lucky enough to have a moon) could be another awesome buff

Reply #2 from Sins Forums Top

We could have dwarf planets and super earths. Mabey even have a jupter sized world with moons about half or quater the size of terran planets.

Offworld Trading Company
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

I love all this, if it's possible in the current engine.  Moons, rather than being starbases could be a nice way to boost things like pop cap.  Sorta like they ended up being in Master of Orion 3. 

Reply #4 from Sins Forums Top

It would be cool, it'll make it more realistic. But then again, as long as it doesn't affect balance...

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

That's the thing though. Since the maps are randomly generated half the time, it would be hard to upset balance. I think this would also add direction to gameplkay, as it would make huge planets with many resources higher priority targets than say a choke point would.

Reply #6 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting PeterPiker, reply 1
Planets with rings and stuff, even moon even if only for eye candy would be kewl!
End of PeterPiker's quote

 

There are planets with rings. I have seen several.

 

Samurye. :ninja:

Reply #7 from Sins Forums Top

One of the dev's said they played around with bigger planets, but it got in the way of the camera.

Reply #8 from Sins Forums Top

Quoting wbino, reply 7
One of the dev's said they played around with bigger planets, but it got in the way of the camera.
End of wbino's quote

not so much artistically, but gameplay wise (so that not every single desert planet was the same except for those few explorable bonuses). I was thinking more of like a big one being maybe 150% size and a small one 75%. and since the gas giants are already considerable larger that wouldn't be so much of an issue.