Hard Light Productions Forums
Off-Topic Discussion => Gaming Discussion => Topic started by: Ace on October 03, 2014, 12:12:36 am
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So a few months ago, a few of us sat down and wanted to work on a 4x space strategy game. Raven has also done some great work while balancing this with BWO. A number of people from HLP contributed very early on and all of their efforts were much appreciated, and the team is now settled on at least the programming side of things.
There's a number of indie 4x games out there like Stardrive and MORE, but we're hoping to add a bit of extra polish and character above some of the current titles out there.
We're aiming for basically an updated Master of Orion 2, fixing some of the more flagrant gameplay issues (micromanagement) and adding quite a bit of character into the game in the form of backstory and the design and play of different species.
We've had a bit of progress over the past few months, particularly on the programming front of things. But art wise we have some fun ships from two of the species so far the Humans and the Kzinti-like Katraxi.
Overall the idea behind the different fleets for each species is to have them instantly recognizable in silhouette. Each ship class (ex. frigate, destroyer, cruiser) has a set model, but ship classes themselves are fully customizable.
We also recently launched the website:
http://www.lordofrigel.com (http://www.lordofrigel.com)
Human Frigate (.p3d)
http://p3d.in/6D4sq (http://p3d.in/6D4sq)
With the humans we wanted a symmetrical look that felt somewhere between the sleek look of the Federation and the more militaristic look of Star Wars' Empire.
Katraxi Cruiser (.p3d)
http://p3d.in/iVrpR (http://p3d.in/iVrpR)
With the Kats we wanted something that felt like many of the honorable warrior species in scifi (Kzinti, Klingons, Kilrathi). Their ships are "spiky" and asymmetrical too for a quick contrast.
Anyway I'm hoping to occasionally update this thread as art gets done. At the moment we are also looking for some additional art talent as our current art team is still rather small and there's quite a number of species and fleets.
Also attached is concept art for the frigate and two early screenshots of how things are looking.
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sounds very cool, I played MOO2 to death when I was in Uni and enjoyed it immensely. And since you've selected the Unity engine there's a chance that you'll release a version for Linux :) :yes:
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I'm willing to lend a hand if you need some 3D models.
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Trashman we'll take you up on the offer if you feel your texturing skills are up to the task. :) We're going for rather low triangle counts for artistic reasons, but high resolution textures (2048x2048 maps) for the ships.
Shoot me a PM here or on the LoR boards and I can give more specifics on what we're after art pipeline wise.
Niffiwan: PC, Mac, and Linux are the platforms we're aiming to support. We are trying to develop it so we can easily port it to touch screens and tablets for a possible iOS/Droid release after the PC platforms.
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Niffiwan: PC, Mac, and Linux are the platforms we're aiming to support. We are trying to develop it so we can easily port it to touch screens and tablets for a possible iOS/Droid release after the PC platforms.
Woohoo! In which case...
(http://i2.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/newsfeed/000/264/200/acb.jpg)
:D
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Well I've never worked with Raven or Oddgrim but I know both you and Newman are very good at what you do. I look forwards to this.
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Trashman we'll take you up on the offer if you feel your texturing skills are up to the task. :) We're going for rather low triangle counts for artistic reasons, but high resolution textures (2048x2048 maps) for the ships.
2048x2048?
That seems rather big for a MOO2 remake 4x.
Do you plan on having 3d battles with lots of zoom-ins? Zooming in too close seems wasted in a 4X, where you need oversight more than anything. Now I'm really curious as to how the space battles are supposed to look.
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Eh, it could be great, but it's turn based... In this case, I'm not interested. IMO, we don't need another turn-based 4x space game. We need an RTS like Imperium Galactica II. I'd love to see something that could match it, but nothing ever even managed to come close.
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Then maybe you should go play Imperium Galactica II instead of telling people what game they should be making.
As someone who loves Master of Orion 2 and still plays it because recent 4X games can't match it, I'm very interested in this.
Massive bonus points if you guys include an Antaran equivalent. Antaran raids were fun as hell to try to repel, and were hugely rewarding if you captured a ship.
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The tactical camera allows for a close zoom in as well as a far zoom out of the whole combat area since there are cases where closer zoom can be helpful such as manually selecting point defense targets. Overall the choice for the high resolution textures is also a stylistic one.
Asaar: To help with avoiding curbstomps in the end game the main departure from MOO2 is adding in two elder races in huge galaxies the Rigelans and Arcturans who are in a Cold War. So things a galactic council are tied to their power plays as they try to force species to join their power blocs. A player could side with one or the other or carefully try to build a coalition to kick them out of the galaxy.
Smaller galaxies basically have a special planet to seize (Rigel) much like Orion served in MOO.
Dragon: Real time was ever on the table. I'd suggest Stardrive to scratch that itch.
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Ok, that sounds awesome.
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The genre isn't really my speed personally, but all the best of luck to you guys in working on this. :yes:
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We just got our steam concepts page set up, so feel free to check it out and post questions/comments!
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=323788034
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Forgive me if someone said this already, but what is your turn-based system like, or could it be configurable?
...For instance, one of my favorite ways to play a strategy game is with Battlefront.com's planning phase followed by a simultaneous execution phase, which occurs for a given duration of time. The down-side to going for that, should you be interested, is that it would more than likely require far more in the way of AI coding than a traditional turn-based game would. The up-side is that, like the Battlefront.com games, you could probably turn the game into an RTS very easily, because the AI for that would already be in place...
In short, perhaps everybody could get what they want after all.
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Simultaneous turns are a not-uncommon feature in turn-based 4X games; I don't think the AI for it is drastically more complicated than for sequential turns (in fact, the majority of the decisions should be the same).
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So give me approx polycount numbers for ships.
Also, do you plan to have a single look for a race or sets of possible models? (2-3 human ship apearances, 2-3 aline1, etc, etc..)
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Well we just got our first piece of real news coverage in Indiegamemag:
http://indiegamemag.com/screenshot-weekly-cute-bunnies-slaughter-diplomatic-sumomen
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This is a pretty cool looking game, when I'm more free/in the mood I might try whipping up some models for you guys if it's needed. :)
P.S. Where is Oddgrim? Is he still taking a hiatus from FreeSpace modding and is he doing ok?
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Oddgrim is alive and well, he's been balancing work with doing stuff on this.
If you're interested in modeling, we can use people who can do meshes, UV mapping, and texturing. So shoot me a PM!
Also we did an interview with Gamer Nation Radio:
http://shoutengine.com/GamerNationRadio
Plus a Q&A with space game junkie:
http://www.spacegamejunkie.com/featured/lord-rigel-qa-providing-players-full-space-opera-experience
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Good Q&A but a pity you couldn't shoehorn in a Diaspora or Freespace mention. :p
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Well, James who did the Q&A wasn't involved but we have done some shoehorning on the company website and will on the KS too.
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We just released our Galaxy Generator pre-alpha demo. There's a few bugs here and there that we're patching up:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/Downloads/Galaxy_Demo.zip
If you down load it and see any bugs, please post on the boards.
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Not dead, just sleeping:
(http://i.imgur.com/cGbB60v.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/FCmhp47.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/eZ05WKK.jpg)
We're slowly but surely working on a tactical combat demo that will be a free release and will have two fleets up to mid game techs. Needless to say tons of work behind the scenes but we'll be stirring again more in the light.
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Looking pretty cool.
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I like the ship design, particularly the large bridge sections.
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Thanks, our marketing peep has started up twitter and facebook stuff again after three months of silence, today was the Katraxi fleet size chart:
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/t31.0-8/11265593_890590007653279_8090016781669135930_o.png)
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Keep it up!
P.S... Your demo link is dead
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Ah it is.
Windows:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/Downloads/LoR_Alpha_Win.zip
OS X:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/Downloads/LoR_Alpha_OSX.zip
Linux:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/Downloads/LoR_Alpha_Linux.zip
These all work, the art used in this demo is about 6 months old and we've added more planet types but it should give a sense of how galaxies will feel.
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Just downloaded and about to give it a whirl! :D
EDIT: Beautiful start! Really enjoyed the close up to one of the stars, but I couldn't zoom out to see more of them... :(
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Mousewheel zooms in/out. Left click enters systems, right click exits :)
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Showing off a third species, the silicon based Tulocks (they eat rocks, literally):
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xta1/t31.0-8/11270253_893816767330603_1068209988147595425_o.jpg)
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So to give a small update, here's at peak at what our Reptilian species the Tharrn looks like:
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/t31.0-8/11406314_897333810312232_5511279619273071476_o.jpg)
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/t31.0-8/10269141_896829683695978_573897998474096235_o.jpg)
Tharrn female.
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BEAM CANNON.
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gorn
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Tharrn female.
[studioexec]
I don't know... I think we might lose the male 15-35 demo unless your lizard people chicks have like, massive giant boobs. Also, think you can make the tail... idk, sluttier somehow?
[/studioexec]
Seriously, though. They look really cool, the face reminds me of Godzilla, which is a really cool thing.
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Yeah I see '98 Zilla there too!
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gorn
That's intended, they're basically a mix of the Gorn and Narn :)
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gorn
That's intended, they're basically a mix of the Gorn and Narn :)
Not really getting a "Narn" vibe from any of those ships, but maybe that's just me.
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This is getting better and better. :D
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Tharrn cruiser:
http://p3d.in/W8TKb
The exposed engine array is a bit Narn-ish but that isn't as clear in the image.
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I didn't see the connection in the bigger ships, but the fighters in the foreground of the image definitely made me think of the Frazi.
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To give a little update:
(http://i.imgur.com/sDSzYaA.jpg)
Mommy (Cruiser), Daddy (Destroyer), and Baby (Frigate)
(http://i.imgur.com/Vw7gKjg.jpg)
Our local friendly loan sharks, the Selach. They'd teach Mark Gatiss a few tips in the "usury is awesome" scene in last night's game of thrones. For that matter the Tharrn would teach Stannis a few things about burning people alive for their gods...
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That's so close to Selkath! Are we going to Manaan?
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Less slurpy talk.
So yes, we do know that Wargaming is developing a new "Master of Orion" but think of us as Xenonauts to XCOM :)
Edit- Might as well show off some of the new 4k planet textures I did:
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/t31.0-8/11143349_900000483378898_8784833717590481732_o.jpg)
Also, we have a soundcloud page with soundtrack stuff:
https://soundcloud.com/rhombustudios/sets/lord-of-rigel-original-soundtrack
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Little update, we've converted over some more models such as the Selach starbase. Missile coding is going pretty well, they're mostly working now minus some raycasting issues which cropped up. They were spawned on top of the game grid which meant they couldn't detect the grid that they occupied because rays were rendering past them. So basically missiles were sitting there doing nothing.
Tharrn fleet (to scale):
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/t31.0-8/11416434_901565039889109_2912328279903893039_o.jpg)
Some Tharrn early head concepts. We went with something that was a bit of a mix of a T-Rex and Godzilla.
(https://scontent-sea1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/l/t1.0-9/11227563_902407463138200_7717521750711001134_n.jpg?oh=42bf64023792b9812cbc658d141b0e68&oe=562BEEA5)
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We're still smashing bugs on the tactical demo but it's making good progress.
Also to show off the Katraxi v.s. the silicon based Tulocks:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/tulock_katraxi_wallpaper.1.png)
...and how the Selach ships look in game:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/tactical_6_16_15c.png)
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This video isn't quite ready for public consumption but does show off the current state of the demo:
Here's the Human battleship:
Human Battleship (View in 3D (https://p3d.in/27YKo))
(https://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/27YKo) (https://p3d.in/27YKo)
Also looks like the video propelled us to #16 on IndieDB. Probably won't last long since it's a pretty fickle site but pretty awesome!
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So, as a little update we released part of another ambient track from the soundtrack on soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/rhombustudios/ambient-track-45?in=rhombustudios/sets/lord-of-rigel-original-soundtrack
We're planning on making sneaky spy stuff rather important, so here's a concept of the spy room where your epsionage advisor gives updates on missions:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/espionage_concept.jpg)
Early sketches of the Human spy advisor:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/Costuming_Human_Spy_spread.jpg)
(http://media.indiedb.com/cache/images/games/1/36/35710/thumb_620x2000/Head_Human_Spy_spread_hair.jpg)
...and a peak into a half done image of the Human spy:
(http://i.imgur.com/5FS6qdg.jpg)
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She's awesome! :yes:
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She's awesome! :yes:
not emptyquoting this
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Officer Sun? :drevil:
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We're doing final tweaks on the spy and should have something in a few days.
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/selach_tharrn_wallpaper.png)
Selach v.s. Tharrn. Needless to say that sushi didn't go down to well.
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So we're slowly but surely killing bugs for the next demo.
Showing off the fleet scale for the Tulocks:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/tulock_scale_wallpaper.png)
Aranid early concept:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/Study_Aranid1.jpg)
Concept art for the war room:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/Warroom_WIP.jpg)
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Showing off the Selach fleet:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/selach_scale_image.png)
Also some of the more marginal planet types:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/planets_marginal_wallpaper.png)
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The "arid" planet is the only one that has water? (great stuff ppl :yes:)
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Well Minimals are like Mars (used to have liquid water, has it as ice) deserts are like Dune (water in atmosphere and subsurface), Arid is like Vulcan (has oceans but almost no rainfall)
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Really loving the updates guys! Can we sign up for Alpha/Beta?? :D
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Well the demo will be for free once bugs are killed. When we do crowdfunding you'll get alpha/beta access as a backer and an expanded demo with more species too.
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There is only one species: mankind!
HAIL EARTH
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So we're making website progress and the new page should be ready for prime time soon!
(https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/t31.0-8/11000709_919821148063498_2865723875286559146_o.jpg)
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Looking great!
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Here's the early work on the Katraxi diplomat:
(http://media.indiedb.com/cache/images/games/1/36/35710/thumb_620x2000/11696387_921017561277190_8822951526262316231_o.jpg)
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Here's a look at how the Human characters turned out:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/905937_921488394563440_1302317115322135035_o.jpg)
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Cool!
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We're migrating the new website over so it should be online soon.
Edit- The new website is live:
http://www.lordofrigel.com
Also wanted to show off what one planetary surface looked like, an Ocean world:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/ocean_wallpaper.png)
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Sweet!
+1 for the scientist that looks like the mentor for Searching for Bobby Fischer Ben Kingsley!
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I've never really been able to figure out what to say on this thread, but it's all very cool, magnified by the fact it's people from this very forum doing this. I just want you to know that and to wish you guys all the best and hope you produce yet another successful project to help keep games with a space setting alive. I hope they never die out like they did temporarily ever again. It's great watching this new universe you're building gradually coming to life before my eyes. Some really beautiful work.
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@Cyborg17 Actually the scientist is supposed to look a bit more like Ron Glass who played Shepard Book in Firefly :)
@Lorric Thanks!
So we just posed up a status update on how the game is progressing:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/design-series-1-what-is-lord-of-rigel/
...and the first article in a weekly series on specific game mechanics:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-1-armor-and-structure/
We'll have articles on different topics every day, including species summaries and on composing.
Also, showing off a new newman model, the Tulock fighter:
Tulock Strike Fighter (View in 3D (https://p3d.in/8Oqns))
(https://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/8Oqns) (https://p3d.in/8Oqns)
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So we've just had a pretty in depth interview on explorminate that covers a bunch of topics:
http://explorminate4x.com/2015/08/04/1767/
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your links to your website are broken but your fighter is adorable and cool
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@Phantom Hoover links should now work.
The big thing to show off for today is a wallpaper with the Katraxi characters:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/katraxi_species.png)
Here's a second article for this week, covering how beam weapons work (including beamz like in FS!)
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-2-beam-weapons/
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Showing off the Galactic Council chamber's concept art:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/galcouncil_05.jpg)
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So over the last two weeks we've done up some articles going in depth about each species in the game, starting with our two more warlike ones the Katraxi and the Tharrn:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-1-katraxi/
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-2-tharrn/
Today we also posted up an article outlining the deep history of the Lord of Rigel universe:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-3-elder-race-history-2/
Also as a heads up the 24th of next month will be the magical date where we start the Kickstarter and release the tactical demo. The KS being basically pre-ordering and alpha/beta access for the game and getting an expanded skirmish demo. (since we wanted to give something to people shelling out)
Oh yeah, Tulock ships in a nebula!
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/8-8-15-screen.png)
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Also as a heads up the 24th of next month will be the magical date where we start the Kickstarter and release the tactical demo. The KS being basically pre-ordering and alpha/beta access for the game and getting an expanded skirmish demo. (since we wanted to give something to people shelling out)
Sweet!
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Wanted to show off the Yalkai, our big sexy starfish species:
Yalkai Cruiser (View in 3D (https://p3d.in/8L0a0))
(https://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/8L0a0) (https://p3d.in/8L0a0)
They want you to think that they're like the Asari, Elerians, or Orion women but are actually giant starfish that want to eat you.
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ooooooh
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(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/aranid_soldier.png)
(http://www.lordofrigel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/aranid-logo-300x300.png)
So our fourth species article covers the Aranids, our space bugs!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-4-aranid/
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Glad to see progress even while I've been gone! :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :D
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Well for today we have an article on Tharrn fleet design:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-4-tharrn-fleet-design/
...and the Tharrn battleship:
Tharrn Battleship (View in 3D (https://p3d.in/ln6uK))
(https://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/ln6uK) (https://p3d.in/ln6uK)
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Might as well show off the big, stupid, starfish the Yalkai!
[attachment deleted by nobody]
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(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/species_wallpaper_tharrn.jpg)
Showing off the Selach researcher.
(http://www.lordofrigel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Selach-Logo-300x262.png)
Also we did a short article on the history and culture of the Selach:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-5-selach/
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Today's update is showing off the starbase of our sneaky spies, the Xantus:
Xantus Starbase (View in 3D (https://p3d.in/9xRQg))
(https://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/9xRQg) (https://p3d.in/9xRQg)
Newman our lead modeler also did an article today on some of the more technical aspects behind LoR's models:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-5-model-technical-details/
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People. you are doing good work. Keep up.
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Man, the skill of the 2D art is really high.
I just feel that your alien designs are kind of uninspired... Like, so far all of them have been 'animals in space'.
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I just feel that your alien designs are kind of uninspired... Like, so far all of them have been 'animals in space'.
I hear space elves? :P
Well, maybe that's just their idea at aliens? Many games do that. And with that 2D art here it looks very good!
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Thoughts:
- looks good
- interface looks clean
- lots of design options :)
subjectively, not to keen on the human ship designs, especially the big ones. Lacks oomph.
Turn based combat seem to favor who goes first too much.
Frankly, if I were doing a game I'd do Birth of the Federation style combat
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Man, the skill of the 2D art is really high.
I just feel that your alien designs are kind of uninspired... Like, so far all of them have been 'animals in space'.
Well we're going with a classic scifi vibe, so species that are Gorn and Kzin like are pretty high on the list. We also have some really weird races like the Arcturans and Rigelans. Minor races will also be a bit more experimental.
As for the space elves, the Yalkai are actually giant starfish like critters and fry your brain into thinking they're pretty.
So today we have an article on why we picked turn based combat:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/feature-series-5-why-not-real-time-ship-combat/
On turn based and advantages we'll be experimenting with some initiative mechanics.
Also Trashman on the Humans we wanted them to not look too "oomphy" as the Humans are supposed to be the sweet, sugary, Federation style diplomats. But the really big stuff Titans and Doomstars we haven't shown yet.
For our bug of the week from our pre-alpha builds, we forgot to add the gravity modifiers for the Katraxi so they wound up all starving to death Interstellar style!
(http://www.lordofrigel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Bug5.png)
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Hell, Wing Commander was literally Furries in Space, and yet people seemed to do just fine with that. :p
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Hell, Wing Commander was literally Furries in Space, and yet people seemed to do just fine with that. :p
Isn't that the point though? The "Katraxi" are just Kilrathi plus a lawyer-safe name and some minor changes to their logo.
But great art overall, I really enjoy it :yes:
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Hell, Wing Commander was literally Furries in Space, and yet people seemed to do just fine with that. :p
Isn't that the point though? The "Katraxi" are just Kilrathi plus a lawyer-safe name and some minor changes to their logo.
But great art overall, I really enjoy it :yes:
Yeah, the "Katraxi" is like literally, cats in space and kind of... a direct kilrathi rip off. And because people were fine with 'Furries in Space' back in 1990-1995 doesn't mean they are fine with it in 2015. I don't mean to rag on about this, but I figured I'd bring this up while you guys are still developing, cause ya know, you will absolutely hear about this (in far less kind words) when you release the game for money. I can already imagine the topics in the steam forums and the reviews...
Sort of relevant. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhEgCdyQUks)
As for the space elves, the Yalkai are actually giant starfish like critters and fry your brain into thinking they're pretty.
TheHound was talking about the Cyrvans.
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Yea, I was speaking about aliens (elves! or elfs?) in Wings of Dawn mod.
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Elves is the proper form in english. (I totally used to type elfs myself way back in the day)
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Well we're
Hell, Wing Commander was literally Furries in Space, and yet people seemed to do just fine with that. :p
Isn't that the point though? The "Katraxi" are just Kilrathi plus a lawyer-safe name and some minor changes to their logo.
But great art overall, I really enjoy it :yes:
That's basically the point, the Katraxi do draw a bit more from Niven's Kzin which are the grandaddy of the Kilrathi.
Anyway we do have some pretty unique ones like the Tulocks and the Synth (the robotic species). As I said before we're also experimenting a bit with minor species. But after 50+ years of scifi everything's been done. Even doughnut shaped aliens who have to roll to keep their blood circulating...
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Elves is the proper form in english. (I totally used to type elfs myself way back in the day)
Sidenote: The proper spelling of Elves, Dwarves etc. may or may not be heavily influenced by Tolkien (he deliberetely trumped the proper spelling in his books for more consistency, and due to the prevelance of his books these have now become common in usage).
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Mmhmm.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_plurals#Near-regular_plurals
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Well moving on from grammar our Soundcloud page has been updated with new tracks including the full galactic news theme we'll be using in game:
https://soundcloud.com/rhombustudios/galactic-news-network-theme
Our composer also wrote up an article on how some music pieces are progressing:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/composition-series-6-status-update/
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http://www.twitch.tv/spacegamejunkie
Space Game Junky has their paws on it
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Here's a link to our recorded interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-SuBlE1QW0
*Very* early pre-alpha but should give a sense of where things are going!
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Today's brand new art we just finished is the Yalkai researcher:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/yalkai-researcher.jpg)
Also today we posted a new article covering the point defense and overwatch mechanics:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-6-point-defense-and-overwatch/
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(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/tulock_soldier_semifinal.png)
Today's big article by newman covers the Tulocks, our silicon based species! The above is a semi final image of the Tulock soldier.
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-6-tulock-fleet-design/
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Ooooooooh, neat.
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Some new stuff for today, an article covering how FTL tech works in the game which is a pretty central part for how fleets move and the game overall plays:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/design-series-6-multiple-ftl-tech/
Also, a Dead world. This is what happens when you play with too many WMDS!
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/dead_wallpaper.png)
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So today's article is covering our hardest difficultly mode 1996 mode which is a pretty unforgiving iron made mode we're including:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/feature-series-6-1996-mode/
Also, showing off a new Tharrn wallpaper:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/species_wallpaper_tharrn.png)
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First i want to say I'm really excited about this.. since it will preserve some of the MoO features I demand that no one seems to preserve in sequels (here's looking at you Stardrive 2 for not implementing ship boarding/capture >.> ), so all of the best luck in the world.
However, had a more general/academic question, since I've seen this before. How do some games manage to take quite a lot from other games (heck, Stardrive 2 has a tongue in cheek ship "Master of Orion II" amoungst tons of gameplay similarities) and not get the original rights holders knocking on their door? This same question applies for stuff like Freeciv, FreeOrion (i think that's either defunct or moving so slowly it'll never finish) which seem to even have the goal right on the tin "re-implement this established game as closely as possible"
Are there some rules I'm not aware of with the legal aspects here or are most of these things surviving because the original game's owners didn't notice/didn't care?
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Well this is our own intellectual property and it is quite distinct from anything Wargaming (current MOO license holders) is making. A similar question could be asked about why didn't LucasArts sue Volition for making a space combat game with similar gameplay since FreeSpace is a lot like TIE Fighter.
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As usual for Sundays, here's our weekly update on progress:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/status/status-update-for-830-952015/
Also for those interested in the development process here's a recording of our livestream from yesterday!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFa1LHJ9E0Q
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Hey I really like the Tulocks! Great design, seems quite original (at least I can't recollect any direct influence on it!). :yes:
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Well you might have the opposite opinion of the evil wizard Xantus spy, but they are intentionally trying to give that vibe:
(http://media.indiedb.com/cache/images/games/1/36/35710/thumb_620x2000/xantus_spy.jpg)
Also our composer, Steve just wrote a new article covering composing special scene music in the game:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/composition-series-7-scene-tracks/
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Hey I really like the Tulocks! Great design, seems quite original (at least I can't recollect any direct influence on it!). :yes:
I get a bit of a Star Control vibe; visually reminds me of the Mycon, although being silicon-based instead of fungi fits the Taalo more (but we never see what they look like).
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The Mycon were a bit of an influence, even the "probably were terraformers" bit.
(http://media.indiedb.com/cache/images/games/1/36/35710/thumb_620x2000/orinthon_diplomat-905x1024.jpg)
(http://www.lordofrigel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Ornithon-Logo-300x297.png)
Today's species article and the above images are tied to our bird-borgs, the Ornithons! They're frail but vicious and have tons of implants and live on nasty polluted worlds!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-7-ornithon/
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(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/species_wallpaper_tharrn.png)
One of those ships reminds me very much of this:
(http://www.wcnews.com/newestshots/full/piranha01.jpg)
The Piranha from Wing Commander Prophecy.
Speaking of Wing Commander, I am wondering if you are in any danger with the Katraxi. They look like Kilrathi and even the name rolls off the tongue pretty much just like Kilrathi.
My favourite race when they first came up in the thread are the Selach, the fish race. For me that really stood out, a fish with robotic arms, and I read the backstory and liked that, the idea of a race that couldn't have got where they are today without some outside influence, but now they're fully capable of advancing their species by themselves. There's plenty more for me to look at now though. I really like the look of the Tulocks, they win the "most alien" race by a million miles. Prior to the Selach, the Aranids were my favourite. I think they look great.
I get a real feeling of familiarity with the Yalkai Cruiser, but I can't put my finger on where it is coming from. So far, it is my favourite ship. However, even despite this, I think their race suffers for having all their ships look the same even though it's my favourite ship just to look at. It would be a bad ship in Freespace though since you could just get into the gaps and start blasting. I've no idea how battle works in your universe though. Perhaps these ships would be moving so fast, such cheap tricks would be impossible.
The Yalkai, does their effect work on the other races as well and make them appear in a form pretty to them too?
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The Katraxi look a lot like how people remember the Kilrathi, but are pretty different if there's a side by side comparison. Regardless the Kilrathi themselves are a shameless ripoff of the Kzinti from Niven's Known Space series! The Katraxi are actually a bit closer to the Kzin too.
For the Yalkai, yes it would but due to not having unlimited funds we're sticking with how they look like to you, the Human player. But a Tharrn would see a large purple female Tharrn (the big ones).
As for how ships work, they use warp and combat is pretty similar to the distances that would be in Star Trek. Generally relativistic and quick. But it's abstracted in game as turn based but in general Earth-Moon distances would be covered and battles over in a few minutes. Not quite as crazy fast as the nanosecond battles in say Bank's Culture novels.
Today's new stuff:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/xantus_scale_image.png)
Xantus fleet scale image.
Also an article by yours truly covering tactical combat AI!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-7-tactical-ship-combat-ai/
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The Katraxi look a lot like how people remember the Kilrathi, but are pretty different if there's a side by side comparison. Regardless the Kilrathi themselves are a shameless ripoff of the Kzinti from Niven's Known Space series! The Katraxi are actually a bit closer to the Kzin too.
Funny thing is, a friend of mine once had a race based on the kzin in a role playing game he created also called the Katraxi. It's never been published so I'm sure the name is still available though.
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Would it be possible to get orthographic/ perspective renders of the Xantus Cruiser and Destroyer?
I dig the designs...
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Gray, I can do one better a p3d of their starbase:
Xantus Starbase (View in 3D (https://p3d.in/9xRQg))
(https://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/9xRQg) (https://p3d.in/9xRQg)
For today we have an article covering the fleet design of the Ornithons;
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-7-ornithon-fleet-design/
Showing off a 3d version, their smaller ships are heavily inspired from the Klingons, Romulans, and Cardassians:
Ornithon frigate (View in 3D (https://p3d.in/ndnQp))
(https://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/ndnQp) (https://p3d.in/ndnQp)
Also hot off the presses is the Xantus diplomat, a little closer to their "natural" form since they're shapeshifters:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/xantus_diplomat.jpg)
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Race/ship design is really coming together! I'm pretty excited now.
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Thanks Cyborg!
Today's a bit of a big day on updates, Explorminate has posted part 1 of a three part series showing the pre-alpha build of the game:
Part 3 is the best, IMO since it shows off skirmish mode and that will be posted in a few days.
We also have an article covering the ground combat mechanics which we're currently implementing:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/design-series-7-ground-combat/
Last but not least is a species wallpaper showing the various Yalkai characters:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/yalkai_species.png)
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(http://www.lordofrigel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Tharrn-Diplomacy.png)
Today's update is a little bit on the diplomacy mechanics in the game. The above image is showing off the current diplomacy screen and the Tharrn diplomat who will soon have original dialog all about eating people.
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/feature-series-7-diplomacy/
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Well it's Monday so we have a new "music Monday" covering how the tracks for the Ornithon and Tulock species were composed:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/composition-series-8-species-tracks-ornithon-and-tulock/
Explorminate also released part 2 of their pre-alpha gameplay series. This time showing off the ship designer, fleet movement, and colonization:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ADiXQsZelg
We've also released a new ambient track on Soundcloud for listening!
https://soundcloud.com/rhombustudios/ambient-track-32
Since people like the pretties, here's a new wallpaper showing off the Tulocks:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/species_wallpaper_tulock.png)
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Rockman - Mantis hybrid? ;7
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Basically, yes ;) But what you see in game is really their polyp form since the mature ones are sessile.
So for today a story related article covering the cold war between the Rigelans and Arcturans:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-8-elder-race-cold-war/
Also, showing off a storyboard!
(http://www.lordofrigel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Storyboard-Trailer-Rev2-770x1024.jpg)
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Today we have a new game mechanics article covering how colony populations work:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-8-colony-population/
Also, a wallpaper showing off the Selach characters:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/selach_species.png)
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Another new update, an article by newman covering the Selach fleet:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-8-selach-fleet-design/
Also a new wallpaper showing off the Yalkai in action:
(http://media.indiedb.com/cache/images/games/1/36/35710/thumb_620x2000/yalkai_katraxi_wallpaper.png)
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We have a new design article today, covering how the tech tree works and why we focused on giving special techs just to the elder species:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/design-series-8-unique-technology-trees/
For today's wallpaper, an Orbital. These large ringworlds are an end game tech that is just the beginning of the superengineering projects in Lord of Rigel!
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/orbital_wallpaper.png)
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*Waits for people to complain about you copying halo when this is yet another homage to Larry Niven*
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That's what they already did on the Something Awful boards ;)
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Well, i guess Niven, Asimov & Co should have made video games instead of writing pesky Books the younger Generation can't be arsed to read. :P
Sometimes, when reading comments on the interwebs, i'm under the impression that Halo, Star Wars, Star Trek, Star Craft and Diablo created the known fiction Universe and everyone else just copied or borrowed stuff from it. -.-
The last shot reminds me somehow of Scotland...
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Space scots!
Anyhow today we have a feature article going over how outposts work:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/feature-series-8-outposts/
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/Screenshot-9.png)
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(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/ks_image.png)
In one week we are releasing the tactical combat demo and launching our Kickstarter! Our first stretch goal will be for modding tools so that players can add custom species, ships, and technologies to the game.
For today we also have a new article, covering composing the Synth and Human species tracks for the game:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/composition-series-9-species-tracks-human-and-synth/
Also a new image, showing off the shapeshifting Xantus:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/xantus_species_image.png)
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Awesome! You're starting the kickstarter right when I start getting paid from my new job! Good luck guys! I've heard that kickstarters are an incredible undertaking!
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Are you guys planning on releasing on GOG, Steam, other, or some combination?
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@Cyborg17 Yeah we know it's a big undertaking, and we're getting some sleepless nights over it. But hopefully the video and demo will be up to snuff to show we're serious and to get support.
At the very least back it to pay a salary for newman so he can save money to do more Diaspora stuff ;) (okay I shouldn't be telling him what to do on his free time...)
@jr2 GoG and Steam are our planned preferred platforms along with Humblebundle
So for today on our countdown into kickstartiness is a new story article discussing the history of the Galactic Council:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-9-galactic-council/
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/panning_council_room.png)
Also the council chambers!
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Well the last night was spent trying to buck out the last details on the KS video, so that's coming along.
For today a new game mechanics article, this time covering ship movement in tactical and strategic modes:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-9-fleet-movement/
Plus a peak at the bird-borg Ornithons. Their ships draw heavily from the Klingons and Cardies:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/ornithon_human_wallpaper.png)
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A new newman article today, covering texturing LoR ships!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-9-texture-technical-design/
Yalkai Fighter (View in 3D (https://p3d.in/rjhpN))
(https://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/rjhpN) (https://p3d.in/rjhpN)
Also a peak at the Yalkai snub fighter!
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We have a new entry of the design series, this time covering strategic resources and how they work. Overall they help keep megastructures and superweapons balanced by needing you to hold onto and secure certain resources. Someone is developing a planet killer to take out your homeworld? Knock out the planets they're using for it!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/design-series-9-strategic-resources/
Also, a legendary sized galaxy!
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/legendary_galaxy.png)
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So today's article covers species customization options!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/feature-series-9-custom-species/
Also, here's the Tulock characters!
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/tulock_species.png)
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So our last big update before launching the Kickstarter at 5:00pm PST tomorrow is the weekly progress update on the game:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/status/status-update-for-920-9262015/
(http://www.lordofrigel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Status-10-770x528.png)
Also, Selach ships firing off graviton beams in a nebula!
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We are live! Please help us Kickstart the galaxy!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rhombusstudios/lord-of-rigel
Demo downloading coming shortly! :)
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Demo is up and running for Windows, Linux, and OSX:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/tactical-ship-combat-demo-released/
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You mean Windows instead of MAC
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Thanks! Fixed it, it's been a scramble the past few hours :)
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Not an issue, buddy :) Going to check the demo now and then
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We're showing off a new species today, the Synth. These robots are exiles from their home galaxy and looking for a new home:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-10-synth/
Here's also a peak at the Synth researcher:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/synth_researcher2.jpg)
We're also a little over $2,500 there from the first day. We have a long road ahead but thank you everyone so far who has backed the project!
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/rhombusstudios/lord-of-rigel/
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Regarding the physical rewards, can we elect to not receive them rather than pay international postage? I'm not expecting anything in return for this, I just don't want to pay possibly exorbitant postage across the pacific! :)
Also, the tactical demo (http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/tactical-ship-combat-demo-released/) links for OSX & Linux still seem to be pointing to the alpha release?
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Yeah, I am in the same boat, I can live without the physical rewards. Just getting the game is good enough for me.
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We'll send digital versions instead of physical rewards for those who want to opt out :)
The OSX and Linux builds should now we working with proper links, we had some issues but they're sorted!
Anyway the big thing is to please spread the word. For the cost of a beer someone can be in the credits!
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I don't believe the narrator is human. JUST SAYING.
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the image of a robot holding a clipboard is absolutely brilliant
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For today I did up a new article covering planetary production:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-10-colony-production/
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/selach_starbase.png)
Here's the Selach starbase too!
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So newman wrote up an article covering weapon art design in LoR:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-10-weapons-design/ (http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-10-weapons-design/)
Also, we're showing off the Tharrn fighter!
Tharrn Strike Fighter (View in 3D (https://p3d.in/oxSh6))
(https://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/oxSh6) (https://p3d.in/oxSh6)
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Looking tops so far. And in Linux flavor too!
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Thanks! We're going to plug through and make the game even if it requires an awful lot of ramen eating on my part.
We have a new design article by James, covering quests in the game or more specifically why we're not doing quests:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/design-series-10-quests/
Here's a WIP of the Synth, our robotic species, diplomat:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/Synth-Diplomat-Draft-925x1024.jpg)
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Neat, coming along better than the mess I had with stupid mobile devs :D
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Thanks. What happened with your project?
Today's weekly feature article covers espionage:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/feature-series-10-espionage/
Due to popular request, a wallpaper showing the different non-energy weapons to scale:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/weapons_scale_image.png)
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Will the Synth be affected by virus weapons?
Also, good to hear that the espionage system will offer more offensive options, as you said in other games the risks usually outweigh the rewards. And IRL blown espionage missions don't usually lead straight to a declaration of war. Garry Powers, Rainbow Warrior, Indonesian phone tapping, etc. ~Realpolitik~
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The mechanoid trait (fully artificial) should make a species immune to bioweapons.
Cybernetic should make them more resistant.
But that needs to be subject to testing since as it is the Synth are the best at research and their main penalty is starting off with a fleet instead of a homeworld.
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So we have our weekly progress update:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/status/status-update-for-927-1032015/
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/orinthon_researcher.jpg)
Also here's the Ornithon researcher.
Finally, did up a video on the Kats!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7HCwBODkkg
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We have a new "music Monday" today, with an article on current progress on music:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/composition-series-10-music-update/
For today a more musical thing to show off, one of the new ambient tracks:
https://soundcloud.com/rhombustudios/ambient-track-3
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We have a new species series article today, this time about the titular Lords of Rigel!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-11-rigelan/
Also, the Synth soldier!
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/synth_soldier2.jpg)
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Something a little different for today, an article covering font use in LoR:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-11-typography/
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/orinthon_scale_image.png)
Also showing off the Ornithon fleet to scale!
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Argh! Your articles have drawn my attention to it... aren't the windows too big on that Battleship? :p
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Well I used the scale newman told me so yell at him :)
Speaking of which a new ship design article by newman, covering the shadowy Xantus fleet!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-11-xantus-design/
Xantus Cruiser (View in 3D (https://p3d.in/Bllqj))
(https://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/Bllqj) (https://p3d.in/Bllqj)
Also, here's a look at the Xantus cruiser in 3d!
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Something a little different for today, an article covering font use in LoR:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-11-typography/
Ooooh, Bank Gothic! I like that font, that's a nice font.
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We didn't want to go overkill with using it though like FreeSpace does since we need some other more legible fonts :)
Anyway for today a new article covering the galaxy map in LoR:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/design-series-11-2d-galaxy-map/
Also a species summary wallpaper for the Humans:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/species_wallpaper_human.1.png)
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Today we have a design article covering how we're tying to make different ship classes stay relevant through the game:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/feature-series-11-fleet-composition/
As for something to show, here's the Synth spy!
(http://media.indiedb.com/cache/images/games/1/36/35710/thumb_620x2000/synth_spy.jpg)
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I finally got around to trying out the tactical demo; and it crashes on start, just after displaying the "Made in Unity" screen :(
Here's the console output:
Set current directory to /home/mememe/games/LoR
Found path: /home/mememe/games/LoR/LoR.x86_64
Mono path[0] = '/home/mememe/games/LoR/LoR_Data/Managed'
Mono path[1] = '/home/mememe/games/LoR/LoR_Data/Mono'
Mono config path = '/home/mememe/games/LoR/LoR_Data/Mono/etc'
displaymanager : xrandr version warning. 1.4
client has 2 screens
displaymanager screen (0)(HDMI-0): 1920 x 1080
Using libudev for joystick management
Importing game controller configs
/dev/input/js0: driver version: 2.1.0 (20100)
/dev/input/js0: fd 4, buttons 12, axes 6, name Logitech Logitech Extreme 3D
/dev/input/js0: axis 0: raw -32767, mapped 0.000000
/dev/input/js0: axis 1: raw -32767, mapped 0.000000
/dev/input/js0: axis 2: raw -32767, mapped 0.000000
/dev/input/js0: axis 3: raw -32767, mapped 0.000000
/dev/input/js0: axis 4: raw 0, mapped 0.000000
/dev/input/js0: axis 5: raw 0, mapped 0.000000
Assigning joystick 1
I'm running Linux Mint 17 (basically Ubuntu 14.04), 64bit (so using LoR.x86). I don't *have* two screens so I don't know what's up with that. I disconnected my joystick, but that didn't change anything. I can't find any logs or similar.
Is there anything I can do to assist track down the cause of this crash?
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I'll forward this to our coders, we also have a thread on the forum for bug posting so we can collect everything in one spot.
This log does seem a little odd as we're not using joysticks but we'll try to get it sorted :)
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Thanks, I registered for your forums, found this (http://www.lordofrigel.com/forums/topic/mac-ox-10-11-crash-on-launch/#post-10097) and that lets the demo start. i.e. add -LaunchArg=default
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Well hopefully you can enjoy the demo now! :)
Our lead composer for today wrote an article covering the music for the elder species in the game, the Rigelans and Arcturans:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/composition-series-11-rigelan-and-arcturan-species-tracks/
Here's a new track too:
https://soundcloud.com/rhombustudios/rigel-occupied-2
Also showing off the diplomat for the Bird-Borg Ornithons!
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/orinthon_diplomat.jpg)
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Our latest species article covers Lord of Rigel's sneaky shapeshifters, the Xantus!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-12-xantus/
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/orinthon_soldier.jpg)
The Xantus are so sneaky can also shapeshift into even looking like an Ornithon soldier!
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Today's update covers nebulas in LoR. They're not too different than the ones in FreeSpace and you can check them out a bit in the demo too!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-12-nebulas/
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/synth_species.png)
Here's also a new wallpaper showing the various Synth characters together!
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For today a new article by newman covering the design behind the Aranid fleet, our insectoid species!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-12-aranid-fleet-design/
Aranid Frigate (View in 3D (https://p3d.in/R6qPu))
(https://p3d.in/model_data/snapshot/R6qPu) (https://p3d.in/R6qPu)
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Our latest design article covers the plotline in LoR and how it's covered in gameplay:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/design-series-12-plot/
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/ornithoni_species.png)
Also showing off the Ornithon together. The spy doesn't have the cybernetic wings that the others do.
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I'm a little worried about this project reaching its Kickstarter goal. Are you guys able to get any more coverage?
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We're likely not going to reach the Kickstarter goal. We've kept trying to reach out to media outlets (and mentioning the Diaspora connections when relevant to major sites who gave Dia good coverage).
Overall there's a lot of Kickstarter fatigue combined with strategy being a very narrow niche. There's been a few 4x space games in the past few years that haven't really delivered or are just entering backer betas despite being in the works for several years. So people's trepidation is pretty understandable.
Despite that we have plans to finish the project including launching Greenlight and doing direct preorders.
Today we have a new feature series article covering random events in LoR and how they're handled.
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/feature-series-12-random-events/
Here's the interior of a Dyson sphere too!
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/dyson_wallpaper.1.png)
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For this music Monday, we're showing off a Human diplomacy track and a video on the Tulocks!
https://soundcloud.com/rhombustudios/human-neutral
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Today we have a new species series article, covering the Yalkai:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-13-yalkai/
Also, here's what the Selach starbase looks like in game:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/selach_starbase.png)
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We have our weekly ship design article from newman today, covering how ships are scaled in LoR:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-13-ship-scaling/
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/species_wallpaper_aranid.png)
Also a new wallpaper showing off the Aranids!
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Our latest game design article covers everyone's favorite ships, the totally not a moon doomstars!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/design-series-13-i-want-my-doomstars/
Also sometimes bugs turn empire borders into abstract art!
(http://www.lordofrigel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Bug-13.jpg)
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I thought you were talking about the Aranids at first, not a technical bug. :)
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Today a few updates including our weekly progress update:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/status/status-update-for-1018-10242015/
Also for a music Monday part of one of the ground combat tracks:
https://soundcloud.com/rhombustudios/ground-combat-neutral?in=rhombustudios/sets/lord-of-rigel-original-soundtrack
Finally, a new species vid covering the Tharrn!
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Today we have a new species article, this time covering the Humans:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-14-humans/
Also one of the very early concepts of the Human diplomat:
(http://www.lordofrigel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Head_Human_Diplomat_render-Mod0.jpg)
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So instead of doing skill trees, we're having heroes acquire skills with an achievement like system, how that works we cover today!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-14-acquired-hero-skills/
Also a new wallpaper for the Mars-like minimal planets:
(http://www.lordofrigel.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/minimal_wallpaper.png)
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Our newest ship design article by newman covers the Katraxi!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-14-katraxi-fleet-design/
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/species_wallpaper_ornithon.png)
Also a species wallpaper for the Ornithons!
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We have a new update today, covering minor species in LoR:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/feature-series-14-minor-species/
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/Minor-Diplomat-3.jpg)
Here's a peak at one of the diplomats for a minor species.
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If the Kickstarter fails (which it looks like it will), will there be another way for some of us to toss money at you guys? I'll be honest here. Diaspora was such a fantastic product that I feel bad not paying for it. That said, space 4X is totally up my alley, and this is shaping up to be what Sword of the Stars 2 wanted to be but ultimately failed at.
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We're going to launch an Indiegogo and Steam Greenlight relatively soon. For Indiegogo the plan is to post up our specific small funding goals (like finishing ship debris). So we'll keep people posted on that. We are going to get the game done regardless, the issue of course comes down to polish and optional features. If it turns out like Sword of the Stars 2 bug wise I'll just send the home address of the lead coder to anyone not happy with the game ;)
Anyway for today we have a new species vid for the Yalkai!
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Kickstarter may not have hit the funding goal, but it did succeed at spreading the word about the game. Development continues and we're still aiming for our summer 2016 release. We won't be doing daily updates in the coming weeks, but will still provide weekly status updates, new videos, and development articles on various topics.
Anyway for today we have a new species article on the Tulocks:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/species-series-15-tulock/
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We have a new article today covering how espionage works in LoR:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-15-espionage-missions/
Plus a fleet scale image for the Aranids!
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/aranid_scale_image.png)
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We have a new ship design article by newman today, this time looking at a single ship the Katraxi frigate:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/ship-design-15-a-closer-look-at-the-katraxi-frigate/
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/aranid_yalkai_wallpaper.png)
Also a new wallpaper, showing off the Aranids v.s. the Yalkai!
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(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/minor_5.png)
Showing off another one of our pre-warp minor species.
We finished up diplomatic victories and the galactic council this week. One thing we've also included are council decrees that are voted on that modify things like trade and research treaties. Council decrees are a lot like the planetary council votes in SMAC.
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Although this week has been a little quiet, we've implemented all of the various leader mechanics such as randomized leaders and acquired traits this week :)
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/gnn_concept.png)
Also, for today here's a look at the GNN screen (with temp dialog).
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This week's status update covers a few things, including working leader mechanics!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/status/status-update-for-118-11142015/
We also have two new species videos, covering the insectoid Aranid and the Humans!
(Editzored to fix YT embeds: Mongoose)
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It's been a bit of a busy week for the LoR team. We've implemented more on leader mechanics and fixed quite a few bugs this week. Plus, I wanted to show off some progress on the Synth including their fighter by newman. There's also a new species video for this week covering the cybernetic Ornithon!
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This week has been work on various info screens and more progress on the Synth. But we do have a new species video to show off covering the Xantus!
http://www.lordofrigel.com/status/status-update-for-1122-11282015/
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Are you taking any inspiration from Master of Orion 1? The combat, research, planetary management?
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More from MOO2, but espionage mechanics are more like MOO1 since those mechanics were more in depth.
The things drawn more from MOO1 are under the table mechanics like how pollution works, AI decision making, and spying.
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The past month has been a lot of behind the scenes work. One of the biggest is switching from turn based to real time tactical and UI revisions.
We have a new species video covering the Synth:
Also a wallpaper showing off one of our elder species, the Arcturans!
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/arcturan_wallpaper.png)
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oh no the minceraft ships :/
The crystalized look is really cool, but it seems way too regular to work for me tbh.
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Well one thing we wanted to announce is our decision to switch to a real time tactical setup. The old turn based tactical can still be checked out and downloaded though.
Also, here's a peak at our ringworlds:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/ringworld_wallpaper.png)
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Can you make it both? (As in, user can choose RTS or TBS at startup) Or would that be way too much work?
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it'd be a complete waste of resources, yes
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It's something we discussed, but focusing on one system is best since we'd have to split efforts between two different game systems. (technically three with autoresolve!)
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Hmm, perhaps release a TBS based DLC afterwards if there's interest then? Seeing as you have assets etc already in place, and you'd get any revenue from the DLC as a bonus.
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The turn based system we'll keep up as the skirmish mode demo that can be downloaded now. If we did that even as a DLC it'd result in having to split efforts balancing the game from then on. So we're focusing just on one system.
Regardless doing realtime and turnbased in one game is generally a mess (ex. XCOM Apocalypse, Cyberstorm 2). We don't want to evoke the 90s in that way :)
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/titan_wallpaper.png)
Also, here's the Human Titan and an artificial planet.
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(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/behemoth_wallpaper.png)
Behold, the Behemoth! (which is about the size of Deimos, the actual moon not the FS corvette)
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Guys, do you have an Crowd Funding campaign, if yes, could you please send me a link to this in a PM?
EDIT:
Actually ignore that, I found it myself.
Additionally, you have my vote on Steam Greenlight.
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Well the crowdfunding ended months ago but we'll have some upcoming big news steam wise in a few weeks :)
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(https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/12829035_1035031833209095_3465636651172305172_o.jpg)
Getting closer to that announcement I mentioned, but here's an image showing off the tweaked tactical system to tide people over :)
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Well our big announcement and why we've been quiet recently is because we signed a publisher deal with Iceberg Interactive. LoR is aiming for a winter 2016 release!
http://www.iceberg-games.com/index.php?dispatch=news.view&news_id=166
Also we have a brand spankin' new release trailer done in-engine with in game assets!
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Hey, congratulations!
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Indeed, super congrats! :yes:
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That's awesome!! :D
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(https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/t31.0-8/12829035_1035031833209095_3465636651172305172_o.jpg)
bank gothic is love
bank gothic is life
(grats on finding publisher)
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Well we use a mix of Microstyle, Bankgothic, and futura for the text to increase legibility.
In fact about 5 months ago we did an article covering typography in the game, which is still about the same despite some UI overhauls:
http://www.lordofrigel.com/news/mechanics-series-11-typography/
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Congrats!
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http://www.spacesector.com/blog/2016/03/lord-of-rigel-interview-with-james-rorabaugh/
A few days ago we had a Q&A with space sector covering a bit on how the game is progressing.
Plus, here's a sneak peak at a new supership, the Tulock Behemoth!
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Our absolute latest hot off the presses ship is the Selach Titan!
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We're on Steam!
http://store.steampowered.com/app/437440/
So please wishlist us, we'll be coming out Q1 2017.
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congrats!
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Our absolute latest hot off the presses ship is the Selach Titan!
I mean no offense of any kind, but this ship looks tiny! I was blown away by it supposedly being 12 kilometers long because it looks like a really small ship - maybe a few hundred meters long at maximum.
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In game there's detail maps, plus in the case of the Selach we're dealing with whale sized crew members so their large ships are more like another species mediums.
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That's great, however unfortunately neither of those things modify the ship's shape in any way (especially the second thing, which means nothing to a player anyway?), which is what makes it look small.
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I think if you swept the wings back a bit it would make it look larger and make the design flow better.
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We've gone with forward swept for all of the initial Selach designs.
Anyway we have a recorded dev stream from about two hours ago:
https://www.twitch.tv/rhombus_studios/v/69534405
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We're currently doing a live stream of the design for the Von Neumann probe space monster by newman!
https://www.twitch.tv/rhombus_studios
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Here's the result of the live stream, our first galactic-threat level space monster a self-replicating probe:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/probe_wallpaper.png)
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Seems like every 4X coming out is getting a Von Neuman Probe. Looks cool though, I love the design.
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Overall I think newman's art direction has been pretty amazing so I hope that enough people play the game to see it :)
As for the VN, we're probably nerfing it to kingdom come. Currently when it shows up the entire galaxy is consumed in about 40 turns. We want these to be galaxy wide threats and not pushovers but that's a little overkill!
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We're still alive, a lot of under the hood work over the past month, but something we can show off is the second part of the Human fleet, the supercapital ships:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/human_scale_huge_10m_image.png)
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Overall I think newman's art direction has been pretty amazing so I hope that enough people play the game to see it :)
did he settle on the tetrahedron shape for the probe alone? or did he collaborate with the star of the hit 2004 comedy dodgeball, thus devising the vaughn-newman probe?
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You know it's good, when the ship won't fit on the preview image.
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Overall I think newman's art direction has been pretty amazing so I hope that enough people play the game to see it :)
did he settle on the tetrahedron shape for the probe alone? or did he collaborate with the star of the hit 2004 comedy dodgeball, thus devising the vaughn-newman probe?
After True Detective Season 2 Vaughn's acting is the true grand menace to the LoR galaxy!
Well Scourge that's actually why it took a while before releasing this since it came down to "Well if we do a 10m scale you can't see some of the ships, and a 100m scale makes them look kinda small, and other scales would be weird."
We'll probably do a few 100m scale images of some of the supercaps, citadels, and grand menaces a little down the road though. Since the Citadels are pretty, insanely, huge. ...and pretty much meant for fortifying core worlds.
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"1 pixel = 10m"
Really? Omg.
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The plan is to keep ships pretty much to scale in tactical :)
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(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/yalkai_ornithon_wallpaper.png)
Here's the Yalkai behemoth firing off its planet killer cannon!
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(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/ornithon_titan_wallpaper.png)
Here's a look at the latest ship made, the Ornithon titan.
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(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/drone_wallpaper.png)
Here's another look at the VNs, this time a drone attacking an Aranid taskforce.
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(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/aranid_super_wallpaper.png)
Still chugging away! Here's a look at the Aranid behemoth!
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(https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/t31.0-8/14711458_1227424443969832_350120846896058906_o.jpg)
Here's a look at the Tulock Behemoth and a second grand menace the Borg meet the Thing meets the Reapers Infection!
edit- Also, we've finished mastering quite a bit of the soundtrack and have put some of it up on soundcloud:
https://soundcloud.com/rhombustudios
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(http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/398960184158633287/F851587DCA72358AF7384AD7BF6B903922A09C18/)
A lot more bug and UI work this week, but newman has also finished the art for the playable species! ...and as something new to show off a Synth starbase.
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Here's a new 4k wallpaper showing off Earth:
(http://media.indiedb.com/images/games/1/36/35710/lor_earth_4k.2.png)
...and yes that's Earth after a 100m sea level rise due to a century of "the dithering."
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...and yes that's Earth after a 100m sea level rise due to a century of "the dithering."
Still pretty though.
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Well at least I'll have a beach house, so that's something.
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(http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/276237827939716416/8B3E449ECF53FBE741E93CA28EF6DFAC383C70F0/)
Needless to say people who run around in white capes should be wearing brown capes when they see the Synth superweapons in action.
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(http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/199680527233699377/80856CEE7C097FE6BDA4F9C77ED9F58F0EF428CB/)
Here's a look at the space crystal and its trying to take out an Ornithon fleet. Sometimes the holidays are more of a christmas attack zone!
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Well for baby jebus day here's a look at one of the pirate ships:
https://twitter.com/LordofRigel/status/811350657558974464
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(http://images.akamai.steamusercontent.com/ugc/199680527233699377/80856CEE7C097FE6BDA4F9C77ED9F58F0EF428CB/)
Here's a look at the space crystal and its trying to take out an Ornithon fleet. Sometimes the holidays are more of a christmas attack zone!
Oh come on. Like that isn't a direct rip-off of the Crystaline Entity from TNG.
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That's kinda the point. :drevil:
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A look at the "rag tag fleet" are they here to help or a threat?
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A look at the "rag tag fleet" are they here to help or a threat?
Please tell me they shoot big ol' railguns out the fronts.
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Yep, the plot Newman and I have done up for these guys is that after the Synth rebelled they switched over to using centrifuges and kinetic weapons. You can't outsmart bullet!
We've shown the Von Neumann mothership before, but not its FTL effect. The playable species use Rigelan warp drive but many of the extra galactic threats have unique means of FTL such as the hyperspace window.
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...and this time here's the Infection mothership. Newman's take on Borg-space Cthulhu. The Reaper similarities actually wound up being coincidental in this case when it got more squid like with revisions.
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Could some updates cover things like gameplay? The vast majority of all updates seem to be about graphics and lore, which are nice but don't really tell much about the game or how it's actually progressing.
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Well on our steam page we posted a big update on how stuff was progressing a few weeks back. As for gameplay footage we're holding off mostly because the turn based stuff isn't as "sexy" and doesn't get the views. Me clicking around the leaders menu isn't the most exciting thing.
Anyway this week we're showing off the last of the major menaces, the Interloper or extradimensional "system killer."
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Well on our steam page we posted a big update on how stuff was progressing a few weeks back.
Oh, okay, I probably didn't check there.
As for gameplay footage we're holding off mostly because the turn based stuff isn't as "sexy" and doesn't get the views. Me clicking around the leaders menu isn't the most exciting thing.
But... but... it totally is. :cool:
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Our latest peak is what happens when the system killer is done feeding. Spoilers: boom.
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Space pirates! Raidin' your lanes.
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Whoa, this looks awesome! I wish I'd known about this before - I'm a big RTS fan and I'll be keeping an eye on this one. :)
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[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oemJ_dI9pA[/yt]
Should be [yt]3oemJ_dI9pA[/yt]
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There we go, thanks!
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Well we've hit another big internal milestone today on slow but steady progress. But as something to show the world here's a Rigelan beserker, a leftover from the last great war.
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Necrothread engaged!
We've been chugging along on this, with a closed beta, AI work, and bug fixing. Lots of bug fixing.
But our big recent thing is a new story trailer, this time from the second of the elder races, the B5 Shadow-like Arcturans.
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Actually it's probably a good thing that I forgot about this, otherwise I'd've been nagging for updates. :lol: Looking forward to it, good luck good work and stay cool!