As I stated in last news piece, which was posted up by Sushi, I have moved across to help the guys in the system development section for the past month. I have to say it has been an enlightening experience.
When I first decided to help out with the coding, the prospect of helping out with the system layout was something that wetted my appetite. The problem was I really didn't understand enough about coding to pull it off, nor did I have the confidence to believe I could. The time spent with the ship coding and the engine effect work really helped in this regard.
It helped me get a sense of what I was working with. The tutorials I had at my disposal made a lot more sense now that I have a grasp of the Freelancer coding.
So what have I brought to the system table? Well, you would have seen some of my work in some of Sushi's development videos. I don't bring what Qi does to the table. He has the skill to build models, to which he can then construct fantastic structures like the Kuat Drive Yards and the Mon Calamari Shipyards. For me, one look at a modelling program and I feel like I have gone blonde!
Despite this, I feel like I have contributed a lot in my new role. At my disposal is Aldebaran's Modular Station parts. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the project, it provides a plentiful supply of modules that can be put together to make a station in Freelancer.
Think Lego, for grown-ups!
Using the modules, I have come up with unique station designs for Freeworlds: Tides of War. The resources on Star Wars bases are limited at best, which is grand for me. It is an excuse to get creative with station designs. Nobody likes to see the same base recycled a dozen times either, so it my hope to give the majority of stations their own distinctive look.
I treat system construction like an artist in front of canvass. I think myself a creative person and I want each system to have its own unique feel to it. My plan is also to attempt to bring a sense of ‘canon' to them. Again, there is only limited information on what is in each system in the Star Wars universe. Before I start a system, I spend some time researching it, to find out as much about it to help me.
A good example of this is the Beshqek system. This system featured heavily in the Reborn Emperor storyline. Everything I read about it and what the Emperor did there, had me thinking that this was the equivalent of ‘hell'. I've done by best to re-create that feeling in the system, from a creepy looking dark nebula where the planet Byss used to be, (the planet was destroyed when the Galaxy Gun, yet another Imperial doomsday weapon, fired its last round into the planet) to a prison in orbit around one of the icy moons.
The Beshqek Imperial Prison, in orbit around the ice moon of Houll. It is made up of around forty individual modular station parts.
The prison itself was my own choice. It was my first proper modular station project, taking me around three hours to complete. I drew inspiration from an image of the Bakura Imperial Prison. Using it as a starting off point, it quickly grew into its own unique look.
Coruscant was my second system project. For a long time now, Coruscant has had a certain look to it in Freeworlds. For the new mod, I have completely redesigned it based on what canon information I could find on what planets were found in the system.
For me, the new Coruscant resembles everything that we are trying to achieve with the new mod. It might have a familiar name, but once you look at what is in there, it is completely different!
My current project in Bastion, capital system for the Empire. Unlike most systems, this system has a serious lack of information. Only be scanning the ‘New Jedi Order' novels did I get some idea of what was to be found in the system. This in turn has increased my ability to be creative with designing the system.
As of today, I have just begun to process of putting together the first of the modular stations. Below is the first ‘big' station I have constructed for the system. The diameter of which is just shy of twelve kilometres.
An Imperial base in Bastion. It's design was done 'on the fly' and is 12 klicks in diameter.
There are currently another three more stations to be built in Bastion. Sovereign, who is charge of the import-projects, has handed us some extremely new base models. Once they are coded into the game, I will be able to find plenty of use for them. They will add even more variety to the stations that will be in final mod.
Once I finish Bastion, I will most likely move on to Dantooine. Sushi has been kind enough to allow me to run the rule over a number of alpha systems, given that I have the time and passion to try to bring the most out of them.
Once we are sure that everything is working and bug-free, it will be the time to add more scenery to the systems. I want these places to feel alive, and not just with NPC's. I have experimented with the idea of docked starships and other vessels around bases, which I feel will look great to enhance the liveliness of each area. Of course, I am getting ahead of myself now. As I said above, this sort of touching up is best left until we are sure everything is working!
You can read more on Freeworlds: Tides of War blog here. From past experience on the other side of the fence, I know how people feel about wanting to gain every morsel of new information on an upcoming mode. I do my best to keep it as up to date as possible.
