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Stars in EVE - Their appearance and their place in combat and industry

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Sin Meng
Catskull Horizons
Grimskulls
#1 - 2015-02-13 04:22:01 UTC  |  Edited by: Sin Meng
In the real world, I am fascinated by the sun and other stars. I pour over every new bit of information that comes from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and other science missions. I am in constant awe of their beauty, scale, and role in the comsic ecosystem.

Unfortunately this is not at all the case in EVE; my second favorite reality.

Stars are the one common denominator celestial in all of New Eden's systems, yet they are little more than a source of environmental light and a somewhat-more popular warp-point for rallying or escaping. I think this is a tragic state for such an important celestial body, and a missed opportunity from both a gameplay and aesthetic standpoint.

I of course have a few musings of my own as to what I'd like to see stars become in EVE, but I'd rather my ideas not be the focal point of this thread. Instead, I want to hear the community's ideas for these fiery beasts.


  • How should they look? Do you prefer realism (shameless SDO plug - SDO 5-Year Anniversary Montage), or a more stylized approach?

  • Should they have unique roles or effects on combat, industry, or other elements of life within their systems? Consider things beyond simple status effects such as what we see today in wormhole systems.

  • In a broader sense, do you feel that environments in EVE are adequately portrayed and meaningful? What would you add, remove, or change?

Elements of the past and the future combining to make something not quite as good as either.
Chal0ner
Hideaway Hunters
The Hideaway.
#2 - 2015-02-13 04:49:39 UTC  |  Edited by: Chal0ner
Sin Meng wrote:


  • How should they look? Do you prefer realism (shameless SDO plug - SDO 5-Year Anniversary Montage)?

    • +1
    Sin Meng wrote:

  • Should they have unique roles or effects on combat, industry, or other elements of life within their systems? Consider things beyond simple status effects such as what we see today in wormhole systems.

    • Why not? They do in wh-space so unless they have very super special snowflake stars in wh-space they really should in k-space too. I know, it seems like they are super special snowflakes but they shouldn't really be - it's the same space even if the systems are not connected by jump gates.
    Quattras Peione
    Caldari Provisions
    Caldari State
    #3 - 2015-02-13 06:02:54 UTC  |  Edited by: Quattras Peione
    Man, that montage was so awesome I watched it twice. Have a like.

    I know the default response is "gameplay first, art assets second," and I wholly follow that school of thought. That said, if the art team want to improve the look of space, taking a second look at stars and that gorgeous SDO footage would be a great place to start.

    @Chal0ner, I see your point but applying the W-space effects to K-space would be a HUGE change to the game. And how would the effects be tiered? Systems in the New Eden cluster aren't classified like J-series systems.

    As far as stars having more impact on the game, I would like to see some sort of infrastructure, similar to planetary interaction or moon mining, that is centered around solar harvesting. The problem becomes - what does it produce? I don't really have an answer for that. I'm just saying it would be neat.

    tl;dr: +1

    Dr. Quattras Alvar Peione

    No, I'm not that kind of doctor.
    Komodo Askold
    Strategic Exploration and Development Corp
    Silent Company
    #4 - 2015-02-13 10:03:25 UTC  |  Edited by: Komodo Askold
    I completely agree with trying to improve their looking. They got beautiful lens flares and environmental sounds, but the models themselves look quite outdated and not very realistic. I love the montage posted on the OP; we could try to make them look like that. On this video, you can see a WiP footage for star corona in the space simulator Space Engine (you should download it inmediatly btw); maybe some ideas could be taken from there.

    Now that I mention that simulator, it has an "autoadjust exposition" option that automatically adjusts light levels depending on what you're looking at. So if you are looking at "empty" space you clearly see star and near galaxies, and if then you look at a star close enough it fills the screen, the program gradually lowers the light levels so the star changes from a painfully bright area to the kind of view we have on the OP's video, while the surrounding space darkens. Not sure if we can do that on the EVE engine, but it could be a neat idea for realism.

    More examples from the game Sins of a Solar Empire: apart from the textures shown, they've got some cool heat reverberation on their surface:
    http://www.spacesector.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/sins_rebellion3.jpg
    http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2013/158/e/d/sins_of_a_solar_empire__vasari_rebellion_by_eemhp31-d686i5e.jpg
    http://i.ytimg.com/vi/M9RMWOJ9PO8/maxresdefault.jpg

    I'd also like to have some sort of Solar Harvesting, but I'm not sure either about what could be do with it. Maybe it could be an alternative power source? Or an ingredient for certain chemical reactions? Or a material needed for the production of certain ammo types?

    EDIT: now that I remember, stars on Sins of a Solar Empire have a quite useful role ingame: all ships with abilities (pretty much all of them) consume antimatter in order to use them, which recharges slowly on its own (think of it as "mana"). All ships in the gravity well of a star (akin to EVE's grids) have their antimatter regeneration speed highly increased. Maybe this serves as a basis for ideas on EVE?
    Jishi Padecain
    Center for Advanced Studies
    Gallente Federation
    #5 - 2015-02-13 10:12:28 UTC
    +1 to building a Star Forge in EVE.
    Pak Narhoo
    Splinter Foundation
    #6 - 2015-02-13 11:15:41 UTC
    Would like to see more (unrealistic) space dust/clouds where you can hide in for example. Like in the old BSG tv movies.


    Also sun related, the album from Thomas Bergersen (Two steps from Hell) called 'Sun' has some epic tracks.
    Vaerk One
    Ministry of War
    Amarr Empire
    #7 - 2015-02-13 11:40:40 UTC
    I remember in the movie Sunshine where the spaceship Icarus II reaches a point during its journey to our Sun where it looses all communications with Earth. So maybe have a certain radius around the stars that hides you from local and other in-game communications? Different type of stars could have different types of effects.

    I'd also like to have the dust clouds one can hide in, like in BattleStar Galactica or the game Homeworld. These could have effects two like reducing shields or speed or whatever.

    I'm not too concerned with weather it's realistic or not, since EVE doesn't follow our laws of physics anyway.
    Bagrat Skalski
    Koinuun Kotei
    #8 - 2015-02-13 13:06:54 UTC
    I have some issues with the background stars. They look smeared, not like the stars on your sky, they should be more like vector dots placed on the sphere, not like an ugly texture.

    Custom ship skins, character creator style "repaint". Bring it!
    Commissar Kate
    Kesukka
    #9 - 2015-02-13 14:44:01 UTC  |  Edited by: Commissar Kate
    As for star aesthetics I'd say Elite: Dangerous did a perfect job of balancing them between realism and artistic flare. They look fantastic up close and far away.

    My biggest gripe with the stars in Eve is that they have the same apparent size and brightness no matter how far you are away from them. It's something that I would really like to see CCP change.

    As for effects on ships? We got wormholes for that and its one of the features that makes them unique and different from every other system in Eve. I say just leave the system effects in wormholes so they can keep their uniqueness.

    -k8

    My Fanclub
    Serene Repose
    #10 - 2015-02-13 17:07:37 UTC
    I guess if it's eye candy you're worried about, it's safe to leave out tons of physics while claiming a small range (that appeals to your present gimme mode) is relevant. What's amusing about this thread so far is the "no matter how close or far" part. We do know what happens if we get too close to a "star" (and I don't mean Brad Pitt punching you in the face.)

    The stars in the game, as far as I've "seen" in the past years have nothing directly to do with the game. They're just window dressing, like decor. I like the host to choose the decor. I do it in my house, let them do it in their houses. I don't see how a game designer is beholden to my idea of what is GREAT.

    If what I think is GREAT is THAT great...then I'd become a game designer, too! It's kind of like telling Picasso he shoulda added a beachball to that sailboat scene. Some people would deign do that. Then, as P.T. Barnum said, "There's a sucker born every minute." So, I'd be interested in seeing you guy's games when they finally come out. Do let us know here when the launch dates are. We'll be most happy to check them out. In fact, let us be first in line for the almighty beta test, woncha?

    TYVM. Have a nice day! Cool

    PS Nothing impresses me more than to have some wizard telling me what I can do with my stuff. That's so...intelligent! Why do I get the idea the next thing I'll read is I'm not entitled to MY opinion as well?

    We must accommodate the idiocracy.
    Asayanami Dei
    Adhocracy Incorporated
    Adhocracy
    #11 - 2015-02-13 17:43:57 UTC
    Serene Repose wrote:
    Why do I get the idea the next thing I'll read is I'm not entitled to MY opinion as well?

    Your opinions seems to be that everybody else's opinion is crap.

    Serene Repose wrote:
    I guess if it's eye candy you're worried about, it's safe to leave out tons of physics while claiming a small range (that appeals to your present gimme mode) is relevant.

    Are we playing the same game?

    I'm a leaf on the wind, watch how I--THE CAPACITOR IS EMPTY

    Youtube: /asayanami

    Twitter: @asayanami

    wormholefundamentals.com
    d0cTeR9
    Caldari Provisions
    Caldari State
    #12 - 2015-02-13 18:09:31 UTC
    Burned Lol

    I beleive a Dev stated that one stations are done getting the graphic/lighting update, planets/suns will too.

    Then maybe we get HD graphics? ShockedBig smile

    Been around since the beginning.
    Pok Nibin
    Doomheim
    #13 - 2015-02-13 18:20:26 UTC
    Asayanami Dei wrote:
    Serene Repose wrote:
    Why do I get the idea the next thing I'll read is I'm not entitled to MY opinion as well?

    Your opinions seems to be that everybody else's opinion is crap.

    Serene Repose wrote:
    I guess if it's eye candy you're worried about, it's safe to leave out tons of physics while claiming a small range (that appeals to your present gimme mode) is relevant.

    Are we playing the same game?
    I'm sure Serene meant just YOUR opinion. I agree. What's the star graphic have to do with running a mission. You act like you know something of the game, please explain....oh yes, you're CSM....sorry.

    The right to free speech doesn't automatically carry with it the right to be taken seriously.
    Serene Repose
    #14 - 2015-02-13 18:21:39 UTC
    Asayanami Dei wrote:
    Serene Repose wrote:
    Why do I get the idea the next thing I'll read is I'm not entitled to MY opinion as well?

    Your opinions seems to be that everybody else's opinion is crap.

    Serene Repose wrote:
    I guess if it's eye candy you're worried about, it's safe to leave out tons of physics while claiming a small range (that appeals to your present gimme mode) is relevant.

    Are we playing the same game?
    Believe me, it's not an act...and it's not opinion. (first dribble)
    Apparently not. (second dribble)

    We must accommodate the idiocracy.
    Vyl Vit
    #15 - 2015-02-13 18:23:52 UTC
    Asayanami Dei wrote:
    Serene Repose wrote:
    Why do I get the idea the next thing I'll read is I'm not entitled to MY opinion as well?

    Your opinions seems to be that everybody else's opinion is crap.

    Serene Repose wrote:
    I guess if it's eye candy you're worried about, it's safe to leave out tons of physics while claiming a small range (that appeals to your present gimme mode) is relevant.

    Are we playing the same game?
    I fail to see your point. Therefore, it appears all you wanted to do is flame somebody. If that's the most we can expect from a CSM, then why do we bother with it in the first place?

    Paradise is like where you are right now, only much, much better.
    Herzog Wolfhammer
    Sigma Special Tactics Group
    #16 - 2015-02-14 00:35:33 UTC
    Sin Meng wrote:
    In the real world, I am fascinated by the sun and other stars. I pour over every new bit of information that comes from the Solar Dynamics Observatory and other science missions. I am in constant awe of their beauty, scale, and role in the comsic ecosystem.

    Unfortunately this is not at all the case in EVE; my second favorite reality.

    Stars are the one common denominator celestial in all of New Eden's systems, yet they are little more than a source of environmental light and a somewhat-more popular warp-point for rallying or escaping. I think this is a tragic state for such an important celestial body, and a missed opportunity from both a gameplay and aesthetic standpoint.

    I of course have a few musings of my own as to what I'd like to see stars become in EVE, but I'd rather my ideas not be the focal point of this thread. Instead, I want to hear the community's ideas for these fiery beasts.


    • How should they look? Do you prefer realism (shameless SDO plug - SDO 5-Year Anniversary Montage), or a more stylized approach?

    • Should they have unique roles or effects on combat, industry, or other elements of life within their systems? Consider things beyond simple status effects such as what we see today in wormhole systems.

    • In a broader sense, do you feel that environments in EVE are adequately portrayed and meaningful? What would you add, remove, or change?



    Ah just admit you want to pull that trick they did with the sun in that DS-9 episode.

    Bring back DEEEEP Space!
    Herzog Wolfhammer
    Sigma Special Tactics Group
    #17 - 2015-02-14 00:38:19 UTC
    Commissar Kate wrote:
    As for star anesthetics I'd say Elite: Dangerous did a perfect job of balancing them between realism and artistic flare. They look fantastic up close and far away.

    My biggest gripe with the stars in Eve is that they have the same apparent size and brightness no matter how far you are away from them. It's something that I would really like to see CCP change.

    As for effects on ships? We got wormholes for that and its one of the features that makes them unique and different from every other system in Eve. I say just leave the system effects in wormholes so they can keep their uniqueness.




    It would be great if things just got darker the further away from them we got.

    And then give us "deeeeep" space content where we have to rely on the lights from our own ships.

    Bring back DEEEEP Space!
    Vyl Vit
    #18 - 2015-02-14 01:31:30 UTC
    Then, some flourescent thing goes drifting past....

    Paradise is like where you are right now, only much, much better.
    Herzog Wolfhammer
    Sigma Special Tactics Group
    #19 - 2015-02-14 05:26:32 UTC
    Vyl Vit wrote:
    Then, some flourescent thing goes drifting past....



    There was a cheezy PC game I had years ago that was like a takeaway from the old Atari Asteroids game except with a "Zaxxon" viewing angle.

    Every 4th or 5th "wave" of roids was a "dark" wave where the only light was from my forward gun and my engines. The rocks were not lit up until they were right on top of me.

    Bring back DEEEEP Space!