Galaxy: Difference between revisions
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[[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#I have heard that the "Elite" series have no actual storyline. Is that true?|Elite Dangerous features an immersive, evolving galaxy with dynamic society, economy and stories]], allowing pilots to join each other and together change the story of the Milky Way. | [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#I have heard that the "Elite" series have no actual storyline. Is that true?|Elite Dangerous features an immersive, evolving galaxy with dynamic society, economy and stories]], allowing pilots to join each other and together change the story of the Milky Way. | ||
[[File:Terrestrial planet brown dwarf.png|thumb|200px|Terrestrial planet and a brown dwarf.]] | |||
The vast, [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#How big will planets and star systems.C2.A0be.3F|scientifically accurate 1:1 scale of the seamless Milky Way galaxy]] is created using a mix of [[Procedural Generation|procedural generation and artist direction.]] | The vast, [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#How big will planets and star systems.C2.A0be.3F|scientifically accurate 1:1 scale of the seamless Milky Way galaxy]] is created using a mix of [[Procedural Generation|procedural generation and artist direction.]] | ||
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We achieved this by starting with as much information as we could gather about the 160,000 known star systems from our galaxy. | We achieved this by starting with as much information as we could gather about the 160,000 known star systems from our galaxy. | ||
[[File:Planet_lights_ring_system.png|thumb|200px|Planet with city lights and a ring system.]] | |||
We know the temperature, size and metallicity (the periodic elements that make up the star's composition) of those stars. And we also know the mass distribution of the Milky Way. | We know the temperature, size and metallicity (the periodic elements that make up the star's composition) of those stars. And we also know the mass distribution of the Milky Way. | ||
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We end up with a huge amount of technical information about each star and its planets, moons and asteroid fields, such as temperature, chemical composition and orbit. | We end up with a huge amount of technical information about each star and its planets, moons and asteroid fields, such as temperature, chemical composition and orbit. | ||
[[File:Viper Ring system.png|thumb|200px|Viper in a ring system.]] | |||
This delivers both an incredibly accurate and beautiful cosmic ballet, with all the motions of the celestial bodies correct, and is also the foundation for the different economies of each system in-game. | This delivers both an incredibly accurate and beautiful cosmic ballet, with all the motions of the celestial bodies correct, and is also the foundation for the different economies of each system in-game. | ||
The [[System Map]] displays a system's layout and information. Any discovered celestial and system information is documented on the System Map. | |||
=== '''Planets''' === | === '''Planets''' === | ||
For Planetary Landings we've extended the simulation still further. We take into account the factors that govern the formation of planets, from the basic chemical composition, size, neighbouring moons and tectonic activity. | For Planetary Landings we've extended the simulation still further. We take into account the factors that govern the formation of [[planets]], from the basic chemical composition, size, neighbouring moons and tectonic activity. | ||
[[File:Terrestrial planet and a Cobra.jpg|thumb|200px|Terrestrial planet and a Cobra]] | |||
We simulate the compression of tectonic plates, so we can see where they'd move together and move apart. That creates where ridges are formed, mountains, or canyons and trenches. | We simulate the compression of tectonic plates, so we can see where they'd move together and move apart. That creates where ridges are formed, mountains, or canyons and trenches. | ||
We simulate impact craters, volcanism and ageing. The minerals and elements making up the planet determine its appearance and colors. | We simulate impact craters, volcanism and ageing. The minerals and elements making up the planet determine its appearance and colors. | ||
You can seamlessly approach and land anywhere on a 1:1 scale planet and experience every square meter of terrain first-hand, either flying your ship close to the mountains and in the canyons, or landing and driving your SRV. | You can seamlessly approach and land anywhere on a 1:1 scale planet and experience every square meter of terrain first-hand, either flying your ship close to the mountains and in the canyons, or landing and driving your SRV. | ||
[[File:Gas_Giant_SRV_ASP.jpg|thumb|200px|Gas Giant SRV and Asp]] | |||
And again the simulation feeds directly into gameplay, with resources to be collected and synthesized, huge surface starports to trade in, shipwrecks to explore and fortified settlements to be defeated. | And again the simulation feeds directly into gameplay, with resources to be collected and synthesized, huge surface starports to trade in, shipwrecks to explore and fortified settlements to be defeated. | ||
=== '''Population''' === | === '''Population''' === | ||
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The other important aspect for the developers is that they can seed the galaxy with events, often these events will be triggered by player actions. With a living breathing galaxy players can discover new and interesting things long after they have started playing. | The other important aspect for the developers is that they can seed the galaxy with events, often these events will be triggered by player actions. With a living breathing galaxy players can discover new and interesting things long after they have started playing. | ||
[[File:Nebula and SRV.jpg|thumb|200px|Nebula and SRV.]] | |||
The game features a shared persistent galaxy server, where macro effects and [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#I have heard that the .22Elite.22 series have no actual storyline. Is that true.3F|events such as economy, society and war status]] etc. are recorded. | The game features a shared persistent galaxy server, where macro effects and [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#I have heard that the .22Elite.22 series have no actual storyline. Is that true.3F|events such as economy, society and war status]] etc. are recorded. | ||
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The effects of those instances are then stored on the central galaxy server and shared by everybody. | The effects of those instances are then stored on the central galaxy server and shared by everybody. | ||
[[File:Gas_Giant_Ring_system_SRV.jpg|thumb|200px|Gas giant with a ring system and SRV.]] | |||
Because the game features very high speed twitch combat and very detailed damage models, this is the most reliable way to do it, also keep in mind there can be many sessions within a star system and those sessions can dynamically move around, also because this game uses a [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#How big will planets and star systems.C2.A0be.3F|1:1 scale Milky Way galaxy]], sessions will typically be spread out much farther away [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#How are players going to meet each other in such a huge galaxy.3F|(although most of the action will be within the core systems)]] and it wouldn't be immersion breaking as opposed to a space game in a smaller area. | Because the game features very high speed twitch combat and very detailed damage models, this is the most reliable way to do it, also keep in mind there can be many sessions within a star system and those sessions can dynamically move around, also because this game uses a [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#How big will planets and star systems.C2.A0be.3F|1:1 scale Milky Way galaxy]], sessions will typically be spread out much farther away [[Elite: Dangerous FAQ#How are players going to meet each other in such a huge galaxy.3F|(although most of the action will be within the core systems)]] and it wouldn't be immersion breaking as opposed to a space game in a smaller area. | ||