Distance/Speed Measurement consistancy. |
| Project: | Space Empires V |
| Version: | 1.17 |
| Component: | Code |
| Category: | feature |
| Priority: | normal |
| Assigned: | Kana |
| Status: | active |
Description
I would like to see a clear definition of what the scale is between combat and the system hexes. How big is a system hex? If you are going to LS=Light Seconds as a measurement for range in combat then you should make sure that the movement of the ships and other objects is considered in that same scale. One LS=300,000km. Speed is currently rated by KM/sec. I guess the biggest change would be the ability for modders to be able to change the 'value' of these units in the mainstrings.txt file. Modders could then change it to miles, KM, units, bands, LS, LM, or whatever suits their needs.
Light second a long way
A light second is a very long way as the speed of light is rather fast cant recall it at this point it always struck me that the weapons ranges would be better in km or tens of km. Light seconds seem to be more of a system range measure after all the earth orbits 7 light minutes out from the sun.
Re: Distance/Speed Measurement consistancy.
It makes sense to measure weapons in terms of light seconds, or even light minutes, especially beam weapons.
Sadly, if speed in combat is measured in km/sec, the sectors are *WAY* too small. Light travels at 186,000 miles per second .. thats something like 300,000 km/sec. Thats in a vacuum, which most of the game takes place in. At combat ranges which the game seems to take place on, the only reason ANY beam would miss would be bad targetting data.
Increase the diameter of the combat area by a factor of 100, keeping everything else the same size as it is now ... increase beam ranges by 20 times and missiles by 30 (missiles are a lot slower, but carry a power source and a means of propulsion, so should be able to if nothing else go ballistic at much longer ranges than the game supports now) and you *might* get closer to realistic given how fast light at any frequency travels.
Consistency is needed
Is light-seconds actually used anywhere in stock other than in the mount description for range increases? Besides that I don't think I see it anywhere else.
Personally I treat all range figures etc. in km, since the speed is km/s.
Anyhow you can change it already in MainStrings.txt if you want. Just do a search for those terms.
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