10 replies to this topic

[verybad]

Currently all the maps look like something you could find on Earth. Now while it's likely that we would colonize Earth like planets because they're the best to live on, things like multiple moons or a ring around the planet. Or perhaps non earthlike plants, or a Giant red sun (along with a red tinted lighting) would do wonders for making the maps look like they're "out there"

If you look up and see that the desert planet you're fighting over is the moon of a Giant Gas Planet and you're in the ring that goes around it...well yeah, now you lknow you're in space.

These aren't terribly hard to create, but they would be very cool for the atmosphere.

[Morashtak]

wikipedia;

Terraforming (literally, "Earth-shaping") of a planet, moon, or other body is the hypothetical process of deliberately modifying its atmosphere, temperature, surface topography or ecology to be similar to the biosphere of Earth, in order to make it habitable by humans

Not like that could ever happen in the BT universe, of course. After all, 1,037 years isn't all that long.

[Redshift2k5]

I'd love to see some clearly otherworldly art assets such as multiple moons, planetary rings, or even multiple suns.

Also maybe a barren moon or asteroid map

[Welkin Gunther]

Morashtak, on 26 August 2012 - 04:23 PM, said:

wikipedia;

Terraforming (literally, "Earth-shaping") of a planet, moon, or other body is the hypothetical process of deliberately modifying its atmosphere, temperature, surface topography or ecology to be similar to the biosphere of Earth, in order to make it habitable by humans

Not like that could ever happen in the BT universe, of course. After all, 1,037 years isn't all that long.

It has been stated to have happened in Battletech I believe, though the ability to do so has been lost.

[Ancalagon]

A twin star system, red or blue stars, rings, or a giant (maybe even a terran like) moon in the sky on one of the maps could really enhance the immersion factor, without having to spend too much time modelling stuff. I fully support this idea.

[verybad]

Morashtak, on 26 August 2012 - 04:23 PM, said:

wikipedia;

Terraforming (literally, "Earth-shaping") of a planet, moon, or other body is the hypothetical process of deliberately modifying its atmosphere, temperature, surface topography or ecology to be similar to the biosphere of Earth, in order to make it habitable by humans

Not like that could ever happen in the BT universe, of course. After all, 1,037 years isn't all that long.

What does terraforming have to do with having the same moon, same view, etc?
....
Nothing.

A few different looking trees wouldn't hurt either. I already mentioned that most inhabited worlds are earthLIKE they're not Earth itself however. I want to see a few cool things..

As for Terraformed worlds, the Terran Hegemony spent most of it's efforts in the Terran system, Mars has a breathable atmosphere, and Venus was inhabited for a while (but it slowly went back to being a hellhole after the Starleague crashed.) The great houses never Terraformed any planets, and they had no good reason to, they could just colonize the inhabitable ones. There are millions of uncolonized systems in the area covered by the Inner Sphere, they simply don't show up on the map.

This still doesn't mean you can't have a multiple moon, or a different type of sone, or a ring...etc.

Edited by verybad, 26 August 2012 - 04:49 PM.

[Lightfoot]

I agree. It's also quite possible that some Jupiter-like planets could have habitable moons and if that planet had a ring system like Saturn the moons would be on it's ring-plane along with nearby asteroids. So quite a visual feast. Of course the trick is to do all that and still keep the scale of the 'mechs, something that River City seems to do very well.

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

If you've played MW2, or MW2:Mercs, one thing you'll notice is although the terrain may be similar, it is still distinctly alien. The skies I remember being VERY unfamiliar and alien looking. Often with radical clouds and purple/orange skies. Some planet (usually Capital Homeworlds or highly valued ones) had Earth-esque skies but also saw less combat.

[Spectre213]

+1 for the idea. A more unique look to the in game environments would definitely go a long way to improving the overall visual quality of the game. The mechs look great. Weapon effects aren't too shabby. Maps are all pretty bland so far.

[Strum Wealh]

verybad, on 26 August 2012 - 04:15 PM, said:

Currently all the maps look like something you could find on Earth. Now while it's likely that we would colonize Earth like planets because they're the best to live on, things like multiple moons or a ring around the planet. Or perhaps non earthlike plants, or a Giant red sun (along with a red tinted lighting) would do wonders for making the maps look like they're "out there"

If you look up and see that the desert planet you're fighting over is the moon of a Giant Gas Planet and you're in the ring that goes around it...well yeah, now you lknow you're in space.

These aren't terribly hard to create, but they would be very cool for the atmosphere.

I second the motion!

Also, here are some examples found through a perusal of Sarna.net:

Quote

The first settlements on Sirius were actually on Sirius VI-a, the moon of the last planet, as it had a breathable atmosphere. It wasn't until around fifty years later that the resource-rich, but oxygen-poor planet was colonized. Throughout the Succession Wars, the terraforming that allowed the settlement of Sirius VI was slowly reversed, until the only habitable area is the domed city of Calgary. The capital, Lost Hope, is on the Bounty continent of Sirius VI-a, which is also home to the continent of Hinterlands.

The map/battlefield could be on the moon (Sirius VI-a) with the planet looming in the sky. Alternatively, another map could be on Sirius itself with the Earth-like moon visible above.

Quote

Murchison is a habitable planet with a moon (Oasis) that also supports Terran life. When colonists arrived they found the atmosphere was slightly thicker than Terra's and the gravity slightly higher, but offsetting this was the vast amount of fertile land on the moon and Murchison proper. Oasis turned out to be well-suited to agriculture, while Murchison's vast prairies were perfect for cattle and other grazing animals. In addition civilian industries grew on Murchison, providing electronics, automotive, aerospace, and pharmaceuticals not only for Murchison and Oasis, but for several other nearby worlds.

Another planet/moon combo.

Quote

The small and frozen world of Kansu was only settled in the second half of the 24th century. The icy world's flora was unique in that it stored energy as frozen methane rather than as fat. The original colonists discovered this by accident after trying to use the plants as a traditional wood fuel source. Eventually they learned not to put the plants into a high-heat environment, but only after many people had lost limbs in explosions. The colonists later refined their technique, gathering the plants via remote drone systems and using them as a renewable energy resource.

During the Fourth Succession War the planet fell under control of the Federated Suns. The AFFS built a base on the continent known as "Fetid", likely for training its troops in hazardous environments as well as for defense. This isolation of the military forces left the natives of Kansu free to extract the radioactive ores from the main continent, Matawan.

Frozen and radioactive planet with high-explosive forests!

Quote

Lambrecht was seen as an ideal colonization target. It possessed a biosphere compatible with Terran life, water, and extensive metal ores both in the planet's surface and in the remains of a moon surrounding the planet. Unknown to the colonists however was the relationship Lambrecht had to its sun. The massive G6 star's gravity surged over the world in "tides" causing earthquakes that prevented the local inhabitants from building large settlements and quickly destroying any building over a few stories tall. These earthquakes are generally at the lower end of the scale, but still disrupt daily life.

Planet with an asteroid ring and frequent earthquakes.

Quote

Gacrux is a world well on its way to extinction. Its sun is a red dwarf in the final stages of its life. The only reason the world was settled at all was to extract the radioactive materials needed for fusion engines and precious metals.

And it has two moons.

Quote

Alrakis is a world rich in metal ores that are easily exploited by industrial processes. As a result, the planet has been a bone of contention between the Lyran Commonwealth and Draconis Combine ever since it was discovered. The preponderance of ores in both Alrakis' mountains and its three moons triggered many raids and conflicts between the two Successor States. Though a pleasant enough world in most respects, it wasn't been settled to the extent of other worlds because of its high gravity and a fearsome native predator: The Alrakis Tigerfalcon. This avian is the size of a human male, and in addition to black-striped, furlike feathers, a serrated beak, and four clawed feet, it was far stronger than any Terran bird of prey.

Five moons, high gravity (1.24g) and very big birds!

Quote

Algorab is a binary star system surrounded by a massive cloud of gases and dust. Inside this cloud are five small planets. As the dust cloud traps radiation and heat, these five worlds have very high temperatures and radiation levels. Only the outermost world is actually habitable by humans; The other four worlds are simply huge barren rocks.

With so little arable land the inhabitants of Algorab V have most of their food imported as freeze-dried meals. The planet's economy is based on mining and ore extraction. To protect themselves from the intense solar radiation, most of the Alborabians live in underground cities.

The Pentagon Worlds in miniature!

Quote

Mizar is unique in the Inner Sphere as it is the central world of a double binary star system. This means that four small Type A stars perpetually illuminate the world. Counteracting the heat generated by these four stars is a large amount of water, which in turn led to several plant lifeforms appearing on the world.

For most of its history, Mizar has been a tourist world. New Venice Beach, a kilometers long stretch of white sand across Mizar's Paradisa continent, provides one of the most famous vistas in the Inner Sphere. Another unique terrain feature on Mizar are the "Plastic Crystal" mountains located in the Utopian Isles. With these two massive tourist attractions and the balmy weather, the Mizarians have become known for their hospitality.

There are four suns! And beaches!

[Lightdragon]

verybad, on 26 August 2012 - 04:15 PM, said:

Currently all the maps look like something you could find on Earth. Now while it's likely that we would colonize Earth like planets because they're the best to live on, things like multiple moons or a ring around the planet. Or perhaps non earthlike plants, or a Giant red sun (along with a red tinted lighting) would do wonders for making the maps look like they're "out there"

If you look up and see that the desert planet you're fighting over is the moon of a Giant Gas Planet and you're in the ring that goes around it...well yeah, now you lknow you're in space.

These aren't terribly hard to create, but they would be very cool for the atmosphere.

caustic valley doesnt look terran you dolt nothing on this planet is that polluted and that thick of an atmosphere