OtherSpace Update: Spring 2011
We’ve got some important projects in the works at OtherSpace as we proceed through spring toward summer.
First and foremost, we’ve started reopening some old favorite roleplaying haunts in alternate universes for people who prefer to play a more classic version of OS, rather than the Hiverspace adventure that tends to require a deeper knowledge of thirteen years of accumulated lore.
So, right now, it’s possible to play on Tomin Kora or Ungstir, circa 2650, without any of the original arc events taking place. We’ve also made Palisade – the world that’s home to Fastheld, the realm made popular in our old Chiaroscuro fantasy game – available for new and old characters alike. (NOTE: Palisade *cannot* be reached by anyone that isn’t already on the planet. It is not a rift exploration destination.) Wik’s taken the lead on documenting the current state of affairs of Fastheld in the Wiki, but I’m helping him where I can. The goal on all these worlds: Give players territory to make their mark without a lot of admin handholding. We’ll run occasional plots and make NPCs available on request as they’re needed, but the intent is to devote these worlds almost entirely to the developments driven by our players. It’s up to you!
Second, Colchek is hard at work on a grid-based space system, which we’re calling CSpace. This system should be much more RP-friendly than HSpace and easier to grok than the old OSpace. You’ll be able to explore the stars, hunt for interuniversal rifts, discover new worlds, lay claim to resources, and upgrade as well as build your own starships. Our goal is to keep trips to an hour or less within the known territories, with longer voyages possible for those who are out exploring the depths of space – and our brave wanderers will find some remote refueling opportunities out there, if they look carefully.
Third, we’re working on the new System 5 crafting, which builds on Marson’s original system. Coyote has taken the lead on the nuts and bolts of this, but his Internet problems have presented a setback on that front. That hasn’t stopped me from moving forward with database work, setting up the fundamental nodes, components, equipment, and player gear that will be in the initial system.
For those who are interested in crafting, the new approach will require more interdependencies (or a broader +sheet, if you insist on trying to do it all yourself). Certain components will be craftable by people who have the Programming skill. The highest-quality mineral veins are crafted by scientists who specialize in Geology, while the best chemicals are discovered by those who specialize in Chemistry. However, ANYONE trained in Crafts can pluck resources from the nodes set up by these specialists. The nodes are consumed in the process of resource acquisition, so specialists will need to return to the source point to make further quantities available.
Fourth, thanks to a snippet developed by KaVir and modified by our own Umishi, we’ve now got a beta version of a special GUI just for OtherSpace. You’ll need to download the most recent version of MUSHClient at http://www.mushclient.com and then you can extract the .ZIP file from http://www.jointhesaga.com/OtherHudInColor.zip into the main directory. You then make a new world for OtherSpace at jointhesaga.com 1790, pull down the File menu, select Plugins, and then install/enable the Generic_GUI plugin from the Worlds/Plugin directory.
We’ll be updating this with more features over time, but for now the GUI will allow you to:
1) Scan the in-game BB for new posts with a mouse click.
2) Get your +sheet with a mouse click.
3) Look at the room description with a mouse click.
4) Call up the IC news headlines with a mouse click.
5) Check the +calendar with a mouse click.
6) Pass through exits with a mouse click.
7) Click on other players to see their descriptions.
8 ) Check your @mail with a mouse click.
9) See who’s online with a mouse click.
10) See where RP is happening with a mouse click.
11) Click out to the jointhesaga.com website with a mouse click.
12) Start or stop logging a roleplaying scene in progress.
Finally, we’ve seen a lot of old and new faces alike showing up on OtherSpace during the past month. It’s been a very energizing time. I want to thank both players and staffers for their dedication to the game, through good times and bad. Seems like a new age is coming around for us as we’re closing on our thirteenth anniversary. Let’s make it last!
