The charon implementation of the mule, but w/ auto-loot capacity. (It also gets a small 90 degree arc defensive gun). It's actually designed to be remniscent of the mule. You can see groups wandering around w/ a few escorts looting wrecks. Now the pirates actually pirate!
Tomm's update will most likely include (as long as I get back from part 2 of my family thing and don't get caught up in the modding competition after I return - lol)
a) my implementation of the wolfen - II cruiser-gunship playership (by canis industries) - a heavy and very well armored gunship, though its starting credits are none, it starts w/ just a laser and little initial cargo space (even less than the kineticore mkI). [interestingly enough, there is a "wolfen - II" playership on xelerus, but its just a buffed wolfen really for version .98d]
b) my re-implementation of the wolfen - (I) gunship (by canis industries) (sort of like my re-implementation of the EI500 into the IE200)
c) the corperate defender - a light gunship (with several variants) to replace their centurion military-grade craft which are overkill in many of the early systems, and the defender's usability extends well into the ungoverned zone
d) the anubis heavy fighter (by canis industries) - a heavy fighter (obviously) which is actually rather large for a fighter, but its fast, and packs a good amount of armor.
The wolfen (I)- it is an old ship built by canis industries, rather dated, having been in production for at least 50 years, but they were a very successful design having been adopted in various configurations by everyone from some militia pilots to the outlaws- however, with the recent introduction of first the Kineticore I and shortly thereafter the Kineticore II (both by United Weapons and Armors), the aging design that was the wolfen fell out of popularity- the Kineticore I having various cheap outlaw immitators to the Kineticore II being adopted by the militia as well, Canis Industries realized that they needed to bring out a new design if they wanted to remain competitive: thus was born the Wolfen II and the Wolfen III:
The Wolfen II was the first of their new designs (termed as a heavy gunship)- it was nothing more than a standard wolfen with heavier armor (and a higher capacity to load it onto the hull) and a new weapons slot. They achieved a modest success in the defense market (mainly by private contractors and korolov pilots) supplementing some of the older aging Ronin ships produced long ago by United Weapons and Armors (UWA- the producers of the kineticore series), but not nearly enough to be competitive.
The Wolfen III was an even heavier variant of the second (and termed as a "pocket corvette" or officially as a "cruiser-gunship"), but now boasted improved engine capacity, the capacity to carry heavier armor, and an additional device port, all at the expense of cargo space, leaving it with even less cargo space than a Kineticore I. The commonwealth fleet went wild with joy and purchased a huge order of the highest end variant of this ship, but due to the CW fleet's budget deficits, they have fallen behind on their payments. The wolfen III's they did receive have been given the highest acclaim by even Admiral Decker however, and that spurred smaller sales around various corporations not aligned to the Corporate Hierarchy (whom are obligated by contract to buy ships either from UWA, EI, or CS(corporate shipsyards).)
Some of the most common ships related to this that you'll see around:
Wolfen I (CI)- from outlaws to escorts to station security to commonwealth militia- they are almost everywhere and anywhere. Even the ringers have a few upgraded secondhand models. Has enough cargo space to see use even as a (very) light freighter.
Ronin series (A to E) (UWA)- generally only seen as station security, escorts and militia ships- many have been supplanted by the cheaper and superior Wolfen I
Corporate Defender (CS)- solely used as station security, they are cheap ships, and that is really their only selling point. They seem to have real problems with any major threats.
Kineticore I (UWA)- generally used by outlaws to guard their stations. Occasionally seen as escorts in korolov.
Kineticore II (UWA)- seen in the CW militia and as korolov escorts. An all-around superior ship to both the kineticore I and the Wolfen I
Wolfen II (CI)- seen as independent station security and korolov escorts. A few in the militia. Slightly less cargo space than the Wolfen I.
Wolfen III (CI)- a good mix of these (highest end variant) with the fleet (CSC terra has ONLY wolfen III's now). [Introduced after the rogue fleet rebelled, so they only have the inferior centurions.]. Also a popular ship in its lower end forms with korolov escorts and independent station security. Has THE most miserable of all playable ships maximum AND starting cargo capacities. 10 -> 110 tons cargo capacities.
[edit- Wolfen I, Kineticore II, and Wolfen III are definitely playable ships- possibly the Wolfen II and the Kineticore I, but certainly not the Ronins nor the Corporate defenders]
[edit2]- here are some preliminary pics of the general shape for the wolfen III- this is by no means close to the finished product, just more or less what it will shape up to be.
Periculi wrote:Cool ship. Looks like you bumped yourself up a few levels in technical design skill lately.
Thanks
"lately" as in just now, or since the original transcendence extended?
I do like to think that I'm continually improving (though I try to design my ships within the canonical limits and stylistic limits set by George's original designs)
[edit]-though yes, I am MUCH better since the days of 98d when I fist joined with these:
Overall i like it alot. The quality of the work is clear. I do feel the front is a bit too large compared to the rear, but there is probably a good reason for that!
alterecco wrote:Overall i like it alot. The quality of the work is clear. I do feel the front is a bit too large compared to the rear, but there is probably a good reason for that!
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when you see it rotate in game, it's actually rather balanced out. Storyline-wise, the Wolfen III was designed from the wolfen II, and that ship has a much more truncated and rounded front.
I might get a version of the wolfen II out today, or maybe the corperate defender- just depends on the mood I'm in.
Atarlost wrote:You should use the old EI100 as a medium crate ship. It's basically three crates tied together with engines strapped on the sides.
heh... maybe... I had other plans for it: they use korolov shipping crates so they are more of a cargo shuttle of sorts- the crateships (slum version, mine), are designed for the lowest class of citizens in the CW, built from the ancient antares crates that are also used in their slum stations and crate habitats
Canonical Easter eggs:
Even some of the little random tidbits of information buried in the old captains primer to new data on the wiki will can help lead you to new, useful items or to old wrecks with nice loot. They may take some hunting though.
Semi-Canonical Easter eggs:
These are just like the above, but you have to listen in to the rumors at various stations, the descriptions of various things. Some special wrecks may even include data ROMs with some sort of hint as to where you can find the easter egg.
Non-Canonical Easter eggs:
These are rather random and are generally rather subtle and don't really impact the game. They can take form in anything from the name of a freighter to minor sovereigns or ships you may encounter. A good number may also be in item names, so just be on the lookout.
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The goal of this is to get even experienced players to explore every nook and cranny of Transcendence and see the things that only a newbie would otherwise look at. (Seriously, do experienced players ever bother reading all the rumors in Starton Eridani?). A secondary goal is to simply have fun putting them in and give the player a little laugh when they realize the reference behind a name or to get some enjoyment out of finding an old wreck filled with valuables out in the middle of nowhere after following the clues that lead up to it.
Easter eggs (canonical/semi-canonical) are of course totally optional and can be rewarding, but will not be required or give a massive imbalance favoring a player to does get them.
Wolfy wrote:heh... maybe... I had other plans for it: they use korolov shipping crates so they are more of a cargo shuttle of sorts- the crateships (slum version, mine), are designed for the lowest class of citizens in the CW, built from the ancient antares crates that are also used in their slum stations and crate habitats
I'd thought they were all supposed to be the same kind of crate.
Wolfy wrote:heh... maybe... I had other plans for it: they use korolov shipping crates so they are more of a cargo shuttle of sorts- the crateships (slum version, mine), are designed for the lowest class of citizens in the CW, built from the ancient antares crates that are also used in their slum stations and crate habitats
I'd thought they were all supposed to be the same kind of crate.
Oh, no, if you look closely, there are a number of different crates that appear in transcendence:
1) Korolov crate- these crates have smooth sides and small green markings. They are found adrift in space and were used by the old EI100
2) Antares I crate- these are the crates that are used to build slum stations and container habitats. They are also used in crate ships. They originally came from antares I ships.
3) Generic Cargo crate- these are the crates that are used when you jettison something into space
when you see it rotate in game, it's actually rather balanced out. Storyline-wise, the Wolfen III was designed from the wolfen II, and that ship has a much more truncated and rounded front.
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