EPO Update #2

Most of my work this past month has been devoted to starting to putting together some documentation for Dream Games' Titas code. I expect that will occupy most of this month as well. To get started, I'm working on a flowchart that plots out all of Titas' program logic. I think this is essential because the code is so complex; it's easy even for the developers to lose track of what is being called from where (in fact, I found a number of places where a variable was being unintentionally overwritten by another part of the code -- a very difficult thing to track down). Once I've got this flowchart completed, I'll know where to interface in my own custom mods and gui's that I want to use. Using Titas (or any kit) is not as simple as just swapping out some resources -- unless, of course, all you want to do is a modification of the sample game that usually comes with that particular kit. If you want to create something that is uniquely your own, you have to understand how these kits work. So far, I have the server code flowcharted (you can see it at www.exodusproject.com/Torque/Titas_Flowcharts/main.htm. I've also started a wiki that will contain all of the tutorials and documentation that I'm developing. You can find that at www.ExodusProject.com/torquewiki/. Eventually all of this will become a part of the official Titas documentation, but for the most part, I'm doing this to help out the other Dream Games contest entrants.

I did finish and submit the initial version of my design document, however. Each month, in addition to status on the game, I'll try to post some of the features and background that I'm envisioning for the game. Of course, the realities of game development are that some of these features may eventually get cut, but this will give you an idea of what I'm shooting for.

Exodus Project Online Nationalities

Exodus Project Online is not a fantasy game, nor is it set in a space opera universe in which alien species abound. In fact, only one example of extra-terrestrial life has been found so far: a species of slug that lives in the frozen sludge of Saturn's moon, Titan. As such, all characters are human. The background of the citizens of the Solar System has a profound effect on each individual, however. As such, players must choose the planet from which their character hails: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, or Jupiter. The planet of origin will determine, to a great extent, the career opportunities available to the character in the "pre-game" character creation process. The following is a capsule description of each of the Solar Nations:

The Jovian Realm: The Jovian system is currently the most resource-rich in the Solar System. More than any other nation, the Jovians are almost completely self-sufficient and therefore tend to not care much about what happens in the rest of the Solar System. This relative opulence has lead to a rather liberal society, bordering even on decadence. The Realm, however, is the cultural center of the Solar System, other than Earth itself. Life in the Realm is generally good, the nation is at peace, and they have no active enemies (but see the Venusian Mining Corporation, below).

The Federal Republic of Mars: The Martians are arguably the most egaltarian and peaceful of the Solar Nations. They have developed a (well-deserved) reputation as the best engineers in the Solar System and generally possess some of the best technology extant. The Martians, however, are explorers, not warriors, so the military applications of this technological base is somewhat underexploited. In the current political situation, it seems that they alone do not feel the compelling need to impose their way of life on anyone. Mars has plenty of resources, and citizens live both on the planet and in the habitats in orbit. Citizens are generally happy, well-educated, and well-adjusted.

Mercury: Early in their history, the Mercurians were put in jeopardy when their manufacturing module was destroyed by an act of sabotage. Only Venus was in position to send relief supplies, which they did only after demanding half the mineral rights to Mercury itself. The Mercurian people had little choice but to agree and in so doing became essentially a Venusian slave state. The Mercurians eventually rebelled and after a long war with Venus (which left both infrastructures near collapse), agreed to a Martian-brokered peace agreement which granted them their planet and their freedom, but imposed sizable reparations to be paid to Venus. As a result, the Mercurians are bitter and trust no one. While they have no real desire for power for its own sake, they are determined never again to be in a position of weakness. As a result, the Mercurians are some of the best-trained and deadliest warriors in the Solar System. Mercury itself is still run by its revolutionary council, though it pretty much tries to stay out of its citizens' private lives. Mercury's only marginal ally is Mars (who sent aid to them during their revolt), but they feel somewhat betrayed by the Martian peace treaty which forced them to again mortgage their future for their safety.

The Venusian Mining Corporation: The Venusians are interested in one thing and one thing only: power. Economic power, political power, military power - power in all its forms. The war with Mercury seriously depleted Venusian resources, so the VMC's methods have of necessity become more subtle. While their hatred for the Mercurians is well-known, their ultimate goal is the capture and domination of the Jovian Realm and all its resources. To that end, the VMC has formed an alliance with several nations of Earth (which has finally returned to space). Unknown to the Earthers, however, the Venusians plan to maintain this alliance only for as long as it is useful to them, always being careful to make sure the Earthers will take the blame for any "mishaps".

The United Nations Space Command: The UNSC is not a nation as such, it is rather the umbrella organization for the space navies of the various countries of Earth. Each ship in the UNSC is constructed, owned, and crewed by an individual Earth nation, but it can be tasked by the UNSC to perform missions agreed upon by the UN Security Council. In general, the United States, France, Britain, China, and Russia provide the bulk of the UNSC fleet, but several smaller nations are represented as well. After the establishment of the off-Earth habitats and the passing of asteroid 1997 XF11, most nations of Earth had lost interest in space. They are now, however, in an ever-tightening resource crunch and are hungry for new sources. Their alliance with the Venusians has provided them significantly upgraded technology and the UNSC has almost single-handedly introduced carrier warfare into the Solar System. The Earthers understand little of the politics of the Solar System (their only information generally coming from the VMC), and so are prone to be a bit naive. Their alliance with the VMC, however, places them automatically at odds with many of the Solar Nations.

Vesta: The Vesta habitat was one of the original habitats established along with those of the other Solar Nations. A few months before asteroid 1997 XF11 was due to impact Earth, however, they suddenly and mysteriously went off-line. No one really knows what happened to the Vestans, or even whether or not they are still alive. A probe was launched towards Vesta from Mars, but an engine misfire caused the probe to enter a tumble and prevented rendevous. The approach images, however, showed no sign of life either in orbit or on the surface of the asteroid. The fate of the Vesta habitat is a mystery to all. (Players may not choose Vestan as a starting nationality.)


As always, you can get weekly status reports by checking out my blog at www.ExodusProject.com/EPOblog/. Until next month!