ZF Alpha Update #11

In the last week, development has focused on navigation, pathfinding, spacecraft and missions. Here is what’s new:

• Spacecraft Crew
  Each spacecraft now has a crew. The positions that can be filled will depend on the spacecraft size and type. Later on this will be more customisable through technology, etc. A crew member’s effectiveness will vary depending on their skills (unimplemented). Unfilled positions will be assigned a reduced value calculated from the average of the other crew members. Currently included crew positions and responsibilities:

  • Commander - overall mission success; safety of crew and spacecraft; pilot during launch and landing

  • Pilot - assist in manoeuvring; release and recovery of satellites

  • Payload Officer - specialist; management of major payload elements on the mission

  • Mission Specialist - mission specific duties (such as exploration or research specialist)

  • Flight Engineer - assist Commander and Pilot; tracking CAPCOM data; mission milestones

  • Payload Specialist - technical expert accompanies specific payloads (such as commercial or scientific satellites)

• Mission Event Framework
  The framework that will allow (good or bad!) events to occur during missions that present the player with a choice on how to proceed has been developed. A sample event that occurs during mission launch has been included for testing purposes.

• Basic Pathfinding and Navigation
  The mission planner has been extended so that the player can now calculate a flight path to the mission target. This is compatible with all levels of the environment so that flight paths can be calculated from the launch sight on a planet all the way to the mission target. Multiple targets that will allow missions to accomplish a series of tasks has not yet been implemented.

---

Coming Soon

• planning mission parameters to guide execution

• crew training

• and more…