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[Fuseboy]

Here's a fun one for Captain Successor.  Nothing too special or powerful, but I like the concept of ramming spikes that just stick through your shields.
                                             
                                             
                      ^                     
                      ^                     
                    |---|                   
                    |   |                   
                    |   |                   
                    |   |                   
                    |   |                   
                     | |                     
                  | /---\ |                 
         <*> <*>  + | O | +  <*> <*>         
        ----------- /---\ -----------       
      <<|          =| @ |=          |>>     
        ----------- |---| -----------       
         /----v----\ | | /----v----\         
            ------- |   | -------           
         ()-|      =|   |=      |>[]         
            ------- |---| -------           
              ^   ^   ^   ^   ^             
                                             
                                             
                                             
Pilot this vessel (Supporters only)

[deathtotheweird]

nice write-up of Captain Forever on Rock Paper Shotgun:
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2010/01/07/captain-forever-again/

[Fuseboy]

Some ideas for enhancements:

Guided Missiles: missiles that travel toward your mouse cursor.

Batteries: half-power lasers that swivel like sprinklers, but which aim towards your mouse cursor.  (Be careful how you mount them!)

Secondary fire: select a component and push 'v' - thereafter, that weapon will only fire in 'secondary fire' mode, when you push 'v'.  Useful for side- or rear-mounted missiles so they don't end up hitting you in the ass on your incoming pass.

[Farbs]

Cheers and cheers

The next couple of games won't focus on expanding the module set, but I'll hopefully get back to adding more stuff like this in future.

[deathtotheweird]

Cheers and cheers

The next couple of games won't focus on expanding the module set, but I'll hopefully get back to adding more stuff like this in future.

OOH. This sounds interesting. If you aren't focusing on expanding the module set then that leaves a ton to the imagination of what you might be doing. Making me quite excited for the next installment in the series.

[Fuseboy]

                                                                     
                                                                     
                                  |                                 
                                  +                                 
          |   |   |   |   |   | |---| |   |   |   |   |   |         
          +   +   +   +   +   + |[=]| +   +   +   +   +   +         
        --- --- --- --- --- --- /---\ --- --- --- --- --- ---       
     ()-|[=]|[=]|[=]|[=]|[=]|[=]| @ |[=]|[=]|[=]|[=]|[=]|[=]|-()     
        --- --- --- --- --- --- |---| --- --- --- --- --- ---       
          ^   ^   ^ |[=]| O | O |[=]| O | O |[=]| ^   ^   ^         
                    |---\---\---|---|---\---/---|                   
                 ()-|[=]|    ()-|[=]|-()    |[=]|-()                 
                /---|---|---\   |---|   /---|---|---\               
                | O |[=]| O |  >|[=]|<  | O |[=]| O |               
                \---|---|---/   |---|   \---|---|---/               
                   >|[=]|<     >|[=]|<     >|[=]|<                   
                    |---|       |---|       |---|                   
                      ^         | O |         ^                     
                                \---/                               
                                                                     
                                                                     
Pilot this vessel (Supporters only)

This one is entirely self-repairing, with the exception of two modules.  Great for building immensely large ships, any peacekeepers you find will have lots of (self-repaired) booty left over.

[undeadpreist234]

played the game, beat it (technically), made some ridiculous ship that i couldn't save cuz it was built on an export, and for the most part, cracked the url coding ... all in about 3 class periods of comp sci...

[Farbs]

Okay, time for a new challenge:
Spell your name with your ship. URL hackers and obsessive pilots are all welcome to attempt.

[bobzero]

Here's my latest Cpt Successor ship.  Notice the little gun pointed at the command module.  That's my trick to instantly destroy clones -- when they go away I put the gun back in a normal position.

                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                           H                                         
                                        /---\                                       
                                        |   |                                       
                                        |   |                                       
                                        |   |                                       
                                        |   |                                       
                                        |   |                                       
                                        |   |                                       
               H   H   H                \---/              H   H   H                 
            /---/---\---\               |---|           /---/---\---\               
            | O | O | O |               |   |           | O | O | O |               
            \---/---\---/---\     |   | |   | |   |   | /---\---\---/---\           
            | O | O | O | O |     +   + |   | +   +   + | O | O | O | O |           
            /--------------\----------- |   | -----------/--------------\           
            |              ||          = | | =          ||              |           
            \--------------/----------- /---\ -----------\--------------/           
             /----v----\ []< | | +-    H| @ |  H   H | | >[] /----v----\             
                            |   |       |---|       |   |                           
         \----^----/     []<|   |<O  ()- | | -()  O>|   |>[] \----^----/             
        /---/---/---\       |   |   /---|   |---\   |   |   /---\---\---\           
        | O | O | O |  H ()-|   |<O | O |   | O | O>|   |-()| O | O | O |      H     
    /---/---/---/---/---/---|---|---\---|   |---/---|---|---\---\---\---\---\---\   
    | O | O | O | O | O |              ||   ||              | O | O | O | O | O |   
    \---\---\---\---\---\--------------/|---|\--------------/---/---/---/---/---/   
         /----v----\     /----v----\ /----v----\ /----v----\ /----v----\             
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
Pilot this vessel (Supporters only)

[Fuseboy]

Here's a refinement of the copy protection system that's getting popular.  This one doesn't need you to switch between "lethal" and "suicide" modes, thanks to an Alpha gun pointed at an auto-repaired module.  Cruise around erasing everything that moves, then every now and again the game will drop you off a whole set of Kilo spare parts. :-)

                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                          |   |   |   | /---\ |   |   |   |                         
                          +   +   +   + |   | +   +   +   +                         
                    /--\--- --- --- |---|   |---| --- --- ---/--\                   
                    |  ||[=]|[=]|[=]|[=]|   |[=]|[=]|[=]|[=]||  |                   
    /--------------\\--/--- --- --- ---\|   |/--- --- --- ---\--//--------------\   
    |              ||   |              ||   ||              |   ||              |   
    \--------------/|   \--------------/|   |\--------------/   |\--------------/   
         /----v----\|   |/----v----\  ^ \---/ ^  /----v----\|   |/----v----\         
    /--------------\|   |           -------------           |   |/--------------\   
    |              ||   |/         \| /-------\ |/         \|   ||              |   
    \--------------/|   ||         || |       | ||         ||   |\--------------/   
         /----v----\\---/>         <| \   ^   / |>         <\---//----v----\         
    /--------------\/---\|         ||-----------||         |/---\/--------------\   
    |              ||   |\         /| /-------\ |\         /|   ||              |   
    \--------------/|   |           | |       | |           |   |\--------------/   
         /----v----\|   |           | \   ^   / |           |   |/----v----\         
    /--------------\|   |           |-----------|           |   |/--------------\   
    |              ||   |           | /-------\ |           |   ||              |   
    \--------------/|   |           | |       | |           |   |\--------------/   
         /----v----\\---/           | \   ^   / |           \---//----v----\         
    /--------------\/---\           |-----------|           /---\/--------------\   
    |              ||   |           | /-------\ |           |   ||              |   
    \--------------/|   |           | |       | |           |   |\--------------/   
         /----v----\|   |           | \   ^   / |           |   |/----v----\         
    /--------------\|   |           |---/---|---|           |   |/--------------\   
    |              ||   |               | @ |[=]|           |   ||              |   
    \--------------/|   |           --- |---| ---       /--\|   |\--------------/   
         /----v----\\---/           |[=]|[=]|[=]|     ->|  |\---//----v----\         
                    /--\/-------------- |---| ----------\--/\/--\                   
                    |  ||              |/---\|              ||  |                   
                    \--/\--------------/|   |\--------------/\--/                   
                      ^  /----v----\  ^ |   | ^  /----v----\  ^                     
                                        |   |                                       
                             \----^----/|   |\----^----/                             
                        /--------------\|   |/--------------\                       
                        |              ||   ||              |                       
                        \--------------/\---/\--------------/                       
                         /----v----\ /----v----\ /----v----\                         
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
Pilot this vessel (Supporters only)

[deathtotheweird]

Pretty awesome, I could build just about anything with a huge steady supply of parts this build gives ya.

[Dale]

Hi everybody!

Discovered Captain Forever a few days ago.
Started playing Cap'n Successor today.

Hey Farbs, I REALLY enjoyed captain forever/successor! Great game.
But I'm sure people tell you that all the time. So I'll focus my feedback
on stuff that I thought could be improved.

Cons:

- Captain Successor doesn't have it's own flight manual. Or does it?

- It's hard to tell what some modules do. Or how to use them. I came across this weird circular booster module. It took me a while to figure out that it only helps with rotation and not forward/backward. Also, I added a warp module, but I don't know how to warp. (Fix: More info in the tooltip? Perhaps info in flight manual?)

- It's hard to figure out what the story is. I had to search the site for it. It wasn't really explored in-game. (Fix: We could listen in on a text conversation b/t Cap'n Lan and Cap'n of nemesis.)

- I love the freedom, but there's no "goal" to it. (Fix: Maybe add an end-game boss?)

- Some modules like blurst and chrono gear are waaay too overpowered. (Fix: Make them rare, nerf them, or add modules that can counter them.)

- Some really important info is not given to player. Such as: range of beams, current speed of ship, and total weight of ship. (Fix: Add range of beams to tooltip of blaster. Also add speedometer & weight scale to UI)

- Building on the fly is fun, but it would be nice to build without threat of interception. That way, players can let their creative juices flow.
(Fix: Add a place to dock to rearrange modules?)

- The export feature is great, but it's hard to figure it out at first site.
Most ppl seem to figure it out after they see it used in a forum. (Fix: Perhaps have a few cool exported ships featured on captain forever site. They encounter it immediately instead of on a forum several days later.)


Well, that's all I have to contribute.
Overall, it's a great game.

[Outcast Orange]

Captain Forever is the best.
I'm sorry, but no moneys for Successor.
Someday though...

Anyways, thanks for the amazingly addictive game.
I never get tired of starting a fresh ship and getting into skirmishes and such.
Picking apart those really big ships part by part is the most fun.
You really have a great formula going,
 and I hope to someday play the expansion.

Thank you, Farbs.

[Dale]

Hey Farbs!

After playing the game some more, I have one more item to add to the list.
It would be nice to know the amount of thrust I'm currently generating.

If we use the analogy of a car, the 'thrust meter' would be like the "rpm gauge," while the speed meter would be like the "speedometer." Thrust shows how much force is generated by the engines, while the speedometer shows the velocity. All that, plus the total mass of the ship would be VERY useful. Certainly much more useful the the NAV coordinates currently displayed at the top of the screen.

It would also help newbies figure out the relationship between mass, thrust, & velocity. Especially if they haven't studied newtonian physics.

(If press "W" my forward thrust is shown. If I press "S" my backward thrust is shown. If I press "D" my... etc.)


EDIT: Changed "weight" to "mass."
Since weight is equal to mass times the gravitational constant,
and in space the gravitational constant is zero, the weight of all ships is zero.
Mass is a more accurate description.

[Farbs]

Thanks for the feedback Dale!

Captain Successor does have its own flight manual, but it's quite similar to the one from Captain Forever. The major difference is in the personal note at the bottom.

I wanted the player to explore and discover all the different modules, but I agree the Transrotator in particular isn't very obvious. Some players have started documenting things like this here. I'm not sure what a warp module is so I can't be much help there.

I wanted to keep the story opt-in, which is why it's largely only explored outside the flight interface. The more recent builds of Captain Forever include a bit of commentary from Captain Farbs though, and hopefully I'll find time to add a bit more for Captain Impostor.

Uh - Captain Successor has an end-game boss. Have you defeated the Kilo class ships yet?

Anyhow, cheers again for the feedback.

[JackNeil]

I've played it for around 1,5 hours and I really like it.
The gameplay is cool. Sounds and visual style fit.
Great work! 

[Dale]

TL;DR VERSION AT THE BOTTOM OF POST! SCROLL DOWN!

Thanks for the feedback Dale!

Captain Successor does have its own flight manual, but it's quite similar to the one from Captain Forever. The major difference is in the personal note at the bottom.

I wanted the player to explore and discover all the different modules, but I agree the Transrotator in particular isn't very obvious. Some players have started documenting things like this here. I'm not sure what a warp module is so I can't be much help there.

I wanted to keep the story opt-in, which is why it's largely only explored outside the flight interface. The more recent builds of Captain Forever include a bit of commentary from Captain Farbs though, and hopefully I'll find time to add a bit more for Captain Impostor.

Uh - Captain Successor has an end-game boss. Have you defeated the Kilo class ships yet?

Anyhow, cheers again for the feedback.

Cap'n forever has his own wiki? That's awesome!
Captain Imposter? What end-game boss? Don't tell me anything.
I usually only play during breaks at work.
I have not beaten the kilo ships yet.

See, now there's something to look forward to.
You've gotten me pumped.

EDIT #1: This game is made for multiplayer.
But that's asking A LOT.
Regardless, the statement had to be made.

EDIT #2: Progress!

                                                                   
                                                                    
                                  |                                  
                                  v                                  
                                |---|                                
                                |   |                                
          v               |     |   |     |               v          
         ( )  v           +      | |      +           v  ( )        
        ----------- ----------- /---\ ----------- -----------        
      -o|          =|          =| @ |=          |=          |o-      
        ----------- ----------- |---| ----------- -----------        
          ^          ( )|      = | | =      |( )          ^          
                      ^ ------- |   | ------- ^                      
                         ( )    |   |    ( )                        
                          ^     |---|     ^                          
                                  ^                                  
                                                                    
                                                                    
                                                                    
Pilot this vessel (Supporters only)

EDIT #3: Clone ships! Genius! Some player-created ships have found a loop-hole.
(Fix: Uniquely designed, impossible to kill boss ships as an End game challenge!)

One of the posters in this forum suggested different key-bindings for different blasters. I would like to back him up.
Although, it does takes away from the decision making aspect of the game.
(Fix: Have 'key-binding' feature as a reward for killing boss ships in NON-clone mode.)

Also, a blast meter that changes for each key-binding would be spiffy!

I'd like make my case for meters.

PRO: It fits in perfectly with the "Space pilot" feel of CF.
PRO: Helps ship designers make better building decisions.
PRO: Adds numerical confirmation of the ship's strength.

CON: It may take away from the simplicity of the gameplay.
CON: It may take up a lot of screen real estate.
CON: It may increase loading time.

EDIT #4: Here's a suggestion to make more money!
Captain Forever on the iPad or iPhone.

Statistically, you'll generate more revenue on those platforms.

http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/kit-eaton/technomix/hey-big-online-spender-you-must-be-iphone-owner

http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2009/11/iphone-owners-digital-content/


TL;DR:
1.) Multi-player would be awesome!
2.) I'm making progress.
3.) Key-binding to blasters.
4.) Please add meters (thrust, mass, velocity, blast). Reasons above.
5.) Captain Forever on iPad/iPhone means more money.

[Fuseboy]

I came here to ask for meters, glad others have suggested it first.  Seeing the mass, acceleration, rotation and .. balance! of your ship would be great.

[Chris 2.0]

I feel like that's one of those ideas that might sound good on paper but would not translate well into the game. It seems to me that the actual gameplay has reached a point where it doesn't need to be improved much. Maybe a new module or two wouldn't hurt, or some tweaks here and there, but really everything works great.

Things like secondary fire and a bunch of meters will just complicate things unecessarily, I think.

Things I would like to see in future installments include:
-More interactions with friendlies other than 'shoot them or leave them alone'
-Mayyybe (although this might be too big a change) either a hangar bay (so you could build more than one ship) or a place where you can keep spare parts
-And also, some objective based gameplay (like maybe the ability to fight for a faction, defend planets/things in places, eliminate specific targets... etc.)

I dunno maybe I should just go off and make my own game rather than tell you how I think you should make yours. You've already proven that you know very well what you're doing... But I'm too lazy to write the collision code.

[Farbs]

Cheers again for the suggestions. I'm heading in other directions for the moment but it's good to have this stuff in mind.

Collision code is nasty. I just let box2d handle it.