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Randomized Backstories

67 (25.9%)

Genetic Additions

98 (37.8%)

Mess Hall

50 (19.3%)

Revamped Area

44 (17%)

Total Members Voted: 257

[Giant Snowman]

Aargh, stop posting! Everytime I press post there's 3 new posts!

When I opened that space tile, I clicked on it weirdly and it made a movie out of it of stars shooting by as if viewed from a moving starship. Is it really that easy to turn the space station into a starship?

And you don't need weird quark phasing to move an object through walls, you just levitate something on the other side of the wall and then use it to beat someone in the same room with that object. Just remember to put it back afterwards to stay IC, since the interface needs to display to object as in your hand while you do this.

It's not much fun in gameplay terms though, at the very least you should be able to tell how you are being attacked. Having a chance to scream for help or run away is better. Ideally you'd only be able to use telekinesis with line of sight even if you have IR goggles or X-ray vision.

Qwertyuiopas, do you think it's possible to find/replace the ("If player is close OR has telekenesis) rule with ("If player is close OR (has telekenesis AND is in normal LOS))?

I'd like to see what insurance company gives insurance to that shit. SURELY they send inspectors!

They were bribed of course, or part of an insurance scam by the insurance company.

[Sowelu]

It makes a lot more sense if you blame it on Neo-Russia.

There's no Neo-Russia in the timeline?  I don't care.

[Jakkarra]

can't we be different for once?

have the russians as the good guys, and the Americans as bad.




the other way is too cliche.

[Sowelu]

Well, that's true.  I do actually love Russian protagonists in the few times they exist (usually, when they exist, they are handing Germany its ass in World War 2).

Ooh.  Now I want Cosmo Station 13.

I think that's the new name of my (never-to-be-completed) Modular Station.

[qwertyuiopas]

Inspirations from a total remake, part one:

Datums. Quite useful.
But I found a use for them that would have worked perfectly in SS13.
Gasses.
Rather than defining the ammount of each gas and associated variables for each object type, I have decided to use a datum for all of them. That way, adding a new gas type is EASY, and all containers and turfs are automatically compatible with it!
It also means I can write procs that do not care about the type of object and operate only on the gases contained within. Connecting to a pipe is thus possible for anything, so a pipe can freely exchange gasses with a turf bi-directionally if I wanted it to.

At least that is the theory, as I only have one turf(space), one verb(ooc), a minimal world def(default turf as space), and an empty gases datum. And the space graphic, the only thing even remotely complete.

[Yanlin]

Right. Since I have finished reading my book, I now have some free time to do one of two things.

1: Design a map (Not actually map it, just design a proper station.)

2: Come up with a convincing timeline. Ironically, the book I read will help me with that.

[Floirt]

Well, good luck on a complete remake. This is completely beyond my reach.

I suppose I could help you filling up your atoms file with objects and icon-making, however. Maybe some verbs, and mapping. BYOND is just too messy for me to create anything from scratch, beyond (no pun intended) "If" statements, variables, functions, etc, ie individual parts. I have no idea how the thing holds together. I suspect the datums and setup.dm is for something in it, but I don't have the patience for that.

Also, I'll start putting your stuff in this night.

Ninja-edit for Yanlin: DESIGN A MAP DESIGN A MAP DESIGN A MAP

[Yanlin]

I need more votes.

[qwertyuiopas]

Well, I don't really understand how the old one works either, but by creating even a faint shadow of it's original functionality myself, I should be able to understand it better.
For example, now I know that visibility, movement, and collision detection are at least mostly handled engine-side, and that most data types(most notably turf, mob, and stuff) derive from atom, and that itself derives from datum, the most base type.


New-post-before-post edit:
Do both!
A new map is more important than a timeline, but if you can, both would be nice.

[MarineElite]

Still banned on my main account... Why am I perma-banned while others do worse than me and are caught and not banned?

[Sowelu]

Marine, I don't have details so I don't know why people consider you a more severe and persistent problem but they do--and I suspect they have their reasons.  Complaining won't help anything.  Boy I sure would like it if ban-related whining moved to PMs.

[Giant Snowman]

When you say timeline, you mean backstory don't you? Can't we generate one for the station and each crewmember at random every round?

[Cecilff2]

Semi-official SS13 history.  As written by Exadv1.  It's pretty old and I think he said he was going to revise it at some point, but it never happened so far as I know.  It has a bunch of holes and definitely needs work.  Provides a base of what's happened though.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Information
Space Station 13 takes place, approximately, in the year 2150 (though, this is still tentative). There's not much written about Earth, as it doesn't come into play in SS13, but, here's a bit about it: Earth does contain magnetically levitated vehicles, and in the United States the police force is very efficient, but not dominating. It's almost utopian besides a few problem sectors. It should be VERY clean.


United Nations and the United States
In SS13 it is important to note that the United Nations does exist and continues to help to direct a space initiative. However the primary player in such initiative is the United States. They have full control of the space initiatives dealt with in the SS13 universe. The United Nations works as a medium for other countries to use the United States facilities.

IS-ERI, USSP, and UNSP
The command structure for the United States Space Program also known as USSP (UNSP is the United Nations version and contains the appropriate hierarchy to serve as a liaison with USSP). The largest portion of USSP and the portion said most often refers to the inter-system activities. It is called the Inter-Solar - Exploration and Research Initiative (IS-ERI).
They spend an unstated portion of money and due to an alteration in the US government policies works almost as a major corporation with the assistance of Nanotrasen a subsidiary of the Expert Advisors Group (The most widely known company with almost firm control over the technology market). Almost every piece of technology and every station module was most likely designed and built by Nanotrasen. Almost all of the researchers and technicians (fewer with forensic technicians) ONLY are Nanotrasen employees working with IS-ERI.

The Station
SS13 was funded by IS-ERI to be almost like a miracle while their goals of inter-solar exploration and commerce were being fulfilled (they were making a mint on the materials they harvested.). They hadn't 'found' anything interesting. There was no extraterrestrial life, and hardly any new elements.
Then, one day, Control and Command Station #13 in Sector 95-40A had found something around Tetran (a blue star). This something is what was called Centration. Suddenly, everyone was excited. There was a strange new material that was unlike any other materials ever discovered. Now, even though IS-ERI was the most predominant space entity, they still wanted to protect their little secret (especially after they found its deep military and research potential). They created SS13 as a simple materials handling station that basically harvested and examined materials on SS13 (It's real purpose is to coordinate the satellite analyzing matrix as well as to collect and research plasma). There were no metals of course on Centration ... its almost pure plasma (except the core which hasn't been able to be analyzed). Instead, they were sending off a few bio-specimens (which, themselves were VERY special because of how plasma 'mutates' certain atomic configurations). Then somehow the Syndicate found out about the possibility of IS-ERI discovering a new material. It's VERY important to note that SS13 isn't the ONLY place they looked. There are MANY more stations they are trying to infiltrate.

The Syndicate
The Syndicate which is the only known name for the largest criminal organization in the SS13 universe is extremely secretive and has moderate infiltration. Their infiltration into the US government is minimal as their public members on Earth are well-known. They however do not reside on Earth but instead on an unknown planet in some other star system. They are currently being tracked by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) - The name's meaning is minimal as it is an artifact from 2010 (think nationwide anti-terrorism squad that grew to control almost everything... The other agencies roles are much more specialized. the FBI handles most US affairs still, the CIA handles the rest of the world, and the NSA grew to handle almost all information gathering).
The Syndicate does not operate in the United States. It as stated earlier maintains a few 'connections' with the government and a few prominent organizations. Their 'base' on earth is hidden in Africa which due to a war remains very barren, desolate, and unindustrialized.
The Syndicates main goals for operation is to take down IATF's intricate defense matrix and to take over the United States. Their interest in SS13 will become evident later.

IATF and IS-ERI - The moon
The headquarters for IS-ERI and IATF are located on the moon. The moon is terraformed, and covered with high-technology buildings and bases. Along the darkside of the moon are large amounts of inter-solar and inter-galactic communication antennae and data centers. On the light side are the 2 headquarters. Located on the side are the deployment bays. The moon is still white as the buildings were painted grey and white. Surrounding the earth extending bit past the moons orbiting laser is an extremely tight nexus of satellites and mini-stations. They are inhabited, but instead serve as a defensive grid. It's almost impenitrable, and is powered not only by orbiting power stations, but by a huge reactor complex on the moon interior. By the moon is a specialized "opening", per se, in this matrix which is known as the PEAC or Primary Earth Access Corridor. For this, there are specialized extensions there that form a sort of space highway to and from Earth. There is a gigantic checkpoint station the scans all incoming and outgoing traffic. It is located a safe distance from the moon. (There is a secondary access corridor on the other side but it is only for IATF use and doesn't extend into space but instead allows rapid Earth deployment)

The Technology
Power: Ship power is generated primarily by nuclear fusion reactors. It's moderately efficient. Most high-power reactors (like on the moon) use anti-matter reactors. They are almost perfect efficiency.
Ship: The main propulsion system is ion drive which basically creates a high concentration of ions that are directly out toward the back. They are primarily used on ships because it uses Helium ions that are extracted from the fusion and then reenergized. There is more at work. It is pretty safe but has slight danger to it. The IATF dropship is like the Alien 2 dropship (if you ever need it) except with better weapons ans security. It's an air tank, per se.


This page contains information on the material that's being studied on Space Station 13-- Plasma.
Plasma is a revolutionary molecule. It was given its name for its distinctive orange color at room temperature (when in semi-liquid state).
Researchers believe that it does NOT contain any neutrons. They believe instead it contains a different particle which they tentatively named Hieng A (which for all inensive purposes has no atomic charge).
This particle which comes in many configurations (more on that later) but on Centration the most prominent form is the A form. This A form is specially attracted to Carbon atoms in that when a molecule of plasma comes in contact with it the energy contained in it vaporizes the carbon. Other configurations produce this effect except with different atoms and molecules. (note that some may not have this exact effect). The current theory is that the electrical forces with carbon and Hieng A particle are too distinct (physicists still aren't certain what this means) that they are strangely attracted.
Now onwards to what Hieng particles really do. They in essence stand for High Energy particle. They depending on the configuration actually within the electron cloud can store certain forms of energy. Mainly the configurations deal with radiant and thermal energy. What happens is the heat is attracted to the Hieng particle and then becomes trapped around the nucleus. This therefore increases the temperature considerably. It also makes the entire molecule more unstable. It is believe that at 0 Kelvin and -100 degrees Celsius there is minimal energization and you have solid plasma that is VERY cold to the touch. At -100 to about -50 its believed to be in a liquid state (this is primarily what the cryo-healer uses). Now from -50 to 150 its in the common semi-liquid state where while its visible it moves like a gas. Now here is where it stops being cold to the touch. At this semi-liquid state it is believed that the particles become somewhat saturated with heat and instead begin to function like sponges. Touching them with cold objects won't cool things but instead makes them warmer by transferring away some of the heat. The next state is liquid because so much of the energy is in there that electrical attractions are being made. Now from 150-10000 its liquid. This liquid is vicious. It can ONLY be transferred by a very special container that is built to not be affected by heat. The material is very hard to make and therefore has only been used to line certain pipes and canisters. (The tanks level off their potential temp at 500. It contains a weaker version of the material).
Now at about 50 degrees+ the plasma is unstable. Certain energetic pulses like electricity would cause a massive introduction of electrons into this mixture. These electrons are BAD. This causes the plasma to break down. Plasma can't handle extra electron that well. This is why plasma 'burns'. The extra electrons cause the Hieng to break down. The heat released causes massive temperature spikes.
Now moving onwards to 10000+ we have something VERY unique. (Now since SS13 researchers haven't been able to heat up plasma to this all of this is so far 'theory'.) We have Plasma Solid. This plasma solid has such a high amount of energy that it doesn't cool down. If the plasma liquid is released and hits the ground it releases enough heat to create a fire which with the carbon involved started breaking down the Hieng creating a molten lava effect. A burst pipe of 5000 degree plasma onto the ground will cause an innocent looking white orange spill that in a few seconds dematerializes the floor!
Now at 10000 degrees the energy is so high that the magnetic signatures are altered and it no longer reacts with carbon. It also stops releasing heat! Instead it forms a thin outer layer that has the heat properties of steel. Meaning you could fashion little statues of these things. (At this stage the plasma when in contact with another block of plasma would absorb it. Throwing a block of plasma into a room of semi-liquid plasma would just mop it up.) Unfortunately the electron problem isn't resolved. And at this temperature the heat released is BAD. About one nanogram of this solid plasma heated to 10000 degrees and then bathed with a few renegade electrons would evaporate a 1 meter sphere. Into thin air. The protons, neutron and electrons would evaporate. It's pretty strange but in the effects a new materials might suddenly emerge. At about 1 microgram it may produce black hole type effects.

In order to cool down plasma from solid to liquid to semi-liquid you have to bath it with neutrons to disrupt the Hieng particles and release the heat. From semi-liquid to the lower liquid just having it in a no-heat atmosphere will bring the temperature down. To go from lower-liquid to lower solid you have to bath it in neutrons while maintaining an almost 0k atmosphere.
Going up is easier by using just continual heating.

Researchers also produced Hieng - which does not cause any particle vaporization (as far as we know) and to them they have only made it in the solid state. It's main neatness is that its super-conducting and works marvels in electronic conduits and certain larger computers.

Configurations:
Hieng A- Most common- vaporizes C, uses heat energy
Hieng B- Rare- vaporizes He, uses light energy
Hieng C- Rare- vaporizes O, uses radio waves

Special Configurations:
Hieng - - So far only synthetic- no vaporizing, when with protons passes all electrons
Hieng + - Hypothetical only- attracts and consumes electrons, cannot pair with protons so not a true element, would have to be with neutrons.

[Dr. Johbson]

When you say timeline, you mean backstory don't you? Can't we generate one for the station and each crewmember at random every round?

I like that idea, that sounds fun-

Welcome to Bay Station 12! It was built by
*SUPER MONKEYS
In the year
*6000 AD
After years of training, you have been finally picked to serve on the newest, most advance space station in orbit.

*Stuff that is randomized from a list at the beginning of each round.
...Ok, so that sucked, but I'm not in a creative writing mood right now, but you get the idea. Hopefully.

Also. Server will be up after a few rounds of Team Fortress. It's too laggy for me to play when the server is up.

[Sowelu]

Hmmm.  I wonder what it would do to roleplay, if you actually did randomize backstory--and had randomized interpersonal relationships.  Possibly with mini-goals.  You wouldn't want "kill this person" type goals, or the game turns into Assassins _{(WHICH MIGHT NOT BE A BAD THING BUT NOT RIGHT NOW OKAY)} but maybe stuff like "Bob is your buddy, make sure he escapes alive".

Would be cool if everyone got a point score at the end of the round, something like 5 for surviving, 10 for escaping, +5 for non-traitors if they stop the traitor, +10 for traitors if they win, and +2 for each personal goal you accomplish?  Track points in the same place you track job preferences, if those are indeed stored server-side.

Would it help or hinder RP to give people pre-generated grudges, I wonder?  They'd be two-way, and randomized, so person A gets "Person B has always been a jerk to you and has hindered promotion opportunities for you in the past" and person B gets "Person A seemed to have stolen your loved one back in high school".  You don't always know how serious the other guy's end of the grudge is either.  Everyone present at the start of the round gets relationships with a couple other people in their notes, along with a reminder "This is not an excuse to kill them!".  People joining mid-game would get someone, maybe another assistant, and have a new thing tacked onto both their notes as well as a message "You remember something about the guy who just came onto the station".

Also. Server will be up after a few rounds of Team Fortress. It's too laggy for me to play when the server is up.

Priorities:  You haz them, and they rule.