Background questions
From: "John M. Atkinson" <john.m.atkinson@e...>
Date: Mon, 18 Jan 1999 04:09:37 -0500
Subject: Background questions
I've been considering the idea of setting up a 'background assumptions'
page for my NRE, discussing the assumptions I make when considering my
universe (I like the ring of that, "My Universe"). Anyway, I think I've
more or less decided to use the 'offical' FTL drive, I guess I could
call it the "hop drive" which makes a number of short hops rather than
one long jump from starsystem to starsystem (a la Traveller). Anyway,
to limit these guys somewhat, I wanted to introduce an arbitrary fuel
requirement. I was considering 3-4 parsecs for military ships, and
probably 2-3 parsecs for civillian ships. This wouldn't show up as a
factor of mass in Full Thrust ship design, but would force space combat
to follow logical lines of advance, with a requirement to secure fueling
spots (any gas giant will do, as will an inhabitated planet with
hydrogen refining equipment). Just a playability issue. But anyway,
what I was asking the Star Gurus on the list is, Is that enough
distance? I mean, if I say "2 parsecs for civillian ships" will I be
cutting off a lot of stars from commerce? Do I need three? Or even
four?
John M. Atkinson