Basics of navigation
Mining is one of the core mechanics of Starminer. But to successfully extract resources from nearby asteroids, precise navigation and positioning are necessary with the help of main and retro-thrusters. Starminer introduces a realistic approach to space travel, incorporating Newtonian physics, where players must delicately balance thrust, trajectory, and velocity to navigate the cosmos with precision. Whether charting a course through a dense asteroid field or engaging in strategic maneuvers during space battles, the navigation mechanics in Starminer provide a dynamic and immersive experience, challenging players to adapt to ever-changing conditions.
Mass is a pivotal factor, influencing the responsiveness of ship's navigation systems - smaller rigs can be easier to control, while larger stations or ships will require smart positioning of key thrusters. In Starminer, players enjoy the freedom of movement in all six degrees of space: forward/backward, up/down, left/right, pitch, yaw, and roll. This comprehensive navigation system grants full control, allowing spacefarers to maneuver with skill and precision.
Luckily, the flight computer aids are there to help players successfully navigate the challenges of Starminer, firing up retro thrusters and automatically adjusting the trajectory when necessary. However, should a ship run out of energy, the retro thrusters would not be able to efficiently maneuver the station to a stop. Players must thus balance their energy budget against more intensive maneuvers with their main industrial thrusters, which fire on demand in short bursts - or for much longer distances if you pack enough fuel. And since Starminer simulates the emptiness of a vacuum, pilots can also exploit the absence of atmospheric drag - they can turn off their thrusters and coast towards their objective without expending any energy. Retro-thrusters enable players with hands-on control with six degrees of freedom, while industrial thrusters are most useful when placed strategically and then fired on demand to accelerate or quickly turn a ship.
Basics of mining
Mining mechanics in Starminer are designed to be both strategic and rewarding. Players can deploy specialized mining modules on their rigs, extracting valuable resources from asteroids. The choice of mining locations, the deployment of mining equipment, and the efficient extraction of resources become crucial elements in building a thriving spacefaring civilization.
Intelligence and asteroid data play a key role in extracting resources efficiently. Players must use asteroid scanners to locate and identify exploitable mining spots on every asteroid. There are several asteroid types with four main resources: Iron, Silicon, Cobalt, and Thorium. These resources are used for the construction of station modules or in the crafting of other products like ballistic ordnance. Strategic positioning of your mining rigs is crucial here as a good location will enable faster collection of resources. Visual aids help players to determine if all the mining lasers installed are in the target's sight and range.
Upon activation, the mining lasers seamlessly initiate the extraction process on asteroids within Starminer, gradually breaking them down into smaller ore chunks. These ore fragments, essential for station expansion, are efficiently collected by dedicated hauling vessels known as "Haulers." These Haulers, alongside construction engineers referred to as "Constructors," are built within T1 and T2 Hangar modules, forming the backbone of resource management. Upon the Hauler's return to the station with the mined ore, a critical step follows: the refinement process. Refinery modules, each tailored to refine specific ores, convert these raw materials into usable metals. These can then be used in the construction of new modules or sold for profit.
That was a lot of text, and a lot of information, so to help you see what we have been talking about here, a short video has been prepared to give a visual aid to the dev diary.
[previewyoutube=X9z5MmnA0FQ;full][/previewyoutube]
That is all that we have for now, but join us again in two weeks as we’ll be squeezing one more dev diary into the schedule before the holidays begin!
Watch this space! ????
- Starminer Team
