The Universe

The universe of Interstellar Frontier is made up of thousands of procedurally generated star systems, tens of thousands of planets moons and other locations as well as dozens of hand crafted zones.

Procedurally generated universes in games often suffer from being too large without much difference from one location to another. They are called, ’amile wide and an inch deep’. My goal with Interstellar Frontier is to create a world that feels massive, without feeling empty and homogenous.

These hand crafted civilization hubs contain mission contacts, landmarks, fast travel options and other services.

Devlog #003 – The Homeworld

Greetings, intrepid explorers, and welcome to the cradle of the Prym civilization: a planet as captivatingly beautiful as it is intriguingly mysterious. Nestled in a star system that houses four other celestial bodies, this planet, adorned with shimmering rings and cradled by two moons, is a sight to behold.

The Prym homeworld is a true spectacle of cosmic beauty. Comparable in size and composition to the familiar terrestrial planets found scattered throughout the cosmos, this planet is distinguished by its stunning rings. These celestial adornments, composed of countless fragments of rock and ice, shimmer in the starlight, casting a mesmerizing aurora that paints the planet’s skyline with hues of colors unimaginable.

As you descend through the atmospheric layers, you are greeted by an abundance of life, teeming across the planet’s diverse biomes. The Prym homeworld offers a myriad of landscapes, from sprawling forests that sway in rhythm with the breeze to towering mountains whose peaks challenge the clouds, from crystalline oceans that reflect the glittering cosmos to sprawling deserts where every grain of sand tells a tale of time. The diversity in terrain not only testifies to the planet’s geologic dynamism but also fuels the adaptive evolution that has shaped the Prym into the resilient species they are.

The planet’s two moons, ever-present in the night sky, exert a considerable influence on the Prym homeworld. Their gravitational pull orchestrates the rhythmic dance of the tides in the planet’s vast oceans, and their orbital paths contribute to the planet’s complex climate dynamics.

The more substantial of the two moons, referred to as the “Elder Sibling” in Prym lore, is a sight to behold. Its craters and valleys are clearly visible to the naked eye, painting a picture of its violent cosmic history. The smaller moon, or the “Younger Sibling,” is no less enchanting, exhibiting a unique coloration that sets it apart in the celestial theatre.

The Prym homeworld orbits a stable, main-sequence star, bathing in its reliable glow. This star’s consistent energy output has played a significant role in nurturing life on the planet, providing the perfect conditions for the Prym to evolve and flourish.

Though not as hospitably life-sustaining as the Prym homeworld, the other four planets in this star system are intriguing in their own right. Some are gas giants, their turbulent atmospheres swirling in colorful chaos, while others are rocky worlds scarred by eons of meteor impacts. Each is a celestial body with its own distinct character and place in the system’s gravitational ballet.

In conclusion, the Prym homeworld is a testament to the beauty and diversity of life in the cosmos. It’s a remarkable planet that has nurtured a civilization reaching for the stars, ready to etch its presence in the vast interstellar frontier. As we delve deeper into this alien universe, imagining what other wonders await discovery is captivating.

Devlog #002 – The Starship

Greetings, intrepid explorers, and welcome aboard the Prym’s interstellar starship—a marvel of engineering, the crown jewel of their fleet, and an object of unparalleled fascination across the galaxy. Resembling the dimensions of an American football field, this colossal vessel stands a staggering eight decks tall, positioning it amongst the grandest and most technologically advanced spacecraft ever conceived.

Deck 1, the nerve center of this awe-inspiring behemoth, is situated at the zenith. This primary control hub is the operational heart of the starship, from where the captain and the crew orchestrate their journey through the celestial wilderness, pushing the boundaries of exploration and discovery.

Deck 2 serves as the dedicated space for observation and conference rooms. This is the intellectual hive where scientists, diplomats, and distinguished guests converge to unravel cosmic mysteries and foster a free exchange of ideas. Their gaze, frequently drawn to the panorama of stars, is a constant reminder of the universe’s infinite wonders.

Deck 3 is the vibrant residential quarter for officers and crew, incorporating their mess hall. This area hums with ceaseless activity as crew members diligently prepare for upcoming missions or maintain the ship’s intricate systems.

Deck 4 is designed to provide comfortable accommodations for passengers, scientific teams, and VIPs. It boasts a spacious dining room, an observation deck, and a security station. The ship’s kitchen, known for serving scrumptious meals, adds an element of gastronomic delight to life on board.

Deck 5 is the hub for medical services, security offices, the brig, science labs, food storage, and flight control. Here, the ship’s medical team works relentlessly to safeguard the well-being of everyone aboard while the scientists delve into groundbreaking cosmos explorations.

Deck 6, the utility deck, is the nerve center of the ship’s propulsion systems, housing the fusion reactor, particle accelerator, and collider systems. It also harbors the stardrive capacitors and power batteries, crucial components that enable the ship to hurtle at breathtaking speeds through hyperspace.

Deck 7, the flight deck, is the launchpad for shuttles that venture into the vast expanse of space, exploring the galaxy’s unknown territories. It also serves as the maintenance hub for these shuttles.

Deck 8, the cargo deck, is meticulously organized to store chemicals, minerals, and general cargo. Each item is carefully packed and secured to ensure the mission’s safe and successful execution.

The starship is designed with a future-proof approach, allowing for upgrades and refits that ensure its operational life extends for 50 years or more.

Starship Stats

  • Length: 999 meters
  • Width: 999 meters
  • Height: 999 meters
  • Mass: 999 tons
  • Crew complement: 85

Deck 1 – Command Deck

  • Control center
  • Executive office
  • Security station/armory
  • Top shield generator
  • Executive conference room
  • Lift to decks 1-8
  • Stairs to decks 1-8

Deck 2 – Observation Deck

  • Rear Observation A
  • Communications
  • Life support generator for decks 1 and 2
  • Sensor Ops
  • Executive lounge

Deck 3 – Crew Deck

  • Officers quarters
  • Crew quarters
  • Kitchen upper level
  • Cafeteria upper level
  • Stair access to decks 3-8
  • Forward cannon bays
  • Life support generator for deck 3 forward
  • Life support generator for deck 3 rear

Deck 4 – Passenger Deck

  • Passengers Quarters
  • VIP Quarters
  • Kitchen lower level
  • Cafeteria lower level
  • Security station
  • Life support generator for deck 4 forward
  • Life support generator for deck 4 rear
  • Forward shield generator
  • Upper door mechanics
  • Left engine access
  • Right engine access

Deck 5 – Service Deck

  • Medical facilities – 5 intensive care beds, two surgical beds, doctor’s office, nurse’s station, waiting area
  • Security offices
  • brig
  • Heat syncs and radiator access
  • Particle Accelerator & Collider
  • Engine room upper level
  • flight control room
  • Left forward beam cannon
  • Right forward beam cannon
  • Left mid beam cannon
  • right mid beam cannon
  • Right shield generator
  • Left shield generator
  • Rear left beam cannon
  • rear right beam cannon
  • life support generator for deck 5 rear
  • life support generator for deck 6 rear
  • Batteries

Deck 6 – Utility Deck

  • Reactor
  • Reactor control
  • Engine room lower level
  • Rear kinetic cannons
  • Water reclamation
  • Water storage
  • Stardrive capacitors
  • bottom shield
  • rear shield
  • life support generator for deck 5 front
  • life support for deck 6 front
  • left and right observation halls
  • Science Lab
  • Fabrication Lab
  • Core computers
  • Stardrive capacitors
  • right front launcher
  • left front launcher
  • right rear launcher
  • left rear launcher
  • Bottom engine access

Deck 7 – Flight Deck

  • Flight Deck
  • 4 Fighters
  • 2 Shuttles
  • 6 Drones
  • Auxiliary craft maintenance
  • Lower door mechanics

Deck 8 – Cargo Deck

  • Chemical storage
  • Mineral storage
  • General cargo storage
  • Fuel storage
  • Fuel pumps

Devlog #001 – Into The Frontier

Interstellar Frontier is an open-world space exploration game where you command a large starship and its crew. Lead them on an epic quest to unify and bring hope to a dying galaxy.

Just over a year ago, I embarked on a thrilling journey to bring to life an extraordinary vision, a dream that had been germinating in the back of my mind for years: Interstellar Frontier. My mission was to amalgamate the best elements of my favorite games, creating an innovative and unique experience unhindered by the constraints of pre-existing intellectual properties. I envisioned a game devoid of the trappings that often beleaguer the gaming industry—microtransactions, NFTs, interminable development—particularly those that have seeped into the realm of space simulators. Above all, my objective was to create a game that was, at its core, pure fun.

However, I aspired to do more than engineer an entertaining gaming experience. I sought to weave a captivating narrative of exploration and discovery reminiscent of the gripping sagas of Lost in Space and Star Trek TOS that had held me in their thrall during my formative years. A narrative that would instill hope and inspiration in the hearts of all who ventured into this universe I was creating.

This might seem like a lofty target for an indie game developed by a relatively unknown creator. It probably is, but I am pleased to report that substantial progress has been made. For the initial year, I kept the development process largely under wraps, wanting to ensure I could surmount the game’s most daunting challenges before broadcasting any announcements. Now, I believe the moment of revelation has arrived.

Here’s an introduction to some of the immersive features that are currently a part of Interstellar Frontier:

  • A procedurally generated galaxy teeming with thousands of stars, planets, and moons ripe for exploration.
  • An array of planet and moon types, including habitable, frozen, rocky, gaseous, desert, oceanic, and molten, each featuring procedurally generated variations.
  • Players can roam around within all eight starship decks, a massive structure spanning the size of a football field.
  • Players can either control the starship from an external third-person viewpoint or the immersive perspective of the interior captain’s chair.
  • The starship possesses six complete degrees of freedom, capable of rotating, panning, rolling, and tilting without restrictions.
  • Players can traverse from one end of the galaxy to another with zero loading screens, facilitating a seamless journey.
  • The presence of NPC crew members stationed within the ship’s interior.
  • A sophisticated database for save/load functions, cataloging items, crew, and statistics.

To better understand the game, I invite you to watch the overview video below. In the coming days, I will share blog posts detailing various aspects of the game—like the ship, the homeworld, the backstory, and more. I’m eager to invite the community into this process and receive your feedback as I continue to shape and polish this vast universe.

Welcome aboard, Interstellar Frontier! Let’s embark on this thrilling journey together.