Starsector 0.97a is out! (02/02/24); New blog post: Simulator Enhancements (03/13/24)
So far Alex has been working on the core gameplay; the combat, the AI. Let's not get ahead of ourselves here. New systems don't provide anything significant if there isn't substantial depth to them. Economy and dynamic interaction between worlds, stations, and outposts need to be set up to provide meaning for what you do in system. Before that happens any other system will just be a cookie cutter copy of Corvus.
Capital ships are rare Alex? Try looking at your Hegemony Defense Fleet and your Tr-Tachyon Attack Fleets.
He specifically said the Corvus system (as it currently stands) is not representative of what the final game will be like. To be honest, I've thought that was the case for a while--even if Tri-Tachyon and Hegemony hate each other, for TT to be constantly sending massive fleets to attack the Hegemony station makes no sense! I suspect the "war" between the two is going to be a lot colder and more subtle in the final game.
The current fleet point cap is actually rather close to what the maximum will be, with skills. Still enough for a cap ship (or maybe two) with a solid escort. Fits much better into the overall idea that capital ships are rare. As much fun as having a huge fleet is, it also cheapens things, and doesn't fit with the background of the Sector.Yes, the Corvus system doesn't fit in with the ultimate vision for the sector, either. It's more of a "here's all the content, go for it".
So I guess combat in future versions will be more central towards small skirmishes between frigates and a few destroyers, perhaps the odd cruiser as well? More emphasis on tactical combat than slugging it out with a pair of capital ships, so to speak.
By the way, in which way do you plan to implement trade goods and the like, presuming you are going add a more fleshed out trading system? Will planets or stations have fixed prices, or will it fluctuate depending on supply and demand? If that's the case, what will influence the production of said goods?
Why is that even needful? There's not much point in restricting the player that way is there? Well I guess we won't know until more of the campaign is out...Hrm...