Apogee

Apogee is a working title for a game I'd like to make written in python.

The game seeks to incorporate elements of games like Escape Velocity, GTA 1-2, Ares, and other early shareware 2D games.

It will be my first attempt at a 3D game, utilizing Panda3d a python library.

Basic Story

world takes place in an alternate future where the space race did not end with the apollo moon landings. Increasing fervor for control of space saw US and Russia pouring billions of dollars into development. By 1991 Russia had put a cosmonaut in mars orbit only to lose the vessel on return trajectory failing to complete orbital mechanics for the ride home. Russia attempted to recover the vessel but were unsuccessful until America set aside aggression and assisted. This act turned America and Russia into mostly allies in space. A decade later North america joined England and most of Europe to form a joint space effort. India and japan formed a working relationship and China, Russia and North Korea formed a space power of their own. for 40 years, although relationships have been tense as yet no major war has occurred in space yet. There have been many acts of espionage, sabotage and subversion.

By the beginning of the 21st century most space concerns were under the direction of several multinational corporations and the earth had begun to establish several large multinational governments in response to the growing power of corporate interests.

At the time of the game the three colonies on mars landed by the US, Russia and India have allied to form the Mars coalition government, declared independence and enacted a constitutional government. No one is sure how the earth governments will respond but none have recognized the legitimacy of the act as yet.

The moon is fully colonized, it is the center of all space commerce housing the largest shipyard in the solar system. It is the jumping off point for anyone looking to leave Earth orbit for the belt or the outer planets.

Possible Storylines

in the far off colonies of ceres rumors are circling about a growing number of inexplicable equipment failures. the destruction of a freighter carrying needed food aid to ceres has prompted an accident investigation. Chief SSTB investigator Chris Lacoix is enroute but needs a clandestine ride so as not to taint the investigation by drawing unwanted attention.

Gameplay

start on small planet fresh out of flight academy

meet an old fella who tells you about a mission. offers you an old clunker if he takes you with him to mission

character will explore the solar system of earth.

ship mechanics

every ship is a frame with several hardpoints for adding equipment, cargo area for storage and crew support determines how many crew.

some vehicles are single stage to orbit small vessels, others are large scale capital vessels that cannot land.

orbiter

crew vehicle

equipment ranges from heavy weapons, sensors, energy collectors,

crew

more crew means ship systems are automated. larger ships require more interaction otherwise ships can blow up.

space mechanics: like ares, ships have momentum and rcs. ships can move sideways backwards etc