I've noticed that the ships, and everything in the game go relatively slow (as in spedometer wise). Has there been any thought to being able to own extremely high speed (i.e >.8c)vehicles? Also, at the low speeds that everything happens now, have relative principles been implemented into the engine (Einstein theory of relativity). It would be really neat to emulate high speed time dialation and relative motion... anyways, great game guys!

McNut: well that wouldn't be possible. Right now (besides the turbo) the game is quite realistic, but reaching even 0.5 c would mean:

w = 1/2 m*v^2 (kinetic energy). At 0.5 c this would mean:

w = 1/2*m*(1/2*c)^2 = 1/2*m*1/4*c^2 -
w= 1/8*m*c^2

to have this much energy, you'd have to use..

w = m_2*c^2.

m_2*c^2 = 1/8*m*c^2
-> m_2 = 1/8m

m = mass of the ship, m_2 = mass needed to convert into energy.

which means, you'd have to convert 1/8 of the ship's mass to pure energy (assumed that you'd have an 100% efficient matter/energy conversion, and don't forget about a 100% efficient propulsion system). At these speeds you don't have to take the relativity into account, but at higher speeds you'd have to use much more mass to reach these speeds.

So - it wouldn't be realistic to have such engines - a Star Trek-like Warp system would be more realistisc than an "orthodox" engine capable of reaching a fraction of light speed.

Regards,
Mark

You used to be able to outrun laser fire....pre 3.2

Your assuming the ship is using its own mass (fuel) to create the energy to move it with 100% effiecency. Not even antimatter annhilation is that effiecient...

The ship could use some sort of gravity drive. When forces are at play, the can add to the sum of percieved energy output...

I still wonder why the tach blaster is so slow....
look up the definition of tachyon.


-homestar

yeah its a bit odd that a FTL particle moves at less than 500m/s when it takes infinite energy to slow it down to light speed...