Xref: utzoo rec.arts.startrek:8602 comp.graphics:1631 rec.games.misc:1504
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!husc6!bloom-beacon!gatech!mcnc!uvaarpa!virginia!uvacs!rmw6x
From: rmw6x@uvacs.CS.VIRGINIA.EDU (Robert M. Wise)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek,comp.graphics,rec.games.misc
Subject: star ship battle simulator
Message-ID: <2214@uvacs.CS.VIRGINIA.EDU>
Date: 3 Feb 88 07:23:41 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: U.Va. CS Department, Charlottesville, VA
Lines: 45
Keywords: simulator,graphics,star trek,3D


I am posting this to three newsgroups: comp.graphics, rec.arts.startrek,
and rec.games.misc.  Different parts of the posting are pertinant
to different newsgroups, but the posting as whole is needed for
coherence.


I have been an avid star fleet battles player for long time.  I really
enjoy the game, but it screams for 1) computer aids (different topic)
or 2) complete computer simulation.

What I would like to do is write a graphics based star trek
battle simulator.  

Goals:
  1) real time
  2) 3D
  3) player vs. computer
  4) player vs. player

I have two hypercube machines available to me with advanced graphics,
an IRIS workstation, and various Sun 2/3 workstations.

I would like to use the hypercube as a development machine, since
speed will not be factor, and since writing the game in parallel
should be an interesting experience.

Questions for the net:
   rec.arts.startrek: How do the controls on a starship actually
                      work?  What does Sulu do when Kirk asks for
                      a heading and speed?  How much interaction is 
                      needed from engineering?  What about fire
                      control?  How much is manual, and how much
                      is automatic.  Recall STII "best guess, Mr.
                      Sulu...".

   everybody: Does anyone have 3D descriptions of Star Trek ships?
              Anyone have any general comments?

Thanks!
I hope to generate some discussion on this, especially as
regards the control mechanisms of a starship, so please
post your responses!

Bob Wise