Box 2.0

[oranges]

We need to make box bigger with more job slots to better support our population.

Some have suggested that the map is actually big enough, it just hasn't been designed for enough job slots, thoughts on this would be good.

[John_Oxford]

So, you mean meta?

[oranges]

Very good post but meta is actually about only the same size as box, so if we're gonna use meta on sybil then it also needs to be made bigger and be designed for more job slots.

[John_Oxford]

Very good post but meta is actually about only the same size as box, so if we're gonna use meta on sybil then it also needs to be made bigger and be designed for more job slots.

Thanks, took me all of 2 seconds to think it up

On a serious note, heres the size comparison:


Its argueable, but if we are looking for size, meta would be better suited to be upgraded in size, rather than box.
The entire concept of re-designing a entire station to better suit a increased crew capacity is a HUGE task.

Personally, i think meta would be easier to upgrade. Instead of making the station's border larger in total, it'd be better to make up for empty space that meta has essentially everywhere, by expanding departments

[Saegrimr]

There's like 5 or so "Check out my station project guys!" threads.

Why not go nudge them to finish or help out?

[oranges]

Feel free to make your own thread on that topic then

[Luke Cox]

Meta has a lot more crammed into its space than Box does.


Back on topic, let's compile a list of what all we think is wrong with Box. With the intended differences between Box (more functionality) and Meta (more realistic), here is what I can come up with:

• Glaring security flaws in the security wing
• Awkward to use gulag system
• Generally wonky medbay
• Experimenter lab is shit. Replace it with something actually useful

[callanrockslol]

lGlaring security flaws in the security wing

That's sort of the point, its not supposed to be a completely secure station that nobody can ever breach, especially the most heavily armed place in the entire thing. Its underfunded research station on the edges of known space.

[CPTANT]

box gulag is horrible, and its pretty simple to make something that is already 10 times better.

[JackHunt]

Box is already 2.0, it's 2.1.3 I believe. The thing is that making a station bigger is about as big of a task as making a new station entirely. There's a couple of maps in development now that might be ready to test in a few months. Baring a really dedicated mapper, a box upgrade will take much longer. However I think a map that aesthetically resembles box would be great for player retention and would be accepted easier by the community. But how exactly do you make a station bigger? What would an extra scientist do now for instance? What does a bigger medbay have that the current one doesn't? How do you solve transportation issues? None of these are insurmountable and I think there's some good answers out there already. Map design is hard though and upgrading box could easily turn into making upgraded box an absolute abomination of a map. We should have clear goals going into such a big project.

[Naximous]

Box is already 2.0, it's 2.1.3 I believe. The thing is that making a station bigger is about as big of a task as making a new station entirely. There's a couple of maps in development now that might be ready to test in a few months. Baring a really dedicated mapper, a box upgrade will take much longer. However I think a map that aesthetically resembles box would be great for player retention and would be accepted easier by the community. But how exactly do you make a station bigger? What would an extra scientist do now for instance? What does a bigger medbay have that the current one doesn't? How do you solve transportation issues? None of these are insurmountable and I think there's some good answers out there already. Map design is hard though and upgrading box could easily turn into making upgraded box an absolute abomination of a map. We should have clear goals going into such a big project.

I think that he meant "Box 2" as in the current one we have is "Box 1, version 2.1.3" That would make sense

[Scones]

How does Box not support our current average player count? It has spawn points and I rarely see a department go with not having gear, especially considering most jobs with the exception of Security and Mining do not entirely hinge around kitting up from an equipment locker at roundstart (Which relegates the Science/Engineering/Medical lockers to being looted for 1-2 items or used for people transferring in)

The Brig fairly comfortably manages to support a full set of officers, a Warden and the Head of Security. Science rarely has a shortage of work. There's enough junk and unused space lying around for the average assistant to make something of himself should they so please.

I guess I don't see it.

[Summoner]

Some of us are planning on working on a map that can be the 'box replacement' for people who like Box and want that kind of experience. We are still in the planning stages and have no real design but basic ideas and no name.

When we get around to it we'll make a thread.

[JackHunt]

Honestly there's a bunch of stuff in development right now. Wait a few months and there'll be a bunch of new maps to try. They might not be any good but they'll certainly give players an idea of what they like. Right now the biggest problem is that the complaints about box aren't very well translated into mapping plans. We can't make a fix if we don't know for what and "making it bigger" is the second most vague statement you can make about a map.