Roadmap

Version 1.0

Pioneer version 1.0 will be the first "stable" release. This will not be the final state of the game: development will continue, particularly adding a lot more content and game-play features, but features present in version 1.0 are expected to be supported for a long time.

Things that must be done before we can release version 1.0:

Warning: This list is incomplete - and under active discussion so subject to change

Technical features

• The save system will be changed to allow future versions to be made without breaking all prior saved games.
• Equipment control will be moved to Lua.
• All user-interface will be converted to use the new-ui system and be driven by Lua.
• Star system generation will be rewritten to allow partially custom systems, and to allow some types of changes to be made without having knock-on effects through the entire galaxy or system.

Gameplay features

• Military progression / treason.
• Something like the Scout missions the walterar has done, exploration jobs.
• No hypersace from in atmosphere / or too close to a planet surface.
• In-system hyperspace jumps to make assassination missions and piracy actually possible.
• Alternatively a Fast-As-Light drive, Shadmar has taken a hacked one I (fluffyfreak) wrote and updated it for Paragon.

More proposed stuff

From Luomu (talk) 17:09, 1 May 2013 (PDT)

• New, fault tolerant save system: this is the most important thing ever
• Rewrite the HUD
  • Gather a list of components before doing any visual design
• Controls
  • New input system: do we need one, or can the current one be fixed?
  • Current problems: conflicting binds, cannot bind multiple inputs per action
  • Remove rarely used buttons?
• Camera
  • Add chase camera, padlock
• Weapons
  • goals: allow more than just laser bolts (beams, missiles), auto-tracking guns and turrets
  • rewrite, basically
  • turn missiles into guided projectiles instead of ships
  • conflicts with lua trade goods/equipment?
• Star views and navigation
  • combine system (orbit) view into star map
  • maybe other streamlining as well?
  • bookmarks, travel log
• Separate Player from Ships
  • to enable shuttlecraft and remote drones
  • must be done during alpha, not sensible afterwards (breaks modules)
• Hitpoints: use generic HP value instead of mass
• Cargo: use kg instead of tons
• AI
  • needs more higher level stuff like basic self preservation, modules must not have to implement their own (like tradeships...)
  • formations, anyone?
• Ship visual customization
• Space stations
  • external docking
  • traffic rules (don't allow modules to let ships idle forever)
• JSON for data files (ship defs etc)