Devlog: The Star Map

The Star Map is an important game element in Star Birds. In each System you explore, it gives you an overview over many procedurally generated 3D asteroids, which you connect with rocket transportation routes. As players you will also be switching from asteroid surface to the map view and back, which we’re aiming for to be smooth and seamless - not an easy task!

[h3]Creating a 3D Star System 🌔[/h3]
When you imagine creating your own star system, you probably expect a fulminant Big Bang. Reality is that the process begins with a set of rather pragmatic questions: What color is the universe? Is our star system flat? And if not (which is more in line with our world view): Can you seamlessly zoom out from a single asteroid to the Star Map?

In the end, we opted for 3D objects but a 2D look – in line with the game’s artstyle so far, and kurzgesagt’s video animations.



[h3]Procedurally Generated Asteroids 🌟[/h3]
In a star system, there are asteroids. Plenty of asteroids. In Star Birds, we generate them procedurally by using colors, parameters, shapes and rules that we design.

As a small indie studio, we want to use our capacities for a satisfying game flow rather than for the design of thousands of intergalactic pebbles. As a team, we were keen on developing new skills, facing new challenges and fun from a game design perspective.



[h3]Interstellar Transportation Routes 🚀[/h3]
By now, the rockets are flying and transporting goods from one asteroid to the other. At the moment, we are busy making sure that you will be able to keep a good overview: Distinguishing discovered from undiscovered asteroids, remembering which resources are transported on which route, and making it joyful to zoom out, lean back, and just watch the galactic goings-on from afar.

The Star Map still needs a little refinement, but a universe is not created in a single day, right?



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