opu_projects:active_projects:outposthd [Outpost Universe Wiki]

This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong.
{{ :opu_projects:active_projects:outpost-hd-logo-sm.png?nolink |}}

OutpostHD is a remake of OUTPOST by Sierra On-line from 1994. It's not a clone of OUTPOST -- it's an entirely new game inspired by OUTPOST's core mechanics while providing a more complete and satisfying experience than the original ever could.

The core of the project is to provide a fun OUTPOST game that has all of the advertised features and provides better feedback for things like resource lines, mining/factory/laboratory reports and colonist opinion/morale.

====== How To Play ======
//Main article: [[OutpostHD::How To Play]]//

OutpostHD plays a lot like the original Outpost with significant streamlining in the set up process for the initial game. The basics are simple -- land your SEED Lander, land your cargo and colonists, begin mining operations and maintain good control over your resources. Make sure you keep your people happy and expand your operations to include manufacturing, medical facilities, education and begin research.

====== How To Help ======
//Main article: [[opu_projects:active_projects:outposthd:tools|Tools]]//

OutpostHD developers have put together a few tools to aid in the production of content for the game.


====== Project Goals ======

<callout type="info">
===== Primary Goals =====
  * Develop a new, modern code base that can be built and run on multiple platforms including Windows, macOS and Linux
  * Implement the core gameplay mechanics from OUTPOST
  * Provide a better interface from which the user can get better feedback from their Colony
</callout>

<callout type="info">
===== Secondary Goals =====
  * Replace the original graphics with new, unencumbered assets
  * Add the ability to establish new colonies on the same planet
</callout>

<callout type="info"
>===== Tertiary Goals =====
  * Implement a multiplayer mode where other users can establish colonies on the same planet or different planets/moons within the same star system
</callout>

====== Changes from OUTPOST ======
The core concepts for OUTPOST were great. The implementation was terrible. The following sections detail some of the changes in OutpostHD. You can follow [[https://forum.outpost2.net/index.php/board,106.0.html|OutpostHD's boards]] for additional details and to participate in the development of the game.

===== Recreational / Luxury Items =====
//Main article: [[OutpostHD::Economy]]//

OUTPOST had UG Factories that produced a number of products most of which were used by Commercial and Red Light District structures to provide a morale boost. These products had silly names (Salad Spurters, Wax Lips and Whoopee Cushions to name a few) and all served to fill the function luxury itema. OutpostHD's factories will produce a wider range of products intended to suit several needs of the colony and provide a more diverse and interesting economy that must be monitored.

===== Planet Selection =====
//Main Article: [[OutpostHD::Planet Selection]]//

OUTPOST 'gamified' the pre-launch screens but did it in a way that isn't very much fun -- lots of fluff with video animations to show launches and satellites and things that at the time were impressive but doesn't offer any real value today. OutpostHD streamlines this part of the game by giving the user fine-grained control over the conditions of their stellar host and planetary environments via a set of attributes.

Difficulty settings affect the availability of attributes and the effectiveness or harshness of an attribute; for instance, high light output (a good attribute for solar power generation and food crop development) will be less effective in higher difficulties. Conversely, a negative attribute such as a low density planet will make metallic elements even scarcer on higher difficulties than in lower difficulty levels.

See [[https://forum.outpost2.net/index.php/topic,5990.0.html|this forum post]] for a discussion regarding this aspect of gameplay.

===== Mined Resources =====
//Main Article: [[OutpostHD::Mines and Mining]]//

All of the mined resources from OUTPOST have been simplified and condensed into the following four mined resources:

  * Common Metals
  * Common Minerals
  * Rare Metals
  * Rare Minerals

This will reduce player's mental workload allowing them to focus their energies on other parts of the game including population, storage management and research. Tweaked and overhauled production, maintenance and structure costs will continue to provide challenging game-play.

===== Multi-Purpose Goo =====
Multi-Purpose Goo (MPG) was a poor solution to resource management balancing that failed in two main ways: it wasn't realistic (a problem for a 'hard science' game) and it was easily abused. That said, MPG will not make a reappearance in OutpostHD. While the resource management will provide a challenge to the player, the challenge will not be in the form of insufficient resources being produced by mines. Instead challenge will be in the form of ensuring that resources are carefully allocated and monitored (particularly in the beginning), not overextending resource usage by building/expanding too fast and focusing on researching technologies to improve resource efficiency, extract more elements from recycling, reduce construction costs and reduce waste.

====== See Also ======
[[OutpostHD::Frequently Asked Questions]]

[[OutpostHD::Building from Source]]

[[https://forum.outpost2.net/index.php/topic,5718.0.html|Main Forum Post]]

[[https://github.com/ldicker83/OPHD/|GitHub Project]]