[Hajo]

Hi,

I'm in a complete creative slump. Maybe you can help me with some ideas?

I've been trying to develop the "research alien artefacts" thingy a bit, and now got stuck, pondering which tools I could give the player to actually do the research.

This one is simple:

"Sonic screwdriver" - operation: dismantle

... nothing else, now you see how stuck I am.

I've got a list of technologies here:
http://h-world.simugraph.com/space/data/space_technology.txt

And there was a discussion about the research idea here:
http://forums.rpgdx.net/viewtopic.php?t=1170

Can you help? I can offer a small moon or even a planet named by you in the game :)

[Nephilim]

Seems like your tools are going to fall into two camps:

A) Tools for analyzing pieces of the artifact, and
B) Tools for working physically with the artifact to expose new parts to analyze.

It seems like both of these will be largely determined by the physical manifestation of the artifact. For instance, artifacts that imbue psionics with the use of a mechanical brain wave amplifier helmet would require very different tools than if it was achieved with a biological symbiote that is surgically inserted around the cerebral cortex. I think if you start making decisions - even sketches - of the artifacts, the tools will fall right out.

Here are some ideas that come to my mind:

CATEGORY A:
Microscope
Electron microscope
X-Ray (or gamma ray, or whatever)
Voltmeter (or high-tech equivalent)
Chemalyzer
Geiger counter
Biofeedback monitor
Molecular sampler
Centrifuge
Science libraries (of multiple kinds - Biology, Archaeology, etc.)
Process modeler
Remote sensing (would require a psionics artifact first)
Psychometry (also psionics)

CATEGORY B
(If your artifacts can range from fragile to nearly impervious, you could have a range of objects that could be used to open them up. Using too powerful a tool may destroy the artifact.)
Molecular separator
Precision diamond saw
Harmonic resonator (for shattering specific kinds of parts, could also be used with new-age crystal type techs)
Sonic screwdriver (your idea)
Laser cutter
Thermonuclear blast chamber
Gravity well

For biological-based artifacts:
Scalpel
Vivisector

Other tools:
Acid etch bath
Taser
Heat gun
Chill gun
Diamond drill press

Another tool type you might want to introduce is one that doesn't interact with the artifact at all - safety gear. Radiation suits, respirators, latex gloves, charge dissipators, heat shields, blast shields, waldos, etc. might be required during the investigation, lest the player hurt himself or his fellow researchers.

Anyway, hope some of this gives you some ideas.

[Hajo]

This is a great help! Thanks a lot :)

The game has a few places to include names: space stations, cities, spaceports.

I'd like to name something for you, e.g. "Nephilim spaceport" or "Nephilim station" to show my appreciation of your help. Is that ok for you? If I should use another name, please let me know.

[Nephilim]

Sure, that's okay. Given a choice of the three, I guess I'd go for a spaceport. Spaceports have a lot of symbolic value that I appreciate. They're the gateway to the great adventure of humanity that is space exploration, where a marvel of science plucks you from the surface of the planet you were born on and rockets you upward into the twinkling, boundless night. That threshold is an exciting place, and if any of that excitement gets communicated in your game, hey, I'd love to participate in even a small part of that.

[Hajo]

Ok, once the spaceports are done, there will be a "Nephilim spaceport" :)