Space and First In

[elv]

Originally Posted by joncarryer (in another thread)

I have just recently bought the 4E Space book and, as much as I like it, my planetary system/government/culture creation will definitely still be using many elements from First In. Space updated a lot of the physical stuff very well, but it also left out some of the finer details from First In that I have always liked and used, and for all of the societal details, I just find the stuff in First In a lot more satisfying.

I have recently received Space, and having now read the world building chapters I must agree with this, particularly regarding the social aspects.

Sticking strictly to the worldbuilding, Space 4e has the following major advantages:

1. Good discussion of the dramatic role of worlds and societies.
2. Improved system generation (especially full star range and replacement of Bode's Law).
3. More interesting animal generation.

First In has the following:

1. Extra detail throughout, but especially social.
2. Better bibliography.
3. Quicker animal generation, and encounter table generation.

Other opinions welcome.

One thing I would particularly miss if I had to give up T:FI is the social parameters. Uplift 2e introduced a 9th personality trait, Playfulness, which Space has kept. I've been thinking about a corresponding social parameter, and the best I can come up with is

Productivity
This parameter measures how much of their time and effort the members of the society will spend working. A high productivity (Utilitarian) society spends little on culture and entertainment, while a low productivity (Frivolous) society will tend to produce no more than is necessary to support their other interests.

Suggestions for modifiers welcome.

John


John

[enpeze]

Is world generation better in G:Space?

Well...I dont know I first have to absolve my degree in math. :)

Honestly, the book is very well written and a great resource, but the world generation chapter is totally OVER THE TOP!

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by enpeze

Honestly, the book is very well written and a great resource, but the world generation chapter is totally OVER THE TOP!

How so? The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.

[enpeze]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

How so? The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.

Because of the user has to have knowledge of advanced mathematics if he wants to design a star system according to the formulas. The last time I heard the word cubic root was 25 years ago at school.

The world creation chapter is rather a basic course for astrophysicians. But its good written, like the rest of the space book and I like the infos in it (not the formulars of course :))

[Hans Rancke-Madsen]

Originally Posted by enpeze

Because of the user has to have knowledge of advanced mathematics if he wants to design a star system according to the formulas. The last time I heard the word cubic root was 25 years ago at school.

Odds are very good that your computer has a calculator that can extract any kind of roots.


Hans

[enpeze]

Originally Posted by Agemegos

Cube roots are hardly advanced maths. They are high-school stuff.

It seems you think that everyone should be able to calculate cubic roots and use complicated formulas as a kind of basic education? My interest in this world is not math based. I prefer the softer sciences. :)

[Anthony]

Would a short article on 'calculator math' and 'spreadsheet math' help?

For a calculator, the exact syntax depends on the calculator. Using the Windows calculator, to get a cube root:
Go to the 'view' menu and switch to 'scientific'
Click the 'Inv' checkbox (left edge, upper middle)
Click the 'x^3' button (third column of buttons from the left, second row from the bottom)

For a spreadsheet, the formula is generally quantity^(1/3). The parenthesis are important.