Ahoy, Captains!
The sailing ship of the XVI–XVIII century is an incredibly complex technological object. The construction of the new sailing ship was an event, the result of the hard work of a huge number of people.
The sailing ship was built taking into account the fact that it would spend most of its shipboard "life" on a raid – in battles, or off foggy distant shores, or, loaded to the waterline, scurrying back and forth - in a word, beneficial. Repairs and upgrades - "simple" in the port - were expensive for shipping companies.
To increase the degree of autonomy, some of the maintenance tasks were transferred from the port to the ship, for example, workshops were set up.
Workshops on sailing ships performed several important functions. They were used to repair sails, rigging and other important elements of the ship, as the sails could tear or wear out, and they needed to be repaired in a timely manner. The workshops also produced new sails, ropes and other parts necessary to maintain the ship's combat capability. This made it possible to prepare spare parts and materials, which was especially important during long sea voyages. On shore or in port, workshops provided the opportunity to carry out the necessary work to modernize and improve the design and equipment of the vessel. In addition, they served as a place to train crew members in the necessary skills related to ship repair and maintenance. Thus, the presence of workshops on sailing ships significantly increased their efficiency and readiness to perform tasks.
Let's turn to one of the best representatives in history – HMS Victory, a 104-gun battleship of the first rank of the Royal Navy of Great Britain.:
HMS Victory had various workshops, each of which performed specialized functions.:
1. Sail Workshop
Sails were made and repaired in this workshop. Ship carpenters here worked with various fabrics to create reliable and durable sails for efficient sailing.
2. Tackle Workshop
This workshop was engaged in the production and repair of ropes, chains and other elements of gear. It was critically important for sailing a sailing vessel, as the correct adjustment of the rigging ensured the maneuverability and safety of the ship.
3. Carpenter's workshop
The carpentry workshop carried out work on the repair and maintenance of the wooden structure of the ship. Carpenters repaired damage to the hull, as well as carried out work to improve the interior.
4. Gunsmiths Workshop
The ship's artillery armament was maintained and repaired here. The gunsmiths monitored the condition of the cannons and other weapons, which was important for their combat capability.
5. Workshop of glaziers and coppersmiths
These workshops were engaged in the maintenance of glass and copper elements on the ship. The workers updated and repaired the windows, and also dealt with the copper parts that were used in various mechanisms.
Each of these workshops played an important role in maintaining the functionality of HMS Victory and ensuring its readiness for combat operations.
It is clear from the history itself that the installation and development of workshops on the ship is not just a secondary option or a cosmetic improvement. This is the basis of true autonomy, survivability and strategic flexibility of a player in a naval game. A ship without workshops is like an army without a rear: it is strong, but until the first serious battle, after which it becomes vulnerable, dependent on ports, resources and finances.
Workshop system on board
After studying real-world examples, we were transported to the world of Neverseas and delved into the development of various deck improvements that affect the ship's combat capability, survivability, and economy.
1. Carpentry workshop
Carpentry workshop allows the player not to be afraid of holes and storms, because the ship will be able to repair the damage itself. This is especially important when the game offers long-range raids in hostile waters, where the nearest friendly port may be at a considerable distance. Instead of retreating, wasting time and money on repairs, the player continues his voyage, maintains his pace and gains an advantage over less prepared enemies.
Appointment:
2. Sailing and rope workshop
The sailing workshop provides more than just speed. It makes maneuvers sharper, accelerates turns, helps to catch up and escape. If the sails are damaged in battle, the sailboat's crew will be able to repair them without losing steam. This means that the ship will not be helpless in the middle of a battle or on the high seas, which is especially important in a chase or during a storm. And in an environment where every choice affects the outcome of a battle, even a small increase in speed or maneuverability can decide the fate of a battle.
Appointment:
3. Forge
The forge, which looks less obvious, actually turns out to be critical. In battle, guns wear out, get knocked down, their fastenings weaken, and without a forge you can be left with inoperable weapons. The forge can even forge special ammunition — chain ammunition, buckshot, red-hot cores — giving the player additional tactical options. Not to mention the repair of anchors, metal hull rims, and even grappling hooks.
Appointment:
4. Gunsmith's workshop
An armory is also very important, especially for those who rely on boarding. Without it, the crew quickly loses their combat capability: muskets rust, sabers blunt, flintlocks misfire. But with a gunsmith on board, boarding turns into a short, effective operation, unlike a bloodbath where the one with the most bodies wins.
Appointment:
5. Construction workshop
Appointment:
Thus, the addition of workshops and the development of appropriate mechanics opens up additional possibilities for fine-tuning the ship. Their presence provides not just “ship pumping”, but the opportunity to play out role-playing scenarios, collect builds for a certain style of play - a raider, a naval commander, a merchant or a corsair. You can not depend on ports and conduct long-term raids, because you are your own arsenal, shipyard and repair dock.
It is the workshops that turn the ship not into a disposable cannon, but into a real combat platform capable of operating independently at sea for a long time, modifying on the move and adapting to changing conditions.
We also answered your questions:
Q: What are the key features of the in-game economy when interacting with players and NPC factions?
A: In the current concept, all players in a session are automatically aligned with the faction of the session leader. For example, if you've pledged allegiance to Spain in your game and then join a friend who has chosen France — your loyalty will reflect their choice. This can lead to unexpected diplomatic situations, including hostility from certain NPC factions.
As for the economy itself, it operates on a unified principle: every action in the game has a cost — whether it’s trading, hiring, repairing, or purchasing.
Example:
A faction focused on naval expansion may offer cheaper ships and crew, but charge significantly more for rare resources or unique goods.
A trade-oriented faction might give discounts on raw materials but demand higher prices for protection and weaponry. Prices may vary depending on the characteristics of each faction, but overall, the economic system is designed to be balanced.
The main difference between NPC factions and players lies in their starting positions: NPC factions are already integrated into the global economy with established assets and networks, while the player starts from scratch with a single ship and must gradually work their way into that system through gameplay.
Q: How much will player reputation and choices influence relationships with factions and overall story progression?
A: Reputation plays a key role — including determining narrative branches and triggering global changes in the game world. By performing certain actions — whether positive or provocative — players will gain or lose reputation points with specific factions.
This directly affects:
the range of available goods;
services;
access to unique faction quests;
and how NPCs react to the player on the map.
For example, if a player is known as an enemy of a faction, their ships might attack on sight without hesitation. In this way, player decisions don't just impact the storyline — they shape how the world reacts to them on a fundamental level.
Q: What will ship control feel like — more of an arcade or a simulation?
A: This is one of the most nuanced and debated aspects of the game. We're aiming for a balance within the "easy to learn, hard to master" philosophy. On the one hand, ship control should allow players to showcase skill and feel like real captains. On the other, we don’t want players to feel like they need to take real-world sailing courses just to play the game.
That’s why we’re designing a system that’s accessible to newcomers but still offers depth for those who want to master it. Players who want to get the most out of their ship will truly be able to do so — through precise handling, tactical awareness, and attention to detail. And of course, we'll be carefully monitoring feedback and balance as development continues.
Fair winds and bright victories in naval battles!
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Thank you for reading to the end!
Sincerely, the Neverseas development team
- Depending on the displacement, galleons were built with a number of decks from two to seven. The side of the vessel from the keel to the cargo waterline had a large collapse, and to the upper deck there was a blockage. At the same time, several tasks were solved: the load capacity increased, the transition from ship to ship during boarding became more difficult, the overall strength increased; the force of the waves hitting the side was softened, since the wave was reflected upward, and the hull did not experience its direct impact.
- The galleon was armed with up to 30 guns of caliber from 3-pounders (6 cm) to 50-pounders (19 cm) and a significant number (up to 100) portable blunderbusses for firing through loopholes from the gallery of the aft superstructure and the upper floors of the bow superstructure. It was on the galleon that the guns were first installed both above and below the main deck, which led to the appearance of battery (cannon) decks, the guns stood on the sides and fired through the ports. As a result, cargo transportation facilities were significantly reduced. The displacement of the largest Spanish galleons reached 1,000 tons or more, length 50 meters (37 meters at the keel), width 12 meters. There were 50-80 guns on two battery decks. Over time, the size and armament of the galleons grew.
In the image, you can see the initial interface prototypes for interacting with the weapon mounting system.
