Greetings, Space Engineers!
Welcome to the very first look behind the curtain of SkyRig. We've been pouring our passion into crafting a 3D builder and science exploration game that pushes boundaries, and we can't wait to finally share it with you. This introductory post will lay out what SkyRig is all about and set the stage for your journey as a new player.
What is SkyRig?
At its core, SkyRig is a 3D builder where you construct complex, floating scientific experiments called Rigs. These Rigs are designed to operate within the dense, multi-layered atmosphere of a gas giant.
Our goal is to offer a unique building experience combined with scientific discovery and resource management within a challenging environment.
The Vision: Thorne Industrial's Ambition
You'll step into the role of a solo operator for Thorne Industrial. This company began its journey in the 1900s as a mining operation, built on an ethos of aggressively undercutting competition through infamously lax safety standards. That ambition, now centuries old, drives their deep-space expansion.
Your core objective is to establish and grow a mining outpost on this gas giant, eventually transforming it into a major intergalactic trading hub. You won't be alone, however. You'll be assisted by C.A.N.A.R.Y OS, an AI assistant specifically developed by Thorne Industrial to streamline deep-space mining operations and, quite pragmatically, reduce staffing costs. C.A.N.A.R.Y OS will help manage your contracts and guide the construction of your Orbital Hub.
Together, you and C.A.N.A.R.Y OS will expand the Orbital Hub, open new trade routes, and develop cutting-edge technologies. The long-term goal is to engineer increasingly sophisticated mining machines and ultimately tap into the planet's core to discover a powerful new super-fuel – all crucial steps for you to climb the corporate ladder within Thorne Industrial.
Your Journey: Progressing Through the Atmosphere
Let's break down the general flow of the game as you explore the gas giant.
Early Game: Getting Started
You'll begin with a small floating hub and access to the first, uppermost layer of the gas giant's atmosphere. Initial objectives will focus on setting up basic gas collection, building your first Rigs, and synthesising essential gases. Missions will guide you through these steps, helping you collect and process gases to unlock new technologies and expand your capabilities. This phase is about learning the fundamental mechanics of building and resource management in this unique environment.
Mid-Game: Scaling Up and Facing Challenges
As you progress, the mid-game involves scaling up your gas production. This means constructing more Rigs, optimising existing infrastructure, and unlocking advanced technologies. You'll gain access to the mid-atmosphere layer, where you'll find more valuable and complex gases.
However, this expansion also introduces new challenges:
Increased Complexity: Synthesising higher-tier compounds requires more intricate processes and Rig designs, demanding careful resource balancing and system upgrades.
Environmental Hazards: The mid-atmosphere presents intense storms, frequent lightning, and extreme temperatures. You'll need to develop and implement advanced protective measures like heat shielding and robust energy systems to ensure your Rigs survive.
Resource Management: Keeping your operations running efficiently without depleting energy or raw materials will require strategic planning.
This phase is about adapting your strategies to handle these growing difficulties while continuing to optimise and expand.
Late Game: Deep Exploration and Discovery
To continue your research and unlock the final technologies, you'll need to descend into the lower atmosphere. This is a high-risk endeavour, as extreme temperatures and frequent storms can easily destroy unprepared Rigs.
The ultimate goal, and what we're currently working on for the end-game conditions, is to reach and establish Rigs in the deepest atmospheric layer. Here, you'll aim to discover and synthesise a new, previously unattainable compound.
Core Gameplay: Mechanics and Areas
Let's look at the basic gameplay loops.
Player Objectives
Your main objectives in SkyRig include:
Descending: Building Rigs to explore deeper into the atmospheric layers, discovering new elements as you go.
Discovering New Compounds: Discovering and synthesising new compounds by creating more complex scientific machines.
Fueling Progress: Completing missions to earn currency which can be used to unlock technologies that provide access to more advanced parts and capabilities for your Rigs.
The Orbital Hub: Your Base of Operations
There are two primary gameplay areas: the Orbital Hub and the Planetary Atmosphere.
The Orbital Hub is your base, located at the top of the playable area. It's where you'll access the Tech Tree, Contracts, and Hub Upgrade screens.
The Planet: The Environment
Below the Orbital Hub is the gas giant's atmosphere, where most of the Rig construction and movement takes place.
The planet's atmosphere is divided into five distinct layers, each with unique properties like average temperature, pressure, and storm frequency. Understanding and adapting to these environmental conditions will be crucial for successful Rig operation.
Looking Ahead
We're working hard to make SkyRig a compelling and engaging experience. We believe its unique setting and building mechanics will offer something fresh for players.
We'll be sharing more details about specific mechanics, art assets, and overall development progress in future posts. We're eager to see the kinds of Rigs you'll create and the discoveries you'll make in the depths of the gas giant.
Keep an eye on our social media for further updates!
The SkyRig Development Team