right now our only method of gaining planets is colonizing ones we find in our scans. i propose we be able to construct planets from scratch, with each level requiring a set amount of minerals, credits, em, and ct. Much like the starbase, each level will require more resources to build, but should not be unobtainable like the current base system, as this is meant to be constructed by a single individual, instead of a 60 person legion.
construction will start a planet out as very tiny with no resources. each level will reward points, exactly like the base. however, there are different types of artificial planets predesignated during the construction process which will affect the requirements to advance the size, and the amount of resource points awarded upon each level.
there can be artificial toxics, artificial deserts, artificial terras, etc. this is so planet specific artifacts can be used on the artificial planets. however, certain types of planets will vary in price and requirements due to their average size. for example, it is much easier to create a very massive gas planet than a very massive icy. however, it is much easier to gain a very tiny megarich exotic than a very tiny megarich barren.
the difference however is that these planets can be expanded indefinitly unlike normal planets. there is no penalty for creating a new planet, except that it will occupy a planet slot. these planets will not follow the current size values, but instead will be starting as a 'Class 1' planet all the way up to infinity, so there is no naming problems. Each level the planet will gain 6 space, as normal planets do, and the resource points awarded will vary. this will allow players who want to put all their eggs in one basket to do so.
i realize that this will allow these planets to potentially be better than anything else presently in the game, including paid planets. however, that is only if the player has enough resources to get the planet up to that level. if the planet construction process follows even 1/100 of the base's resource requirement many players will not get their planets past very massive, which is as intended. other players will get their planets up to Class 20 or higher, but this will only be if they want to 'risk it all' by devoting that much time and energy to the planets construction.
On a side note, much as there is a spacial extender for the base, i was thinking we could have 'orbitals' or 'ringworlds' orbiting our planets at an added construction cost. each ringworld would provide an extra 2 space to the planet, and only one ringworld could be constructed per class size. in addition to that, ringworlds would in cost each level they could be added. i do not believe these should be GP items, but instead cost credits and minerals. for example, a class 1's orbital would cost dynite and credits. and it would obviously increase from there. Once a ringworld is added, there dosnt necessarily have to be a change to the planets avatar, but after three ringworlds are added then perhapse the planet could recieve a bump in the avatar and get some orbitals showing in the avatar. The reason i suggest this is primarily for defensive purposes, so that these planets can be cloaked and/or defended much more efficiently than natural planets, without having to sacrifice as much production.
Oh, and as an added bonus to the already amazing artificial planets capabilities, there is no rising colonization cost. only a set initiation cost to construct the planet. This will be good for higher levels who cannot afford to colonize or invade planets regularly. the true cost of these planets will result in their upgrading costs.
and i got the idea from seeing this image
