After looking at the possibilities people have suggested, I couldn't help but wonder; what about adding different forms of both air and liquids that can be found on a planet? Firstly, the air from the surface could play an important role as to when, and how one can explore a planet. And while many planets would contain breathable air, other planets would contain deadly-to-breathe gas (Carbon-Dioxide, gaseous sulfur, ect). Players would then need their own air supply to properly explore the surface, or at least good terraforming skills. Along with the larger scale of planet-wide air, there could also be varying types found in different levels / caverns. For example, Oxygen could lower in supply the further down you go, or certain caves could contail a lethal gas that spills out then mined into. Secondly, the player would be faced with another hazardous task; liquids. While temperature would play important factors in the safety of liquid, certain types would be very dangerous to the player, poisoning or even "melting" them (Lava would obviously be a liquid, and a people-melter, but some would actually dissolve flesh.) Only protective gear could block certain types of liquid. These possibilities could not only open up new environments or items to survive in them, but it could open up the possibility of making air or liquid specific NPCs / Creatures / Foliage. All of this would, in turn, make the game more challenging, as one would need to plan for certain explorations, and even make special conditions for transporting different species. EDIT 1: (Submitted by TheoTheDriller) EDIT 2: (Submitted by WoodleDude) Let me know what you guys think about this, I'm curious as to what else could go along with this.
We could have a version of the ideas discussed here: http://community.playstarbound.com/index.php?threads/procedurally-created-materials.928/ to be applied in the air as well! Also, air pressure. As heavier the air and higher the column of hit above you, more weight is put in your body, and so you get slower and pressure goes higher. Some gas can be inflammable, and so it woud be a VERY bad idea to use something as a laser or flamethrower in it... low-temperature gas would result in freezing, and so interesting effects as it gets hotter and so expands. Salty air can result in mechanical problems as the salt would start corroding metals... and obviously, why not SOLID GASES! So you can walk in it same as Super Mario
I never thought of that for some reason, but that's a really good idea! I'll add in mention of the other thread details later, and for now I'll add the other things.
I think I heard something about various planets having different gravity values. So it should be a given to have stuff like this as well. Though it may be hard to implement... But I like it, I approve of this suggestion!
You know, this reminded me of a planet I once imagined up. Basically, imagine a whole planet made of extremely flammable surface materials that was just a little too close to it's sun to be safe from ignition, and the only thing keeping it from igniting was a planet-wide super storm that was actually caused by the proximity with the sun. And then the storm was sentient, and... Anyway, the point is that if an atmosphere is thick enough, it should restrict the amount of light the surface is getting. And some other gases may magnify the effects of light, making it brighter. Then there's magnetic gas, that interferes with common instruments such as compasses and whatnot, hurricane-style winds which might occasionally sweep parts of a planet, or even the entire thing eternally (making for some interesting landscapes), and ice rain, hail, fog, all the normal weather.
