Okay so I've been reading some info off of B5tech.com
I'd like some feedback from the gang here. I've been thinking of breaking the weapons and drive systems research down and making them not so linear.
So you're researching technology theories based on the B5 world.
i.e.
Resarching:
Plasma
Ion
Gravametric (possibly opened up via researching advanced Ion tech)
The breakdown which might be a problem is that while plasma based weapons remain heavily in use the plasma drives are obsolete once Ion is researched.
My vague attempt at at Synopsis (from just a couple nights of research, so might be flawed.):
Plasma Theory Technology:
Plasma theory technology is the easiest to research. The drives of this line are the most basic being bulky and not very efficient. Weaponry is also on the more basic end, however, the pulse based weapons will breed some life back into the plasma research.
Drives:
Plasma - Hydrogen Drives
Plasma - Deuterium Drives
Plasma Weapons:
Plasma cannons (light, med, heavy)
Pulse cannons (light, med, heavy)
Ion Theory Technology:
Ion theory technology is much more efficent and more costly to research. The drives are the next stage in evolution. The weapons are varied from lasers, beams and repeating energy based guns. The particle accelerated research unlocks a more advanced Ion technology path for drives and split tree on weapons. Ion particle accelleration is the current state at which Earth Alliance and most of the younger races have acheived.
Drives:
Ion - 1
Ion - 2
Ion - 3
Ion Particle Accelerated Drives
Ion Accelerated - 1
Ion Accelerated - 2
Ion Accelerated - 3
Ion Based Weapons:
Ion Laser (light, med, heavy)
Neutron Particle Beam (light, med, heavy)
Particle guns (light, med, heavy)
Gravametric Theory technology:
The highest (and most costly) level of technology in drives and weapon theories. Gravametric drives seemed to evolve from grav/ion hybrid combinations. example of the ISA white star, Menbari, Centauri and allegedly the EA's omega advanced. With pure Zero Point Field drives being perfected by the Vorlon and Shadows. Quantum weapons being used by Vorlon and Shadows and Gravametric Slicers being the favored heavy weapon of the Menbari.
Drives:
Gravametric / Ion - Hybrid Theory
Ion Grav - 1
Ion Grav - 2
Ion Grav - 3
Ion Grav - 4
Ion Grav - 5
Pure Gravametric / Zero Point Field Drives
ZPF - 1
ZPF - 2
ZPF - 3
Gravametric Based Weapons:
Quantum Gravatic Dishcharge cannon (light, med, heavy)
Gravametric Slicer
I'm not sure how the end result will structure out as it's a work in progress. The goal is to give the player a less linear and hopefully more realistic feeling path of research. However, some consideration must be made for the AI and end result might be that I have to just restring the existing tech path to keep the AI from half ass researching.
