TL;DR
When space platforms are parked in orbit at a planet, the planet art should be visible at the bottom of the screen in the background.What ?
Planet artwork should be used in the background behind space platforms in the lower part of the screen when they are "parked" in orbit of that planet.(please forgive my very basic photo editing skills)
Ideas for what this could look like for the player:
- While the space platform is idle and waiting at a planet, that planet's art would be visible as a slice at the bottom of the screen
- As the platform leaves that planet, it would slide down off the bottom of the screen out of view.
- As the platform arrives at the next planet, it would slide up from the bottom of the screen into view.
- Bonus points: The planet graphic could rotate slowly (clockwise, let's say) according to the day/night cycle of the planet. If you have a fully lit version of the planet art (no shadows/night) and a fully night-side version, you could blend the two together at a 45 degree angle while rotating to keep shadows aligned with the platform as the planet rotates below for a nice orbit effect that maintains visual continuity.
Why ?
- The planet artwork is beautiful and this would be a fitting showcase for it.
- This feature would add readability to the location and status of space platforms, disambiguating similar ships in different locations.
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