Factorio Forums

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 ?

1. The planet artwork is beautiful and this would be a fitting showcase for it.
2. This feature would add readability to the location and status of space platforms, disambiguating similar ships in different locations.

zirbs wrote: Wed Oct 16, 2024 6:41 pmreadability to the location and status of space platforms, disambiguating similar ships in different locations

This is why I'd want it - so I don't get lost in space!

Love this !

I came here looking for this suggestion, this is awesome and would be a great addition to the game!

Glad to see others have the same idea/suggestion; Came here to post the exact same. +1 I find it weird that the only way to know where we are is to look at the top-left to see the super small planet icon instead of seeing it in the background… Even using "basic" fade-in transitions (like how Terraria changes backgrounds to match the current biome) would be great.

came here to post this too. it would be straightforward to implement and would be immersion and worldbuilding ++

Yes please, for all the reasons posted.

(Where's the upvote a feature request on this forum? )

Obviously not a priority, with all the suggestions that would help gameplay...

But I was vary surprised the didn't do this in the first place, it would really by cool!
Especially I keep failing to notice when my platform have finished it's journey...

Just wanted to refresh this thread with this totally awesome visualisation of the idea by a Reddit user adisor21:
https://www.reddit.com/r/factorio/comme ... e_planets/

Honestly this picture in itself should be an irresistible argument for this change

I really like this idea, would be nice if it was implemented

+1

Hello. How about adding a display of the planet when the platform is in its orbit? I think this would save many from accidentally dropping cargo on the wrong planet without automation.


P.S.: For some reason the image I attached won't open.
P.P.S.: I apologize for posting the topic in the wrong forum thread, unfortunately I was unable to delete it from here.

I love this idea, some sort of visual cue about the platform's current location would be excellent. I can't count the number of times I've started messing around on a platform, not realizing where it was located. Even just a little hint of colour suggesting the location would be super helpful.

+1

Was going to make this suggestion as well +1

I do like the suggestion, but for now, there's a mod for that!
https://mods.factorio.com/mod/visible-p ... discussion

happyfactorioaddict wrote: Wed Dec 18, 2024 3:34 am I do like the suggestion, but for now, there's a mod for that!
https://mods.factorio.com/mod/visible-p ... discussion

Yes, but you'll want to use it with https://mods.factorio.com/mod/sharper_planets

(there are other planet graphics mods listed on the https://mods.factorio.com/mod/visible-planets page, but the above one is definitely the best).

Yes please, it would be really nice!