How to Forge Constellations

Since I released Star Durf, I had always envisioned a standalone game built upon the foundations it set. The process of making such a game is much slower than making a 30 day jam entry, let me tell you. I have designed and redesigned the game multiple times over the past few years. Each time making it better. Each time polishing the thing that makes it special, but still not quite getting it right. Well, recently I felt something click into place. Some missing puzzle piece was found and now the game is almost ready to be released for everyone to playtest. Almost! Not quite yet! Still a few things to iron out. But soon!

Until then, here is a simple, little procedure for how I make constellations (my name for star sectors) for the game.

For this you will need a piece of paper, a pen or pencil, and a large amount of d6s.

Step One: Drop & Draw Points

First, determine how dense you want your constellation and drop that many d6s on your piece of paper. 

• Sparse: +-5d6
• Moderate +-8d6
• Dense +-12d6

Mark where each d6 landed, taking note of their rolled result. Disregard any that didn't land on the paper.

If you would like your constellation to conform to a certain shape, you can first define the border by drawing a large shape on the page. Disregarded any dice that do not land within this shape.

Mark where each point is in vertical space, based on their rolled results, with a long T shape or an inverted T shape. Points can be above, below, or on the galactic plane. This will be relevant later.

Next, roll 1d20 for each point to determine what it is, and draw them as indicated.

For each star system, the value of the roll also determines the star's classification. 

There is much more to the type of star, what orbits each star, and what all these cosmic phenomena are or do, but that is a topic for another time.

Step Two: Draw Connections

Now we need to connect everything together. 

First, choose a star or interstellar station to be the constellation's hub. Connect all other stars and stations to the hub with a solid line, unless that line would intersect another object. These lines represent the most travelled, or primary, jump routes.

This is where the verticality comes in. Connections might be able to go above or below objects that would otherwise block them.  

Next, connect each star or station to its nearest neighbouring star or station with a dotted line. These lines represent the secondary jump routes. There is never a route through a void or border.

And that's that. You now have a basic constellation, ready to explore.

Here's another I made. 

And another.

In the standalone release, you will be able to jump to any location in your constellation. Each connection will say how far locations are in lightyears, which determines how much hyperfuel is needed for a jump. Hubs are also important, as they have the only ways of reaching other constellations, besides wormholes.

That's all for now. 

See you amongst the stars!

Or Bluesky, if thats your thing.