Humanizing Capital Ships

Hi Keen Team and fellow Space Engineers!

I wanted to share a concept for Space Engineers 2 that I believe could solve two of the biggest immersion and gameplay challenges from the first game: lifeless capital ships and the boring "brick" meta-building style.

Instead of forcing players to rely only on cold AI programming blocks or complex projector/welder setups, Keen should introduce hirable NPC crews (Engineers, Pilots, and Security) as a highly rewarding, optional alternative to pure automation.

Here is how this system would work and why it would revolutionize the game:

1. The Death of "Flying Bricks" (Forcing Interior Design)In SE1, the most efficient way to build a warship was making a solid metal "brick" filled with heavy armor, with no corridors or rooms, because empty space was considered wasted space.

• The Solution: If we choose to use NPC Engineers to repair damaged blocks, we must design ships with real, accessible engine rooms, maintenance shafts, and functional corridors.
• Ships would finally feel like real naval vessels (like The Expanse or Battlestar Galactica), where interior layout directly affects how fast your crew can respond to a hull breach or a damaged Jump Drive.

2. Active Damage Control & Security (High Stakes Combat)Instead of placing automatic welders everywhere, you would manage your crew during a battle:

• Real-time Repairs: Assign NPC engineers to specific sectors. During a fight, you can watch them run through the corridors with tools and components, actively welding damaged thrusters while red alarms flash.
• Security & Border Patrols: Equipping NPCs with rifles to patrol your ship's corridors would prevent easy enemy boardings.
• Emotional & Visual Weight (VRAGE3 Ragdolls): Imagine the drama of piloting your ship, hearing an explosion, and seeing on the cameras that a missile breached the corridor—killing several of your crew members and leaving their bodies floating due to decompression. Losing a ship would no longer just cost Iron and Silicon; it would cost the lives of a crew you spent hours recruiting.

3. Choice & Balancing (Why this wouldn't ruin the classic gameplay)This system is designed to complement existing automation, not replace it:

• Completely Optional: If you prefer pure automation and programming, you can still use standard AI blocks and projector/welder setups. NPCs would just be an alternative playstyle for those wanting a more immersive, crew-operated experience.
• Riesgo vs. Recompensa: Los bloques de IA no requieren oxígeno, comida ni salarios, lo que los hace más baratos y seguros. Los PNJ, por otro lado, costarían créditos y podrían morir en combate, pero podrían repararse más rápido, repeler intrusos o realizar patrullas defensivas de forma más dinámica. ¡Tú decides el coste de tu logística!

4. Reputación de facción con valor realActualmente, la reputación de facción solo ofrece pequeños descuentos comerciales. Con este sistema:

• Para acceder a sus trabajadores NPC de alto nivel (pilotos de combate de élite o ingenieros maestros), necesitarías mantener una buena reputación con determinadas facciones industriales o militares.
• La guerra tendría un coste económico real. Habría que pagar los salarios de la tripulación, lo que haría que la paz y la diplomacia fueran una opción mucho más viable y estratégica.

5. Logística autónomaGracias al avanzado sistema de búsqueda de rutas de VRAGE3, los PNJ podrían pilotar pequeños cazas de defensa para patrullar alrededor de tu base planetaria y decidir dinámicamente regresar, alinearse y acoplarse a un conector por sí solos cuando se queden sin hidrógeno, para luego reanudar la patrulla una vez reabastecidos de combustible.

Por qué esto es técnicamente viable ahora: Con el nuevo motor VRAGE3, la optimización de entidades y la búsqueda de rutas están a años luz de SE1. Procesar el movimiento de la tripulación dentro de cuadrículas móviles finalmente es posible.

Esta función transformaría Space Engineers 2 de un simple simulador de construcción de bloques en un auténtico generador de epopeyas de ciencia ficción . I hope something of this likes you <3