Latest revision as of 10:33, 19 March 2026

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Interaction

Interaction is a gameplay mechanic in Starship Simulator revolving around the player's actions and their effects on the game environment. It occurs on multiple levels, including physical object placement and the actions of non-player characters. Interaction can primarily be performed by either clicking on objects or pressing the interaction key.

Overview

Most interaction mechanics are divided into two methods: default and options. The former is done instantly whilst the latter allows more options, including advanced actions.

The default action is mapped to the Left Mouse Button. This performs the basic interaction with the target object, such as its intended purpose. For example, the basic action with a chair would be to sit in it, whilst the action with a prop would be to pick it up.

Advanced options is mapped to the F key and offers more complicated options, such as communication options like orders and emotes. Different options are offered for different objects. For example, pressing it on the helm station will bring up a menu suggesting whether to take place there or summon an NPC to man the station, whilst interacting with the officer will bring up a menu offering command options and the ability to dismiss them.

Types of Interaction

Technology

Most interaction with technology is done with the default action. Most forms will prove the player with an interface that can be used to control the device. This often takes the form of a control panel with multiple options. Panels come with buttons which interacts with the ship and alters the system. For example, a Fusion Reactor Controls controls a ship's Fusion Reactor and pressing buttons to activate the Vacuum Pump and change the reactor operational mode. Buttons that can be press are highlighted in blue, whilst those which cannot or are in operation are highlighted in grey.

Panels are interacted with by pressing the Left Mouse Button whilst the cursor is over a pressable button. This operates a control associated with the button, such as activating a light, opening a valve or activating a device's function. If the player wishes to keep their view, they can hold the E key to freely move the cursor without altering their view. This will allow them to press controls without altering their view of the console.

Props

For more information, see: Props

Interaction with props is currently limited. The player can pick them up by holding the Left Mouse Button and move them around as by looking around the environment. Their distance from the player can be altered by moving the Scroll Wheel either forwards or backwards. Props can be rotated by pressing the Q key, with moving the mouse changing the rotation of the prop. A prop can also be throw by holding them and pressing the Right Mouse Button. Their functions are currently not implemented, with future updates likely to add different interactions to each prop.

Non-Playable Characters

For more information, see: NPC Gameplay and Command (gameplay)

Interaction with a non-playable character is currently limited to orders. After pressing the F whilst the cursor looks at an NPC, a menu is displayed of different interactions the player can give to the character. Depending on their department and station, these orders can vary depending on the function: for example, a pilot operating the Helm can be ordered to fly to a selected target whilst a sensors specialist can perform surveys on a selected object. NPCs can currently be either summoned or dismissed whilst hovering over a station. At times, orders also work from stations and devices such as the Holo-Display.

Development

Object interaction has been a major part of development in Starship Simulator. Device and prop interaction have been in place during the 0.223 dev build cycle. During original cycles, Left Mouse Click was used to interact with technology and pick up props. Meanwhile, F was used only to take seat in chairs and bridge stations.

In dev build 0.225.0.109, interaction with bridge stations and NPCs were added, with actions mapped to the latter button. This added further options, such as summoning NPCs in specific stations and issuing orders to NPCs. In the upcoming dev build 0.227.0.8, interaction with NPCs is set to change to a menu.

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 This is an example of a [https://www.mediawiki.org/wiki/Project:Sandbox Sandbox]. This page can be used to write out drafts for new pages or used to experiment with new templates and features. It uses templates from the wiki, but does not override or conflict with wiki content.
-=Sensors Specialist=
+=Interaction=
-A '''sensors specialist''' is a [[bridge]]-based role aboard a [[starship]]. The role places the officer in charge of the [[Sensors Station]], using them to display and perform surveys on star systems and astronomical objects. In the [[UNSF]], sensors specialists hold the rank of crewmember and are members of the [[Science|science department]].
+'''Interaction''' is a gameplay mechanic in ''[[Starship Simulator]]'' revolving around the player's actions and their effects on the game environment. It occurs on multiple levels, including physical object placement and the actions of [[NPC Gameplay|non-player characters]]. Interaction can primarily be performed by either clicking on objects or pressing the interaction key.
-==Responsibilities==
+==Overview==
-The sensors specialist is primarily placed on the [[Sensors Station]] on the Bridge. Through it, they are primarily placed in charge of displaying nearby star systems and highlighting celestial bodies of interest. Whilst most duties relate to the ship's missions, they are also expected to look for [[Life and Tech Signatures]] and, in future updates, sources of ship supplies.
+Most interaction mechanics are divided into two methods: default and options. The former is done instantly whilst the latter allows more options, including advanced actions.
-If a [[Star System|star or planetary system]] is under investigation, the sensors specialist is expected to perform surveys on astronomical objects, including [[planet]]s and [[star]]. They are also expected to show the sensor input to help with decisions regarding ship missions and for ship management duties like refuelling. The sensors specialist may also be in charge of highlighting potential threats such as asteroid fields or black holes.
+The default action is mapped to the <code>Left Mouse Button</code>. This performs the basic interaction with the target object, such as its intended purpose. For example, the basic action with a [[chair]] would be to sit in it, whilst the action with a prop would be to pick it up.
-==Primary Location and Access Level==
+Advanced options is mapped to the <code>F</code> key and offers more complicated options, such as communication options like [[command (gameplay)|orders]] and emotes. Different options are offered for different objects. For example, pressing it on the [[helm]] station will bring up a menu suggesting whether to take place there or summon an NPC to man the station, whilst interacting with the [[Pilot|officer]] will bring up a menu offering command options and the ability to dismiss them.
-On a [[Magellan Class]] starship, sensors specialists are placed primarily in the [[Sensors Station]] aboard the [[Bridge]] to fulfil their duties on the bridge. As such, they are expected to have limited access to [[A Deck]]. As a member of the science department, they will likely have access to [[C Deck]] to report to the Chief Science Officer or other personnel in their department. The officer is also expected to have access to facilities and quarters on [[D Deck|D]] and [[E Deck]].
-==Key Interactions==
+==Types of Interaction==
-===Personnel===
+===Technology===
-A sensors specialist is expected to answer to an officer of the watch, whether it be the [[captain]], [[executive officer]] or officer of the watch. They are expected to follower [[Command (gameplay)|orders]] from the officer regarding tasks or duties. They are expected to highlight celestial objects of importance to the officer to inform decision making with the ship. However, they can also direct coordinates to the [[Helm]] officer to investigate the area.
+Most interaction with technology is done with the default action. Most forms will prove the player with an interface that can be used to control the device. This often takes the form of a control panel with multiple options. Panels come with buttons which interacts with the ship and alters the system. For example, a [[Fusion Reactor Controls]] controls a ship's [[Fusion Reactor]] and pressing buttons to activate the [[Vacuum Pump]] and change the reactor operational mode. Buttons that can be press are highlighted in blue, whilst those which cannot or are in operation are highlighted in grey.
-===Stations and Devices===
+Panels are interacted with by pressing the <code>Left Mouse Button</code> whilst the cursor is over a pressable button. This operates a control associated with the button, such as activating a light, opening a valve or activating a device's function. If the player wishes to keep their view, they can hold the <code>E</code> key to freely move the cursor without altering their view. This will allow them to press controls without altering their view of the console.
-A sensors specialist is currently only expected to interact with the Sensors Station on the Bridge, where many of their duties will be based. They primarily will be expected to use it to send information and data to either the [[Holo-Display]] or Helm station.
-==Gameplay Focus==
+===Props===
-Playing as a Sensors Specialist involves
+:''For more information, see: [[Props]]''
-*Use the sensor array to scout out star systems and sectors of local space.
+Interaction with props is currently limited. The player can pick them up by holding the <code>Left Mouse Button</code> and move them around as by looking around the environment. Their distance from the player can be altered by moving the <code>Scroll Wheel</code> either forwards or backwards. Props can be rotated by pressing the <code>Q</code> key, with moving the mouse changing the rotation of the prop. A prop can also be throw by holding them and pressing the <code>Right Mouse Button</code>. Their functions are currently not implemented, with future updates likely to add different interactions to each prop.
-*Providing the [[Helm]] station with coordinates for bodies of interest.
-*Performing surveys to gather data on [[Star System]]s and celestial bodies.
+===Non-Playable Characters===
-*Finding and reporting [[Life and Tech Signatures]] found on astronomical objects.
+:''For more information, see: [[NPC Gameplay]] and [[Command (gameplay)]]''
-*Respond to orders from either the [[Captain]] or officer of the watch.
+Interaction with a non-playable character is currently limited to orders. After pressing the <code>F</code> whilst the cursor looks at an NPC, a menu is displayed of different interactions the player can give to the character. Depending on their department and station, these orders can vary depending on the function: for example, a [[pilot]] operating the [[Helm]] can be ordered to fly to a selected target whilst a [[sensors specialist]] can perform surveys on a selected object. NPCs can currently be either summoned or dismissed whilst hovering over a station. At times, orders also work from stations and devices such as the [[Holo-Display]].
 ==Development==
-The Sensors Specialist's duties and gameplay has evolved as more functionality is added to the [[Sensors Station]]. The ability to spawn and issue orders to a sensors specialist was added during dev build 0.225.0.109 along with other bridge NPCs, though was only referred to as a '''Sensors NPC'''. The role was first named during the 2025-11-21 dev stream as part of the Magellan Crew Compliment.[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1B1dHXuHzwup_xRHQTtx3oU9G_8zD-Y0BfnTH0t7x-_c/edit?gid=0#gid=0]
+[[File:Commands Helm.jpg|thumb|300px|NPC commands prototype in dev build 0.225.0.117]]
+Object interaction has been a major part of development in ''Starship Simulator''. Device and prop interaction have been in place during the 0.223 dev build cycle. During original cycles, <code>Left Mouse Click</code> was used to interact with technology and pick up props. Meanwhile, <code>F</code> was used only to take seat in chairs and bridge stations.
-As a member of the [[science]] department, the sensors specialist is expected to have more duties and orders added to their gameplay. It is likely they will receive commands from the Chief Science Officer or requests from certain labs to perform surveys on celestial bodies.
-<!--[[Category:UNSF Roles]]-->
-----
-=Sensors (disambiguation)=
-'''[[Sensors]]''' are devices used to detect and present data.
-'''Sensors''' can also refer to:
+In dev build 0.225.0.109, interaction with bridge stations and NPCs were added, with actions mapped to the latter button. This added further options, such as summoning NPCs in specific stations and [[Command (gameplay)|issuing orders]] to NPCs. In the upcoming dev build 0.227.0.8, interaction with NPCs is set to change to a menu.
-*[[Sensors Station]] - the primary science station on a starship's [[bridge]]
+<!--[[Category:Gameplay]]
-*[[Sensors Specialist]] - the officer manning the Sensors Station
+[[Category:Interaction| ]]-->
-<!--[[Category:Disambiguation Pages]]-->