Warp Tunnel Effect Update

[Tyberious 2]

I have been hard at work improving visuals and the Warp Tunnel was up!  Here is the current state.  Hope you like!

[hellscoop 0]

Nice

[Tyberious 2]

I did a bit more work and threw in an unlit bridge so you can see the reflections.

 

 

[Dicefailure 1]

I have a design related question, so far as intention, and the lore of how things work.

When in 'warp' ...a very kind sci-fi generic term which can be anything really..   how does that work as you mean it for this game..

Of the options below, what do you envision it closest to?
1. Straight up FTL travel, straight line, through real space, just at some kind of light exceeding velocity with pretty effects.
2. Is it along the lines of an alternate 'space' for which, crossing effectively shortens the distance (like say, hyperspace in games like starcontrol2) by leaving real space, into this new dimension, traveling in a straight line to an exit point, back into realspace.
3. Or is it some kind of wormhole/tunnel that crosses folding space to get from one point to another near instantly when compared to the time light, or any other direct line of travel could achieve.
4. And of course.. based on scale.. it could even just be a fancy 'envelope' of distorted space that lets a ship accelerate/decelerate rapidly to fractions of the speed of light (or more) but without the effects of G-Forces killing everyone involved (kinda like Quantum Travel in StarCitizen...though they don't call it an 'envelope, yet should' )

The reason I ask, is knowing the details of how your travel will be handled from point to point, and in what modes, would also make for some other creative options, visually, beyond the expected 'tunnel' effect we generally see.

I'd love to see, rather than a tunnel for 'straight line fast travel' ...a kind of lensing effect, with the ship at its center, and the banding fields outside of the ship, bending exterior light during travel..along with the transitioning effect as you go from stationary (or regular relative speeds) to some high speed for crossing distances.  Kind of like your ship in a envelope/bubble, that isn't affected by the Gforces that would be associated with acceleration/deceleration. Visually, it would distort, distend stars/planets around you, and have them slide over the 'surface' of the bubble/fields, shifting and changing colors and directions as you transition into and out of the effect. but aside from color shift due to speed, would largely use 'normal' visual imagery. 

Then for system to system travel, a wormhole/tunnel like effect, initiated by say (visually) creating a micro singularity, of which you stretch down, and into...once in, you get a bit of the twisty tunnel effect, followed by hitting 'folds in space' where the visual is akin to approaching oddly shaped mirrors, and 'folding through' different dimensions.   Some of the gameplay/challenge might even be, gauging which 'refraction/reflection' of your ship is the correct one to merge with, to get to your destination.. almost a combination of 3D tunnel surfing, mixed with interfacing against 2d 'folds/mirrors'..  It could engage both reflexes/piloting skills, color/image identification, and even strategy, as leaving the 'fold/worm hole' early or late, might change your exit point. And where the first travel method, would use more of the real visual imagery, but warped...  this visual experience could be much more ....mmm. moody, kaliadeoscopic, trippy, bits of surreal, mixed with stark imagery thrown in.. almost a mixture of both what is real, and what is in the mind, as you're dimensional folding/tunneling/traveling across vast gaps between star systems. Lots of room for the creator to introduce either visually stunning, or more mood based creepiness (if appropriate).

  Just brain storming and tossing out thoughts for consumption.