Presenting: Caaraz
- Rimarath - 16 January 2002 -
[Version 1.0: First writeup.]
[Note: This analysis is based on the SWG dev team's planet selection criteria documented in a post on the dev board.]
- Does the planet have diverse terrain?
Extremely. Since the planet is phase-locked, one side is in permanent daylight and very hot; one side is in permanent night (illuminated by moons) and very cold; and there is a narrow habitable region at the terminator between night and day. Also, the two extreme hemispheres are volcanically active.
- Is there enough to do on the planet?
Yes. There is an ongoing civil war between Imperial-supported and modernized city-dwelling Ranth (the dominant native race) and the animal-like wild Ranth who inhabit the night side of the planet, and there is an Imperial eleton gas mining operation. The Rebels have considered smuggling weapons to the wild Ranth to help them fight the Imperial colonists.
- Does the planet have a unique personality?
Yes, due largely to the incredibly unusual climate. If weather affects gameplay, this planet will be even more unique for players.
- Is there room for expansion?
Yes. Although, I can't really picture any planet where the answer for this would be no =).
- Is the planet accessible?
Yes, although nicely remote. The Ranth have become integrated into the galactic community, and the Empire regularly ships eleton gas out of Caaraz. The planet was apparently discovered in a routine probe for Rebel bases.
- Is there reference material for the planet?
A little. Everything I've found seems to come from 'Galaxy Guide 12: Aliens - Enemies and Allies,' whatever that is.
- Has the planet appeared in one of the films?
No.
- Can we reuse assets created for the planet?
Yes. Assets created for polar and desert regions of other planets would be shared with the night and day sides of Caaraz, and the terminator area would reuse assets for other temperate areas. Ranth have been known to occasionally wander out of the sector, although this is unusual; they would provide a rare NPC sighting on other planets.
- Are there creatures on the planet?
The Ranth are an intelligent mammalian race native to the planet, humanoid carnivores with bluish fur, flat muzzles, and sharp teeth. Cool! Few other creatures survive in the harsh environments on Caaraz, but there are enough other animals to provide the Ranth with food, and the temperate terminator region would support a wide variety of life.
- Are there NPCs on or connected to the planet?
Not any famous ones.
- Does the planet have compelling points of interest?
Each of the three major areas -- the narrow terminator and the day and night sides of the planet -- would be very unusual and compelling. Also, the large amount of tectonic activity would create interesting sites such as large volcanos, etc.
- Does the planet have cities?
Most likely small outposts of Imperial gas mining colonists and similarly small civilized Ranth communities.
- Is the planet free of continuity restrictions?
Yes.
- Does the planet have any historical context?
In this timeframe especially, yes. It is a source of a key resource for the Empire and as a result is eyed for Rebel activity and intervention.
- Is it technologically feasible to build the planet?
Yes, although it seems likely that technology could limit how cool the volcanos and other tectonic action would be.
- Does the planet have interesting factional implications?
Yes. Rebels would definitely be interested in smuggling arms and other supplies to the resistance, and the Imperials would be interested in maintaining their eleton supply.
- Does the planet fill one of the criteria that I listed under the overall rules above?
Yes:
- Does it offer some new experience you can�t find anywhere else?
Very much so.
- Does it have an environment unique to that planet?
Very much so.
- Does it have a unique resource?
Yes. Caaraz is an important source of the valuable eleton gas, used in weapon fuel cells.
- Is the planet cool?
I think it's extremely cool, myself.
- (Bonus Question) Does the planet have a good marketing blurb?
'Smuggle supplies to the resistance, or defend valuable mining colonies!'
Rim
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