Jacobs Ladder: A SkyTest journal
Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2014 16:34
Jacobs Ladder: A SkyTest journal
I finally upgraded my linux system to xubuntu 14.04 and could start trying out some of the minetest mods and games that wouldn't work on my old system. So, one of the first things I did was go looking for a floating island game. Paramat and HeroOfTheWinds both had floating island stuff out there, I happened to find SkyTest first, so I loaded it up and started a game.
After one game where I flew around a bit just to get an idea of what the world looked like, I started a new skytest game with the determination that I would not use the helicopter, or fly privilege. For the entire game I would have to build bridges to any and every island I wanted to explore. From ground level, to as high as I can get. This is my journal of the fantastic things I've seen and done during that game. I didn't think about taking screenshots when I started the game, so I went back later to capture images of those early explorations, and that means you will be able to see bridges I built later in the process in the pictures.
I started the game with skytest 0.1, generating a map using the indev method. HeroOfTheWinds recommends singlenode, and I would probably use that if I started over. But indev worked very well. I added my bridgetool mod, because I knew I was going to be building a lot of bridges, compassgps so I could keep track of where I was, and explorertools all, just because I like being able to place a torch on a right click while I'm holding a pick. But other than that, this is straight skytest. (Skytest 0.2 includes the bridgetool mod)
I spawned at ground level, and stayed there just long enough to gather enough earth and stone so that I could climb up to a local high point and build a stairway to a floating island that I could just barely make out above me.
Link to all images from this post
I had to go up about 250 nodes to reach my first floating island. But it was well worth the climb!
You will note that these island from SkyTest 0.1 are not just beautiful, but simply awe inspiring.
They are a bit flat though. Meaning that there isn't room for deep caves or high mountains on these island.
That changes, DRASTICALLY, when I switch to SkyTest version 0.2 later. So, as awesome as these floating islands look in these images. They get, in my opinion, far better in the newer version.
I numbered the islands as I built stairways and bridges too them. The below view is of island 001 in the distance as I climb up to a higher island. You can see the small I house I built on 001 to use as my base of operations. Thats where I have put my chests storing all of the stuff that gets to be too much to carry as I am exploring.
And below is yet another incredible view of several floating islands at once.
It's hard to describe how absolutely awe inspiring the views are when you are peaking over, under, and through floating islands. You can see the clouds drifting by far below, and see where islands cast shadows on each other. When moving downhill you have to be very careful, because what looks like a solid slope could conceal holes that will drop you through into the vast nothingness below.
Occasionally you find caves and holes that you can peer through and find wonderful views to other floating islands. It seems like every corner you turn you see another site that leaves you slack jawed with wonder.
BUT, thats more than enough pictures for my first post. I'll show you fire biomes and some fascinating views through an island cave next time...
I finally upgraded my linux system to xubuntu 14.04 and could start trying out some of the minetest mods and games that wouldn't work on my old system. So, one of the first things I did was go looking for a floating island game. Paramat and HeroOfTheWinds both had floating island stuff out there, I happened to find SkyTest first, so I loaded it up and started a game.
After one game where I flew around a bit just to get an idea of what the world looked like, I started a new skytest game with the determination that I would not use the helicopter, or fly privilege. For the entire game I would have to build bridges to any and every island I wanted to explore. From ground level, to as high as I can get. This is my journal of the fantastic things I've seen and done during that game. I didn't think about taking screenshots when I started the game, so I went back later to capture images of those early explorations, and that means you will be able to see bridges I built later in the process in the pictures.
I started the game with skytest 0.1, generating a map using the indev method. HeroOfTheWinds recommends singlenode, and I would probably use that if I started over. But indev worked very well. I added my bridgetool mod, because I knew I was going to be building a lot of bridges, compassgps so I could keep track of where I was, and explorertools all, just because I like being able to place a torch on a right click while I'm holding a pick. But other than that, this is straight skytest. (Skytest 0.2 includes the bridgetool mod)
I spawned at ground level, and stayed there just long enough to gather enough earth and stone so that I could climb up to a local high point and build a stairway to a floating island that I could just barely make out above me.
Link to all images from this post
I had to go up about 250 nodes to reach my first floating island. But it was well worth the climb!
You will note that these island from SkyTest 0.1 are not just beautiful, but simply awe inspiring.
They are a bit flat though. Meaning that there isn't room for deep caves or high mountains on these island.
That changes, DRASTICALLY, when I switch to SkyTest version 0.2 later. So, as awesome as these floating islands look in these images. They get, in my opinion, far better in the newer version.
I numbered the islands as I built stairways and bridges too them. The below view is of island 001 in the distance as I climb up to a higher island. You can see the small I house I built on 001 to use as my base of operations. Thats where I have put my chests storing all of the stuff that gets to be too much to carry as I am exploring.
And below is yet another incredible view of several floating islands at once.
It's hard to describe how absolutely awe inspiring the views are when you are peaking over, under, and through floating islands. You can see the clouds drifting by far below, and see where islands cast shadows on each other. When moving downhill you have to be very careful, because what looks like a solid slope could conceal holes that will drop you through into the vast nothingness below.
Occasionally you find caves and holes that you can peer through and find wonderful views to other floating islands. It seems like every corner you turn you see another site that leaves you slack jawed with wonder.
BUT, thats more than enough pictures for my first post. I'll show you fire biomes and some fascinating views through an island cave next time...