HD and I have been working on the foundations for SLFM over the past month. While we don't have a playable map yet, we're slowly assembling the different parts and systems.
I've been prototyping the user interface for character inventories and ship loadouts, all done through dialogs. Players will be able to carry items, customize ship loadouts, manage ship cargo, and even access ship weapons quickly from an onscreen HUD.
Central to the map will be space ships that serve as your primary form of transport, business, and protection. We have a selection of 8 distinct ships with their descriptions and general stat balancing laid out.
We're slowly canvassing all the different models (units, structures, doodads and more) and animation effects to see what can be turned into characters, items, and objects.
Of particular note is our slowly growing list of "shout-outs": hidden references, outright insertions, and other friendly nods to our favorite cultural works and individuals of personal importance to us.