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+  ------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+	The Osirion Project - GAMEPLAY
+
+  ------------------------------------------------------------------
+
+	This document describes what the gameplay of Project::OSiRiON should
+	eventually become. This document is a work in progress and is subject
+	to change. Many features haven't been implemented yet.
+
+Overview
+
+	Project::OSiRiON is a multiplayer space game with persistent player
+	statistics. By trading goods, obtained through lawful purchase or 
+	otherwise, a player can earn the necessary credits to buy bigger
+	guns and faster ships, and explore the univers in search for better
+	trade deals.
+
+	A single player mode with a compelling story is a secondary objective
+	but the storyline serves as background for the multiplayer universe.
+
+	The player can not change the game world itself: he can not purchase 
+	planets or starbases, nor destroy existing ones.
+
+Guidelines
+
+	Project::OSiRiON is a 'serious' game. Names of objects, people and
+	places should be considered generic for the universe and should not
+	be rightout silly or offensive. Names should feel 'natural' in their
+	context.
+
+	Models for ships, space stations and other objects should be designed
+	with the same philosphy in mind. It is acceptable to make references 
+	to exisiting objects (real or fiction), as long as they are subtle
+	or inconspicuous.
+
+	Names of planets, systems and areas are usually references to exisiting
+	places on earth. Astronomical objects or mythological personae are
+	also great sources of good names.
+
+Universe
+
+	A basic description of the universe, how it is organised and who lives there.
+
+	The universe is a collection of stand-alone star systems. Each star system
+	is a small world on its own. The only direct interaction between systems
+	is a player traveling between them. The background story should provide
+	(most of the) star systems and their relations. 
+
+	The Project::OSiRiON universe is an open universe. This means players are
+	free to travel around and visit the places they want, but this does not
+	mean the player will be welcomed anywhere he goes.
+
+	Destructable objects are probably part of a mission, will respawn later or
+	have some other special meaning.
+
+	Non-player characters (NPCs) populate the universe to act as trading
+	partners or target practice.
+
+The Player
+
+	Who is the player in the universe. 
+	- Friends
+	- Enemies
+	- Background
+	- How the player interacts with the universe.
+
+	The player enters the universe as a typical out-of-luck person
+	who decided to start a new life. With a small ship he tries to become
+	the Richest Man in the Known Universe. The player earns money by shipping 
+	cargo that can be bought at discount prices at one place and sold
+	at a premium on a second location. *mining *fighting *wrecks/looting.
+
+	The goal is to become filthy rich and show it. Besides, with a particle
+	cannon and a target lock, nobody cares where your money comes from.
+
+	True roleplaying is outside the scope of the game itself. The universe 
+	(might/will) provide factions, friendly and hostile NPCS an strategic area's
+	but the game engine itself will not force true roleplaying. For example,
+	players will not be limited to certain ships and weapons depending on
+	their allegiances.
+	
+	Players can be hostile or friendly towards each other regardless
+	of their allegiances.
+
+	Flying missions, mercenary, military or mercantile in nature.
+
+Ships
+
+	The player starts the game with single small spacecraft and starts the
+	game docked at a planet or space station. When he has earned sufficient
+	money he can spend it on ship upgrades like weapons, armor, shields 
+	and various other components.
+
+	*gameplay idea
+	various 'useless' fancy upgrades that increase player status
+
+Traveling
+
+	How the traveling happens in the universe, how the player will travel.
+
+	Every ship is equipped with thrusters. The maximum thruster speed depends
+	on the ship type, small merchant vessels will have lower maximim trhuster
+	speed then a scout ship.
+
+	Ships can also be equiped with a sublight kinetic impulse drive. This drive will
+	enable the ship to accelerate to a high speed without crossing the threshold
+	at which relativistic effects would affect structural cohesion. Kinetic impulse
+	drive speed is the same for most types of ships. Due to the enormous power 
+	requirements a ship will not be a able to fire weapons while the impulse drive 
+	is enabled.
+	
+	Neither of these engines will allow the player the leave the star system.
+	Interstellar travel is only possible using a hyperdrive. A hyperdrive is an
+	expensive piece of equipment with a massive power requirement. Only very
+	large ships will be capable of carrying a hyperspace jump drive.
+
+	Interstellar travel for the common men is possible through the use
+	of commercial or government owned hyperspace gates. These gates create
+	on-demand hyperspace connections between star systems and provide a safe
+	and easy way to travel.
+
+	Hyperspace travel is almost instantanious, hyperspace jump would be a more
+	accurate term to describe it.
+
+	Current hyperspace technology works by making use of weak points in hyperspace,
+	known as hyperspace intersection faults. It takes only takes a reasonable amount
+	of energy to fold local space into such an intersection fault, to create a conduit
+	between both sides of the hyperspace intersection. All a ship has to do is enter
+	the event horizon of the hyperspace conduit (or 'jump hole', as it is commonly called)
+	to travel almost instantaniously to to other side, usualy several lightyears away.
+
+	Jump gates are built in the vicinity of stable intersection faults and thus have a fixed
+	destination.
+
+	Ships equiped with a hyperdrive work on the same principle. They seek out a sensitive
+	spot in the hyperspace field and fold local space to punch a hole through the other side.
+	This has several major consequences: a pilot has to determine has destination by finding
+	a good departure point in local space. Also, only a small number of connections between
+	systems will be possible.
+
+	Hyperspace intersection faults are large (planetary orbit scale) and while they are attracted
+	to gravity wells like a star, they do not like to share their space.
+
+	Note that is theoreticly possible to fold normal space deep enough into hyperspace to
+	create jumps holes on intergalactic scales. It would probably take a generator the size of a
+	large moon to achieve it.
+
+Capital Ships
+
+	As the player earns money, he will eventually be able to buy very large capital ships. 
+	Apart from beeing large and powerful, capship can be docked by other players and 
+	used like any other dockable planet or station.
+
+	A ship docked at the capship is able to use it as a carrier, and launch
+	when the carrier has reached its destination, or circumstances require it.
+	
+	A capship can be setup as a trading vessel, allowing smaller ships to dock
+	and buy and sell items at prices set by the owner. The capship would become
+	a moveable trading outpost.
+
+Planet and Stations
+
+	Star systems are inhabited with planets and stations.
+	...
+	Dockable planets or stations are bases
+	...
+	Some bases provide storage facilities where players
+	can put items like weapons or spare parts in storage.
+
+Objects in space
+
+Weapons
+
+	What kind of weapons are there. how do they work.
+	- Lasgun technology
+	- Pulse rifle technology
+
+Fighting
+
+	How does fighting work? Aim weapon at enemy. Pull trigger.
+
+	Fleeing from battle.
+
+Economy 
+
+	Money makes the Universe tick.
+	- Buying
+	- Selling
+	- Trading
+
+Cargo
+	- Transporting / Beaming
+	- Mining
+	- (Spare) parts
+	- Fuel 
+	- Economy
+
+Missions
+
+	I'd do anything for money, except working.
+
+	- Search and Destroy
+	- Transport / Delivery
+	- Courier missions
+
+Fleets & Wingmen (scondary goal)
+
+	About owning multiple ships and adding strategy elements.