Yeah! You're Nailed, Pal!

Here's another look at the status of Privateer Ascii Sector. This is the first time we've seen the cockpit in a while, and there have been some improvements. The most obvious item is the communications window. When players need to send a message to another ship, this box appears and voice commands are chosen with the number keys. Incoming transmissions will appear at the bottom of the screen. Planetary landings have also been adjusted to take advantage of the comm VDU, and this will allow pilots to fly over or around a base without getting sucked in by the automatic landing system.

I was originally planning to work on turrets next, but I think I'll make a basic AI, since I need the computer controlled ships be able to shoot guns and fire missiles for some of the communication (like the taunting "Yeah, you're nailed pal!" when you're hit by enemy fire).

While working on communication, I changed the procedure for landing on planets and bases. Originally, you just had to fly into the planet or base and you'd land. Now you can fly across a planet or base (and fire guns and missiles across it), so that it in a sense it is in the background. When you get close enough, you get the "Entering automatic landing zone" message and can then send a "Requesting automatic landing" message to them. Just like when jumping, your ship will be immobile and beyond your control for a short moment before it lands on the planet/base.