System Relationships
This document maps how MOONSTALKERS: ONLINE's systems interconnect. Understanding these relationships is essential for maintaining design coherence.
Core Loop Diagram
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ VESSEL (SAFE) │
│ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐ ┌──────────────┐ │
│ │ Clone Bay│ │ Workshop │ │ Command │ │ Storage │ │
│ │ (Save) │ │ (Craft) │ │ Deck │ │ (Permanent) │ │
│ └────┬─────┘ └────┬─────┘ └────┬─────┘ └──────┬───────┘ │
│ │ │ │ │ │
└───────┼─────────────┼─────────────┼───────────────┼────────────┘
│ │ │ │
│ respawn │ gear up │ planning │ extracted
│ │ │ │ resources
▼ │ │ ▲
┌───────────────────────┴─────────────┴───────────────┴────────────┐
│ │
│ DROP POD (One-Way) │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────┘
│
▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ SURFACE (DANGEROUS) │
│ │
│ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ │
│ │ Gather │────────▶│ Survive │────────▶│ Decide │ │
│ │ Resources │ │ Floods │ │ Stay/Go? │ │
│ └─────────────┘ └──────┬──────┘ └──────┬──────┘ │
│ ▲ │ │ │
│ │ ▼ │ │
│ │ ┌─────────────┐ │ │
│ │ │ Underground │ │ │
│ └─────────────────│ Hatches │◀───────────────┘ │
│ (continue) │ (Temporary │ (shelter) │
│ │ Safety) │ │
│ └─────────────┘ │
│ │
└───────────────────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────┘
│
┌───────────────────┼───────────────────┐
│ │ │
▼ ▼ ▼
┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
│ EXTRACT │ │ DEATH │ │ STAY MORE │
│ (Telepad + │ │ (Lose all │ │ (Risk grows)│
│ Fee) │ │ progress) │ │ │
└──────┬──────┘ └──────┬──────┘ └──────┬──────┘
│ │ │
│ │ │
▼ ▼ │
Progress Saved Respawn in │
Return to Vessel Clone Bay │
│
└──────▶ (loop back)
Resource Flow
SURFACE VESSEL
──────── ──────
┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐
│ Scavenged │──────extraction──────▶│ Stored │
│ Resources │ (fee paid) │ Resources │
└─────────────┘ └──────┬──────┘
│
┌──────┴──────┐
│ │
▼ ▼
┌──────────┐ ┌──────────┐
│ Crafting │ │ Upgrades │
│ Gear │ │ Vessel │
└────┬─────┘ └──────────┘
│
▼
┌──────────┐
│ Loadout │──────drop──────▶ SURFACE
│ Gear │
└──────────┘
LOSS CONDITIONS:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Death on Surface = Lose ALL unsaved inventory │
│ Failed Telepad = Lose ALL (rare, degraded pads only) │
│ Clone Degradation = Cumulative penalty from deaths │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Progression Paths
┌───────────────────┐
│ NEW MOONSTALKER │
│ (Corp Employee) │
└─────────┬─────────┘
│
┌──────────────┴──────────────┐
│ │
▼ ▼
┌──────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────┐
│ CORPORATIST │ │ FREE STALKER │
│ PATH │ │ PATH │
└────────┬─────────┘ └────────┬─────────┘
│ │
┌─────────────┼─────────────┐ ┌──────────┼──────────┐
│ │ │ │ │ │
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
┌────────┐ ┌─────────┐ ┌───────┐ ┌───────┐ ┌────────┐ ┌────────┐
│Contract│ │ Premium │ │Higher │ │Drifter│ │Network │ │Indep. │
│ Tiers │ │ Pads │ │ Fees │ │Contact│ │ Access │ │Extract.│
└────────┘ └─────────┘ └───────┘ └───────┘ └────────┘ └────────┘
│ │ │ │ │ │
│ │ │ │ │ │
▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ │
│ BLACK SITES / ENDGAME │
│ │
│ ┌──────────────────────────────────────────┐ │
│ │ Requires: Advanced Gear + Resources │ │
│ │ Vessel Upgrades │ │
│ │ Often: Group Coordination │ │
│ └──────────────────────────────────────────┘ │
│ │
│ REVEALS: True nature of the Cataclysm │
│ What Selenite Corp is hiding │
│ Something still alive in the wreckage... │
│ │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
State Transitions
Player Progress States
| State | Location | Inventory | If You Die | If You Logout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Just Dropped | Surface | Loadout gear (from vessel) | Lose it all, respawn from last save | Character vulnerable on surface |
| Gathering | Surface | Loadout + gathered loot | Lose everything, respawn from last save | Character vulnerable on surface |
| Sheltered | Underground Hatch | Still holding everything | Still lose it if you die later | Character vulnerable (can't safe logout) |
| Extracted | Vessel | Everything secured | Respawn from THIS point with gear intact | Safe — progress is saved |
System Dependencies
What Affects What
- Tidal Cycles Impact:
-
- Surface accessibility (zones underwater or exposed)
- Telepad availability (tidal interference disables extraction)
- Hatch necessity (must shelter during floods)
- Session pacing (natural time pressure)
- Extraction Fee Scales With:
-
- Mass being transported (gear + resources)
- Distance to vessel's current orbit
- Network congestion (server-wide extraction activity)
- Pad condition (damaged pads charge more)
- Clone Degradation Caused By:
-
- Frequent deaths (cumulative)
- Potentially: failed teleportation attempts
- Potentially: extended time since last extraction
- Vessel Upgrades Enable:
-
- Better clone recovery (reduced degradation)
- Advanced crafting (better surface gear)
- Improved sensors (better surface intel)
- Larger cargo (more resources per run)