Actually idea of that feature was quite unexpected even for us : ) We didn't thought about planet because it was impossible in 2D, but since the game going to be full 3D, we just thought "Hey, we want to add planets now! That is not too hard, but add so many new possibilities and makes visual so much better!" And indeed, new possibilities is great!
So here is some frequently asked and potential questions about upcoming features and what we are planing to do with planets:

Environment

How landing from space to planet will be implemented? Seamless transition?

Not a seamless transition, it will be similar with jump to another system. The ships approach a planet and appears above planet surface in different location.

Dynamic time of day?

Yes, full day \ night cycle

Dynamic weather?

Yes, including rain and snow

Points of interest on the surface to explore and gather useful resources?

Yes

How large size of ground surface? Possibility of trip around the world?

No, it is not possible. Each surface location it is quite small area on the planet with boundaries, similar with such areas in space.

More locations and biomes?

Yes, there will be several more different landscapes and biomes

Grass and trees on the surface?

No, we want to design it as barren landscapes which looks more Sci-Fi place and also good for optimization. Also, it emphasize that planets is not suitable for camping with camp fire and such "Nature" stuff.

Landscapes is handmade or generated procedurally?

Each landscape is handmade but using a tool for procedural generation. It is technically possible to generate it procedurally but this process is too long for real time, but faster methods provides not the best result.

Physics

As there a gravity on planets?

Yes, on teaser trailer you can see that ships falls on the ground during combat

How ships keep its altitude in air?

At this moment, anti-gravitation drive which built-in command module. Everything not attached to command module will fall on the ground. That is not a bad solution, because this is quite common concept in many Sci-Fi movies and games where huge ships keeps itself in the air without any visible engines below it. However, most likely later we will add AI which will keep ship in air using 4 engines on the sides.

When atmospheric engines will be added - it will consume huge amount of fuel, isn't it?

We will solve it with simple solution, there will be a special engines which consume much less fuel (maybe only energy) but works only on planets.

Retractable landing gear and landing?

Yes, with proper animation.

Ground vehicles with wheels?

We would like to implement wheels but turned out it is technically complex task, so no wheels at this moment, but probably we will implement that as soon as we will figure out how to do that. However, most likely we will implement hover drive and mech legs, but not sure yet, additional research is required.

Seas and possibility of naval ships?

Requires some additional research but most likely yes. Probably even with submarines.

Aerodynamic with wings and planes?

No, we don't want to implement that in Celestial Command, it is quite hard to implement properly and small size of region will restrict a freedom, also we just want to focus on large spaceships such as frigates cruisers, carriers which supposed to be massive, slow and epic, mostly located horizontally with possibility to change its altitude up and down. Wings for such ships just does not suit its concept. However downward pointed engines will allow to build VTOL vehicles such as helicopters. Also, when drones will be implemented, there will be "drones" which actually pre-made planes with wings which will be fast and agile, but its physics will be very simplified so basically no, there will not be aerodynamic flight model based on realistic wings.

Possibility to exit a ship and directly control a human?

No, the game should be only about building and control of vehicles. But layer it will be possible to deploy small ground vehicles from the landed ships in order to explore areas which is not accessible for large spaceship.

Possibility to build bases on planet surface?

Yes, the same constructions as ships or stations can be located on the ground and it can be considered as a ground base. It should be physically stable, if not, we will implement a possibility to "lock" it on the ground.

Mining of resources from planet surface?

Yes, but only limited amount from rare specific points to prevent balance issue and avoid "source of infinite resources"

When it will be released?

First version of planets with some features planned to be released in Preview build within 1-2 weeks.

[ 2020-07-05 16:33:57 CET ] [ Original post ]