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Artemis in a box concept

PostPosted:Mon Mar 15, 2021 4:50 pm
by Patrick Giese
Greetings all!
As we contemplate returning to the enjoyment of in-person cons and events (using all the recommended precautions naturally), I started thinking about how much fun the Artemis Simulator is and how to enhance setup and management of the experience.

Currently there are at least two setups in TRMN, and I was thinking about what it would take to develop Artemis in a box - which would be easily transportable, budget-conscious and deliver a good experience.

Throwing this out here for discussion.

Re: Artemis in a box concept

PostPosted:Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:53 pm
by William Karnesky
Kamerling has close to that.

We have a checklist for equipment that we verify at the beginning of Con season (outside con season equipment sometimes gets used since it is personal equipment and much of it doesn't belong to the ship) and have an officer or Warrant officer sign off when packing up after every con. I can produce those checklists later but here is the general gist. I strongly suggest hardwiring the networking, as it limits potential issues like network interference. Our list assumes that we can use a TV at the destination for the main screen.
  • Set up and teardown instructions
  • Main screen computer (better if it is a little more powerful as it handles all the work)
  • 5-8 inexpensive laptops or tablets (Touchscreen preferred, count depends on if you want fighters or not)
  • (Optional) Lighting system and cables (this is boxed and itemized separately)
  • Router
  • Switch if Router has less than 10 points and if wired networking
  • Network cables (Bring extra! At least 1-2 MORE than you need!)
  • Joystick for Helm, possibly more for fighters
  • Extension cords and Power Strips (Again, bring Extra!)
  • gaffer's tape (Eliminate tripping hazards!!)
  • screen safe disinfectant wipes
  • cheat sheets
  • (Optional) Separate computer and projector to display observation mode for grabbing attention

Re: Artemis in a box concept

PostPosted:Mon Mar 15, 2021 6:20 pm
by Patrick Giese
William Karnesky wrote:
Mon Mar 15, 2021 5:53 pm
Kamerling has close to that.

We have a checklist for equipment that we verify at the beginning of Con season (outside con season equipment sometimes gets used since it is personal equipment and much of it doesn't belong to the ship) and have an officer or Warrant officer sign off when packing up after every con. I can produce those checklists later but here is the general gist. I strongly suggest hardwiring the networking, as it limits potential issues like network interference. Our list assumes that we can use a TV at the destination for the main screen.
  • Set up and teardown instructions
  • Main screen computer (better if it is a little more powerful as it handles all the work)
  • 5-8 inexpensive laptops or tablets (Touchscreen preferred, count depends on if you want fighters or not)
  • (Optional) Lighting system and cables (this is boxed and itemized separately)
  • Router
  • Switch if Router has less than 10 points and if wired networking
  • Network cables (Bring extra! At least 1-2 MORE than you need!)
  • Joystick for Helm, possibly more for fighters
  • Extension cords and Power Strips (Again, bring Extra!)
  • gaffer's tape (Eliminate tripping hazards!!)
  • screen safe disinfectant wipes
  • cheat sheets
  • (Optional) Separate computer and projector to display observation mode for grabbing attention
Is the use of the router for internet connectivity or wifi? I can see setting up with a good switch to handle wired traffic.

Re: Artemis in a box concept

PostPosted:Mon Mar 15, 2021 7:01 pm
by William Karnesky
Patrick Giese wrote:
Mon Mar 15, 2021 6:20 pm
Is the use of the router for internet connectivity or wifi? I can see setting up with a good switch to handle wired traffic.
We don't connect anything to the internet while at conventions, and we ensure that all computers stay the same once con season starts (we update and test OS and software between con seasons), we use the router for DHCP.

Re: Artemis in a box concept

PostPosted:Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:23 pm
by Duane Kietzmann
What type of tablets do you use, how powerful?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk


Re: Artemis in a box concept

PostPosted:Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:44 pm
by William Karnesky
Duane Kietzmann wrote:
Mon Mar 15, 2021 8:23 pm
What type of tablets do you use, how powerful?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
For the Pcs we use old thinkpads that were surplus from (I believe) a school. The individual stations have very low requirements to run the games. Any computer within the past decade (probably within the past two or three decades) can handle being a front-end if it can install directx9.

The Main Screen computer that acts as the server does more processing and does the lights if you have them, so it's newer, but ours has an Intel core i4, and, IIRC, a mobile graphics card with 2gb of graphics RAM and it is probably still a bit on an overkill

Re: Artemis in a box concept

PostPosted:Mon Mar 15, 2021 9:18 pm
by John Neitz, Duke of Westmarch
In addition to suggestions from our experienced TRMN members here, you may find the Artemis forums have additional helpful information: https://artemis.forumchitchat.com/

In a related subject, I have recently enjoyed some online sessions of another spaceship bridge simulator called Starship Horizons. https://www.starshiphorizons.com/
I really like the look and features of this game.

Note especially the Join Us On Discord link on the Starship Horizons website. On Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons there is open play, with players communicating over a Discord voice channel. The bridge host posts a server URL, and you can play through your web browser without needing to download the game.

Have a look!

Re: Artemis in a box concept

PostPosted:Thu Mar 18, 2021 6:28 pm
by Chris Thompson, 3SL
We have done just that, and successfully taken the setups to multiple conventions over the years. We market it as "HMS Artemis Bridge Simulator" and it's a staple at our local major convention, Convergence.

It currently consists of TWO fully immersive setups, as well as several fighters. The fully immersive setups include DMX controlled lighting, custom designed and made controls, and walls and screens. One setup has even custom modified seats.

Both setups easily fit inside a 24" rental truck, with room to spare, and we can set it up in a couple days. We have options for more basic setups, in case we don't have enough volunteers, or the convention Is smaller and we don't have space for all the equipment.
Hopefully I can post a bunch if photos to show whet we've got, I will have to host them someplace before I can get to that, so please stand by!

Re: Artemis in a box concept

PostPosted:Fri Mar 19, 2021 12:51 am
by Patrick Giese
Chris Thompson, 3SL wrote:
Thu Mar 18, 2021 6:28 pm
We have done just that, and successfully taken the setups to multiple conventions over the years. We market it as "HMS Artemis Bridge Simulator" and it's a staple at our local major convention, Convergence.

It currently consists of TWO fully immersive setups, as well as several fighters. The fully immersive setups include DMX controlled lighting, custom designed and made controls, and walls and screens. One setup has even custom modified seats.

Both setups easily fit inside a 24" rental truck, with room to spare, and we can set it up in a couple days. We have options for more basic setups, in case we don't have enough volunteers, or the convention Is smaller and we don't have space for all the equipment.
Hopefully I can post a bunch if photos to show whet we've got, I will have to host them someplace before I can get to that, so please stand by!
It was precisely this set-up concept I was looking to build upon for folks here in 6th Fleet/Texas Oklahoma, for gaming/Marksmanship/general fun.

Re: Artemis in a box concept

PostPosted:Fri Mar 19, 2021 6:17 am
by Chris Thompson, 3SL
If you want, I can inventory what we have, and see if my source has more of the inexpensive pc's.

I'll get some photos on a hosting site so I can share them here.