The Ur-Quan Masters Discussion Forum

The hyperspace map we see in the game, how large part of the galaxy do you think it represents? How many of that map size areas fit inside the milky way?

Interestingly enough, there may simply not be an answer to that question. Canonically the Hyperspace map doesn't necessarily have any topological relationship with TrueSpace (much like QuasiSpace portals), the original starmap tells us that traditional astronomical designations were 'assigned at random'.

Well this is kind if important because if that map is only a small part of the galaxy then based on the current species density there should by like 40 other races or 3 star control story lines at once with different groups of species.

I prefer to think that the size of the galaxy is large enough for the Kohr-Ah and Kzer-za to play their conquest and genocide routines for 20000 years, but defining an exact size really doesn't matter for me. It could be sphere or disc shaped, as it definitely has a core, though I don't think that means a gravitational center and therefore I'd use the term "galaxy" very loosely.

For now it seems we are doing alright as p6014 is mainly concerning the Lurg which reside in a more localized section of the galaxy at this point in time. Perhaps there are other races and other threats, but leaving them out could perhaps make even more sequels and mysteries. The galaxy definitely has a core and it definitely has finite boundaries. The Nnngn could have developed in a small Megellenic cloud galaxies away from us, or in the super dense part of the galaxy. With our current knowledge though dark matter is spread pretty consistently throughout the galaxy which would explain the consistent rotation, and the Nnngn being composed of a combination of normal and dark matter would have had to develop in some place where dark matter had a higher density. You'd think that the center of the galaxy would contain a higher density, and it does to some extent, but a large component of normal matter density is the electro-magnetic force which dark matter lacks.

I still want to know how the captain found the Mark II. :D And one or two other things (http://wiki.uqm.stack.nl/Mysteries_left_by_Star_Control_II)... but starting back at first contact doesn't seem like a bad idea either.

There are 300 billion stars in the milky way. There are 1000 stars on the starmap.

So, 300 million such regions, roughly speaking. Perhaps regions near the core don't have coherent hyperspace, in which case as little as 50 million, depending how close it gets nasty.

This is, of course, assuming that every star within the playable area of the game is on the map and visible.

Good point. The distribution of star types is massively skewed towards heavier stars.

That's an interesting observation.  It implies that mass and gravitational fields have something to do with where one can (more easily) penetrate the dimensional fabric between TrueSpace and HyperSpace.  I like that.  I think somewhere in the back of my mind I always took that for granted, but it's nice to know there's some kind of support for the idea in the game.

This could be why the orz took out the androsynth so easily. Their group of stars is a huge constellation.

No doubt.  If we combine the idea that gravity weakens interdimensional barriers with the known fact that the Androsynth were researching "dimensional fatigue," it seems likely that they chose this constellation to inhabit for this very property.