Yeah, I agree they managed to tackle that problem pretty well, but then again, I never tried going out far up, or too far beyond the borders of space (do you get shot, or what?) But yeah, but our simple 21st century computers are simply not sophisticated enough. It also amazes me that the game runs so smooth in most situations (when there are less than 30 or so ships). One way I imagine they tackle this problem is that the active space (call it the stage) is always limited to a little more than the maximum reach of the scanner. So, trent approaches an area that contains bad guys, the computer quickly generates a bunch of bad guys to intercept Trent. However, beyond Trents scope, Universe doesn't exist, the elements I believe are created and destroyed as needed. Again...this is just an assumption, and its not like I can say it for sure

Not everything is on the same plain. I came out of the Colorado/Kepler jumphole on the Kepler side, and I was well above the jumpgate, it was weird.

actually space if 4-D. i read that in a thread identical to this one two days ago.

"You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but you cant pick your friend's nose."

Han Solo - "What an incredible new smell you've discovered [!"

Ahhhh, but think of our solar system... All the planets are (relitivly) alined on the x,y axis of the sun. I'm no physicist (can hardly spell it) but I guess it would have to do with the effects of centrifugal force of the gravitational pull of our sun... or somthing like that.

If I had a nickel for every time someone told me that my idea of building a giant robotic parrot out of melted down coins was a bad idea, I would have one kick a$$ giant robotic parrot.

On the " Trent Bubble " for what exists in memory i want to disagree a little.
I may be wrong since I've never looked into how this game was designed and/or written, but to me it would make sense that in any particular zone all information for that zone is loaded or initialized. When the Bubble crosses loc xyz the initialized objects are fully rendered. Also these objects could be reused and given new attributes ( name voice and so on) Point being It would be more efficient to pre load this stuff and render it when its needed. Other wise I think that you would see lag in some cases when ever ships appear.

Again I totally agree that they probably have this " Trent Bubble " i just like to disagree with people I guess

Hey that means Trent is a bubble boy!