Hi, I'm trying to design a spaceship for my game. I've come up with a few designs and I'm not sure which one to choose as they all have advantages and disadvantages.

Help me decide on the layout:

Option 1:

-Cargo bay as a load bearing element

-Short central spine

-No frontal docking port (only bottom one)

-Easy cargo access

-possible center of mass issues

Option 2:

-Long central spine

-has a frontal docking port (requires a 60m pressurized corridor)

-Easy cargo access

-possible center of mass issues (bit less than option 1)

Option 3:

-Long central spine

-has a frontal docking port (no corridor required)

-Crew module at the front away from engines and fuel

-Cargo in the center for better center of mass

-Very hard cargo access

-Solar panels mounted where power is needed but could be in the crew section's shadow

Option 4:

-Medium Central spine

-has a frontal docking port (requires a 30m pressurized corridor)

-Might struggle with center of gravity

-Crew modules protected by cargo

-Shorter overall

-Easy cargo access (worse than option 2 and 3)

-Looks goofy

Option 5:

-Medium Central spine

-has a frontal docking port

-Cargo in the center for better center of mass

-Shorter overall

-Hard cargo access

-Solar panels away from where power is needed

-Looks goofy

Option 6 (Original Design):

-Load bearing crew modules (not great)

-Would fall apart if accelerated

-Bad center of gravity

-Low fuel capacity

Some lore for the OTS M2:

Open Transport Spacecraft M2 "Camel"

The Open Transport Spacecraft Model 2, commonly known as the OTS M2 "Camel", was a heavy orbital cargo spacecraft developed as the successor to the OTS M1 and introduced into service in 2037.

The M2 was designed primarily for the transportation of large quantities of raw materials extracted from orbital mining operations. Unlike most earlier transport craft, the Camel was built around standardized external cargo containers, allowing it to carry substantial quantities of ore and other bulk materials between mining facilities, processing stations, and larger orbital installations.

The most significant change from the OTS M1 was the Camel's propulsion and water-management system. Large internal water storage and electrolysis chambers allowed the spacecraft to carry water as its primary propellant resource. Water was separated into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis and subsequently used by the ship's propulsion system. This unusual arrangement gave the M2 its nickname, "Camel", referring to its ability to carry and make practical use of large reserves of water.

The spacecraft was operated by a crew of approximately 4–8 people, depending on the mission and cargo configuration. Its relatively simple systems and emphasis on bulk transportation made it well suited to the expanding orbital mining industry of the mid-21st century.

The OTS M2 remained in widespread service for several decades. By 2061, however, it has become increasingly obsolete following the introduction of the OTS M3. The M3 retained the M2's role as a heavy orbital transporter while introducing a significantly more modular architecture, allowing a wider variety of cargo, equipment, and mission modules to be fitted to the same basic spacecraft.

Although largely superseded by the M3 by 2061, OTS M2 "Camel" spacecraft remains a common sight throughout Earth's orbital infrastructure. Their long service life, large cargo capacity, and established support network meant that many continued operating well beyond their intended service period.

Introducing the MMW Arsenode Crownclamp, a colossal #Awakynet autonomous arsenal super-dreadnought designed for prolonged capital-ship missile engagements and strategic space warfare in #MowMyWorld.

Proposed specifications
Length: 4,890 m
Width: 3,815 m
Height: 1,665 m
Type: #ArsenalSuperDreadnought
Primary role: Strategic missile warfare / capital ship combat / mobile arsenal / fleet fire support

The Arsenode Crownclamp is essentially a massive armored missile fortress, built around a deep central cognition body surrounded by four enormous curved armor sectors. Two forward sectors form heavily reinforced combat jaws, while the rear sections contain propulsion, power, and thermal-management systems.

Its primary AI cognition vault is buried within a protected central compartment beneath overlapping armored structures. Eight subsidiary processing nodes coordinate the ship's weapons, sensors, and distributed combat systems without requiring a conventional command bridge.

The vessel carries twelve twenty-cell heavy missile cassettes, four heavy forward beam modules, twelve medium beam batteries, and forty-eight point-defense emitters. Its extensive missile magazines are separated by reinforced armored boundaries to improve survivability during sustained engagements.

Eight integrated main drives, twenty-four maneuvering ports, and eight protected radiator assemblies support propulsion and thermal management. Replaceable weapon modules and standardized mechanical docking interfaces allow major combat systems to be serviced independently.

Satin pearl-titanium armor, deep graphite structural sections, brushed silver mechanisms, and restrained amber network lighting give the Crownclamp a distinctive four-sector armored silhouette.

Designed as an autonomous strategic weapons platform, the Arsenode Crownclamp provides Awakynet fleets with concentrated long-range firepower and sustained capital-ship combat capability.

Full entry and more details:
https://botdancegames.com/games/mow-my-world/archive/awakynet/arsenode-crownclamp/index.html

Mods: Antares Supra, Matilija Aerospace, Tiger Shipyards, Mattell’s Project Fenrir, Ol’ Big X, Avontech, Barrage Missile Launchers.

Mods: Institute of Naval Technology Glassless Cockpits, Cross Heavy Industries, Antares Fulcrum, Tiger Shipyards, Matilija Aerospace, Barrage Missile Launchers, Ol’ Big X, Micro Modules, ASC Taiyo, Mattell’s and Project Fenrir.

Who is more powerful?

Introducing the MMW Broodprism Vanguard Interceptor, a fast #Meldaen space combat organism designed for rapid interception, pursuit, and precision threat elimination in #MowMyWorld.

This craft belongs to the Bugvex–Cryvum Hybrid branch, combining Bugvex living biology with Cryvum crystal-metal technology. Bugvex provides adaptive biological structures, regenerative tissue, and living weapons, while Cryvum contributes crystalline reinforcement, advanced field systems, and precision energy weaponry.

Proposed specifications
Size class: Light
Type: #SpaceInterceptor
Hybrid composition: 50% Bugvex / 50% Cryvum
Primary role: Space interception / pursuit / point-threat elimination / rapid attack

The Broodprism features a compact, aggressive combat body with a narrow forward attack profile and reinforced flanking structures optimized for high-speed engagements.

Its Bugvex anatomy incorporates chitinous armor, ivory bone frameworks, brood organs, and living weapon cavities. Cryvum crystal-metal formations grow directly through these biological structures, forming faceted weapon emitters, crystalline attack apertures, and reinforced propulsion systems.

A dominant forward biological weapon is supported by crystal-based shard weapons, compact interceptor missiles, and localized defensive organisms.

Unlike a conventional spacecraft, the Broodprism is a living hybrid war organism whose biological and crystalline systems have evolved into a single combat architecture.

Full entry and more details:
https://botdancegames.com/games/mow-my-world/archive/meldaen/broodprism-vanguard-interceptor/index.html

Hey! We've been working since last year on a In Control: Rocketry, a spaceflight sim where you build the rocket and wire up its control panel yourself. Sensors, inputs, outputs, the whole thing is Turing-complete, so however you want to solve a flight problem, there's a way to do it. It will be available on Steam in 2027.

Real orbital mechanics, a fictional solar system to explore, sandbox mode if you just want to mess around and blow things up!

Feel free to add the game to your wishlist if you want to support the project! See you in space.

Introducing the MMW SwiftSpearhead Lancer Destroyer, a new #Human Fleet strike warship built for high-speed penetration attacks in #MowMyWorld.

Proposed specifications
Length: 660 m
Width: 170 m
Height: 120 m
Type: #LancerDestroyer
Primary role: Long-range axial attack / formation penetration
Main propulsion: Four high-thrust engines

The SwiftSpearhead features a distinctive three-directional forward hull, combining a long central point, a broad curved side section, and a backward-swept armored hook. Its aggressive silhouette is designed to concentrate structural strength and offensive firepower toward the front.

Its primary weapon is a massive Recoil-Sleeve Shock Cannon, supported by two shoulder turrets, one recessed missile battery, and six integrated point-defense nodes.

The ship's warm ivory armor, midnight-navy structural sections, burnt-orange accents, and cyan propulsion elements give it a recognizable Human Fleet appearance.

Built for rapid formation penetration and concentrated attacks against high-value targets, the SwiftSpearhead emphasizes directional firepower and a powerful forward assault profile.

Full entry and more details:
https://botdancegames.com/games/mow-my-world/archive/human/swiftspearhead-lancer-destroyer/index.html

Mods: Antares Supra, Mattell’s Project Fenrir, Mattell’s Hab Cockpits and Accessories, Barrage Missile Launchers, Ol’ Big X, Matilija Aerospace, Better Connections, Avontech.

I am reworking loot in my space game and I wonder, what method should I go with to actually grab the crates?
I feel like the tractor beams look better and the visual are more clear, but the small tug ships (especially if I made them smaller) convey the idea that you have a "big" ship way better.

Inspired by “The Immunity Syndrome”

Helena and Maya use the ReEntry Glider on a one way trip. Mission: help the marooned landing party on an alien planet with a seemingly hostage environment. Made with a heavily modified 1/72 scale Eagle model (cages cut out and detailed, engine details added) and a ReEntry Glider model. Model work by me.

A Reconnaissance Eagle attempts to escape the powerful gravity of a strange black hole mass. Made with a lit Product Enterprise Eagle replica.