Cosmic Factions: Coloring Coat Names

Colour-coding names for cosmic factions is a creative way to visually distinguish different groups in a science fiction setting. In video games like Starfield and Starsector, players and developers have designed logos, symbols, and patches for various factions within the game. These visual identifiers often incorporate specific colours to represent different factions, adding a layer of immersion and helping players quickly identify allies and enemies.

In the case of Starfield, players have designed logos and symbols for their own personal headcanon factions, such as the COalition of Spacefarers for Mutual Independence and Cooperation (COSMIC). This faction, for example, might be represented by a specific colour or combination of colours to distinguish it from others.

Modifying faction colours and names can be achieved by editing specific game files, as in the case of Total War: Three Kingdoms, where players can change colours and names by accessing the faction_descr_sm or descr_sm_factions files in the game's data folder.

In other cases, such as the Cosmic Craft Creative Guide, colour codes are provided to players to format chat messages, nicknames, and advertisements with specific colours and formatting. This adds a layer of customisation and expression to the game experience.

Overall, colour-coating names for cosmic factions is a fun and practical way to enhance the visual experience of a game or story, providing a clear and immediate way to distinguish between different groups.

Using colour codes to format names

To start, let's define the different colours that will be used and the formatting options available. Colour codes typically offer a limited set of colours, such as 16 colours as mentioned in one source. These colours can include options like red, blue, green, yellow, purple, and more. In addition to the colours, there are also formatting options, such as bold, italics, and possibly underline.

Now, let's assign colours and formatting to the different cosmic factions. For example, let's say there are four main factions: the Space Explorers, the Intergalactic Traders, the Alien Warriors, and the Space Pirates. We could assign the following colour codes to their names:

• Space Explorers: Blue text with bold formatting to represent their adventurous and courageous nature.
• Intergalactic Traders: Green text with italics to signify their focus on commerce and negotiation.
• Alien Warriors: Red text with bold formatting to emphasise their aggressive and combative nature.
• Space Pirates: Purple text with a combination of bold and italics to represent their unique and mischievous identity.

By using these colour codes, each faction's name will immediately stand out and convey a sense of their characteristics. The colour blue for the Space Explorers might evoke a sense of calm and exploration, while the bold formatting adds a sense of strength and determination. Similarly, the green colour for the Intergalactic Traders could represent growth, harmony, and their connection to nature, with italics adding a subtle emphasis.

The colour codes provide a visual shorthand for players to quickly identify and differentiate between the factions. It adds an extra layer of immersion and helps players associate certain colours and formats with specific factions, making the gameplay experience more engaging and memorable.

In addition to the faction names, colour codes can also be applied to other aspects of the game or forum, such as chat messages, advertisements, or even specific items or abilities unique to each faction. This further reinforces the visual identity of each group and enhances the overall user experience.

The 1.13 update and its impact on colour codes

The 1.13 update introduced new commands that allowed for magical colour-shifting. This meant that colour codes could be used in tandem with formatting codes to add colours and modifications to in-game text.

In Minecraft, text can be formatted using the section sign (§) followed by a character. A § symbol followed by a hex digit tells the client to switch colours while displaying text. In the Bedrock Edition, the § symbol can be used in any text input, while in the Java Edition, it may be used in server.properties, pack.mcmeta, language files, world titles, and server names.

The 1.13 update also reworked the whole system for obfuscated text, which now cycles through all characters that can be written in the game, no matter what kind of character is being obfuscated. This update also introduced new colour-shifting capabilities, allowing for creative uses of colour codes, such as a colour-coordinated health system for armour-wearing entities.

However, the 1.13 update also had some negative impacts on colour codes. Coloured signs stopped working due to the update, and the Minecoin Gold (§g) colour code no longer displays on PlayStation, appearing as default or transparent.

How to change the colour of opposing faction names

To change the colour of opposing faction names, you will need to access the relevant files that control the colour and formatting codes. This will allow you to modify the faction colours and names to your desired preferences.

For example, in the case of the "War Within" game, players have expressed interest in changing the bright orange colour of opposing faction names in the open world, which has been the default since 7.2. While some players suggest that this colour indicates that these factions are unfriendly and attackable, others find it too striking and prefer a more subtle shade.

To address this, one player suggests accessing the "cvar list updated for 7.2" file to make changes to the colour code. Another player confirms that accessing this file will enable them to modify the colour, as demonstrated by their successful change to a deep blue for the Kingdom of Karia faction in the "Total War" game.

Therefore, to change the colour of opposing faction names, follow these steps:

• Locate the relevant files, such as "faction_descr_sm" or "descr_sm_factions" in the EB data folder.
• Open these files and look for the colour codes or formatting sections.
• Modify the colour codes to your desired shade, using hexadecimal colour coding if necessary.
• Save your changes and observe the updated faction colours in the game.

Remember to use the correct file paths and folder locations to ensure your changes take effect.

Using hexadecimal colour coding to modify faction colours

To modify faction colours and names, you will need to know hexadecimal colour coding. This involves using a simple hex editor, such as HEdit, Be.HexEditor or Notepad++ with its Hex Editor plugin.

Once you have the tools, you can begin by creating a map in either SH or SHC. Once your project is saved, open it in the Hex editor:

File > Open > browse to the destination of your map

You will then see a string of numbers. These dictate the colour change, for example, "01" means blue, "02" means red, "03" means orange, and so on. To change the colour, simply change the number to the corresponding colour code. For example, to change the colour to purple, you would change "01" to "05".

This method can be used to change the colour of your faction as well as your enemies. For example, if you wanted to change the colour of the snake faction from yellow to blue, you would change "04" to "01".

In addition to hex editors, colour codes can also be used in chat, nicknames and advertisements by using the ampersand (&) symbol.

Examples of colour codes for different factions

When it comes to colour codes for different factions in a cosmic setting, there are a few approaches you can take. Here are some examples:

Colour Coding by Ideology or Affiliation

In a role-playing space game like Starfield, players may encounter various factions with differing ideologies. One example is the "COalition of Spacefarers for Mutual Independence and Cooperation" (COSMIC), which embraces secular humanism and anarchism/democratic confederalism. To distinguish this faction from others, you could assign colours that reflect these values—perhaps a combination of black and gold to symbolise the balance between independence and cooperation.

Colour Coding for Readability and Distinction

In a game like Total War, modifying faction colours can be a matter of personal preference or for better readability on the strategic map. For instance, a player might change the colour of the Kingdom of Karia to a beautiful deep blue. This change can make their faction stand out more or align with their preferred aesthetic.

Colour Coding for Enemy Identification

In games or virtual environments with opposing factions, colour coding can be used to quickly identify enemies. For instance, in World of Warcraft, enemy factions are typically identified by bright orange or red/orange names. However, some players may prefer a more subtle colour, like yellow, to indicate neutrality until a faction becomes hostile.

Colour Coding for Narrative or Thematic Purposes

In a game like Starfield, where players explore diverse ideologies, colour coding can be used to reinforce the narrative. For example, the United Colonies, with their militaristic leanings, might be associated with shades of grey, reflecting a decline into fascism. On the other hand, a faction striving for independence and exploration, like COSMIC, might use a multicoloured palette to represent their desire to break free from the constraints of traditional factions.

Colour Coding for Functionality or Hierarchy

In some cases, colour coding can be used to denote hierarchy or specific functions within a faction. For instance, in World of Warcraft, colours can indicate class, with blue for Rare Quality and red for Legendary Quality. This type of colour coding helps players quickly identify the rank or role of other players or NPCs.

These examples demonstrate how colour codes can be employed to differentiate factions in a cosmic setting, enhancing both the visual appeal and the gameplay experience.

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