Simpler Platform Drag

Simpler Platform Drag

Adjusts the drag force on space platforms such that there is no direct dependence on width—only the ship's weight matters.

The formula is chosen carefully to match vanilla Space Age, except that each platform behaves as if its shape was a circle of the same mass.

Further details

Platform thrusters don't accelerate the ship faster and faster — there is a limit. There is a drag force on platforms, much like in air. Higher speeds bring higher drag, but the drag is also proportional to the width of the ship, like in real air, or a platform colliding with asteroids.

As of Factorio: Space Age 2.0.43, the formula for the acceleration of a platform is as follows: (thrust / (1 + weight / 10000000) - ((1500 * speed * speed + 1500 * abs(speed)) * (width * 0.5) + 10000) * sign(speed)) / weight / 60.

Where width appears in this equation, this mod replaces it with the width your platform would be if it had the same number of tiles but arranged in a circle. This means the exact shape of your platform does not matter. Wide platforms are buffed and the aerodynamic thin platforms dominant in platform race competitions are nerfed.

Some players find this more 'realistic' and it can simplify the considerations when optimizing platforms.

Credits

Thanks to Hanakocz for pointing out this could be modded.