Colonization

##Colonization Mechanics

FrEee, like Space Empires IV, has three main types of planets: Rock, Ice, and Gas (sometimes referred to as Gas Giant). In FrEee, these types are called "surfaces". Each surface requires a component with a different ability in order to be colonized. In the stock mod, these abilities are located on three separate colony module components. Installing one of these components on a design allows ships of that design to colonize a planet with the corresponding surface. The colonize order costs one movement point to execute, so you should not place colony modules on immobile vehicles such as bases.

When a ship colonizes a planet, the ship is destroyed, and all cargo on the ship is deposited onto the planet. Population deposited becomes the population of the colony, rather than going into planetary cargo (unless there is not enough room on the planet to store all the population). If the planet has ancient ruins, then the ruins' effect will take place right away. (Currently the only possible effects of ruins involve gaining new technology.)

##Future Plans

Eventually we would like to add moddable planet surfaces and atmospheres, much like Space Empires V has.

We'd also like to add ruins that have effects other than the colonizing empire gaining a technology - for instance, releasing a guardian ship, or causing a plague. Perhaps ruins could also be hidden by fog of war at times?