Power Suit mechanics: what is and what is not possible

[Will Keaton]

What part of the morphball technology were you saying was not possible again?

The part where she converts her body matter into energy?

Shadow Complex borrows a lot of stuf from Metroid. One of the more noticable things is the Friction Dampener, AKA, the speed booster. According to Shadow Complex it works by reducing friction, though that alone wouldn't be enough to break the sound barrier. It was mentioned that Samus' legs would break if she ran at supersonic speed, this would probably be true if we assumed a 1:1 ratio of step size to distance travelled. However that doesn't neccesarily have to be the case. Anyone who's seen Shadow the Hedgehog "run" can attest that he looks like he's skating. If Sammy was moving fast enough and was just high enough off the ground that her feet created no resistance they would be used then soley to create thrust and a 1:1 step size to distance ratio is not needed.

[Dryn]

I think the more appropriate word we are looking for when Samus is in the Morph Ball mode is "energy," not "gas." It looks nothing like gas.

What part of the morphball technology were you saying was not possible again? This is as close as I could find.

That's remote controlled, and it doesn't have anyone in it, nor has anyone in that remote controlled ball turned into a ball of energy.

It was mentioned that Samus' legs would break if she ran at supersonic speed, this would probably be true if we assumed a 1:1 ratio of step size to distance travelled.

In layman terms, please?

If Sammy was moving fast enough and was just high enough off the ground that her feet created no resistance they would be used then soley to create thrust and a 1:1 step size to distance ratio is not needed.

So far, we haven't seen Samus moving like Shadow the Hedgehog when he runs, or skates. Her feet touch the ground, just like when she runs normal. And from what we have seen in the Metroid: Other M trailer, Samus isn't "skating." Also, how would this be possible?

[AuroraUnitComplex]

What part of the morphball technology were you saying was not possible again? This is as close as I could find.

That's remote controlled, and it doesn't have anyone in it, nor has anyone in that remote controlled ball turned into a ball of energy.

Well, whether it's operated from controls inside the ball or outside is kind of beside the point, since a person could also have some automatic system controls running within the unit in real time. My point was that I don't see why people think it's more believable to explain the physical technology of a ball rolling around by saying that Samus had to transform her body into a mysterious energy inside of the ball. Why would she need to transform herself into energy inside of it? The magic of her technology is that she can form an external suit out of thin air around her, not that she can shape shift her entire body into different elements like Gandrayda (unless I'm missing something important ). So unless she is this mysterious "energy" while inside of her power suit too, why does it sound reasonable that she would become that energy while inside the morphball?

Again, besides the magic of forming a suit or ball out of thin air around you, I don't see why the morphball concept of transportation is completely beyond our realm of possibility, and why people would resort to the transformed body explanation at all. Maybe a mechanical engineer could explain why it's impossible to suspend a human inside of a large ball with incredible gyroscopic motors (or some other tech) where internal power sources aren't an issue.

[Dryn]

Well, whether it's operated from controls inside the ball or outside is kind of beside the point, since a person could also have some automatic system controls running within the unit in real time.

If the Morph Ball was possible, it would have to be much larger than a meter. If it is a part of the suit, the suit probably would also be much larger. It would no longer be Samus in a Power Suit. She'd be using a Gundam. Probably a bit larger than that.

My point was that I don't see why people think it's more believable to explain the physical technology of a ball rolling around by saying that Samus had to transform her body into a mysterious energy inside of the ball.

No one is saying that's more believable. I think we all find that a bit hard to believe.

Why would she need to transform herself into energy inside of it?

She doesn't. That's just how it's shown in the Metroid Prime triology, and you can't see this in any side-scrollers. I suppose we'll have to wait and see what it looks like in Metroid: Other M.

So unless she is this mysterious "energy" while inside of her power suit too, why does it sound reasonable that she would become that energy while inside the morphball?

We know she's not some mysterious "energy" inside her Power Suit, because we've seen her remove her helmet, we've seen her face, and the X-Ray Visor shows her skeleton. If you have never done this before, use the X-Ray Visor in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption when you're in your Gunship and you get to see Samus' legs. And again, no one said it was reasonable that she becomes energy when she is in the Morph Ball mode. Did I not say that the Morph Ball is not possible? I was including the whole "transform into energy" thing.

Again, besides the magic of forming a suit or ball out of thin air around you, I don't see why the morphball concept of transportation is completely beyond our realm of possibility, and why people would resort to the transformed body explanation at all. Maybe a mechanical engineer could explain why it's impossible to suspend a human inside of a large ball with incredible gyroscopic motors (or some other tech) where internal power sources aren't an issue.

If the Morph Ball technology is possible, then the suit will have to be a lot larger, and the suit will have to reconstruct itself with the user in it. I'm beginning to wonder where the remote controls would be within the suit when Samus isn't using the Power Suit. I also wonder how she would be able to see where she's going without being able to see what's in front of her.

[Magpie]

I would LOVE a power suit!

Here's my answer to the problem of the morphball:



Right, bassically(it would have to be quite big, but only slightly bigger than her curled up tightly) the ball itself would come from her jet pack, which in actual life would need to be hunkier to hold the metal needed, but with enough time to prepare it it is possible to get into a morph ball.

It hugs her very tightly but not so much as too cause pain, it isn't a solid metal ball, is has a large slice of metal missing from the center, allowing her to see. It is held together by a very strong bar connected to each sheet of metal and a motor at either side allowing for the outer layer to spin, the inner layer is weighted at the bottom allowing Samus to stay upright and steer, albeit a little awkwardly with the metal bar.

She would sit inside it (as shown in the picture) and maneuver around, bombs could easily be dropped by simply slowing down and her releasing energy from either side of the ball which moves sharply inwards colliding and creating an explosion.

Using this to jump the energy would hit the ball, follow the curve to the underside and then explode beneath her.

she can move the motors by using a pedal or placing her gun in an outlet letting her control the speed through energy fired and how much is fired.

The boost ball can simply just be her putting her foot down.

That's all I have for now, but I'm surprised no-one thought of this before.

[Steamlord]

Right, bassically(it would have to be quite big, but only slightly bigger than her curled up tightly) the ball itself would come from her jet pack, which in actual life would need to be hunkier to hold the metal needed, but with enough time to prepare it it is possible to get into a morph ball.

I think it would be more practical for the material that comprises the Power Suit itself to simply reassemble itself into a sphere. Otherwise, where would she keep the Power Suit while in Morph Ball form?

It hugs her very tightly but not so much as too cause pain, it isn't a solid metal ball, is has a large slice of metal missing from the center, allowing her to see.

I still think an external camera would be a better solution. That way she's not exposed to the elements of whatever hostile planet she happens to be on.

It is held together by a very strong bar connected to each sheet of metal and a motor at either side allowing for the outer layer to spin, the inner layer is weighted at the bottom allowing Samus to stay upright and steer, albeit a little awkwardly with the metal bar.

I really like the idea of an inner layer that allows her to remain upright. This seems the most practical way to do it. I'm not sure about the bar, though. I think that thrusters spaced evenly throughout the inside of the outer layer would be better. They could be pointed in any direction, and only certain thrusters would be activated depending on which direction she was moving. These would give her the inertia needed to move the ball. As for how she controls its movement, I think that, as closely integrated as she is with the suit, she would be able to directly interface with it with brain waves.

Needless to say, I'm disregarding the fact that in Prime she appears to be converted into energy. That's just ridiculous.

[AuroraUnitComplex]

Yeah Steamlord, I think we have the same type of concept going on here.

It hugs her very tightly but not so much as too cause pain, it isn't a solid metal ball, is has a large slice of metal missing from the center, allowing her to see.

I still think an external camera would be a better solution. That way she's not exposed to the elements of whatever hostile planet she happens to be on.

Right, and a camera need not only give the limited view in front of her. By using panospheric camera principles and current image-processing technology, it's possible that she could see all around her while even remaining in a stationary position. If we can currently reconstruct multiple images into a spherical view (here is an old project example from back in 1999), just imagine what type of vision-processing tech Samus could get her hands on in her world.

[Magpie]

just to clear things up, she would still be wearing the power suit and the inner layer would be a complete circle with a screen in front of her so she could see, I like your idea of thrusters, so perhaps the outer layer would be a solid sphere with slots taken out so that it remains in tact but allows vision. Perhaps instead of the ball coming out of her jet pack, it was a mixture of metal stored in particular areas and her shoulder pads expanding to fit her body (as they seem pretty big when using the varia suit anyway). The only reason why I am resisting the idea of a camera, is as she rolls around it would most likely get crushed.

I know my design seems limited, but I'm trying to create it from the view of someone actually trying to make it. That way it will be more realistic and possible, however much it stems the flow of unique possibilities from a design of this power suit.

I'll try to make another design of the morph ball later, this time I'll hand draw and scan it, as this will make it clearer and allow for more detail.

Actually I'll start right now, until my stuff arrives I haven't got much to do.

[Steamlord]

Yeah, the camera might not work too well. Someone suggested sonar earlier, and that certainly seems like a possibility. It could still use a screen on the inside, and Samus would see everything ultrasound-style, a bit like the X-Ray Visor, I would guess.

[AuroraUnitComplex]

You mean the echo visor? While it sounds like a more simple design, I would have to question its practical efficiency. I can't imagine having to navigate through labyrinth tunnels with only that type of vision. I mean, why have a display screen inside the vehicle if that's all that she could see? Why not just have all types of vision modes while in morphball form? Either way, whether it's cameras or various sensors, they would have to be protected so that they aren't crushed or damaged as the morphball rolls, so I've got to imagine that both would be located just underneath/behind the surface of the ball. Kind of like the ceiling security cameras inside of a spherical glass.

To develop a real-life prototype, Magpie is right that it would be a whole lot easier if we ditched all of the fancy tech and just put a nice screen window. The concept vehicle of the future maybe?

[-ChozoChild-]

I would LOVE a power suit!

Here's my answer to the problem of the morphball:

For some weird reason, I think that idea would be awesome for a theme park ride. xD

Back on topic. In prime morfball seems to have some sort or energy inside the two halves of the ball.
Like you showed in the right drawing, so Samus isn't shown. Maybe she's the energy?
You have to wonder what stuff is in her Chozo blood.

[Steamlord]

Well, it's pretty much been decided that Samus converting herself into energy is ridiculous, so we're going by 2D Metroid games for this as opposed to Prime. Or so I understand.

And yeah, that would be pretty fun to ride in, if it was a little bigger.

[Dryn]

Well, it's pretty much been decided that Samus converting herself into energy is ridiculous, so we're going by 2D Metroid games for this as opposed to Prime. Or so I understand.

And yeah, that would be pretty fun to ride in, if it was a little bigger.

Is that more ridiculous the suit reconstructing itself into a ball? Is it more ridiculous than energy beams firing out of Samus' Arm Cannon, or the fact that her Arm Cannon is holding 255 Missiles, even though that's impossible? Is it as ridiculous as running at supersonic speeds, or stepping into lava or acid without taking any damage? The whole Metroid Universe is ridiculous.

By the way, the Morph Ball size is much smaller in the side-scrollers. I prefer the ridiculous ball of energy.

[Steamlord]

Is that more ridiculous the suit reconstructing itself into a ball?

If the suit is made of many small plates of metal/whatever material, it could be rearranged into a spherical shape. How it would do that so quickly, and on its own, is a bit more difficult. Some sort of magnetic setup, maybe.

Is it more ridiculous than energy beams firing out of Samus' Arm Cannon...

In the future, it may be possible, since it's being worked on even now.

...or the fact that her Arm Cannon is holding 255 Missiles, even though that's impossible?

The metal might be stored in sheets in the arm cannon, and quickly constructed into a missile when Samus needs one.

Is it as ridiculous as running at supersonic speeds...

The skating theory proposed earlier sounds plausible. This isn't about how things would work exactly as they appear in the games, but how they could work in real life. At least, that's how I understand it.

...or stepping into lava or acid without taking any damage?

Not sure about that one... At some point we may discover an element or compound that can resist lava.

By the way, the Morph Ball size is much smaller in the side-scrollers. I prefer the ridiculous ball of energy.

Once again, this thread is about how things would work in real life. So a real life morph ball wouldn't be that small or convert the user into energy.

The whole Metroid Universe is ridiculous.

Then what are you doing in this thread?

[Outlaw]

Now now children.

This is why I don't like threads like these that try to explain game mechanics in real life.

So far what we know through the Prime Morph Ball, is on the inside its blue enery identical to the morph ball bomb. In the 2nd games it is just the morph ball you can see all angles of the morph ball just the side. Since it is 2-D more than likely it wouldn't go into that much detail to show the blue energy into the morph ball anyways.

I say let the Morph ball be. Let it be a mystery.