Guide for Beginners

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Welcome to the guide for beginners to SS13 or Paradise station!

Congratulations on your employment by Nanotrasen! This guide will help you through starting your career. Space Station 13 is a multiplayer roleplaying game developed using the BYOND engine. In Space Station 13 (from here on to be referred to as SS13), players take the role/job of workers on board a space station. For a more advanced explanation of the lore please checkout the backstory on nanotrasen.

Please be aware that Paradise Station is a medium roleplaying server. Should you be new to roleplay, consult the roleplay guide. Should you still have questions, ask them on the forums at http://nanotrasen.se/phpbb3/

The Server Rules

Yes, there are rules but while you might think this is a bad thing, they help to create an enjoyable atmosphere for players and punish those who like to release the singularity onto the station every shift. They are actually quite relaxed, for example most things that are breaking space law will be handled by the stations security team. Please take a moment to read the rules it is also recommended that you read Space Law and Standard Operating Procedure

Joining the Server

Assuming you haven't already joined the server before, there are a few steps you will need to do:

1. Download the BYOND client from [1]. You'll need it to run the game
2. Register for a BYOND account here.
3. Add this server to your bookmarks, or just manually using the BYOND client. byond://nanotrasen.se:6666
4. OR select our name from the "Space Station 13" list of servers, we are usually at the top.

To manually connect to the BYOND server:

1. using your client click "open" under the games category.
2. Type in the IP of the server byond://nanotrasen.se:6666
3. Click ok.

If it went well you should be connected, congratulations! You're on the server! Before you charge at the game is is recommended that you setup a character.

Character Setup

File:CharacterSetup.png

The character setup screen.

Cosmetics

Cosmetics have no actual effect on gameplay, but we recommend that you take some time to change them to your taste.

• Name: As stated in the Rules, it Is required that all characters have a believable name {restrictions can be different based on race, consult the relevant lore). You can randomize your character's name, based on gender. Generally your name should be coherent, include a Forename and a Surname, and not be a blatant joke or reference to a real life figure. I am looking at you everyone who wants to be called John Cena!
• Gender: Self-explanatory; this is purely for roleplay purposes, its either male or female.
• Age: The only cosmetic setting that is basically useless. It will only appear on in-game security and medical records and won't change your characters appearance.
• Species: You can set your species to things like human (which is the default) to others like Tajaran, Vulpkanin, Unathi and more. Although we all know the best race is Tajaran.
• Secondary Language: You will always have the language "Sol Common" which is essentially the stations English. However you can choose a second language like "Tradeband". If you choose a different species they will also have the species language.
• Blood type: Doesn't really effect anything, most people set it to O+
• Disabilities: Quite self explanatory, here you can choose different disabilities.
• Nanotrasen Relation: What is your characters relationship with the god cooperation Nanotrasen?
• Appearance Options: Change the colour of your characters hair, skin etc.

Occupations

This is quite an important option as it will allow you to change which jobs you like to play in the round. While this won't take effect after the round has started you can set preferences for jobs to be at the start of the round.

Flavour Text

Flavour text is like your description, it will be seen when people examine you in game. Try to keep it short and snappy, a paragraph at most.

Character Recirds

This will pop-up a window that will allow you to set your character Medical and Security records, and have them be able to be read in-game by Medical Doctors or Security Officers respectively.

This is mostly a fun little RP tool that can be used to help flesh out your character more. However, since it appears in-game as an official record, it should be written as such. Try to write it as you would expect from a large company like NanoTrasen.

Do not put your records in your Flavor Text. Flavor Text is meant for your physical description

There is also the "Employment Records" which can show your character's past occupation history.

Game Preferences (antagonists)

In this section you can choose to turn on and off preferences to be antagonists in the round, turning these on does not guarantee you will be an antagonist you are simply saying you would like to be one. However, as a new player you are not eligible to play as an antagonist until you have a few days on record.

The non antagonist roles listed here are:

-PAI: A Personal AI device. With this enabled, you will be able to become a Personal AI when observing the round or after death. This will never happen without you confirming it at the time, so you should leave this option on.

-Sentient Animal: This will enable you to rejoin the round as a sentient animal when dead or observing, provided Xenobiology create them.

-Positronic Brain: When dead or observing, this option will make you eligible to become a positronic brain- as with becoming a pAI, you will also have to opt-in at the time. A positronic brain can be used to create a Cyborg or Artificial Intelligence.

Saving your character

Clicking the "save slot" button will save your character to the database along with your occupation preferences and your antagonist choices.

Occupations revisited

The job preferences panel.

Your occupation is by far the most important thing you will choose on the server. It affects your station access, rank, authority, equiptment, and purpose in life. These range from civilian jobs such as Chefs or Janitors, all the way up to Head of Security or the Captain.

Job Assignment

With the exception of Assistant, all job preferences have four levels: Never, Low, Medium, and High. These change how likely the server is to assign you that job when it compares your preferences with those of the other players. You may only select a single job on 'High', but there are no limits otherwise.

Because of the diversity and range of jobs available, there are many ways to play the game. A lot of these jobs, however, require a good knowledge of the game mechanics, the layout of the station, and how to use in-game tools and machinery. Because of this, the following jobs are recommended for new players:

• Civilian: The most basic of all occupations, the civilian and its variants has no authority and, generally speaking, no responsibilities. It's an excellent opportunity to learn the game mechanics — but your access is limited, so feel free to ask other people if you can help, and they'll usually be happy to show you around their department and help you learn the ropes. It also lets you practice roleplaying, if you're still unsure about it.

• Cargo Technician A basic, yet practical job that is easy to pick up and will help you learn the majority of the game's controls. Working under the Quartermaster, you're tasked with ordering supplies and delivering them to the relevant department, to ensure the station is well-equipped.

• Quartermaster Similar to the cargo technician, yet they are in charge of the cargo technicians and the shaft miners. Requires very little knowledge and is a great job to get the hang of some command to start off with.

• Janitor: A simple, if menial, job that involves replacing lightbulbs, cleaning up messes, putting out wet floor signs, and then pointing them out to people who've slipped on the floor you just finished mopping. Your only responsibilities are to keep the station clean and well-lit, and it'll help you learn your way around the station and its various departments.

• Chef: A fairly simple job that gives you a good introduction to mixing ingredients, and there's even the possibility of cake into the bargain. Recipes are available here, to help kickstart a budding Chef's career.

• Bartender: Like the Chef, but with more alcohol. The Barman's job is primarily mixing and serving drinks to a thirsty crew. The recipes are also available here. You'd be surprised at some of the stuff you can make, so try it out!

If you're interested in other jobs, feel free to browse the Job guides. Try to avoid any Security, Engineering, or Command positions until you get a hang of the game. (Jumping into a position you're not prepared to do is a guaranteed way of making people angry at you, and possibly earning a jobban.)

Playing the game

Congratulations you have made it this far, you now have a character, a job and I am sure you're ready to jump straight into your new role! Well hold your horses cause we got a bit more talking to do.

Starting the round

The joining and setup panel.

Each round begins with a short period where people can chat and declare themselves ready for the round, this where your job preferences come in!

However, more often then not you will join half way through a round. By clicking join you can see a list of jobs currently available to the server, they might not be the best jobs but they are still jobs. You can also click "view crew manifest" to see who is onboard the station. When you spawn onto the map you will start in the arrivals shuttle, and will be introduced by the Arrivals Announcement Computer or the AI. From their you can either head over to your workplace and get started or explore a bit first. There is a page on the map if you would like to have a map of the station. Please be aware it is highly outdated.

Gameplay

The User Interface

The Space Station 13 user interface, and a view of the arrivals shuttle.

This is a general guide to the game interface; note that it won't be accurate to all UI styles, nor are all the elements shown in the image at right.

• 1. Clothing: Anything your character is wearing. Clicking the backpack icon on the bottom left will hide this menu.
• 2. Hands: The items you're holding in your hands. The hand you're currently using will be highlighted, and you can switch hands by clicking the appropriate hand or clicking 'Swap'. (Keyboard shortcut: Page-Up)
• 3. Pockets: Your jumpsuit has pockets, and anything in them is displayed here. You won't be able to use them if you're naked.
• 4. Actions:
  • Throw: Toggle throwing; you can then throw the item in your active hand by clicking something to throw it at. (Keyboard shortcut: End)
  • Drop: Immediately let go of the item you're holding. (Keyboard shortcut: Home)
  • Resist: If you are buckled, cuffed, or trapped in a locker, clicking this button activates the process of getting out.
  • Let go: This button appears if you are pulling an object or a mob(ctrl+click). (Not shown)
  • Movement Speed: This will toggle whether you run or walk. Walking is slower but safer, and you won't slip as easily.
• 5. Intent: This selects how you will interact with an object or a person when you make an action. Blue is Disarm, green is Help, yellow is Grab, and red is Harm.
• 6. Body Target: Shows which part of the body you will interact with, whether helping or harming. To change this, click on the different parts of the body.
• 7. Weapon Mode: When you use a ranged weapon, this determines whether you shoot where you click, or take targets captive and fire automatically if they make a move.
• 8. Status Icons: In the new, lighter UI styles, most of these are only visible if something's out-of-the-ordinary.
  • Heat Warning: Appears if the air you're breathing is superheated. Usually shows up near fires.
  • Oxygen Warning: Appears if the air you're breathing has too little oxygen. If you linger too long, you'll eventually pass out and slowly asphyxiate.
  • Pressure Warning: Appears if air pressure is too high or too low.
  • Internals: Shows whether you are running on internals (an oxygen tank and breath mask). If you have them equipped, clicking this will switch them on or off.
  • Health: Fades to red as you take more damage. If it flashes with the word CRIT, it means you are close to death and require immediate medical attention. If your character is in serious pain, your indicator will make you appear more injured than you are.
  • Temperature Warning: Appears if your surroundings are too hot or too cold.
  • Hunger: Appears and gradually fades to red as you get hungrier. (It'll take a while to disappear after you eat something, though.)
• 9. ID card slot: This is where your ID card goes.
• 10. Belt slot: This is where items that can be put on belts(e.g camera) or belts(e.g toolbelt) go.
• 11. Back slot: This is where your satchel, backpack, or in some cases a large weapon go.
• 12. PDA slot: You put your PDA here.

Interacting With the World

Interacting with your surroundings in Space Station 13 is mostly done by the mouse. You can click with an empty hand active to pick up items or open containers, click on something with an item in your active hand to use the item on it, click on a computer or device to view its display, and so on. Once you get the hang of managing your character's hands, things will make more sense: you can't, for example, open a toolbox in your left hand if your right hand is full.

A good way of interpreting the interaction system in Space Station 13 is to think of each click as 'using' the object (or hand) on whatever you're clicking on. For instance, to use a computer in real life, you'd essentially 'use' an empty hand on it to start typing. Using an empty hand on an object will pick it up, if you can hold it. Holding an item in your hand and clicking on something can result in three things:

• If the object in hand is meant to be used with the object you're clicking on, the desired effect should occur. In the case of containers, such as drink bottles or beakers, you'll transfer a certain amount of units (usually 10) of the liquid from the container in your hand, to the container you're clicking on. For things like crowbarring the floor, you'll pry off a floor tile.
• If the object in hand is not meant to be used with the object you're clicking on, more often than not (and very annoyingly, sometimes) you'll attack the target with the object. This can result in rather funny cases of hitting people with first aid kits, hitting your drinks machine with a bottle of vodka, etc. Or more dangerously, hitting someone with a crowbar, scalpel, toolbox, etc. This happens to be the most basic form of combat, as well (which will get you banned if you go around trying to do without a very good reason).
• If what you're clicking on is something that stores objects, the object will be taken out of your hand and placed in or on the target. This can be something like a table, opened locker or crate, which will place the object on top of the target, such that drinks will be placed on tables and jumpsuits will be placed in (technically, on) lockers. Objects like boxes and backpacks/satchels, which can be opened to reveal more slots for storing objects, will remove the item from your hand when clicked on, placing it in a slot inside.

It's okay to memorize those, but playing jobs that involve more object handling, such as Chef, Barman or Cargo Tech, will really help you understand how the system interprets clicks, and what to expect when trying to use something.

More Controls

To take items off a person, click the persons sprite with the left mouse button and drag their sprite onto yours.

When you have done that, a popup window should come up and by simply pressing the names of the items you want to take off they will be removed from the person you are striping and appear on the floor underneath them.

With the mouse you can perform the following actions:

• Pick things up (one left mouse click on the object when having a free hand selected).
• Switch hands (one left mouse click on the button that has a picture of two hands).
• Drop what you are holding in the selected hand (one left mouse click on the button that says "Drop")
• Attack (one left mouse click to attack once with the object you are holding in the selected hand).
• Pull (right click on the item, in the drop down box select the item and click "pull", to let go of what you are pulling, click the button in the very bottom right corner, the person standing next to a box).
• Use consoles and objects (one left mouse click when having a free hand selected).
• Examine what is on the tile your mouse is on (right click on the item, in the drop down box select the item and click "examine").
• Grab (one left mouse click on the person while having "intent" set on "grab").
• Use objects on people (one left mouse click on the person while having the object in the selected hand, same as "attack").
• Help/Perform CPR (one left mouse click on the person while having intent set on "help").
• You can press Shift+(Arrow Key) to change the direction you're facing.
• Transfer (Transferring one item into another, choose the hand with an item in and click on your other hand. Useful for putting things in briefcases or in your backpack.
• See the Commands page, for more commands.

Interacting with Other People

Paradise is a medium-RP server, and so your interactions with those around you are going to be somewhat important. You're not expected to constantly roleplay to the highest level or remain completely serious, but try to maintain immersion and don't interrupt people who enjoy roleplaying on a higher level than you do. The commands you will be using to interact with people include:

• Say:, Speak to those in sight. You can prefix your message a semicolon (;) to talk on the general radio channel, if you have a headset, or a colon and a letter to talk on your department radio channel; :h will always broadcast to your headset's main channel. (You can examine headsets to see which channels they can access.) Prefixing your message with an asterisk (*) followed by a specific word will perform the relevant emote, if it exists, which may include a sound effect. Type Say"*help" whilst in-game for a full list.
• Whisper: Speak quietly, only audible to those right next to you. Anyone farther away will be told that you're whispering something, and will be able to see a letter of two of what you're saying.
• Me: Lets you narrate your character's actions in an emote. This will have your character's make in front of the text. (e.x. Me "shakes his head")
• OOC: Speak to everyone currently playing, in an Out-Of-Character way. This can be used to ask about game mechanics and other things not concerning the game. Try not to mention events happening in the game in OOC, as everyone can see it; revealing too much about the current round is a good way to get banned..
• LOOC: Speak to people locally, out of character. Useful for asking out-of-character questions to nearby players, or attempting to cooperate to resolve a glitch. Avoid using LOOC to discuss the current events, or using it as an attempt to circumvent IC, for example by threatening to contact the admins if someone doesn't do what you say.

Here's a quick list of the different radio keys: (NOTE: YOUR HEADSET MUST HAVE THE CHANNELS TO USE THEM. EXAMINE THE HEADSET TO DETERMINE IF THEY DO)

• :h Will send your message to your department's channel, or the antagonist channel your radio is currently equipped with, should you be one.
• :c Will send the message to the Command Channel
• :s Will send the message to the Security Channel
• :m Will send the message to the Medical Channel
• :e Will send the message to the Engineering Channel
• :u Will send the message to the Cargo Channel
• :n Will send the message to the Research Channel
• :z Will send the message to the Service Channel

Extra Help

There are a few keyboard shortcuts for your convenience.

Shortcut	Action
F1	AdminHelp
F2	OOC Text
F3	IC Text
F4	Emote
F6	Switch Gun Modes
Home, Ctrl+D	Drop Held Object
End, Ctrl+W	Toggle Throw Object On/Off
Page Down, Ctrl+A	Activate Held Object
Shift + Click	Examine Object
Ctrl + Click	Pull Object
Delete	Stop Pulling Object
Crtl+E/Q, Insert	Switch Intents
Middle Mouse Click, Page Up, Ctrl+S	Switch Hands
Ctrl+Up, Ctrl+Down	Scroll previously entered text

Many abbreviations are used on the server, here are a few explained:

Abbreviation	Meaning
HOP	Head of Personnel
CE	Chief Engineer
CMO	Chief Medical Officer
NTRep	Nanotrasen Representative
HOS	Head of Security
RD	Research Director
Blueshield	Blueshield officer
Page Down, Ctrl+A	Activate Held Object

Read up on the other guides there are plenty out there! Or, head over to the discord and chat to the admins and mentors on there, they are always happy to teach you a little extra.

What To Do Now

There's a couple of things to do to help you settle in at Paradise once you've gotten the hang of the game:

• Make yourself known on the forums: The server is home to a group of players whom make up the Paradise community and we love to see new faces, so swing by and [2] and introduce yourself!

• Try advanced jobs: Once you feel you have the basics of the game under your belt, don't be afraid to check the job guides on the other positions available. Not only is it more fun, but you might actually get to help the station!

• Be an antagonist: After you've gotten the basics down, it might be time to try your own hand as an antagonist. Here is the best place to learn the basics of the different game modes and how to properly play them.

• Help out the game: If you're good with programming, drawing sprites, telling stories or designing maps, updating wikis, we could really use your help. Head over to the forums and chat with us.

Most importantly, have fun! After all, isn't that we're all here for?

Welcome aboard the NSS Cyberiad, have an efficient and productive day!