So, I have gotten a few requests to explain how I name my creations. Believe it or not, I have logic in my names. Note that every aircraft is on a case-by-case basis, and there are a few outliers that do not conform to any naming patterns.
The old naming system:
I used to have an old naming system, which was entirely composed of prefixes:
The SPE prefix:
- The prefix, SPE, was used when naming aircraft that used established concepts, and didn't experiment too much.
- Here's an example of such a craft, the SPE SoulReaper. This one is actually quite recent.
The PROJECT prefix:
- Planes named PROJECT: [insert word here] were always highly experimental. The word after the colon often related to the core of the concept.
- Here's an example, PROJECT: Mass Displacement
The Aspect Class aircraft
- Aspect class aircraft combine months of knowledge and technology into a single aircraft. These vehicles serve as summaries of my knowledge about a certain topic. Creations that fall under this classification are named as "Aspect of [Insert Word]".
- I still use this naming prefix.
- Here is an example, the Aspect of Predation, which features my best weaponry of the time.
The Current naming System:
My current naming system is much more complex, and name wise, my profile is a mess. However, I have noticed a few patterns.
First, note that, like many instances of science fiction, my names use the Latin language.
Triarchic naming system
My most advanced system, this naming system has three points of interest, the prefix, the transition, and the suffix. Like this:
- Prefix/transition/suffix
Now, the prefix is the most important part. For the prefix, I use the Latin term for the defining characteristic or purpose of the craft. This term is usually simple, like "light" or "direction". The transition is, well, a transition. It exists to help the word flow from prefix to suffix. The suffix is generally predetermined, as it is often -don or -tore. So, now the system looks like this.
- Latin Word/transition/don or tore
Here's an example, the W-6 Partemidon. Its core feature is being able to travel extremely fast in a single direction, as it is equipped with a warp drive.
- Partem/i/don
Partem is Latin for direction, and the transition is a single i. The suffix is -don.
The two-factor system
I have another system that has two point of interest, a prefix, and a constant suffix.
- Prefix/um
The -um may have a consonant in front of it for flow.
For example, take the F1 Projectum, or the Organicum.
Single Latin Variant System
This is the messiest, yet most simple naming system. It features a single Latin word, often with some letters changed so it sounds good.
Here is an example, the Salutificator.
Auxiliary Naming systems:
These naming systems are used for niche cases, such as map lore.
Objects
- These creations are named "Object:[aircraft]". They relate to my New Portum map.
- An example is the Object: Wakerider
C-Type
- C-Type aircraft are rare. They employ a dark blue and dark gray color scheme.
- An example of this is the C-Type Lancer
VoidFrames
- I have created some vehicles that use a gun-based propulsion systems. A while ago, I released a series of these spacecraft, called voidframes. The naming follows the pattern of Voidframe [name].
- An example is Voidframe Canis.
So, there it is. A long-form explanation of names that are two words long... I formatted this on my mobile device, so this took a long time to write.
@Verterium Go ahead. They are very flexible naming systems, so feel free to use them.
I'm going to use some of these naming systems (with a little bit of my own editing to them) if you don't mind. They are really useful!
Oh so now your weird names make sense! And I always suspected the names might have Latin...