In ShipShaper: Falconeer Chronicles, players cannot manually draw custom graphics or write custom text on flags and sails. Solo developer Tomas Sala confirmed on the official Steam discussion boards that user-drawn flag customization is currently omitted due to Steam moderation policies regarding offensive material. However, the game includes a variety of built-in flag types, including historical national flags, naval signal flags, pirate flags, and pennants that mount directly to ship rigging.
Can You Draw or Upload Custom Flags in ShipShaper?
Player-imported images and hand-drawn designs are not supported in ShipShaper. In a Steam Community thread addressing ship customization, a player requested the ability to manually draw on sails and flags or label them with custom text.
Developer Tomas Sala (posting as FalconeerDev) stated that manual text and custom artwork on sails and flags present moderation challenges. Because Steam prohibits offensive materials, and Sala develops the game as a solo creator, managing user-generated imagery is beyond current development capacity. Sala noted that while custom flag art could potentially be reconsidered in the future if the game expands, it is not supported for now.
Another community member suggested that custom images could simply be stripped or blanked out when uploading to the Steam Workshop, but no custom image import feature has been added to the game builds.
Available Built-in Flag Types
While freehand drawing is disabled, ShipShaper offers pre-made flags and rigging decorations. According to official Steam update notes and gameplay demonstrations, these options include several distinct categories.
| Flag Category | Confirmed Placement & Details | Source Verification |
|---|---|---|
| Pennants | Stays and mast tops; available in both the demo and full release | Steam announcement & gameplay streams |
| Pirate Flags | Decorative flags for pirate-themed hulls; skull symbol currently missing | Steam announcement & forum confirmation |
| Signal Flags | Modeled after the International Code of Signals | Steam announcement & gameplay streams |
| Historical / National Flags | Pre-set national designs that cycle via appearance variants | Steam announcement & gameplay streams |
In community discussions regarding pirate-themed components, a player asked whether skull-and-crossbones designs would be added to sails and flags. Tomas Sala confirmed that there was no skull flag in the build at that time, though he indicated he might add one later and pointed out that torn ghost ship sails and wrecked bow parts were already implemented or in progress.
How Flag Placement Works in ShipShaper
Flags and pennants are attached using the game's rigging anchor points rather than floating freely in space. Official Steam patch announcements and gameplay observations show the following placement rules:
- Attachment Points: Flags and pennants can be attached specifically to certain stays and mast tops.
- Variant Switching: Like other deck and rigging pieces, flag parts support alternate appearances so players can cycle through available signal patterns, national banners, or pennant styles on the same node.
- Rigging Integration: Flags adapt as masts are repositioned or lengthened. Updates to drag handles on superstructures and mast stays allow players to adjust the height and alignment of sails and banners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you import custom image files for flags in ShipShaper?
No. There is no file import or drawing tool for flags in ShipShaper. Developer Tomas Sala clarified on Steam that moderation constraints prevent the implementation of custom user-drawn graphics.
Does ShipShaper have a skull pirate flag?
Not in current releases. In a Steam discussion thread, Tomas Sala stated that a skull flag was not yet in the game, though pirate flags and pennants are present, and additional pirate-themed assets remain possible additions.
Where can you mount flags on your ship?
According to official patch notes, flags and pennants can be mounted on mast tops and on certain stays running between masts and hull structures.
