Minicology

Isaac Denner · Iceberg Interactive

Released: Apr 25, 2024
Platforms
Last updated: 09 Sep 2026, 13:09 GMT

Updates & announcements

20 posts

29 May 2024Developer post
E-Corp Intergalactic Almanac: Steam’s Open World Survival Crafting Fest!
------------------------- Cosmic Date 29.05.2024 ------------------------- Dear Space Travelers, Helperbot here, with a brand new E-Corp News Dispatch! Today on the topic of Survival, Crafting, and Exploration! This is because we’re proud to be celebrating another traditional Ter
------------------------- Cosmic Date 29.05.2024 -------------------------
Dear Space Travelers,
Helperbot here, with a brand new E-Corp News Dispatch! Today on the topic of Survival, Crafting, and Exploration! This is because we’re proud to be celebrating another traditional Terran folk festivity:
Steam’s Open World Survival Crafting Fest!

You start with very little, or nothing at all…
At E-Corp, every fresh Mininaut gets a fresh adventure, and you are no exception! Turning a planetary prospect into a bustling hub of activity that you can survive and thrive on isn’t easy - so make sure to check out our Farming guide here: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/1471700/view/4170972198132198221
You can build and/or craft things to make your life easier…
Missing a specific tool for a specific task? Well, no need to fret. If the Mini-verse is full of one thing, it’s resources. Every rock, twig, or hyper-advanced piece of technology salvaged from a wreck can be used to make something you’ll eventually need.
*WARNING* Be careful where you tread!
If you die, you will explode into nothingness and be forced back to your starter planet, leaving your stuff scattered on the planet of your untimely passing. Don’t want this to happen? Just don’t die! Eat your vegetables, mend your battle scars, and maintain our recommended safety distance from the ravenous beasts that populate our beautiful Mini-verse… *DING* Oh, a message… It’s E-Corp robots that are attacking you, you say? Hmm… You probably had it coming.

Wombo Combo
These elements make up the essence of E-Corp Company Culture! At E-Corp, we take to the stars and travel through a vast universe of tiny planets! We build our bases, defend against invasions, reshape worlds, and engineer factories that automatically farm and mine. We encourage creative solutions to everything — from cultivating plants to fighting enemies, The Mini-verse is truly your oyster, and thus we’re proud to celebrate Open World Survival Crafting Fest alongside so many other adventures.
See you in the Mini-verse!
Your friend Helperbot
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
To stay up to date join our Discord, and of course, tell your friends about Minicology!
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Original post
17 May 2024Developer post
Patch 1.20: Finding Balance in the Miniverse
------------------------- Cosmic Date 17.05.2024 ------------------------- Dear Space Travelers, Helperbot here! Today I’m back with some… balance . No, I’m not talking about the propeller that distributes my weight evenly, allowing me to remain upright and steady, I’m talking ab
------------------------- Cosmic Date 17.05.2024 -------------------------
Dear Space Travelers,
Helperbot here!
Today I’m back with some… balance. No, I’m not talking about the propeller that distributes my weight evenly, allowing me to remain upright and steady, I’m talking about balancing out the proportions of our little universe, so things feel properly distributed. No more wandering around mindlessly for hours to find that rare mineral! Now, you only need to wander for like an hour. Maybe a little longer. Who knows!? At least you’ll have your rocket fuel to speed up your search!

TL;DR: This patch is focused on rebalancing items that were hard to obtain, or otherwise lacked renewability. There are also, of course, plenty of bug fixes, as well as a new item that players can craft for an easy source of Rocket Fuel!
Okay strap in - cause this is going to be another long one.

Added "rocket fuel canister", a craftable item that allows for easier creation of rocket fuel. There are still plenty of incentives to complete fuel refineries (system completion, jellyfish armor, e-corp mechanisms, etc) - but now it should be a little less of a chore to fast travel.
Added auto-shotgun to the loot pool for tier 3 combat chests. These are now the fourth mutually-exclusive, guaranteed pink-filament drop from these chests, alongside the contractor, meta-blade, and laser-saber.

Tier 2 and 3 combat chests have drop rates adjusted:
Tier 3 combat chests have a 100% chance to have ONE of the following: Projectile Amp, Shield Generator, OR a random core (so a mutually exclusive 30% chance at each).
Tier 2 combat chests have the same drop table, but only a 50% chance to include the above drops.

Slightly reduced frequency of "resource" perk cards, in favor of buff perk cards.
Giant Windmills now get "biome buff" of +1 socket in prairie planets, to match regular windmills.
Geothermal generators now get "biome buff" on magma planets, in addition to the normal autumnal buff.
Feeding omnivores now has more impact on their hunger meter.

Fixed lack of recipe for Ambient Defrostifier - now crafted in the same way as thermal shielding
Fixed issue that could cause Toxicite shards and Cryolite shards to stop generating
Increased priority for gooseberry groves on icy planets, and cocoa/corpse flowers on jungle planets
Fixed issue where prairie planet wheat groves were set to lowest priority for generation, making them very rare
Fixed issues with very low drop rate for Nautilus (Shattered Aegis item) and Green Mega-bot (Reactive Capacitor item)
Fixed issue where rainbow chests dropped normal chests, rather than decorative rainbow chest items
Fixed issue that caused full perk purchases to become unobtainable
Fixed issue where right-clicking to unequip tools would not interact with 'locked slots' properly
Fixed rare crash on destroying auto-turret
Fixed issue where activated thermal generator could display crazy values like -1000% heat
Buffed XP drops for Jellyfish Ironclad and Jellyfish Juggernaut
Fixed bug where Omni-bot fight could not start in several localizations, due to missing event trigger in loca files
Fixed negative star issue, as well as several other issues with Otto's weapon buyback feature
Players with negative star counts from Otto Shop glitch now will have 0 stars on load
Fixed issue where extruder UI would give 'deny' message if player tried to pick up both bars in hand
Fixed issue where chests/hotswap buttons wouldn't display "hidden" labels like food buff data while SHIFT was held during mouseover
Fixed crash related to stormbreaker hammer tornado smash
Fixed issue where batchers/splitters/filters failed to properly free tiles after being destroyed
Fixed issue where batcher did not drop items
Fixed issue with anvil durability repair rounding improperly
Fixed issue where ice slugs had 20x frost VULNERABILITY, rather than the intended 20x frost RESISTANCE
Fixed missing buff data for Shattered Aegis
Lowered volume of track "just you against the world" to be in line with other tracks
Fixed issue where inverting multi-component serums resulted in bugged name/description text fields
Fixed issue where achievement “Mad Scientist” could fail to activate
Fixed issue with achievement “Dragonfish: Deflected”, where achievement required the deflected spines to hit and damage dragonfish, rather than for just deflection, as in achievement description
See you in the Mini-verse!
Your friend Helperbot
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
To stay up to date join our Discord, and of course, tell your friends about Minicology!
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Original post
10 May 2024Developer post
PATCH NOTES 1.13: QoL, Farming, and... Ladders!
------------------------- Cosmic Date 10.05.2024 ------------------------- Dear Space Travelers, Ensuring full customer satisfaction is one of our core values here at E-Corp! To make your interstellar journey as smooth as possible, we’ve been gathering all your feedback to approp
------------------------- Cosmic Date 10.05.2024 -------------------------
Dear Space Travelers,
Ensuring full customer satisfaction is one of our core values here at E-Corp! To make your interstellar journey as smooth as possible, we’ve been gathering all your feedback to appropriately update our technology. Today, we’re launching a variety of patches & updates that’ll improve your Quality of Life as you traverse & explore the Mini-verse!
TL;DR: We've improved to slot locking, hotbar management, and weapon & armor durability. We also fixed a variety of bugs related to farming & animal husbandry. And finally, we fixed one of the Mini-verse's most futuristic pieces of technology: ladders.

Players can "lock slots" in their hotbar while in the equipment menu, allowing for consistent keybinding to slots 1-10 for various items. Locked slots can ONLY be filled with their locked item, so you won’t have to deal with accidentally picking up unintended items or reshuffling your hotbar with a misplaced click.
Added tooltip hint for SHIFT+DRAG shortcut in EN localization that lets players split stack.
Ammo bar and battery bar now hide while the equipment menu is active.
Picked up items now attempt to fill into their last occupied hotbar slot. This means that the inventory should re-shuffle less on transferring items.
Empty and filled buckets will stay in the same slot on depletion/filling.
Unequipping Nano-tool with [Q] no longer equips the most recently held item.
Tutorial now displays prompt at the top of screen with instructions on how to throw items.

Across-the-board improvements to weapon durability: +25% to all items.
Melee weapons now only use one durability instance when hitting multiple enemies with one swing. This adds a nice extra advantage to lining up multiple enemies.
Armor durability now depletes based on total damage received, rather than per instance. This means lower-level enemies cause significantly less wear on armor compared to high-level foes, making casual exploration safer for endgame gear.
Otto now sells the most recently broken items, at 1% durability (to allow players to repair them), for 50 stars. If Otto doesn't have enough space, he will only sell the last 1-2 items.
Buying books from Otto will now allow more space for item buybacks.
Otto stops selling automation guides after they have been bought. Bought guides can be viewed from anywhere in the ship menu.

Decreased time for mushroom stumps to spawn evil mushrooms on boss planets to 10 seconds after being placed.
Improved handling for animals eating from troughs.
Increased Fronkey breeding attempt rate.
Increased slug domestication points gained from feeding slugs using trough.
Reduced amount of food needed to domesticate slugs.
Changed order in which Helperbot describes farming advice, prioritizes showing players fertilizer craft recipe.
Added Easter Egg when feeding lambcats 24+ food.
Significantly increased spawn rate of space cocoa and corpse flowers on newly generated jungle planets.
Fixed issue where electrified water pump would turn off on saving/loading.
Fixed duplication bug for freshly cooked meals in chests (would only work for recipes that had been invented in that instance of the game - what a strange issue).
Fronkamanders now no longer give birth to Fronkey tadpoles.
Fixed bug for firebush requirement on tier 3 terraform chests where terraform chest was instead configured to search for pine trees.
Fixed auto-saw and auto-planter not dropping items on destruction.
Fixed issue where Ravenbug wild nests would not drop Ravenbug down feathers.
Fixed crash where harvesting/destroying slug eggs after they had been incubated resulted in game hanging and exiting.
Fixed issue where domestication meter showed for baby slugs, even though they are not domesticable until grown.
Last but not least, E-Corp R&D has been working very hard on improving a piece of technology so advanced it’ll blow your mind! That’s right: ladders are getting an update.

Ladders can now be climbed by pressing [UP], or [DOWN] while nearby.
Players can exit ladder climb mode by pressing or , or by pressing [UP] while at the very top of a ladder.
Players no longer have to be facing a wall in order to climb it. This means the awkward behavior where players would be unable to aim a tool backwards while climbing a wall at the same time no longer exists.
If players hold [DOWN] when within 0.66 blocks of a ladder, they'll now snap to that ladder and start climbing downwards.
Disabled ducking and diving for players leaving ladders from the bottom for 0.5s. This means that you'll no longer slam into the ground when exiting a ladder from the bottom.
Placed ropes now match ladder behavior.
Added sounds for ladders and ropes.
Buffed rope/ladder climb speed by ~50%.
Players can now climb to the very top of a ladder chain, rather than stopping 20 pixels from the top.
Tutorial shows large, flashing text prompt with wall-climbing instructions.

Sandsharks health reduced 75->60, max spawn cap per monster cave reduced 3->2, but Sandshark attack value buffed 15->17.5.
Increased drop chances for background block mineral tiles to drop minerals (copper, coal, quartz).
Removed durability from peaceful transmitters.
Increased peaceful transmitter cost to include more copper.
Buffed solarium armor set bonus slightly.
Whirlwind from stormbreaker hammer now gives immunity to fall damage for half a second when interacted with.
Solar panel now starts ~15-20 seconds earlier.
Crystal foundries in blue zones now produce copper instead of coal.
Windmills now drop whole windmills, instead of component parts - the decision to make them fall into parts was made at an earlier stage of development, when windmills were more powerful, and had to be balanced in some way against steam engines. In the meantime, steam engine fuel efficiency has been buffed and construction costs for windmills increased - so having the additional penalty of making windmills non-reusable is no longer needed.
Additional formatting/info for Combinificator UI + ability to see craft recipes of component items on Combinificator craft grid, similar to research menu.
Any missing medi-cells for the "repair medi-bay" objective will now drop by the medi-bay on load, if for some reason due to bug/issue medi-cells fail to load/generate/are destroyed.

Fixed issue where right clicking items in Otto / merchant shop could have unexpected behavior. Right clicking in these shops now does nothing.
Fixed incomplete text description on EN localization for riftwalker boots.
Attempted fix for crash on using energy weapons with expended batteries.
Fixed issue where weapons could sometimes(?) still be fire-able when stunned.
Fixed power module missing +fall damage perk description.
Fixed issue where Woperator modules could not be manually placed in equipment UI.
Fixed issue where geothermal generators would drop when destroyed.
Fixed issue where non-stone stairs and fences were uncraftable.
Fixed scaling issue with some buttons failing to scale correctly after "pop-in" animation played.
Fixed issue in Turkish & Japanese translations where OMNI-bot would be unable to deliver monologue due to misplaced localization flags.
Stabilized structure generation for Med-Bay objective slightly.
Fixed untranslated strings for Medi-Cell.
Fixed issue where Nano-Tool would not properly smart-select hammer for ladders.
Fixed issue where breaking Medi-Bay, then reloading planet, would cause embedded Medi-Cells not to display.
Fixed text error in Refinery Defense event.
Fixed world generation hanging for certain Crystal Foundry generations.
Fixed windmill not being listed as a generator.
Fixed wall items not properly previewing at a 45 degree angle in research menu.
Fixed typo in extrusion machine listing.
Fixed issue where swapping between a tool and Nano-Wrench or Nano-Trowel would cause a bug where arm animations displayed in tool-mode, but equipment but was invisible.
Fixed issue where Nautilus would not consistently drop Green Power Crystals.
Fixed issue where window would center on top left corner on reloading settings (occurred during bootup and on planet load). Now only snaps to top left corner if game size is larger than screen size.
See you in the Mini-verse!
Your friend Helperbot
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
To stay up to date join our Discord, and of course, tell your friends about Minicology!
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Original post
30 Apr 2024Developer post
PATCH NOTES 1.04: The First Big Update!
------------------------- Cosmic Date 30.04.2024 ------------------------- Dear Space Travelers, I'm bringing you some exciting news , as we're heading towards a brand new and improved version of Minicology! As an E-Corp Helperbot unit, I understand the importance of software pat
------------------------- Cosmic Date 30.04.2024 ------------------------- Dear Space Travelers,
I'm bringing you some exciting news, as we're heading towards a brand new and improved version of Minicology! As an E-Corp Helperbot unit, I understand the importance of software patches! Improving your functioning and removing hiccups from my system is crucial, which is why Minicology is undergoing (a lot of) changes!
TL;DR: We've balanced various gameplay elements to make the gameplay feel more fair, and we've resolved a ton of bugs!

Reduced price of automation guidebooks
On saving/loading, Resonance Extractor will always restore to 100% health. This prevents issues where players quit during/after the jellyfish invasion event, and next time they start, the extractor is at low health on start
Adjusted repair cost for sidewinder pistol to 2 ingots
Coconuts now have 10 food value
Added "fertilizer" to bookmarked recipes on open terraform chest quest - many streamers I watched didn't realize that fertilizer existed, so trying to make it a bit more obvious
"Power Required" warning for resonance extractor now flashes red and white, hopefully a little more attention-grabbing for players who didn't fully equip a generator (or whose generator was destroyed without them noticing)
Vsync enabled by default. Looking into adding an options toggle for this
Enabled repairs for breechloader rifle
Warsword and battle-axe durability increased
Reduced frequency of jellyfish artillery for vortex solstice event
Reduced number of small jellyfish that spawn during vortex solstice event
Increased drop chance for eggs to drop alongside birdabug house materials when destroying wild birdabug houses
Clicking filter list in research menu now populates all recipes that match that filter, if no item is scanned. Matches search bar behaviour now
Disabled climbing while a menu is active. This reduces instances where players accidentally climb ladders etc while attempting to craft
Buffed durability for bone/claw spear, so they now have greater durability than plain wood spear.
Increased hitbox size for nano-pickaxe, to make collecting crystals easier

Bar Extruder now drops items if automation delivers input differant than what is already placed into input slot
Grass should now properly trigger "Axe" nano-tool mode
Grass left behind by "Drosera" grass-plant-eel enemy now drops grass properly
Fixed issue that made slug milker uncraftable. Microchip now requires 'sorted' crafting method
Fixed issue where buffs had outdated "tier" text that caused an appending "1" to appear for every food-based buff in top-menu buff bar
Fixed missing translator credits for Dutch localization
Fixed serum sickness cooldown text being in English, even on non-English localizations
Fixed crash on hammering medi-bay cell holders
Fixed broken text description for cave-in event
Fixed broken text description for ice cream
Fixed bug where multiple foods could be inserted into freezer slot, but would be treated as one food and destroyed on making ice cream.
Fixed issue where mint/ginger/lavender displayed with tag +5 farming, rather than +5 food
Fixed crash on researching ancient syrup
Fixed issue where after saving & loading twice, ice cream would disappear from inventories
Fixed crash on using big drill where if more than 20 stones were "cracked" in quick succession, game would crash
Fixed crash on attempting to cook 3 coconuts into a salad
Fixed broken text tags for coconut defense buff/starburst buff/starlight buff (all stating 0 defense, 0minute duration, etc)
Fixed issue where soda machine tooltip gave overly-detailed charge level data (now rounded to nearest number)
Attempted fix for crash caused by unequipping arc-preview tools (i.e., cloning cell, thrown animals, any range weapon with a path preview)
See you in the Mini-verse!
Your friend Helperbot
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
To stay up to date join our Discord, and of course, tell your friends about Minicology!
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Original post
29 Apr 2024Developer post
E-Corp Intergalactic Almanac: Celebrating Farming Fest!
------------------------- Cosmic Date 29.04.2024 ------------------------- Dear Space Travelers, This is Helperbot speaking! What a joy to see so many new faces traversing the Mini-verse - even if they are partially obscured by a thick layer of protective, military-grade glass! W
------------------------- Cosmic Date 29.04.2024 ------------------------- Dear Space Travelers,
This is Helperbot speaking! What a joy to see so many new faces traversing the Mini-verse - even if they are partially obscured by a thick layer of protective, military-grade glass! We do feel however, that you’re not adequately equipped yet to face the challenges presented to you after the great collision.
In today’s edition of the E-Corp Intergalactic Almanac, your go-to source for navigating the wonders and dangers of the cosmos, I’ll be helping you satisfy one of your body’s most primal needs: hunger.

The Ancient Art of Agricultural Cultivation
Food is hard to come by in the uncharted corners of the Mini-verse. With nourishment centers out of the equation, you will have to get crafty. That’s where the ancient art of farming comes into play. Humanoid lifeforms have been farming for millennia. On Planet Earth, they even celebrate something called “Farming Fest”... although… it seems to be mainly about... video games?
Image 1. Look at Mininaut witnessing the beauty of his own creation
But I digress. Farming is a beautiful, meditative practice. Any space traveler who’s ever used their Nano-Tool’s trowel module to till the soil on a new planet and plant a fresh batch of Space Turnip seeds knows that this is true. Consuming self-grown produce is one of the most satisfying feelings. It is a way of building an intimate connection with the food we’re eating and the planets we inhabit.
Now with E-Corp Advanced Farming Technology™
To make this incredible serenity more accessible, we’ve developed a wide range of technologically advanced farming technology! With E-Corp's cutting-edge automation systems, you'll be churning out industrial amounts of food faster than you can say "total environmental collapse".
Powered by renewable wind energy and watered using advanced automated irrigation systems, food production is easier than ever before. With our efficient transport network, you can effortlessly shuttle the fruits of your labor straight to your opulent fortress, where you can feast like a king... or feed your personal army of Fronkeys.
Watch on YouTube
Image 2. Not a big reader? We've prepared an official video demonstration of E-Corp Advanced Farming Technology™
To celebrate this great feed… I mean, feat… we will join the Earthlings by celebrating and partaking in the great Farming Fest! Time to take out your gardening gloves and start your intergalactic agricultural adventure.
See you in the Mini-verse!
Your friend Helperbot
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
To stay up to date join our Discord, and of course, tell your friends about Minicology!
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Original post
27 Apr 2024Developer post
BETA: [1.03 SNAPSHOT] More bugfixes and balance changes!
Hey all, this can be accessed through the "Snapshot" steam beta. It won't be live on the main branch until I do more extensive testing, and may be a little unstable. However, if you're interested in helping test out fixes/improvements before they're live, feel free to opt into th
27 Apr 2024Developer post
BETA: [1.01 SNAPSHOT] Bugfixes/balance changes
Hey all, this can be accessed through the "Snapshot" steam beta. It won't be live on the main branch until I do more extensive testing, and may be a little unstable. However, if you're interested in helping test out fixes/improvements before they're live, feel free to opt into th
26 Apr 2024Developer post
A Small Thank You! ❤️
------------------------- Cosmic Date 26.04.2024 ------------------------- Dear Space Travelers, What. A. Thrill. Releasing a game is such a nerve-wracking but exciting experience, that you almost forget to stand still for a moment to appreciate the friends that helped you get th
------------------------- Cosmic Date 26.04.2024 ------------------------- Dear Space Travelers,
What. A. Thrill.
Releasing a game is such a nerve-wracking but exciting experience, that you almost forget to stand still for a moment to appreciate the friends that helped you get there.
But man oh man, how kind these friends have been!
Thank you all so much for the kind words of encouragement and the positive reception of Minicology.
I truly hope you’ll get a lot of hours of fun out of the game.
I’ll work hard to patch any bugs you may find, so don’t forget to report them.
If you haven’t yet, feel free to drop a review on the Steam page!
I love reading everybody’s feedback and Steam reviews are one of the easiest ways of getting more traction on the platform!
See you in the Mini-verse!
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
To stay up to date join our Discord, and of course, tell your friends about Minicology!
Minicology

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Original post
25 Apr 2024Developer post
Minicology: Out Now! On Steam Devices Near You!
------------------------- Cosmic Date 25.04.2024 ------------------------- ALERT! ALERT! CALLING ALL E-CORP PERSONNEL! It’s happening ! Helperbot here, reporting live from the scene! Minicology is here! After a sudden shift in space-time, our universe is now a part of the Steam p
------------------------- Cosmic Date 25.04.2024 -------------------------
ALERT! ALERT!
CALLING ALL E-CORP PERSONNEL!
It’s happening! Helperbot here, reporting live from the scene!
Minicology is here!
After a sudden shift in space-time, our universe is now a part of the Steam platform - priced at $14.99 / €14.79 / £12.79.
Better stand your ground a bit longer, because now the intergalactic event has passed, a huge influx of new E-Corp recruits is expected! We understand; the promise of a life of boundless creativity in the Mini-verse is too tempting to pass up. And all that shiny, advanced E-Corp technology… Wow…
Sorry, I got carried away. I cannot wait to meet all you new space-dwellers in person!
Comments about your time at E-Corp? Feel free to assess your time in the Mini-verse using the “Review” feature.
Not sure if you’re fit for a career at E-Corp? Try weathering the harsh realities of the Mini-verse in our brand-new demo!
What a blast!
I hope you’re excited, space travelers.
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
To stay up to date join our Discord, and of course, tell your friends about Minicology!
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Original post
24 Apr 2024Developer post
COSMIC EVENT: Isaac will Livestream on Launch day!
------------------------- Cosmic Date 24.04.2024 ------------------------- Greetings Space Travelers, Ever wanted to explore the Mini-verse with Isaac Denner, the solo developer behind Minicology? Join us on launch day, April 25th, for a LIVESTREAM with the dev! Watch Isaac play
------------------------- Cosmic Date 24.04.2024 -------------------------
Greetings Space Travelers,
Ever wanted to explore the Mini-verse with Isaac Denner, the solo developer behind Minicology?
Join us on launch day, April 25th, for a LIVESTREAM with the dev! Watch Isaac play through the early stages of Minicology and ask him any burning questions you have about the game.
Catch the session LIVE on Steam at 08:30pm CEST / 11:30am PT!
Alongside Isaac, E-Corp operatives will be using the chat function to answer any questions you may have for the first hour as well, after that we’ll broadcast our in-depth interview on loop.
If you want to support a small indie dev like Isaac, feel free to leave a review when the game goes live. It's one of the easiest ways of supporting the game!
See you there!
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
To stay up to date join our Discord, and of course, tell your friends about Minicology!
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19 Apr 2024Developer post
FAQ: 10 Things Every Space Traveler Should Know! (And 6 More)
------------------------- Cosmic Date 19.04.2024 ------------------------- From: E-Corp Official #232178 To: Transmit Helperbot System Subject: On the Topic of the Incoming Collision with “Steam” on the 25th of April, 2024 Dear E-Corp Representatives, We hope this message finds y
------------------------- Cosmic Date 19.04.2024 -------------------------
From: E-Corp Official #232178 To: Transmit Helperbot System
Subject: On the Topic of the Incoming Collision with “Steam” on the 25th of April, 2024
Dear E-Corp Representatives,
We hope this message finds you in a timely fashion through the Helperbot Transmission System. We’ve received questions leading up to the inevitable arrival on “Steam” soon. We’ve prepared this official communication for you in case of emergency:
F.A.Q.
Will there be co-op?
Unfortunately, you will not be able to team up with fellow spacefarers to explore the Mini-verse! This is a solo mission, and we hope to have trained you well for it. We trust in you, Mininauts!
Was it really made by a solo developer?
Indeed! The Mini-verse was single-mindedly created by a particularly crafty human being who goes by Isaac Denner.
How can I make Minicology fullscreen?
[ESC] to pause - then Graphics Settings -> Resolution Settings -> Fullscreen.
Is there controller support?
Unfortunately, there will be no controller support at launch, and at this stage, there are no plans to implement it yet.
Is there a story?
There seems to be a bit of a discrepancy caused by the galactic shift. Guided by your trusty Helperbot you should be able to track down logs and transmissions that’ll help you uncover why you’re here - and clue you in to the dangers lurking in the heart of the mini-verse. Do make sure to report back to E-corp *wink wink*
Does Minicology have multiple planets?
The Mini-verse is a vast expanse. Each new save generates somewhere around 5000 planetary systems - each with four to five planets with dozens of procedurally generated structures, quest objectives, and secret points of interest!
Is there renewable energy?
At E-Corp, we specialise in providing you with innovative ways to power your settlements! As you progress, you’ll be able to craft windmills, solar panels, and geothermal generators. With enough patience and technological prowess, even nuclear reactors and lava-powered wireless energy are possible!
How do I repair my ship?
In case of a shipwrecking emergency, you will need a Resonance Extractor to repair your craft. In case of general cluelessness, your Helperbot unit will provide you with necessary guidance.
Am I really going to have to crank gears to make ingots and fabricate things for the whole game? That seems like a pain!
Life in the Mini-verse thrives on ingenuity and automation! Any structure needing manual labour can be fully automated using generators. With pipes and generators, you can transport materials, ship items between planets, and automate craft recipes. Ah, the beauty of technological progress.
I’m having trouble defeating a boss, what do I do?
Encountering challenging creatures in the Mini-verse requires both crafting skill and ingenuity - relying on just one won't cut it! Before facing a boss, scour nearby planets for weapons and armor. For blue zone planets, craft with Rubidium, Solarium, or Veridium; for pink zones, use Thermanite, Toxicite, or Cryolite.
I can’t figure out Automation - how does it work?
You can find helpful diagrams explaining automation by talking to Otto, the celestial otter! To meet Otto, you’ll just have to catch three falling stars in one evening - he’ll appear by your spaceship soon afterward.
Is there a jetpack item?
Yes. In fact, there are four of them. Sky's the limit… Literally.
Is there fast-travel?
Our patented fast-travel technology requires rocket fuel to operate - unfortunately, it seems like most of the available refineries have been overtaken by V̵̲̌ͅo̸͉͂ṟ̵̌t̷̡͐è̴̠x̴̧̠̍ ̴̧͔̽̈Ẻ̵̙ň̸̨̲̍t̷͚̓i̵̠̔t̵̻̎i̷̠͖̽ė̵̹͇s̷̙̙̾ [REDACTED].
What do you mean by “actions that have consequences”?
Imagine a Mini-verse void of any life. Plants? Gone. Creatures? Gone. Fronkeys? Wiped out. Does that sound like fun to you? Yes? Oh. Well. Plenty of chaos to cause for you then.
I am a content creator. Where can I get a key?
If you want to broadcast your journey through the Mini-verse, you can sign up via our Lurkit page.
Where can I share feedback and report bugs?
Discord! Or use the “submit bug” button from the demo/full game’s pause screen!
Well, spacefarers, this should be as good a preparation as any. See you on launch day. The April 25th is around the corner!
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Original post
09 Apr 2024Developer post
Minicology is Launching on April 25th, 2024!
------------------------- Cosmic Date 09.04.2024 ------------------------- Greetings Space Travelers, Helperbot here, back with a new transmission! Do you know that feeling? That creeping itch that something is about to happen. You would think these emotions are impossible for a
------------------------- Cosmic Date 09.04.2024 -------------------------
Greetings Space Travelers,
Helperbot here, back with a new transmission!
Do you know that feeling? That creeping itch that something is about to happen. You would think these emotions are impossible for a little Helperbot like me… but I just know something is brewing. I sense a change in the atmosphere, a rise in overall planetary temperature, the fronkies are jumping higher than usual…
*ping* Hold on… a transmission?
“From: E-Corp Official #232178
Our satellites have picked up signals of a great disturbance. Our galaxy is colliding with something called “Steam” on the 25th of April, 2024. We keep receiving messages that translate to “Release Date”.
The message also included the following numbers:
“$14.99/€14.79/£12.79”
We’re unsure what this means, but we recommend all affiliated partners prepare for small environmental shifts and a fuzzy feeling akin to a digital buzzing.
Those willing to prepare for this imminent cosmic event can access the Demo Programme right now.”
Well. A “Release Date” on “Steam” on the 25th of April. And all that priced at “$14.99/€14.79/£12.79”.
And it looks like there's a "demo" available right now?
That does sound like big news!
We hope you’re excited space travellers. The 25th of April is already mighty close!
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
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Original post
05 Apr 2024Developer post
E-Corp Intergalactic Almanac: Procedural Generation
------------------------- Cosmic Date 29.02.2024 ------------------------- Greetings Space Travelers, It is time for another installment of the E-Corp Intergalactic Almanac, your go-to source for navigating the wonders and dangers of the cosmos. I know that looking at that wide,
------------------------- Cosmic Date 29.02.2024 -------------------------
Greetings Space Travelers,
It is time for another installment of the E-Corp Intergalactic Almanac, your go-to source for navigating the wonders and dangers of the cosmos.
I know that looking at that wide, star-studded expanse we call the cosmos makes you humans nostalgic sometimes. There is so much to see out there, so many planets to explore - it’s a vastness the weak limited human brain cannot comprehend.
While scouring through E-Corp’s Encyclopaedia Of Artistry I stumbled across this poem. It seems like the author, a certain E-Corp Official #232178, was fascinated by the vastness of space:
As I journey through space in my rocketship tight,
I solemnly ponder the vastness of night.
The emptiness grips me, a silent refrain,
In the depths of the cosmos, where stars rarely deign.
But amidst the void, a flicker ignites,
A beacon of hope in the darkest of nights.
For though space may be empty, its wonders abound,
In the mysteries waiting to be found.
*Sniff* *Sniff* Oh dear! To make ol’ Helperbot weep like this. Not that I can physically weep, but they did program with a sense of emotional awareness… you know what I mean!
Our universe has a certain sense of endlessness to it. In the mini-verse, planets, galaxies, and all structures are procedurally generated. Planets have randomized terrain, and structures scattered around them. At E-Corp, our scientists call it “jigsaw generation”.
Jigsaw generation is a style of procedural generation where rooms/segments are configured as 'building blocks’. A generator – or an all-powerful entity, if that’s what you’re into – assembles them in random order (so sometimes you have a tower linked to a hall linked to a chest room, or maybe the hall leads into the tower with a chest room on top, etc.)
Galaxies are generated with random configurations of planets and the pathways between them. System quests are also randomized.
Then there's Mininaut-generated procedural content. Mininaut can mix and match serums to generate their own potion combos, as well as combine some ~250 different types of arrows by placing different feathers, arrow shafts, and arrowheads together. They can also use their combo serums as arrowhead tips for extra poison/corrosion/critical damage.
As you can see, the mini-verse is a realm of endless possibilities. Who knows what you might run into? A planet full of treasure? A beastly creature that’ll take your life? Or your slightly annoying but well-meaning neighbour? Up to you to find out.
See you in the mini-verse, travelers!
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
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Original post
22 Mar 2024Developer post
E-Corp Intergalactic Almanac: The Nano-Tool
------------------------- Cosmic Date 22.03.2024 ------------------------- Greetings Space Travelers, Once again, Helperbot here, bringing you a fresh instalment of E-Corp’s Intergalactic Almanac, your go-to source for navigating the wonders and dangers of the cosmos. It may not
------------------------- Cosmic Date 22.03.2024 -------------------------
Greetings Space Travelers,
Once again, Helperbot here, bringing you a fresh instalment of E-Corp’s Intergalactic Almanac, your go-to source for navigating the wonders and dangers of the cosmos.
It may not seem obvious but when it comes to packing for your interstellar journeys, you should always travel light. Nonetheless, you’ll still need that equipment, right?
Imagine being able to combine the versatility of a bulky toolbox with the sleek lightness of a teaspoon. Introducing: The E-Corp™ Nano-Tool! Uniquely combining a variety of the most commonly used tools in a spacefarer’s arsenal, the Nano-Tool is a must-have for anyone planning on venturing beyond their homeworld or, frankly, their front porch. With its pocket-sized form factor and retractable tools, the Nano-Tool allows for mashing, digging, chopping, fixing, and planting on the go.
What modules are included in the Nano-Tool?
Nano-Hammer:
If you ever need to absolutely clobber something - be it a built structure, or a crucial piece of infrastructure such as a pipe - the Nano-Hammer is your best friend. You can even use it to redecorate any settlements by taking out a wall in the background.
Nano-Pickaxe:
The most precious resources the universe has to offer are usually buried under layers on layers of soil & rocks. That’s where the pickaxe comes in handy! Dig straight down and explore the wondrous caves and the valuable treasures hidden beneath the planet’s crust.
Nano-Axe:
Since the inception of sentient life in the Miniverse, wood has been a major player. It is a versatile material that can be used to build anything from to weaponry to shelter. Always perfectly sharpened, the Nano-Axe allows you to give any tree a swift but painless death!
Nano-Wrench:
I know what you might think: “Helperbot, why is every module of the Nano-Tool used to commit heinous acts of death and destruction?”. Boy, do I have news for you: as the tinkerer’s favourite tool, the Nano-Wrench allows you to repair and construct various structures and automatons!
Nano-Trowel:
Finally, we have something for the green thumbs among you: The Nano-Trowel is a steady companion for any amateur gardeners looking to grow crops on faraway planets. All you need is a seed, some fertile soil, and a loooooooooooooot of patience.
Order your Nano-Tool now from your nearest E-Corp Fulfilment Centre or loudly exclaim “I’M NO FOOL, I WANT A NANO-TOOL!” in the vicinity of your personal Helperbot unit.
So, fellow explorers, get the E-Corp Nano-Tool and use its transformative power that lies within your grasp. With each planet we reshape, we not only expand the boundaries of human civilization but also reaffirm our place as architects of the universe.
And remember: At E-Corp, we are committed to using the powers of technology responsibly.
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
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Original post
15 Mar 2024Developer post
E-Corp Intergalactic Almanac: Shape Your Own Planets
------------------------- Cosmic Date 29.02.2024 ------------------------- Greetings Cosmic Pioneers, Helperbot here again, providing you with a brand new chapter from the E-Corp’s Intergalactic Almanac, your go-to source for navigating the wonders and dangers of the cosmos. Toda
------------------------- Cosmic Date 29.02.2024 -------------------------
Greetings Cosmic Pioneers,
Helperbot here again, providing you with a brand new chapter from the E-Corp’s Intergalactic Almanac, your go-to source for navigating the wonders and dangers of the cosmos.
Today, let's embark on a journey beyond mere survival tactics. Let's delve into the realm of planetary terraforming.
Picture this: A lone astronaut venturing into the far reaches of space, stumbling upon barren, lifeless planets with vast potential. Instead of merely eking out an existence on these desolate rocks, why not transform them into thriving havens of life and opportunity?
Enter the art and science — well, science, mostly — of terraforming.
If you’re not a huge ner– I mean, science fan, you might be wondering: what is Terraforming? Well, the E-Corp Intergalactic Dictionary defines Terraforming as:
the process of deliberately altering the environment of a planet to make it habitable for humans and other terrestrial life forms.
It’s the ultimate expression of Mininauts species’ indomitable spirit to turn anything and everything into a luxury beach resort.
But how does one go about reshaping an entire planet?

First, you must understand the unique challenges posed by each celestial body. Is it too cold, too hot, or lacking in essential resources like water and oxygen? Once you've assessed the conditions, it's time to get creative.
Here, you see an E-Corp operative stumbling upon the rugged beauty of a rock planet. Take in its harsh landscapes sculpted by aeons of geological forces. These formidable worlds, with their towering mountains, deep chasms, and, well… you know, rocks present a unique set of challenges and opportunities for terraforming. Imagine deploying advanced drilling technologies to tap into subterranean reservoirs, unlocking precious resources like minerals buried beneath the surface.
By strategically seeding the barren rock with hardy vegetation and engineering artificial habitats using the incredible power of E-Corp technology, we can gradually breathe life into these ancient, rocky bastions, turning them into thriving oases amidst the cosmic expanse. Through ingenuity and perseverance, even the most inhospitable of planets can be transformed into flourishing hubs of diversity and vitality.
Ethics? I don’t see a governing body..

Of course, terraforming isn't without its ethical and environmental considerations. We must show a commitment to treading carefully, before we inadvertently disrupt fragile ecosystems or irreversibly alter the balance of life on a planetary scale. Of course, an E-Corp Operative like Mininaut would never engage in such barbarism. Right, Mininaut? Mininaut?! Oh dear, what are you doing!?

Moving on...
Let’s, uh… let’s look away for a moment.
So, fellow explorers, as you traverse the cosmos in search of new horizons, remember the transformative power that lies within your grasp. With each planet we reshape, we not only expand the boundaries of human civilization but also reaffirm our place as architects of the universe.
And remember: At E-Corp, we are committed to using the powers of technology responsibly.
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
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Original post
23 Feb 2024Developer post
E-Corp Intergalactic Almanac: On The Importance of Weaponry
------------------------- Cosmic Date 23.02.2024 ------------------------- Greetings Explorers, Helperbot here with another entry from E-Corp’s Intergalactic Almanac — your official compendium of everything you need to survive the Miniverse. Sometimes, the only thing a space trav
------------------------- Cosmic Date 23.02.2024 -------------------------
Greetings Explorers,
Helperbot here with another entry from E-Corp’s Intergalactic Almanac — your official compendium of everything you need to survive the Miniverse.
Sometimes, the only thing a space traveller can do when faced with one of the innumerable foes of the Miniverse is hit them with a sharp object until they are no longer a foe. Let me give you a visual aide:
What you just saw there is an E-Corp operative getting absolutely clobbered by a Drosera – a hideous, carnivorous plant that can stretch out in order to attack threats, even at a distance.
Despite this astronaut’s valiant effort to go into battle unarmed, I decided out of the kindness of my heart - and my internal programming - to assist him in battle.
So what did I advise him?
Craft!
Combat and crafting are your key to surviving the treacherous terrains of the Miniverse.
Now the Drosera is quite a weak enemy when armed. Materials salvaged from any desolate planet can be used to bring it down. So I introduced Mininaut to the delicate craft of spearmaking and off we went. And boy did he shine! A few quick, well-targeted jabs and this foul beast was no more.
So remember, sometimes all you need when you’re in a pickle are a few sticks, an imaginative mind, and a large suite of highly-advanced technology specifically engineered to aid you in life-threatening situations.
------------------------- END OF TRANSMISSION -------------------------
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Original post
05 Feb 2024Developer post
[CLOSED BETA 0.15.15] Auto-saws and Auto-harvesters
Interesting in joining Minicology's closed beta? Join the Discord to sign up! Content Additions: Auto-planter added Auto-saw added Content Changes: Terraform chest rework. Not too many changes, but there are now a full 3 tiers of terraform chests to match the other challenge ches
Interesting in joining Minicology's closed beta? Join the Discord to sign up!
Content Additions:
Auto-planter added
Auto-saw added
Content Changes:
Terraform chest rework. Not too many changes, but there are now a full 3 tiers of terraform chests to match the other challenge chest varieties. Tier 2 terraform chests now require plants + blocks from any of the 6 main planet types. Tier 3 terraform chests now require a type of slug/fronkey to be raised to maturity nearby.

Reduced the number of max terraform chest objectives per system in pink zone systems to 1 - they take a chunk of time now, so figure they should be easy.
Terraform chests now have a high chance of having multiple enhancement cores inside - so they’re a good option for core farming
Auto-saws, Auto-planters, and Auto-planters can now be found exclusively in terraforming chests.

Perk rework:

Perk options in blue zone systems are now as follows:

+Luck
+Crit Chance
+Health
+Stamina

Perk options in pink zone systems now belong to a different pool

+Luck (after all +Luck perks have been selected in blue systems, you can get more in Pink zone systems)
+Health (same)
+Crit Damage
+Damage Resistance

Improved Sandshark behaviour

Fixes:
Changed incorrect ‘Power Optional’ requirement desc for auto-planter to “Power Required”
Updated several localization fields across terraforming chests
Fixed crash on swapping away from a block-placement tool while holding down LMB
Fixed issue with oversized text fields and event tags
Fixed “Possible Drops” tag for ionic impact event
Original post
02 Feb 2024Developer post
[Closed beta 0.15.14SNAP] Chests! Chests! Chests!
Interesting in joining Minicology's closed beta? Join the Discord to sign up! Content additions: -Added decorative drop variants to all challenge/pirate/event chests. You can now have chest rooms filled with terraform/combat/etc chests. Content Changes: -Made 'shiny' drop sound f
02 Feb 2024Developer post
[Closed beta 0.15.13SNAP] Mimic Eels, Mysterious Artifacts, Crashfixes
Interesting in joining Minicology's closed beta? Join the Discord to sign up! Content Additions: -Added Mimic Eels.... you'll run into one of these soon enough. They've got a sense of humor! They'll still eat you, though. -Added Obstinate Glove, an item that grants additional res
01 Feb 2024Developer post
[Closed Beta 0.15.12] Fire Eels! +crash fixes and more localization backend
Interesting in joining Minicology's closed beta? Join the Discord to sign up! I didn't get a chance to thoroughly test the crash fix, but I think I tracked down the root of the issue. Content additions: -Fire eel caves can spawn on Magma Planets now. The little ones don't drop an