Derelicts
This release adds the Full functions of Derelicts to the game. Derelicts can be thought of as abandoned mini stations, ships lost adrift in space. Pretty much anything that can be found in space that might prove interesting to explore.
You already have a Space Suit which you will 'don' automatically when leaving the shuttle to begin exploring. Zed will check this for you and also warn you about the dangers and the use of Oxygen whilst wandering derelicts.
There is a new bar that appears at the bottom of the screen that indicates your Oxygen level. You can top this up at any time using Oxygen Bottles. These can be found in varied locations or purchased from various NPC's.
I would suggest topping up on these initially till you get a feel for the O2 drain. If you run out, all is not lost... but you will begin to feel the strain of hypoxia and eventually without a supply of O2 you will collapse.
ZED will inform you when he has spotted a possible Derelict and offer you the choice of attempting to explore it or pass. If you choose not to, then it's lost to you and you will need to wait for the next one to be spotted.
Derelicts are a GREAT way to pick up resources, salvage and weapon parts. They are also the home of space slugs and nasty space vermin. So keep one eye on your O2 and the other on your ammo counter!
Make sure to check every nook and cranny on a derelict as you will find them to be a treasure trove of goodies!
The TYPE of derelict that spawns is random. I will be adding more of these to the collection but don't be surprised if you see the same one more than once initially :)
Weapons
This release adds the first of the weapon parts. These come as loots mostly on derelicts (at the moment). You will locate these from locked chests/crates. I hope you have plenty of Lock Picks and some extra energy drinks or bars!
The weapon sections count as Salvage and as such, you can simply sell them off or salvage them into resources. Of course, it would be wise to collect a full set of each weapon then visit the new 'Weapon Assembly' Terminal.
Not all weapons are the same - Lasers, Streamers, Blasters and Needlers. All these guns have varying damage, ammo capacity and things like Range and speed. You will need to figure out which is best for you over time.
Weapons Assembly Terminal
This is a new terminal that will offer (based on your level) a selection of weapon builds. You will need to have collected at least 1 of each of the weapon parts (generally 4) and choose the correct weapon for assembly.
The terminal will take the weapon parts along with a fee for the processing and registering of the new weapon. If everything goes as planned you will have access to a new weapon to add to your small but growing arsenal.
The new terminals have been placed around the Galaxy - go find em!
Weapon Shuffle
All-new weapons assembled in this fashion are level locked and you will need to be at or above the level to fit them.
The hand-held weapons have been given a slight reshuffle and also information added to their info bio's. This includes things like Range, Damage, Magazine Capacity (before reload), Speed and also if the item has a level requirement. (Lower speed means faster weapon fire).
Diagonal Movement
I have decided for now to temporarily remove the 'Diagonal' movement. It was only working for Keyboard users and had some issues in the game when used in certain situations. I will be adding it back in at some point, but only when I have found both a keyboard and mouse solution that doesn't have a frame-rate impact and does not cause glitches.
Save 'Load Screen'
I have removed the Actor Image (hey it's you) from the Load / Save screen. This gives us plenty more room to track lots more factions and interesting stats. This has no effect other than for visual and informative changes coming later.
Optimize Removed
Hannon is not an entirely linear game. So what works well for one player may be scoffed and scorned at by another. Hence the 'Optimize' button in the equip screen was redundant. This has now been removed.
Again at some stage we will visit the Equip screen with a large 'Bash Stick' and see if we can resolve some of its 'Awkwardness' For now the Optimize has been removed.
New Terminal Artwork
We now have entirely new Terminal Artwork. A big thank you for the Artistic services of Egor. Hopefully, we will be seeing more of the game scenery updated with the help of Egor. Support permitting.
You will have to re-learn what each terminal looks like but now they are fairly distinct, so won't take you to long to get them in your head. I have held a few back for use later with other companies we will bring online as the game expands.
More NPC's
Added some new NPC's that not only sell items but are full Vendors in the sense they will purchase items (at varied costs) from you. I fully intend to make the vendors fluid in their prices and volumes and wishes. This will be easier once we implement database connectivity, but that is reliant on support and sales of Hannon. It's in the works and on the whiteboard along with a fair few elements that will be greatly improved by database connectivity and bringing Hannon's players into a multiplayer environment.
Inventory Shuffle
I have renamed 'Mission Items' to 'Special Items'. This now only contains things that should not be sold off and are central to the plot and storyline. Also, it will contain delivery crates, packages for the various Faction Terminals and NPC's. Prior to this is was a bit of a mishmash of items and slightly confusing.
All the items that were being incorrectly stored in this section have now been moved to the main inventory screen.
Fixed
An issue with some Galactic Databank items having their last line cut off. These should now all display as expected.
There was still some missing NPC's name tags. Seems no matter how many times I run around the Galaxy I keep finding one more :) Hopefully I go them all this time.
Jump Fuel Cannisters, whilst added to vendors I overlooked making them actually purchasable! Doh! This should now be fixed. Again you can make your own by refining Novastone, or purchase them at a cost from various vendors.
Seems in my rush to get the last mini patch out I forgot to remove a Dev Crate. These are used during development for speedy checking. Removing them is of course extremely important and I apologise If anyone spotted it and wondered what the heck it was for... :)
Crafting System
I have started discussions with SMO on the creation of a crafting system. Up till now I knew I wanted one but didn't have the infrastructure to make it work, but things are starting to come together.
Of course, I need to transfer my thoughts and scribbles to a design. Then for us to prototype it and get it out to the Alpha 'Early Access' testers. Hopefully, it will be on the books for review and testing in the not too distant future.
Coming Next
The next main update will be for the release of lots of new NPC's. These will all be mission-based and have rewards which will unlock various elements of your combat shuttle.
Once this is complete and out there I can start work on a Weapons Load out Ship Yard. A special station where you will be able to upgrade/swap out your Combat Shuttles load out.
I know most of you are flying around with just an Auto Cannon and Mining laser, but hang in there, lots new toys coming your way soon!
Coops