Bugs Squashing
Much of the last few weeks has been divided between squashing bugs and fixing a few niggly issues that have been with us for a while and creating new systems, expanding the Galaxy and the game base.
We have squashed the issue with Controllers and GamePads. These will still have varying control based on what you use, but they should not kill the game any longer. These were causing crashes when plugged in. Thanks to Kage this should now be resolved. We have tested on what we have in the way of controllers and flight sticks etc.
New systems Arrive
I have added Nine new systems to the Game. These are open for players to move through (Jump Fuel permitting). You will find some gates off these new systems won't open for you - this is to be expected as these are links to systems not yet active.
As more systems come online these gates will open and the Patch notes updated. For now, the following systems have been added and are now open:
Zeonis
Clarke
Oceania
Arlington
Midguard
New Darwin
Gronheim
Arcadius
Defiance
You will find asteroid fields, planets and starbase/stations in these. Some may not be open to you to access until you increase certain factions. I will leave you to figure this out.
Of course new systems means lots of new locations to visit and dock at. We have been busy creating some new scene sets and trying to add some extra flavour to the star systems you visit. Over time this will continue to expand and each arm of the Phoenix Galaxy will get its own 'feel and flavour'.
Access New Asteroids
New Asteroids will be accessible in some of these new systems increasing the types of ores you can mine, collect and refine. There are also some new ship types (bad guys) for you to test your metal on. I have also started working on 'Drag-in' plans. So that there is always intrigue and danger for moving over longer distances when delivering cargoes.
Ashar Terminal Revamp
Talking of which. We have a new Ashar Cargo terminal system. This works by offering you missions based on your location and Ashar Faction. Each terminal will generate a certain amount of contracts and these will change over time for each terminal.
You can still only take one mission at a time, but you can now have a much wider selection of missions. Note, initially your choices may be small but do a few missions and these will begin to rise. Again the terminals will generate new missions over time and each terminals missions are generated for that location.
Once we get feedback on this system we will open this up for Missions from other companies as you delve deeper into the Pheonix Galaxy.
Jump Gates - Fuel & Distance
All Jump gates now have the correct Jump Distance Fuel calculation. This means that they all have their own distances to a nearby system. The standard 350 credit cost does not alter, but the Fuel cost will vary. Keep an eye out for it on your travels.
Law Levels
Law Levels have now been set for the systems and factions that make up the Phoenix Galaxy. Law levels dictate the types and levels of ships and asteroid types that can and will spawn in a system.
New Ships
I have started to add some new Ship Types for the spawning Pirates. These will get tougher the lower in Law level you go. At this time I have also increased the number of bad guys that can be spawned at any one time.
This also relates to the Spawns for Mining Pirates. So you will need to keep an extra eye out whilst mining. Now that the framework is in place to add more Pirates I can start to diversify the types and what's spawned. The Law levels now allow me to spread the ships across the Galaxy and as the next few weeks roll on I will be doing just that.
Coming Tweaks
I intend to make smaller patches over the next few weeks as I tweak Mission terminals, static trader NPC's and Pirate spawns. I could do with your feedback on these changes and some pointers for problematic areas may arise. Don't forget this is YOUR game, we pride ourselves on working with a community to build our games, Hannon is no different.
Here's till next time!
I have added below the working map I'm using here for 'Reference' I still need to decide on how we are going to deal with maps but if we have a budding artist out there interested in helping with that drop me a line :)
For now attached below :
