As we prepare to tackle some of the core areas of the game that need to change or expand, such as Tier 4 structures, mining progression, better outpost experiences, or more expansive mission content - we needed to provide some foundational changes. This weeks update brings us Ore Scanners, which is part of several steps needed on the way to our grander goals. - Dean Hall, Gamerunner
The introduction of Deep Mining as an alternative way to gather ores has been a great success, and this week's update adds even more ore deposits and the tools to find them.
We’ve added ore deposits outside of caves and varied the extraction speed of different ores. To wrap it all up, there is a new mission which will unlock the recipe for the advanced workshop scanner. So get in and start finding the payload buried beneath the surface.
More Ore Deposits
This week, we have expanded the possible locations of ore deposits for deep mining into the wilderness outside of caves. Ore deposits can be found in all three biomes, each with their own distinctive look and respective resources. This will expand your mining opportunities beyond caves, but also add the risk element of weather conditions and lurking foes.
While we’ve kept the amount of resources in deposits high so they are worth the effort to mine, we have made adjustments to the extraction rates. Lower tier ores offer a quick, bountiful extraction while more valuable resources provide a return over a longer period of time.
Before we can begin to address better purpose around Tier 4 structures and beyond we need to be sure the balance and experience of resources is right. This has been a challenge for us since beginning the beta. We continue to pay close attention to your feedback which we combine with our own play experiences. While we all want to rush into developing Tier 4 and beyond, it is vital we iterate on the our existing balance or we will be simply compounding problems. - Dean Hall, Gamerunner
Scanning Technology
Scanners make Deep Mining ore deposits and caves easier to locate.
These new handheld Scanners are unlock-able as blueprints and provide a more efficient way to scout the map for resources. These handy little tools provide detailed readouts on location and available resources and prove their worth when gathering resources for higher tier equipment.
Alongside the ‘Deep Mining Ore Scanner’ and ‘Advanced Deep Mining Ore Scanner’, is the entry-level ‘Cave Scanner.’ This identifies caves along a cliff-face, saving the time you’d usually spend scouring the edges for recognizable rock formations. While the ‘Deep Mining Ore Scanner’ and ‘Advanced Deep Mining Ore Scanner’ can be found in Tier 4 and the Meta Workshop respectively, the ‘Cave Scanner’ is un-lockable in Tier 3.
Mission | Meridian: EXTRACTION
To get your hands on the new ‘Advanced Deep Mining Ore Scanner’, which lets you specify which kind of ore your are looking for, you’ll have to complete a mission for Group 15 using these new prototypes. Your brief is as follows:
MERIDIAN: Extraction
OPERATOR: Group 15
BIOME: Riverlands
BACKGROUND: After extensive geo-surveys, the Operator's research teams now believe this region is rich in metal deposits. They are one of only a handful of groups with a UDA-vetted export license for raw matter.
MISSION: Using prototype equipment, locate and extract raw materials from this region. These must then be delivered to the Operator's representatives in orbit.
TERMS: All safety concerns are the responsibility of the Contractor.
As this line of technology grows, so will the specialization available for your characters. Be sure to keep giving us your thoughts and feedback on Feature Upvote so we can keep growing the game to your liking.
Detailed Change Log
- Added new Cave Scanner item which uses strobing lights and audible beeping to pinpoint nearby Cave locations. The beeping can be muted by right clicking with the Scanner equipped.
- Added new Deep Mining Ore Scanner to help pinpoint the nearest scanned Deep Mining Ore Deposit. Accuracy is increased as you get closer to the Deposit.
- Added new Workshop Item: Advanced Deep Mining Ore Scanner which gives players the ability to specify exactly what type of Deep Mining Ore Deposit they want to scan for and pinpoint the location of the nearest one.
- Added new scanner Mission: ‘MERIDIAN: Extraction’ that unlocks the Advanced Deep Mining Ore Scanner.
- Added Deep Mining Ore Deposits to all biomes outdoors throughout the map.
- Added Deep Mining Ore Deposits to more caves.
- [CRASH] Fixed a crash that could occur while the player was sleeping.
- [CRASH] Fixed a crash that could occur while the map is being generated.
- [CRASH] Fixed a crash that could occur while using DX12.
- Fixed an issue where Mission ‘Spirit Level: Survey’ could not be completed due to the 2x Portable Beacon’s required to be in the players inventory despite only having a single Utility slot available. Portable Beacons now are placeable in standard inventory slots.
- Updated the “Stay Right There” talent to have a 100% chance for thrown knife critical hits to immobilise their target.
- Updated imagery for SANDY BRIDGES: Extended Survey, CONCEALMENT: Recovery, UNEARTHED: Research, and AGRICULTURE: Hydroponics missions.
- Fixed an issue where a repair hammer stamina could be spent without a valid repair hit.
- Fixed an issue where the trailer button was overlapping the settings menu on the title screen.
- Changed the names of all Repair Hammers to simply Hammer.
- Fixed an issue where Hammers from the Workshop were not showing the building durability value correctly on hover.
- Updated the mesh of the Steel Axe to improve visuals.
- Fixed Stockpile Dropship leaving an invisible collision box behind.
- Fixed Flashlight turning off when dropped.
- Fixed issue that could occur that made audio not work after loading the title sequence.
- Fixed an issue where the Electric Drill did not shutdown when Deep Mining Ore Deposit was depleted.
- Updated the UI for locked mission items in the Workshop.
- Fixed some cases of longer item names not fitting in popup container.
- Fixed items of different durability stacking together (only stacks if durability is max).
- Removed durability from Arrows & Bolts to avoid stacking issues.
- Fixed missing insurance logic in offline mode.
- Fixed prospect time switch over in offline mode.
- Added support for shadow casting for some hit effects (such as Pickaxe deposit impacts) if Shadow Quality is set to Epic.