Today the third major update for BLASTORNAUT is released. Aqueous adds the liquid system and overhauls the construction system. It also brings new machines and drones for experimental automation, so we are eager to hear your feedback.
Here is a summary of what has been added:
Liquid simulation adds more character to the world. Although it is not yet final and will receive additional improvements in the upcoming patches, we have put much effort into optimization, ensuring it will run well even on the Steam Deck.
Drill and pump machines
New large-scale machines allow producing the fuel and minerals on an industrial scale. However, they can not be built anywhere; instead, the player still needs to do some exploration.
Drone automatization
The modules introduced in the last patch can now be attached to all the crafting stations as well. This includes the drone modules that can now carry resources between the storage containers, furnaces and even sell stations. New types of drones also allow to specify where the resources will be delivered.
Mobile construction
One of the most requested features has always been the ability to build structures outside the range of the main building. And now, it is possible to use the new mobile construction tools that can be purchased from some of the vending machines on the ground.
Other construction improvements
There are also several smaller improvements to the construction system in general. For example, moving the camera in construction mode is now possible. Also, the deletion is now behind the dedicated selection, which should give more control and reduce the likelihood of accidental deletion.
List of new features:
1. Liquid simulation
2. Submerged biome
2. Drill machine - converts fuel to resources
3. Pump machine - converts water to fuel
4. Automation with 3 transport drones (storage, crafting, selling)
5. Mobile construction mode with 3 construction tools
6. Displaying stats under storage and crafting machines
7. Modules can be added to crafting machines
8. More info about module benefits in the construction view
9. Ability to destroy modules
10. New showcase scenario for the added construction features
List of changes:
1. More building space for the main construction station (almost 10x increase)
2. Inputs changed for construction and equipment switching
3. Deletion system uses special construction cards
4. Weapon and jetpack module upgrades changed
5. Tile order changed for liquid (entities, including enemies) are be placed behind foreground tiles
6. Adjusted machine colliders and snapping distances
Fixed bugs:
1. Spikes not doing damage in the crimson biome
2. Rare crash that occurred when objects were loaded in the wrong order
3. Construction exiting getting stuck when using a controller
4. Module snapping incorrectly on close range
Known bugs:
1. Two achievements are not triggering
2. Liquid is not saved but will simulate again when reloaded
3. Transportation drones not visible in multiplayer games
4. Enemies can push players inside blocks
The old save games should still be working; however, due to the world generation changes, some things might be generated on a different location or previously discovered bases are covered with blocks.
The main goal of this update was to set a foundation for the new gameplay loops that will arrive in the next update (Q3). We will also start putting more effort into balancing, but it is important to establish all core systems first. For this reason, we are eager to hear your feedback!
Please consider trying the new showcase level; it has a new tutorial section and teaches all the new features mentioned above. At the end of the showcase, there is a feedback button that you can use to let us know about your experience - we will appreciate it a lot.
Thank you so much for supporting the game. We are eager to start working on the next major update that will hopefully expand the universe of BLASTRONAUT quite a lot.