We have risen, Exofarmers!
We return from our Easter break with our batteries recharged and our bellies full of chocolate. We've started working on the 1.0 update, but there are some things left over from the Automation update that we'd like to adress in this patch before we go all in.
Introducing Backup Saves
Losing progress due to bugs sucks, and unfortunately that is something that has happened to more than a few of you recently. As Lightyear Frontier has grown more complex, the risk of unexpected issues and weird glitches that impact save files has grown with it.
We’re aware that having just one save file per world adds to that risk, which is why we’ve added a save backup system.
At the start of each in-game day, a backup will be created for the save file you’re playing on.
When you go to load a save, you’ll now have the option to either load your normal main save or to load a backup. Each save file can have a maximum of three backups - when that limit is reached, the oldest backup will be overwritten. Be aware that if you load a backup and save the game, it will overwrite your main save.
When loading a backup for a Shared save, it will create a new Shared save - anyone who’s joined it before will have to join it again to have access to it.
Having backup saves should make it easier to recover from bugs that seriously compromise save files, like the pipe issue shortly after the Automation Update came out.
The Shared Save Retrieval Arc
Some of y'all have had Shared saves disappearing or not showing up in your save file list. We found that roughly 3% of Shared saves would not show up after being created. We have now fixed this issue, and the fix will retroactively apply to save files that have been missing. That's right: through time sorcery you should be able to find your missing save!
With that said, multiplayer issues are complex and can happen for a whole bunch of different factors. If you're still missing your save file, contact us at [email protected] and we might be able to help you. In the past there have been cases where we've been able to manually go in and pull save files out. This is not the quickest or easiest process so we can't guarantee anything, but we want to do what we can!
Full Patch Notes
v. 0.8.2169
New features
Added save backup system
Standard save backups: in addition to the main/latest save, copies from the last three in-game days will be selectable in the load game menu
Shared save backups: along with uploading the save file to the cloud, the game now stores a local copy that can be used if the one in the cloud ever fails to load
Changes
Gameplay
Made Ulf's Research station not use energy and removed "missing roof" warning (AKA can't be buffed)
UI
An error message is now displayed in more situations if a save file fails to load
Other
Improved save game error telemetry to help us investigate any remaining save issues
Optimized structural integrity calculations, particularly for save files with many structures spread out across the world
Improved responsiveness on structural integrity
Dev note: “We are aware that this system can break down on complex structures, leaving things floating in the air. We will tackle this closer to 1.0."
Bug fixes
Gameplay
Fixed many constructs unintentionally providing support to structures built with modular constructs
Dev note: “If you've built structures touching these, you may see partial collapsing if the structure wasn't actually stable without them."
Fixed certain weathers appearing more frequently than they should and vice versa
Fixed modular constructs not getting support when placed on concrete foundations in free mode
Fixed Seed Shooter expending two seeds when not seeding a mound, but only spawning one seed pickup
UI
Fixed network error messaging incorrectly displaying "failed to create session" in many cases
Other
Fixed roughly 3% of Shared saves never showing up in list of saved games after being created
Dev note: "Any affected Shared save should now be accessible after installing this patch."
Improved handling of loading and saving Shared save files for better safety
Fixed some performance issues related to decorations and coziness
Further optimizations to item pickups
With these issues squared away we can turn our attention fully to 1.0. Expect the amount of patches to drop as we go all in on finishing the game, but if we see any important issues we'll of course do our best to address them.
Until next time, Exofarmers!
// The FRAME BREAK Team