The latest playtest ran fairly smoothly, with players jumping in, exploring, and engaging in great discussions. Newcomers took some time to adjust, but once they got the hang of things, many seemed to really enjoy Stars Reach.
PLAYTEST FEEDBACK & FIXES
QUALITY OF LIFE & UI IMPROVEMENTS
Player Character now default starts with all tools, plus grav mesh, grapple and fortress shield are auto-equipped into the character slots.
RADIAL MENU (CONSUMABLES): Players requested item names to be displayed for easier identification.
INVENTORY SCREEN: A small info box was suggested to provide:
- Current planet name, possibly added to the zone info.
- Number of homesteads used and their locations.
- Corpse location, if applicable.
GAMEPLAY ADJUSTMENTS & BUG FIXES
- SPACE CREATURES & TERRAIN: A terrain check is needed to prevent creatures from phasing into solid ground.
- BALLHOGS IN SPACE: Currently, these enemies can target players through asteroids and melt the rock, leading to unexpected deaths.
- TOOL MAKER BUG: After returning from space to a planet, the tool maker stops functioning. The only current workaround is to log out and back in. This issue is flagged as a high-priority fix.
PLAYER-DRIVEN CHAOS: TESTING THE LIMITS
No playtest is complete without players pushing the boundaries of the game world. This time, one player attempted to reshape the starting portal area on Pyromycis by digging a trench around the spawn point. Normally, this wouldn’t be a huge issue, but the large cave system beneath the platform added an unexpected twist, turning it into a potential hazard for new arrivals.
Other players quickly took notice, sparking some creative problem-solving. Some tried diplomacy, while others used in-game mechanics to counter the effort. While the attempt to trap new players was ultimately ineffective, it provided valuable insights into player behavior, emergent gameplay, and potential exploits. Situations like this help highlight areas that may need refinement, such as spawn protection, while also showcasing the sandbox potential of Stars Reach.
LOOKING AHEAD – BE PART OF THE JOURNEY
This playtest provided valuable insights, and player feedback is shaping the future of Stars Reach. Upcoming adjustments will focus on space combat, griefing prevention, and improving quality-of-life features.
Now is the perfect time to get involved and help shape the game. Support Stars Reach by following our upcoming Kickstarter campaign. Get exclusive early backer rewards and be part of a passionate community shaping an MMORPG from the ground up.
Follow Stars Reach on Kickstarter now and be the first to know when the campaign goes live!