Hello everyone!
A new experimental patch is now available for testing! You can access it on the experimental branch by following the instructions below if you wish to get access to the changes and fixes now.
How to opt into experimental:
Locate Vectorio in your Steam library
Right click and go to "properties"
Find the "betas" branch
Using the dropdown, select "Experimental"
Experimental Info:
Testing Cycle: ~2 weeks
Experimental Saves: Disabled
Backwards Compatible: Up to v0.3.0-beta.5 (however, recommend starting a new save)
Update Type: Experimental Patch
Contains Spoilers: Yes
Questions? Comments? Concerns? Let me know below or on our Discord server:
Patch Notes
The following is a list of changes pushed to the experimental branch. While changes are usually tested beforehand, please note that some may require further testing to validate.
POWER NETWORKS:
A new mechanic designed around adjusting expansion mechanics to be more in line with the tower-defense / resource management systems in the game.
Here's how it works:
Defenses now require power distributed to them via power poles
Power poles function similarly to how Reclaimer's used to function, without the annoyances
These power poles must connect back to your hub; if this connection is severed, portions of your base may become unpowered and thus undefended
CROSS-REGION RESOURCE TRANSPORT
At long last, you can now transport resources across your regions using Gateways. This has been months in the making, and I'm very excited to finally have the first iteration of it ready for testing.
Here's how it works:
Gateways can connect to each other across regions, allowing for resources to be transported from one region to another
There are 3 requirements for portals to connect...
Each port MUST target the others region (ex. Abyss portal placed in the ALTAR region would connect with an ALTAR portal in the Abyss region)
Portals must both be assigned to the same channel; this channel ID is unique and only one connection per portal pair can be established at a time
The portals must finally be connected to your logistics network; if they are not connected, they will stop transmitting resources ot one another
Once connected, portals in the active region (that being the one you are in) can import or export to other regions, which are now simulated while off-screen.
This simulation is a WIP; it essentially takes a snapshot of your base when warping, calculating the throughput of each cluster & drone. This calculation is currently approximated, but will become more accurate over time as I continue to iterate on it.