Good morning everyone,
We've released 1.17 this morning to the Default (None) branch on Steam. We've also upgraded the Stable branch to 1.16.5 and the Legacy branch to 1.16.1. (So if you want to play your older saves, change to those branches.) The current plan is not to have any minor versions for this build, only hotfixes. So feel free to play a long/full game as the next save game breaking patch will likely by a month or so away.
1.17 saw many changes to the game. The big ones included Unicode and foreign language support, military and fleet contracting, redesigned magazine and mega menu, and an action memo system. We've also took care of a good number of bugs and implemented a Hardware Accelerated Mouse (which you can enable in the settings.)
For a complete change log for 1.17 see this thread: http://steamcommunity.com/app/285110/discussions/0/613937306725305473/
Since 1.16.5 we implemented the Action Memo system. Which currently has 3 actions, one for war, one for near bankruptcy, and the last one for recalls (this one also has a class action lawsuit follow up.) We'll be adding more actions over time. We also fixed a memory leak issue when designing cars, enabled a frame limiter for people who have broken vsync, and implemented a hardware mouse for those who have mouse speed issues. For a change log since 1.16.5, see the bottom of this announcement.
So what about 1.18? Over the course of 1.17 I fixed my trac (ticketing system) and started to compile a giant list of user feedback and suggestions. (You can view this list here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/285110/discussions/0/617320628374538453/) As you can see 1.18 deals mainly with all the suggestions and my own ideas for the RnD department and Consumer AI. We'll be adding new ratings, presenting important information to you better, and Improving the AI's ability to design components and vehicles. This should significantly improve both the user's gameplay and the AI's. It'll also probably add an extra layer of awesomeness to the game. So social life beware! :D
As mentioned in the opening paragraph, I'll be moving back to the OpenBeta style of releases. This means a 4-6 week major build patch instead of the current weekly/bi-weekly minor build patches. We're moving back to this because the game has stabilized quite a bit over the last 6 months. So I should avoid breaking your save games when possible. Having massive patches instead of a bunch of weekly minor ones is a better way to go. If you're worried about my work productivity, don't be, follow my progress in the 1.18 Progress thread on the forums!
If any major bugs come around during 1.17, I have a separate fork to hot patch the game without breaking save files. ETA for 1.18 is going to be early/mid February.
Enjoy the game, and happy new year!
Change Log 1.16.5->1.17
----------------------------
-Clone Branch now can delete vehicles
-Implemented a hard frame limiter for video cards that can't handle vsync. Game should run between 30-35fps. (Yes I know 30 is hated, but ask your self, do slider slide prettier at 60 fps?)
-Fixed GearCity Monthly Memo Bug again (For good this time)
-Fixed Sofia wrong country bug.
-Added model years to 3 or 4 premade reports.
-Action Memo System
-Recall Action
-Defective Vehicles Class Action Lawsuit
-Going Bankrupt Action Memo
-Engine Contract Factory Assignment.
-22 New car models
-Hardware Accelerated Mouse
-Game Loading Bug (LINUX)
-Fixed Incorrect units (inches instead of mm) in the Magazine.
-Reduced Cargo Requirements for contracts more.
-Mega Menu arrows now cycle through factory or branches depending on which you have open.
-Fixed Linux mouse bug when running in window mode at the same resolution as your desktop.