With this patch, we take a somber moment to honor the passing of Mark Sibly, a pioneer whose contributions to game development have shaped countless careers and projects, including this one.
In Memory of Mark Sibly
Mark Sibly, the brilliant creator of the engine that powers this game, passed away this month. His work revolutionized indie game development for many, giving countless developers the tools to turn dreams into reality. Personally, I have used Mark’s software for more than half my life. From my earliest programming experiments to building this very universe, Mark’s vision and ingenuity, his passion for development, they all have been a constant companion.
Mark wasn’t just a titan in the technical sense; he was a generous mentor and a source of inspiration. His engines empowered so many of us to create not just games but memories, careers, and communities. Losing him is a tremendous blow to us, but his legacy endures in every project born in his works. From BlitzBasic, to Monkey, we salute you. o7
To honor Mark, this update includes a small in-game memorial - our way of saying thank you to someone who gave so much to so many. You may find this tribute wander across the sector you're in, a ghostly reminder that even amidst the stars, we stand on the shoulders of giants.
New Features
- Expanded Sectors: Explore several new sectors filled with unique opportunities and dangers.
- Mission Database Work Begins: Laying the groundwork for next year’s major updates, we’ve added basic backend functionality for missions.
- Refined Board Computer Voices: All board computer audio has been fully post-processed for clarity and immersion.
- Mark Sibly Memorial: A heartfelt in-game tribute to the man whose vision brought this game—and so many others—to life.
- New Audio Subsystem for Explosions and Shield/Hull impacts
Changes
- Tutorial Overhaul Underway: Background work has begun on a new and improved tutorial system to better guide new players.
- Derelict Scaling Adjusted: The derelict minigame now scales based on ship size for a more balanced experience.
- Audio Updates: Several tweaks and enhancements to in-game audio for a more immersive experience.
- Derelict Spawn Restriction: Derelicts no longer appear in fortress systems with Security Levels 9 and 10.
Fixes
- Defender Spawn Bug: Resolved an issue where Defender-class NPCs were spawning with the incorrect ships.
As we continue to develop and expand this universe, we carry Mark Sibly’s legacy forward, building upon the foundation he gave us.
Thank you, Mark,
for everything.