Multiplayer Test Conclusion
The Multiplayer Test has now officially ended, and we were thrilled by the turnout—over 1,800 players joined or attempted to connect. This marks an important milestone in our development journey, testing the limits of our networking features. We’re especially proud of the core performance, even though some connectivity issues, particularly with RDP Keepalives, presented challenges.
It's worth noting that our goal isn’t to create a massive MMO but rather to offer a more intimate multiplayer experience where players can host private servers and team up with friends. This allows for controlled, cooperative play within smaller groups, giving players autonomy in shaping their frontier adventures. Thank you to everyone who participated, provided feedback, and helped pave the way for our next steps. Multiplayer connectivity will be temporarily disabled with this update but will return with refined features in the upcoming 0.6.x patch series.
New Features
NPC Aggro System
NPCs can now detect, engage, and damage players. Both Crimewatch and Defensewatch systems are live, meaning player actions are now subject to faction-based consequences. Stay alert and watch your reputation!
Player Ship Turrets
After resolving long-standing deletion issues, player ship turrets are fully functional. Equip your turrets and take advantage of enhanced firepower in hostile situations.
NPC Turret Aggro
NPC ships with turrets now respond with aggressive behavior. Prepare for a more immersive, dynamic combat experience as NPC defenses are fortified.
Shield and Armor Damage System
Incoming attacks now pause shield regeneration, adding a layer of strategy in combat. If armor is depleted to zero…
Player Death, Rebuy, and Respawn Mechanic
…the player’s ship is destroyed, triggering a respawn option in the home system of your faction. Rebuy your ship with current equipment for 65% of its value. Demo Achievement holders receive a 15% discount on this rebuy option in the full game. Alternatively, players can respawn in a Starlite ship for free, though no modules are retained.
Reputation Levels
Faction perception is now influenced by player actions, granting more depth to NPC interactions and alliances across the universe. Reputation impacts responses from factions, trading opportunities, and conflict likelihood.
Radiation Damage
Certain systems and areas are now irradiated, damaging your hull over time. Approach with caution and ensure your defenses are adequate to withstand the environmental hazards.
Achievements
An achievement system has been introduced, tracking player milestones, exploration, combat, and faction-related accomplishments. Progress is recorded in the player's profile, with achievements unlocking exclusive rewards and ship modifications in the future.
Cloud Save System
Save game data is now synced to the cloud, ensuring that progress is preserved across multiple devices. Play confidently knowing your journey is backed up and available whenever you’re ready to jump back into the action.
Minor Fixes & Improvements
- Reduced Volume on Mining Sounds for a less jarring experience.
- Additional AI Triggers for the Board Computer to cover missed actions.
- Resolved NPC Communication Issues where certain NPCs would fall silent after interactions.
- Reduced Scrap Value to balance the economy. Apologies to our scrappers!
- Adjusted Leveling Curve (currently under testing) to optimize player progression.
- Galaxy Map Improvement to ensure players are placed at their system’s position after a jump.
- Updated Star Systems to prevent players from becoming trapped in certain zones.
Looking Ahead to Release
This is the final patch before the game’s official release on November 11th. We can’t wait to open up the frontier regions to even more explorers, pirates, traders, and friends. Get ready to chart your own path in a universe full of intrigue, danger, and discovery. Thank you to our dedicated alpha players—your contributions have been invaluable in making this universe one worth exploring. We look forward to seeing everyone out there, pushing the boundaries of the unknown!