It's been 3 days since our last update. I know -- shocking :D Perhaps it appears that we are getting lazy. Quite the opposite, actually -- we have an absolutely massive update for you tonight, overflowing with major developments, improvements, quality of life and fixes!
First Era
Update #31 releases the first Era -- the Second Founding -- and brings a major new aspect of the Star Traders: Frontiers simulation online. We will avoid spoiling the story details of the Era -- but are excited to release this major new chunk of content that is a mix of narrative and proc gen content. Eras are periods of time within the story, often influenced by the actions of your Captain.
An Era's effect on the sandbox simulation is powerful -- it can change all sorts of rules, altering mission generation, what Conflicts are to be created, and the rumors states as well. Unique new Contacts can be created while other versions drop off.
At the same time, an Era is a collection of related story arcs that a player can engage in, altering the course of the Era and possibly of the future Eras and future story arcs.
With Update #31, we've released the simulation side of the Second Founding Era, as well as the story arc that contains it. We will be loading more unique narrative content into its timeline as we move forward in the v.2.1.x family, but we are excited to be pushing this major new change into the game.
Now that the first Era is revealed, the meaning of the development roadmap's placeholders for 6 more Eras during the Early Access period should start to crystallize a bit!
Notably, for some players whose games are pretty far advanced, when this update goes out, you'll just see the end of the Era. Apologies for that, but you've sailed right through it.
With the final candles burning down on the v2.1.x family, it won't be long before we are going to be cracking into the v2.2.x family features. More story content is planned to be coming rapidly and it won't be long before we're cracking open the next Era!
HUD Improvements
We have a critical list of improvements to make to the HUD, but because of the number of screens these effect we've been taking our time on them to make sure we get it right. This release breaks the dam on these updates and release both a Fuel Jump indicator and makes the Cargo tray clickable to bring up the cargo screen.
Now, at a glance you can see the amount of Fuel you need to execute a hyperwarp jump against your current fuel reserves.
On most screens, the cargo area in the bottom left has become an active hotspot to jump to your cargo, intel, mission items and stash lists.
Our next steps is to get a button for the crew list on the main HUD so that it is always just one click away. We'll keep improving, so thanks to everyone for pushing us on these areas!
By Shalun, There is More
We've added a new Contact type, the Gestalt Explorer, to expand their medical tradition's footprint in the galaxy.
Major story events, like the bombing of the Highwind Orbital now appear in the spice hall news records with the rest of the juicy details of what is going on in the galaxy.
We improved the Ship Buff descriptions if a Buff self-inflicts damage. So, its clear when something adds +Reactor Points, but also radiates your crew to death!
Based on further feedback and analysis of story games being sent in, we've slowed down the pace of the main Faen and Arbiter storyline by about 20%. This will help more players get story events under their belt before things move on or the new Era starts!
Of course, there is more -- full patch notes below.
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v2.1.1 - 2/3/2018
- Added major story Era: Second Founding
- During Founding, Contacts give double negotiation and spy missions
- During Founding, Factions rarely start 'Solar Wars' and prefer 'Spy Wars'
- During Founding, Quarantined Rumors are greatly reduced
- During Founding, Taxes, Civil Unreset and Starport Rumors are increased
- During Founding, Powerful "Coalition Liaison" Contacts Spawn (and Senate Liaisons do not)
- Major story events now add to news reel in the Spice Hall
- New Contact Type: "Gestalt Explorer" aids Gestalt Technologist Contacts
- Cargo tray is now clickable to bring up full cargo listing / intel / stashes / mission items
- Clarified Ship Buff Talents that self-inflict damage (components, crew, morale)
- HUD now includes a mark in the fuel bar that indicates "jump cost" for fuel
- HUD and fuel bar are now shown on Hyperwarp Jump screen
- Resolved issues where the Faen story arc could hang and not proceed in timely fashion
- Further slowed pace of critical path story events by about 20%
- Conscripted crew get correct recruit date
- Added new Trait, Faction, Zone and Job barks for Landing and Orbital
- Increased Edict and Permit levels for "Lord" and "Spymaster" Contact types
- New Ship Component: Reinforced Barracks 8
- Adjusted Pricing on some ships, ship components, updated Template adjustments to match
- Fixed bug with Contact discounts being too low