Release Notes v0.2
⚠️ NOTE: Save Game Incompatibility ⚠️
Due to the massive changes in this update, v0.2 is not compatible with previous save files. You will need to start a new world to experience the new content.
🎨 Visual Overhaul & Performance
Existing players will probably notice the major change to graphics in this update. Nearly every model in game has been updated or recreated entirely to fit a new, simplified art style. This style choice is not just a fresh coat of paint but it's also a big performance improvement.
The new art style now uses a "single texture" workflow. Instead of every model loading multiple textures, all models share a unified color palette. This reduced the game size by over 50% (984 MB → 430 MB). And because there are fewer textures, older and more memory constrained GPUs should be able to handle this game better.
As a solo developer I needed an art style that looks good but also works with my time and budget. So far I'm really enjoying the new look and hope you do as well! Also please remember nothing is final so models might change here or there as I continue development.
World
Along with the visual changes to the machines, most biomes have been refreshed and will look a little different. But there are also some notable changes to non-visuals.
The size of most machines has been reduced so they feel more compact and easier to build.
Resource nodes have a much higher chance of generating near player spawn.
Fixed an issue preventing placing mining drills on resource nodes. Previously rocks or other debris spawned on top of a resource node would prevent placing mining drills.
🚂 Trains
CHOO CHOO! Trains have arrived! Trains can be used to transport large amounts of items across vast distances. Simply place down railway tracks and a couple of stations and schedule a locomotive to pull cargo wagons around the map. You can even hop in and go for a ride!
New Items: Railway Track, Railway Station, Locomotive, Cargo Wagon, Cargo Loader, Cargo Unloader.
Schedule locomotives to path between stations. Add conditions like wait for X seconds or must have either full or empty cargo wagons before continuing.
Machines & Logistics
Added an early game Stone Furnace crafted out of stone so players can always smelt iron or copper ore.
Added a Constructor machine to craft single ingredient recipes.
Splitters and Mergers are now separate dedicated machines for easier belt management.
Added a Steam Turbine as a more efficient power source in the mid game.
Balancing
The tech tree should now feel more rewarding and impactful to move through. Choices should be meaningful and not just checking off another box. To accommodate the 12 new research items, the tech tree has been rebalanced slightly. Many recipes have been changed as well.
🖥️ Quality of Life
Updated interface elements for a sharper cleaner look.
Inventory shortcuts to move stacks of items:
Shift + left mouse click and drag the mouse over items to transfer stacks quickly.
Ctrl + left mouse click to transfer all items of that type.
As always, thanks for reading and head over to the discord to learn more https://discord.gg/xmmPeZHj4T