We've been working on updates to the game and we'd love you to try them out. You can access 1.8 Beta 1 in the next beta branch.
This release has the following features:
- You can buy new ships at dry docks and Commonwealth fortresses. There are 5 new playable ship classes, including the EI200 freighter (with 500 tons of cargo) and the Minotaur-class (a military-grade corvette).
- The trading mechanics have been revamped. Now prices vary from system to system according to production and consumption rules.
- Ship armor has been re-balanced and now affects maximum speed. If you choose lighter armor, you can increase the speed of your ship; heavier armor slows it down.
- There are dozens of other minor changes, including new graphics, game balance changes, UI improvements, and lots of API changes for mods.