Beta version 1.4 is coming soon! It addresses a few bugs that somehow got overlooked, and introduces the first attempt at "Casual Mode."
Resolution Problems
- A huge bug existed for players who run Star Explorers for the first time - it seems that the default screen resolution was never properly set, and the game would start at 800 x 600! One player did point this out, but he had an uncommon monitor resolution, and I thought it was related to that
- Now the game should start at 1280 x 720 as default
- Players who had an existing game prior to the full release would not have encountered this bug, as the game would have looked to their existing settings
Improved Scanning in Spaceship
- Scanning is the thing that determines whether the little hand icon will show up, allowing you to interact with the ship's console and bay doors
- Previously, this was a bit touchy and would not work when you stepped too close to the interactive panel
- It should be more robust now, and should not shut off when you get too close
Inventory Glitch
- A bug in the inventory function prevented (in some cases) the number of an item from increasing if you already possessed that item
- This should now work correctly in all cases
Casual Mode
- Under the Options Menu, there is a small toggle called "Casual Mode"
- Clicking this will change certain key aspects of gameplay, here is a summary of what it changes
- Fuel is no longer needed to fly the spaceship
- Your character will never run out of oxygen
- Your character will no longer take any damage
- Your ship will no longer be trapped in a star's or planet's gravity well
- Your ship will be able to pass through planets and stars
- Aliens will be friendly by default (though you may still choose to attack them)
- Hostile Aliens will no longer spawn in caves
- Floater Aliens may actually be hostile, but should not actually cause damage
- With these easements, the game will not be challenging at all, so I have made a few other adjustments as well
- Armor upgrades will not appear in caches or at traders
- Laser pistols are the only weapons available
- Steam Achievements will not work in Casual Mode
I hope you enjoy these new features. I will probably be making this version (1.4) into the default version in a few days after I test it some more. Let me know if you encounter any issues. Also, if you haven't tried the beta version before, go to Star Explorers>Properties>Betas and choose "beta" from the drop down menu.
The beta version also included the 3D Star Chart, improvements to inventory, a better Load Game menu and more. Check the last few updates to see what else is in the beta version.