I have updated Star Explorers to version 4.2. Existing players will once again, not experience any changes. However, for new players, the game will default to the "Old-School Pixel Graphics" shader.
Why the Change?
You may also notice that the store page and trailer have been updated to represent this pixel shader look. There are two main reasons I have done this.
- I like it. Ever since I added the shader to the game, I have liked the look of it. It gives me a nostalgic feeling of the good old days of gaming. Even though 3D graphics were not really done this way back in the day, it still has this effect on me, and I'm hoping other players will respond similarly.
- Setting expectations. I may have done this myself a few times, but Star Explorers seems to get compared to No Man's Sky quite a bit. This is unfortunate, as that game is an amazing technological achievement that took thousands of man hours over a period of three years and a team of up to 13 full-time developers. The game costs $50 and I think it is an unbelievably cool game. Since Star Explorers has a similar premise, it seems natural to compare the games. However, Star Explorers is much smaller in scope, and was made by a single developer (me) working in his spare time. I am hoping that giving the game a more retro look will set player expectations accordingly. I really do not want to misrepresent what this game offers.
How Can I Stop This?
If you prefer the original look of the game, you can easily un-click the "Old-School Pixel Shader" in the Video Options menu. Again, old players should not have any change, as the game should load your existing settings.