You're getting a lot this year!
Shipwreck Scanning
The shipwreck overhaul has been in full swing for a few months now, and it's coming along nicely. And what better way to ease yourself into it than... scanning! Get an idea of what to expect *before* you send the captain over to that floating treasure-trove / death-trap!
Race Pics
This is a really huge announcement, and it's almost a year in the making.
It's been hard keeping this a secret:
There's no specific timeline to introduce them into the game, but wow am I excited.
With several new types of "conversations" planned, these images will play a prominent role in future inter-species relations.
There are even a few that I'm *not* showing here, because they make up an entirely new faction that you haven't met yet... But hey, since people keep asking, I'll let you know the artist's name... It's Kenny Dalman!
https://www.deviantart.com/kennydalman
Holiday Quest
If that wasn't enough to get excited about, then maybe this will grab you: Approaching Infinity has a holiday quest this year! (I asked our Discord group how they wanted their holiday gift, and the vote was overwhelmingly for a new quest.)
It was conceived as a literal "fever dream", because I wrote the outline for it while recovering from my covid booster. That was a 3-hour pounding headache followed by a day of fatigue, but it's worth it if it helps me keep existing (that's basically all I do, to paraphrase Fry).
Anyway, this is the first new multi-stage quest that's been added to the game in *years*, and if you can handle a little bit of silliness, it will pay off in the end with a one-of-a-kind item. This adventure will be around through January, and it will start automatically some time after sector 4...
DLC
Approaching Infinity's first DLC is scheduled for 2022, but it might not be what you think...
David Gervais, (my long-time collaborator, co-conspirator, and consummate(adj.) pixel-pusher) asked me if I could do a DLC of new user interface skins. I told him I had no idea, but I'd try.
It turns out I can, so next month I plan to roll out a DLC package containing David's creations:
Each set is a total interface remodel, re-making every menu in the game in a new theme. 100% of the income from this DLC will go to David, even though he said I should keep half.
Patreon
I don't advertise this here much, but I've been a very good IBOL this year, so maybe some of you would like to do a gift exchange with me?
Patrons get exclusive updates every month, along with special codes and UI skins. Some folks get design documents, post-mortems, and even a look at my daily coding journal. It's a great platform for those who want to both give more and get more. And Patreon helped to fund those beautiful race pics ;)
-> Here's my Patreon page <-
There have been a few benefits that are pretty game-changing, and they've been Patreon exclusives. However, all Steam users will soon get to try out...
God Mode and Uncountable Infinities
For Everyone!
In February, I'll post a code that will allow you to turn on "God Mode". Not only will you become invincible, but holding the CTRL key will do all kinds of magical things: unlimited vision range, give you credits and data and crafting parts every second, erase your cooldowns, far too many things to list.
But these powers come with a price:
You can't turn them off (for that run), and they disable achievements. So this is not some super-powered rescue code. This is a game-changing decision that you can't take back. God mode evolved so that I could test things without worrying about mortality and limited information. Here's an explainer video:
https://youtu.be/OnY3H5Xi4wA
In March, I'll distribute a code so you can try "Uncountable Infinities" mode. This one comes with its own unique dangers, and if you're a serial completionist, I might have to recommend against it...
https://youtu.be/f-4Giw8ED4Y
Each code will work for that month, and then become inactive again. God-mode may be available for serious play-testers, and a version of uncountable infinities will permanently enter the game at some point in the future (but in a more manageable way).
Wrap-up
2021 has been an Incredible year for AI, and there is still an almost unfathomable amount to come. If you're not familiar with it yet, take a look at the StarMap 1.7, which outlines the intentions for the current development super-cycle. Then take a moment to realize that we still have 1.8 , 1.9, and 2.0 until this thing is really done.