New build! https://wiki.arcengames.com/index.php?title=AI_War_2:Finalizing_Multiplayer#2.899_Almost_Press_Build
We're a day out from sending press copies of Zenith Onslaught out, so that's very exciting. You can see some of the very first graphics related to DLC2 in this update, even in the base game, since the Zenith Trader got a facelift to match the new Zenith theming. Other base game Zenith units will be getting that sort of treatment in the coming weeks, though not all of them before ZO actually launches.
This version also relaxes some of the restrictions on how many helpful buildings can seed around the galaxy. Basically, you can make it easier by having more things to capture. We're going to be working on some post-DLC2 content that involves Game Modes that are more restrictive versus more freeform, and for the default mode that we have right now (which will be called Humanity Ascendant), we may as well lean into being more permissive and freeform. The more hardcore modes will not allow such luxuries, but that's the nature of having two modes: two different audiences. We don't want folks to feel like we only cater to the really expert players.
There's a bunch of little UI updates in QoL features in this build, most of them kind of random but definitely very handy. Badger did a lot of those. For modders, you might be interested to know that the Test Chamber now works again, and has a number of helpful utility methods with it. That makes it way easier to test out new units for the main game or DLC or a mod, if you're designing them visually in particualr.
Couple of bugfixes in here, but not much. I'm aware of some other outstanding multiplayer issues that I need to resolve in the morning, and a couple of things that could be more clear, and apparently the tutorial can still kill you if you take your time reading. So those things are for the morning for me. If you see anything else, please let us know.
Enjoy!