A New Starmap, Space Stations, Research and More!
We've got some very exciting news to share! To celebrate the 10th big Alpha iteration for Space Haven we have decided to expand our plans with Alpha 10 and implement some modifications to the starmap, along with some new elements added to the mix, like space stations!
A New Modified Starmap
We wanted to venture out and try something new with the starmap, something that would give you more meaningful choices when planning your route.
The new starmap combines a set of star systems into clusters, and gives you some information of what type of cluster it is. This will give you an idea of what type of faction presence you will encounter in a specific cluster.
Our current idea is to present a choice between paths that are riskier but which could result in more bountiful treasures and paths that are safer but already scavenged by other factions to some degree. The starmap still keeps evolving as we keep implementing more. We're eager to have you try it out once we get to the experimental stage!
Space Stations
No longer will you only encounter space ships on your space voyage in search of Eden, various specialized space stations will be scattered throughout the galaxy awaiting you.
The stations can be general outposts or specialized in some way. Some examples:
- Farming stations - Stations specialized in farming and guaranteed to have a good amount of various foods for trade.
- Repair stations - Stations specialized in repairs, giving you the opportunity to purchase a hull expansion service (Expanding the hull with drones) with credits.
- Faction bases - Fight your way through the pirates and destroy their hideout base to deal a killing blow to the pirate presence in a part of the galaxy.
- Mining stations - Stations specialized in mining and offering a good variety of various ore for trade.
- Trading outposts - Stations specialized in general trade, offering a wide variety of resources for trade.
- And more!
A pirate hideout base buried deep within the cluster of pirate systems.
A station specialized in farming built on top of an asteroid somewhere in the galaxy.
A station specialized in repairs, capable of helping you on your travels!
Research
We have worked on research and the research tree and implemented the needed tech for it to allow us to create new in-game tech items in the future. A Research skill as well as a research lab facility has been added to the mix and crew members can research new tech by spending some time sitting at the research lab.
We decided to go with a visual presentation seen in the screenshot, a research tree from left to right with various branches taking their own paths in the tree. The modules currently require certain amounts of research points, classed into three different tiers. These research point tiers represent how hard it is to unlock a research item, and these will be tied to a character research skill.
Improved and deeper food system
While working on the research tree and thinking about modules related to botany we found a good opportunity to dive deeper into the food system and make some further implementations to take nutrients into account and have consequences related to them.
The Kitchen
The Kitchen has received an overhaul to enable more freedom for you to create your own specialized meals for your crew members. The kitchen now allows you to mix various boxes of food together, and even specifying the amount of some ingredient box to use.
Now you can spice up your fruit and root vegetable mix with some monster meat, just enough so that your crew members won't notice any really bad side effects. How about some monster meat and human meat with peanuts on the side? No problem! Coming right up. Put all of that food into good use.
You are what you eat
Up until now your crew members have not cared much about what they eat, or more specifically what kind of nutrients they are actually putting in their system.
The crew members are now affected by what kind of nutrients they consume on a long-term basis. Proteins, Carbs, Fat and vitamins are all important. A fifth are toxins, which have a negative effect if consumed too much too fast.
A balanced diet with enough proteins, carbs, fat and vitamins keep your crew members working at an optimal level. Deficiencies can result in a lower recovery rate, learning rate, health, mood and so on.
Throwing up
Your crew members can now get nausea from consuming too many toxins, this in turn will lead to them throwing up and losing their stomach contents on the spaceship floor. There goes my lunch, what a bummer!
Throwing up essentially means the nutrients from the stomach are lost, so be careful with giving too much monster meat to crew members all at once.
The Algae Farm
Nobody likes eating algae, but it's marginally better than starving to death. It keeps the crew alive but can affect their health and mood due to an unpleasant texture and sub-optimal nutrient levels.
We are introducing a new facility called the algae farm. This facility is intended to be a basic food source, using bio matter and water to grow algae, which are then scooped for some delicious (Or not) green porridge type of food. It will keep your crew alive but if this is the only food eaten it will cause nutrient deficiencies and even nausea.
Hyperium Hyperdrive and Energium Power Generator
The hyperium hyperdrive is less efficient than more advanced hyperdrives but can use hyperium as fuel directly without having to refine it.
The energium power generator is less efficient than more advanced power generators but can use energium as an energy source directly without having to refine it.
We have added these two new facilities to help power up your ship and jump to hyperspace. These facilities will be basic technology facilities, with the ability to use raw resources directly as an energy resource and fuel.
As these facilities use raw resources instead of refined resources they are not quite as efficient, but on the other hand it is a bit easier to supply them as they can use raw resources mined directly from asteroids.
Introducing new NPC ships
This new civilian ship will join the civilian fleet and meet you on your adventures!
Military Alliance receives a new addition to their fleet, you'll meet this ship in your future adventures in space.
Cult of New Haven gets a new ship added to their fleet, you'll meet this ship on your future adventures.
Androids also receive a new ship to their fleet. You will meet this ship on your space adventures.
If you want a chance to get your own ship in the updates post them in our Discord server #screenshots-and-videos channel, or here on Steam! =)
Join Space Haven Discord: http://discord.gg/spacehaven
You can also post them here on Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/app/979110/screenshots/
Report bugs here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/979110/discussions/4/
Discuss Space Haven here: https://steamcommunity.com/app/979110/discussions/0/
Technical Support: https://steamcommunity.com/app/979110/discussions/1/
Space Haven subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/SpaceHaven/
Big update in the works, Spacefarers! Do join some of our channels above and come chat with us. Thanks for reading and see you in the next update! =)