Deep Space Outpost
New Ship Comms & Docking Control - EA Update v0.4.0.26
We now have a station communications panel, where you can control space station docking for friendly spaceships and trade / repair them!
It's taken a bit of time to get this update out, as there are quite a few changes. The station computer (which previously was fixed and ended the game when destroyed) now behaves like any other item. If you don't have it, you just wont be able to trade or repair spaceships.
With the station computer working, it now allows you to bring up the communications panel (a new button in main controls). Here you can see any ships nearby or due and give them docking permission. Once docked and with the correct permission, you can trade or repair them from here.
Yes, the repair bay has been expanded so as well as fixing your mining droids they can now repair friendly ships and earn some credits. Clicking on the repair bay will show the repair range, so make sure you have enough docking areas around it.
Previously the game only ever spawned one trader if your navigation beacon was enabled, but now many more are supported. Also note:- ships can dock at an airlock, a repair bay or a docking connect. So make sure your station has enough docking facilities! Spaceships currently all require a free 3x3 tile size space.
Enjoy!
Nick
Droid Job Priorities Change - EA Update v0.4.0.9
Hey everyone,
Just a little update with droids and how job priorities are now handled. There is now a job priorities popup, where all droids can be seen and what jobs they are set to do. You can also sort by job type so now much easier to see which droids are set to which tasks. Oh and can also use right mouse button to cycle down.
I have also disabled the automatic switching of job priorities meaning jobs can have the same job priority setting (still 1-4), but as indicated at the bottom of the new screen, the jobs left most will have priority. Eg:- Emergency and Repair if both set to the same value, Emergency will take priority.
That's it in this update, let me know if something isn't working, or further improvements i could make with this new screen.
Thanks,
Nick
Fixes & Improvements - EA Update v0.4.0.6
Just a few fixes and improvements, mainly with repair changes.
- Improve: User repair check can call more often.
- Improve: Repair bots don't just stay in one place whilst fixing.
- Fix: Internal floor tile test not check construction corners - optimise floor check algo.
- Fix: Refinery info window processing settings layout for languages.
- Fix: Repair time of mining bots and droids. Was too quick, needs to be proportional to build time.
New Repair Bay & Build Changes - EA Update v0.4.0.5
Main addition with this update is the new repair bay. With this built you can fix your mining droids (that now take wear damage). Repair bay will eventually be used to fix other ships as well, but the first step is there.
Also lots of changes with construction, mainly just to make things simpler and more intuitive. Do let me know if anything still not as 'expected'.
- Repair bay added. Currently fixes just your mining droids.
- You can now delete mostly any wall or floor now and there is no automatic attempt to build walls to keep your station floors internal. I think this makes things simpler.
- New internal overlay type. This helps to see why you cant place items, or items stop working (production items require internal area).
- Salvage depots now have to connect to a structure (wall/docking connect), so their construction now same as turrets.
- Dock area added to overlay, so can see where ships can dock with repair bay and docking connects. Repair bay has a repair range, which is shown.
- Improve: Scrap/Mining Lasers now only deduct power when in use.
- Improve: Damage from external collisions now have own values.
- Improve: Most repair costs are now refunded if repair item destroyed before repair starts.
- Fix: Droid repair now fixes % at time of order, not 100%. Also fixes in increments, not all at once.
- Fix: More missing translations fixed.
- Fix: Docking connectors added to routine repair checks.
- Fix: Repair tooltips incorrect in some instances on why can't fix
Cheers, Nick
French & Spanish Game Text Added - EA Update v0.3.0.44
You now have the option to have the game text in French or Spanish! ːsteamhappyː
I won't update the Steam page to say i've got those languages supported just yet, as i want to:-
- Check i haven't missed any text.
- Make sure translations make sense where i'm using them. May need some variants.
- No graphical issues (text doesn't overlap or not fitting windows).
- Update the demo.
Cheers, Nick
More Optimisations - EA Update v0.3.0.42
Another little roundup of optimisations for the weekend. Mainly issues with very large space stations.
- Improve: MMB hold for drag camera should be quicker
- Improve: No power indicator on items caused fps slow down.
- Improve: Droid job check reduce checks on lower power, none on zero power.
- Improve: User repair check, do quick range test before lookups
- Improve: Reduce next to destination checks on user repair.
Fixes and Optimisations - EA Update v0.3.0.40
Happy weekend all, just a quick little update fixing a few bugs and improving performance. Not quite there with translations i'm working on, but thought an update was due as a few issues highlighted in last couple days.
- Improve: Droid job checking, reduce lookup freq (user and routine repairs).
- Improve: Routine repair checks, delay path lookups.
- Improve: Airlock internal o2 testing reduce lookup freq.
- Fix: Docking connectors not classified as external in some checks (could make floors internal and buildable on).
- Fix: Pirate target switching check target exists.
- Fix: Damage item process. Check target exists for leak storage, fx, fire and nearby damage checks.
Nick
High Score Tables Added - EA Update v0.3.0.34
Once a scenario is completed, the end stats screen will give you an option to enter your name if you've made the top ten for that scenario. Viewing the high score table gives you the option to replay the same seed, so you can replay the same game and try and beat your previous score.
Note - when additional events are added, scores will have to be wiped as seeds will generate different levels. Although i do keep version info with each score, so could show previous (but note it's from old).
Full notes:-
- High score tables added. New high score save file.
- Improve: MMB check, no need to reset cursor every step.
- Fix: Stats screen layout at lower resolution, text out of panel.
- Fix: Pause menu - load game button not reset on click.
- Fix: Stop all game audio on win game condition (game paused).
Nick
EA Update v0.3.0.30 Released
We now have the new docking connector structure to help you build your station. This is a cheaper wall like item, that you can use to expand the outside of your station. You can attach turrets, solar connector and walls to it. But the main use will be for ships to dock at and use you facilities (repair bay next up).
Also note have split off a couple of productions items into new services category.
Full changes:-
- New docking connector structure. Help updated.
- Life support and droid maintenance moved to new Services build menu.
- New docking overlay added.
- Fix: Main menu scenario message missing.
- Fix: HUD alignment in builder mode.
- Fix: Load game, button wasn't been reset on select.
Nick
EA Update v0.3.0.24 Released
Just a quick hotfix for save game issue. I've obviously got my save slots full and overwrite worked, but not a save in to an empty slot. Doh!
Sorry about that peops ːsteamfacepalmː
Nick