Space Impossible
ALPHA 12.1 Released
For a full list of all the additions and changes as well as how they all work please check out the forum post here forum post
ALPHA 12 Released
Alpha 12 is now available. This update adds several new features to aid navigation around the universe. These include a new system map, an overhauled discovery system, the ability to place beacons to mark and find locations and a new "active" and "passive" scanner ability to help you find resources and vessels within regions.
For a full list of all the additions and changes as well as how they all work please check out the forum post here forum post
ALPHA 12 Pre-Release Build 2 Available
This is a pre-release build so all the usual things apply, it will have problems (some of which we know about) and it may break your universe.
If you still wish to give it a try check out all the changes and details here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/416240/discussions/10/1696040635928289247/ and how to access it here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/416240/discussions/10/1693788384146678594/
ALPHA 12 Pre-Release Build 1 Available
ALPHA 12 contains many changes we hope will improve navigation overall. Changes include the addition of a new "scanner", a system map and beacons to find your way to and/or back to interesting locations. All of these systems require some polish and a little more fleshing out before a full release but we would like input from those willing to try.
If you would like to check out this pre-release build all the usual things apply, it will have problems (some of which we know about) and it may break your universe.
If you still wish to give it a try check out all the changes and details here : http://steamcommunity.com/app/416240/discussions/10/1693788384146689586/and how to access it here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/416240/discussions/10/1693788384146678594/
ALPHA 12 Dev Post
We're replacing region navarrows with a new passive and active scanning system. Objects are evaluated based on their components (especially activated ones). These will show up on the passive scan. There is now an active scan ability which will show all objects in the region, based on direction and mass. This will fade with time and will require a refresh when wanted. At the moment scanning is a set ability, but will be adjustable in the future when bridge components are added.
Inventory and components will be accessible while in warp. There will be some restrictions--like no dropping of items. But now you can swap stuff around without having to leave warp, making for a smoother experience.
Beacons are also going to make their first appearance ingame. These are objects that can appear in a region or a star system, and can be used to signify things of interest. They won't have collision, so you need not worry about destroying them. They will have a customizable name and icon. We hope these prove useful for marking things of interest for later visits. In the future "world" beacons will start showing up.
We've added a "discovery" system (different from ALPHA 4's discovery), which affects visibility of things when at warp within the star system. Areas can now range from completely undiscovered to completely known, and various steps in between. This will tie into things like faction as well, where a standing with a faction will reveal some information that otherwise wouldn't be available unless in the immediate vicinity of the area.
Finally, we're introducing a proper star system map. This will utilize the information available from visibility based on the "discovery data", certain radius from your ship (that will be changeable in the future). Some of the data will be clustered together when they're in close proximity (like the moons of a planet), but we hope it will provide enough information to be useful for exploration, navigation and other related tasks, while not too revealing.
We expect a test build to be ready in the next 7-10 days, and the actual ALPHA 12 build sometime not long after.
ALPHA 11 Released
Alpha 11 is now available. The main feature of this alpha is the addition of a mission system along with changes to how the various factions interact with you. Missions can be accessed via the current Star Systems Mission Board (Default Key J).
We know this update has taken quite some time but we hope you enjoy the changes and that they go some way to our goal of adding more "purpose" to the universe.
For a full list of all the additions and changes as well as how they all work please check out the forum post here : forum post
ALPHA 11 Pre-Release Build 3 Available
NOTE: Due to fixes to mission save data, universes made in ALPHA 11 Pre-Release 1 will NOT load and will cause and error. Please make a new universe or try loading one from ALPHA 10 instead.
This is a pre-release build so all the usual things apply, it will have problems (some of which we know about) and it may break your universe.
If you still wish to give it a try check out all the changes and details here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/416240/discussions/9/1693785035807229810/ and how to access it here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/416240/discussions/9/2906376154318539530/
ALPHA 11 Pre-Release Build 2 Available
NOTE: Due to fixes to mission save data, universes made in ALPHA 11 Pre-Release 1 will NOT load and will cause and error. Please make a new universe or try loading one from ALPHA 10 instead.
This is a pre-release build so all the usual things apply, it will have problems (some of which we know about) and it may break your universe.
If you still wish to give it a try check out all the changes and details here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/416240/discussions/9/1621726179566161721/ and how to access it here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/416240/discussions/9/2906376154318539530/
ALPHA 11 Pre-Release Build 1 Available
Hey everyone! Rex and I hope everyone is having a happy December, with a happy hanukkah and merry christmas to come. ALPHA 11 is still under development. It's a whopper of work, so it's taking a bit longer than we had hoped. It won't be ready before Jan 1st, and with some holiday travels coming up, we wanted to get something out before the new year. We are happy that a Pre-Release build is ready for players to take a crack at the new missions and enhanced faction systems. There's still some bugs present and only a small selection of missions but we're confident that all missions can be completed and give out some rewards.
We're very interested in hearing any initial feedback. We've also received some bug reports for ALPHA 10, that we're investigating, and we hope to have some fixes for included when ALPHA 11 is ready. Whether or not you are able to play the test build we both wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holidays.
If you would like to check out this pre-release build all the usual things apply, it will have problems (some of which we know about) and it may break your universe.
If you still wish to give it a try check out all the changes and details here : http://steamcommunity.com/app/416240/discussions/9/2906376154318564589/ and how to access it here: http://steamcommunity.com/app/416240/discussions/9/2906376154318539530/
ALPHA 11 Dev Post
Missions are based on the star system and will consist of five types: Combat Target, Combat Clearing, Trading, Exploration and Collecting.
Combat Target - One, or several, specific targets must be destroyed. The target(s) may be in one region or in several. Ex: Destroy Captain Duncan.
Combat Clearing - A number of generally defined targets must be destroyed. These will almost always require visiting several regions. Ex: Destroy five Ticeroy vessels/stations.
Trading - You'll encounter people and places that are looking for certain items. Provide this specific item for a reward. Ex: A trader is stranded and wants a new engine.
Exploration - These missions will require visiting certain regions and doing something within the region. (NOT INCLUDED IN ALPHA 11).
Collecting - These missions will require the player to mine and/or collect a certain number of tiles. (NOT INCLUDED IN ALPHA 11).
Missions will be available to everyone in the star system, and may be used to gain and/or lose faction, gain currency and/or items. They won't have to be accepted, rather are open to multiple people who can all contribute to completing that mission. Missions can fail, especially Combat Target, if the target becomes unavailable. One mission may be tracked by each player.
Additionally we're trying out the addition of a star system map. This will let you see neighboring star systems, including the predominant faction.
As part of the mission system, AI will now respond better to a player's faction, so not everyone will try to kill you out right. You'll be able to see your standing with each faction as well from a new menu screen.
The real exciting thing about this update is that we're laying and expanding on the groundwork for your actions to have real meaning in the space around you. It also means re-adding Trading (buying/selling) is also one step closer (A12 or A13 depending), and now with real differences between factions.
As always we thank you for your patience. We think it'll be worth the wait!