Sven and I would like to extend our sincere thanks to all the participants in our Early Access program. We've already received lots of good feedback and useful suggestions (not to mention bug reports), and we encourage you to keep them coming as we continue along our journey towards release.
Patch Notes for 21 September 2016 (ver. 17120)
As you might expect, the first week of development in Early Access was more of a bug hunt than a stand-up fight. Here's a summary of the changes for today's build as well as the numerous hotfixes over the past week:
New Features
Updated frames and layouts for the Options pane.
Added a new gameplay option: "Assign New Transports to Trade". When activated, this will automatically send newly constructed Transports to the Trade Pool.
Added a sound level control for ambient background effects, so that the volume of ambient sounds can be changed independently of music and sound effects.
Bug Fixes
Fix for a bug that was preventing many minor races from suffering the full consequences of low morale.
Better handling of starvation events on planets where a portion of the population does not require food.
Using a mouse configuration that switches the meaning of the left and right buttons should no longer cause UI bugs.
Fix for a bug that could cause an AI faction to be marked as "destroyed" after absorbing a splinter colony.
Successful revolts will now destroy any planetary defenses on the rebel planet.
Spice Mongers are now better able to farm Arid worlds.
Creating an outpost an a planet with natives should no longer cause that world to join your empire.
Fix for a bug in the AI logic that could cause the game to throw an exception, instead of advancing to the next turn.
Fix for a bug in the planet bombardment logic that could cause the game to hang.
Deleting a ship design while an example of that design is being built should no longer cause an error.
Fix for a bug that could cause primitive races to sometimes crew colony ships.
(Click here to view the complete development changelogs.)
In the Works: Strategic Map Zoom
The feature that Sven and I are working on now is to add multiple zoom settings to the strategic map. This is one of our most often-requested features, and something we've wanted to get to for some time. The current map has only a single display mode, which is scaled to fit the entire map on screen, and it can get a bit crowded when multiple fleets are active around the same star system.
We are adding new zoom in and zoom out modes for the strategic map. Our current target is for for a max zoom in of 200% and a max zoom out of 50%. Here's a mockup of max zoom out below:
Zoom can be triggered with explicit clicks on the zoom buttons or via the mousewheel. Our plan is to add multiple intermediate steps between normal, max and min zoom, but we'll see how that goes.
One of the things that adding zoom levels allows us to do is to increase the spacing between stars at normal zoom level, which should reduce clutter even at the normal zoom level.
That's all for now. Happy conquering!
Stars in Shadow has launched in Early Access!
4x strategy fans will look to the stars today as publisher Iceberg Interactive releases turn-based 4x strategy title ‘Stars in Shadow’ into Steam’s Early Access Program. Developed by Canadian outfit Ashdar Games, Stars in Shadow features unique comic style graphics, streamlined empire management, sophisticated turn-based tactical combat, and detailed world building. The current Early Access build is an advanced beta, ready to be shipped before the end of 2016, pending final polish and user feedback.
Our goal is to make a game that really plays well, rather than one that is just a long list of features. 4X games benefit from intensive polish, and while we do still have more to do, we feel think EA players will be pleasantly surprised by how much depth is already there.
Enjoy the game and we look forward to hearing from you!
Stars in Shadow sets Early Access Launch for September 15th 2016
Distinctive Comic Style Sci-Fi 4x Strategy PC Title to be Shown at Gamescom 2016 Before Next Month’s Early Access Release
Iceberg Interactive, the publisher well-known for its love of sci-fi games and 4x strategy titles, today announces that their brand new PC space strategy game, Stars in Shadow (PC) will be launching on September 15, 2016 via Steam Early Access. The game marks the first title for the Canadian development studio, Ashdar Games, and long-time fans of the popular 4x genre will not be disappointed.
Stars in Shadow is a turn-based 4x strategy game set deep in space featuring seven playable factions, comprised of six different alien races. Offered in a highly distinctive comic-book art style, Stars in Shadow draws players into its galactic universe with an immersive backstory. By competing with alien factions, exploring nearby star systems, developing colonies and empires, and much more, the galaxy can be unified through either diplomacy or by force – the choice will be left entirely up to the player.
Steam Coming Soon pages live for 4x titles ‘Stars in Shadow’ and ‘Lord of Rigel’
Haarlem, The Netherlands – May 23rd 2016 – Publisher Iceberg Interactive will be adding to their burgeoning stable of 4x strategy titles with Stars in Shadow and Lord of Rigel, each a unique addition to the richly populated genre. Gamers eager to add two brand new 4x strategy titles to their wishlists can now do so.
Stars in Shadow (PC), developed by Canadian outfit Ashdar Games, comes with a distinctive artistic style and features streamlined empire management, sophisticated turn-based tactical combat, and detailed world building. Compete with alien factions to explore and settle nearby star systems, develop colonies, bu ild fleets to defend against rivals, negotiate with them or conquer them, when necessary. Win by unifying the galaxy, through diplomacy or force. Stars in Shadow is scheduled to launch September 2016.
Lord of Rigel (PC), created by US based developer Rhombus Studios, is a turn-based strategy title with real-time combat elements and is set in a galaxy locked in a galactic cold war. Choose between warring elder races, forge your own coalition, or go it alone. Navigate galactic council politics and defeat grand menaces while utilizing espionage, research, and military force to shape the galaxy. Lord of Rigel is currently listed for a Q1-2017 release.
Other 4x titles to be released this year by Iceberg Interactive and that can already be wishlisted include Dawn of Andromeda and Oriental Empires.
