A couple of days ago we released a major update 0.81 unfortunately the update did not bring much pleasure due to the huge number of critical bugs that have accumulated in the game.


So this update target mostly on important bugfixes. Unfortunately the game collected a lot of bugs, many of them very critical for gameplay.

It's our mistake that the game collected so many bugs. Usually we are trying to keep our code clean and reliable.
Now it is good time to fix all critical bugs before we will continue to improve and add new features.

List of fixes may be not too big, but most of bugs in the list turned out quite complex and required a loot of efforts to figure out a reason and solve it properly.

Also we are trying to add some improvements in each update, because update which contains only from bugfixes it is too boring : )


Also we want to remind that you may discuss an update and communicate with us about everything in our Discord chat.



Improvements

• Added option to change air density for aerodynamic mode
  
• Loading a bit optimized

Fixes

• Fixed a situation when you accepted a combat mission and it was completed instantly (and also ally carrier was spawned)
  
• Fixed an impossibility to dock with the station after game was loaded
  
• Fixed an impossibility to control own ship after game was loaded
  
• Fixed a bug when you encounters ally or own ships instead of pirates which happens after game was loaded
  
• Now can drag and drop resources from docked neutral storages which allows you to loot enemy wrecks for resources using docking port
  
• Flying outside of asteroids belt no longer cause a console error
  
• Respawn now properly works after game was loaded
  
  Probably fixed (it means that we didn't managed to recreate these bugs, but some fixes related to the core elements which may affect many various bugs)
  
  
• Fixed an impossibility to connect resource connector
  
• Fixed an impossibility to buy or sell modules
  
• A situation when you can get credits for sold module but module will not be deleted

A couple of days ago we released a major update 0.81 unfortunately the update did not bring much pleasure due to the huge number of critical bugs that have accumulated in the game.



So this update target mostly on important bugfixes. Unfortunately the game collected a lot of bugs, many of them very critical for gameplay.

It's our mistake that the game collected so many bugs. Usually we are trying to keep our code clean and reliable.
Now it is good time to fix all critical bugs before we will continue to improve and add new features.

List of fixes may be not too big, but most of bugs in the list turned out quite complex and required a loot of efforts to figure out a reason and solve it properly.

Also we are trying to add some improvements in each update, because update which contains only from bugfixes it is too boring : )


Also we want to remind that you may discuss an update and communicate with us about everything in our Discord chat.
link


Improvements

• Added option to change air density for aerodynamic mode
  
• Loading a bit optimized

Fixes

• Fixed a situation when you accepted a combat mission and it was completed instantly (and also ally carrier was spawned)
  
• Fixed an impossibility to dock with the station after game was loaded
  
• Fixed an impossibility to control own ship after game was loaded
  
• Fixed a bug when you encounters ally or own ships instead of pirates which happens after game was loaded
  
• Now can drag and drop resources from docked neutral storages which allows you to loot enemy wrecks for resources using docking port
  
• Flying outside of asteroids belt no longer cause a console error
  
• Respawn now properly works after game was loaded
  
  Probably fixed (it means that we didn't managed to recreate these bugs, but some fixes related to the core elements which may affect many various bugs)
  
  
• Fixed an impossibility to connect resource connector
  
• Fixed an impossibility to buy or sell modules
  
• A situation when you can get credits for sold module but module will not be deleted

Hello!

We are ready to introduce you another big and important update.
After 0.8 was released, we thought to start to release updates more often, but when we started working on 0.81, turned out that several big improvements should be implemented in combination, so it took more time than usual.

Despite the fact that the game in development more than 2 years, we made some mistakes in planning, as result, the game still lacks some basic and important features. So we are going to add some of them in this update.



One of the most significant changes, it is radars. From now, you can't see objects which are located outside of range of the radar (except big static asteroids and planets). But others ships, small asteroids and debris is not visible until you will close to them.
Also, now all command modules have built-in radar which does not require energy and always provides some limited visibility.



This is very important feature which should be implemented long time ago.

People often said about size of the world in Celestial Command, and always asked for interstellar travels in order to make the world bigger. But actually, interstellar travels is not necessary in order to make world bigger. Its small size it is just an illusion which caused by several factors:

1. You can see all the map at once. You can zoom-in to any point and observer any asteroids. This is fully remove an effect of "travel in unknown".
2. Your ship have unlimited maximum speed and range. This problem related to orbital mode and this is one of reasons why we decided to focus on the aerodynamic mode for now.
In orbital mode, the ship have very low fuel consumption rate, as result you can fly anywhere in the star system and very fast, and since any point can be reachable without a problem, this is also makes the world "small".

But now, in aerodynamic mode, in order to travel from one side of the system to another, you need significant amount if time and fuel. With combination of limited view range, this significantly changes how you feel size of the world.



Actually, size of the world is quite big. Imagine any open-world game where size of the map is approximately 12x12 kilometers. This is quite lot of space!



However, currently in the game not too much interesting things which you may found during traveling in space, but now it is possible to travel in space without knowledge of what waiting in front of your ship. This adds a lot of opportunity for adding new exploration content, and one we will add it, it will be more interesting to explore the space.



Another interesting moment, that it is actually a "radar".
In many similar 2D space games, "limited view range" implemented using "maximum zoom-out range" so you just can't observe objects beyond side of the screen.
We are not really like such approach, because we like a possibility of unlimited zoom-out and we don't want to remove it, so radar is much more suitable for this task.
Plus it works on several ships at once and provides possibility for RTS elements. Basically it is similar to classic "Fog of War" from many RTS games.



The second very important feature which should be implemented long time ago, it is a system which will spawn an NPC while you are moving through the world.
This is a basic and crucial elements of many open world games. We made some mistakes with planning and this features was not implemented properly during long time, so now we are going to solve that.



Despite the fact that we added spawn of pirates some time age, they just spawned near your ship using a timer. This is defiantly not correct behavior and it is just boring.

But now, you will encounter an enemies during your movement through the world. They will be spawned somewhere outside of range of your radar, but in relatively short distance, so you will be able to encounter them.
If not, they will be removed after some time of inactivity for optimization purposes.



This is how NPC spawn implements in many other open world games, and now it properly implemented here!
Besides that, in various places you be able to encounter various enemies. This is described below.



And another very important feature - locations.

It is not just a feature, it is more like a concept. Locations it is a key element of any open world game. It is some specific area which have its particular properties and always located in the same place, so it can be defined, remembered and you should be able to return back to known location.
This is also quite important for better "size of the world" which was described above.



Lack of "locations" was one of the biggest problem of orbital mode (locations is very complex in orbital mode, because it should be static, but in orbital mode everything is constant motion. Of course we can implement moving locations, like planets, but points in space, but it is very unusual concept and it could be very hard to understand, especially for new users), and this is another important reason why we decided to focus on aerodynamic mode for now. But later we will try to implement such concept for orbital mode.



So now, the world is divided by sectors and each of sectors may have its properties. So far there is not too much properties, and sectors exist only in big asteroids belt, however this systems allows to create more sectors anywhere on the map with its unique parameters.

Currently, each sectors have its owner and complexity level, and one space station somewhere inside. This is will be described below.



Also we started to work on some kind of game goals, which is also very important aspect of every game.

So now, space stations in sectors can be captures. After that, sector became captureв and its space station can provide its services.
Besides that, in far located sectors you will encounter more stronger enemies.

System still quite raw, but now we have a platform which can be improved.




------------------------------------

As you can see, with addition of aerodynamic mode, the progress goings much faster
Version 0.8 was one of the most important stage in the development, and version 0.81 it is basically improvements for version 0.8.

Now we have a pretty good plan which will allows to achieve stable and addictive gameplay.



Also, many people are unhappy with the fact that we are added aerodynamic mode, because "we are turned into casual game and sacrificed a realism in order to achieve more sales" as many others developers often do (especially in modern AAA games).
But we can assure you that it is not correct. We don't like a casual games, and our projects always will be deep, hardcore and realistic.

Orbital mechanics it is just not the only thing which makes the game realistic and hardcore. There is also many other aspects in the game, which makes it hardcore even in aerodynamic mode, such as limited ammo, limited resources, big damage from collisions, importance of mass, moment of inertia, engines thrust, fuel etc. (those aspects usually simplified in similar others space games)



Also make note, that despite the fact that most changes related to aerodynamic mode, make note, that since both modes have single core, all core features and improvement of optimization automatically available in both modes (radar for example).


Also we want to remind that you may discuss an update and communicate with us about everything in our Discord chat.





Improvements

• Added sectors with capturable stations inside and different complexity of pirates
  
• Added system which allows to capture enemy stations
  
• Added system for limited view range (inside radar range)
  
• Balance: Radar radius in aerodynamic mode is 10 times smaller than in orbital mode
  
• Improved algorithm of planets placement for aerodynamic mode, now gas giants can be found only outside of asteroid belt, gas giant have more and bigger moons and more variations of moons while other planets have smaller and less diverse moons.
  
• Added panels with additional information about game modes and multiplayer
  
  
• Now it is not necessary to dock with shipyard in order to buy, sell or repair a module, you just should be in range of shipyard (this allows to build a new docking port if your docking ports was lost and also provides more comfortable construction since you can move your docking port and no longer forced to be docked with station)
  
• Now engineering bay can construct modules everywhere inside its radius of influence (not only on docked ships) It makes construction process much easier and enjoyable. Especially if you want to build new ship. You can start it anywhere from any module (not only from docking port as before)
  
• Removed possibility to build new docking port next to existed docking ports (it is no longer necessary because of feature explained above, now you can build docking port everywhere in open space and dock to it after construction)
  
  
• Usability: Now camera view can be controlled during pause and now its movement speed completely independent from speed of time
  
• Usability: Now right after you spawned your first ship, camera will be set close to the ship by default (without smooth transition) It is looks more comfortable
  
  
• Added option to change collision damage or completely disable it (while it disabled, physics could be more interesting in some cases)
  
  
  
• GUI: Main menu a bit redesigned
  
• GUI: Improved GUI of "Create new world" window. Added fold button which hides advances settings. Changed start button and back button, added new check mark.
  
  
• Aerodynamic game mode set by default
  
• Added option for 100% black background
  
• 90% Black background color now is set by default and now it is a bit lighter
  
• AI: Now enemies will stop chase your ship if it is too far away
  
• Now all command modules have basic built-in radar which does not requires energy. Large command module have a bit more powerful radar.
  
  
• Visual effects: Laser impact effect now lit nearby objects and looks more correctly, especially when you mining dark side of asteroids
  
• Visual effects: Particles of laser impact effect and asteroid mining effect now simulated in world space instead of local space it means that particles will not follow origin of particle emitter, this makes particles looks much better, especially if laser ray moved from one point to another (works only in aerodynamic mode, impossible to implement in orbital mode)
  
• Visual effects: Docking lights now bigger and directed in opposite direction
  
  
• Balance: Shield regeneration rate reduced from 10 to 2 per second
  
  
• Optimization: Light indicator of docking ports fixed and optimized
  
• Optimization: Small optimization for GUI of selected and hovered objects

Fixes

• Stations no longer created inside an asteroid.
  
• Static asteroids no longer displayed with yellow dot on radar (only small asteroids)
  
• Attempt to change speed of time during pause now will properly disable a pause and hide its text label
  
• Animation of moving dots of resource connections now properly displayed during pause
  
• Fixed "NaN" value which appear in "total power flow" during pause
  
• Asteroids amount values now works in aerodynamic mode
  
• Stations no longer will follow a player sometimes (as enemy ships do)
  
• Moons no longer spawned inside its planet and each other
  
• Planets now have proper amount of moons
  
• Damaged modules now will be sold with proper (reduced) price
  
• Planets no longer spawned inside each other and now always spawned on some distance
  
• Fixed typo "Orbital mechaincs" --> "Orbital mechanics"
  
• Camera view no longer jumps away right after small lags (especially noticeable during spawn of the enemy ships, which cause 0.5-1 sec lag)
  
• Ship icons no longer have incorrect screen position during first frame right after activation
  
• Now when radar out of power, it will be disabled correctly
  
• Now radar will be correctly disabled when detached from the command module (but still connected to power storage)
  
• Now shield works correctly after game was loaded
  
• Multiplayer: Now "max thrust" parameter of engines is properly synced in multiplayer
  
• Multiplayer: Connected users now have correct positions of planets

Known issues

• Detailed info about saved file temporary disabled (it cause significant freeze when save load window is opened) however info can be visible on click, it is a temporary solution just in order to make save load functionality more accessible (it is more important than additional info about file)
  
• Characteristics of modules is very unbalanced and AI is not too smart. In most cases gameplay can be too easy
  
• Missions does not works in multiplayer
  
• Spawning of enemy ships may cause significant lags, especially for connected users
  
• Effects of engines and weapons visible even outside of range of radar, and also, objects can be selected by cursors even if not visible
  
• NPC Stations became invisible when only one on their modules going out or range of radar

Hello!

We are ready to introduce you another big and important update.
After 0.8 was released, we thought to start to release updates more often, but when we started working on 0.81, turned out that several big improvements should be implemented in combination, so it took more time than usual.

Despite the fact that the game in development more than 2 years, we made some mistakes in planning, as result, the game still lacks some basic and important features. So we are going to add some of them in this update.



One of the most significant changes, it is radars. From now, you can't see objects which are located outside of range of the radar (except big static asteroids and planets). But others ships, small asteroids and debris is not visible until you will close to them.
Also, now all command modules have built-in radar which does not require energy and always provides some limited visibility.



This is very important feature which should be implemented long time ago.

People often said about size of the world in Celestial Command, and always asked for interstellar travels in order to make the world bigger. But actually, interstellar travels is not necessary in order to make world bigger. Its small size it is just an illusion which caused by several factors:

1. You can see all the map at once. You can zoom-in to any point and observer any asteroids. This is fully remove an effect of "travel in unknown".
2. Your ship have unlimited maximum speed and range. This problem related to orbital mode and this is one of reasons why we decided to focus on the aerodynamic mode for now.
In orbital mode, the ship have very low fuel consumption rate, as result you can fly anywhere in the star system and very fast, and since any point can be reachable without a problem, this is also makes the world "small".

But now, in aerodynamic mode, in order to travel from one side of the system to another, you need significant amount if time and fuel. With combination of limited view range, this significantly changes how you feel size of the world.



Actually, size of the world is quite big. Imagine any open-world game where size of the map is approximately 12x12 kilometers. This is quite lot of space!



However, currently in the game not too much interesting things which you may found during traveling in space, but now it is possible to travel in space without knowledge of what waiting in front of your ship. This adds a lot of opportunity for adding new exploration content, and one we will add it, it will be more interesting to explore the space.



Another interesting moment, that it is actually a "radar".
In many similar 2D space games, "limited view range" implemented using "maximum zoom-out range" so you just can't observe objects beyond side of the screen.
We are not really like such approach, because we like a possibility of unlimited zoom-out and we don't want to remove it, so radar is much more suitable for this task.
Plus it works on several ships at once and provides possibility for RTS elements. Basically it is similar to classic "Fog of War" from many RTS games.



The second very important feature which should be implemented long time ago, it is a system which will spawn an NPC while you are moving through the world.
This is a basic and crucial elements of many open world games. We made some mistakes with planning and this features was not implemented properly during long time, so now we are going to solve that.



Despite the fact that we added spawn of pirates some time age, they just spawned near your ship using a timer. This is defiantly not correct behavior and it is just boring.

But now, you will encounter an enemies during your movement through the world. They will be spawned somewhere outside of range of your radar, but in relatively short distance, so you will be able to encounter them.
If not, they will be removed after some time of inactivity for optimization purposes.



This is how NPC spawn implements in many other open world games, and now it properly implemented here!
Besides that, in various places you be able to encounter various enemies. This is described below.



And another very important feature - locations.

It is not just a feature, it is more like a concept. Locations it is a key element of any open world game. It is some specific area which have its particular properties and always located in the same place, so it can be defined, remembered and you should be able to return back to known location.
This is also quite important for better "size of the world" which was described above.



Lack of "locations" was one of the biggest problem of orbital mode (locations is very complex in orbital mode, because it should be static, but in orbital mode everything is constant motion. Of course we can implement moving locations, like planets, but points in space, but it is very unusual concept and it could be very hard to understand, especially for new users), and this is another important reason why we decided to focus on aerodynamic mode for now. But later we will try to implement such concept for orbital mode.



So now, the world is divided by sectors and each of sectors may have its properties. So far there is not too much properties, and sectors exist only in big asteroids belt, however this systems allows to create more sectors anywhere on the map with its unique parameters.

Currently, each sectors have its owner and complexity level, and one space station somewhere inside. This is will be described below.



Also we started to work on some kind of game goals, which is also very important aspect of every game.

So now, space stations in sectors can be captures. After that, sector became captureв and its space station can provide its services.
Besides that, in far located sectors you will encounter more stronger enemies.

System still quite raw, but now we have a platform which can be improved.




------------------------------------

As you can see, with addition of aerodynamic mode, the progress goings much faster
Version 0.8 was one of the most important stage in the development, and version 0.81 it is basically improvements for version 0.8.

Now we have a pretty good plan which will allows to achieve stable and addictive gameplay.



Also, many people are unhappy with the fact that we are added aerodynamic mode, because "we are turned into casual game and sacrificed a realism in order to achieve more sales" as many others developers often do (especially in modern AAA games).
But we can assure you that it is not correct. We don't like a casual games, and our projects always will be deep, hardcore and realistic.

Orbital mechanics it is just not the only thing which makes the game realistic and hardcore. There is also many other aspects in the game, which makes it hardcore even in aerodynamic mode, such as limited ammo, limited resources, big damage from collisions, importance of mass, moment of inertia, engines thrust, fuel etc. (those aspects usually simplified in similar others space games)



Also make note, that despite the fact that most changes related to aerodynamic mode, make note, that since both modes have single core, all core features and improvement of optimization automatically available in both modes (radar for example).


Also we want to remind that you may discuss an update and communicate with us about everything in our Discord chat.
link



Improvements

• Added sectors with capturable stations inside and different complexity of pirates
  
• Added system which allows to capture enemy stations
  
• Added system for limited view range (inside radar range)
  
• Balance: Radar radius in aerodynamic mode is 10 times smaller than in orbital mode
  
• Improved algorithm of planets placement for aerodynamic mode, now gas giants can be found only outside of asteroid belt, gas giant have more and bigger moons and more variations of moons while other planets have smaller and less diverse moons.
  
• Added panels with additional information about game modes and multiplayer
  
  
• Now it is not necessary to dock with shipyard in order to buy, sell or repair a module, you just should be in range of shipyard (this allows to build a new docking port if your docking ports was lost and also provides more comfortable construction since you can move your docking port and no longer forced to be docked with station)
  
• Now engineering bay can construct modules everywhere inside its radius of influence (not only on docked ships) It makes construction process much easier and enjoyable. Especially if you want to build new ship. You can start it anywhere from any module (not only from docking port as before)
  
• Removed possibility to build new docking port next to existed docking ports (it is no longer necessary because of feature explained above, now you can build docking port everywhere in open space and dock to it after construction)
  
  
• Usability: Now camera view can be controlled during pause and now its movement speed completely independent from speed of time
  
• Usability: Now right after you spawned your first ship, camera will be set close to the ship by default (without smooth transition) It is looks more comfortable
  
  
• Added option to change collision damage or completely disable it (while it disabled, physics could be more interesting in some cases)
  
  
  
• GUI: Main menu a bit redesigned
  
• GUI: Improved GUI of "Create new world" window. Added fold button which hides advances settings. Changed start button and back button, added new check mark.
  
  
• Aerodynamic game mode set by default
  
• Added option for 100% black background
  
• 90% Black background color now is set by default and now it is a bit lighter
  
• AI: Now enemies will stop chase your ship if it is too far away
  
• Now all command modules have basic built-in radar which does not requires energy. Large command module have a bit more powerful radar.
  
  
• Visual effects: Laser impact effect now lit nearby objects and looks more correctly, especially when you mining dark side of asteroids
  
• Visual effects: Particles of laser impact effect and asteroid mining effect now simulated in world space instead of local space it means that particles will not follow origin of particle emitter, this makes particles looks much better, especially if laser ray moved from one point to another (works only in aerodynamic mode, impossible to implement in orbital mode)
  
• Visual effects: Docking lights now bigger and directed in opposite direction
  
  
• Balance: Shield regeneration rate reduced from 10 to 2 per second
  
  
• Optimization: Light indicator of docking ports fixed and optimized
  
• Optimization: Small optimization for GUI of selected and hovered objects

Fixes

• Stations no longer created inside an asteroid.
  
• Static asteroids no longer displayed with yellow dot on radar (only small asteroids)
  
• Attempt to change speed of time during pause now will properly disable a pause and hide its text label
  
• Animation of moving dots of resource connections now properly displayed during pause
  
• Fixed "NaN" value which appear in "total power flow" during pause
  
• Asteroids amount values now works in aerodynamic mode
  
• Stations no longer will follow a player sometimes (as enemy ships do)
  
• Moons no longer spawned inside its planet and each other
  
• Planets now have proper amount of moons
  
• Damaged modules now will be sold with proper (reduced) price
  
• Planets no longer spawned inside each other and now always spawned on some distance
  
• Fixed typo "Orbital mechaincs" --> "Orbital mechanics"
  
• Camera view no longer jumps away right after small lags (especially noticeable during spawn of the enemy ships, which cause 0.5-1 sec lag)
  
• Ship icons no longer have incorrect screen position during first frame right after activation
  
• Now when radar out of power, it will be disabled correctly
  
• Now radar will be correctly disabled when detached from the command module (but still connected to power storage)
  
• Now shield works correctly after game was loaded
  
• Multiplayer: Now "max thrust" parameter of engines is properly synced in multiplayer
  
• Multiplayer: Connected users now have correct positions of planets

Known issues

• Detailed info about saved file temporary disabled (it cause significant freeze when save load window is opened) however info can be visible on click, it is a temporary solution just in order to make save load functionality more accessible (it is more important than additional info about file)
  
• Characteristics of modules is very unbalanced and AI is not too smart. In most cases gameplay can be too easy
  
• Missions does not works in multiplayer
  
• Spawning of enemy ships may cause significant lags, especially for connected users
  
• Effects of engines and weapons visible even outside of range of radar, and also, objects can be selected by cursors even if not visible
  
• NPC Stations became invisible when only one on their modules going out or range of radar

Hello!

We are happy to introduce, probably the most significant update during entire development of Celestial Command.

Despite the fact that this update have a version 0.8, this is only a first update in sequence. New game mode is made on more than 50%, but still quite raw. For now we decided to release it as soon as possible in order to show you an idea, but during next few updates we will add more and more significant improvements in this mode.

First of all, we want to explain why we decided to implement this new game mode despite the fact than during entire development we advertised a game, as a space game without "unrealistic liquid space".

Orbital mechanics in the current state causes a lot of technical restriction in the game. The concept when absolutely everything in constant movement it is very unusual concept for game development. Both in technical and gameplay terms.

Such gameplay have very complex learning curve, however, many users definitely like other features of Celestial Command, such as ship construction, trading, combat, but don't like how movement works.
In orbital space, such terms as "distances" or "locations" is very unobvious and hard to understand.



So we decided to implement a mode which will bring more classic gameplay using existed functionality of the game.
So in this game mode, terms of distances, enemy bases and locations is much more familiar for users.
Besides that, performance is much better, there is thousand of asteroids and almost hundred of space stations can work with good FPS.



Plus, this game mode allows us to implement some new features which impossible in orbital mode, for example, path finding, it means that now it will be possible to encounter a NPC traders or pirates which will really travel across the world and they will avoid all obstacles (this feature not implemented yet, but will be added in the next few updates)



However, we do not have intentions to make the game "casual". Physics still much more complex than in most classic space games.
In this game mode, mass of the ship (and cargo) have very significant impact on acceleration and maximum velocity, and also on fuel consumption.
In such game mode it is very interesting to find a proper balance between amount of cargo, size of the ship, amount of fuel, consumption of fuel, desired velocity etc.
In the next update we will improve a physics so size of the ship and its shape will affect its maximum velocity.



Important to note, we do not abandon development of orbital mode. Furthermore, many improvements of one game mode, instantly available in another mode. This is possible due flexible architecture which is based on the single core.
Aerodynamic mode may even help to test new features and gameplay approaches in stable environment, before it will be added into orbital mode. Which is much more complex to develop new features.



Also we want to remind that you can discuss an update and communicate with us about everything in our Discord chat.

• Added brand new game mode with aerodynamic physics
  
• New game mode: Added exhaust effect for small engines which is good for visualization of velocity and "sense of speed"
  
• New game mode: Added speedometer on the interface which shows velocity of active ship
  
• New game mode: Interface buttons which have sense only in orbital mode (such as orbital grid and stabilize orbit) disabled in aerodynamic mode
  
• New game mode: Added moons around a planets
  
• New game mode: Added new asteroids belt with many huge static asteroids and small dynamic asteroids which can be moved or destroyed.
  
• Square grid now have small grids up to 100 meters which is also important for visualization of velocity
  
• Small asteroids now have bigger size and now they have 8 sectors with resources. Asteroids will be destroyed when all 8 sectors will be depleted. This feature adds more sense to special ships which have several mining lasers around asteroid
  
• Asteroids now have different HP based on its size
  
• Significant optimization of core which improves a performance in several times. Loading of games and ships now much faster.
  
• Localization files updated, thanks for this for community

Hello!

We are happy to introduce, probably the most significant update during entire development of Celestial Command.



Despite the fact that this update have a version 0.8, this is only a first update in sequence. New game mode is made on more than 50%, but still quite raw. For now we decided to release it as soon as possible in order to show you an idea, but during next few updates we will add more and more significant improvements in this mode.

First of all, we want to explain why we decided to implement this new game mode despite the fact than during entire development we advertised a game, as a space game without "unrealistic liquid space".

Orbital mechanics in the current state causes a lot of technical restriction in the game. The concept when absolutely everything in constant movement it is very unusual concept for game development. Both in technical and gameplay terms.

Such gameplay have very complex learning curve, however, many users definitely like other features of Celestial Command, such as ship construction, trading, combat, but don't like how movement works.
In orbital space, such terms as "distances" or "locations" is very unobvious and hard to understand.



So we decided to implement a mode which will bring more classic gameplay using existed functionality of the game.
So in this game mode, terms of distances, enemy bases and locations is much more familiar for users.
Besides that, performance is much better, there is thousand of asteroids and almost hundred of space stations can work with good FPS.



Plus, this game mode allows us to implement some new features which impossible in orbital mode, for example, path finding, it means that now it will be possible to encounter a NPC traders or pirates which will really travel across the world and they will avoid all obstacles (this feature not implemented yet, but will be added in the next few updates)



However, we do not have intentions to make the game "casual". Physics still much more complex than in most classic space games.
In this game mode, mass of the ship (and cargo) have very significant impact on acceleration and maximum velocity, and also on fuel consumption.
In such game mode it is very interesting to find a proper balance between amount of cargo, size of the ship, amount of fuel, consumption of fuel, desired velocity etc.
In the next update we will improve a physics so size of the ship and its shape will affect its maximum velocity.



Important to note, we do not abandon development of orbital mode. Furthermore, many improvements of one game mode, instantly available in another mode. This is possible due flexible architecture which is based on the single core.
Aerodynamic mode may even help to test new features and gameplay approaches in stable environment, before it will be added into orbital mode. Which is much more complex to develop new features.



Also we want to remind that you can discuss an update and communicate with us about everything in our Discord chat.
link

• Added brand new game mode with aerodynamic physics
  
• New game mode: Added exhaust effect for small engines which is good for visualization of velocity and "sense of speed"
  
• New game mode: Added speedometer on the interface which shows velocity of active ship
  
• New game mode: Interface buttons which have sense only in orbital mode (such as orbital grid and stabilize orbit) disabled in aerodynamic mode
  
• New game mode: Added moons around a planets
  
• New game mode: Added new asteroids belt with many huge static asteroids and small dynamic asteroids which can be moved or destroyed.
  
• Square grid now have small grids up to 100 meters which is also important for visualization of velocity
  
• Small asteroids now have bigger size and now they have 8 sectors with resources. Asteroids will be destroyed when all 8 sectors will be depleted. This feature adds more sense to special ships which have several mining lasers around asteroid
  
• Asteroids now have different HP based on its size
  
• Significant optimization of core which improves a performance in several times. Loading of games and ships now much faster.
  
• Localization files updated, thanks for this for community

Hello!

We noticed that current state of save / load functionality works not exactly how we want. It is important feature so we decided to improve it.

So now if you will encounter a bug or just a complex situation, it should not be a problem to load previously saved game and progress will not be lost due flaw in save / load function.

Check the changelog for more details.



Also we want to remind that you can discuss an update and communicate with us about everything in our Discord chat.





Improvements

• Now you can save the game with specified name (not just overwrite the current one)
  
• When you click on existed saved file in "save" menu, its name will be automatically inserted in the input field of name
  
• Added warning window which will inform you if you trying to overwrite existed save file and offer an option (Back / Overwrite)
  
• Now auto save generates up to 9 saved files (instead of just 1 file which is constantly rewritten)
  
• Added button "Load" in game menu, so now you can load a game right during existed game
  
• Added "loading screen" which appears during loading
  
• Added button "Open folder with saved files" which located in save / load window (works only on Windows platform)
  
• Entire save / load window is redesigned
  
• Now when you going to load a game, multiplayer checkbox is disabled by default
  
• Button "Contribute to localization" now opens URL in your internet browser instead of Steam overlay

Fixes

• Fixed an important bug which caused an error when you tried to save the game
  
• Fixed an error with incorrect captured image of saved ship in "saved ships" menu
  
• Fixed an error in station's docking AI

Hello!

We noticed that current state of save / load functionality works not exactly how we want. It is important feature so we decided to improve it.



So now if you will encounter a bug or just a complex situation, it should not be a problem to load previously saved game and progress will not be lost due flaw in save / load function.

Check the changelog for more details.



Also we want to remind that you can discuss an update and communicate with us about everything in our Discord chat.
link



Improvements

• Now you can save the game with specified name (not just overwrite the current one)
  
• When you click on existed saved file in "save" menu, its name will be automatically inserted in the input field of name
  
• Added warning window which will inform you if you trying to overwrite existed save file and offer an option (Back / Overwrite)
  
• Now auto save generates up to 9 saved files (instead of just 1 file which is constantly rewritten)
  
• Added button "Load" in game menu, so now you can load a game right during existed game
  
• Added "loading screen" which appears during loading
  
• Added button "Open folder with saved files" which located in save / load window (works only on Windows platform)
  
• Entire save / load window is redesigned
  
• Now when you going to load a game, multiplayer checkbox is disabled by default
  
• Button "Contribute to localization" now opens URL in your internet browser instead of Steam overlay

Fixes

• Fixed an important bug which caused an error when you tried to save the game
  
• Fixed an error with incorrect captured image of saved ship in "saved ships" menu
  
• Fixed an error in station's docking AI

Hello!

We are continuing to work on critical bug fixes and important improvements.

In previous update we added important feature, orbital grid, but it was too hidden. Now it is available on the main interface.


We made important change in structure of the ships. Construction of additional command modules on the same ship is no longer possible. Despite the fact that this changes does not bring new features, however It solves a lot of bugs with multiple command modules and also it will help to avoid some game design issues in the future updates where we will add ship specializations and skills for crew members.

Another important feature, you no longer need to guess how much ships you have. New window with list of all ships will allow to easily manage them. Now it is not a problem to switch control between miner and combat ships, for example. Also, renaming of ships now much more comfortable.



Also we made small, but important improvement, added new sound effect for module placement. Previously sound effect was too long and high frequency. Now it is much nicer and makes construction more comfortable.




Improvements

• Now 1 ship may have only 1 command module
  
• You no longer can deconstruct or remove a command module which have a crew inside
  
• Now you can focus view on planets with Alt + Click
  
• GUI: Added interface which shows a list of owned ships
  
• GUI: Added button "Show orbital grid for current planet" on the main interface
  
• GUI: Now when you hold left Alt, you will see a tooltip near a cursor
  
• GUI: Ship rename window a bit redesigned and now it can be dragged with cursor
  
• GUI: Now you can confirm new ship name with Enter button
  
• GUI: Now when you press "rename ship", appeared input field already will contain current ship name and you can enter a new name without clicking on input field
  
• GUI: Now will see a notification if one of your command modules will be destroyed
  
• Audio: Replaced audio effects for module placement and placement error
  
• Audio: Added audio effect when you rotate preview of module
  
• NPC: Two pirate ships has been updated (files sent by user Lemodile)
  
• Localization updated

Fixes

• Audio: Fixed a situation when sometimes audio effects of interface can be played only in left or right speaker
  
• Fixed various bugs with incorrect list of owned ships
  
• Fixed previous / next ship button
  
• Now you can select and click on mounting points properly
  
• Now when you switch control to another ship, the camera will not drift away and also, camera position will be centered to this ship
  
• Now construction drones will properly receive construction order when you going to build a module on docked ship

Hello!

We are continuing to work on critical bug fixes and important improvements.

In previous update we added important feature, orbital grid, but it was too hidden. Now it is available on the main interface.



We made important change in structure of the ships. Construction of additional command modules on the same ship is no longer possible. Despite the fact that this changes does not bring new features, however It solves a lot of bugs with multiple command modules and also it will help to avoid some game design issues in the future updates where we will add ship specializations and skills for crew members.

Another important feature, you no longer need to guess how much ships you have. New window with list of all ships will allow to easily manage them. Now it is not a problem to switch control between miner and combat ships, for example. Also, renaming of ships now much more comfortable.



Also we made small, but important improvement, added new sound effect for module placement. Previously sound effect was too long and high frequency. Now it is much nicer and makes construction more comfortable.




Improvements

• Now 1 ship may have only 1 command module
  
• You no longer can deconstruct or remove a command module which have a crew inside
  
• Now you can focus view on planets with Alt + Click
  
• GUI: Added interface which shows a list of owned ships
  
• GUI: Added button "Show orbital grid for current planet" on the main interface
  
• GUI: Now when you hold left Alt, you will see a tooltip near a cursor
  
• GUI: Ship rename window a bit redesigned and now it can be dragged with cursor
  
• GUI: Now you can confirm new ship name with Enter button
  
• GUI: Now when you press "rename ship", appeared input field already will contain current ship name and you can enter a new name without clicking on input field
  
• GUI: Now will see a notification if one of your command modules will be destroyed
  
• Audio: Replaced audio effects for module placement and placement error
  
• Audio: Added audio effect when you rotate preview of module
  
• NPC: Two pirate ships has been updated (files sent by user Lemodile)
  
• Localization updated

Fixes

• Audio: Fixed a situation when sometimes audio effects of interface can be played only in left or right speaker
  
• Fixed various bugs with incorrect list of owned ships
  
• Fixed previous / next ship button
  
• Now you can select and click on mounting points properly
  
• Now when you switch control to another ship, the camera will not drift away and also, camera position will be centered to this ship
  
• Now construction drones will properly receive construction order when you going to build a module on docked ship