Nov 3

Spaceport Trading Company - digital-tectonics

Thank You!

Over the past two years, our commitment to enhancing the gameplay experience has been unwavering. Following an impressive 88 updates in our first year, we continued to push boundaries, releasing over 100 new builds within the second year alone! This prolific development led us into the 0.4 series and culminated with the hugh game update 0.4.6 release, which proudly introduced the ability to mod the game. This significant addition empowers our dedicated captain base to customize and expand their universe in entirely new ways, further cementing our dedication to a robust 1.0 release.

Navigating the Cosmos: Lessons Learned and Looking Forward

Developing a vast and complex universe like Spaceport Trading Company is a journey filled with both triumphs and challenges. We want to acknowledge that our path hasn't always been smooth. We've certainly experienced periods of communication gaps, and we know there have been times when eagerly discussed features, particularly those requiring significant underlying code restructuring, have taken longer to implement than initially hoped. We understand the frustration this can cause for our dedicated captains.

These experiences have been invaluable learning opportunities. They've reinforced the importance of clear, consistent communication and realistic roadmapping. As we move forward, we are committing to even greater transparency and more frequent updates on our development process, especially concerning larger systemic changes. Our goal is to balance the excitement of future possibilities with an honest assessment of the development timeline.

The Journey Continues Strong

As Spaceport Trading Company propels into its second year, we hope the excitement among its intrepid captains continues to soar. With the introduction of Career mode and refinement of the new systems we want keeping the universe ever-engaging. The community, vibrant and supportive, has grown hand-in-hand with the game, forming a collaborative hub where strategies are shared, stories are recounted, and alliances are forged. With its solid foundation and a future brimming with possibilities, Spaceport Trading Company stands poised to etch its name among the stars as a beloved title in the space sim genre.

Looking Ahead

In the coming week, we will be revising our current public roadmap and producing a more focused central roadmap specifically targeted for the third year of development of Spaceport Trading Company. The central goal of this next chapter will be on delivering a captivating narrative experience. With the bulk of our development and new features focused on delivering a solid tale between the stars to our captains, this roadmap will outline the exciting, story-driven developments and gameplay enhancements our captains can anticipate.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our incredible community. All of your invaluable feedback, rigorous testing, insightful comments, creative suggestions, and detailed bug reports have been the driving force behind our continuous development. Thank you for all of your time and input – together, we’re building something truly stellar. Thank you for all of your time and input.

Nov 3

⭐Behind the Seams | [Nameless, Selfless] The Inspirations Behind the Designs

Infinity Nikki - liyi002

Midnight whispers drift softly as nameless spirits rise from the depths of the night.

This five-star outfit is born from the essence of mystery, embodying the philosophy of "Nameless, Selfless" within a serene and elegant atmosphere. May this gown, crafted from the heart of midnight, allow stylists to sense the fleeting yet noble spirit it carries.

Step behind the scenes of the making of Nameless, Selfless, a five-star masterpiece. Converse with the night breeze, and blend with the mystery.

The Story Behind the Outfit - Nameless Scrolls

Scroll One

It's all over.

At least for me, it is. I was sent to the palace, and though Strange remained in the capital, without Her Majesty's support, we were destined to be excluded from the core of political influence.

Many of my former colleagues were investigated, and even as I was transferred to the palace, I still heard whispers of their entanglements and betrayals. Perhaps one day, it will be my turn.

Queen Olivia seemed to foresee this, placing me under house arrest, a compromise but also a form of protection. Yet I believe that the peace bought in this way is nothing more than the calm before the storm; greater events are likely to unfold soon.

Fortunately, she is still by Olivia's side. Before leaving, I burned the evidence of her communications with Her Majesty, hinting that she should look after Olivia. After years of working together, we share an unspoken understanding, and she will grasp my meaning.

May her special position shield her from Duke Price's scrutiny, and may she support Queen Olivia until the day our ideals are realized.

Scroll Two

Rain falls steadily outside my window as I put pen to paper, my heart weighed down by sorrow. One calamity follows another, like days of accumulated rain, falling without pause.

Strange perished in a sea of flames. This was the first shock I did not anticipate. From the slums, Strange had clawed his way up, learning early how to survive in this harsh world. His death feels like a dark omen.

There is no time to mourn. I immediately wished to write to her and to Queen Olivia, urging them to keep themselves safe. But the next blow came swiftly: the news of Rosanisse's death. Only now can I write her name without fear of exposing her, a stark reminder of how little control we truly have.

Queen Olivia sent word that Rosanisse would be secretly interred at the palace, at a critical moment for the enforcement of the new decrees. She could not attend in person, and with respect and sorrow, asked me to bid her farewell. With Olivia's quiet support, new blood will soon flow through the core of political influence, and she remains certain that one day our shared ideals will come to fruition.

The letter also revealed that Duke Price used ancient rites to expunge Rosanisse's name, and that any trace of her would vanish like drifting sand until nothing remained. Through these words penned in exile, I leave a trace of her.

I mourn you, my friend. Your name may one day be forgotten, but the time we spent together, and the ideals we chased side by side, will endure forever.

The rain continues, and old wounds begin to ache anew. I must pause here.

Scroll Three

I have lived a long life, far longer than I ever imagined. Time and age have slowly washed over the shores of my memory, leaving behind only familiar scenes: being taken as Her Majesty's sworn knight, walking the palace halls, pausing my debates with Strange to enjoy the sound of a gentle melody.

Speaking of debates, two young visitors recently arrived at the palace—grandchildren of Queen Olivia. They chattered and bickered playfully, innocent and endearing. The clever children told me that after so many years, the newcomers who once supported the reforms have now stepped into the core of political influence. For a moment, I was stunned. How I wish my old friends could see this.

My friends... where was I? Ah, yes. I remember a projection... an echo of sorts, a familiar presence that always appeared alongside music in my memories.

With age comes forgetfulness, and many things start to fade from the mind. Yet I write this news on paper, so she may know, and so I may remember. Our banner has been raised by those who came after us, and the embers of our ideals still burn.

I believe she will be pleased.

The Inspiration Behind the Design

The design of "Nameless, Selfless" brings to life an ancient gown wreathed in ethereal blue flames in the dead of night. Within shadowed depths tangled with roses and thorns, the gown seems to caress the petals, radiating mystery, pride, and a subtle air of danger. Every detail is crafted to highlight its ghostly, otherworldly presence. Mystery is the heart of this outfit, which is why the design weaves in elements like flickering blue flames and tranquil flower clusters. Though understated, the legendary "Dragon" is also present in the motifs, adding a whisper of ancient power. Centered around these inspirations, the delicate details of the bodice echo the tattered texture of the hem, together shaping a spectral figure draped in black and violet satin, completing this five-star masterpiece.

The Details in the Design

\[Headwear: Soul and Butterfly]

The headwear features a black veil accented with flickering purple flames. Light and airy, it does not obscure Nikki's face but gently frames it, creating a sense of openness and visual breathing space, with delicate petals and sparkling diamonds adorning the veil.

\[Backpiece: Unfading Shadow]

The backpiece draws inspiration from dragon bones, refined into a slender, delicate structure for a graceful silhouette. Gemstones adorn the joints, adding subtle glimmers of light. Crafted from transparent materials, it mirrors the dress's layered volume while evoking a ghostly presence that floats and curves around the body, alluring yet dangerous. The glass-like bones are both exquisite and sharp, serving as the crowning detail that completes this masterpiece.

\[Dress: Against the Gale]

The design of Nameless, Selfless draws inspiration from traditional Western ceremonial gowns, blending timeless elegance with an ethereal, ghostly allure. Beneath its splendor lies a quiet sense of decay, where beauty and ruin exist in fragile harmony. Silver chains drape across the bodice and waist, while white lace-like ornaments at the chest echo the backpiece's motif, each detail inspired by the image of snow-white bones. The gown's flowing tulle train shimmers with restrained grandeur, its edges softly frayed as if brushed by roses and thorns. Beneath the outer layers rests a decayed lining, long forgotten and shrouded in mystery. Along the hem, clusters of purple-gray roses bloom like mist in the night. Rather than real petals, these roses are formed from translucent pale-gray tulle, blending seamlessly with the gown's tones to evoke the soft, dreamlike haze of midnight.

\[Choker: Things Entrusted]

Encircling the neck is a piece of delicate, irregular lace that, upon closer look, reveals the silhouette of a sleeping dragon. Its graceful form winds gently among glimmering gemstones, resting in tranquil silence beneath the veil of night.

\[Shoes: Lying in Wait]

A wisp of ghostly light is sealed within the platform soles, casting a faint, subtle glow with every step. Around the ankles, a circle of thorns entwines, elegant yet menacing.

The Concept Behind the Abilities

The ability draws inspiration from a horror game. Blow out the candle, and suddenly someone else appears in the room.

Yet in our world of Whim, gaining a projection of oneself carries a unique charm. Nikki can pose for photos with her projection and even dance alongside it, as if sharing the night with a reflection from a dream.

In the moonlit ballroom, bathed in soft, silver light, Nikki and her other self emerge from the darkness, dancing together, entwined like vines and moonlight, moving as one through the night.

Nov 3

DODGEBRAWL Alpha Update 8

DODGEBRAWL Playtest - TheArbinator

Hello everyone!

Today's update brings some backend system upgrades, as well as some new model work, a new server configuration setting, and, of course, achievements! You may have seen hidden achievements pop up in the past day or so, and that was me working on them in testing. More have been added, and they have been made visible.

Additions

Added eight achievements! Achievements will range in difficulty from Easy, Medium, Hard, and Very Hard, represented by green, blue, purple, and red backgrounds, respectively. They don't do anything at the moment, but in the future, they will unlock cosmetics and may have other gameplay effects.
Added SVAR: Host-Advantage Mitigation. This is enabled by default, and will cause the host to be placed on the team with the fewest players. Since the host has an undeniable advantage due to having zero ping, I feel this is a potential solution. More ways to mitigate host advantage will be investigated in the future.
Added a functional basketball hoop to the lobby, with a score counter.
Added some new props to Dodgemall and the Lobby.

Changes & Fixes

Fixed bug causing Team Knockout to display incorrect scores in the pre-round.
Fixed bug causing players with very old save data to have all of their volume preferences set to 0%.
Redesigned the main menu.
You can no longer knock yourself out in most of the Lobby.
The underside of the second floor in the Lobby is now a designated PvP area.

I hope you enjoy the new achievements! More will be added in the future.

- Arb

Nov 3

Upcoming Changes, New Sounds, and a big change on the Mission Success conditions

Asteroid Boom Cosmic Courier - ManzanaConChorizo

New Content.

Sound for the Backpacks and its effects
New "default" jetpack
Sound aid to know when you are selecting an object

The "Rescue" Platform.0

This is a big change on the conditions to successfully finish the mission, after you deposit de the bomb, all the waypoint will disappear from the radar and you will only be able to locate one of this platforms what will spawn (VERY FAR AWAY....) every team member have to get there in order to finish the mission, and... once they get there, every one inside the platform can press a button to finish the mission killing everyone outside.

This will change the way you use your "Oxigas" for your jetpack. as now, having to walk back with the explosion in your tail will be a real possibility and throwing yourself to the void to float to wait the timer to have success wont be an option anymore.

This also mean i will have to add more ways to run and jump in the asteroid, but wont be that much, this is not a platformer. you will have to save Oxigas for the return. Or make your companions Tractorbeam your way till the Final Platform

Once more than one player its inside the platform, confirmation on each player will be needed before leaving anyone outside and finish the mission. You can wait all that you want. But... also remember the antimatter reaction sphere its growing, and the blast radius will get to the Platform eventually ending the mission on failure.

This will be enabled on the Demo in the next week as we have still to do a lot of testing to be sure we didn't broke anything XD

Consumables from the "ex employees"

The first 2 of 3 types of consumables from the ex employees (corpses) will be implemented in the following patch

You will be able to see a random number of spawneable items before you pick the tablet of the corpse and after that, that number of medikits and batteries will spawn in front of you, so you can consume them and add to the ones you spawn with (2 of each on spawn) , this will increase your chances of not unaliving yourself while exploring the asteroid. Haven't implemented dropping this items to share them. Not sure if it will be ready for this patch.

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Fixed a lot of bugs... and probably added a lot more while doing that :)