*Note - These changes are only on the Experimental Branch. To access the Experimental Branch, be sure to select it in your Steam Library. If this app does not appear, please check if this app is hidden in your Library. Experimental Branch changes upgrade to the primary branch monthly.
Hello explorers! We have lots of new features and fixes to share with you, along with a new (actually really old ːsteamhappyː ) playable zone!
Passenger Vehicle Space Travel
We've been hammering on multiplayer lately and are proud to announce we have vehicular travel across planets with passengers in multiplayer! Although still very rough we felt the functionality is solid enough for this branch. Needless to say, we're very excited about this - it's been on our roadmap forever and we're so glad to finally get this in.
Proteus 2 Site A Remastered
We also restored the original Proteus 2 Site A map and added it back to the game. Again, still rough in this branch, but it came in handy to build out cross planet travel on the ground.
Multiplayer Improvements
The primary focus here was ship and space station travel in multiplayer. The last thing we want is for anyone to get lost in space due to a load/save error, so this issue took top priority. While we were at it we cleaned up quite a bit multiplayer syncing issues and other random weirdness.
Change List
Added - Remastered Proteus Site A Added - Support for more forms of intraplanetary and interplanetary travel Added - Support for ground travel between sites Added - Support for multiplayer ground/space travel Added - Support for World Boundaries to allow cross planet ground travel Added - Instanced Grass to Proteus Site A Added - Color coding to Proficiency upgrades Added - Sound to showing and hiding Repair Wireframes Added - Sound to all Tools for affective interactions Added - Support for Voice Log count alerts Added - Upgraded OMPA and Mining Bot dust particles Added - support to show Creator in Private Universe Button Added - support to show storage amount on Item Icons Added - support for creatures to pause during cinematics Added - 6 Passenger seats to the Corsair Added - "Empty" if Barrel has no contents Added - support for Low Orbit spawn points Added - low orbit spawn points to all planets
Changed - Switched world loading to use Loading Screens and transition cinematics to improve game stability Changed - Increased size of Center Text Alerts Changed - Removed black border from Large Satelite Dish icon Changed - Player physical material to be slippery on dynamic objects Changed - Reduced volume on OMMA Changed - Rotated ground UV's in Habitat to be square with the first Coupler Changed - Reduced specularity on Hovercraft engines Changed - missions no longer reprompt after loading back in from save Changed - Grass shader to Tint instead of HSL due to graphics glitches Changed - Reduced specularity on Cryochamber glass Changed - Avatar Selection button to display PLanet location instead of Server Name Changed - Zer lighting is less bright Changed - Zer is no longer low gravity Changed - Workbench upgrades are no longer mutually exclusive
Fixed - Spaceships should no longer get lost during space travel Fixed - Spacestations should no longer get lost during space travel Fixed - Vehicles should no longer become inoperable if another player joins the room while piloted Fixed - Placement markers when placing buildables are now properly networked in multiplayer Fixed - Zinc can now be found in trace mineral veins on Proteus 2 Fixed - Repairable objects are now properly synced in multiplayer Fixed - Vehicle headlights are now properly synced in multiplayer Fixed - Remote pilot position for Buggie. Fixed - Passenger positioning in Buggie Fixed - Changed Terrain materials to use distance settings on Terrain asset to eliminate texture patching Fixed - Rigidbody interpolation to Player for smoother hovering Fixed - Unintentional continuous weather syncing causing multiplayer slowdown Fixed - Private universes should now properly be wiped when deleted Fixed - Private Server button to show players in Universe and World Fixed - Shower to properly clean player suit and give correct speed burst Fixed - Remote weapons that were showing extra limbs Fixed - Improved surface normals on Airlock model Fixed - Cleaned up decal sorting and improved various materials for Furniture items Fixed - Dropped/Spawned items now properly network their position to remote clients Fixed - Spaceship engine rotations should now be properly networked Fixed - Spaceship should now properly sync position while landing Fixed - Passengers in the Buggie should no longer collide with the body of the vehicle while inside it Fixed - When master client switches while a player is joining, new player should now properly load in Fixed - Smoothed out spaceship engine syncing Fixed - Spacestations should no longer get lost during travel Fixed - Spaceship ramp state is now networked to all players Fixed - Passengers in vehicles no longer collide with pilots on remote clients Fixed - jitter in First Person Helmet Fixed - planetside objects appearing while loading in Low Orbit Fixed - Added fail safe on Meteor explosions Fixed - jitter in GUI Fixed - mipping on GUI textures Fixed - Creatures should now sync much better during combat Fixed - Remote players will no longer disappear when entering a spaceship interior or getting on an elevator Fixed - Remote players piloting vehicles will no longer rubberband around the drivers seat
While this build is a nice step forward there's still much to do before it goes to the main branch. Please remember to reach out to us on our Official Discord Server with your feedback!
-Brian
Loved Andy Weir's latest book "Project Hail Mary". Hint - lots of sciencing the **** out of stuff!
Hello explorers! We've had great success with these past few Experimental builds featuring all the latest goodies and are now graduating them to the Main branch! Here's a full recap of what we have cooked up so far this year for this build.
Full and Centered
The most noticeable difference? Everything is now CENTERED as opposed to being on the right side of the screen, and Menus are now full screen.
Clean, Expanded Interaction
We also attacked the Interact HUD. Inactive options are now faded out. Interaction title and info are now centered.
You can now Open and Use objects while holding any kind of repair tool.
Minerals and More in your Map
HUD Map now displays your settings from the Map Menu, so anything from minerals to base objects can be viewed while exploring.
Vehicles now display the HUD Map too.
Stats are Back
Physical Stats and Leveling Up have been added back with an improved interface. You can now increase your abilities as you progress in level.
Inspect Those Vitals
Your Vitals can now be inspected with a tool tip to display detailed information of your health, nutrition, hunger, and more.
Clear, Minimal 3D HUD
The Lower HUD is now 3D. We also mute nominal Vitals from the HUD.
We Have a "Fill" Button
We added a "Fill" option to easily transfer your inventory. There is also a "Fill Like" that intelligently fills like-typed items for easy item management.
Progress Goals
Build options now show the required structure to unlock and for builds requiring proximity to specific Utilities.
Numerous Touches Throughout
We added small but helpful touches such as the Battery Icon now pulses when using your Flashlight and Inventory weight displayed with a meter. Planet day cycle and location are also shown.
You can also now teleport your drones to your position.
HUD Opacity Meter
An opacity setting is now available in the Setting Menu to allow any percentage of HUD opacity. Like it minimal? Set it to zero. Like to see all your vitals but muted? We like 20%. Want it all the way full? Set to 100%.
Text Colors and Drop Shadows
OK, so this was easy and only took a couple of minutes, but it was requested by some players and I thought it deserved a call out. We also re enabled the clock in the HUD.
More accurate Temperature Readings too
Vehicle Driving Lights
The Buggie and GAV are the first to receive our new Driving Light treatment, which sets the lights on the vehicles to illuminate when driving them.
Expanded Vehicle Camera Viewing
All the vehicles now have a much greater range of view, allowing you to take in all your surroundings while driving.
Build Goal Details
Recipe item titles are now displayed in the Build Goals and anywhere else recipes are displayed.
Lots of Fixes, Too
Your feedback helped us identify some subtle issues we may have missed, such as walking diagonally taking stamina. We also cleaned up some old bugs like unfinished Habitats with walls that appear on reload. Both fixed, along with many more. Here's our full list:
Change List
Added - 3D HUD Added - Animate the HUD based on input Added - New Deposit All and Deposit Like buttons to inventory UI Added - Fade out nominal vitals Added - Fade out Equip Slots, fade in when used for a time Added - Harvest interact is based on what you're holding Added - Level Up physical stats with improved interface Added - Cleaned up Item descriptions panel Added - Player Model back into Inventory Screen Added - Weight Meter in Inventory Screen Added - Faded out inactive Interacts Added - Better interact instructions for Geysers Added - mouse overs to Vitals in Menu Screens Added - Battery icon pulse when flashlight is on Added - Tab Circle when pressing Tab in a menu Added - Inspection Descriptions now turn off when going to a menu and resume when leaving menu Added - Voice Log system added as a pickup and raid item Added - Voice Log Listening interface Added - support to bring in debug missions for testing Added - more detail to auto typing text Added - Fuel Cell upgrade to Forge Added - Full screen layout for all menu modes Added - Turn off Stat Elements when in Map and Skills Screen Added - Planet day cycle data Show Planet Rotation Speed in Hours on Clock Added - location coords to Menu Added - Planet Name and site to Menus Added - Fail safe to teleport droid to base Added - location type to Menus Added - locked build objects to menus Added - Unlock requirements to locked build objects Added - Level Up Alert Added - Show Structures in Map Screen Added - Slider for controlling HUD opacity fade Added - outlines and drop shadows for vital warning Added - outlines and drop shadows to Mission header Added - sound to Level Up Added - sound to Stat increase buttons Added - GAV driving lights now illuminate Added - Names to Build Goal recipe icons Added - Buggie driving lights now illuminate
Changed - Text and layout pass on all UI menus Changed - Smoothed out rock textures when viewed from a distance Changed - Set raid object to always give listed objects for missions Changed - Repositioned Battery Icon Changed - Cleaned up Center Queue alerts Changed - Improved Centered Interact Text Changed - Forge no longer requires Fuel Cell to build Changed - Forge by default requires fuel Changed - Forges built before this update will gain the Fuel Cell Upgrade by default Changed - player slightly moved to center in 3rd person Changed - Minerals now properly render on the minimap Changed - Utilities/Inventories can now be accessed and operated while holding a Tinkering tool Changed - improved and clarified UI in Crash Pod tutorial sequence. Changed - Improve HUD meters on all objects Changed - Compass text size Changed - Clean up various Inventory screens Changed - Tweaked build object colors for various states Changed - Improved description in unstuck Buttons Changed - Rework Map controls in Map Panel Changed - Discovery now shows Minerals first Changed - Improved Depository material Changed - Improved Printer Collision Changed - Improved Printer active lights Changed - Spacecraft and Space Appliances are now all unlocked with the building of a Laboratory Changed - Mission title text color changed to a more readable color Changed - Removed wording in tutorial referencing "skittering noise" Changed - New characters now start with 3 stat points by default Changed - Health stat points now offer 2 hit points per level Changed - Stamina stat points now offer 2% increase from base per level Changed - Speed stat points now offer 2% increase from base per level Changed - Strength stat points now offer 10% increase in carry capacity from base per level Changed - Increasing health stat points now heals the amount of hit points aquired Changed - Temperature warning messages now display more accurate information Changed - Set sound on Level Up to play when text is also shown Changed - Set Level Meter to orange Changed - Temperature Vital to color code the outside and suit temperature Changed - Updated particle dust to handle lighting better Changed - Set improved dust lighting on all vehicles Changed - Buggie camera now has much larger range of motion Changed - GAV camera now has much better range of motion Changed - Buggie headlighting is now much improved Changed - Matched particle lighting for some Proteus 2 plants Changed - Improved driver sitting IK while in Buggie Changed - Player Map icon to Green Changed - Improved Zirconium material Changed - Inventory Weight text label now reads Max Weight Multiplier in custom settings screen
Fixed - Map now is displayed in all vehicle types Fixed - New Mission gets turned off after viewing missions Fixed - Duplication bug when quick stacking items into multiple stacks Fixed - Optimized runtime impact of the Minimap and GPS screens Fixed - Numerous issues with items not properly rendering on the minimap or GPS map Fixed - Graphics settings will no longer reset to defaults after planet travel Fixed - Walking diagonally reduces stamina Fixed - Redicle re activates when going in and out of menus Fixed - some objects not pickable in 3rd Person Fixed - Disappearing Space debris on Proteus 2 Fixed - Habitats with walls missing will no longer render ghost walls after leaving and returning Fixed - Weather is now properly persistent in save games Fixed - Issues causing Weather to not sync to other players properly in multiplayer Fixed - Laboratory interact once again works as intended Fixed - Player is no longer considered outside when walking between connected pressurized structures Fixed - Buildables with upgrades dismantled after building them in the same session now properly refund all spent materials Fixed - Large Radar Installation can now be properly interacted with Fixed - Large Radar Installation now has 1500 hit points Fixed - Funnel Leaf Tree can now be harvested with Sharp and Shearing tools Fixed - Vital tooltips will no longer stick to the mouse after closing the menu Fixed - Launch!!! button in character creation will now no longer sometimes read Update Fixed - Update button in difficulty change menu will no longer sometimes read Launch!!! Fixed - Removed proximity build requirements from buildable icons Fixed - Locked buildables are no longer buildable when still locked Fixed - Baked potato, Potato, Packaged Food, and Sand should no longer fall through the floor, and should be interactable Fixed - Main menu and in-game settings panels are now at parity with one another Fixed - All buildables can once again be dismantled Fixed - Build goal can now display more types of recipes Fixed - Build goal will no longer display outdated build information Fixed - Changing HUD Opacity within the in-game settings will now properly apply without restarting Fixed - Set suit temperature reading dial to accurately display Fixed - Vital tool tip to turn off properly when leaving a menu Fixed - Blur background in Mission Menu entries Fixed - Error in Map System when travelling between planets Fixed - Scorpion is now discoverable and harvestable when killed Fixed - Collision on Spaceship ramp Fixed - Some instances where creature corpses would teleport back to the surface after being harvested Fixed - Sentry decal graphic glitch Fixed - Potential fix for cursor remaining locked after returning to the main menu Fixed - Center redicle circle no longer appears while driving a vehicle Fixed - Extreme hot and cold outside temperature now stay within gauge readout Fixed - Player hover dust now fades with hover height off ground Fixed - Player no longer has look IK while driving a vehicle
We'll likely continue tweaking the UI as we go, but largely this will conclude our UI push, which was one of our pillars to achieve this year. The focus will now go to story elements and creature combat improvements for the upcoming rounds of updates, along with our usual rounds of smashing bugs, balancing, and overall clean up. Oh, and the other vehicles will likely get the driving light treatment too.
*Note - These changes are only on the Experimental Branch. To access the Experimental Branch, be sure to select it in your Steam Library. If this app does not appear, please check if this app is hidden in your Library. Experimental Branch changes upgrade to the primary branch monthly.
Hello explorers! Here's just a few more additions and fixes based on feedback from the past two Experimental Builds. While fixing up the Buggie we couldn't help ourselves and put in a nice graphics upgrade to the Buggie and GAV.
Vehicle Driving Lights
The Buggie and GAV are the first to receive our new Driving Light treatment, which sets the lights on the vehicles to illuminate when driving them.
Expanded Vehicle Camera Viewing
All the vehicles now have a much greater range of view, allowing you to take in all your surroundings while driving.
Build Goal Details
Recipe item titles are now displayed in the Build Goals and anywhere else recipes are displayed.
Lots of fixes have been added too:
Change List
Added - GAV driving lights now illuminate Added - Names to Build Goal recipe icons Added - Buggie driving lights now illuminate
Changed - Updated particle dust to handle lighting better Changed - Set improved dust lighting on all vehicles Changed - Buggie camera now has much larger range of motion Changed - GAV camera now has much better range of motion Changed - Buggie headlighting is now much improved Changed - Matched particle lighting for some Proteus 2 plants Changed - Improved driver sitting IK while in Buggie Changed - Player Map icon to Green Changed - Improved Zirconium material Changed - Inventory Weight text label now reads Max Weight Multiplier in custom settings screen
Fixed - Error in Map System when travelling between planets Fixed - Scorpion is now discoverable and harvestable when killed Fixed - Collision on Spaceship ramp Fixed - Some instances where creature corpses would teleport back to the surface after being harvested Fixed - Sentry decal graphic glitch Fixed - Potential fix for cursor remaining locked after returning to the main menu Fixed - Center redicle circle no longer appears while driving a vehicle Fixed - Extreme hot and cold outside temperature now stay within gauge readout Fixed - Player hover dust now fades with hover height off ground Fixed - Player no longer has look IK while driving a vehicle
We're feeling pretty good about this one and can't wait to push this up to Main! This will also conclude our UI push, which was one of our pillars to achieve this year. The focus will now go to story elements and creature combat improvements for the upcoming rounds of updates. Oh, and the other vehicles will likely get the driving light treatment too.
-Brian
Here's an old movie reference for all you dads out there who grew up in the 80's (like me!): "And what do we got on this thing? A Cuisinart?!?"
*Note - These changes are only on the Experimental Branch. To access the Experimental Branch, be sure to select it in your Steam Library. If this app does not appear, please check if this app is hidden in your Library. Experimental Branch changes upgrade to the primary branch monthly.
Hello explorers! Working from the great response and feedback from our last Experimental Branch, we performed a number of requested features and additions.
HUD Opacity Meter
An opacity setting is now available in the Setting Menu to allow any percentage of HUD opacity. Like it minimal? Set it to zero. Like to see all your vitals but muted? We like 20%. Want it all the way full? Set to 100%.
Text Colors and Drop Shadows
OK, so this was easy and only took a couple of minutes, but it was requested by some players and I thought it deserved a call out. We also re enabled the clock in the HUD.
More accurate Temperature Readings too
Lots of fixes and polish this week. Here's our full list:
Change List
Added - Slider for controlling HUD opacity fade Added - outlines and drop shadows for vital warning Added - outlines and drop shadows to Mission header Added - sound to Level Up Added - sound to Stat increase buttons
Changed - Mission title text color changed to a more readable color Changed - Removed wording in tutorial referencing "skittering noise" Changed - New characters now start with 3 stat points by default Changed - Health stat points now offer 2 hit points per level Changed - Stamina stat points now offer 2% increase from base per level Changed - Speed stat points now offer 2% increase from base per level Changed - Strength stat points now offer 10% increase in carry capacity from base per level Changed - Increasing health stat points now heals the amount of hit points aquired Changed - Temperature warning messages now display more accurate information Changed - Set sound on Level Up to play when text is also shown Changed - Set Level Meter to orange Changed - Temperature Vital to color code the outside and suit temperature
Changed - Reenabled clock in HUD NOTE: Total day cycle time varies per planet, total hours in a day can be viewed in the Radial Menu (Tab) by default
Fixed - Laboratory interact once again works as intended Fixed - Player is no longer considered outside when walking between connected pressurized structures Fixed - Buildables with upgrades dismantled after building them in the same session now properly refund all spent materials Fixed - Large Radar Installation can now be properly interacted with Fixed - Large Radar Installation now has 1500 hit points Fixed - Funnel Leaf Tree can now be harvested with Sharp and Shearing tools Fixed - Vital tooltips will no longer stick to the mouse after closing the menu Fixed - Launch!!! button in character creation will now no longer sometimes read Update Fixed - Update button in difficulty change menu will no longer sometimes read Launch!!! Fixed - Removed proximity build requirements from buildable icons Fixed - Locked buildables are no longer buildable when still locked Fixed - Baked potato, Potato, Packaged Food, and Sand should no longer fall through the floor, and should be interactable Fixed - Main menu and in-game settings panels are now at parity with one another Fixed - All buildables can once again be dismantled Fixed - Build goal can now display more types of recipes Fixed - Build goal will no longer display outdated build information Fixed - Changing HUD Opacity within the in-game settings will now properly apply without restarting Fixed - Set suit temperature reading dial to accurately display Fixed - Vital tool tip to turn off properly when leaving a menu Fixed - Blur background in Mission Menu entries
We'll likely update the Main Branch in a few days once this build settles in a bit.
-Brian
"Because this baby’s pre-Empire she’s off the grid! ...Razer Quest."
*Note - These changes are only on the Experimental Branch. To access the Experimental Branch, be sure to select it in your Steam Library. If this app does not appear, please check if this app is hidden in your Library. Experimental Branch changes upgrade to the primary branch monthly.
Hello explorers! Coming back from the holidays gave us fresh eyes on the UI and we put substantial focus into improving the UI and HUD across the game for this update.
Full and Centered
The most noticeable difference? Everything is now CENTERED as opposed to being on the right side of the screen, and Menus are now full screen.
Clean, Expanded Interaction
We also attacked the Interact HUD. Inactive options are now faded out. Interaction title and info are now centered.
You can now Open and Use objects while holding any kind of repair tool.
Minerals and More in your Map
HUD Map now displays your settings from the Map Menu, so anything from minerals to base objects can be viewed while exploring.
Vehicles now display the HUD Map too.
Stats are Back
Physical Stats and Leveling Up have been added back with an improved interface. You can now increase your abilities as you progress in level.
Inspect Those Vitals
Your Vitals can now be inspected with a tool tip to display detailed information of your health, nutrition, hunger, and more.
Clear, Minimal 3D HUD
The Lower HUD is now 3D. We also mute nominal Vitals from the HUD.
We Have a "Fill" Button
We added a "Fill" option to easily transfer your inventory. There is also a "Fill Like" that intelligently fills like-typed items for easy item management.
Progress Goals
Build options now show the required structure to unlock and for builds requiring proximity to specific Utilities.
Numerous Touches Throughout
We added small but helpful touches such as the Battery Icon now pulses when using your Flashlight and Inventory weight displayed with a meter. Planet day cycle and location are also shown.
You can also now teleport your drones to your position.
Lots of Fixes, Too
Your feedback helped us identify some subtle issues we may have missed, such as walking diagonally taking stamina. We also cleaned up some old bugs like unfinished Habitats with walls that appear on reload. Both fixed, along with many more. Here's our full list:
Change List
Added - 3D HUD Added - Animate the HUD based on input Added - New Deposit All and Deposit Like buttons to inventory UI Added - Fade out nominal vitals Added - Fade out Equip Slots, fade in when used for a time Added - Harvest interact is based on what you're holding Added - Level Up physical stats with improved interface Added - Cleaned up Item descriptions panel Added - Player Model back into Inventory Screen Added - Weight Meter in Inventory Screen Added - Faded out inactive Interacts Added - Better interact instructions for Geysers Added - mouse overs to Vitals in Menu Screens Added - Battery icon pulse when flashlight is on Added - Tab Circle when pressing Tab in a menu Added - Inspection Descriptions now turn off when going to a menu and resume when leaving menu Added - Voice Log system added as a pickup and raid item Added - Voice Log Listening interface Added - support to bring in debug missions for testing Added - more detail to auto typing text Added - Fuel Cell upgrade to Forge Added - Full screen layout for all menu modes Added - Turn off Stat Elements when in Map and Skills Screen Added - Planet day cycle data Show Planet Rotation Speed in Hours on Clock Added - location coords to Menu Added - Planet Name and site to Menus Added - Fail safe to teleport droid to base Added - location type to Menus Added - locked build objects to menus Added - Unlock requirements to locked build objects Added - Level Up Alert Added - Show Structures in Map Screen
Changed - Text and layout pass on all UI menus Changed - Smoothed out rock textures when viewed from a distance Changed - Set raid object to always give listed objects for missions Changed - Repositioned Battery Icon Changed - Cleaned up Center Queue alerts Changed - Improved Centered Interact Text Changed - Forge no longer requires Fuel Cell to build Changed - Forge by default requires fuel Changed - Forges built before this update will gain the Fuel Cell Upgrade by default Changed - player slightly moved to center in 3rd person Changed - Minerals now properly render on the minimap Changed - Utilities/Inventories can now be accessed and operated while holding a Tinkering tool Changed - improved and clarified UI in Crash Pod tutorial sequence. Changed - Improve HUD meters on all objects Changed - Compass text size Changed - Clean up various Inventory screens Changed - Tweaked build object colors for various states Changed - Improved description in unstuck Buttons Changed - Rework Map controls in Map Panel Changed - Discovery now shows Minerals first Changed - Improved Depository material Changed - Improved Printer Collision Changed - Improved Printer active lights Changed - Spacecraft and Space Appliances are now all unlocked with the building of a Laboratory
Fixed - Map now is displayed in all vehicle types Fixed - New Mission gets turned off after viewing missions Fixed - Duplication bug when quick stacking items into multiple stacks Fixed - Optimized runtime impact of the Minimap and GPS screens Fixed - Numerous issues with items not properly rendering on the minimap or GPS map Fixed - Graphics settings will no longer reset to defaults after planet travel Fixed - Walking diagonally reduces stamina Fixed - Redicle re activates when going in and out of menus Fixed - some objects not pickable in 3rd Person Fixed - Disappearing Space debris on Proteus 2 Fixed - Habitats with walls missing will no longer render ghost walls after leaving and returning Fixed - Weather is now properly persistent in save games Fixed - Issues causing Weather to not sync to other players properly in multiplayer
We'll send these additions to the Main Branch once everything looks good. For now we have plenty more to do, so we'll get right back to it!
-Brian
This exchanged cracked me up recently:
"Did you catch any of that?" – Boba Fett "Something about friendship?" -Fennec "We really need a protocol droid." – Boba Fett
While 2021 was a fantastic year for OND, we’re even more excited about 2022! To start things off we are focusing effort in these areas:
Combat
The next round of iteration on the AI itself is underway - the brains of the creatures and how they think and operate based on a number of data points in the world. We are also moving the creatures over to a physics-based system, which will eliminate creatures falling through the ground or through player characters. Having physically based creatures might also have various side benefits, such as running over creatures with your Buggie.
Overall, our goal is to make the battle against hostile alien creatures a key gameplay element of the overall experience. Combat encounters should be something that requires a balance of skill, strategy, and preparation.
*Impaling creatures with special moves is just one of the strategic actions in this next iteration of the combat system.
Story
Voice recording, mission logs, and location based set pieces are being added. Our aim is to expand the lore of the game to include the Osiris Missions, UNE Mission Control on Luna (our moon), and the missing crew that mysteriously vanished prior to your arrival.
HUD and UI
*3D HUD elements can have secondary motion based on input as an option.
The UI continues to get iteration due to changing gameplay systems and what becomes primary and secondary information. The HUD also feels a bit cluttered right now, so we’re addressing that. Quality of life polish such as fading, animating, and transitioning the UI can be added to feel more immersive. Some players have also asked for the 3D UI from earlier versions, so we’re making that an option.
Updated Release Schedule
Performing weekly updates last year had numerous benefits such as stabilizing a healthy code base and streamlining the commit process, but we also found that this frequency started to impair forward progress. For the next few rounds we will try a bi-monthly schedule for larger releases, with small patches and Experimental Builds dropped as needed. After a few releases we'll likely gauge how this has been working and make adjustments accordingly.
In the near term we expect to have a release on Experimental Branch in the next week or two, with a main branch landing soon after.
Once this batch of material is complete we’ll work from the Roadmap, prioritizing the highest voted items first. If you haven’t already, be sure to vote on our Official Trello Board Roadmap.
Website Improvements
Something we like to do over the holidays is give the OND website a nice new coat of paint. Here’s some stuff we did to spruce things up and serve you better:
Overall style cleanup throughout the site for easier reading on all devices
New Support page with Knowledge Base and Ticketing Channel (so far this has proven to be way better than juggling emails)
We’re excited to see where these new efforts take the game and can’t wait to see where this next chapter takes us. From all of us on the OND team, thanks for playing and we hope you all have a fantastic 2022!
Happy Holidays Explorers! We're proud to graduate the latest Experimental Branch changes along with some additional minor polish in, what will likely be, our final update of the year.
Looking Back on 2021
And what a year it's been! Since we bought back our publishing rights just over a year ago, Fenix Fire has performed 62 updates, 10 of which were large feature and content expansions to the game. Not only did we further expand the game, but also put a considerable focus on code clean up, game engine updates, optimizations, save game stability, and multiplayer stability. At this point the code base has largely been rewritten, we're in a healthy version of Unity, and the project is in a very workable and solid state to develop from.
Looking Towards 2022
And we're not done yet! There is still more that we want to do. Yes, we're still in Early Access, but this process is not a race for us, it's about quality and striving towards giving you the best version of this experience we possibly can.
2021's Greatest Hits
To celebrate our most productive year we've ever had, here's a brief rundown of some of the more significant updates released:
More detailed creature AI and intelligent spawning systems.
Greatly expanded the underground areas of the game across all planets.
Option to choose to sleep through the night at your base.
Large expansion of map and GPS features along with satellite systems to view and find resources.
Remastered Zer, the planet closest to the star. Also added the Deep Terrain Drill.
Our largest update of the year. Biomes, Space Station, and Species Discovery added.
Planet Lutari added, Aziel Remastered, and new robots added.
Salvageable Base Ruins and Remastered Mech.
Project overhaul that refocused on Survival as the core gameplay pillar.
Change List
Added - VFX and SFX for upgrade completion to match that of construction completion Added - Updated Radar Scanner handheld screen graphic to better represent current use
Changed - Tweaked Spaceship landing to be more lenient for various landing surfaces, allowing it to touch down sooner Changed - Upon touching down, the Spaceship's landing gear will now gently lower the ship closer to the surface Changed - Right click while wielding the Radar Scanner will now open the GPS screen Changed - Gave planet's informational cards realistic temperature values when highlighting them in low orbit Changed - Public servers now have a 30 day wipe cycle instead of 14 days (will update on next cycle for active servers) Changed - Disabled missions in Creative Mode Changed - Swapped out Zer Creature shaders with optimized variant
Fixed - Improved inventory persistence stability (In Previous Main Hotfix v0.5.227) Fixed - GPS filter selection is no longer reset when entering the GPS Map, it is once again properly saved Fixed - Removed moons Proteus 2, Lutari, and Aziel from low orbit of Zer as they were unintended to be there. Fixed - Polished a few instances of mesh edges visible on Zer Fixed - Reset VSync to saved value during intro cinematic to reduce screen tearing Fixed - Cut off text in difficulty buttons in main menu Fixed - Removed explosion sounds from intro cinematic Fixed - Instances where Spaceship landing gear would fly in from offscreen after takeoff Fixed - 0 TOD cycle rate no longer affects Main menu and Intro Cinematic
Unless anything pops up that requires a patch, I've instructed the team to take the rest of the year off and enjoy their holiday break. We look forward to returning in January invigorated and ready to tackle the next chapter of Osiris: New Dawn!
From all of us on the OND team, please enjoy this latest update and have a wonderful, and safe, holiday!
Brian
And now a quote from my favorite Christmas movie: "Got invited to the Christmas party by mistake. Who knew?"
*Note - These changes are only on the Experimental Branch. To access the Experimental Branch, be sure to select it in your Steam Library. If this app does not appear, please check if this app is hidden in your Library. Experimental Branch changes upgrade to the primary branch monthly.
Hey explorers! We've been putting a good deal of focus on stabilization and performance in multiplayer these past weeks, and now we'd like to celebrate these core code improvements with longer server cycles in Public Universes from 14 days to 30 days.
We've also looked at a few other items brought to us through the community, and knocked those out too. Here's the notes this week:
Change List
Added - Updated Radar Scanner handheld screen graphic to better represent current use
Changed - Tweaked Spaceship landing to be more lenient for various landing surfaces, allowing it to touch down sooner Changed - Upon touching down, the Spaceship's landing gear will now gently lower the ship closer to the surface Changed - Right click while wielding the Radar Scanner will now open the GPS screen Changed - Gave planet's informational cards realistic temperature values when highlighting them in low orbit Changed - Public servers now have a 30 day wipe cycle instead of 14 days (will update on next cycle for active servers)
Fixed - Improved inventory persistence stability (In Previous Main Hotfix v0.5.227) Fixed - GPS filter selection is no longer reset when entering the GPS Map, it is once again properly saved Fixed - Removed moons Proteus 2, Lutari, and Aziel from low orbit of Zer as they were unintended to be there.
With many of the edge case, minor fixes, and adjustments out of the way we may give ourselves a bit more time between patches to allow for development focus on some larger systems, such as the story implementation (which kind of needs to be dropped all in one go) and combat improvements (which encapsulates many analogous systems).
Anyway, we hope you enjoy this latest patch and we'll be out there across our channels to get your feedback. As always, once this Experimental Branch settles we'll graduate to the Main branch.
-Brian
Rogue One, my third favorite Star Wars film, has this great line from the hilarious K-2SO:
The testing and reports from the past two Experimental builds have performed well, so we're graduating the branch this week. In case you missed it, here's the notes for the past two weeks:
Change List
Added - Custom markers now appear on compass Added - New meteor type to Proteus 2 Added - Multiplayer data safeguards to better persist through crashes of either host or clients Added - Additional loading screen messaging for remote clients joining a host Added - More robust system for syncing save data among all clients
Changed - Upped 3 active creature ragdoll limit to 10, will evaluate more solutions soon Changed - Tweaked current mission set to lead the player through the tech tree Changed - Very old legacy worlds will no longer be migrated to the new data system to better maintain stability of current saves
Fixed - Objects can once again be built on Custom Piece structures Fixed - Removed nonfunctional customize screen on various objects Fixed - Zer planet is no longer blindingly bright in low orbit Fixed - Default language now properly is applied based on system languageFixed - Leaving an item inside the fuel window on objects such as the furnace will no longer prevent the fuel window from being accessible afterwards
Fixed - Sorting containers with multiple items in non-full stacks will no longer cause items to go missing or to be duplicated Fixed - Crashes occurring during client joining or leaving should no longer cause data losses or duplication Fixed - Logging out on other planets should no longer cause the player to spawn back in with their ship in orbit Fixed - Spaceship crash handling has been further improved to reduce the instances a player will spawn back in without/far away from their ship
Please reach out to us regarding language localization to verify it's working for you.
If you experience any problems loading please reach out to us here. The last thing we want is for you to have any trouble playing and experiencing the game.
*Note - These changes are only on the Experimental Branch. To access the Experimental Branch, be sure to select it in your Steam Library. If this app does not appear, please check if this app is hidden in your Library. Experimental Branch changes upgrade to the primary branch monthly.
Hey explorers! Experimental Branch is getting a fresh batch of stability fixes, along with some more missions to aid in learning the game's tech tree for new players. We've also been expanding the multiplayer persistency, such as a system that allows any client to continue saving it there is an unexpected drop.
Change List
Added - Multiplayer data safeguards to better persist through crashes of either host or clients Added - Additional loading screen messaging for remote clients joining a host Added - More robust system for syncing save data among all clients
Changed - Tweaked current mission set to lead the player through the tech tree Changed - Very old legacy worlds will no longer be migrated to the new data system to better maintain stability of current saves
Fixed - Leaving an item inside the fuel window on objects such as the furnace will no longer prevent the fuel window from being accessible afterwards
Fixed - Sorting containers with multiple items in non-full stacks will no longer cause items to go missing or to be duplicated
Fixed - Crashes occurring during client joining or leaving should no longer cause data losses or duplication
Fixed - Logging out on other planets should no longer cause the player to spawn back in with their ship in orbit
Fixed - Spaceship crash handling has been further improved to reduce the instances a player will spawn back in without/far away from their ship
Well, that's it for this week. In the meantime, we 're moving full steam ahead on our next larger update. Enjoy!
-Brian
I've always loved this exchange:
Cooper: Dr. Mann there's a 50/50 chance your gonna kill yourself. Dr. Mann: Those are the best odds I've had in years.