Welcome to the Sol #60 since our landing on Mars!

In this devlog #69 we will tell you more about the upcoming Major Content Update and what we've been focused on in the last few weeks, but first...


For those of you who have just recently joined us on our adventure: please remember that Occupy Mars is a huge and complex open-world sandbox survival game for fans of the genre. The game may be hard to understand at first, but to make your start a little easier please check the following links:

• (Video Guide) How NOT to die on Mars — YouTube Playlist
  
• (Video) TightBeam From Mars — our "making of" YouTube miniseries
  
• [FAQ] Colonist FAQ: How to Survive on Mars
  
• [FAQ] Game Troubleshooting FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
  
• [FAQ] CO2 scrubber tips by Cerber
  
• [FAQ] How to Start by Tzemaru
  
• Occupy Mars: The Game — Roadmap
  
• Occupy Mars — Wiki
  
• Official Discord Server

In case of any issues please remember that you can always press F4 while playing the game to automatically send feedback (including screenshots and logs) directly from the game.


1. Engine upgrade

Since the last update v0.122.2 we have started a huge rework of the game (in preparation for the Major Content Update) including raising the Unity Engine version. We had to do this since the previously used version had a texture limit and we couldn't add any more objects to the game. Together with the engine version bump you should notice performance improvements and some graphics quality improvements.

2. Save system rework

Once the game was successfully adapted to the new engine build our next focus was a rework of the save system, which seemed to cause the most issues reported by players. We found that the problem was related to system language & culture settings, that's why it only occurred for some players and was so hard to track down. But it should be finally solved!

3. Content & Features

Next we focused on adding the content planned in our Kickstarter Roadmap including but not limited to: New Vehicles, Heavy Suit, Wind Turbines and much much more. Below you will find some sneak peaks of those features. We will write more details about them in the next devlog. You can also re-watch our yesterday's stream to get a closer look at some of the things we are preparing for you :)



Our plan was to release this update for the Summer Sale (so between June and July), but making smaller updates without upgrading the engine was no longer possible. Ironing out the issues related to upgrading the engine took way longer than we initially expected, that's why we didn't make it on time with the major update release. We still need more time for testing and improving the new gameplay so our current schedule for the release of the big update is August.

We want to ensure that this time, a much larger number of players will be pleased with the improved quality of the game after the update. Therefore, we believe that dedicating additional time to fine-tuning it will be worth it.

and while we all wait for the update...


We have just launched a fresh bundle together with Astro Colony. It's a cool space game made by our friends. The bundle together with the fact that Summer Sale is still running makes it a great value for the price!

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/32436/Occupy_Mars__Astro_Colony_Bundle/


The Summer Sale will last until Thursday July 13th so there are only a few days left to get Occupy Mars and other games from our studio with the biggest discounts of the year!



Wishing you a fantastic weekend in Space!

Warm regards,
The Occupy Mars Team

Welcome to the sixth week on Mars!

We are thrilled to announce that the testing phase for build v0.122.2 is now complete, and it has just been switched to the default branch. Rest assured, if you encounter any issues, you can always revert to the previous branch on Steam.

Check it out here: https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/758690/view/3687931332330630923?l=english

In this update, we have introduced several exciting additions:

Autowalk feature
Suit charging from batteries and transformers
Building trailers and containers without the need for Big Crusher
And that's not all! This update also includes numerous other features and fixes.

We are currently reworking the save system, and while a major fix will be available in the next update, we have already resolved some of the issues with saving and loading the game.


In the upcoming weeks, we will provide you with more detailed information about our plans, as we have an exciting major update scheduled for June/July. Stay tuned for further updates! ːsteamhappyː

Don't forget that you can always press F4 to automatically send us feedback, including screenshots and logs directly from the game.

For collecting priority bugs, we have a pinned forum thread available:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/758690/discussions/0/3829792817308237223/

Wishing you a fantastic weekend on Mars!

Warm regards,
The Occupy Mars Team

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

P.S. Calling all Rover enthusiasts! Check out our previous game, Rover Mechanic Simulator:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/864680/Rover_Mechanic_Simulator/

It's part of the same Occupy Mars Universe, and we have prepared a special bundle just for you:

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/28017/Occupy_Mars_Universe_Bundle/

This is a bigger patch than all the previous ones so we want to make sure there are no issues before putting it on the main branch. Those who wish to try it can switch to public_testing branch on Steam but remember to backup your save files just in case. You can switch the branch in game's properties:


As a reminder: the save files to backup are located in the following directory:
Another important information is that due to adding Autowalk feature we had to reset controls settings to default so you may need to re-bind your keys again, sorry for the inconvenience.


Added Features:

• added Autowalk button
  
• camera now remembers selected FPP/TPP mode when player sleeps, sits and takes off helmet
  
• added possibility to charge suit from transformer and battery
  
• added possibility to skip tutorials in intro base
  
• added changes to escape route from the base that makes it easier to navigate
  
• added information in printer about items printing in packs
  
• added description of the button to reset rover
  
• added information about max sleep time on the sleep clock
  
• added warning before ATV explosion while grinding
  
• added possibility to build trailer for rover outside Big Crusher
  
• added possibility to cancel printing

Important bugfixes:

• fixed several saving issues
  
• fixed several loading issues
  
• fixed the problem with lack of possibility to refill empty bottles
  
• fixed the problem with game freezing when entering rover seat
  
• fixed the issue, that allowed player to build buildings in introbase after loading the game
  
• fixed the issue with crash caused by cables connected to ATV socket
  
• fixed issue with sound level of music and dialogues
  
• fixed the problem with blocker in Tutorial 6
  
• fixed the issue with duplicating boards
  
• fixed the issue with board obtained from fully grinded building that has no HP
  
• fixed the edge case bug with crusher that can block save and load permanently
  
• fixed the problem with tipper transforming to container after saving/loading the game
  
• fixed unnecessary items in Lobby
  
• fixed the issue with wrong durability of items (boards)
  
• fixed the issue that caused player inside/outside state to be wrong (so called Terraforming bug)
  
• fixed the issue with wrong electricity values in workshop caused by seed machine building and grinding
  
• fixed the problem with radar filters
  
• fixed the problem with resources not coming back to resources tab if you cancel printing after save/load in the meantime
  
• fixed several printing problems connected to amount of printed items
  
• fixed the problem with unloading tipper not giving any resources to the player
  
• fixed the problems with antennas range on terrain that is not flat
  
• fixed the problem with rover doors mismatch (opening/closing partially)
  
• fixed the issue with containers in crusher losing items after save
  
• fixed rover controller issue (game freezing after entering Rover seat)
  
• fixed the problem with loot table resetting every time after loading game
  
• fixed the problem with inability to unlock technology despite having blueprint unlocked
  
• fixed the issue that blocked saving the game after completing all tutorials in intro base
  
• fixed several problems with objects placement in canteen and lobby
  
• fixed ITS crash site and error while using elevator
  
• fixed the issue that player’s base after load was out of power and sleeping after that crashed the game
  
• fixed problem with player gets stuck in chair when pressing ESC after ending tutorial

Minor issues fixes:

• fixed wrong number of parts in several items in printer menu
  
• fixed looped elevator sound while using the tablet
  
• fixed wrong text in popup after using tech point
  
• fixed disabled stand by sprite on tutorial monitor after load.
  
• fixed marker in the wrong place during the quest with build workshop
  
• fixed wrong objects in Tutorial 5
  
• fixed the problem that fuses can be removed through the closed flap in Tutorial 6
  
• fixed volume of AI Information sound and equalizing pressure adjustment sound
  
• fixed issue with HQ and Corridors giving items after being blown up
  
• fixed several wrong or missing translations in russian translation
  
• fixed the problem with player being unable to press tab during Tutorial 3
  
• fixed blur postprocess on players personal tablet screen
  
• fixed problems with closing tabs on the tablet
  
• fixed issue that allowed exploiting wall panels
  
• fixed buttons being highlighted and tutorial marker being visible aftert skipping intro
  
• fixed the problem with rover that can built it only in selected defined places
  
• fixed the problem with Rover keeps spawning in unreachable places in Tourist mode
  
• fixed the problems with player unable to use lights or differential buttons
  
• fixed low resources music not changing
  
• fixed the problem with inability to change camera view in campaign
  
• fixed the problem with ITS music turning off default exploration music
  
• fixed missing quest texts, missing other translations and wrong texts in french translation
  
• fixed problem with battery upgrade technology wrong key in polish translation
  
• fixed missing translation after using last blueprint
  
• partially fixed the radioactive rover chair bug
  
• fixed the problem with player getting stuck in chair when pressing ESC after ending tutorials
  
• fixed the problem that player can't put out rover controller, crane not working
  
• fixed the issue with printing more than x1000 cable blocking the printer
  
• fixed the issues that caused the inability to unlock blueprints that should be possible to unlock.
  
• fixed destroyed Rover’s collider in abandoned base
  
• fixed the problem with panel doors that can kill player
  
• fixed air pressure tool cleaning sound
  
• fixed Rover out of battery issue in Tutorial 5
  
• fixed levitating rover in tut 3 after skip tut 0
  
• fixed invisible living/bathroom capsule when building from inside (wrong state of being inside outside the base)
  
• fixed issue with Frozen Lake location when lake has surface above the ground and you can get under it

We will monitor the forums during the weekend to make sure there are no important issues with this build and if everything is ok we will put it on the main branch on monday / tuesday.

As mentioned in the previous devlog: we are planning a major content update for June/July. Stay tuned for more information! ːsteamhappyː

Have a nice weekend on Updated Mars v0.122.2 !

Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

Welcome to the second week on Mars!

The testing of build v0.120.1 is now complete and it was just switched to default branch.
In case of any issues you can always go back using the previous branch on Steam.

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/758690/view/3694685462918618592
In this version most problems with loading should be gone. We also added (among other things):

Option to Skip tutorials in the Campaign mode:


Info about power production / consumption of each blueprint:


A special button in the Landing Capsule which lets you respawn your Rover in case it goes missing:




In the coming weeks we will announce a more detailed plans for current roadmap as we are planning a major update for June/July. Stay tuned for more information! ːsteamhappyː

Remember you can always press F4 to automatically send us feedback with screenshot and log directly from the game, we are also improving th feedback reporting system for the next update.

Pinned forum thread for collecting priority bugs:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/758690/discussions/0/3829792817308237223/

Have a nice weekend on Mars!

Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

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

P.S. For the fans of real Rovers you can also check our previous game Rover Mechanic Simulator:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/864680/Rover_Mechanic_Simulator/

The game is in the same Occupy Mars Universe, so we prepared a special bundle for it:

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/28017/Occupy_Mars_Universe_Bundle/

We survived the first week on Mars!

After releasing patch v0.119.5, for the last 2 days we've been working on a slightly bigger patch in which we wanted to address many of the most important issues. The testing of build v0.120 took us longer than planned, but we expect that in about 5 hours we will be able to put it on the public_testing branch.
Edit: It's now live on public_testing branch.


Bugfixes:

• Most issues with save/load should be fixed
  
• Fixed black screen on tutorials screen in Campaign mode [EPIC-only issue]
  
• Fixed custom arm patches which could block quest with eating in campaign
  
• Fixed Heavy rover missing after updating from 119.3
  
• Fixed radar in Chinese translation version
  
• Fixed invisible model of Pump (Pipe Splitter)
  
• Fixed ATV Quad FPP camera which depended on the angle of the terrain
  
• Fixed Voiceovers played after conversation finished
  
• Fixed wrong quest text in FR, RU and other translation fixes
  
• Disabled randomization of blueprints for unavailable technologies
  
• Fixed Fuses can be removed through the closed flap
  
• Fixed New sol is set after completing tutorial
  
• Fixed intro dialogues refreshing after save/load
  
• Fixed Freeplay Quest: connecting workshop to power showed info about completing objective
  
• Fixed CO2 bottle in intro hangar had wrong model
  
• Fixed and improved F4 feedback reporter window ingame
  
• Fixed misplaced Heavy Rover spawned on tourist mode
  
• Fixed abandoned bases sometimes disappear/re-appear after loading
  
• Fixed Rover physics enabling during building destruction
  
• Fixed Workbench balance - Fixing circuit board gave Materials exp
  
• Fixed shredder rollers in tutorial
  
• Fixed no AI sound in tutorials if you unmuted sound
  
• Fixed edge case with CO2 Scrubber doors in intro base
  
• Fixed Jetpack not colliding with corridors
  
• Fixed grinding of destroyed small solar panel
  
• Fixed interaction (hard to put crates on ATV)
  
• Fixed Free Play Starting items inconsistency

Added features:

• Added possibility to skip tutorials in the campaign mode
  
• Added power usage to buildings descriptions in blueprints menu
  
• Added focus (blur) postprocess effect when tablet is opened
  
• Added information about "Scan - Z" in upper right corner
  
• Added clickable links from TechTree icons to Knowledge Base articles
  
• Disabled weather effects in introbase (preventing destruction of intro after long waiting - which was kinda cool BTW) ;)

This patch should fix most of the save/load problems, but just in case please make a backup copy of your saves folder: We hope you'll enjoy the update. We are already testing the next one.

Remember you can always press F4 to automatically send us feedback with screenshot and log directly from the game, we are also improving th feedback reporting system for the next update.

Pinned forum thread for collecting priority bugs:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/758690/discussions/0/3829792817308237223/

Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

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

P.S. For the fans of real Rovers you can also check our previous game Rover Mechanic Simulator:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/864680/Rover_Mechanic_Simulator/

The game is in the same Occupy Mars Universe, so we prepared a special bundle for it:

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/28017/Occupy_Mars_Universe_Bundle/

P.S.2 Our friends from Games Operators are working on a game called: Solar Expanse.

They don't have any date announced yet, but seems like it's going to be a fun project too:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1369700/Solar_Expanse/

Yesterday we have released update 0.119.5.0 on public_testing branch. Today, after additional tests and help from community members, we decided to release this update live on default branch on Steam.

We try to test every build but we are a small team and due to our fast update cycle it's always possible that we could miss something, so just in case please make a backup copy of your saves folder: We are also moving current, stable version of the game to "previous" branch on Steam, so in case you want to go back, you can always switch to it by opening Beta tab in game properties on Steam.

The changelog for this version was posted in yesterday's post:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/758690/view/3710447427194112482

We hope you'll enjoy the update. We are already testing next one which will hopefully be enabled tomorrow (it will be a slightly bigger one).

Remember you can always press F4 to automatically send us feedback with screenshot and log directly from the game, we are also improving th feedback reporting system for the next update.

Pinned forum thread for collecting priority bugs:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/758690/discussions/0/3829792817308237223/

Regards,
Occupy Mars Team

It's the 4th day after our Early Access release - and we have another Patch for you!

Yesterday we have released info about postponing update 4, but today, after additional tests and help from community members, we decided to release this update on public_testing branch, available for everyone who wants to check if the update fixes their problems.

Please remember, that we are really small team and we are extremely tired after many hours of testing and preparing updates since Wednesday, so we are just afraid we might have missed something. So just in case please make backup of your OM saves folder to another location before trying the test branch so that you can restore them if anything goes wrong. Your save files are located in:

To test the patch open the game properties on Steam, go to Beta tab, and select the public_testing branch. If everything goes well with this patch we'll put it on the default Steam branch as well, after some time. If anything goes wrong you can switch back to default build in the same place (Properties/Beta) tab.

Build v0.119.5 - Changelog:

• Fix for restoring default settings changed movement type from instant to realistic
  
• Fix for Rover collision detection in Hangar
  
• Automatic door opening in launchpad elevator
  
• Fix for bug preventing jumping if going on elevator right after talking with NPC
  
• Additional optimization of Intro Base NPC animations
  
• Fix for building Storage Cabinets (Refrigerators) in workshop
  
• Added button to skip escape from Destroyed base after 3 deaths
  
• Fixed possibility to block HUD tutorial monitor after jumping
  
• Fixed occlusion view from the top of ITS
  
• Fixed deathloop after fall in escape sequence
  
• Fixed Space Forest achievement unlocked after completing tutorials
  
• Fixed incomplete date in arabic save files

Please let us know about the issues you are experiencing to help us prioritize the next patches.

Hopefully tomorrow we will have another patch with next set of fixes.

Remember you can always press F4 to automatically send us feedback with screenshot and log directly from the game.

Pinned forum thread for collecting priority bugs: https://steamcommunity.com/app/758690/discussions/0/3829792817308237223/

Occupy Mars Team

It's the second day after our Early Access release - and we have another Patch for you!

Build v0.119.4 is now Live - Changelog:

• Added Heavy Rover available from start in Tourist Mode starting equipment
  (Rover spawning is a beta feature added on player's request - if you don't see the spawned Rover check if it's visible on the Radar, if not try reloading. We will improve this spawning feature in the next update, but you can play with it now.)
  
• Fixed some problems which prevented save games from loading for some players
  
• Fixed inability to rebind arrow keys
  
• Small fix for SteelSeries GameSense integration
  
• Fixed no resources alerts after quick load in Destroyed Base
  
• Fixed possibility to block tutorial #6
  
• Fixed ATV crates sometimes loosing contents after load

We're now working on another set of fixes. Expect next patch tomorrow!

For the next (tomorrow's) patch we are planning:

• Fix for problems related to custom image patches added by players (could block progress in campaign)
  
• Fix for Rover sometimes spawning further away from the base
  
• Fix for restoring default settings changed movement type from instant to realistic
  
• Fix for Korolev Crater frozen lake ice position
  
• Additional optimization of Intro Base NPC animations
  
• Fix for Rover collision detection in Hangar
  
• Automatic door opening in launchpad elevator
  
• and more...

Please let us know about the issues you are experiencing to help us prioritize the next patches.

Remember you can always press F4 to automatically send us feedback with screenshot and log directly from the game.

Pinned forum thread for collecting priority bugs: https://steamcommunity.com/app/758690/discussions/0/3829792817308237223/

Occupy Mars Team

It's the first day after our Early Access release - and we have another Patch for you!

Build v0.119.3 is now Live - Changelog:

• Fixed - Player can sometimes equip 2 different tools in one hand
  
• Added Saving Screen information during autosave
  
• Weather effect last longer than warning on HUD
  
• Fixed problems with some textures on props
  
• Fixed: no mor ending spaces in save files
  
• Enabled exiting from Toilet using ESC (RMB was confusing)
  
• Destroyed base & Escape cinematic optimization

We're now working on another set of fixes. Expect next patch tomorrow!

Please let us know about the issues you are experiencing to help us prioritize the next patches.

Pinned forum thread for collecting priority bugs: https://steamcommunity.com/app/758690/discussions/0/3829792817308237223/

Occupy Mars Team

As with all Early Access games - some problems are expected on game launch, but we hope to solve your issues quickly. That's why we are already releasing First Patch!

Build v0.119.2 is now Live - Changelog:

• - Fixed leaving workshop while printing air compressor makes printer freeze
  
• - Death screen in Destroyed Base changes (try again, and quick load button)
  
• - Improvements in texture compression
  
• - ATV sparks turn off on board pickup
  
• - Fixed missing dialogue animations in some NPCs
  
• - Governor wrong voiceover in one dialogue fix
  
• - Some optimization changes
  
• - Fixed using lever in airlock while crouching
  
• - Fixed sound balance.

We're now working on another set of fixes. Expect next patch tomorrow.

Please let us know about the issues you are experiencing to help us prioritize the next patches.
Pinned forum thread for collecting priority bugs: https://steamcommunity.com/app/758690/discussions/0/3829792817308237223/

Occupy Mars Team