Thank you for participating in the testing of version 0.137.1 on the public_testing branch. Thanks to your vigilance, we were able to make significant improvements to this build. Today, we are excited to release version 0.137.1d, which comes with several enhancements.
One of the issues you pointed out was the slow charging of vehicles, and we are pleased to inform you that we have addressed this problem, making the charging process much faster. Additionally, we have resolved the issue with loot tables, which was causing difficulties in long campaigns and resulting in a lack of seed magazines in abandoned bases. We appreciate your help a lot! This is the way we want to work - in cooperation with our community, responding to your feedback.
We have deployed a patch v0.137.1d on public_testing branch on Steam! It replaces previous version (0.137.1). Feel free to try it out. We will switch it to default branch if no major problems occur,
Meanwhile we are working on the next one, which includes, among others, new graphic options and some performance upgrades.
fixed problem with too big rover damage when hitting sand dunes and moving on rough terrain
fixed loot tables randomization bug - no seed magazines (seed tanks) after long game
[/b]
fixed multiple bugs related to vehicle battery system (battery system refactored)
implemented final Kickstarter backer reward: 3D heads of "The Martian" backers
fixed: heavy suit changes color after loading save
fixed: opening capsule door sound distance
fixed: cursor on the map is invisible
fixed: cursor stays on tablet
fixed: cursor triggered after leaving ESC menu
fixed: missing key binding tips (introbase)
fixed: too many batteries on tourist mode
fixed: scrapped batteries and upgrades are grinded instantly
fixed: can't assign the arrow keys
fixed: can't print workbench using big crusher
fixed: items from truck's inventory disappear
fixed: stuck during sleeping
fixed: game crashed after player tried to build refrigerator
fixed: can't interact with broken ATV
fixed: rover jumping on invisible collider
fixed: some glitches on terrain
fixed: black dust from nowhere
fixed: price balance of printed bottles
fixed: rover lights on start
fixed: living capsule decorations bug
fixed: wind turbines immune to meteors
fixed: case where players were getting stuck in composter screen
fixed: can't detach container using T or rover button
fixed: can't leave tech bench
fixed: player not able to leave mechanics workbench after unlocking jackhammer III
fixed: some outposts have one color textures
fixed: the anti-meteorite system not working
fixed: energy problem in base after patch
fixed: very high power rate in hangar's charger
fixed: mechanics tech tree exp exploit
fixed: possibility to install battery extension in the Truck
fixed: wrong LODs in escape sequence
fixed: pump station doesn't give back resources after grinding
fixed: problem with placing medium solar on the ground
fixed: no possibility to pick up A3 ore
fixed: bug related to MRE (processed food)
fixed: building ATV doesn't detect circuit board
fixed: after loading 1st autosave from introbase player close to death (sometimes outside the base)
added extra references into game controller to reduce possibility of crashes
some performance improvements (more coming in the next patch)
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During Early Access we aim to address your suggestions as fast as possible. Currently we continue our work on performance optimization and QoL improvements.
If you encounter any bugs or you have more thoughts about update, please email us to eracolonisthelp@gmail.com this will help to track down the issues faster. See the full changelog of all the previous updates here.
Remember about our weekly streams on Youtube and Twitch, where you can meet devs and QA team members.
Thank you for playing Exploration Update and all the feedback so far! We appreciate it a lot!
We have deployed a new patch v0.137.1 on public_testing branch on Steam! Feel free to try it out and we will switch it to default branch if no major problems occur, meanwhile we are working on the next one!
fixed multiple bugs related to vehicle battery system (battery system refactored)
implemented final Kickstarter backer reward: 3D heads of "The Martian" backers
fixed: heavy suit changes color after loading save
fixed: opening capsule door sound distance
fixed: cursor on the map is invisible
fixed: cursor stays on tablet
fixed: cursor triggered after leaving ESC menu
fixed: missing key binding tips (introbase)
fixed: too many batteries on tourist mode
fixed: scrapped batteries and upgrades are grinded instantly
fixed: can't assign the arrow keys
fixed: can't print workbench using big crusher
fixed: items from truck's inventory disappear
fixed: stuck during sleeping
fixed: game crashed after player tried to build refrigerator
fixed: can't interact with broken ATV
fixed: rover jumping on invisible collider
fixed: some glitches on terrain
fixed: black dust from nowhere
fixed: price balance of printed bottles
fixed: rover lights on start
fixed: living capsule decorations bug
fixed: wind turbines immune to meteors
fixed: case where players were getting stuck in composter screen
fixed: can't detach container using T or rover button
fixed: can't leave tech bench
fixed: player not able to leave mechanics workbench after unlocking jackhammer III
fixed: some outposts have one color textures
fixed: the anti-meteorite system not working
fixed: energy problem in base after patch
fixed: very high power rate in hangar's charger
fixed: mechanics tech tree exp exploit
fixed: possibility to install battery extension in the Truck
fixed: wrong LODs in escape sequence
fixed: pump station doesn't give back resources after grinding
fixed: problem with placing medium solar on the ground
fixed: no possibility to pick up A3 ore
fixed: bug related to MRE (processed food)
fixed: building ATV doesn't detect circuit board
fixed: after loading 1st autosave from introbase player close to death (sometimes outside the base)
added extra references into game controller to reduce possibility of crashes
some performance improvements (more coming in the next patch)
During Early Access we aim to address your suggestions as fast as possible. Currently we continue our work on performance optimization and QoL improvements.
If you encounter any bugs or you have more thoughts about update, please email us to eracolonisthelp@gmail.com this will help to track down the issues faster. See the full changelog of all the previous updates here.
Thank you for playing Exploration Update and all the feedback so far! We appreciate it a lot!
We have deployed a new patch v0.135.3 on public_testing branch on Steam! Feel free to try it out and we will switch it to default branch if no new problems occur, meanwhile we are working on the next one!
added water & oxygen bottles in Tech Tree and to print
added water & oxygen bottles loot in outposts
changed repair kit place in the tech tree
improved tech tree points notifications
increased tools durability
Bugfixes:
fixed issue with loading saves from ESC menu
fixed blocked key interaction after picking up the small/medium circuit board
fixed game resetting music volume settings after press "Apply" button
fixed issue with moving Rover after load
fixed issue with loading saves on Epic and GOG
fixed sounds in tutorials
fixed Small Rock Crusher animation to use the lever
fixed Intro base wrong text mission after load
fixed quad jumping when you enter it, while it is on a truck trailer
fixed wrong default settings for cursor transparency
fixed issue with invisible wall between airlock and some buildings
fixed: when you drive into the trailer, it will connect to the front
fixed: ECU shows wrong solar panel size
small improvements in Spanish and Portuguese translation
fixed wrong UI color while unlocking Main HQ in the tech tree
During Early Access we aim to address your suggestions as fast as possible. If you encounter any bugs or you have more thoughts about update, please email us to eracolonisthelp@gmail.com this will help to track down the issues faster. See the full changelog of all the previous updates here.
Thank you for playing the Exploration Update and for all the feedback! We really appreciate your guidance and suggestions which help us further develop this Early Access. With the recent Major Update we've fulfilled many of the Kickstarter's stretch goals and we've prepared the game core to allow easier updates in the future.
Kickstarter goals fulfilled so far
✅ Early Access Launched
✅ Technology Expansion
✅ Added Wind Turbines
✅ Added Heavy Suit
✅ Added Motocross
✅ Added Mars Truck
✅ Additional semi trailers
✅ Workshop battery charger, fusebox & sink
We hear your feedback that perhaps the additional vehicles were not the most important to add at this time, but they were already almost done and we didn't want to delay our obligation to the backers. Also it's worth noting that they are optional. Unlocking Motocross or Truck is not mandatory to progress in the tech tree (for those who prefer to keep driving the Heavy Rover).
In this devlog we will write more about our current focus as well as our plans for next updates.
1. Balance and Quality of Life Improvements - in progress
Based on your feedback sent via the F4 reporting system, eracolonisthelp e-mail, steam forums and discord threads we are prioritizing hotfixes for issues which affect current gameplay the most. We are going to release a series of patches and hotfixes to address the most commonly reported issues and suggestions.
2. Further Performance Optimization - in progress
We know that there's still a lot to do in terms of performance optimization. Thanks to upgrading the engine, we now have better tools to track down bottlenecks in this regard. The main focus points for us right now in terms of optimization are:
Optimizing terrain generation and outpost spawning while traveling
Optimizing performance of big bases (saves with 150+ sols)
It's too early to know if we can guarantee concrete results, but we are deeply analyzing possible solutions to this performance bottlenecks, and we will keep you updated as soon as we achieve some results.
3. Further Technical Upgrades - ongoing process
As mentioned in the previous devlog, the following points are already being worked on:
Additional Language versions
Reworked animation system
Improved graphics and lightning
Online Co Op Multiplayer
4. Additional Content planned for the future
After we solve the most important bottlenecks from points 1. and 2. we will return to content updates among which we have planned the big ones below:
Construction (Vertical constructions, Grid buildings, Decoration system, Furniture)
It's too early to estimate exact dates of each of the updates mentioned above, however this is a reminder of our plan of continuous expansion of this game, according to our refreshed roadmap.
Currently we are hard at work on next hotfixes and QoL changes. We have already released first patch v0.134.2 on Steam. The GOG and EPIC version requires an additional improvement and will be updated in a few days, together with the next patch.
If you encounter any bugs or you have more thoughts about update, please email us to eracolonisthelp@gmail.com, this will help to track down the issues faster.
Also a reminder for all the new players who joined our community recently - below you will find useful links with FAQ, tips & tricks, wiki, roadmap and more information about the game's nuances:
Stay connected with us through our social channels to stay up-to-date with the latest news and share your thoughts. Thanks for being a part of this journey with us, and until next time!
Thank you for playing Exploration Update and all the feedback so far! We appreciate it a lot!
During Early Access we aim to address your suggestions as fast as possible. If you encounter any bugs or you have more thoughts about update, please email us to eracolonisthelp@gmail.com, this will help to track down the issues faster.
We are hard at work on next hotfixes and QoL changes and we have already released a patch v0.134.2 on public_testing beta branch on Steam. Feel free to try it out and we will switch it to default branch if no new problems occur, meanwhile we are working on the next one.
Build v0.134.2 - Changelog (public_testing)
Fixed bug which sometimes showed incorrect outposts after load
Fixed bug with dirty motocross after building
Fixed bug with turning wheels of multiple vehicles
Fixed bug with Heavy Suit when set to realistic movement type
Fixed bugs related to unpowered workshop fuses and inside temperature
Fixed scrolling of print queue in Big Crusher
Fixed tracking points naming on the radar
Fixed saving state of capsule door open/closed
Fixed sleeping for longer time than allowed
Fixed bug with getting stuck on 3D printer screen
Fixed battery upgrade scrap not scrappable
Fixed moving items between inventories
Fixed bug with misplaced tool after upgrading on workbench
Fixed CO2 bottle capacity and highlighting when Z is pressed
Fixed wrong default settings for interactable distance
Fixed bug with UI cursor staying on tablet
Fixed multiple incorrect texts / translations
Fixed bug with suit battery disappearing from inventory
Fixed bug with new location notification sometimes not showing in TPP
In the next build we are focusing on more improvements and QoL changes, including the balance of the tool durability system - based on your feedback.
The Exploration Update is finally going live today, so let's dive in right into the details (this is going to be a long post). First check out the info-graphic with summary and our brand new trailer:
Build v0.134.0 - Changelog
Core:
Upgraded Unity Engine version to the most stable one
Map generation system upgrade
New Features:
redesign of well panel (added more info and improved readability)
added tanks for rover (for transporting water, oxygen and methane)
added inventory boxes (for extra storage space)
added possibility to hide from weather effects in abandoned bases
added settings window during first game launching
added snow dust when riding on frozen land
added notification when player enters new location
added tool durability system
rebalanced amount of resources after grinding roadster
added Motocross vehicle
added Mars Truck vehicle
added Wind Turbines (Big & Small)
added Sink in the Workshop
added possibility to switch on/off devices (fuses in buildings)
added icons for every type of science bench
added information in blueprints menu about how much energy does every object need
added box for stacking circuit boards
added battery rack for batteries and power expansions charging
added the possibility to fix tools with repair kits and using workbench
added the possibility to change suit in lobby building
added the possibility to change suit colors in lobby building
added Heavy Suit for astronaut
added possibility to pick up ready to load rocks (player can throw them into crusher or truck’s trunk)
added creating backup copy of player’s saves / save versioning
reworked audio course system (affects performance)
added more eye colors
added possibility to change body type
added the protection against the situation when player is stuck in screen because of weather event
added the info about reaching max number of vehicles
increased water flow in water spots
added notifications in TPP view
added possibility to print Solid Rocket A kit in Workshop Printer
added possibility to find new batteries
added several knowledge base records
changed model of small crusher
airlocks in abandoned bases remain open after the player unlocks them
added arrows on crushers that indicate correct driving direction
information about bonus to seeds quality on Seed Magazine
added radiation and loot in destroyed base
added option to change the mouse target color to a more contrasting one
added possibility to destroy jetpack in the crusher
added new look of electricity table
Bugfixes:
fixed the problems with items disappearing from containers
fixed Devil’s Dust weather effect killing player by sucking it out from the abandoned base
problem with blocked door after driving rover
problem with placing ATV ghost
rare problem with inactive ESC button
problem with blocking the game if driving on ATV into pile of cables
problem with player dying in starting capsule because of wrong plant crate collider
problem with player dying after walking into rover’s wheel on small crusher
problem with player losing all of the plants and damaged buildings after saving during fire
problem with player dying from suffocation after loading a save
problem with water spot and well incorrect production values
fixed some causes of transparent building (it won't fix old saves, but it shouldn't happen on the new ones)
fixed taking water bottle with ctrl in tutorial 2
fixed death from lack of oxygen after sitting in rover's chair
raycast improvements (big bases optimization)
fixed problem with incorrect weather effect when player is in abandoned base
fixed invisible HQ collider
fixed problem with inability to build new battery section after battery being damaged
fixed most of the problems with loot falling under the terrain or into the foundations of the buildings
fixed battery extension couldn't be repaired
fixed wrong items for constructing workbench
fixed chemistry tech tree points after use meteor rocket
fixed most of the problems with players inside/outside status (causing transparent walls and “terraforming mars” bug)
fixed LOD problems on higher graphic levels
fixed tessellation active by default on lower graphic settings
fixed problem with storage cabinet working as fridge
fixed problem with tools doubling when upgrading one on workbench
fixed problems with choosing tools on gamepad
fixed missing key in infopanel (tutorial 6)
changed sandstorm sound
fixed resetting rover with trailer
fixed quad floating after accident
fixed ability to genetically engineer seeds without tech unlocked
fixed container exploit
fixed player could replenish water without having water bottle attached to the suit
fixed Ingenuity landing bug (drone falling into buildings collider)
fixed problem with player being thrown into a abandoned base collider after being hit by the rover
fixed problem with incorrect values in the battery after destroying ghost of the battery expansion
fixed problem with losing all of the oxygen from the base after adding or destroying parts of it
fixed problem with meteor hit pushing player through the walls of the buildings
fixed problem with limited number of backers shown in credits
fixed problem with CO2 Scrubber exploding after loading save
fixed adding target to the list blocks player movement
several cases of player dying while running into rock and using jackhammer
several cases of game crashing while launching
fixed problem with Rover not spawning in Freeplay mode on Tourist difficulty level
fixed broken helmet was nor marked red in the inventory
fixed wrong description of controls in crane arm mode in Rover
fixed problem with LOD colors
fixed some outposts have one color textures
several fixes of appearance and colliders in Destroyed Base
fixed domes didn't have dirt effect
fixed wrong labels on spectral detector
fixed incorrect name of fridge and storage cabinets
fixed wrong movement of fuse hatch in corridor
fixed graphical glitch after meteor hit
fixed tablets outlet still visible after crushing
fixed problem with tablets with blueprints hanging in the air after using them from hotbar
fixed wrong description of a lobby in tech tree
fixed problem with container changing its given name after loading save
fixed music stops after condition alert in destroyed base
fixed board icons in build progress preview
improved placing small antenna
LOD improvements
airlock looks improvements
fixed domes can't be printed in big rock crusher
fixed domes - some buttons to set the automatic current value don't respond
fixed possibility to build container underground
improved placing domes on uneven terrain
small fixes to music slider
fixed wrong drill sound
fixed problem with air leak in wrong place in corridor
fixed too short stairs in some abandoned bases
fixed missing parts of the pipe props in abandoned bases
fixed indestructible objects in abandoned bases
fixed several grammar mistakes and spelling issues in EN translation
fixed description of several achievements
fixed problem with mute option
fixed graphic glitch that caused colors look like dirt on buildings
fixed lack of snow texture on the mountains
fixed position of video button
fixed shredded fabric spawned in the air
fixed player could walk under greenhouse in abandoned bases
fixed icon of big antenna
fixed problem with depth change of capsule lever
fixed rover’s windows after sandstorm
fixed player could interact with already grinded-down vent in abandoned base
fixed low quality ATV particles
fixed Alpha base still on the map even if player grinds it completely
fixed boxes and crates hanging in the air after destroying props under them
fixed low quality blowtorch particles on higher levels of tool
fixed incorrect Olympus Mons color
fixed plants glowing from afar
fixed foil curtains visible only on certain background
and much more...
What's next?
Our first plan is to introduce hotfixes to the exploration update based on your post-launch feedback. We also have some more tasks implemented which didn't make it to the testing phase but should arrive in the next updates.
Known issues we are currently working on fixing:
the heavy suit doesn't work properly when you have realistic type movement enabled
tech tree point number notification on HUD sometimes show incorrect number
some save files need to be loaded from the main menu instead of esc menu
after loading an autosave upon completing tutorial 2, you can die
rocks can spawn in bases after converting save from old version (in this situation, destroy the rock and save the game)
save loading times can take long, especially when loading a save from a previous game version for the first time (save conversion)
sometimes interaction gets blocked after picking up a board
incorrect default settings for interactable distance highlights
after equipping the battery in specific situations, it can disappear from the inventory
if you save the game while sitting in the rover, driving can glitch. In that case, stand up and sit down again
when your inventory is full and you try to pick up a levitating board, it may fall through the ground
MRE nutrition values are sometimes changing after save and load
motocross can sometimes remain stuck on the track after transporting
tablet UI improvements
FPS drops while driving and with big bases - still work in progress
Some Technical Features we are also working on to be added in the next updates:
Translations: Additional 4 languages: Chinese Traditional, Dutch, Ukrainian, Romanian - are almost done: currently in testing phase. Also additional language: Japanese is still in development.
Animations: better hand animations in FPP mode, snapping to levers etc (still in testing)
We are also experimenting with switching the game to Universal Rendering Pipeline (URP) which may allow us to provide better graphics quality and optimized performance with modern realtime lighting and shading. We are not sure how long it will take, but initial builds were promising.
We also have a small team dedicated to implementing the Online Co-Op mode. It's still a long way to go, but daily progress is being made in this regard. Once we have something playable, we will likely launch a beta branch with limited access.
We are also working on more content updates according to our Roadmap
P.S. Our Friends from Drago Entertainment are releasing new important devlog for their Winter Survival Simulator and they asked us to share the news, so here it is :)
A significant update is rapidly approaching. In the upcoming devlogs, we will be introducing to you what new things you will encounter on the surface of Mars. We will begin with new vehicles: a motocross bike and a pickup truck.
The motocross bike is an electric motorcycle that enables fast movement across the planet. Riding it requires advanced skills, but experienced Martians will undoubtedly appreciate the joy of riding it. To construct it, a blueprint and building materials will be necessary.
The truck is an extremely versatile vehicle. Depending on your needs, you can transport ATVs or motocross bikes, and you can also manually load rocks onto the truck that can be dumped on the crusher.
Additionally, it provides protection from the cold at night, has 5 slots in the cargo inventory, and solar panels on the roof to recharge its battery. The front cargo area accommodates space for an electronic board controller, inventory control screen, and a place for an extension battery.
We will show you more upcoming features in the next devlog. Remember that there are only 2,5 weeks left until Exploration Update goes live!
See you on the developer stream! We meet as always: on Thursday at 17:00 CEST time on Twitch.
Occupy Mars Team
---------------------
P.S. Our Friends from Atomic Jelly Studio are releasing their Space Mechanic Simulator tomorrow:
It's been almost 3 months since our first landing on Mars! During this time we survived many Sols, fixed a lot of bugs (thanks to your help!) and released updates, but now it's time for the Big Update!
Since the last update we touched and reworked many aspects of the game, starting from Unity engine upgrade. We will tell you more about each of the new functionalities in the next devlogs! ːsteamhappyː
The Exploration Update will come to Steam, EPIC and GOG on August 28th!
We also prepared a new trailer announcing the update! Without further ado - you can watch it here:
We wish you a fantastic weekend on the Red Planet!
Best regards, Occupy Mars Team
------------------------
P.S. While waiting for the update, you can also check our previous game Rover Mechanic Simulator:
It's part of the same Occupy Mars Universe, and we have prepared a special Universe Bundle just for you:
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...
Welcome new players!
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:
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.
What we've been up to
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...
New Bundle with Astro Colony
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!
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!
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.
You can find the complete changelog for build v0.122.2 in the previous devlog:
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.
We hope you thoroughly enjoy this update! But hold on tight, as we are already in the testing phase for the next one.
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.