Apr 12, 2023

HUMANKIND™ - The-Cat-o-Nine-Tales

We know many of you have been eagerly waiting for more news about Humankind, and today it's finally time to tell you about what's coming next.

The next update, named the Vauban update, will be released on April 26th and will include several quality-of-life improvements based on ideas suggested by our players, alongside further bugfixes and performance optimization. Let’s take a look at some of the key elements:

Demand/Renounce All Buttons: For your convenience we have added new “Renounce All” and “Demand All” buttons on the Crisis tab of the Diplomacy screen to deal with all grievances at once. It’s never been so easy to forgive and forget... or worse.
Auto-resolve Improvements: We’ve added a preview of the damage your units will take when you hover your cursor over the auto-resolve button. Additionally, we’ve made some small changes to the auto-resolve formula to better reflect army compositions and terrain.

Steam Workshop: While we originally opted for mod.io as a solution that works across multiple storefronts, we have seen many requests from Steam users to implement Steam Workshop support. With the Vauban update, you can get your mods from either Mod.io or the Steam Workshop as you prefer, and the modding tools will be updated to allow you to upload mods directly to either. However, please keep in mind that this will not be available during the beta.
AI Improvements: We’ve worked on how the AI manages Faith, Influence, and early expansion. They should compete better with you now.

Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles: The new Cultural Wonder unlocked in the Amplified 2023 Community Challenge is available now.
Cultural Wonder Improvements: We know players would often place Cultural Wonders far outside their cities to take advantage of their exploitations. With the Vauban update, we’re adding adjacency bonuses to many wonders to encourage you to incorporate them into your city planning. Additionally, wonders are now cheaper to claim, and you can even renounce your claim if you change your mind about a wonder.

Hôtel de Ville de Bruxelles - Early Modern Era

+4 Money on Maker's Quarters in this city
+4 Industry on Market Quarters in this city
Bonus Fame (+50) when completing a Wonder
Upon construction of the wonder, earn 50 Fame per Cultural Wonders you've claimed so far

In addition to these major improvements, the Vauban update includes many other Quality of Life additions (some inspired by ideas and feedback from the community) and bugfixes. For example, we’ve added pre-game settings for territory size and how much information the Fame leaderboard shows, added a kill count on units, and placing Cultural Wonders now shows you a preview of the yields. We’ve also adjusted the trigger conditions of many rare events to make it more likely for you to see events you have not seen before. Finally, we’ve also worked on optimization, so the game should run better on lower spec hardware now.

And the best news: You can already try this update right now on Steam! Just right-click the game in your library to access the properties, go to the betas tab, and select the update_preview branch. However, you may encounter some bugs; please check the Known Issues before reporting them.

We look forward to hearing from you what you think about these changes and improvements!

Apr 12, 2023

X4: Kingdom End and major 6.00 Update now available

X4: Foundations - belgoray

The time has come! You can now update your X4 to the brand new 6.00 version and, with the purchase of X4: Kingdom End, embark on a new and captivating chapter of X4. A long-awaited reunion with the Boron is in store for you - be prepared for unique ships, distinctive systems, old secrets and new acquaintances!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdLuSIB76UA
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1990040/X4_Kingdom_End/

New X4 Bundles

We're celebrating this gathering of all the familiar species of the X universe by putting together two new X4 bundles:

X4: Community of Planets Edition (X4: Foundations + 4 Expansions)
X4: Community of Planets Collector's Edition (X4: Foundations + 4 Expansions + 5 Soundtracks + Bonus Material)

While the Community of Planets Edition is quite self-explanatory, in that it includes only game content, we have a summary image for the new Collector's Edition that shows you what's included:

You can find more detailed descriptions on the new X4: Community of Planets Collector's Edition bundle page. We thank you in advance for your support!

6.00 Update

The free major 6.00 update for X4: Foundations introduces some significant improvements. You can find the complete changelog at the end of this news, but we would like to highlight a few individual points:

🪐 X TECH 5
While integrating the next generation of our graphics engine with several big visual improvements (details below), as well as a new, more powerful physics engine with performance and feature improvements, we're also maintaining savegame compatibility for X4.

🪐 New physics engine
Experience the thrill of space more than ever before in X4: Foundations, with the integration of Jolt Physics into X TECH 5. Whether you're navigating an asteroid field, docking at a space station, or engaging in combat, Jolt Physics adds a new level of realism and immersion to every moment of gameplay. You'll feel the full force of acceleration and deceleration as you pilot your ship, and every collision will have a tangible impact. In addition to enhancing the overall gameplay experience, the integration of Jolt Physics also brings about performance and feature improvements to X TECH 5.

🪐 Improved lighting
The main goal with the new lighting engine in X TECH 5 is to improve natural-looking sunlight in space. More vibrant colours, higher intensity suns, and a wider range of interesting lighting moods. X TECH 5 gives us many new tools to achieve this. Reflection probes greatly improve lighting situations inside cockpits, bridges and on stations, and seamlessly integrates with the screen space reflections introduced in a previous version of X4. You will also note that the shadow-casting in X TECH 5 has massively improved. This greatly helps in producing more realistic visuals at greater distances.

🪐 Introduction of parallax occlusion mapping
With the inclusion of parallax occlusion mapping, X TECH 5 features a technique that allows us to add extra detail and depth to surfaces in the game. This is achieved by using a special type of texture that encodes information about the height and shape of a surface, which is then used to create the illusion of 3D depth and detail. As a player, you can expect to see a noticeable improvement in the realism and immersion of surfaces in the game, as parallax occlusion mapping allows us to add subtle details and depth that were not previously possible.

🪐 Position Defence
The new Position Defence feature in Update 6.00 allows players to have a single carrier-led fleet defend multiple locations while maintaining its streamlined support structure. Individual subordinate groups within the fleet can be assigned to protect specific locations, and will patrol the area until they need to return to the carrier for repairs or resupply. Additionally, these subordinate groups can be set to support other groups in the fleet if they come into contact with threats. This allows for flexible and dynamic defence of multiple locations with a single fleet. We can't wait for you to try out this new feature and see how it enhances your gameplay experience.

🪐 Live Stream camera mode
Live Stream is a brand-new camera mode in X4: Foundations that brings you closer to the action. Once activated, by hitting F6, Live Stream mode allows you to watch interesting events and scenes unfold in your game in real-time. Whether it's an epic space battle, a bustling space station, or a beautiful nebula, this new mode has you covered. One of the best things about Live Stream mode is that it automatically switches between scenes, so you never have to worry about missing out on the action. You can sit back, relax, and enjoy the show, as our new camera mode takes you on a tour of the most interesting moments in your game.

🪐 New builder ships are here
In the 6.00 update for X4, the existing builder ship model for the Paranid and Teladi will be replaced by the following new models:

HERACLES (Paranid XL builder ship)

ALBATROSS (Teladi XL builder ship)

If you own the X4: Split Vendetta and / or X4: Cradle of Humanity expansions, you can also look forward to the following new models:

ELEPHANT (Split XL builder ship)

KYUSHU (Terran XL builder ship)

6.00 Update (New / Added / Improved - full changelog linked at the bottom of this news)

New Feature: Updated graphics engine, with Parallax Occlusion Mapping, Reflection Probes, enhanced lighting, improved shadows, and more.
New Feature: Jolt Physics engine.
New Feature: Live Stream camera mode.
New Feature: Position Defence for carrier-led fleets.
New Feature: New Construction Vessel designs for Paranid, Teladi, Split and Terran factions.
Added new bombardment assignment for subordinates.
Added command to order ships to attack surface elements on designated targets.
Added Salvage at Position and Deliver Salvage commands for use with repeat orders.
Added self-destruct command for player-owned satellites, resource probes, nav beacons, lasertowers and mines.
Added detection and penalty for theft from station build storage.
Added more gamestart information, indicating whether they are Tutorial, Guided, Assisted or Sandbox, and adjusted order.
Added option to edit Buccaneer relations in Custom Gamestart Editor under certain circumstances.
Added Custom Gamestart Editor story states for Tides of Avarice stories.
Added player HQ to Station Design Simulator.
Added Supervised Mining missions.
Added Kha'ak-specific Destroy Station missions.
Added extra Signal Leak missions for factions foreign to station owner, allowing player to earn reputation for Vigor Syndicate at Teladi stations and for Fallen Families at Free Families stations.
Added news banner to Start Menu.
Added hint for missing research to Equipment Mod Workbench menu.
Added button to force station build to complete instantly in Station Design Simulator.
Added visual hint for destroyed ships in Transaction Log menus.
Added links to Object Information and Object Transaction Log from entries in Transaction Log.
Added hint about trade entries in Transaction Log to Logbook.
Added order descriptions to Interact and New Order context menus.
Added mappable hotkeys for deploying objects such as Satellites and Laser Towers.
Added mappable hotkeys for giving and aborting player squad attack order.
Added option to hold Shift while dragging on map to move orders vertically.
Added support for PageUp/PageDown in menu dropdowns.
Added search functionality to Controls menu.
Added transform gizmo to station editor.
Added double-click on module in Station Build menu to focus camera on module.
Added shortcut to Manage Plots menu to console in Station Design Simulator
Added surface elements of environment object to Next/Previous Target selection.
Added warning if NPC-owned ships are about to undock with player on board.
Added option to allow player-owned ships to deploy laser towers in response to attack, inspection by police, or pirate harassment.
Added conversation option to return to normal duties when talking to pilots belonging to player faction.
Added option to cancel multiple construction orders at once.
Added options to pre-configure blacklists and fire authorisation overrides when building ships.
Added station construction menu help information when expanding HQ for storage relevant to research.
Added ship size information to Encyclopedia.
Added descriptions to many items in Encyclopedia.
Added information about long range scanner range and scan area to Encyclopedia.
Added distinction between enemies and hostiles to Encyclopedia faction entries.
Added distinction between friendly and allied relations to target monitor.
Added more relation perks to Factions and Relations menu.
Added option to ignore cargo space reservations when setting up trade loops.
Added option to exchange captains when transferring crew.
Added possibility to override faction logo per fleet.
Added modified hint to Continue Game option in Start menu.
Added mission highlight to transporter room button and other elements.
Added some landmark stations to Encyclopedia.
Added player relation details to Encyclopedia faction entries.
Added tooltips explaining Allies, Enemies and Hostiles lists in Encyclopedia.
Added tooltips with relation name to Faction and Relations menu.
Added Optimal Workforce information to Build Module Encyclopedia entries.
Added information about claiming sector ownership to station module Encyclopedia entries.
Added engine check light to indicate reduced engine functionality to HUD.
Added hull bar animation when receiving damage.
Added mission arrow towards platform guidance if not on screen.
Added animation when selecting target.
Added several new achievements.
Added new ultra shadow quality option.
Added race-specific command consoles.
Added Tides of Avarice soundtrack to Station Design Simulator playlist.
Improved Argon Federation and Godrealm starting relations with player in The Untested Explorer and The Accomplished Scientist starts.
Improved Terran Cadet transition into Defenders of Sol mission.
Improved Find Resources missions by adding guidance sphere and increasing reward according to how many Resource Probes player will probably need.
Improved Deliver Inventory missions by adding option to deliver all matching items at once.
Improved Build Station missions by diversifying requirements for defence platforms.
Improved Scan mission rewards and accuracy of displayed difficulty if target is hostile.
Improved The Fate of the Yaki mission by spawning reward lockboxes in safer location.
Improved balancing of Kha'ak Mining Escort Mission difficulty.
Improved balancing of some Terraforming projects by making them resilient against setbacks from events such as quakes.
Improved room variety for certain missions.
Improved Give Seminar conversation choice.
Improved placement of data leaks to claim abandoned ships.
Improved dock position tolerance when flying capital ship without docking computer.
Improved undocking behaviour in certain dock areas.
Improved presentation when sharing transporter room with NPCs.
Improved Zyarth economy to counter it being overrun by Xenon (affects new games only).
Improved faction defence station loadout selection when responding to aggression.
Improved fighter combat movement against large targets.
Improved coordination within fleets during attack.
Improved behavior of ships fleeing from attacks.
Improved MoveWait fleet behavior immediately before performing attack.
Improved combat behavior of ships in fleet with carrier or fleet auxiliary ship.
Improved carrier behavior in combat if all fighter subordinates are on detached assignment.
Improved police response to EMP bombs being lobbed at policed stations.
Improved ships fleeing Tide when far from any neutral station.
Improved handling for attempting ware exchange where transport drones are needed but unavailable.
Improved amounts sold by free traders and miners when only selling, particularly across multiple sectors.
Improved ship behaviour when colliding with other objects, especially at narrow dock area exits.
Improved behaviour of deployable objects such as satellites and nav beacons by limiting effect of forces from anomalies and Tide.
Improved S/M ship undocking from build modules.
Improved ware exchange between ships and stations to prevent undocking if order starts while ship docked and station doesn't yet have wares to transfer.
Improved missile damage and ammo consumption simulation when player not present.
Improved capital ships using forward-mounted guns in combat when player not present.
Improved accuracy of multi-barreled beam turrets firing at missiles.
Improved capital ship transition through jump gates and accelerators.
Improved approach to target in preparation for launching boarding pods.
Improved reliability of attack subordinates engaging commander's target.
Improved resupply behavior to allow ships that have loadout level of 0 to automatically get repairs as needed.
Improved decision-making for when commanders recall subordinates upon receiving move order.
Improved responsiveness of attack subordinates when commander attacks new target.
Improved explicit command Attack Surface Elements by preventing ships ever firing at target's hull intentionally.
Improved collection of multiple drops in same area by multiple ships.
Improved signal and data leaks on stations to be in more varied locations.
Improved container magnet making pickups much more reliable.
Improved behavior of missile-armed fighters attacking stations or capital ships.
Improved cohesion of travelling fleets when player is not present.
Improved notification and logbook entry for player-owned ships and stations being destroyed.
Improved presentation of out-of-stock items in Ship Upgrade menu.
Improved estimated arrival time of incoming deliveries.
Improved ship upgrade by allowing multiple ships with equipment from another race to be upgraded if all ships share same equipment.
Improved factory icons to indicate produced ware.
Improved Options menu by making it full-screen.
Improved messages in message ticker and logbook for attacked or destroyed player property.
Improved control mode messages to be informative rather than commanding.
Improved visuals when showing in-game scenes on target monitor.
Improved HUD visualisation when enemies enter weapon range.
Improved storage type colours in Logical Station Overview to match module design better.
Improved display of turret group modifications in Object Loadout menu.
Improved visibility by decreasing brightness of window dirt at border of cockpit glass.
Improved matching of corridors to rooms on Argon stations.
Improved pilot chair in Terran ships.
Improved transporter room visuals.
Improved readability of stars for NPC skills.
Improved reflections on cockpit glass.
Improved impact and muzzle sounds for various weapons.
Improved thruster sound volume to be less obtrusive while maneuvering.
Improved sound occlusion in interiors.
Improved high and ultra graphics presets to include screen space reflections (change only applied when reselecting preset).
Improved deadzone in default input profiles for gamepads by reducing it from 50% to 10%.
Improved game startup time, and time for loading and saving savegames.

>> Full Changelog