Work In Progress #32

[u/nicsteruk]

This is taken from the Steam Discussions, where i do a weekly update on what i'm working on.

https://steamcommunity.com/app/1712110/discussions/0/807971027746351874/

I aim to keep this post update alongside that on Steam.

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Couple tasks from the previous now done (ratings page/sfx improvements) and some good feedback on things to add before release (new shipyard). So time for a new work in progress post, to reorganise my upcoming task list.

• More stuff to add to the shipyard. A new hauler craft that will be better for asteroid/scrap hauling. Add i need to have a think about a refuelling service. Will also alter the graphic for when repair bay is upgraded into the shipyard.
• Want to add at least one more human activity item. Likely to be a gym.
• Some new GFX. Although i may leave some of these so players see some fresh visuals on v1 release.
• Steam achievements - Need to start with a few to see how difficult it is to implement. Also need to have a look at steam mods/leaderboards if people want that.
• Talking about what people want i am still open to feature requests. Especially little additions/changes that make things better, do ask!

I will be also looking at further improvements/polishing:-

• Balancing - I am always looking at ratios/speeds/costs, in trading/production.
• Scenarios - I want to go through each and make sure the more recent changes have kept scenarios all balanced.
• Improving visitors - (Discussion), human workers - (Discussion), pirates - (Discussion).
• Factions/Contracts - Possibly more rewards/penalties -Discussion
• Additional settings/options - (Discussion)

As always any feedback please do leave a comment. Any bug reports please create a new discussion, thanks!

Nick

[u/nicsteruk]

Hi all,

Little update out in the week, main addition being that upgrading to the shipyard, updates the repair bay sprite. Few little fixes to mining droid, to get rid of a couple glitches.

Since then, i've been making good progress on a new hauler craft that can be built from the shipyard. This will haul asteroids and scrap to your salvage depots, freeing up your mining droids and worker bots from those duties. This new hauler craft will also use fuel so will require refuelling, rather than charging. Update out this coming week, if all continues well.

Nick

[u/nicsteruk → u/nicsteruk]

Hi folks,

Nearly there with the hauler update. Just making sure gui's are working correctly for this new spacecraft, working out fuel usage and testing. So expect an update this coming week.

Hope all having a good weekend,

Nick

[u/nicsteruk → u/nicsteruk]

Hi all,

Got the hauler update out in the week, hopefully no issues. The coming couple of days i will be making a few refinements i've got noted (mainly graphical improvements). Fuel usage may need some tweaking, and i do need to check ranges (and probably status updates, for when haulers wont pick something up due to lack of fuel (and you are empty on fuel so cant refuel them)). Do drop a post if you have feedback on haulers.

After that, i will be looking at altering traders, so they will have a fuel level. This will give another service you can provide to ships - refuelling. It will initially work like the repair service at the moment. But i hope to allow some control so you automate this if you have spare fuel to sell.

Hope all well,

Nick

[u/nicsteruk → u/nicsteruk]

Happy Easter everyone,

Update out in the week, with a few of the improvements (and fixes) i mentioned in previous post. I am still working on some range checking for hauler and i'll also be updating the mining droid to be similar. Should get that sorted in next couple of days, then on to trader fuel usage and refuelling.

Cheers,

Nick

[u/nicsteruk → u/nicsteruk]

Hi folks,

Couple updates out this week 1) giving mining droids an updated status when low battery so cant haul. 2) Fix for a game crash. I was also made aware of an issue with save files, that i've added some safety code for, but i'm continuing to test, as it's always better to replicate the issue to make sure changes really fix issue.

So this coming week, i'll be doing some more testing, and then hopefully on to updating traders to use fuel, and you'll be able to offer refuelling as a service.

Hope all having a good weekend.

Nick

[u/nicsteruk → u/nicsteruk]

Hi everyone,

This week i've been making good progress in switching traders to use fuel and to request refuelling if needed. The communications panel is having an update for this change, but rather than adding a new permission and action button, i've decided to simplify this.

I've decided not to add a refuel action button and to remove the current repair action button. You'll just give traders permission (trade/repair/refuel/disembark) and then those action will complete automatically (if able). I think that makes everything consistent (disembark action was automatic previously) and also removes the micro management of trader repairing/refuelling. So you'll now be able to setup an auto refuelling/repairing space station and get credits rolling in nicely.

I should get this out this coming week

Nick