Underspace News

Hail, Starchasers!

So I got a second cat bed for the cats last month and one of them decided she needed to steal a paper towel before sleeping on it in said bed.



pictured from left to right: paper towel, Mimi. Not pictured: The One Orange Braincell (currently missing).

This week's content creator spotlight is Zaffageek, whose reaction to the Ancient Gate made me laugh out loud. You should definitely give his Let's Play a watch and then obviously wishlist Underspace on Steam (if, for some odd reason, you haven't already).

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

A reminder for the biggest news pretty much ever:



That's right, you'll all be able to play Underspace in just a few short months! It's weird in a good way that my blood, sweat, and tears will finally be on other people's PCs soon, but that's just the nature of these things. I'm really looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks!



Can't wait until April 10? You don't have to! We've announced this already, but for the record:

[h2]Underspace will be participating in Steam Next Fest![/h2]

Once again, we'll have a playable Steam demo up and running AND I'll be personally playing during the developer stream (naturally).

[h2]In fact, I'll be streaming to Steam on Monday, February 5 at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET.[/h2]

I know there will be a lot of games to try, so it'd mean a lot to me if you'd hop in the chat while I'm playing, then download the demo and test out Underspace and see for yourself what's coming out in just a few short months. See you Monday!



As always, if you have any interest in trying out Underspace, check out download our latest demo and give it a go (before the official Steam demo version releases). You should also join the Underspace Discord. Because I said so.



Now that you've all joined the Discord (thanks!) and have tried the demo (thanks again!), here's what I did this week:

+ Added new robe variations.
+ Fixed saving level calculation bug.
+ Fixed bug with storms not working on tutorial areas.
+ Fixed bug with UI markers in navmap.
+ Fixed some dialogue that was playing too early.
+ Fixed bug where conversations would start in cutscenes.
+ Fixed bug with user configuration.
+ Fixed bug with cockpit cameras.
+ Improved combat prewarming.
+ Added new boss with animations.
+ Added new icons for boss.
+ Improved some aspects of bosses.
+ Improved some readout on quick commands.
+ Added support for unusual inputs.
+ Added some small ease of use stuff for purchasing.
+ Fixed up some furniture in places.
+ Added more chapterhouses in places.
+ Fixed some several issues with other chapterhouses.
+ Improved readability on the UI.
+ Fixed some issues with landing cutscenes in places.
+ Added some moving boats.



As always, thank you all for supporting Underspace. It's incredible seeing everyone's comments, videos, and posts. If you haven't already, please help support us and give the Underspace socials a follow:

[h3]💥💥💥 UNDERSPACE 💥💥💥[/h3]
Twitter TikTok Instagram Facebook Reddit YouTube Discord

And, because obviously:

[h3]🚂🚂🚂 TRAINWIZ 🚂🚂🚂[/h3]
Twitter
Tumblr YouTube



Thanks for checking out this week's devlog -- stay tuned for more Underspace updates!

Steady, as she goes Starchasers!

You know the drill by meow now.



2 cats 1 bed

This week's content creator spotlight is AZHIGHWAYZ, who did a stellar (get it) job showcasing the economy and customization portions of what Underspace brings to the table. Thanks for the hard work on the video, starchaser -- the rest of you, enjoy! Or else.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Now, for the biggest news pretty much ever:



That's right, you'll all be able to play Underspace in just a few short months! Are you excited? You should be! Because I'm really tired -- but happy -- that this is finally getting off the ground and into your hands.



Can't wait until then? Well, we've announced this already, but for the record:

[h2]Underspace will be participating in Steam Next Fest![/h2]

Once again, we'll have a playable Steam demo up and running AND I'll be personally playing during the developer stream (naturally). I know there will be a lot of games to try, so it'd mean a lot to me if you'd test out Underspace and see for yourself what's coming out in just a few short months. See you on February 5, 2024 at 10 AM PT!



As always, if you have any interest in trying out Underspace, check out download our latest demo and give it a go (before the official Steam demo version releases). You should also join the Underspace Discord. Because I said so.



Now that you've all joined the Discord (thanks!) and have tried the demo (thanks again!), here's what I did this week:

+ Fixed skill display issues.
+ Fixed some config and loading issues.
+ Optimized some demo code.
+ Fixed some quest code.
+ Star systems can now have level caps on storms.
+ Fixed some misplaced or floating items.
+ Fixed how beam tracking works.
+ Fixed audio issues in comms.
+ Fixed issues with quest rewards.
+ Fixed some music issues.
+ Fixed some description issues.
+ Fixed issues with mission spawns.
+ Added service icons to service NPCs.
+ Fixed some mislabeled service terminals.
+ Improved shadows in various areas.
+ Fixed several mission and ship descriptions.
+ Redid sound stuff in some areas.
+ Improved UI readability in several areas.
+ Added new ads.
+ Fixed issues with ship trading.
+ Worked on texturing several tilesets.
+ Worked on new textures for characters and faction variations.



As always, thank you all for supporting Underspace. It's incredible seeing everyone's comments, videos, and posts. If you haven't already, please help support us and give the Underspace socials a follow:

[h3]💥💥💥 UNDERSPACE 💥💥💥[/h3]
Twitter TikTok Instagram Facebook Reddit YouTube Discord

And, because obviously:

[h3]🚂🚂🚂 TRAINWIZ 🚂🚂🚂[/h3]
Twitter
Tumblr YouTube



Thanks for checking out this week's devlog -- stay tuned for more Underspace updates!

Ahoy, Starchasers!

Cats.



If nothing returns from inside a black hole, explain this.

This week's content creator spotlight is none other than Dan Field. We're excited that he tried out Underspace and seemed to love it a lot. If your French is a bit rusty, don't worry -- his gameplay is superb so just focusing on the video is all good. Anyway, enjoy!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

We announced this last week, but for the record:

[h2]Underspace will be participating in Steam Next Fest![/h2]

Once again, we'll have a playable Steam demo up and running AND I'll be personally playing during the developer stream (naturally). I know there will be a lot of games to try, so it'd mean a lot to me if you'd test out Underspace and see for yourself what's coming out in just a few short months.



As always, if you have any interest in trying out Underspace, check out download our latest demo and give it a go (before the official Steam demo version releases). You should also join the Underspace Discord. Because I said so.



Now that you've all joined the Discord (thanks!) and have tried the demo (thanks again!), here's what I did this week:

+ Redid opening cutscene.
+ Redid some starting title screens.
+ Redid starting loading screen.
+ Redid how the starting loading screen works.
+ Added a disclaimer.
+ Skipping the intro can still point you to the main quest.
+ Fixed issues with skipping cutscenes.
+ Hooked up cutscene options.
+ Fixed some loading issues.
+ Fixed several saving issues.
+ Added more character customization options.
+ Added new voice types for NPCs.
+ Added new icons for old NPCs.
+ Added voice acting to some previous unvoiced aspects of the game.
+ Added ambient NPCs to all demo stations.
+ Added ambient NPC conversations to all demo stations.
+ Added models for some stuff later down the line.
+ Fixed up UI stuff.
+ Fixed some UI display issues.
+ Fixed up tons of loading issues on stations.
+ Optimized stations.
+ Added new records to the in-game record system.
+ Fixed issues with rampage missions.
+ Mining guns can now be set to not consume energy if you’re using them alongside a mining drone.



As always, thank you all for supporting Underspace. It's incredible seeing everyone's comments, videos, and posts. If you haven't already, please help support us and give the Underspace socials a follow:

[h3]💥💥💥 UNDERSPACE 💥💥💥[/h3]
Twitter TikTok Instagram Facebook Reddit YouTube Discord

And, because obviously:

[h3]🚂🚂🚂 TRAINWIZ 🚂🚂🚂[/h3]
Twitter
Tumblr YouTube



Thanks for checking out this week's devlog -- stay tuned for more Underspace updates!

Happy 2024, Starchasers!

Wow. 2024. Hi. Lots to do before the Early Access release this year... whew.



Mimi says hi too.

This week's content creator spotlight is the one and only Splattercat, who has taken Underspace for a second spin about a year or so after his first run. It's cool to compare both videos and see how much has changed between then and now, and we loved hearing the positive feedback about the uniqueness of the Lovecraftian elements. With that being said, a few of his complaints have already been tweaked (which you'll see in the changelog below) so consider his (few) qualms addressed.

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Onto our most pressing news:

[h2]Underspace will be participating in Steam Next Fest![/h2]

This means we'll have a playable Steam demo up and running for the occasion AND I'll be personally playing during the developer stream (I mean, who else, right?). I know there are a lot of games to try out during this time, so it'd mean a lot to me if you'd test out Underspace and see for yourself what's coming out this year.



As always, I'd like to state that, if you have any interest whatsoever in trying out Underspace, check out download our latest demo and give it a go (you know, before the official Steam demo version). You should also totally join the Underspace Discord. You joining would start 2024 on the right foot for sure.



Now that you've all joined the Discord (thanks!) and have tried the demo (thanks again!), here's what I did two weeks ago:

+ Ships can spawn as undocks from stations now.
+ Spawned ships in fights now prewarm.
+ Shipdealing UI now accounts for ship stats when transferring special items.
+ Snakes now flee if you leave a boss arena.
+ Defeating Pyrona’s boss rewards you with extra stuff.
+ Rebalanced big transports with proper hardpoints.
+ Made better spawn points around stations.
+ Fixed some atmosphere rendering issues.
+ Fixed scaling issues in various macrovari and ijuni bars.
+ Restored some missing campaign cutscenes.
+ Fixed some descriptions on ships.
+ Optimized title screen loading stuff.
+ Added intro video tech.
+ Fixed some prewarming issues.
+ Leveling up or defeating storms now heals you.
+ Missions now display what station you took them from.
+ Fire damage systems no longer loop.
+ Player now has an icon on the minimap.
+ Fixed some enablers on the starting area.
+ Added more mid-mission save checkpoints.
+ Fixed some docking issues in the main campaign.
+ Worked on finalizing a fair amount of quests.



And here's what I did last week:

+ Total skill refactor.
+ Quests and other things can now award skill points.
+ Tutorial for leveling up added.
+ Added support for landing cutscenes on planets.
+ Rebalanced game economy.
+ Fixed some display errors.
+ Fixed issues with ships spawning in with voices when they shouldn’t have been.
+ Worked on various quest improvements for their next draft.
+ Began work on full controller support.
+ Station detailing pass.
+ Added support for easy station material changes.
+ Redid graphics on station terminals.
+ Worked on basic NPC station detailing.
+ Modeled out some ocean going vessels.
+ Added various ambient NPCs to places.
+ Restored NPC accessory models.
+ Redid models of various NPCs on stations.



As always, thank you all for supporting Underspace. It's incredible seeing everyone's comments, videos, and posts. If you haven't already, please help support us and give the Underspace socials a follow:

[h3]💥💥💥 UNDERSPACE 💥💥💥[/h3]
Twitter TikTok Instagram Facebook Reddit YouTube Discord

And, because obviously:

[h3]🚂🚂🚂 TRAINWIZ 🚂🚂🚂[/h3]
Twitter
Tumblr YouTube



Thanks for checking out this week's devlog -- stay tuned for more Underspace updates!

Welcome starchasers! It’s a new year! A new you! A new us! New gods, built to burn down the old ones and establish a new pantheon inside their corpses!
We like to do yearly recaps at this point, to summarize everything that’s happened in the past 2023s. So… what is done?



The answer: Everything. The game is content complete. Both campaigns (multiplayer and singleplayer), every quest, system, station, dungeon, boss, random mission, party member, flyable ship. There’s several hundreds hours of play here. As our testers can attest to, the game is absolutely MASSIVE.



Last year saw some of our most important changes ever. In addition to pumping out the majority of the content, we signed on with a publisher, started uploading our first steam builds, got quite a lot of coverage, and acquired a secondary orange cat.



The publisher’s probably the biggest one there. Our publisher, Camlann Games, will be spinning all the plates that my decaying and bruised body simply can’t spin anymore. That includes promotional work, community management, translations, ports, and the eventual subsumption of the continent into our lunar-based hivemind. Typical stuff.
They even filmed a fancy new trailer for us, check it out!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]


So with all this in mind, you’re probably asking “what’s left?” or more appropriately you’re probably asking “where the hell is my quirky space game you train-eating bastard?”.
The answer: It’s coming. And sooner than you might think. We’re now in the polishing and completion stage, which brings with it a LOT of testing, which itself takes time.



Still, two major blockers remain: The first is station detailing. This is going at a breakneck pace, in no small part because we have multiple level designers out there turning stations into stations with things on them.



The second is finishing up multiplayer. Again, this is going at a breakneck pace but testing can often be slow. If anyone ever tells you developing a multiplayer game is easy, they’re right. If anyone ever tells you that testing a multiplayer game and making a stable multiplayer game is easy, they’re wrong and you shouldn’t be speaking to them.




With that in mind, our release on Steam will be considered Early Access. The game you will be getting will be content complete and utterly massive, but at the end of the day this is a very small studio taking on a game as large as my ego. An early access release will allow us to better incorporate feedback on systems and tweak the game to make it as good as possible. There will not however, be less trains. There will be more trains if you ask for less trains.



As part of that release, Underspace’s demo will officially be coming to Steam quite soon! This brings with it a whole host of advantages, not the least of which is a much smaller download size and an easier way for us to push patches.



And that’s our yearly recap! We’ll return to your regularly scheduled weekly updates now.