Deep Space Outpost News

Several improvements to airlocks. Airlocks now only link up and sync in rooms with 1 external airlock and 1 internal, with the room having no items. Dock overlay now only showing on external airlocks. When traders are now docked airlocks will show red indicating workers cannot pass.

Shields now reduce chance and damage to solar panels and connectors.

Help and tutorial updated.

Patches notes:-

• Airlock linking - simplify logic (1 external/1 internal/no items).
  
• Only show docking areas on external.
  
• Trader blocking airlock overlay red to indicate blocked movement.
  
• Custom music loading enabled.
  
• No external access message added.
  
• Fix: Worker jukebox usage - move off items even if jukebox in range.
  
• Fix: Airlock external check, test for external floor as well as empty.
  
• Fix: Draw dock - disable on internal airlocks.
  

Nick

Bit of a change with docked ships (at airlocks), as they now block worker movement going past the docked ship. Think that makes sense as visitors only enter your ship if you have life support so we can assume the airlock is specifically for that docked space craft (and airlocks can open freely, with no pressurisation).

Due to this airlocks can now be individually set to allow/disallow docking, as you will need ways for workers to still access items outside your station.

Few fixes as well as was looking at docking areas and movement restrictions. Full notes:-

• Airlocks now have an allow/disallow dock option.
  
• Ships docked at airlocks now block worker movement past them.
  
• Disabling airlock dock, update dock area colour overlay.
  
• Fix: Dock area check not checking items across full 3x3 area.
  
• Fix: Upgrade wall tilemap data missing from save file.
  
• Fix: Repair Bay added an incorrect block path restriction.
  
• Fix: Canteen item path restriction, was misaligned.
  

Nick

New reinforce upgrade can now be applied to walls once their schematic is unlocked via research. Similar to upgrading droids, in the wall info window click the research icon, and purchase via the popup upgrade window (if you have the metal available). You can also upgrade via selecting multiple walls, however walls must be at 100% health to upgrade.

Upgrading walls is classified as a build type job for your workers,

Full notes:-

• Wall reinforce upgrade added to research.
  
• Wall upgrade available, once researched (new wall reinforce graphics applied).
  
• Workers build job check now also look for upgrade wall jobs.
  
• Improve: Cannon projectile FX improved.
  
• Fix: Adjust research and info windows for 125% text scale, to keep text in window.
  
• Fix: Draggable windows now reset to centre screen on resolution change in game.
  

Nick

Have added a security section into research, with 2 schematics, the armoury and the cannon turret. You now have to unlock before these are available from the build menu. They are also linked, so the armoury requires research before the cannon turret is available.

Couple of fixes to the tractor beam as well, first an issue with stationary scrap, where it could end up pushing it away, and a bug in minimum change angle calculation, could be wrong sign, giving wrong direction change.

Oh and have improved the shield turret, giving it a larger range. So is now more useful and worth considering in your defences.

Notes:-

• Security section to Research (Armory -> Cannon).
  
• Armory & Cannon, disabled in build menu until researched.
  
• Improve: Shield turrets increase range ~50%.
  
• Improve: Tractor beam on stationary items, set initial to required direction.
  
• Fix: Tractor beam minimum change angle could be wrong sign, giving wrong direction change.
  

Nick

An initial research screen is now available, accessed via the main game controls at the bottom right of the screen. Currently research items are unlocked via purchasing your chosen schematics with credits. Just the two unlocks at the moment, showing the two types of unlock.

Firstly the build menu restriction. At the moment that's just the Fuel Cell, that you'll have to unlock, before you'll be able to select it to build.

Secondly is the upgrade type of unlock. Currently this is the droid battery upgrade. Once researched, clicking on a droid will give you access to an upgrade panel where you can select to upgrade the chosen droid, if you have sufficient metal available.

Oh and upgraded droids will become orange, so you can spot which of your droids are upgraded or not. Now this feature is here, i'll be adding quite a few more schematics over the coming weeks, so do leave comments in the Research discussion on what you'd like to see.

As it's been a couple of weeks since last update, quite a few changes and fixes. Main fix being a crash when selecting an item that is in construction. Do report game crashes and bugs as i can only fix them once i'm made aware of them, thanks!

Also some balancing to address some feedback. Non droid maintenance charging now a bit quicker. Droid power usage slightly less. Pirate damage slightly less. Droid repair/deconstruct/upgrade times longer (more in line with droid construction time).

Patch notes:-

• Research screen added (droid battery and fuel cell unlocks)
  
• Upgrade panel added to droid info window.
  
• Balancing: Reduce pirate laser damage.
  
• Balancing: Reduce inside/outside droid power usage.
  
• Balancing: Reduce charge time when not charging via the droid maintenance.
  
• Improve: New game logo.
  
• Improve: Droid work light fx should be under droid.
  
• Improve: Airlock/Door placement, remove solar panel/connector close restriction.
  
• Fix: Crash clicking on in construction item (invalid info window priority lookup).
  
• Fix: Droid repair/deconstruct/upgrade times longer, correctly related to construction length
  
• Fix: Visitor not charging via power system.