Aground Zero News

This is a very small update that's mostly for some bugfixes with the cryopod/timeskip quest (along with another one no one else noticed where icons would sometimes look greenish). It also has two QOL features:

• No longer pauses the game in multiplayer if you open the menu (you are invincible/immobile, but the other player can still act).
  
• Door forcefields removed when dismantle door
  

I'm probably going to work on online multiplayer next - which will take a while, but I might post a few minor updates with bugfixes/quality of life changes during that process.

A new weekly update, and this one's a big one! You might've seen the in-progress videos of the moon and beetle explorer, but those are now both in game, along with new quests to obtain them!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

Changelog:

• Added Beetle Explorer (spaceship)
  
• Added the Moon
  
• Added the Timeskip (questline) - you might want to check in with the professor afterwards
  
• Added the ability for Com Stations to manage workers and structures.
  
• Added a com device that lets you access com stations in orbit (from anywhere) - check the vending machine.
  
• Added a repair button the to vehicle inventory window (hit X while riding a vehicle)
  
• Generators wont accept more than 1 exotic matter in exotic matter mode.
  
• Improved transparent object rendering
  
• Minor improvements and bugfixes
  

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

I hope you enjoy the update - I know some of you have been waiting for the spaceship and moon to be released since I shared the sneak peeks! Unfortunately, it has been somewhat difficult for me to do weekly updates (I often don't have enough to share after only a week and it's been tough to keep the content coming), so I'm going to slow down a bit for the next few months. However, don't worry, progress is still being made!

I'm not ready to share the moon yet, but I decided to post a small update as I had some minor improvements and bugfixes I figured should go live.

Changelog:

• Worker bays with occupants have green lights on edges
  
• Worker list is sorted by workers without jobs first, skill second
  
• Forcefield and glass blocks now use range of your shovel, if you have one
  
• Added power range to generator info (showing the amount of power needed if all crafting stations are off vs on)
  
• Added sideways ramps
  
• Meteors and torpedoes no longer damage objects through blocks or objects - the path to the explosion center must be unobstructed
  
• If forcefield is selected in inventory and the door does not have a forcefield, the door will give a place forcefield option instead of open/close door to place forcefields in all door blocks at once (consuming the forcefields)
  

The Beetle Explorer is not done yet - but as some players noticed, the sub can currently be used in space like a spaceship! So, to do some testing, I decided to use the sub as a spaceship and take it to the moon!

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

The Moon is not yet complete, but I did finish the nav window which allows you to travel between planets (as you can see in the video above), and the broken pieces of the moon are quite spectacular!

I probably wont add the moon and navigation to the early access build until I add the beetle explorer, but hopefully this gives you a neat sneak peak of what's to come!

No, the spaceship isn't done yet - it is still being modelled (and could take some time for a model that big). However, in preparation, I did add an orbit area as shown in my last update, which you can now try out for yourself! This also includes several smaller improvements and bugfixes.

Changelog:

• Added Earth Orbit
  
• Added placeholder oxygen generator - the model for this isn't done yet, but it is fully functional and you get it the first time you reach orbit. Check PAI's help for details on how to use it.
  
• Added metal ramps, brick ramps, and truss ramps (check the vending machine for a new blueprint)
  
• You can build worker bots in orbit - but they move as if there was gravity (because it was simpler that way)
  
• Items are pulled towards powered belts in orbit so they can travel along them
  
• Fixed truss water bug
  
• When mined, glass now returns the item
  
• Made it clearer which tool is selected
  
• Added key that enables/disables antigravity pack
  
• Pauses the game when not focused unless focus paused option is unchecked
  

To reach orbit, once you get the anti gravity pack just keep flying up - you can't miss it! I hope you're looking forward to the spaceship - I can't wait to get started putting it in game once the model is done!