Plan B: Terraform News

v0.9 will be released for everyone this Thursday, March 13th.

It's the biggest update of the game and unfortunately, this version will not be able to read older save files. To enjoy all the new items, levels and events, you'll have to start a new planet. I'm very sorry about this, but we really had no choice - there are far too many changes everywhere, especially in the level progression.

But if you wish, you'll still be able to continue playing your current save by activating the "v0.8.4" branch in the Steam properties of the game ("Betas" > "Select the beta (...)" > "v0.8.4 (...)" option).

You can also activate the "beta" branch right now to enjoy the v0.9, as it's now finished (almost - we still have some Info page to write, mostly).
I'll write another news article on Thrusday with the list of all the improvements and changes, I just wanted to warn you of this incompatibility - which should be the only one ever.

And as with previous major updates, there will be a 20% discount for this release, before the price is increased to $16, the final price for the v1.0 release.

Here are some news about the v0.9 update, the biggest update of the game.

What is already done and can be played in the beta branch:
- A completely reworked UI, including an improved minimap that you can resize or hide, and a new Information panel (replacing the tutorial and the help - info pages will be unlocked progressively when there are new mechanics to learn).
- A dialog system, to brief the player before each levels, and progress along a simple storyline.
- Levels 1 to 11. No new game mechanics in those levels, but a lot of changes in the objectives, recipes, etc.
- And lot of various small fixes and improvements.

As i had explained before, it requires to start a new world, but it should be the only time. And you'll always be able to continue player v0.8x games if you wish (dedicated steam branch).

We are now working on the 2nd batch of levels, 12 to 18, which should come on the beta branch soon. Those will contain the space elevator you can see in the picture, along some related new game mechanics.
And then we'll work on the last levels, 19 to 25, with very exiting new mechanics too!

Here is the last v0.8 update (but for possible hot fixes).

In addition to the sand graphic and other various improvements and bug fixes, two major bugs from the previous v0.8.3 have been fixed : the trucks loading too slowly, and the game freezing when building a rail end over a pentagon (in a specific direction). Very sorry for those bugs!

We are now going to focus on the v0.9, which will bring a lot of new content and a simple story.
v0.9 will be incompatible with previous saves (starting with the next beta update), so I've created a "v0.8.4 backup" steam branch. This way you will always be able to continue to play with older games.


[h3]Plan B - v0.8.4 build 921[/h3]

Improvements:
- Sand on shores
- Changed items Max Count UI
- GeForce Now activated
- Dynamite can dig in negative altitudes
- Ships in transports help page
- New help page about Backup Supply Option
- Reduce tiny ponds (holes) at the world generation

Balance:
- Smooth terrain tool softer
- Ships loading/unloading drones priority improvement
- Level 2 requires more factories

Bugs fixes:
- Fixed trucks loading speed
- Fixed crash crash buliding rail end over an heptagon
- Fixed camera view area (sometimes the ground was disappearing)
- Fixed input key change bug
- Fixed city supply / waste centers panels colors
- Fixed mineral ground color with the non default mineral options
- Fixed corrupted saves making the save page UI going crazy

Minor:
- Add an error message if we try to load a new save with an old game build

As long as water is not too deep, roads and rails will now automatically become bridges when above water. And as they are now created procedurally, it also fixes their visual glitches (near pentagons).


[h3]Plan B - v0.8.3 build 912[/h3]

Major Improvements:
- Automatic rails and roads bridges

Improvements:
- FX: Trees moving with wind
- FX: desert wind and particles, forest leaves
- Sun in the skybox
- Reduce warnings size (grouped)

Balance:
- Initial water quantity (world creation option) balance.
- Water apparition a bit more slowly
- Faster trains loading/unloading acceleration
- Colors change on overlay selection and lines
- Pumping stations still works over a bit of water

Bugs fixes:
- Fixed visual glitches of roads and rails near pentagons or on strong elevations
- Fixed lua mods loading: only load "mod.lua" file, which must include the others (it was loading all .lua files)
- Fixed city cars not visible in pause
- Fixed sound effect in pause
- Alt tab doesn't freeze enhanced view anymore
- Fixed road pathfinding and pentagons/heptagons

Minor:
- fixed mineral creation in dev mod
- Retake of dead city models
- Display active mods in home screen
- Wiki updated
- Rail stop model changed
- Modding: recipes duration can be modified
- Modding: option refund not free

This update brings some nice little vehicles flying over cities to make them more lively, a new skybox (no more of the low resolution one), and a lot of bug fixes and improvements, mostly from player feedbacks and suggestions (thanks again for your help!).


[h3]Plan B - v0.8.2 build 905[/h3]

Improvements:
- Added flying cars in cities (visual effect)
- New skybox (infinite resolution)
- Help pages updated
- More items & recipe visibles in choice popup

Balance:
- Give more assembly plants and factory at new game start

Bugs fix:
- Fixed dynamite recipe (requires oxygen)
- Fixed freeze with corrupted dump item
- Fixed freeze at loading with corrupted dam pump item
- Fixed some issues with depot or lines having a bad item assigned (potentially creating corrupted depots or dumps)
- Fixed some errors when selecting a recipe
- Fixed depots & containers altitude update with water altitude change
- Fix links opening steam instead of browser
- Fixed some corruption cases
- Fixed city duplication in creative mod
- Fixed city enhancedview color
- Fixed keyboard (including WASD) locked when pressing Return on a item count limit or city name
- Fixed credits ending
- Fixed boats coming out of water at game load

Minor:
- Added a tooltip for the item count limit
- Updated localisation
- Set backup depot text bigger
- Some hidden stuff for v0.9