Ground of Aces News

[p]This is an announcement for all purchasers of the Supporter Pack DLC: With the change in the Missions System in Major 3, unfortunately the game can now hang up when triggering some old style DLC Missions. [/p][p]If you are a buyer of the Supporter Pack and have the bonus missions copied into your mission folder: Please make sure you are grabbing the files that recently shipped in the DLC Location with Major 3 and replace the old files in the main games mission folder. [/p][p]Unfortunately, we can not automatically remove or replace the old files in the mission folder and an import issue slipped by us. [/p][p]If this bug affects you: We are very sorry for the inconvenience, and thank you again for being a supporter pack purchaser.[/p][p]If you need a reminder on how to exchange the Supporter Pack DLC Missions, you can check here:
https://help.steampowered.com/en/faqs/view/720F-F7D3-0EB2-059F[/p]

[p]Thank you for your early reports about the Major Update 3. Our programmers worked on a few fixed today:[/p][p][/p][h2]Hotfixes:[/h2]

• [p]fixed too extreme/too punishing mission outcomes for some missions[/p]
• [p]fixed character importer to make sure correct character data is used in-game[/p]
• [p]fixed a few errors found in our analytics[/p]
• [p]fixed several localization errors[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Issues with the web editor that we are aware of:[/h3]

• [p]the generator gives out the wrong Body Shape value inside the file (we know what is causing it, should be fixed soon)[/p]
• [p]the selected Hair Back option for female characters doesn't get imported correctly[/p]
• [p]the naming of hair and nose options doesn't always fit the design[/p]
• [p]the postcard generator was just updated with the Christmas card design, but now the other two postcards don't display the pictures correctly[/p]

[p]We will continue working on the web character editor. Please note that it is in an experimental beta state.[/p][p][/p][h3]Tip for the character editor[/h3][p]You can open the character data files with a text program (like TextEdit, Sublime Text) and adjust and play around with the values directly in there. Sync the folder and you should see the changes in the preview image immediately.[/p][p]For Body Shape the correct values are the following:[/p][p]For “Thin” the value is 0, so it should say in the file: “BodyShapeIndex”: 0[/p][p]For “Average” it’s 1 --> “BodyShapeIndex”: 1[/p][p]For “Bulky” it’s 2 --> “BodyShapeIndex”: 2[/p][p]For “Fat” it’s 3 --> “BodyShapeIndex”: 3[/p]

[p]Major Update 3 is here! The "Warplans" Update brings features and improvements to Ground of Aces, expanding both the strategic depth of your base and the action unfolding above it. Here’s a quick look at what’s new in this update:[/p][p][/p][h2]New Features[/h2][h3]Brand-New Mission Map System[/h3]

• [p]The mission serving system has been overhauled to be more immersive and offer more strategic choice.[/p]
• [p]All missions now take place in specific locations, which will impact the fuel cost to fulfill them.[/p]
• [p]On every airbase tier level, you get up to 50% more missions, allowing you to strategically choose which missions your crews are good at.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Base Fight Animations[/h3]

• [p]In the aftermath of scrambling, you can witness shootouts above your base.[/p]
• [p]A new camera button will also allow you to automatically move the camera to follow the intercepted plane.[/p]
• [p]This camera is also available to witness victory roll celebrations after missions.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][h3]New Defense Gun: Vickers AA gun[/h3]

• [p]The new Vickers Machine Gun joins the roster of base defense options.[/p]
• [p]The Vickers only needs 1 person to operate and costs 2 slots to ship.[/p]
• [p]However, it is weaker than the Bofors and is limited in its turning radius, meaning it needs to be strategically aimed at paths enemies could come from.[/p]
• [p]This new gun offers a simple early game solution for base defense.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Character/Crew Editor & Import (BETA)[/h3]

• [p]The brand-new web character editor allows you to create characters to import into your game.[/p]
• [p]The new import functionality in the main menu allows you to choose which characters you want to populate the base with.[/p]
• [p]New map parameters also allow you more control over which characters are in your starter crew.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Tree Sapling Regrowth[/h3]

• [p]Trees now spawn a tree sapling upon harvest, which will eventually become a tree.[/p]
• [p]If you destroy trees, trees will not spawn a sapling, allowing you to also get rid of trees for good.[/p]

[p][/p][p][/p][h2]Improvements:[/h2]

• [p]Over 16 new missions: Together with the new mission system, there is a new set of missions.[/p]
  • [p]10 of these are new hard endgame missions.[/p]
• [p]Stealth parameter main missions have been fixed to be shown properly.[/p]
  • [p]6 of the new missions are brand-new stealth missions.[/p]
• [p]Repair time for any object is now a flat 50% of build time.[/p]
  • [p]This addresses problems with roofs being repaired for several days.[/p]
• [p]Scramble reports now show more information on which planes took part.[/p]
• [p]The crew overview now also shows the health status of crew members.[/p]
• [p]Crew will not bury people through the night anymore.[/p]
• [p]“Open saves location” option now works on Mac.[/p]
• [p]There is a new option to deactivate tutorials in the Options Menu.[/p]

[p][/p][h2]Other fixes and changes:[/h2]

• [p]Fixed issues of selections snapping to 0,0 when dragging on UI elements.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue of older saves having everyone grow mustaches, including women.[/p]
• [p]Missions now have a proper fallback if localization is missing.[/p]
• [p]Fixed a problem of unread mission reports getting added to weekly evaluations.[/p]
• [p]Fixed problems when planning structures further than the map border.[/p]
• [p]Fixed issue of multiple people rushing in to carry the injured.[/p]
• [p]Fixed issues of the runway menu not properly updating to Tier 0 when planning.[/p]
• [p]Fixed a problem of AA gun range not showing if something else is selected before.[/p]
• [p]Fixed a minor UI issue of size dots in the shipping menu showing in other categories.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue of the game not going to automatic triple speed when everyone is asleep.[/p]
• [p]Fixed some issues with objects destroyed on Lichfield during the intro.[/p]
• [p]Plane tier display is now properly hooked up in the management menu.[/p]

[h2]Issues we are currently working on:[/h2]

• [p]We heard several reports of people getting stuck midway through going to locations. We have no fix yet, but we are working on it.[/p]
• [p]We are trying to address that you cannot force people to carry an injured person.[/p]
• [p]We are investigating an issue that performance starts to drop when resources lie around[/p]
• [p]We are actively watching all your reports in the Feedback Tool and on Discord, so let us know if the update causes any issue.[/p]

[p][/p][p]NOTE: After a Major Update, we recommend starting a new game to make sure you don't get any unexpected issues. Older saves may not work as intended because of new systems that got added.[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you for all your reports and feedback. We can't wait to hear what you think about the new features![/p][p][/p][p]If you haven't already, please leave a review here on Steam. Reviews help guide new players and grow the game. They help us to push forward with more improvements and updates for the future of GROUND OF ACES.[/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]As we continue developing the next major update for Ground of Aces, we want to share a behind-the-scenes look at what the team is working on right now. This devlog is a snapshot of ongoing work that is currently taking shape, with the plan that these features will be part of the next big update (changes may still happen).[/p][p][/p][h2]Redesign of the Mission System[/h2][p]We’re reworking how you get served missions. When new missions become available, you’ll be prompted to open the new mission map. This map will comfortably display locations and connected missions from a partial view of Europe.[/p][p]A major improvement is that the same mission type can now occur at different geographic locations—such as cities, airfields, or regions. The location will influence mission descriptions and fuel costs, while other mission parameters remain the same.[/p][p]As part of this overhaul, we’ll also be creating and adding new missions to the game.[/p][p][/p][p]Screenshots from the UI design work-in-progress for the new mission selection screen:[/p][p][/p][p]The new missions notification tab as it looks like in Unity while our UI designer is working on it:[/p][p][/p][p]For the next update, we will add more difficult missions for late-game playing. On a collaborative online whiteboard, we work on new missions and their logic like this:[/p][p][/p][p]On a Google My Maps, our game designer collects possible locations for mission targets:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Experience Aerial Battles Over Your Base[/h2][p]We’re expanding the aerial animations that play out above your base so you can witness more of the action firsthand. These sequences will be tied to your scramble report, where there will be a new eye button that lets you observe the fight. You’ll see your fighters intercepting and shooting down incoming enemy aircraft as they attempt to attack your base.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Vickers Machine Gun[/h2][p]We’re adding a new defensive tool to your arsenal: the Vickers machine gun.[/p][p]Here’s an early animation test:[/p][p][/p][p]Work on the shooting effect for the new gun:[/p][p][/p][p]Testing the shooting range with a test plane inside of Unity:[/p][p][/p][p]Finding the right height and positions of the NPC models:[/p][p][/p][p]The Vickers can be operated by a single crew member. It requires fewer shipment slots than the Bofors gun but comes with trade-offs: shorter range and reduced damage compared to the Bofors.[/p][p][/p][h2]Growing New Trees[/h2][p]Currently, wood is a limited resource in Ground of Aces: you can’t plant new trees, nor can you order wood (only planks). This often results in long harvest treks and large empty fields. To improve this, we’re introducing a new mechanic that allows new trees to grow from seedlings automatically planted when a tree is harvested.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]If you don’t want a tree to regrow in a particular spot, you can remove it using the Destroy tool. This will give you the wood from the tree but will not create seedlings. Seedlings appear as small plants and will eventually mature into full-size trees. For now, this system applies only to trees, not other plant types.[/p][p][/p][h2]Character Generator & Import Functionality[/h2][p]This is a new feature that is already available in the game for community testing: the ability to create your own characters and import them directly into the game. It's still in BETA, but you can already try it out right now.[/p][p][/p][p]Go to our web tool for the character generator, export the file with the metadata, and then import the character into the game. Create your own character here: https://blindflugstudios.pythonanywhere.com/[/p][p][/p][p]Learn more here: [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]PLEASE NOTE: This feature is still in an experimental state.[/p][p][/p][p]Tell us what you think in the Steam forum!

Thank you for following our development journey. We’re continuing to shape and refine these features. Stay tuned for Major Update 3, which is planned for release before Christmas.[/p]

[h2]Character & Crew Generator - IN BETA[/h2][p][/p][p]We updated the game with a feature that is currently in beta but already available in the main game for wider community testing: the ability to create your own characters & crews and import them directly into the game.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]Please note: This feature is a work in progress.[/h2][p]This feature isn't finished yet, and not everything you see in the online tool may get imported correctly yet. We are still working on it. We want to gather feedback from the community early, which is why we decided to add it to the main version already and mark it as a beta feature.[/p][p][/p][h2]Here is how it works:[/h2]

1. [p]Generate your own character(s) with our web tool: http://station.groundofaces.com/[/p]
2. [p]When you’re done, export your NPC / crew. This gives you a JSON file with all their unique data.[/p]
3. [p]Open Ground of Aces and click “Import Crew” in the main menu.[/p]
4. [p]Click “Open import folder” — this will open the Characters folder on your PC.[/p]
5. [p]Place your downloaded JSON file into that folder.[/p]
6. [p]Return to the Import Crew screen and click the sync button (the two arrows in a circle).[/p]
7. [p]Your character(s) should now appear in the list. This means your NPCs can now appear in the game. NPCs with a checkmark are allowed to appear in your game as your starting crew, new aircrew from planes, or possible new people in the hiring screen.[/p]

[p]We want to add the feature that you can decide over the starting crew. For now, the generated characters are part of the possible pool of NPCs that can appear in the game.

Tip:[/p][p]If you would like to artificially spawn your created characters, use the regular "spawn_character" cheat with the parameter true at the end to spawn a random custom crew member that fits the description (previous parameters).[/p][p]For example, "spawn_character none male true" will spawn a random custom male ground crew member.[/p][p][/p][h2]So now you can…[/h2]

• [p]Create yourself — how would you look in Ground of Aces?[/p]
• [p]Build a full custom crew — family, friends, or your dream squad.[/p]
• [p]Recreate historical figures — famous aces or entire squadrons.[/p]

[p][/p][h2]SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK – JOIN OUR DISCORD[/h2][p]Show us your results and tell us your feedback! What works well? Where did you encounter issues? How does the generator with all its options feel? What do you think are we missing?[/p][p]
You can share your feedback, portraits and JSON files in our Discord community.[/p][p][/p][p]You can also write your thoughts here in the forum. We will go through your feedback.[/p]