Ground of Aces News

[p]Thank you for your reports and feedback. Our team made some fixes and improvements that we already want to push out as a Hotfix update. [/p][p][/p][h2]Changelog:[/h2]

• [p]add missing hover tooltips for fuel tank/water pump[/p]
• [p]fix one of the dirt biomes not counting as tier 1 for runways[/p]
• [p]don't open game directory location when clicking DLC news buttons[/p]
• [p]fix blurry images in main menu news UI[/p]
• [p]properly close airstrip UI when placing is cancelled[/p]
• [p]fix deconstructed roof blocking the building of new ones[/p]
• [p]reduced the chance of injury when collapsing to 10%[/p]
• [p]Lysander Day Fighter skin texture fix[/p]
• [p]sandbags are smaller to avoid clipping through walls[/p]
• [p]minor localization updates[/p]

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

• [p]Make the function of the default paint button in the management screen clearer[/p]
• [p]Skin unlock notifications[/p]

[h2]Improvements planned for the Map Editor:[/h2]

• [p]Truck delivery waypoint[/p]
• [p]Character spawn waypoint[/p]
• [p]"Long Grass" for biome selection[/p]
• [p]Map Editor runway improvements[/p]
• [p]Add “Undo” & “Redo” functionality[/p]

[p][/p][p]This week our team will do a team retreat and discuss the feedback that we have gathered in the latest reviews, survey form answers, feedback entries and Steam forum posts. We will keep working on improvements and fixes, and we will plan the next features of the next big update.[/p]

[p]Our latest major update is officially out with the title "Maps & Liveries" and it's a big one![/p][p][/p][p]Note for our testers: If you took part in the alpha test branch, please switch back to the public default version to enjoy the latest version of the game.[/p][p][/p][h2]New Features[/h2][p][/p][h3]Aircraft Liveries – Repaint your airplanes with different skins![/h3][p]With this new system, you can paint your aircraft in a variety of different liveries, giving your fleet a much more personal and distinctive look.[/p][p]Here you can see a selection of the new liveries:[/p][p][/p][p]These liveries will be unlocked simply by playing the game and completing specific achievement-style assignments.[/p][p][/p][p]There will also be "Natural Metal Finish" skins and colorful, unique-looking skins, the "special" skins. These can be unlocked with special promo codes that will be given out on special occasions and as part of collaborations with content creators. You will be informed about such promo code drops via the new news widget in the main menu.[/p][p][/p][p]Learn more about the unlock mechanics here: [dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][h3]New Map: RAF Debden[/h3][p]We made a new starter map based on the Royal Air Force station Debden. This map has a runway, a few parking spots, and buildings already ready for you, so you can jump in more quickly than with the other maps.[/p][h3][/h3][h3]Map Editor - Build your own starter map or freely build the airbase of your dreams![/h3][p]This is a big one: Now you can design and share your own starter maps! Decide over the terrain, flora, available materials, and already set up buildings without worrying about resources and building times. Share the maps that you create on our Discord and check out what other community members created.[/p][p][/p][h3]New Flora & Stone Assets[/h3][p]Our 3D artist made new trees, bushes, and stones to give the new map a new environment and look. These new assets are also available in the map editor.[/p][p][/p][h3]New Resource: Stone[/h3][p]We added new stones because now harvesting stones gives you the ability to make gravel grounds which you need for one of the runway tiers.[/p][p][/p][h3]Oerlikon 20 mm cannon[/h3][p]We have a new AA gun for you: HQ now lets you order the Oerlikon AA gun![/p][p][/p][h3]Predictor Lookout Post[/h3][p]Now you can build and assign someone to a lookout post to improve your defenses. Order it from HQ and place it near your AA guns to give them a bigger radius.[/p][p][/p][h3]De Havilland Mosquito – Add with the free DLC[/h3][p]The most requested aircraft is available for Ground of Aces is now available for the game. You only need to add the free «Wings of Valor» DLC to your library to unlock it for the airplane roster in the game.[/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][h2]What is «Wings of Valor»?[/h2][p]Alongside Major Update 4, we’re also releasing Wings of Valor, the first DLC for Ground of Aces. This DLC is a promise we made during our Kickstarter campaign, and today marks the start of building it up piece by piece. Wings of Valor exists thanks to the incredible support of our backers, who made it possible for us to lay the foundation for additional content beyond the base game.[/p][p]Wings of Valor is available for free in its current state, as it currently includes one aircraft and Ground of Aces itself is still in Early Access. As the DLC grows through future updates and receives more content, it will transition from free to paid at a later point. Players who pick it up now will receive all future additions at no extra cost. Releasing the DLC this way allows us to add the Mosquito already and begin fulfilling our Kickstarter promise step by step.[/p][p]Planned content for «Wings of Valor» includes:[/p]

• [p]Curtiss P-40 “Kittyhawk”[/p]
• [p]De Havilland Vampire[/p]
• [p]Another aircraft voted by the community (tba)[/p]
• [p]An additional aircraft selected by the development team (tba)[/p]
• [p]Digital artbook[/p]
• [p]Decorative posters[/p]
• [p]Two legendary pilot NPCs voted by the community[/p]
• [p]Spitfire Mk X livery (skin)[/p]

[h2]Other improvements / things that got fixed since the previous hotfix:[/h2]

• [p]New shading:[/p]
  • [p]The shading has been updated to come closer to our vision of making a game with comic-style visuals and to make it more consistent. You can see the difference in this image, which is split in the middle with the old shading on the left and the new shading on the right.[/p]

[p][/p]

• [p]On the map selection, you can now find some additional information about what you can expect from the map.[/p]

• [p]Fixed issue with HQ window not updating information properly[/p]
• [p]Plane’s stats have been rebalanced[/p]
• [p]Speed set to single speed when watching attacks or victory celebrations[/p]
• [p]Shipment size dots get removed reliably[/p]
• [p]AA gun values adjusted[/p]
• [p]Ammo stack limit increased (low-cal & high-cal doubled, bombs quadrupled)[/p]
• [p]Improvement of log texts and plane descriptions[/p]

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

• [p]Make the function of the default paint button in the management screen clearer[/p]
• [p]Skin unlock notifications[/p]

[h2]Improvements planned for the Map Editor:[/h2]

• [p]Truck delivery waypoint[/p]
• [p]Character spawn waypoint[/p]
• [p]"Long Grass" for biome selection[/p]
• [p]Map Editor runway improvements[/p]
• [p]Add “Undo” & “Redo” functionality[/p]

[h2]Get more airplane promo codes from livestreams[/h2][p]Keep an eye on Twitch for Ground of Aces livestreams, there's a good chance you can get exclusive promo codes in several of such Twitch streams during this weekend. We have given out promo codes to several streamers that will be playing Ground of Aces in these days after the update release.[/p][p]Additionally, keep an eye on the following channels to get exclusive codes:[/p]

• [p]Twitch streamer Writing_Bull --> Our game designer Jeremy will join him for an interview (in German) on 21st of February at 7pm CET[/p]
• [p]YouTuber PanzerPaw[/p]
• [p]YouTuber TheOnlyL0nzY[/p]

[p]There's also a promo code in our own dev livestream here: https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2693952090[/p][p][/p][h2]As always, thank you so much for playing and your feedback![/h2][p]Don't hesitate to leave a review here on Steam. It really helps an indie game project like ours! We will focus on monitoring the reports and feedback now and our team will make hotfixes if necessary.[/p][p][/p][p]Come to our Discord to share screenshots, your NPCs and your own custom maps:[/p][p]JOIN THE DISCORD[/p][p][/p][p]We also have a Subreddit:[/p][p]Join the Subreddit[/p]

[p]Major Update 4 is coming next week, and we’re excited to share one of its biggest new features with you ahead of time: the new airplane livery system.[/p][p][/p][p]In other words, airplane skins are coming to Ground of Aces![/p][p][/p][p]With this new system, you’ll be able to order and paint your aircraft in various different liveries, giving your fleet a much more personal and distinctive look.[/p][p][/p][p]Here, we want to explain how the unlocking of the airplanes will work and give you a few insights into our research material.[/p][p][/p][h2]Skins You Can Unlock by Playing[/h2][p]Most liveries will be unlocked simply by playing the game and completing specific achievement-style assignments.
[/p][p]At launch, the system will include:[/p]

• [p]16 Temperate Land Skins[/p]
• [p]16 Night Skins[/p]
• [p]6 Temperate Sea Skins / 10 Day Fighter Skins[/p]

[p]We’ll continue expanding the collection over time. For a few aircraft, not every skin is finished yet, but more will be added in future updates.[/p][p][/p][h3]Night Skins[/h3][p]Available for all planes except the North American Mustang. For two planes, it's already set as the default skin: Westland Lysander and Boulton Paul Defiant.[/p][p][/p][p]Unlock the Night skin for a bomber:[/p][p][c]Safely fly away in 10 real scrambles (must count as “flown away to safety” in the scramble summary)[/c][/p][p]AND[/p][p][c]Return home 5 times with under 25% health[/c][/p][p][/p][p]Unlock the Night skin for a multi-role plane:[/p][p][c]Fly 1 unsuccessful mission at >90% success[/c][/p][p]AND[/p][p][c]Fly 5 successful missions that have gone wrong[/c][/p][p][/p][p]Unlock the Night skin for a fighter:[/p][p][c]Take part in 20 real scramble defenses - plane must have taken off in time to take part in the fight[/c][/p][p]AND[/p][p][c]Shoot down 3 planes in scrambles[/c][/p][p][/p][p]Unlock the Night skin for a special plane:[/p][p][c]Fly 5 successful missions that have gone wrong[/c][/p][p]AND[/p][p][c]Return home 5 times from a mission with under 25% health[/c][/p][p][/p][h3]Temperate Land Skins[/h3][p][/p][p]Unlock the Temperate Land skin for a bomber:[/p][p][c]Fly 20 successful Bombing missions[/c][/p][p]AND[/p][p][c]Fly 20 successful Cargo missions[/c][/p][p][/p][p]Unlock the Temperate Land skin for a multi-roll plane:[/p][p][c]Fly 20 successful Fight missions[/c][/p][p]AND[/p][p][c]Fly 20 successful Bombing missions[/c][/p][p][/p][p]Unlock the Temperate Land skin for a fighter:[/p][p][c]Fly 40 successful Fight missions[/c][/p][p]AND[/p][p][c]Fly 10 successful Manoeuver missions[/c][/p][p][/p][p]Unlock the Temperate Land skin for a special plane:[/p][p][c]Fly 20 successful Stealth missions[/c][/p][p]AND[/p][p][c]Fly 20 successful Recon missions[/c][/p][p][/p][h3]Temperate Sea Skins[/h3][p][/p][p]Unlock any Temperate Sea skin:[/p][p][c]Fly 10 missions with sea or coast destinations (using the plane model you want the skin for)[/c][/p][p]AND[/p][p][c]Travel 10,000 km total (again, using that same plane model)[/c][/p][p][/p][p]For the following planes, you can have the Temperate Sea skins:[/p][p][/p][h3]Day Fighter Skins[/h3][p][/p][p]Unlock any Day Fighter skin:[/p][p][c]10 successful mission on enemy territory[/c][/p][p]AND[/p][p][c]5 returns with 25% or lower health[/c][/p][p][/p][p]For the following planes, you can have the Day Fighter skins:[/p][p][/p][h3]The Rules[/h3][p]A few important things to know about how liveries work:[/p]

• [p]Skins are unlocked per airplane model. A Lancaster skin only works on the Lancaster, not on other bombers.[/p]
• [p]You must complete challenges using the aircraft type you want the skin for. Want a Spitfire livery? You’ll need to fly Spitfires to earn it.[/p]
• [p]Multiple planes of the same model can contribute in one mission. All qualifying aircraft of that type will count toward progress.[/p]
• [p]Progress carries over across missions. You don’t need to complete everything in a single run.[/p][p]Example: Flying 5 Spitfires in two missions counts as 10 total Spitfire uses.[/p]
• [p]Unlocks are stored globally, i.e. can be used on any save. Unlock progress of individual assignments is only stored per save.[/p]

[p][/p][h2]Skins Unlockable via Promo Codes[/h2][p]In addition to gameplay unlocks, we’ll also offer a set of special liveries that can be redeemed with promo codes. Like the Pre-War Gloster Gladiator which you can unlock by signing up for our newsletter.[/p][p]At launch, it's possible to unlock Natural Metal Finish Skins and certain unique Special Skins with promo-codes.[/p][p]These codes will be distributed through:[/p]

• [p]Our own livestreams[/p]
• [p]Content creator collaborations[/p]
• [p]Special events and community moments[/p]

[p]Our first promo code was already given out during our latest dev livestream:[/p][p]https://www.twitch.tv/videos/2693952090[/p][p]And more will come later. We’ll keep creating new skins, and their codes may appear in future streams or events. To stay updated, keep an eye on our community spaces like the Discord and newsletter.[/p][p]We’re also working on an in-game news system to make sure you won’t miss any upcoming codes.[/p][p][/p][h2]Previews of the Skins[/h2][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]What We Used for Research[/h2][p]For research, we worked with books like British Aviation Colours of WWII – The Official Couflage, Colours and Markings of RAF Aircraft, 1939-45, which you can directly check out as a PDF.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]And "The Complete Book of World War II Combat Aircraft" is an essential part of our research and has a permanent place in our office:[/p][p][/p][p]Websites that collect information about aircraft colors and camouflage that are also used by model painters helped us a lot by giving clear overviews of the colors of the different scheme types.[/p][p][/p][h2]Want to see the skins in the game already?[/h2][p]For very active players who don't want to wait, we have a test version of the Major Update 4 up on the testing branch right now![/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]The unlocking assignments are not set up in the test version yet; this means in this version you have the Night Skins, Temperate Land, Temperate Sea, and Day Fighter skins available directly.[/p][p]This will be different in the default version, which will be released in a week.[/p][p][/p][p]How to switch to the testing branch:[/p]

• [p]Right-click Ground of Aces in the Steam library list.[/p]
• [p]Go to the “Properties…”[/p]
• [p]Go to “Game Versions & Betas”[/p]
• [p]Switch to “alpha - Alpha test”[/p]
• [p]You can switch back to the default branch at any time.[/p]

[p]Try it out and send us back your feedback, and we will continue to improve the features and fix bugs until the normal release of the update.[/p][p][/p][h2]Do you have a specific skin design you would like to see in the game? Tell us in the comments![/h2][p][/p][p][/p]

[p]Can't wait for the new material? You can test the new features before the official release! We updated the version on the testing branch, which is available for everyone who has the game here on Steam.[/p][p][/p][p]The normal update release is planned for next week. Your feedback helps us figure out what we need to adjust most urgently and if there are unexpected bugs that haven't appeared in our testing sessions yet.[/p][p][/p][h2]How to Switch to the Testing Branch[/h2]

• [p]Right-click Ground of Aces in the Steam library list.[/p]
• [p]Select “Properties…” in the dropdown menu.[/p]
• [p]Go to “Game Versions & Betas”[/p]
• [p]Switch to “alpha - Alpha test”[/p]
• [p]You can switch back to the public default version at any time. --> Do this when the update is out officially.[/p]

[p]We recommend starting with a new save game. You can try loading an older save game; it may work without any big problems, but when we change and introduce new systems, we can't promise 100% that there are no unexpected issues when you load an older save.[/p][p][/p][h2]Send Us Your Feedback / Bug Reports[/h2][p]Try the new material and use the in-game feedback tool to send back your findings. The feedback tool sends us the information of the game version; we will see which reports are about this test version and we can filter the feedback.[/p][p][/p][p]More complicated issues related to this version should be reported in the designated Discord channel #⁠bugs-testingbranch – ideally with save files attached. [/p][p]JOIN OUR DISCORD[/p][p][/p][h2]What Is New[/h2][p][/p][h3]Aircraft Liveries (Skins)[/h3][p]With this new system, you can paint your aircraft in a variety of different liveries, giving your fleet a much more personal and distinctive look.[/p][p]Most liveries will be unlocked simply by playing the game and completing specific achievement-style assignments.[/p][p][/p][p]CURRENTLY ALL NEW SKINS ARE UNLOCKED IN THE TEST VERSION[/p][p][/p][p]THE UNLOCKING FEATURE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE OFFICIAL UPDATE[/p][p][/p][p]If you later use a save file from the test version in the updated default version, an airplane that you painted with a new skin in the test version will have it in the default version when you load the save, but you can't repaint it or other airplanes of the same model in that scheme again until you actually unlock that skin.[/p][p][/p][p]We will post another devlog about how the unlocking of the skins works later.[/p][p][/p][h3]New Map: Debden[/h3][p]This is straightforward: we made a new starter map based on the Royal Air Force station Debden! This map has a runway, a few parking spots, and buildings already ready for you, so you can jump in more quickly than with the other maps.[/p][p][/p][h3]Map Editor[/h3][p]This is a big one: now you can design and share your own starter maps! Decide over the terrain, flora, available materials, and already set up buildings without worrying about resources and building times.[/p][p][/p][h3]New Flora & Stone Assets[/h3][p]Our 3D artist made new trees, bushes, and stones to give the new map a new environment and look. These new assets are also available in the map editor.[/p][p][/p][h3]New Resource: Gravel[/h3][p]We added new stones because now harvesting stones gives you the resource "gravel" which you need for one of the runway tiers.[/p][p][/p][h3]Oerlikon 20 mm cannon[/h3][p]We have a new AA gun for you: HQ now lets you order the Oerlikon AA gun![/p][p][/p][h3]Lookout Post[/h3][p]Now you can build and assign someone to a lookout post to improve your defenses. Order it from HQ and place it near your AA guns to give them a bigger radius[/p][p][/p][h3]New shading[/h3][p]The shading has been updated to come closer to our vision of making a game with comic-style visuals.[/p][p][/p][h2]What’s Still Being Worked On[/h2][p]Map Editor[/p]

• [p]Undo function doesn't work yet[/p]
• [p]You can't place airplanes yet[/p]
• [p]Runway placement doesn't work yet.[/p]
• [p]The position of the delivery truck can't be edited yet; it will drive to the same spot as on Lichfield[/p]
• [p]Some tools are still being worked on[/p]

[p]Skins[/p]

• [p]CURRENTLY ALL NEW SKINS ARE UNLOCKED IN THE TEST VERSION. THE UNLOCKING FEATURE WILL BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE OFFICIAL UPDATE.[/p]
• [p]When loading an older save, the painting feature does not work on airplanes that are already loaded up on the map[/p]
• [p]Localization/skin names aren't implemented yet (they all have "Temperate Land" as a name)[/p]
• [p]You can't order the airplanes directly in different skins yet - you have to paint them when they are on the base (except when you change the default one in the plane skin management for already existing types on the airbase)[/p]
• [p]You can't see the different skins in the 3D preview yet[/p]
• [p]The in-game duration of painting an airplane is not final yet.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Thank you for testing these features early and for your feedback![/p]

[p]Over time, we’ve seen many comments from people that Ground of Aces reminds them of Bomber Crew. The shared comic-inspired art style and focus on World War II aviation management naturally connect the two games. While Bomber Crew lets you manage a bomber crew during missions, Ground of Aces puts you in charge of preparing and running your airbase before and after those missions. One could say that together, they offer a complete World War II aviation experience.[/p][p][/p][p]That's why we’re excited to team up with Bomber Crew to bring you a special bundle that combines these two WW2 management experiences. For a limited time, you can get the bundle with a 15% discount.[/p][p][/p][p]Already own one of the games? No problem, you can complete the bundle and still benefit from the discount.[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]ICYMI: Check out what is coming next to Ground of Aces[/p][p]Want a sneak peek at what we’re building next? We’ve published a devlog outlining the upcoming features and our current development focus.[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Thank you for being part of our community and for supporting the game. Every purchase, wishlist, review, and message helps more than you know. And makes it possible for us to keep building Ground of Aces.[/p][p][/p][p]- The Blindflug Studios[/p][p][/p]