AETHUS News

Some pretty big quality of life changes in this patch, as well as a few new options (and a bunch more to come!) to tweak your experience the way you like it.

[h2]New:[/h2]

• Overhauled the Build Mode UX to make it quicker and easier to do anything you want.
  
• Modify and Terraform modes have been integrated into the 'standard' Build Mode, you can access these options by simply opening Build Mode and clicking on an appropriate object in the world. No more need to switch to a separate mode and then click. The whole experience of switching between building, modifying, and terraforming should all be smoother. Let me know what you think!
  
• Terraforming UX now follows the same pattern as the other modes (buttons, not double clicks).
  
• Added a new Settings option for triggering 'cutaways' on all Outpost buildings when one is entered, rather than just the entered building. This is the new default behaviour.
  
• Added a new Settings option for adjusting the sensitivity of Camera Rotation
  
• Added placeholders for future new settings options.
  
• Removed negative effects from neglecting Vitality system.
  
• Added the ability to remove an item from a hotbar slot by hovering it and pressing (DEL).
  

[h2]Tweaks and Fixes:[/h2]

• Fixed Modify Mode button text sizing being inconsistent.
  
• Updated Power Slot graphic with new art to make its purpose clearer.
  
• Increased FOV multiplier slider maximum value from 1.5 to 2.0.
  
• Set default antialiasing value to a lower level to improve performance.
  
• Fixed 'jumping' Build Mode UI issues.
  
• Unified shader material between all Build Modes.
  
• Set DX11 as default renderer which may improve performance and fix(?) a crash issue for some users.
  
• Fixed some surface objects being terraformable when they shouldn't be.
  
• Fixed hotbar scrolling behaviour being incorrect if player also used keys to select slots.
  
• Fixed Dew Catcher having the wrong Compass POI name.
  
• Updated icon for Small Crate.
  

Good day, Pioneers!
The response to the demo has been overwhelming, with hundreds of you leaving amazing feedback. I'm so happy that the game has resonated with so many of you.

I've pushed six patches to the demo so far, which have included countless fixes, a camera overhaul, ultrawide monitor support, improved building tools, and more!

There's a seventh patch coming later today with some more small changes, and I'm also working on streamlining Build Mode further so that it's even quicker and easier to build up and modify your Outpost on AETHUS, so keep an eye out for an update here on Steam.

Because of this, and the fact that many of you are still enjoying playing, I've decided to leave the demo up beyond the end of the Survival-Crafting festival!
I've absolutely loved engaging with you all during this period, so let's keep going.

I also wanted to let you know that you can pre-register for a potential AETHUS Kickstarter now - I'm not 100% decided on doing one, but it would be a great way of getting some extra resources I could use to bump up the quality of the game another notch.

If you pre-register, you'll be emailed if/when the campaign goes live - I would really appreciate your support!

In the mean-time, remember that you can join the Discord channel to provide more feedback and chat with myself and other players! I'd love to chat with you.

See you on AETHUS!

This one's a biggie, with a bunch of requested features and improvements! Keep your feedback coming!

With these new Settings Options, ultrawide monitor users should now be able to tweak the game to be much more playable. Please let me know how these changes are for you!

[h2]New:[/h2]

• Added Aspect Ratio options to Settings menu.
  
• Added FOV override slider options to Settings menu.
  
• Added ability to move constructions within themselves, so you don't need to move them far away and then back again to make a small position change.
  
• Added info to the notification shown when you can't build due to a collision, with the type of object causing the problem.
  
• Added save game persistence for build mode settings e.g. camera change and snapping.
  
• Added a title bar in Windowed graphics mode.
  

[h2]Tweaks and Fixes:[/h2]

• Fixed initial splash screen still being full white.
  
• Fixed crates on the surface reverting to old positions after being moved or dismantled.
  
• Increased size of various smallest items to make them a little easier to see.
  
• Fixed dialogues potentially repeating when you return to the surface.
  
• Fixed side entrance to cave showing POI before correct time.
  
• Fixed Settings Options potentially not saving if changed in main menu and not going in-game.
  

Thanks again to everyone who's provided feedback for the demo, I hope you feel that things are continuing to improve in the game!

[h2]New:[/h2]

• Added an 'Always Run' option to the Settings Menu which allows the character to always sprint, and holding SHIFT instead causes them to walk.
  
• Added the ability to consume inventory items directly from the hotbar with MMB.
  
• Added a new notification to make it clear when mining is obstructed.
  

[h2]Tweaks and Fixes:[/h2]

• Increased item pickup radius by about 50%.
  
• Fixed tasks potentially re-appearing after completion.
  
• Changed the build mode camera transition from linear to cubic interpolation for a smoother transition effect.
  
• Fixed energy being lowered even with obstructed mining requests.
  
• Adjusted notification for attempting to build underground before you are able.
  
• Toned down whiteness of title splash screen.
  
• Fixed deployable items activating on 'death'.
  
• Fixed settings sokmetimes not being accurately shown when loading game in main menu settings window.
  

Thanks so much to everyone who's provided feedback for the demo so far!

The top requests by far were more control over the game camera - so here you go!

I'm really keen to know how this is for you, so please let me know in the comments or discussions.

More to come this week.

[h2]New:[/h2]

• Added a new Orbit ability to the camera which provides a lot more control over the camera positioning.
  
• Moved Camera control to RMB (it's also on MMB if you still want to use it)
  
• Removed the weight/inertia of the camera movement and made it much snappier.
  
• Can now use ESC to close the inventory.
  
• Added a Scanning tutorial to the Prologue to help make this feature clearer.
  

[h2]Tweaks and Fixes:[/h2]

• Improved the unlock flow for the Crafting Bench to avoid potential confusion on how to construct this facility.
  
• Added the Dew Catcher facility unlock during the first steps of building the Outpost, without needing to explore to unlock it.
  

[h2]Balancing[/h2]

• Tweaked the Dew Catcher time to produce water, and limited its inventory to one bottle at a time.