Star Traders: Frontiers News

Big updates drive a flurry of new play and from that falls a pile of great feedback. We've spent the last few days since releasing major milestone CARTOGRAPHER putting your feedback straight into the game to improve the ease of generating and sharing maps.


This time of year is a special season on Steam -- its time to nominate the games we love for Steam awards. This year, we're going up for Labor of Love and hope you'll join in by nominating us!

If word hasn't trickled down from the tippity top of the New Boston spires, leaked below the streets and drip-drip-dripped into your safehouse, we're here to tell you about our upcoming turn-based cyberpunk heist RPG. Cyber Knights: Flashpoint will be coming to Steam in 2021 and mixes stealth, hacking and tactical combat with deep RPG elements and a unique heist system for missions. The wishlist button is calling your name, Knight. If you didn't know, now you know.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1021210/Cyber_Knights_Flashpoint/


[h2]Settings Remembered[/h2]
Clicks are evil and the less of them we ask, the better for everyone. To this end, we've enabled the map generator to remember the settings from the last map generation -- quadrant count, density, map version. If you are looking to find a certain type of Max Density, 42 quadrant, version 2 map you now quickly generate new maps with the same settings on repeat.


[h2]Easy Sharing[/h2]
We've included the map seed in the preview which makes sharing your maps easy and fast. Snap a screenshot of the preview and its everything you need to know -- the seed, the gate connections, its size, where the starting quads are. Happy sharing!


[h2]Starting Danger[/h2]
For those players looking for a certain setup with starting danger, we've added that detail to the map list. You can now see the quadrant name and starting danger for each faction in the summary. Especially for those looking for a new default map or wanting to play as a specific faction, this is a big help and increases the pace of the search.

[h2]Kamguard Deathblade[/h2]
Thanks to @DrSpendlove for suggesting this missing blade -- there is now a level 9 strength-based blade you can find in relic weapon salvage cards.

[h2]v3.1.5 - 11/28/2020[/h2]
- Added "Kamguard Deathblade" a level 9 salvagable strength-based blade
- Map preview screen now includes map seed so a single screenshot is enough to share your map
- Map gen settings including quadrant count, density and map version are remembered between gens, much faster repeat generation
- Starting quadrant name and Danger rating are now included in map list details
- Clarified maximum Intel creation rates with Unauthorized Access and Genetic Sequencing boarding Talents
- Fixed seed copying bug that could result in broken 1 quadrant map

Last year we were more than qualified for Steam's Labor of Love nomation and we've dropped almost an additional 100 updates since then! All the updates are coming to the game free without additional cost, without gimmicks -- just amazing features, new contents, system improvements, and now the Map v2 generator.

We're not done with Star Traders: Frontiers yet and still have more to do. In fact, 2021 is going to bring some of the most exciting changes yet as we complete the long-posted public roadmap and look to what's next.

As they say, Shalun favors the brave so let's charge the fences and nominate Star Traders: Frontiers for this years Labor of Love.

Also, if you'd like to help "nominate" Cyber Knights: Flashpoint as next year's "Best New Turn-Based Tactics Cyberpunk Heist RPG" then click wishlist below!
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1021210/Cyber_Knights_Flashpoint/

Last Updated 11/25/2020 at 6 PM EST

We're celebrating the Autumn Sale and the coming close of the year with a series of big updates! With Update #240, we're rolling out the major milestone "CARTOGRAPHER" which debuts the highly anticipated map generator version 2.0.

Major Milestone CARTOGRAPHER adds map seeds v2 to the map generator as a new option. These new maps feature better balance, more variety and up to 60 max quadrants. Within the quadrants themselves, we've improved the variety of the maps to include both quadrants that are much larger and harder to traverse as well as those that are even denser. The changes are a roll-up of all the feedback we've gathered from 3 years and hundreds of thousands of maps generated with v1. It is hard to summarize them all, except to say that map v2 are going to create more exciting, more varied and (if you configure it) larger galaxies.

It is critical to say up front that you can keep playing all of your captains who are on v1 maps. You can also keep starting new games on v1 maps you love. If you create new maps in v2, they will come with all the improvements but ALL of our updates are always fully backwards compatible so there is no concern of invalidated saved games or any of those amateur-hour shenanigans.

If word hasn't trickled down from the tippity top of the New Boston spires, leaked below the streets and drip-drip-dripped into your safehouse, we're here to tell you about our upcoming turn-based cyberpunk heist RPG. Cyber Knights: Flashpoint will be coming to Steam in 2021 and mixes stealth, hacking and tactical combat with deep RPG elements and a unique heist system for missions. The wishlist button is calling your name, Knight. If you didn't know, now you know.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1021210/Cyber_Knights_Flashpoint/


It is also that special season of the year when Steam asks us all to nominate amazing games that we love. This year, we're going up for Labor of Love and hope you'll join in by nominating us!

[h2]Create New V2 Maps![/h2]
Just make sure the "Use Map v2 Generator" checkbox is enabled when create a new map to use all the new map proc gen rules and content. You can still create v1 maps by unchecking the box.




[h2]Map Preview[/h2]
Joining map seeds v2 in Update #240 is the all new map preview feature set. When you are browsing maps you can now see a quick summary of the details for that map, including the counts of how many quadrants each faction owns as well as the total zone count for each faction.

If you need to know more, you can pop open the map preview from within the map list and take a spin around the map without needing to start a new game. This map preview includes everything you need to know, showing all the gates, quadrants, systems and their zones as well as all the stats. You can filter and sort the data just as you would in the game. Finally, this display also highlights the starting quadrant for each faction so you can look and see exactly where you'd get going (and what Danger you'd find) if you started as Javat versus Thulun.

For map grinders, this is really exciting. If you're looking for a certain structure, something new and original, or a map that is tilted toward a certain faction you can now grind and examine maps far more quickly and enjoyably.


[h2]Default Map for V2[/h2]
We have decided not to roll out a default map for map seed v2 yet. If you start a new game and use the default map, you will start on the map v1 default map. We are putting out a call to all captains to suggest seeds for the default map. The default map for v1 was discovered in this way during the game's alpha, found and promoted by some enterprising captains.

Please share the coolest seeds you find on the Map V2 Seed Exchange thread and post your seeds that could be candidates for the v2 default map to the Default Map V2 thread.

[h2]v3.1.1 - 11/25/2020[/h2]
- Map Seed v2 creates all new, improved, larger maps
- Create endless new map variety, improved balance and proc gen rules, up to 60 quads
- Improved variety of quadrant maps including very large and dense maps
- Keep playing v1 seeds and captains as much as you like
- New map preview features allows you to examine a map before playing it
- Map preview includes starting quadrants, ability to look at all zone data
- New map details shown when selecting a map including faction quadrants and zones
- When drawing a "Strike a Blow" card from Spying, added Electronics save to be extra sneaky and avoid Rep loss
- Fixed reward and availability of Major Score orbital ops card

[h2]v3.1.3 - 11/25/2020[/h2]
- Fixed some issues with hyperwarp gate linking in v2 maps

[h2]v3.1.4 - Mac Only[/h2]
- Fixed crash in v2 map gen for Mac OS

Update #239 cuts down another major content milestone on our dev roadmap by delivering a heaping mile of new guns, armor and gear. With 22 new high level pieces of equipment added -- between Contacts, ship's weapon lockers and Salvage-ready relics -- there is a bevy of new stuff to go hunting. We know your officers will be bickering over who gets what!

With this major new blast of equipment, we're excited to announce we've far exceeded the content expansion for weapons, armor and gear and have officially struck it from the roadmap. We had it penciled in at 200% and this new set has brought us over the 300% line. It is high time to knock it from the list and move on to what is next! As with all the content expansion milestones, this is not a promise that we won't add more later :D


[h2]Cyber Knights: Flashpoint[/h2]
If you haven't heard the rumors of Cyber Knights: Flashpoint crackling across the matrix in 2231, maybe you should just read about it on PCGamer.com! They've just helped us share our upcoming turn-based cyberpunk RPG. Cyber Knights: Flashpoint which is on its way to Steam in 2021. Mixing elements of stealth, hacking and tactical combat, Flashpoint is a true turn-based tactics RPG. You'll want to Wishlist this puppy today because -- that's right, you can get cyberdog and cybercat companions. If you didn't know, now you know.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1021210/Cyber_Knights_Flashpoint/


[h2]Weapon Locker A6[/h2]
To the tune of over $350,000 and requiring a starport with Military Rating 10, the A6 is the most difficult of weapon lockers to secure for your ship. However, boasting grade 6 Phoenix-class weaponry and armor, it provides the easiest full-team access to the most powerful weaponry. The A6 focuses on providing a direct ramp up in power and utility from the A5. However, as these are mid to late game weaponry, a small percentage of the Accuracy bonus points have been shaved off (usually 1-2 pts) and dedicated their value to the Damage, Parry, Init and Piercing scores.

Enemy ships -- especially those of the military design -- will start to install A6 in mid to late game as of Update #238, so be sure to be ready for their harder hits.


[h2]Grade 5 Gear[/h2]
All Contacts who sell gear -- specialist, military or wing -- now offer grade 5. Some powerful and truly cool items are landing with this update including the new GAATSO Interlink and Mammothshot.

[h2]Destroying Ships to Support Conflicts[/h2]
The ramifications of destroying enemy ships during Solar War and Trade War Conflicts was not previously well expressed in the game. We've now added it to the tooltips for Conflicts and slightly expanded the rule for Trade Wars.

If you destroy a Military Officer, Bounty Hunter, Zealot, Spy or Pirate ship during a Solar War, you strike a blow in the Conflict for the other faction and gain Rep with that faction. If you destroy a Smugger, Merchant or Pirate (new addition!) during a Trade War, you strike a blow as well.

This is another great way you can take action in Conflicts on top of all the other options.

[h2]v3.0.125 - 11/16/2020[/h2]
- Added ship component Weapon Locker A6 provides Phoenix-class weapons and armor (6 new weapons, 3 new armors)
- Contacts now sell up to grade 5 for all gear types (Military, Specialist, Wing)
- Added 4 new grade 5 gears (Mammothshot, Cambre Cutter, GAATSO Interlink, Vrax Harness)
- Added 6 new ultra rare level 9 Relic Weapons (Towerblade, Kiret Karat, Titan Heavy, Arbitration Breacher, Otrike Mauler, Solar Viper Heavy)
- Added 3 new ultra rare level 8 Relic Armors (Frozburn Mesh, Strak Heavy, Gauzlight Stern)
- Rebalanced prices of Armor for sale by Contact and found salvaging
- Rebalanced prices of Weapons found salvaging
- Minor bebalance to some level 5 and 6 gear, Bladeguide Aegis, Plasfire Cutter
- Added rules for supporting Conflicts by destroying ships to Conflict tooltips
- Destroy Merchant, Smuggler or Pirate ships to support Trade War and gain Rep
- Destroy Military Officer, Bounty Hunter, Zealot, Spy or Pirate ships to support Trade War and gain Rep

Update #238 continues some of the follow-up work from the major milestone CATALYST released last month. With this update, we've added 2 new Contacts and upgraded more Contact Traits to better enable Intel / Scientific Intel. We've also improved the dual-Intel system to better allow Contacts to be fully interested in both types. Finally, we've added a filter to the Contact list dedicated to Scientific Intel.


[h2]Away Team Community Challenge[/h2]
We've kicked off a new Community Challenge for the month of November, challenging you to build your best Away Team of 3 and see how rich you can get exploring before someone falls.
https://store.steampowered.com/newshub/app/335620/view/2961640281625025897

[h2]New Contacts[/h2]
Two new Contacts have joined the ranks of gravs. The Military Researcher provides rank, recruits Soldiers, sells Military Gear and buys Scientific Intel. The Retired Theoretician recruits Scientists, has Black Market potential, sells Specialist Gear and buys Scientific Intel. These two new additions help improve the recruitment tables, expands access to Scientists and adds more options for selling Scientific Intel.

[h2]Intel-Buying Traits[/h2]
With Update #238, we've expanded the Contact Trait system around Traits that enable buying Intel. Contacts with Trait "Covert" and "Data Hound" are now always willing to buy Intel, even if they already bought Scientific Intel. Contacts with Trait "Researcher" and "Technologist" are now always willing to buy Scientific Intel even if they already bought Intel. These Traits now create cool situations in which a Contact will buy both, giving you even more avenues to Rep up with your Contacts.

[h2]Improved Filtering[/h2]
To help you find Contacts who will buy your Scientific Intel, we've added a new filter to the Contact list specifically for Scientific Intel. The Intel filter is now only for faction espionage Intel, making it faster to find exactly what you need.

[h2]Cyber Knights: Flashpoint[/h2]
If word hasn't trickled down from the tippity top of the dome, seeped through the cracked concrete down to your safehouse, we've got news for you about our upcoming turn-based cyberpunk RPG. Cyber Knights: Flashpoint will be coming to Steam in 2021 and mixes elements of stealth, hacking and tactical combat with deep RPG elements and base building. You'll want to Wishlist this puppy today because -- that's right, you can get cyberdog and cybercat companions. If you didn't know, now you know.
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1021210/Cyber_Knights_Flashpoint/

[h2]v3.0.123 - 11/6/2020[/h2]
- Added 2 new Contact types -- Military Researcher and Retired Theoretician offering variety of buying Scientific Intel, recruits, rank and permit
- Added Contact list filter for "Buys Scientific Intel" separate from "Buys Intel"
- Contacts with Trait "Covert" and "Data Hound" are now always willing to buy Intel
- Contacts with Trait "Researcher" and "Technologist" are now always willing to buy Scientific
- Fixed issues with Intel buying Traits when overlapping with Contact type services, Contacts with such Traits might by both types of Intel
- Improved clarity in a few places with Scientific Intel, fixed other typos