Astro Protocol News

[p]Version 0.10 introduces the Research Lab, a new station type that changes how technologies and artifacts are handled in Astro Protocol.[/p][p]Each Research Lab can hold up to 3 technologies and/or artifacts. From now on, every tech you research and every artifact you acquire must be placed into one of your Research Labs.[/p][h2]Gameplay Effects[/h2][p]If a Research Lab is captured by another player, its stored techs and artifacts are captured with it. This means your technology and artifacts are no longer completely safe once acquired, they are now strategic assets on the map. Players can now gain access to techs they had to pass on the tech tree or did not even have the possibility to research due to the randomized nature of the tech tree. Or acquire artifacts by taking control of enemy research labs instead of getting them from anomalies.[/p][p]This also makes it possible to fulfil artifact or tech victory conditions by capturing research labs [/p][p]Whether you’re defending critical stations or launching a raid to steal what others have discovered, Research Labs bring new tactical options and risks to every match.[/p][h2]Other Updates[/h2]

• [p]Added two new music tracks[/p]
• [p]Minor user interface improvements[/p]

[h2]Try the Update and Join Development[/h2][p]We’d love your feedback on the Research Lab system, especially how it impacts your strategy, tech planning, and the pursuit of victory conditions. Thanks for playing and supporting Astro Protocol.[/p][p]See you among the stars![/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]

[h2]New Victory Conditions System[/h2][p]Version 0.9 introduces a brand-new way to win the game. Instead of passively accumulating points over time, you now earn victory points by fulfilling victory conditions:[/p]

• [p]The victory conditions require you to posses a certain number of planets, stations, units, techs, ascendancy cores or artifacts[/p]
• [p]Each game randomizes the set of 5 conditions worth 1-3 victory points[/p]
• [p]Victory points are not permanent, if you no longer meet the requirement, you lose the point(s)[/p]
• [p]The first player to reach 6 victory points wins the game![/p]

[p]This system creates more tension, dynamic strategic objectives, and makes territory control feel meaningful and contested throughout the match.[/p][p][/p][h2]More Strategic Station Building[/h2][p]Stations now begin in an inactive state when built or captured. While inactive:[/p]

• [p]They don’t produce resources[/p]
• [p]They don’t provide line of sight or other effects[/p]

[p]If the station is connected to your network, it will automatically activate at the start of your next turn. This makes network connectivity and defending more critical and prevents using captured starports immediately.[/p][p][/p][h2]AI Improvements[/h2][p]We've made big steps forward in improving the AI:[/p]

• [p]The AI now understands and scores victory conditions, victory points, and anomaly rewards[/p]
• [p]Better station capture behavior, extermination planning, and movement scoring[/p]
• [p]Improved Starport placement logic[/p]

[p][/p][h2]New Visuals and Audio[/h2]

• [p]Replaced tropical planets with a more fitting lava planet type[/p]
• [p]Improved barren planet textures[/p]
• [p]Added more sound effects[/p]

[p][/p][h2]Other Fixes and Tweaks[/h2]

• [p]Tech costs have been increased across the board[/p]
• [p]Fixed randomization of anomaly reward options[/p]
• [p]Fixed AI issues with station placement[/p]
• [p]Added support for saving tutorial progress and ship rotation state[/p]

[p][/p][h2]Try the Update and Join Development[/h2][p]Want the latest features early? Join the beta branch on Steam to access experimental updates. Join our Discord to access the beta branch changelog on each update.[/p][p]We’d love your feedback, especially on the new victory system and AI behavior. Thanks for helping shape Astro Protocol.[/p][p]See you among the stars![/p]

[h2]Version 0.8 Highlights[/h2][p]The latest 0.8 update for the Astro Protocol Demo brings several improvements:[/p]

• [p]Saving and Loading - You can now pause your conquest of the stars and continue your game later.[/p]
• [p]More sound effects and music - Start turn, colonization and unit selection sound effects and one new music track[/p]
• [p]AI Improvements - We’ve made significant AI upgrades and bug fixes to improve how the AI opponents play.[/p]
• [p]Quality of life improvement - Clearer map colors, more tooltips, etc.[/p]
• [p]Countless bug fixes[/p]

[h2]What’s Next: Victory System Overhaul[/h2][p]We’re now focusing on redesigning the victory conditions to make endgame goals more dynamic and competitive:[/p]

• [p]The current "accumulate points every turn" system will be replaced with objective-based victory points.[/p]
• [p]You’ll gain points by meeting key conditions like: "Control 6 planets" or "Control 14 stations".[/p]
• [p]These victory points are not permanent, they’re granted only while you meet the conditions and can be lost if your control slips.[/p]
• [p]The first player to reach the required victory point total wins the game.[/p]
• [p]These victory conditions and the amount of victory points they give will be randomized for each game.[/p]

[p]We believe this will create more tension, strategic battles over critical systems, and fewer passive "wait and win" scenarios.[/p][h2]Play Now and Join Development[/h2][p]Want to play the newest updates before they hit the main demo? Join the beta branch on Steam to access the beta builds. Every beta release posts its changelog automatically to our Discord, so you can track new updates in real-time.[/p][p]As always, your feedback is invaluable! Let us know your thoughts on the new save system, AI behavior, and the upcoming victory condition changes.[/p][p][/p][p]Thanks for your support, see you among the stars![/p]

[p]We’re excited to announce that Astro Protocol finally has a home on Steam![/p][p]After months of development, testing, and feedback from early players, our turn-based space strategy game with 4X elements is now available to wishlist — and you can play the demo directly on Steam.[/p][p]In Astro Protocol you can:[/p]

• [p]Explore procedurally generated hex-based map[/p]
• [p]Discover anomalies and unlock powerful rewards[/p]
• [p]Colonize and terraform planets to expand your empire[/p]
• [p]Build space stations and ships to control the stars[/p]
• [p]Research new technologies to gain the upper hand[/p]
• [p]Crush enemy fleets[/p]
• [p]Race for victory points against rival factions[/p]

[p]This is a big milestone for us, and we’re incredibly excited to grow the community here on Steam. Whether you're new or have been part of the community, thank you for being part of the journey.[/p][p]Play the demo and wishlist the game now[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p]