Astro Protocol News

[p]As release draws closer, this update focuses on map generation, map graphics, visual clarity, and user experience improvements, based on feedback from our playtesters.[/p][h2]Map Generation & Graphics Updates[/h2][p]This update improves exploration, readability, and atmosphere across the galaxy:[/p]

• [p]Added another map generator, introducing more varied and less predictable maps[/p]
• [p]Added a new network indicator, now enabled by default for better strategic awareness[/p]
• [p]Added particle effects for harvesting metal, gas, and energy (thanks Pymous for the idea!)[/p]
• [p]Unexplored tiles are now fully hidden by black fog of war, while explored but unobserved tiles use white fog of war[/p]
• [p]Replaced space telescope image backgrounds with new painted backgrounds by our artists[/p]
• [p]Improved anomaly placement and added more anomaly types[/p]
• [p]Added icons to allied units and planets for quicker identification[/p]

[p][/p][h2]User Experience Improvements[/h2][p]Many changes in this update aim to reduce friction and make information easier to read at a glance:[/p]

• [p]Switched to a more readable body text font[/p]
• [p]Added colonizable and terraformable icons directly to planet labels[/p]
• [p]Improved nested tooltips system[/p]
• [p]Added more game settings descriptions[/p]
• [p]Unified resource icon sizes[/p]
• [p]Recolored and reordered ship stat icons for better readability (thanks Pymous for the idea!)[/p]
• [p]Center planet name is now shown in tooltips[/p]
• [p]Improved the loading screen and removed the blur effect[/p]
• [p]Shift-click to build multiple stations or ships at once[/p]
• [p]Added a button to center the camera on your home planet[/p]
• [p]Added a notification when a ship is attacked outside sensor range[/p]
• [p]Added more input and hotkey icons throughout the UI[/p]
• [p]Added clearer, more instant feedback on victory and defeat[/p]
• [p]Improved ship descriptions, tooltips, and tutorial texts[/p]

[p][/p][h2]AI Improvements[/h2][p]AI behavior has been refined across multiple systems:[/p]

• [p]Improved AI evaluation of adjacency based production bonuses[/p]
• [p]Improved AI usage of conversion stations[/p]
• [p]Improved major faction AI behavior towards minor factions[/p]
• [p]Various additional improvements to AI economy and decision making[/p]

[h2]Balance Changes[/h2][p]Several balance updates refine progression and faction behavior:[/p]

• [p]Rebalanced minor factions and their alliances[/p]
• [p]Generator, mining, and agriculture planets now provide only 1 resource per adjacent station, but have a base income of 2[/p]
• [p]Allowed the Myrmidon Horde to gain techs from anomalies instantly[/p]
• [p]Limited anomaly reward displays to a maximum of 3 rewards[/p]

[h2]Fixes[/h2]

• [p]Fixed resource icon colors not updating correctly[/p]
• [p]Fixed stealth ships capturing stations while moving through enemies[/p]
• [p]Fixed duplicate ships appearing in the buy menu[/p]
• [p]Fixed scoreboard scrolling issues[/p]

[h2]More Playtests[/h2][p]If you'd like to help make the game better or get access to the full version of the game you can apply to the playtest in https://nullvectorstudios.com/playtest[/p][p]Thanks to all the playtesters for the valuable feedback![/p][p]See you among the stars![/p]

[h2]Gameplay & Balance Updates[/h2][p]Several changes add new strategic and tactical layers:[/p]

• [p]Ships starting their turn on gas giants gain +1 action point[/p]
• [p]Ships ending their turn on friendly planets no longer require upkeep[/p]
• [p]Allied minor factions now behave more aggressively[/p]
• [p]Armor can no longer negate all incoming damage, ensuring every attack matters[/p]
• [p]Processor stations are now much cheaper making prediction cycle victory condition easier to reach[/p]
• [p]Rebalanced many victory condition requirements[/p]
• [p]Game no longer ends if two players are tied victory points[/p]

[h2]Improved Fog of War[/h2][p]Unexplored areas of the map are now fully hidden by the fog of war. This makes navigation more uncertain, increases tension during exploration, and makes early scouting decisions far more meaningful. We have also added new graphics for the edges of the map.[/p][p][/p][h2]Smarter AI & Performance Improvements[/h2][p]AI has been improved across the board:[/p]

• [p]Better threat evaluation and decision-making[/p]
• [p]Improved use of processor stations and techs[/p]
• [p]More consistent health and damage prediction[/p]
• [p]Faster turn resolution and improved large-map performance[/p]

[h2]New Tutorial[/h2][p]We’ve completely reworked the tutorial to make learning Astro Protocol smoother and more engaging:[/p]

• [p]Smaller, more focused which expands slowly as you go[/p]
• [p]Clearer step-by-step guidance[/p]
• [p]Improved explanations of technology, terraforming, and combat[/p]
• [p]Better use of input icons and tooltips[/p]

[h2]More Hotkeys[/h2]

• [p]Added hotkeys for unit actions[/p]
• [p]Added hotkeys for build and buy menus[/p]
• [p]Hotkey icons added to the tooltips[/p]
• [p]Added option to clear key bindings in the options[/p]

[h2]Upcoming Playtest[/h2][p]Over the past months, our focus has been on building out the full scope of Astro Protocol adding factions, ships, techs, and other content that won’t be available in the demo. With this build, we’re now very close to the complete game experience, and we’ll be kicking off playtests in just a few days.[/p][p]If you’d like to experience full-version content ahead of release and help shape the final stages of development, you can sign up for the upcoming playtests: https://nullvectorstudios.com/playtest
[/p][p]See you among the stars![/p]

[p]After Astro Protocol demo appeared in Steam Next Fest in October, we’ve been focused on expanding the game with significantly more content, especially end-game systems. Ahead of our planned Q1 2026 release, we will be running a playtest to make sure the game holds up at larger scales.[/p][p]Compared to the demo the playtest adds:[/p]

• [p]All 6 playable factions (3 in demo)[/p]
• [p]8 minor factions (3 in demo)[/p]
• [p]Large and Largest map sizes (Small and Medium only in demo)[/p]
• [p]6 additional ship types[/p]
• [p]More techs to research[/p]
• [p]More anomalies to explore[/p]

[p]The goal of the playtest is to validate longer, more epic games, test balance across factions and strategies and gather feedback on the content not available in the demo.[/p][p]If you want to help us improve the game and get access to the content not available in the demo you can sign up here:[/p][p]https://nullvectorstudios.com/playtest[/p][p]Slots are limited. Selected players will receive more details closer to the playtest start.[/p]

[p]Our friend The Shaggy Dev has released Unto Deepest Depths, a turn-based strategy game where all units must move and attack every turn.[/p][p]Build your party, upgrade your units, and lead them into the unknown to vanquish the horrors below in this punishing roguelite where any move could be your last.[/p]
[dynamiclink]Unto Deepest Depths[/dynamiclink]

[p]We’ve been hard at work on the full version of Astro Protocol, adding new factions, units, anomalies and technologies. These additions are not available in the demo but update 0.18 brings a big wave of improvements for the demo as well.[/p][h2]Extermination Now Takes One Turn[/h2][p]Exterminating a planet used to be an instant action and didn't have any cost or drawback while colonizing cost you a ship and energy. This incentivised attacking planets and made any hole in defence very costly.[/p][p]This update changes extermination so that the ship must bombard the planet until the start of your next turn and cannot counter-attack during this period. If the ship is destroyed, the extermination attempt fails.[/p][p]This change makes extermination more tactical and increases counter-play opportunities for opponents.[/p][h2]New Game Settings[/h2][p]This update adds new settings to control over how each match plays:[/p]

• [p]Added setting to start a game without minor factions.[/p]
• [p]Added game length setting.[/p]
• [p]Added possibility to randomize game settings and faction.[/p]

[h2]Map Generation Improvements[/h2]

• [p]More variance in player starting positions.[/p]
• [p]Medium-level anomalies can appear anywhere instead of only in the center of the map.[/p]
• [p]Less stars, gas giants, and asteroids for more scarcity and room for strategic plays.[/p]
• [p]Added randomized minor faction spawn distance from the center.[/p]

[h2]Improved AI & More Defensive Minor Factions[/h2]

• [p]AI now makes better decisions in tech research, ship construction, and anomaly rewards.[/p]
• [p]Minor factions now behave more defensively, making them harder to wipe out early.[/p]
• [p]AI uses more efficient movement and production logic.[/p]
• [p]Early-game AI shipbuilding has been improved for stronger openings.[/p]

[h2]Performance & UX Improvements[/h2][p]A large part of this update focuses on speed and quality-of-life improvements:[/p][h3]Performance[/h3]

• [p]Faster turn-ending calculations.[/p]
• [p]Better research placement performance.[/p]
• [p]Optimized map rendering performance especially for large maps.[/p]

[h3]UI / UX[/h3]

• [p]New tooltip style[/p]
• [p]Smaller selected-ship panel and ship tooltips[/p]
• [p]Input icons added[/p]
• [p]Game settings now save automatically[/p]
• [p]Improved end game menu[/p]
• [p]Close menus when placing ships, stations and techs[/p]
• [p]Improved anomaly tooltips[/p]

[h2]Fixes[/h2]

• [p]Fixed minor faction relation visualization[/p]
• [p]Fixed tutorial texts[/p]
• [p]Fixed navigation crash[/p]

[h2]⚠️ Important Note: Your Settings Have Been Reset[/h2][p]Due to internal technical changes, your video, audio, and gameplay settings have been reset.
Please reconfigure them after updating the game.[/p][h2]December Playtest - Sign Up Now[/h2][p]We’re preparing a new playtest in December. If you would like to experience the content available in the full version before the game is released, sign up here: https://nullvectorstudios.com/playtest[/p][p][/p][p]Thank you all for playing, supporting development, and giving feedback.
See you in the weekly challenge — and among the stars![/p]