Empyrion - Galactic Survival News

Hi Galactic Survivalists!

After four major Experimental releases during the last four weeks, we are very excited to reveal the planned date for the upcoming public release of Alpha 10:

June 17, 2019

Thank you so much for all the valuable feedback and bug reports during this intense Experimental phase.

For the remaining days until June 17, we will continue to work on polishing features and squashing more bugs.

Empyrion Dev Team

UPDATE: June 16, 2019 (Build 2504)

Changes:
- Implemented: In 'Salvage' mode MultiTool and SurvivalTool now return a random set of top-level items (instead of deconstructing fractions of a top-level item to lower level items)
- Added ability that an open door/hangar door will be used by AI and considered as "open space" to path through it
- Slightly increased base attack difficulty for low levels
- Reduced reload time of player sentry turrets
- Increased resolution of screens on O2 Station
- Bring back old Asteroid Ring blueprint (use "AsteroidFieldRingOld" in playfield.yaml)
- Better highlight of active toolbar slot
- Don't show reputation warning message when trying to open container or pickup plants from Alien or Admin factions
- Allowing to create a blueprint from any structure in survival if godmode invisible is enabled

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed Exploit: Logistic dupe outside of WiFi range
- Fixed: Zirax soldiers did not change targets correctly when attacking sentries in a base attack
- Fixed: New asteroid ring did not take into account rotation from playfield.yaml
- Fixed: possible exception when opening Sector Map.

==========

Update: June 14, 2019 (Build 2502)

Base Attack (Survival) Update:
- Increased impact of reputation on base attack probabilities
- Zirax soldiers will now consider which turret did a damage to the group, and they will protect against such turret as a group
- Added "Attack Difficulty" entry to Control Panel statistics for Base Attack probabilities

Base Attack (Scenario) Update:
- Added 3-6 HS blocks every second drop
- Increase re-capture timer by 30 seconds
- Drop resupply from a little lower to prevent collision misses with landing pad + drop position on landing pad

Ship Controller Update:
- Added more deco containers to weight calculation
- Slightly reduced the turn rate to match A9 behavior
- Pilot mode is now persistent for the player
- Added hotkey "Shift - i" to toggle pilot mode
- Added weight of fuel into the total mass of the ship
- Reduce the x-axis mouse sensitivity for HV

Changes:
- Set version number to "Alpha 10.0.0" for public release
- Jetpack state is now persistent
- Added armored version of cockpit 08
- Re-added legacy version of cockpit 08
- Added some documentation comments to IPda. Add documentation config file for PdaScript. Clean a couple warnings
- Allow to define new templates of existing items that don't have a template yet in Config.ecf
- Added shield state to console command 'shield'
- RCS Device (CV) can now be constructed in Large Constructor
- Mods: Implemented check if a Mod throws an exception during Game_Start / Init call and disabling mod in that case
- Debug O2: combining the debug O2 diamonds within air blocks + added culling of O2 diamonds for better performance
- Added culling for debug airtight blocks for better performance
- PdaScript: in-line documentation (part 1)

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: O2 not working any more in HV/SV
- Fixed: [MP] Shield is regenerating after being hit
- Fixed: CT Tool: 2nd page of textures clear-slot does not work as expected
- Fixed: CT Tool: pages shown for texture symbols swap back and forth between 1/2 and 1/4
- Fixed: Problem that sometimes the base attack probabilities could be >100%
- Fixed: 'Sliced Corner A1 medium' & 'Wall double' when next to other blocks can make other blocks invisible
- Fixed: When textures & colors are put on Ramp low C 8th they can look darker than other blocks next to them
- Fixed: Exception during O2 calculation on large structures. Optimized O2 calculation.
- Fixed: Block Shapes: Textures Ramp A / C don't line up
- Fixed: Block Shapes: Cube round transition graphical glitch
- Fixed: Block Shapes: Beam and CubeEighth UV issue
- Fixed: Block Shapes: Wall edge + wall sloped corner texture glitch
- Fixed: ForceField Placed Horizontally not AirTight
- Fixed: Thin Ventilator was not airtight
- Fixed: Exception in BAISensorVision.ScanForEntities
- Fixed: Trapdoor disappeared too early (too early culling)
- Fixed: Base Attack Scenario - timer reset function in TimerAction
- Fixed: Exception when applying replace mode to plastic blocks.
- Fixed: CP ToolTips Wrong

=========


Hi Galactic Survivalists!

As promised last week, we are releasing the Alpha 10 Release Candidate today!

This final step of the Experimental phase is, among other changes, taking into account your feedback on a few of the latest feature additions: the combined Color-Texture tool now allows texturing and coloring independent from each other again (please read below), the Zirax soldiers got another buff of their AI routines and those creators that want to deactivate base attacks on a given playfield can now do so.

Besides a lot of other refinements, changes and improvements, we made the O2 calculation more accurate (technically, we reduced the basis for the O2 calculation from 2m to 1m Voxels). For example, in the old 2m Voxel calculation, a thin wall block entirely blocked the O2 flow even though there was visually “empty space” in front of the wall. The new calculation will let the air flow past these kind of shapes from now on! In addition, we added a thin variant of the ventilator for more compact builds.

Please find all the updates, changes and bug fixes in the changelog below.

Please make use of the feedback threads in the Experimental forum and report any bug in the appropriate forum section over here: https://empyriononline.com/forums/#experimental-branch.33

For everyone waiting for an announcement of the public release date: rest assured, the Alpha 10 release is not that far away anymore. We will officially announce the release date for Alpha 10 tomorrow but we can already say that Alpha 10 will be released early next week.

Yours,

Emp Dev Team

======

CHANGELOG: Alpha EXPERIMENTAL 10.4.0 (Build 2498)

Improvements to combined Texture/Color Tool:
- When clicking on a texture or color with LMB, close window immediately (it is like the old behavior)
- When clicking on a texture or color with RMB, just select/highlight texture/color (do not close window)
- Separate color and texture preview in right-bottom corner (i.e. 2 preview slots, only color and only texture)
- Allow only texture and color mode:
(i) "Only texture" mode (keep current color) - when selecting left upper slot and choosing a texture
(ii) "Only color" mode (keep current texture) - when selecting left upper slot and choosing a color
- Restore default texture and color - when selecting left upper slot for both texture and color
- Add icon to left upper slots and also display in right-bottom corner (if either selected for color or texture)
- Replace function affects textures and colors based on selected items

Base Attack Update:
- Zirax soldiers are now attacking all turrets > priority is on sentries and turrets closer to the Zirax and those with higher damage

- Added 'BaseAttackCount' to playfield_static.yaml with a default value of 1 (see Example planet playfield for usage) > Determines whether there are base attacks on this playfield. 0 = no base attacks, 1 = base attacks enabled (later the INT will determine the number of simultaneous base attacks on a playfield)
- Base attack is now triggered only on planets
- Adjusted "Last Attack Time" display to consistent string format.
- Added network sync when a BA attack was started in MP to also notify the clients
- Base Attack Scenario: spawn drop box over predefined drop location

O2 Update:
- More accurate O2 calculation in BA / CV (O2 is now calculated on 1 meter Voxels in BA and CV instead of 2 meter Voxels)
In this situation, the O2 flow would have been blocked. Now, O2 can circulate freely

- Added thin ventilator block


Other Changes:
- Updated model for legacy cockpit 07 > we will add an armored version for the public release of A10


- Added some more window shapes
- Display far away terrain changes now also in MP
- Faster flattening mode on handheld drill
- Increased damage of multitools to be equivalent to A9.7
- Removed Filler-Flatten Ammo from Creative Menu (not needed anymore)
- Increased Config.ecf number to 7 (please adapt your Config.ecf accordingly)
- Cockpit 1 (open) for SV/HV is now again 3 blocks high due to bad camera position on 2 blocks high cockpit. Cockpit 2 (open) is still 2 blocks high
- Ship controller: When auto-rotating a vessel to horizontal position with "O" key in pilot mode, the crosshair is reset to the center
- Ship controller: Slightly bigger crosshairs in pilot mode
- AI behavior refactoring and optimizations for faster loading and less stuttering

Updated EAH Tool: https://empyriononline.com/threads/tool-emp-admin-helper-eah-free-v1-47-x.5771/page-57#post-312760

Enhanced ModApi:
- Implemented device locking so that, for example, not a player and a mod access the same container at the same time
- Added a lot of player data to IPlayer
- Added new containers to GetDeviceTypeNames(): "AmmoCntr", "Fridge" and "HarvestCntr"
- Added Fuel and Oxygen tank access to IStructure
- Added console command 'mod' to execute an optional 'ExecCommand' method in a loaded mod
- Enhanced ModApi's IStructure: added GetDockedStructures, Pilot, GetPassengers and more
- Legacy ModInterface: tagging log outputs to immediately see if a log line was issued by a mod and by which one

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Shield at 0% but not letting all damage through
- Fixed: Playfield parameters MapDistance, HudDistance don't work further than 500m
- Fixed: Mechanical Drill in the LootTables
- Fixed: Avatar legs can be seen clipping through cockpits when re-entering a cockpit in 3PV with the jetpack enabled
- Fixed: Zirax soldiers firing at sentries through wall
- Fixed: HeavyWindowPConnect could not be mirrored correctly
- Fixed: A structure's faction is not maintained after either changing window in the CP or closing & reopening it
- Fixed: Exception on dedi when spawning a BP with radar turret block
- Fixed: Some railing blocks had broken texture
- Fixed: CT Tool: Color mode of texture & color tool won't remain continuous until you have placed a texture
- Fixed: CT Tool: Color shown in the lower right preview is not correct
- Fixed: CT Tool: Replace mode of the texture & color tool only works for colors.
- Fixed: Regression that you could not overlap blocks any more with terrain reliable
- Fixed: Screen/display texture of constructor and other devices was always enabled (even without electricity)
- Fixed: Ship controller: Drill navigation mode can now be activated also by pressing Right Shift+O
- Fixed: Ship controller - Pilot mode crosshairs jiggle when using arrow keys
- Fixed: Ship controller - X and Y mouse sensitivity difference when rotating a ship
- Fixed: BoardingRamp2x4x6 did not display hitpoints
- Fixed: Not always able to destroy Radar Turret (collider problem)

Hi Galactic Survivalists,

Welcome to Part IV of Alpha 10 Experimental!

While we are constantly making progress towards the first release candidate in our weekly EXP updates, today’s patch will again add a few more toys and feature updates. Enjoy the new Texture-Color Tool that combines coloring & texturing in one tool and an entirely new movement controller mode for vessels. Please note: both are test candidates. So please have a closer look. As always, it will depend on your feedback, if those features make it into the Release Candidate and the public version!

For our creative minds and all builders: we increased the available shapes for the heavy windows by adding a few more of the requested connectors and variants. For those that might wonder if the “standard” and “armored” window groups will be worked on in this way as well, the short answer is: yes!

The Base Attack mode also got a few upgrades to the Zirax Troop behavior: they no longer ignore sentries but they will attack active sentries now (normal turrets will be added in the next update).

But most importantly: Thanks to your dedicated feedback, we now have a basic understanding of what currently works and what needs to be improved in the future. The AI behavior will be improved as we develop, BUT as testing AI in a dynamic environment that does not have any “fixed setup” and thus has a myriad of side effects that could lead to a problem or pathing issues with AI behavior, we cannot just make a use case on our own and even the detailed descriptions will not always help to track down why AI behaves as it did. So we would like to ask everyone who has or had an issue with the BA Attack in a specific base or setup, to either send in a Blueprint of the contested base OR (better) send in the savegame to the feedback thread. This way we can directly check the setup and will not lose the important context and all the contributing factors. Thanks a lot in advance! :)

Last, but not least, with this update we have also dedicated some time into balancing a few aspects of the game, like mass and hitpoints of certain “door type” groups as well as shields. Please have a CLOSE LOOK on their new values and report your feedback in the appropriate threads in the feedback forum, so we can see if we are on the right track with those changes.

You can find all the feedback threads pinned in this forum: https://empyriononline.com/forums/experimental-features-discussion.35/
If you cannot find a certain topic already created, feel free to start a new thread right away!

As always, please also report remaining and new bugs right here : https://empyriononline.com/forums/bugs.34
Please also check your reported bugs and update your report if bugs that are not fixed despite labeled as fixed or listed as fixed in the bug fix section of this post.

Have fun playing Alpha 10 Experimental - Part IV! :)

Yours,

Emp Dev Team

======

CHANGELOG: Alpha 10.3.0 (Build 2491)

Combined Texture and Color Tool:
- Added new tool that combines texturing and coloring

Instead of applying first the new texture, then changing to the color tool and choosing the new color, you can now just choose a texture and color at the same time and the apply both with one click:

- Removed the old texture tool and color tool from the Creative Menu and techtree

New Movement Controller Mode for Vessels:
- Added a new "mouse pointer" directional behavior for controlling your vessels

How it works:
- If your mouse pointer (i.e., the circle) is in the center crosshair, your vessel just goes straight forward

- If your mouse pointer moves out of the center crosshair, the vessel will keep turning "at the direction" your mouse is pointing, and keeps turning in that direction until the mouse is "again", in the center

- The further your mouse pointer is away from the center crosshair, the faster your vessel turns

- You can switch this mode on/off via the Control Panel for each vessel

Additions:
- Added connectors for heavy windows
- Added new pillar block shape
- Added new Repository block (under Deco group). Fixed position of Repository 2 block

Updated Base Attack:
- Zirax now also attack Sentry Guns (we will integrate normal turrets as targets in the next update)
- Rebalanced base attack Zirax soldiers (increased damage against devices, higher health of Zirax)
- Improved help in console base attack cmd "ba" to make it more user friendly and intuitive
- Added more sentry guns to base in "Base Attack" Scenario
- Checking now if there is already a running attack and then do not launch another attack (avoids multiple simultaneous base attacks on a server)

Gameplay:
- Added info to status effect (displayed after certain time) into which other status effect it will evolve if not treated otherwise
- Allow godmode in creative mode with G (no console cmd needed)
- Drills: now displaying angle of inclination with respect to horizontal position > so you can drill tunnels very accurate now
- Drill navigation mode: increase speed and turn rate by 50% and limit the height gain when reaching the max limit allowed
- Slightly increased gun elevation for Turret Cannon and Flak
- Sentry guns can now better aim downwards (better gun depression)

Shield Balancing:
- Adjusted multipliers for several weapons
- Tweaked RechargeRate (ShieldGeneratorBAT2 = 150, ShieldGeneratorCVT2 = 120, ShieldGeneratorSV = 300, ShieldGeneratorHV = 300)
- Tweaked Shield Hitpoints (ShieldGeneratorSV = 4000, ShieldGeneratorHV = 6000)

General Balancing:
- Adjusted mass, energyIn and hitpoints of CV Cockpits + new/missing SV Cockpits
- Full rebalancing of mass and hitpoints of Doors, Boarding Ramps, Shutter Doors and Hangar Doors (Weight and HP now grow with size; Increased HP significantly for lager variants)
- Globally adjusted mass and hitpoints for Shutters and Ramp groups
- Adjusted volume for Shutter and Armored Door groups
- Balancing damage on survival tool (lower dmg), multitool and tool turrets (higher dmg) for Deconstruct and Disassemble modes
- Rebalanced Zirax Minigun: stronger against turrets and other devices

Updated EAH Tool:
- See changelog https://empyriononline.com/threads/tool-emp-admin-helper-eah-free-v1-47-x.5771/page-57#post-311304

ModApi:
- Added some more functionality (check updated documentation)
- IStructure: GetCustomDeviceNames and GetDevicePositions
- IBlock (for device blocks): CustomName and LockCode
- Updated ModApi documentation

Other Changes:
- Updated Unity to 2018.4.1
- Added additional custom switch and signal toggle to Control Panel's main page

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Starting a 'Default Base Attack' scenario game shows up a exception and attack script isn't running
- Fixed: [MP] Shooting NPC after they are dead gives unlimited xp and reputation
- Fixed: Beveled edges on Heavy windows > now they are completely symmetrical
- Fixed: Mirror issues with Heavy Windows
- Fixed: Some issues with heavy windows such as: HeavyWindowT has no low-tint variant, LMB on HeavyWindowL tints and rotates the block at the same time, HeavyWindowL is also showing an overlapping zone when put against each other
- Fixed: Problem that only the contents of Cargo boxes and Regular "container Controllers" added to ship weight when Mass/Volume is enabled (all other blocks with storage were ignored)
- Fixed: Regression that CP did not show accurate shield percentage sometimes
- Fixed: When the shield is knocked to to 0% it is not entirely disabled (not fully fixed)
- Fixed: Unpick-able alien plasma plant underwater
- Fixed: Reappearing deco that becomes indestructible
- Fixed: Shadow of terrain deco can disappear when player moves head away
- Fixed: Bases are not lowering as far as they should when trying to place a base in the terrain
- Fixed: Base attack command "ba" exception when no faction tag is present
- Fixed: When some cockpits were damaged they displayed a pink texture
- Fixed: Suit lights of other players is seen from large distances
- Fixed: Orbit map markers disappearing
- Fixed: Half-size block shapes missing sides when placed next to other blocks
- Fixed: Problem that Armored Cockpits could be upgraded to themselves
- Fixed: Some hangar doors cannot be closed once opened
- Fixed: Mirror issues: Ramp Connector block shapes
- Fixed: Mirror issue: Ramp block shapes
- Fixed: Windows did not have shadow
- Fixed: Exception when running Default Base Attack. Modify Default Base Attack PDA.cs to conform with new namespace for ModApi
- Fixed: Laboratory / medical equipment did not show LCD displays anymore (emissive missing)
- Fixed: Unneeded '+' icon in active item info and chat log lines
- Fixed: Drilling surface rocks can result in the terrain deforming & sometimes holes appearing
- Fixed: Cargo Palette containers were airtight
- Fixed: RampCHalf was placing the wrong shape (it placed RampD) - same for destroyed version
- Fixed: Retractable rocket launcher turret for all structures types has parts still visible when retracted > fixed now also when spawning a BP
- Fixed: Force field (7x14) collapse (SI) -> we deactivated the 7x14 forcefield and added instead a 7x12 forcefield
- Fixed: Several internal exceptions

The updated Alien Planet

Update: May 29, 2019 (Build 2483)
- Fixed: Chat message exception

=====

Hi Galactic Survivalists!

Welcome to the third installment of Alpha 10 Experimental, where we added even more new stuff for your enjoyment! This time we introduced a highly requested balancing parameter for shields (recharge delay when the shield is hit) and a hotkey to activate / deactivate the shield. In addition, we added a first batch of new window shapes (Heavy Windows for testing), as well as more variants for doors and shutters.

Moreover, the new blockshapes menu can now be configured with less hassle: We renamed all the internal ‘key names’ that are used in the config file. Now, you simply need to skip the blank of the localized name. If you want to add ‘Ramp C Low’ to a slot, simply use ‘RampCLow’ - and so on. You do not need to dig through the Loca file or other configs anymore!

Please check the Experimental forum for our feedback threads where we are now asking about your ‘Basic Shapes’ (or ‘Favorite Shapes’) recommendations:
https://empyriononline.com/forums/experimental-features-discussion.35/

One word about the current development plan since some of you asked how long the Experimental phase will still last. At the moment, we do not yet have a fixed release date for the A10 public release other than early-to-mid June. We plan to stick with the major EXP update at least once per week until we think the Experimental version is ready for release - or the feedback given indicates that some features might require a bigger player base, while all the breaking bugs are solved.

Thanks in advance for your dedicated help! Please keep reporting bugs in our bug forum and please revisit issues that you had and bump threads if they are not solved, although listed as solved in the changelist below: https://empyriononline.com/forums/bugs.34/

Enjoy EXP Phase III!

Yours,

Emp Dev Team

======


CHANGELOG: Alpha EXPERIMENTAL 10.2 (Build 2481)

Shield Update:
- Add 5 sec “recharge delay” (cooldown) for shields, each time the shield is hit. This will reset the regeneration countdown and prevent recharging as long as the shield is ‘under fire’.

- Added hotkey “X” for activating / deactivating shield generator (default key can be remapped)
- Adapted color of shield particle effect: instead of green, it is now purple/blueish (to reflect color of Pentaxid)
- "Shield" console command now shows also shield charge in percentage

Additions:
- Added more heavy window shapes

- Added more variants for Hangar Doors, Shutter Doors and Shutter Ramps (new blocks still need balancing)

Block Shapes:
- Renamed many block shapes for consistency (no impact on save games)
- Added "Basic Shapes" tab in shape window

- "All Shapes" tab now display shapes without line break > they now fit on 2 pages

Gameplay:
- Auto level player when near water line to avoid being in an in-between state above/below water

- Added large drill module to techtree and templates
- Display "last base attack time" in the Statistics Panel

Visuals:
- Increased resolution of displays for Constructors
- Lerping shield + power values in control panel for better visuals
- Reduced intensity of fog on volumetric lights
- Block preview: wire frame tiles now on each block
- Slightly updated Boarding Ramps
- Playfield tweaks on Alien, Barren, Ocean (clouds, weather, terrain textures)

Config.ecf Update:
- Renamed some hangar doors for consistency (now their internal names indicate their size)
> Config.ecf has to be adapted (increased number to 6)

Changes:
- Reduced attack damage of Alien Bug 02 (also slightly for 03 and 04)
- Driller: outputting bedrock and indestructible message also when drilling with HV
- Changed new chat's internal command prefix from '/' to ':'
- Drilling: added message when trying to drill bedrock or any terrain layer that is too hard for the driller
- Temporarily disabled Ocean Planet in random scenarios (until playfield is better optimized)
- Updated several POIs with better offset, terrain removal or flatten settings

Modding Changes:
- Changed: New ModApi is no longer a static class but an instance of the new interface IModApi, new mods need a class that implements IMod (analogous to the former ModInterface)
- Playfield server now also operates mods (independent of EAC usage)
- Moved chat message functionality from IGui to IApplication since IGui is only available in client mods
- Delivering the mini DemoMod no longer as zip (you should delete Content/Mods/DemoMod.zip) but as a folder with files
(however, the mod dll is configured as inactive - see DemoMod_Info.yaml for details)
- Improved documentation
- Old ModGameApi no longer sends the temporary 'Event_ChatMessageEx' event, please use the new ModApi event
(for some time there's still the classic 'Event_ChatMessage' which tries to map the new chat data fields to the old structure)
- It's now allowed to place more than one dll in a mod folder if the corresponding xx_Info.yaml files exist
- Added dedi demo mod (in addition to client demo mod)
- Added IPlayfield.IsPvP, IStructure.IsPowered and IPlayer.SteamId

Updated Console Commands:
- Console 'ba' command now provides feedback to clients in MP.
- Added Epic Armor to console cmd "equip armor"
- Enhanced console command "di damage" to enable per entity debug output on console (only SP)
- When using 'di', now also showing shield information (shield points/percentage/shield state) in the debug panel

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Exception after changing between half & max textures
- Fixed: Shield status not showing on HUD
- Fixed: Several issues with SI (collapse of devices that should not collapse after placement, eg Force Fields, Solar Panels etc)
- Fixed: When you "draw" a line to place multiple blocks at once, SI can break
- Fixed: [Co-op] Not possible to start a coop game 'Data for ClientId not found'
- Fixed: HV / CV DrillLaserBeam Broken
- Fixed: Underwater area grants clear view if player is on the brink of the transition zone
- Fixed: [MP] Player can take damage through intact hull blocks
- Fixed: [MP] Ion cannons can disable shields with 1 shot.
- Fixed: Exit point of certain cockpits is broken
- Fixed: Shield generator lets you place blocks inside it's bounding box
- Fixed: Damage multipliers in Config.ecf > sometimes eg shield multipliers were not taken into account (especially when used with "Ref:" items)
- Fixed: Exception when opening Map Official EXP Server
- Fixed: Color mask on solar panels
- Fixed: Warp lock target HUD object disappearing when re-entering orbit.
- Fixed: Dirt terrain texture did not show for base in BA Attack scenario
- Fixed: Generic Resource texture missing in "te" resource tab
- Fixed: Retractable rocket launcher turret for all structures types has parts still visible when retracted
- Fixed: SSG can't generate playfields anymore
- Fixed: Page Down Logic with blueprints
- Fixed: "Player A has Entered B" System Faction Messages: fixed translation and discarding own messages
- Fixed: Texture problems on Furnishings (Deco) Closet
- Fixed: Barrels of SV Weapon Rocket Launcher were not round due to scaling > replaced model (it is now 1x3x1)
- Fixed: First Person View in open cockpit camera height
- Fixed: Water plane getting cut too early on some beaches
- Fixed: TribalOven: Broken texture
- Fixed: The old ammo box triggers exception when placing a item into any row past row 4 in the UI

The new volumetric lights on CV spotlights


Update: May 23, 2019 (Build 2470)
- Fixed: Problem that "Default Base Attack" scenario was not correctly uploaded to Steam
- Fixed: Force Fields did not work anymore: either always on or always off (eg doors, hangar doors, forcefield devices etc)
- Fixed: Not possible to interact with OxygenStation (BA,CV) - no collision
- Fixed: Auto Miners did not show their beam while mining anymore

====

Hi Galactic Survivalists!

We just released Part II of Alpha EXPERIMENTAL 10. Thanks to your dedicated feedback, we already improved a lot of the new features and added a heap of new bug fixes!

Said that, the update also includes a few new features and feature refinements, as you can see from the changelog below.

Among others, we improved the “fixed” drill mode of the Hover Vessel by adding a fine-grained directional steering to the previously fully-locked mode. You can now use W/A/S/D and the arrow keys to precisely navigate your vessel while drilling. In addition, when pressing LMB in fixed mode, your drills will remain active until you press LMB again. Thus, you can now concentrate on moving the vessel (which is slower with fixed-mode activated) and aiming its fixed drills on the target area without the need to hold LMB all the time in order to keep the drills running! Remember the fixed drill mode is activated for HVs that have a drill module with SHIFT-O.

Alpha 10 EXP Part II also adds a completely new scenario, designed around the new “Base Attack” system you already got to know in the first Alpha 10 EXP iteration in standard survival (default-random scenario). But unlike the default-random survival scenario, the Base Attack Scenario will have you starting directly in a contested base. Take your time - but not too long - to familiarize yourself with the compound and ramp up the defences. Waves of drones and troops will come for you! This is a test case not only for the base attack system itself and how it can be scaled as well as an offer for you to easily drop in a COOP game with some friends and have, but also adds the first (code-side) iteration of the redesigned PDA tech - adding more setting and management options by offering C# as an additional PDA scripting language.

If you are a mission designer and are capable of using C#, keep an eye on the latter. We will release more info about that particular topic in the next weeks!

As always with a major EXP update, we worked in some of your feedback, eg., rebalancing, a missing corridor roof block shape, updated base attack rules and more.

There are of course more topics that your feedback encompassed, like balancing of shields, renaming of block shapes, so you can easily set up your own favorite block shape menu and more. Those will be subject of the upcoming EXP phases, so please do not stop giving feedback on those as well! :)

Please find all the changes and additions in the changelog below and do not forget to drop your feedback in our dedicated EXP feedback forum: https://empyriononline.com/forums/experimental-features-discussion.35/

Please keep reporting remaining bugs in our bug forum and please revisit your reported issues if they are already fixed: https://empyriononline.com/forums/bugs.34/

Thanks a lot in advance - and keep on having fun with Alpha EXP 10!

Yours,

Emp Dev Team

======

CHANGELOG: Alpha EXPERIMENTAL 10.1 (Build 2468)

Increased Texture Resolution:
- Thanks to Unity 2018.3, we are now able to use ‘Texture Streaming’
We increased the resolution of all textures for our 3d models because we are now able to use Unity's texture streaming


Improved HV Drilling:
- Improved drill mode for HVs

> you can now dig very nice straight tunnels with your HV

> when your HV is in the fixed mode (SHIFT+O), you can now use W/A/S/D and the arrow keys to precisely navigate

> in fixed mode, pressing LMB will enable auto mode of your drills so you do not need to keep LMB pressed

- Added large drill module for HVs

How do you like this new large drill? (we did not yet add it to the tech tree or as a template for constructors - we first wanted to get your feedback about it)

Base Attack Scenario:
- We added a first iteration of a pure base attack scenario
- You will start in a base on a planet that is under attack. The Zirax launch waves of base attacks
- Your goal is to survive as long as possible
- The base attack scenario is intended for SP or COOP


Updated Base Attack in Survival:
- Allow also NPC bases that were captured by the player to be attacked subsequently by Zirax
- Zirax hacking now takes twice as long
- Zirax demolition tool is now half as effective against shields
- Increased HP of Troop Transport

Volumetric Lights for Spotlights:
- We added the volumetric lights now also to other spotlights (eg vessel spotlights or base lights when used in spotlight mode)


Updated Epic Weapons:
- Epic Sniper: does not use laser projectile anymore (uses again standard ammo)
- Epic Laser: now uses blue laser tracer
- Epic Pulse Rifle: now uses green laser tracer
- Assault Rifle (Epic): Increased DMG, Increased Reload Time
- EM Pulse Rifle (Epic): Renamed from Pulse Rifle (Epic), Increased DMG, Increased Reload Time, Small DMG to shields
- Laser Minigun (Epic): Small DMG to shields
- Heavy Sniper Rifle (Epic): Renamed from Epic Sniper Rifle; Significantly increased DMG; Increased Reload Time; Now uses Railgun Bullet; Small damage to HS and CS blocks
- Sniper, Sniper T2: Increased DMG
- Plasma Rifle (Epic); Renamed from Epic Laser Rifle; Increased DMG, Increased DMG vs. Shields; Increased Reload Time
- All Epic weapons: adjusted Rate of Fire

Balancing:
- Rebalanced hitpoints for Boarding Ramps (based on exposed area by 100HP/block)
- Tweaked HV Drills

Other Changes:
- Exported several models into own asset bundle to reduce size of main asset bundle
- Added left/right variants of new armored doors
- PdaScript is now persistent ie it saves its state
- Removed Recoil from Salvage Mode of Survival Tool
- Separated shield generator for SV and HV
- Slightly updated setting for Temperate2 starter planet (start equipment, distribution of POIs etc)
- Muzzle flare less bright on handheld drillers
- Added message when hitting not destructible terrain with the drill
- Updated model of Water Generator

Block Shapes:
- Added missing block corridor shape: WallInteriorCornerOuterRoof
> now you can build a complete room with these corridor shapes
- Improved texture mapping for several block shapes

Optimizations:
- We optimized the spawning of NPCs on planets, which should result in a smoother experience (ie less stuttering) when flying over the planet

Modding:
- Scripts console command is not executed as client with active EAC any more to avoid cheating
- Exporting now "ChildBlocks" to Config.ecf (so you can remove blocks from block groups such as deco block group)
- Added better description for PDA script cmd

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Problem that when core was removed because of SI you could not place another core because of wrong block statistics calculation
- Fixed: When mining with a HV it can get repositioned back above ground
- Fixed: [MP] Shield will temporarily deactivate when changing playfields with SV or CV
- Fixed: SI causing a collapse when using line-plane building
- Fixed: Drilling visualization becomes visible on survival tool when dropped on the ground
- Fixed: When drilling a ore deposit with or without a personal drone the drill can stop drilling until the the cursor is moved again
- Fixed: Concrete & wood stairs are missing other shape selections
- Fixed: Shields stop recharging from 0% until exiting & reloading into the save after being disabled by damage
- Fixed: Some shapes when upgraded by the multitool do not maintain there original shape & get changed to another shape
- Fixed: Grass in wind motion too fast
- Fixed: Space plasma drones can take shields down to 0% with 1 or 2 shots
- Fixed: Exploit - Logistic POI access
- Fixed: Shooting at NPC Commander removes POI completely
- Fixed: Truss blocks when picked up from SI drops are not put into the correct Truss block groups
- Fixed: Screen resolutions may appear repeatedly in video options menu
- Fixed: Underwater area grants clear view if player is on the brink of the transition zone
- Fixed: Water plane sometimes appearing as 'Container'
- Fixed: PdaScript map markers not appearing in co-op mode.
- Fixed: SI collapse reveals NPC or Player Spawner preview (green or red dummy character)
- Fixed: Drill attachment laser showed briefly particle effect on placement
- Fixed: rocket hitting own BA getting stuck
- Fixed: Texture stretching on Rocket Turrets + more exact colliders
- Fixed: Mesh issues with new oxygen station
- Fixed: Difficult to interact with Human Trader (collider was too small)
- Fixed: Exception spam with sub-emitters when using HV Drill Turret
- Fixed: Local Coop server connection problems
- Fixed: Shield-Multiplier issue for handheld Rocket and Plasma Launchers in Config
- Fixed: Space map radar lines showing in sector map.
- Fixed: Exception when opening sector map.
- Fixed: Sometimes planet objects showing up in sector map.
- Fixed: UV issue on QuarterRoundV2 shape
- Fixed: LOD jumping of some asteroids
- Fixed: T3 fuel tank gets tilted slightly when orientated to be flat on a surface
- Fixed: In the vessels part of the Robinson Protocol changed Hover Thrusters to Ground Repulsor Engine
- Fixed: Damage state of Radar (Deco) had no textures
- Fixed: Health bar indicator for Asteroid Resource + removed level label
- Fixed: Issue with billboards after changing textures & playfields
- Fixed: Old mechanical drill was still purchasable from trader
- Fixed: Locked sector HUD element is now orange again
- Fixed: Several internal exceptions