Star Explorers News

If you're been following the testing branch, you'll know that there are major changes underway in Star Explorers. The idea is to get the game more user friendly and stable in time for the big 5.0 update, which will also include lots of new content as well.



Right now, changes to the star chart and menu system are being attempted. This is the first time I've touched some of this code in many years, so I am expecting the testing branch to get worse before it gets better :) I just want everyone to be aware of this, and not be surprised if they encounter some issues while testing out the new features.

Of course you are always welcome to try it. Grab the password for the testing branch over on the discord server...

https://discord.gg/vU9Q5ta

But if you are not prepared for running into some bugs and reporting them, it may be best to sit this out a bit longer.

I expect the 5.0 release to be ready some time in the Fall.

A bug in the last update caused the star map to stop working properly. It was a small oversight that was quite easy to fix. Thanks to awesome players who pointed this out so quickly.

[h3]Fixed Issues[/h3]

• Pausing the game was still causing some issues
  
• Save game still did not work properly, this should be fine now, really
  
• NPCs on board the mothership (seated, not standing or reclined) seemed to be inching forward on each visit, I believe this should no longer happen, but it still requires testing
  
• NPCs who were already wrongly positioned will not move back to their correct positions unfortunately
  

[h3]Main Menu[/h3]

• When I first made this game, I did not make it possible to visit the main menu after starting a game
  
• I attempted to add this functionality about a year ago, but too many errors made me remove that function
  
• This time I feel prepared, and it seems to be working
  
• I do expect to discover some more errors, so you may want to sit this one out, and just restart the game when accessing the main menu
  
• Currently, the main menu will appear, and it seems to function
  
• There are same know issues, like the transparency of the menu does not look good
  
• Initial attempts to start a new game and load a saved game have been successful
  
• Accessing the main menu, failing to start a new game (by using an existing name or something like that) then returning to you current game also seems to work. This is something that got really messy on the last attempt, but I was ready for it this time!
  
• Again, I expect some latent errors that might not show up right away, this will require some in depth testing
  

[h3]UPDATE:[/h3]
I somehow missed a new image file upload, so the game would not start. Should be good now...

[h3]Fixed[/h3]

• Introducing Pause had some unforeseen effects
  
• Save game did not work properly anymore, this should be fine now
  
• Not sure when it happened, but a certain particle effect in Standard Stars caused a major FPS drop. That effect has been removed
  
• Approaching the mothership caused an error after the Star Chart updates, this should work fine now
  
• The engine freezes right when you start a new game. It only lasts a few seconds, but would be strange for new players. I changed the loading panel so it stays up until after this freeze, and it also alerts players to wait until it resumes
  
• I have not uncovered the actual cause of the freeze just yet, but this should help until when/if I am able to resolve it
  

[h3]Interactive Guide[/h3]

• The guide had some major issues, especially after updating the star chart
  
• Pressing escape will now close the guide, it used to remain visible over the game menu
  
• Star chart will no longer be accessible until the guide directs players to open it
  
• Mothership docking is disabled until guide directs players to warp to a different star system
  
• "Next" button has been removed from the guide panel when it calls on players to perform some action to avoid confusion
  

[h3]The Star Chart has some new functionality:[/h3]

• Fixed issue where planet color was not updated correctly, visited planets should appear blue on the chart once again (if you have the star chart upgrade)
  
• Scanning a star in the sector currently selected should no longer require exiting the star menu
  
• The overlay sector cube should now stay on the correct sector, previously it would revert to sector 43 when reloading the game.
  

[h3]Also[/h3]

• Pressing ESC will now pause the game
  
• Pause will prevent the game from running any functions while in the menu
  
• User inputs like movement, firing, and accessing inventory will not work while the game is paused
• Pausing also prevents planets from rotating and orbiting their star
  
• Additionally, it prevents enemies from attacking the player, or even moving
  
• Do not be frightened or alarmed, they will resume their normal behavior patterns once you exit the menu