Default Branch Update to v1.5K

I DID THIS MANY THINGS:

[h3]Fixed:[/h3]

A bug that was causing an infinite monster attack loop!
the installation of the "crafting lab" device.
star temples don't give any XP until you find the artifact.
a bug that was not showing some cargo between multiple pages.

[h3]Changed:[/h3]

the game's ideal landing party size, which may affect difficulty (upwards).
Shuttle ace reduces shuttle cooldown by 2
Asteroid mining now always produces at least one thing.
Short range ship weapons are now more damaging
Sargasso sectors have less shipwrecks (still about 90) and a massive aggregate of black holes
Limited the spawning of crafting-related items before crafting has been unlocked.
Monster Threat is now measured as a decimal, 1.0 being approximately equal to you.
Tried to make the planetary oxygen warning not happen too soon.
Damage Reduction on space suits progression happens faster.
You can now switch back out of the custom cursor
I removed something that was limiting the level of items crafted.
greatly increased melee weapon damage
improved loot in star temple shield rooms
shield power spikes less in sector 5+ (sorry!)
reduced frawg damage.
slightly sped up race relations.
Reduced the threshold at which crew throws stuff into the reactor.

[h3]Removed:[/h3]

Some skills with a second level that no longer had any effect.
I took out equipment modifiers like "grade 3" and "Mark 7".
something that was making monsters weaker before sector 20. this will change difficulty. Beware.
Completely removed time-based XP gathering in all environments.
The options button from the main menu!

[h3]Added:[/h3]

holding Shift key now gives selective tooltips !
Officers on away teams now get XP for # of tiles revealed, as you go. Harsher environments give more XP.
All officers gain XP while in space, by exploring the sector map.
You now receive a message about bonus XP on a long away mission.
Gave a log message about the pirate's "Profiteering Beam"
Subspace wave sectors now only consume half supplies for engine and reactor (ride the waves!)
some handling for people who can't see any text!
a new "feature" that helps to stop your movement whenever a new enemy is sighted.
a prototype "movement safety" function, where keyboard input is paused when a new threat is noticed.
Included a popup at the beginning of the game for people who don't see the normal text.
Whenever you encounter a terrain you can't walk on, a message is generated in the log about how to cross it.
There's a 10% chance that the planet name file for a sector will be the first curated user-generated planet names!
I added the Excavator device to clear rubble, which has never existed before!
You will now get more personalized information when you visit alien embassies.
I did the prep work to enable Steam Cloud saves. It is not active yet.
Also gave a bonus crafting level for schematic pickups.
crafting now uses left/right arrow keys to move between crafting menus
crafting now uses up/down arrow keys to scroll pages within menus
when you install the crafting lab for the first time, you get 10 of each crafting part. I'm a jerk for not giving you that sooner, sorry!
a description to all commodities and tooltip info on them when in the commodities exchange.
if you automatically recognize the power of an artifact, it becomes more powerful
all devices now have their own icon!

Please note that this update does *not* contain the experimental feature "planet scanning". That will be properly implemented in the future.

[h3]Next steps:[/h3]

The inevitable hotfix :O
Key Re-Binding
Pathfinding Fix
Auto-Explore de-insane-ization

Also newsworthy: I've written a new Steam Guide about the away team:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2207449869

New ones are still on the way about daily codes and the commodities exchange/being a trader.

Thanks, enjoy, and let me know how it goes!

and as of Friday, 08/28/2020, here's this:

The changelog of hotfix slowfix 1.5k+

[h3]Big[/h3]

Divide By Zero error has been removed!
Right click pathing has been corrected!
Red alert is now saved with game (after you're hit in space, can't install for 3 turns)
Shield recharge on game load exploit is corrected.
cloaking device now actually uses supplies!
negative cargo amounts have been corrected.
buy 1/sell 10 has been corrected.

Other...

The auto-explore might be slightly improved, but still not perfect...
Added a built-in device to the Assault Scout ship.
Bunnies no longer auto-stop your movement.
going up and down cave levels automatically is no longer limited by oxygen when your helmets are open.
officers in stations you can't hire now say "no room" next to their name
deforestation kit / sonic chainsaw now has stackable levels of increasing power. cut down trees from a distance!
and in a stroke of genius, deforestation power now HURTS CARNIVOROUS PLANTS!
You can now give promotions on stations, and if the captain is on the away team, then also during away missions!
made purple eggs targetable
Landing on a "UHO" planet is now auto-handled (no need to touch sign!)
Some things that would give nearly-unlimited XP have been reduced after the first 300 XP per level.
damage done by status effects is now shown
operatives now get bonus xp for every quest completed
It is now harder to be friendly with everyone at the same time.