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Approaching Infinity News

Up To Eleven!

Approaching Infinity has already blown past my expectations, and it's being well received by the Steam community. Big thanks to all the supporters out there, those who spread the word, wrote reviews, and joined in the conversations. And you too, just minding your business, chilling out to the awesome soundtrack.

[h3]Now what's this about turning it up to 11?[/h3]

Well, for one thing, more content! If you're involved on the Steam forums or the Discord, you've probably seen something that somebody suggested, and then, *bang*, it's in there. I like to give players what they want, as long as it doesn't break the game.

I've also started posting Steam Guides about some of the more arcane aspects, because there is so much information about Approaching Infinity that can really come in handy.

But also, the launch week discount is almost over. Right now, it's less than $10. But on August 12th, it goes all the way up... to 11 !

$10.99 actually, but still. If you're on the fence for some reason, but you feel like this is your kind of game, I encourage you to take a chance. There are a lot of big plans for this game, and you can be a part of shaping how that turns out.

[h3]What kind of content?[/h3]

Well, "A.I." was always designed with forever in mind, meaning that the player can just
k e e p g o i n g in the universe for a really long time, and still see new things, find new items, and fight new enemies.

But that has pointed out the fact that it can take a long time for the game to really get going, especially for new players.

Now I don't just change everything that everybody says, all the time. But this is a serious concern. If people aren't seeing enough cool stuff in their first few hours with the game, I'm going to change that. In fact, I've already started, and vocal players are happy about it!

Here's what happened in the latest build:
  • v1.5h
  • Properly identifying artifacts now gives them a bonus!
  • Fixed a tutorial bug that a previous fix introduced
  • Updated more monster images, as well as their files
  • Items on wormholes are now destroyed, as long as they're not too important.
  • If a planet is fully explored, the landing party no longer gets passive XP.
  • Tried to squash a bug where players would get stuck in a loop, endlessly getting hit by monsters.
  • Addressed insta-kills. sorry for your losses.
  • Nerfed button mashing to uselessness.
  • Increased items progression
  • a bit* (get better stuff sooner)


But what else does AI need? Let's talk about it!

2 Days > 5 Years

Yep, 2 days on steam beats 1,825 days somewhere else. Welcome new players! I have been listening to your feedback, and changing or fixing things where I can. Today I've pushed out a little update, and any Tenacious D fans will hopefully get a little kick out of the name...

Here's what I'm asking you to do right now: Talk about Approaching Infinity. Whether it's on twitter, or reddit, or discord, or here on Steam. Just let the world (and me!) know what you think about it. Leave a review when you can. But if it's going to be a "thumbs down", let me know, and if it's something that's truly wrong or missing about the game, I'll definitely put it on The List

Hey, I said Discord, right? Well we've got our own little "space" on the Roguelike discord. I'm crazy busy managing this launch, but I will still get in there a few times a day. Come say hi.

Right, the update:
v1.5f+

  • You now get a warning on the warp screen when your supplies are
  • And speaking of supplies, your crew will now do something drastic to avoid running out...
  • Crafting lab should now disappear when you install one. But if it auto-installs, it might still be there. Feel free to replace it, it's not needed anymore.
  • I hear you about the oxygen! It has been increased. Some. But that is definitely part of the game.
  • Corrupted sector maps should now be auto-deleted (and should not be generated at all)
  • "Walks" have been restored to their original functionality: Waterwalkers allows you to walk over any "amount" of water, etc.
  • Officers will heal when you are on away missions. I don't know how that got broken, but it's fixed, even if you didn't notice.
  • Base crafting level is now displayed at the bottom of the main crafting interface
  • DIFFICULTY: Some "handholding" features were enabled in hard and insane difficulty. Now they're not, so look out!
  • More monster types appear earlier on planets. You asked for it.


Honestly, this game was always intended to keep you exploring to at least sector 75. Everything is paced and introduced over time. But maybe it's too slow. We'll work out what's best, together!

Have a good weekend,

Bob / IBOL17



Incredible Launch Day and Hotfix #1

It really has been an amazing launch day, and that's thanks to all of you, but I seriously need to get to bed!

Before I go, you should know I've already put out Hotfix #1 to address some of the issues you intrepid explorers found today. Thanks everyone for your diligence and understanding.


  • We went to version v1.5f
  • I fixed the clicking captain portrait crash
  • You can now Press [HOME] to toggle full-screen/windowed mode (not a final solution, but should help with screen-related issues)
  • I further chipped away at a bug that saves a planet or station map as space (FREAKY!)
  • I looked into a reported station pause/hang/crash. i could not reproduce it, but i
  • did* look at some likely culprits.


Now here are some responses to general comments and things:

  • I'd like to assure folks that the names of planets you're submitting will be
  • curated*. They don't go right into the game.
  • Keep in mind that you're not expected to do everything at the start of the game. Power will come in time!
  • Did you know: you can add your captain to the away team by assigning them in the Officers screen?
  • When you have a monster targeted, you get more information about it in the upper right.
  • There are 7 different information windows, select what you want at any given time, including #7: The Map Legend.
  • The options menu contains a setting called "tooltip everything". If you want more info, try that.
  • You can also change how sensitive the auto-explore is, or how the unexplored areas appear, etc.
  • Steam cloud saves and player-defined key-bindings are in the first planned update.
  • Have fun!





Unforeseen Un-Delay!



Due to an unexpected lack of problems, the launch date has been moved up.

"Wait, you mean there's a delay, right?"

Nope. Launching sooner than expected.

So now, on Wednesday, August 5th 2020, you can begin exploring the immense procedural universe of Approaching Infinity!

Start your career as a pirate hunter, trader, scientist, or asteroid miner. Or unlock new ships and character classes through your achievements!



Scour space for unexplored planets.



Then lead your away team to bring back the goods.



Follow clues to ancient temples. Battle implacable foes who refuse your hails. Befriend aliens and learn about galactic mega-structures. Fly into a black hole? Contract alien diseases?!



Approaching Infinity is still growing, and you can be a part of that. I am actively seeking input, contribution, and collaboration for the game's growth and direction. Join me on August 5th!

Bob / IBOL17
Creator, Approaching Infinity

PS: I will be joining the Space Game Junkie Podcast on Tuesday July 28th to talk about Approaching Infinity!

Launch Build Ready

Today I've uploaded the (possibly) final build of Approaching Infinity before the Steam release. All someone on my end would need to do is push the "Launch" button now :)


It's time to stop coding and start promoting! Can you help spread the word?


We need to reach people who like rogue-likes, or space strategy or exploration games. Science fiction fans who need a new universe to get lost in...

Post this link wherever you think it's appropriate:
https://store.steampowered.com/app/551620/Approaching_Infinity/

Come check out my new website, where I'll talk about updates and future plans, ask for feedback, and possibly reveal some secrets...
http://approachinginfinitygame.com/

Join me on twitter and we can talk about games, or math or coding or art or music or covid I suppose...
https://twitter.com/IBOL17

Or come over to r/roguelikes on Reddit if you're not there already:
https://www.reddit.com/r/roguelikes/

You could even accept the open invitation to join the Rogue-Likes Discord:
https://www.reddit.com/r/roguelikes/comments/4ufyna/roguelikes_discord_chat_with_your_friends_from/

Approaching Infinity had a huge world before. But think of how it can grow in the Steam community!

Thank you for your support,
Bob / IBOL17