Approaching Infinity News

[h3]Greetings Captains, Admiral IBOL here.[/h3][p]I spent the holidays (and a lot of sick time) playing so many console games that I finally plugged a controller into my computer and, well, one thing led to another, I started detecting inputs and mapping control schemes, I printed out the command list and I, well you see... [/p][p][/p][h2]I GAVE APPROACHING INFINITY[/h2][p][/p][p]It's only in the beta branch for now, and it's only ever going to be "partial" in Steam's eyes, but you can do everything with a controller now, except enter text.[/p][p]There might be some edge cases to be found, like "the B button doesn't close this screen", but it's very playable. I played Caves of Qud because everyone raves about their controller support and that was, I think what finally pushed me over the edge. Here it is:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p](This can be found in-game under Help => Gamepad & Steam Deck, and a text version in Options => Gamepad & Steam Deck[/p][p][/p][p]It can't be altered yet, though it is set up in a way that you may be able to change things in the future. And some things require mouse-like input (via right stick and ALT-A). But really, you can play with a controller now and it feels good.[/p][p][/p][p]This also can be used on the Steam Deck, if you select "Official Layout for Approaching Infinity - Gamepad with Joystick Trackpad"[/p][p][/p]

• [p]Furniture descriptions now appear in tooltips.[/p]
• [p]I tried to clamp some oversized officer pics for people with really big monitors (it's a thing that happens).[/p]
• [p]Red honey and golden pollen (status effects) are now increased less on pickup and removed completely upon return to the ship.[/p]
• [p]"Frozen" away team status effect is now shown. I didn't know it wasn't![/p]
• [p]Fixed a bug that changed your ship's class name to "custom designed" if you just looked at a custom ship in the shipyard.[/p]
• [p]I removed incorrect down stairs from Firax temples[/p]
• [p]Firax artifacts recovered on an away mission are now listed in the after-mission report.[/p]
• [p]The asteroid base "parts junkie" sells fewer parts in higher-difficulty games.[/p]
• [p]I increased the amount of XP gained from many quests, often significantly.[/p]
• [p]There is now a "sniffing" sound when the smell of a planet is revealed.[/p]

• [p]Device daily codes should now register the new devices. Sorry.[/p]
• [p]NPCs should not be arrestable![/p]

• [p]Monks can't terraform planets in sectors with quests.[/p]

• [p]I fixed those "my auto-explore won't stop" issues. Press any key to disengage.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Due to illness, I've had to move the new "Galactic Disasters" DLC release date further into the future. But I can tell you that the "Blight" story in this DLC is longer than any other quest line in the game, and it does some crazy stuff...[/h3][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink]Wishlist it now, it's going to be awesome. [/p][p][/p]

[p][/p][h3]Explore an infinite procedural universe full of danger, aliens, loot, and lore.[/h3][h3] [/h3][p]Play a min-maxing game of tactical supremacy or casually investigate space, planets, caves, shipwrecks, and temples. Pursue any of 10 different paths to game-ending victory or level up forever and break the game with your limitless skills. [/p][p]Trade, craft, mine, quest, rescue animals, host sight-seeing tours, or see what's on the other side of a black hole. Find a dead alien landing party and tell their people what happened. Kill pirates. Arrest pirates. Become a pirate. Salvage a shipwreck and make it your own. Convince alien cows to stop eating hamburgers... There's a lot to do.[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]All the DLCs are discounted too:[/h2][p][/p][p]Shipyards:[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Classic Plus:[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Interface Expansion:[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h2]The entire IBOLOGY catalog is on sale![/h2][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p][/p][p]I know you have a lot to choose from during big Steam sales. [/p][p]Hopefully I've just made it more difficult for you ;)[/p][p][/p][h3]💙IBOL [/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]PS: [/p][p]You know what's not on sale?[/p][p][/p][h3]The upcoming DLC, Approaching Infinity: Galactic Disasters![/h3][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p]

[p]In preparation for the launch of the new Shipyards DLC, I bring you fixes, changes, and new features. Please update to version 2.1.0b today![/p][p][/p][p]Design your own starting ship! Spend points to assign stats like hull, speed, and cargo. Then assign weapons and devices from everything in the game. Start with 2 singularity launchers, a warp breach, and a quantum constrictor, or any crazy combo you can think of![/p][p]All space stations will have 4 ships for sale instead of just one, and you can tow 5-deck shipwrecks in exchange for shipyard tokens that increase the number of points you have to spend on your next ship. Finally, the new Shipwright can upgrade your unique ship so you never have to part with it.[/p][p][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/p][p]Using the Shipyards DLC, design the most interesting ship. But what's the most interesting ship? You decide. But I'm not looking for "best stat min-maxing"...[/p][p]I'm looking for creative combinations of built-in devices, starting equipment, and stats. Think of something you like to do and make a ship that does it better than any other.[/p][p]Submit entries on the sharing thread (here). You have until the end of the year. But what's the prize? [/p][h3]The most interesting ship will become a new unlockable starting ship! [/h3][p](And if there's a DLC you don't own, I'll send you a key ːsteamhappyː)[/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]It's not all just about DLC though...[/h3][h3][/h3][p][/p]

• [p]On the new game screen where you select your ship, you can now mouse-over tool-tip the various stats of the ship for a brief explanation.[/p]
• [p]I created a new kind of cave level: the Metallicum Mine. They appear on level 7 of barren and molten planets.[/p]
• [p]I added 9 new devices: spike field, envirodaptor, guest quarters, survey module, recyclotron, hoverboard, lockup, cuff'em, and MonsteRelax™.[/p]
• [p]David made lots of new art for shields, sensors, engines, warp drives, and reactors.[/p]
• [p]I created the "Cage Grenade". It has 0 radius and traps creatures for collection with creature cages.[/p]
• [p]Intelligent beings can now be found in cells on shipwrecks. You can free them and help them get back to their people. If you have the Guest Quarters device, you have more options and better rewards.[/p]
• [p]If you are carry refugees (from dying ships or released from cells), you can hail a ship of their faction at close range to transfer them over and complete the mission.[/p]
• [p]New ship weapon: Ion Missile. Seeker missile with an ionic warhead designed to cause critical hits even on shields.[/p]

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• [p]After you launch escape pods, you will be able to buy a proper ship (Not just a "garbage scow", SORRY!)[/p]
• [p]If you've unlocked the special faction officers on one computer but the unlocks don't transfer to a different computer, the game will now unlock them if you go to the achievements screen.[/p]
• [p]Fixed a bug where you couldn't salvage a device in the inventory screen if it was also one of your built-in devices.[/p]
• [p]Hard hat effect and device had some wrong values, they have been fixed.[/p]
• [p]Red-eye raiders can no longer be put into creature cages.[/p]
• [p]Savior beacon is now 100% classified as an away team device, and the art reflects this. It is still installed in a Tentaculon ship (they have their ways).[/p]
• [p]I tried one more thing to avoid the hang when going into star temples.[/p]
• [p]I fixed phantom templars (they were just sitting alone in the corner).[/p]
• [p]I (at least partially) fixed a weird occurrence with the tourist quest where it thought you were done but also still had another destination.[/p]
• [p]I discovered and fixed some bugs in navigating the "Classic Plus DLC" ship selection screen.[/p]
• [p]Arrest skill should now work against red-eye raiders.[/p]
• [p]You can finally look at the away team's installed device in the inventory screen.[/p]

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• [p]When starting a new game, a ship's "Planet Scan" stat will boost the quality of your away team gear.[/p]
• [p]Your first Remnant encounter in each new game will come with a warning instead of a spawn.[/p]
• [p]I added which faction wants an art piece directly to the art's description in the inventory.[/p]
• [p]Beastmaster (Gruff officer power) now tames twice as many creatures per level, to make it more useful.[/p]
• [p]Gun Runner asteroid base room now only needs 10 small arms to build instead of 50.[/p]
• [p]Star temples will once again be furnished.[/p]
• [p]More locations just got essence doors...[/p]
• [p]Consumption Engine (eater device) now absorbs nebula by default.[/p]
• [p]Nebula scoop removed from Eater starting ship "ravager", replaced with Cyclic Capacitor (+33% beam weapon damage).[/p]
• [p]Creature cages device can now hold up to 3 different species of creatures instead of just 1.[/p]
• [p]Arrest skill does not work on "boss" creatures (big bad, etc.)[/p]
• [p]"Naturalist" skill now affects different creatures at levels 2,3,4. Predators moves down to level 2, but silicon and insect move up to level 3. Slime moves to level 4 with energetic/elemental creatures (undocumented!)[/p]
• [p]MAJOR CHANGE: "Another Volley" (red activated skill) now doubles weapon cooldown time upon second firing, so you'd better be sure you can kill your target![/p]

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[p][/p][h3][dynamiclink][/dynamiclink][/h3][h3]And you can test one of its major features right now:[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][p]Spend points to assign stats. Extra hull or super speed? 3 weapons, long-range sensors, or an extra million credits? There's no charisma, so what's *your* dump-stat? Oh wait, there's "Rep Boost"...[/p][p] [/p][h2]Then choose from 34 new ship pictures, and assign any combination of weapons and devices you want![/h2][p][/p][p][/p][h3]This is a limited-time beta with some special conditions: [/h3]

• [p]You have to start a new game.[/p]
• [p]It won't affect your existing saves.[/p]
• [p]The games won't be playable once this beta test ends.[/p]

[p][/p][p]It also doesn't include other features from the DLC, like the Shipwright or multiple ships for sale in station shipyards. It's just to test out the ship-building aspect. I'd like your feedback. How does it feel? Are there too many design points or too few? What's the best design you can come up with?[/p][p][/p][p]This thread should serve as the feedback hub for the beta test. Got something to say? Post it in the comments![/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]Library > Settings >Properties > Betas > Beta Participation > Shipyards[/h3][p][/p][p](You might need to try to join one of the "private betas" first, but there is no password, so just hit "check code" with it blank if the Shipyards beta doesn't show up.)[/p][p][/p][p]Here is a visual aid of the process, edited from a very helpful one created by Steam player JC:[/p][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p][h3]This beta will last about a week, ending approximately Nov. 12th.[/h3][p][/p][p][/p][p][/p]