Stormworks: Build and Rescue News

Dear Stormworkers,

Two weeks ago we announced that v1.0 is coming on September 17th 2020. This week, we are discussing the new modular engines and how the new experimental branch will work in more detail. These new engines will launch on the same date above, but only as an experimental and in-development feature on this new branch.

The new modular engines are a series of components that can be assembled in various configurations to form working engines. This is the top voted new feature in the recent poll, has been requested many times on our feature tracker, and has even been prototyped in 3d by some of our community members (Nacon's design is frequently shared on Discord).

These modular engines are broken down into:

Crankshaft



The crankshaft is the core of the engine, which most other parts connect to. This is a modular part and can be chained with other crankshaft components to create longer parts.

Piston



The piston part connects to the crank shaft. It consumes fuel and air and produces exhaust.

Power Manifold



The power manifold connects onto the end of the crankshaft, providing a connection manifold for belt driven engine accessories.

Starter and Alternator



The starter motor and alternator are both belt driven modular components that connect to the power manifold. The starter is for getting the engine running using electrical power, while the alternator is a small generator.

Pump And Coolant Manifold



The fluid pump and coolant manifold are separate components. The fluid pump turns energy from the engine into fluid pressure, while the coolant manifold provides a fluid cooling interface with the engine.

Clutch



The clutch is a single block component that connects onto the end of the crankshaft, allowing the engine to connect and disconnect from any external torque pipe system.

Experimental Branch

Experimental branch is an optional version of the game that all players will be able to play if they wish. This new branch launches on September 17th 2020, with v1.0. This new branch of the game is to allow us to collaborate more closely with the community, get your feedback earlier, and be more open and transparent with the current development of the game.

With the new modular engines, we have barely scratched the surface. We have started with these small parts, but there are other components to add, larger component sets, and more to investigate. Let us know your feedback on where we should take this new feature, and share your vision of what modular engines should mean.

We can't wait for the v1.0 release, to share all the new stuff we have been working on, and to enter a new chapter of closer collaboration with the community!

Much love
The Stormworks Developers

Dear Stormworkers,

The New Radar Detector Block

This week we add a single component while our focus remains on v1.0 with less than 7 weeks to go before the big release!

We are adding the radar detector block. This new component detects when radar is actively interrogating the block. This completes the radar components set, allows you to detect nearby radar systems, and indicates your own radar visibility.



The New Telemetry API

Following the previous telemetry minor update, we discussed this feature with the community and revised the feature so that it allows simple HTTP GET communication, only with the your own PC. This means you can be confident that any workshop items that you download does not have access to your local network and cannot use your internet connection, which was a major concern for some players.

If you wish to communicate with network or internet resources, this can easily be done by running your own script or program outside of Stormworks that can talk to Stormworks using the new telemetry API. This also means any use of your network or internet is explicit and you are entirely in control of your connection.

Fixes

We have also been working hard on bugs and fixes, and several important issues are resolved with this update and previous hot fixes over the last couple of weeks. This includes a fix for a major cause of crashes in multiplayer. We continue to work hard on these quality improvements and are investing a lot of time and energy into continuing to improve the quality and stability of Stormworks.

V1.0

Following some confusion, we will make clear - if you have bought Stormworks, you own Stormworks and will not have to buy it again when the new update comes out!

As always, we continue to work hard on the upcoming v1.0 update. Thank you to everyone who sent us messages of support, we really appreciate it, and makes all the work much easier :-)

Much love
The Stormworks Developers

Patch Notes

v0.10.32

Rework - Http command reworked and re-enabled
Fix - CTD caused by microprocessors in multiplayer
Fix - Minor MacOS fixes

v0.10.33

Feature - Radar Detector

Fix - 64bit Spark particle issues
Fix - Occasional CTD when returning a vehicle with ropes to workbench

Dear Stormworkers,

On September 17th 2020, we will be releasing v1.0 of Stormworks to mark the 3 year anniversary since we first launched the public alpha. Since then, we have released over 250 updates, and you have spent over 1400 years playing the game, shared over 70,000 workshop creations, all while helping us understand where to take the game next.

And, this is only the beginning.

The next chapter of Stormworks kicks off with the Stormworks v1.0 Update - we are leaving Steam Early Access with several major updates rolled into one colossal mega update. The new updates are listed below in detail.

Updates will continue as normal, with major updates every 2 or 3 months, and minor updates every other week. Development will continue at a pace as least as fast as you have been used to during the last 3 years of live development. Just because we are leaving Early Access doesn't mean there isn't more to do.

Features

First Person Handheld Equipment



The new first person system gives you a body in first person, with a 5 inventory slot system. 18 new hand held items add new rope, medical, navigation, and radio mechanics to the search and rescue gameplay. The new items include a fire extinguisher, binoculars, night vision, compass, defibrillator, first aid kit, flares, flare gun, rope, cable, hose, flashlight, radio, welders, and more.

New Procedural Missions



We have completely reworked missions to be dynamic, procedural events. You are unlikely to ever see the same mission twice, with the new mission scripting system providing many more tools to allow even more creativity. Mission information is now displayed on the map, with many missions displaying a search area rather than a location. You will have variable levels of information, and parameters can change as situations evolve. The new first person equipment allows medical emergencies, fires, and more sophisticated search and rescue mechanics. Be ready for a much more in depth experience.

Logistics and Transport Missions



The new logistics system adds cargo depots and terminals, with new cargo objects addressed to various locations. Transporting these cargos provides financial rewards, while cargo comes in various shapes, sizes, and weights from small crates to huge containers. This is another new layer of the game powered entirely by a new game scripting system, and is extendable and adaptable by players and on the workshop.

Game Mode Scripts and Modding



The new game scripting system is huge. We are using it to create the new missions system and tutorial, but the potential uses are endless. You will have control over game settings, server operation, NPCs, missions, vehicles, weather, UI, and much more. This allows new modding possibilities - from NPC vehicle traffic to whole gamemodes.

We have also reworked the base rules for the game. Basic vehicle mechanics are removed in favour of a host of in-game options, changeable in real time, to customise your experience exactly as you wish to play. Simply select between 'Career' mode to play with the fixed, SAR focused rules, or select 'Custom' to start playing with the new creative options menu where you can toggle damage, infinite money, electric, fuel, clear the fog, teleport, no-clip, and more.

Weather Simulation



The new weather simulation brings dynamic localised weather to the Stormworks world. Be ready to brave huge storms, take shelter, or navigate around weather systems. Weather will be more predictable and play a bigger part in the Stormworks world.

New Tutorial



With this release, we are adding an all new tutorial comprising new starter vehicles, starter mission, and many new tools and help for new players getting started in Stormworks. The tutorial is designed to help without being intrusive.

Quality Improvements



We have been working on (and continue to work on) a huge number of quality improvements and fixes. This is version 1.0, and we want the quality of the release to reflect the significance of this milestone. Expect a huge change list with many important boosts to the quality of the game.

The Future Of Stormworks

Experimental Branch



We are launching a new experimental public branch of the game - available to all players - sharing development changes as they happen, giving (the players who are interested) the earliest possible insight into new features, and the chance to discuss and feedback input. This means we can design future updates closely with the community, and changes can be much better considered as they go live on the main branch of the game.

The experimental branch launches with v1.0, where we will begin testing the next major update - modular engines! We are already thinking ahead on where next to take Stormworks, and modular engines were chosen by the community as the most popular new feature in the recent poll. Thank you for sharing your feedback!

Price Update

With the launch of v1.0, the price will be increased to ($24.99 / £19.49 / €20.99) to reflect the new stage in development, and to acknowledge all the players who have bought the game early and supported us in early access. The price will remain at the current lower price up to the release date. Stormworks has never been on sale on Steam and we have no plans to run a discount, so buying before Sept 17th is the cheapest way to get Stormworks.

From The Developers



When we started Stormworks, we didn't imagine the game would be as big as it is, have such a kind, intelligent, and creative community, or continue to be growing years after initial release. We are a small independent team of game developers, and it is a huge privilege to be servicing the game for such a wonderful community of players. We look forward to continuing to do our best for years to come to make Stormworks the best possible game it can be. Thank you so much for supporting this game, it has had a huge impact for all of us.

Much love
The Stormworks Developers

Dear Stormworks,

This week we add the ability to communicate with a http server from within a lua script.

What does this mean? Get ready for an extremely technical update announcement!

Telemetry

With the ability to send and receive data to and from a http server on your computer, players could connect telemetry systems for their home cockpits. You can use this new feature to control any connected system such as real world cockpit lights, indicators, dials, the lighting in your room, hydraulics, force feedback and more.

For our more technical players who are interested in electronics and software, this means Stormworks can start to enter the real world. Piloting could become much more in depth for players with with cockpit hardware, introducing a whole new dimension to vehicle building.



Rich Presence

Players can send any data they wish from a LUA script to their own http server software. If you can script a http server, then buttons or information in Stormworks can be fed anywhere. When you eject, do you want to announce your coordinates as a distress message on Twitter? Do you want your Discord status to reflect your speed and heading? Perhaps you run a server and you want time and weather data with a real time ATC style map showing where all vehicles or radar contacts are?



Data Display

The new LUA functions mean you can read any data outside of Stormworks into your LUA block. If you can script a http server, you can send any information you want into game. Get real world news headlines on screen, have an in-game Discord chat, or get notifications of what games have just been discounted on Steam.



Limitations

In multiplayer, these scripts are run locally, so while a script may read cockpit buttons correctly in single player, the script does not know what information should be replicated on the network, and thus a players own cockpit telemetry will not affect the simulation on the server. This is only a minor limitation as Stormworks already supports 48 button inputs via the Direct Input API, which work over multiplayer.

We can't wait to see what players do with this new feature and are really excited to see what new intelligent systems are created.

While we respect that this feature doesn't necessarily impact all players immediately, it is the kind of feature that Stormworks should have, and many players have asked for. There is also the usual list of improvements and fixes in the patch notes below.

Much love
The Stormworks Developers

Patch Notes

v0.10.29

Fix - Physics acceleration client desync

v0.10.30

Feature - Microprocessor Telemetry HTTP Requests
async.HTTPRequest(fail_callback, success_callback, url, method, headers, body)

A further example can be found in the lua help tab.

Rework - Editor warnings no longer generate on vehicle load if they are toggled off (this should boost load times back to previous rates, editor warnings are now generated when the setting is toggled on)
Rework - Winch physics nodes now more consistent and less buoyant (reduced winch physics issues in water)
Rework - Removed blood particles from heat-box damage
Rework - Reduced number of blood particles when damaged by propellers

Fix - macOS several issues including shader issues and crashes

Dear Stormworkers,

The Big Announcement

Many of you have asked us questions about when this major update will release, what is in this update, and what is in future updates, We will answer all these questions on the 24th July (in 2 weeks). We will announce the release date, full details on what is in the update, our new plans for allowing players to be more involved in the development, our plans for more major updates, and another secret announcement which may be the most exciting part of all.

This will be a huge announcement with a lot of information and we cannot wait to share it with you all. Make sure to check the news on 24th July for the big announcement.



The New Weather Simulation

In the upcoming major update, there is a new weather simulation system. Weather is now different in different places, and you can view this information in real time on the map. Simulated data includes wind, temperature, precipitation, lightning and fog.



Weather slowly changes as the simulation progresses. While the simulation is turbulent, it is possible to estimate what the weather is going to do over the next few days.



With localised weather, players will need to consider conditions and plan routes to avoid the worst weather as they travel across the world of Stormworks. Players will also need to make sure they have the correct equipment as the weather has such a significant impact on gameplay.



Temperature will also fluctuate with seasons. This means players will have to battle different temperatures at different times of the year. Personal equipment and the need to stay warm will play an increased role during the winter months, even when outside of the arctic.



With the new temperature system, we are also looking to integrate temperature more closely with other systems within the game, to give greater impact to the significance and consequence of the new weather simulation.

In the mean time, please know we are continuing to work hard on this huge update which is getting bigger and bigger. The end is in sight!

We also have some great minor updates and fixes planned. We will catch you all soon for more minor updates and the big announcement!

Much love
The Stormworks Developers