Occupy Mars: The Game News

It’s been a while.

We know that you were waiting for too long, and so were we. During this time, we’ve been following every single thread, reading every post and message on our social media, Discord and Steam forums. These were very different, some of them kind and supportive, other ones painfully honest. 😅

Thank you for each of them! This way we knew what to focus on, and also that there are a lot of people waiting for this update. This devlog is dedicated to all of you our loyal astronauts! 🧑‍🚀

So... fasten your seatbelts, put your helmets on, because here it comes, the Anniversary update! 🚀

The Anniversary Update brings many revolutionary changes to core gameplay aspects, including survival mechanics, electricity system, building system, player animations, HUD, scanning, decorations and much more. We can’t wait for you to dive in and explore everything that’s new. 🔎

However, we want to be upfront with you. While this patch brings some exciting new content, we’re aware that it’s not yet perfect. That’s not an excuse, but a kind of a compromise; we know that it took us a long time to release this update, so today we’re sharing a reasonably stable version, but there are still some areas that need refinement. Thanks in advance for your bug reports, we will investigate them as they arise. The hotfixes are coming!

[h2]Important information before you launch the game[/h2]

We’ve been announcing this in previous devlogs but we want to confirm that because of changes to core gameplay aspects the Anniversary Update does not support saves from previous game versions. We're sorry about that, we know that many of you have built incredible bases. If you wish to continue playing on your old save files you can always switch to old game version using the Steam game properties (Betas tab):



You will find many past versions there such as builds from Exploration Update or Nuclear Update. This way you can always keep playing and expanding your bases. We hope that the reworked game mechanics will be worth it and that dropping save compatibility won't be required again in the future.

We believe, that the new features and content will compensate for this inconvenience well and that it will be worth starting over. We’re waiting for screenshots of your new, upgraded bases!

[h2]Anniversary Update | Changelog v0.160.2 -> v0.184.2[/h2]

Features

• Added possibility to build battery rack in the lobby
  
• Added possibility to remove unwanted notifications from the list
  
• Plants can now be collected all at once with one click
  
• Building antennas will let you see what weather phenomenon is incoming
  
• Lack of sleep now affects health and stamina
  
• Vehicles other than rover can now be covered with a dust after the sandstorm too
  
• It's possible to mix different types of plants on fields now
  
• Added more building coloring on the radar for easier differentiation of building's health
  
• Added short descriptions for locked blueprints
  
• Changed number of slots in incubator and pot to make them consistent
  
• Destroying a composter will now result with throwing loot out
  
• Removed internal energy storage for rover and truck. Battery is always required.
  
• Buildings can now be repaired instantly with a dedicated repair kit
  
• Vehicles can now be repaired instantly with a dedicated repair kit
  
• Added new type of outposts and items inside of them
  
• Added new functionality to the spectral detector - furniture and decorations scanning
  
• Added display of target point names on HUD (consistent with name in radar)
  
• Added ability to take the helmet off when crouching
  
• Feet are now snapping to the uneven terrain
  
• Rover charge level is now visible from the outside on the HUD
  
• Fuses added to building requirements
  
• The sleep timer panel has been changed
  
• Implemented new video-tutorial system
  
• Added interactable sockets inside of buildings to facilitate building process - take the blowtorch out, point it on the coin-like icon and the list of devices that can be build in this place will show up
  
• You can now add furnishing to your base!
  
• Added "Cleaning Nanobots" to the tech tree for instant-cleaning solar panels
  
• Added printable decorations and decoration variants mechanics
  
• Greatly improved water bottle refilling, you can refill every bottle at once no matter if bottles are in your suit slot or inventory. Added option to automatically move bottle after refiling to inventory
  
• Added pop-up window for in-game devlog note
  
• Added adjustable weather effects duration
  
• Fuses can now be burned if too much powers is given
  
• Added possibility to print circuit boards
  
• Added search bar to the blueprints menu in tablet, inventory and knowledge base
  
• Added feature to reset player when stuck
  
• Added buildable launchpad
  
• Added fullscreen mode to rover remote controller
  
• Added tooltips in main menu for freeplay starting items
  
• Added targeting minigame for drilling rocks, building and grinding
  

Improvements

• Added electronic board to big miner
  
• Improved save system (lower probability of disappearing/returning rocks, bases and objects)
  
• Improved building placement and snapping
  
• Improved lights in domes
  
• Improved game balance (experience, tech tree, players parameters, starting loot, and more!)
  
• Significantly sped up airlock opening
  
• Broken quad and landing capsule can now be grinded with grinder lvl 2 or 3
  
• Improved animations e.g. running, crouching, rotation in place, tool usage, tool changing, backward diagonal walking
  
• Oxytree is now producing more oxygen
  
• Trees are now not disappearing after harvesting fruits form them
  
• The hydration system has been changed. Now you have 2 bars that show water-related parameters - water level in the bottle and hydration level. Even when you run out of water in the bottle assigned to your suit, as long as the hydration bar (the bottom one) is not red you are safe.
  
• Changed GUI and added labels to CO2 Scrubber's valves
  
• Improved electrical system, values in each device are numerical, no more percentages!
  
• Now sockets also have their priorities - connect the most important objects to the socket with the lowest number. Also - the update time has been changed to 1 minute in-game.
  
• Improved corridor panels
  
• A weather customization option has been added (how often weather events will occur and how long they should last at most - you can even choose to turn off weather events, but then don't count on achievements). The length and frequency of weather phenomena has also been rebalanced
  
• Added new outposts
  
• Added possibility to mute or pause SFX sound when ESC is pressed
  
• Unified the key to change modes (e.g. change the tip of the rover arm, water detector or plants crate mode) to Q
  
• Improved freeplay start screen
  
• Added new tech tree technologies
  
• Added new tutorials system
  
• Main menu globe polish
  
• Improved pendrive colors
  
• Improved stack sizes
  
• Improved weather notifications
  
• Improved FAQ
  
• Small visual main menu improvements
  
• Added pop-up to present newest changes in game
  
• Improved window with startup settings after the first launch of the game
  
• Improved battery coloring
  
• Improved in-game warnings
  
• Improved sandstorm push effect
  
• Removed unnecessary power socket from starting capsule
  
• Polished workbench UI
  
• Added more colors, more icons and name displaying to target points
  
• Improved airlock particles
  
• Improved tablet's UI
  
• Improved HUD when tablet is open
  
• Speeded up capsule doors
  
• Changed quicksave key to F9
  
• Unified the key to turn on lights/flashlight
  
• Added more resources close to the starting capsule
  
• Improved flashlight position
  
• Improved dust appearance
  
• Improved weather effects graphics
  
• Improved flashlight
  
• Electricity is now marked with coloring on the map
  
• Improved radar
  
• Removed outside lever form the rover
  
• Added search for Knowledge Base
  
• Added smoothing out exiting free camera in TPP
  
• Enlarged small fonts
  
• Improved night sky
  
• Refreshed staring HUD tutorial
  
• Radio was moved from tech tree to decorations, now you need to find it in abandoned base and scan
  
• Increased anti meteorite rocket capacity
  
• Made printing time more realistic
  
• Added info panel on how to use rover remote controller
  
• Disabled FSR from default presets
  
• Disabled manual change of input substance from the pump station. The substance will be detected automatically
  
• Added option to adjust sound settings when the game is launched for the first time
  
• Improved big crusher inventories UI
  
• AI voice has been split from tool sounds
  
• Added saving of door/flap status
  
• Added sorting button in inventory
  
• Jumping to the rocket has been made easier
  
• Added more fire to Escape sequence
  
• Improved cables and pipes
  
• Added red light above airlocks that cannot be entered in introbase
  
• More slots added to inventory truck
  
• Added circuit box to the starting condition (tourist)
  
• Improved hangar driveway
  
• Added inventory to the trash bin to get rid of unnecessary items faster
  
• Improved jetpack sounds
  
• Added thunder storm sound effect
  

Bugfixes - Critical

• Fixed disappearing parts of outposts
  
• Fixed disappearing and displacing blueprints after save/load
  
• Reduced FPS drops when driving vehicles
  
• Fixed issue with reappearing rocks
  
• Fixed issue with infinite sleep animation
  
• Fixed bug with player moved to sky after picking up cable connected to landing capsule
  
• Fixed the problem with killer ores, now you should be safe
  
• Fixed ghost sandstorm event
  
• And fixed another case of endless sleep
  
• Fixed disappearing ITS
  
• Fixed another case of endless sleep
  
• Fixed grinding causing crashes
  

Bugfixes - High

• Fixed issue with outposts coming back after being scrapped
  
• Fixed floating circuit boards after scrapping an outpost
  
• Fixed rocks appearing inside of player's base
  
• Fixed issue with building a composter in a big dome
  
• Fixed cupboards opening up/closing after save/load
  
• Fixed fridge requiring less power than storage cabinet
  
• Fixed rover's container UI scrolling issues
  
• Polished achievement star from the freeplay menu
  
• Fixed battery rack duplicating items
  
• Fixed active extension buttons in rover not being highlighted
  
• Fixed rocks falling under the terrain
  
• Fixed issue with being able to place small crusher too low
  
• Fixed not being able to talk to the governor in campaign
  
• Fixed issue with missing supply drops
  
• Raised up "sleep deprivation warning" to not hide other icons on the HUD
  
• Raised "sleep deprivation warning" a bit because it was covering other icons on the HUD
  
• Fixed issue with Top GUI appearing in TPP
  
• Fixed unexplained helmet breakage after sleep
  
• Fixed quad with rocket engine falling too far after crash
  
• Fixed issue with changing trailers on big crusher
  
• Fixed issue with missing power in introbase after talking to the governor
  
• Fixed issue with duplicating ATV in hangar
  
• Fixed levitating rocks after drilling
  
• Fixed issue with wrong information about tipper load
  
• Fixed night vision strange blinking effect
  
• Fixed issue with Rover Oxygen Extension name inconsistent with the item name in the techtree
  
• Fixed save not loading
  
• Fixed small unevenness that could prevent building extensions
  
• Fixed issue with H2O/O2/Hunger not dropping, weather effects not occuring
  
• Fixed issue with player blocked after entering ECU panel
  
• Fixed problem with collecting fully grown plants with full inventory
  
• Fixed level of oxygen in rover not consistent to the notifications
  
• Fixed overexposed rover cockpit
  
• Fixed iItems from the container are not picked up after grinding
  
• Fixed issue with tablet black screen
  
• Fixed issue with entering ATV
  
• Fixed another case of endless sleep
  
• Fixed issue with duplicating batteries in battery rack
  
• Fixed long hair sticking out from helmet + helmet animation bugs
  
• Fixed blinking % value on uranium centrifuge
  
• Fixed some cases of bugged inventories
  

Bugfixes - Normal

• Fixed unnatural glow when drilling rocks
  
• Fixed issue with floating caves and holes in the terrain under them
  
• Moved rear camera of the rover so it won't be covered by the arm
  
• Fixed incorrect sandstorm's direction
  
• Fixed issue with specific rocks type reappearing after save/load
  
• Fixed dust being too easy to clean after the sandstorm
  
• Fixed cleaning rover from the dust after sandstorm
  
• Added new tab in tablet dedicated for notifications so they won't pop up after waking up all ot once
  
• Fixed issues with placing uranium centrifuge blueprint
  
• Fixed inability to place pump station upgrade on Korolev Crater
  
• Polished main menu's crane physics
  
• Improved events' UI appearance and consistency
  
• Rebalanced cost of pack of screws
  
• Fixed issue with hanging parts of the grinded outposts
  
• Fixed sink not shutting off automatically
  
• Fixed missing grabbing animation form specific type of rocks
  
• Fixed CO2 scrubber doors to be less clumsy
  
• Fixed issue with "unload zone" pop-up always being visible
  
• Fixed issue with reappearing medium circuit board from starting capsule after being picked up and after save/load
  
• Fixed case with endless sleep
  
• Removed unnecessary objects from the crusher's printer menu
  
• Fixed light source in motocross
  
• Fixed issue with planting site highlighting
  
• Fixed rover radar speed boost
  
• Fixed issue with duplicating MRE
  
• Visual fixes in introbase
  
• Fixed a bug that resulted in the shower not turning off automatically.
  
• Fixed issue with heavy suit different color after loading save
  
• Fixed wrong tornado alert when dust devils start
  
• Fixed interactable loading bar
  
• Fixed ores are falling under map
  
• Fixed some of the mined ores teleport below ground
  
• Fixed missing grinding sound
  
• Fixed stars not visible on low and very low quality
  
• Added quad shadow
  
• Added information about slower XP gain on madman
  
• Fixed issue with changing graphic settings breaks order of layers
  
• Blocked possibility to open door during driving murstruck
  
• Fixed orange windows issue in Outposts
  
• Fixed supply drop tablets not stacking
  
• Added plant HP protection in hand
  
• Fixed the helmet putting on animation in the airlock
  
• Added boost key in quad to controls
  
• Fixed turning on lights on quad
  
• Fixed the quad battery status refresh
  
• Fixed air compressor doesn't respond to the option " Hold to use tool"
  
• Fixed returning 'press button' text in main menu
  
• Unearthed half-buried outpost
  
• Fixed HQ transparent roof at low LOD
  
• Fixed running with Spotty board in hands
  
• Fixed wrong quad speed on UI
  
• Fixed duplicated messages tab control icons (while playing with gamepad)
  
• Fixed blinking "Enter" option while moving crane
  
• Fixed many ores falling from one rock
  
• Fixed long hair penetrating the helmet
  

Bugfixes - Low

• Fixed 3d printer door overlapping the CO2 scrubber
  
• Polished Marstruck's inventory UI to better fit the screen
  
• Fixed hand position while holding MRE
  
• Small IT translation fixes
  
• Fixed cables in introbase
  
• Fixed big dome strange light effect
  
• Fixed issues with battery and oxygen indicator
  
• Fixed water auto shut-off
  
• Fixed quad shadow on the map
  
• Fixed issue with cleaning vehicles with air compressor
  
• Fixed small translation issues in DE
  
• Added helmet damage after explosion
  
• Fixed missing translation keys in controls options (player)
  
• Fixed tank showing wrong content
  
• Fixed player oxygen meter
  
• Fixed sky texture on very low and low graphic
  
• Fixed stars reflection on domes
  
• Fixed helmet edges visible on quad and cross
  
• Fixed strange window texture in landing capsule
  
• Fixed wrong O2 indication on UI
  
• Fixed tools lvl 2 do not make any sound
  
• Fixed quad sounds
  
• Fixed driving sound while being in ESC menu
  
• Fixed sound of the rover drill audible when the tip is not working
  
• Small polish translations fixes
  
• Fixed strange percentage value appearing on the uranium centrifuge
  

You can read even more about the changes in previous devlog:
https://steamcommunity.com/games/758690/announcements/detail/4261049898200059363

As you can see, that was a lot of work. A significant portion of the changes we've implemented involved a complete overhaul of the core game mechanics. This isn't just a matter of adjusting a few values in a spreadsheet; it requires rewriting large sections of code, including additional code revisions and corrections due to the possible ripple effects. Each correction also needs to be tested in a proper way. And finally, we've developed entirely new game mechanics for features that didn’t exist before.

[h3]Known issues[/h3]
High

• Items previously transferred from printer inventory to the container are gone. Workaround: do not use advanced management of the crusher’s inventory until we fix that. The basic management should be safe.
  
• Can't pick up the bottle form CO2 scrubber with auto-fill option enabled. Possible workaround: save/load the game and you’ll be able to pick it up
  
• Tutorial not displaying properly after interacting with the elevator in the alpha base
  
• Various translations missing or incorrect
  
• Incorrect notifications after completing quests in campaign
  
• Trailer hanging in the air in hangar
  
• List of required building components sometimes looks bad
  
• Missing texture in campaign in the explosion scene
  
• Inconsistency in outposts' textures
  
• Wrongly placed heavy suit battery slot in the inventory
  
• Leaving the motocross seat close to the hangar may result in dark terrain
  
• Wrong info on water detector lvl 3 screen (change mode to fix that issue)
  
• Minigame: cannot keep grinding after disappearance of the point
  
• Various issues with scanning and stacking decorations
  
• Issues with merging MRE
  
• Disappearing jetpack after startup, resulting in the player falling from the sky. Workaround: don’t save your game while flying, jetpack only disappears when you save/load the game after taking off.
  
• Issue with targeting the chair in the landing capsule
  
• Increasing electricity exp points, while they shouldn’t grow
  
• Weather effects affecting player in some places of closed outpost
  
• Various issues with interactions with cabinets in particular type of outpost
  
• "Continue" button allowing to start loading old (incompatible) saves
  
• After demolishing one of the base’s structures, the NaN value will appear on the screens of any devices that show water data, control panels in buildings, UI, on the radar, pump stations etc. Workaround: save/load the game.
  
• Disappearing circuit board from the broken quad after loading the save. Possible workaround: to put the new circuit board inside of the ATV, simply save/load the game. The destroyed one won’t be back, though.
  
• Infinite filling of oxygen bottle in CO2 scrubber
  
• After resetting the rover from the vehicle's tab level, the rover sinks under the terrain making it impossible to drive. Workaround: save/load the game.
  
• Doubled probe, only one left after save/load
  
• After interacting with doubled probe, ESC menu doesn’t work. Workaround: save/load the game
  
• Minimum required amount of sleep is shown too late. Workaround: if the sleep button is not responsive, simply set the sleep time to later
  

Medium / Low

• Blinking texture in specific type of outpost
  
• No collider in airlock for a specific type of outpost
  
• Scrap 3in1 tanks can be grinded with grinder lvl1 when being inside of the hangar
  
• Disappearing vehicle after player's death
  
• Missing collider in landing capsule
  
• Various issues with text on the UI
  
• Crusher's lever broken animation
  
• Visible motocross' open electricity socket while driving
  
• Reappearing probe after being grinded after save/load
  
• Unpleasant grinder animation
  
• Disappearing light in motocross from distance
  

We're currently working on an update to address this issues. Please don’t forget that Occupy Mars is still in its Early Access phase. Early access is more than just a label; it’s a vital part of our game’s development process. It means that while it is playable and full of exciting content, it’s also a work in progress. But most importantly, it means that you, our players, have a direct influence on each update.

Your feedback, ideas, and suggestions are what inspires us to push forward, make changes, and continue improving. Every update is shaped by your input, and we’re incredibly grateful for your continued support. We’re creating this project together.

Alright, no more boring speeches! Let’s go and try the update already!
We just can’t wait to see what you think about it!

Yours,
Occupy Mars Team

In this devlog we want to let you know about the progress of work on the upcoming Major Update.

This upcoming update is revolutionary in many ways and as such requires thorough testing. Our hope is that this update will answer to many reported issues and feedback we have collected during the first year of Early Access. We are working hard on testing the build, but as of today it's not yet ready for release, even to public_testing branch, but we will let you know as soon as it's possible.

Due to changes in the core game mechanics it was hard to predict how long some those features will take to implement, so we prioritized those which take the most time first and divided this update into parts. Here's what we have achieved so far (Anniversary Update - Part #1):

[h2]Animations[/h2]

1. We have improved player animations - it's not perfect yet, but you should notice many improvements in the quality, smoothness and responsiveness of the animations. During first launch of the new version, you will be shown the new game settings screen where you can adjust gameplay to your preferences. Hand animations will be disabled by default, so that default gameplay is even faster.
   
   
2. Overall responsiveness should be better. Our goal was to get rid of the feeling of "controlling the astonaut" and instead to achieve better feeling of "being the astronaut". 🤖
   
   
3. We have improved using tools and targeting, now grinding small objects will no longer be a problem and drilling should be easier both in FPP and TPP modes.🔨
   
   
4. The mechanism of opening the airlocks was overhauled, it is now much faster, and the automatic doors are almost instant allowing for smoother gameplay while running between base sections.💨
   
   
5. Positions of doors and cupboards are now saved, we've also fixed doors and cupboards, which were opening again after closing. 🚪
   
   
6. We have fixed astronaut’s feet colliders which were a little bit too high + now each feet stands independently on the ground when placed on different heights and the player will step over small obstacles instead of requiring a full jump - this also makes the astronaut feel more alive. 🥾
   
   
7. Improved tablet opening animation and position. We have also made it possible to open the tablet and take helmet off while crouching - as requested 😉
   

[h2]Electricity & Balance[/h2]

1. We have made huge changes in electricity & substance flow system - no more thinking about percentages when splitting power, from now on - only numerical values! Also: now outlets have priorities - the lower the ordinal number of an electrical outlet, the higher the priority (same applies to pump splitter).⚡
   
   What does it mean in practice? For example: if your electricity input drops then it will not cut off every connected building but instead it will supply energy first to socket #1, then if it has enough power - to socket #2 etc. Many of you have requested this change and we hope you will enjoy it. This should allow for easier energy management while also opening new possibilities. 🔢
   
   
2. Be careful about connecting electricity to buildings - if you transmit too much power to one outlet - the external fuses will burn and you will have to replace them. 🔌
   
   
3. Electricity & Substance Flow System have been rewritten for more accurate and faster flow calculation. They will now be refreshed every 1 in-game minute instead of previous 10 in-game minutes. Also now only the amount of energy/water actually used by connected building is consumed, instead of everything that's set as the socket output🌀
   
   
4. Added new detailed infopanels with advanced information about electricity and substances to devices like ECU Transformer, Battery, Pump Station etc.🪫
   
   
5. We have changed buildings costs, positions, electricity usage and overall balance of the game.📊
   
   
6. We've also changed Early Game balance: faster tech tree progress and less grind at early stages.🪚
   
   
7. Stack size of many items have been changed to make more sense. 📐
   

[h2]Construction[/h2]

1. We have added technology for printing circuit boards. This functionality will be moved to special workbench in future update, but for now this technology will enable printing circuit boards using 3D printers. 📟
   
   
2. Added new mechanic: Decorations - scanning furniture and decorations in abandoned bases using additional mode in "Spectral Detector" tool will let you use them for decorating your own base using new "Cordless Drill" tool. Unlock different variants of furniture and decorations and place them where you want.🛋️
   
   
3. We've improved building placement and snapping to grid and other buildings.🏭
   
   
4. Added short descriptions for In-game locked blueprints.💳
   
   
5. Added a special repair kit for buildings and vehicles - so you can instantly repair vehicle or a building.🛠️
   
   
6. We've made it easier to build inside buildings: if you equip a welder you'll be shown a list that tells you what you can build on a given slot; if you prefer to build by selecting a device from the blueprints tab - no problem, we've added a marking that shows on which slot you can place it as well.🪑
   

[h2]Survival changes + hydration & oxygen rework[/h2]

1. Double progress bars on HUD for Oxygen, Hydration and Stamina - in the new version the bottle system will change. When the water bottle runs out you still have additional hydration level bar to know how long you can survive until the bottle is refilled. When your oxygen bottle runs out then there's a little bit of oxygen left in your suit which is shown by the thinner progress bar at the bottom. The Stamina bar also has second thinner bar which shows your Tiredness (maximum stamina regeneration level).🧴📊
   
   
2. Added options to disable or change weather duration and effects in the Freeplay Start Menu 🌪️
   
   
3. Sleep deprivation will now cause damage, but Astronauts can sleep during the weather events! (we had to implement sped-up weather-damage simulation during sleep to achieve this)🧑‍🚀
   
   
4. We've reworked the bottle refill system while also adding auto shut-off to sinks after water is replenished to prevent water waste.💧
   
   
5. We have added technology to unlock, to automatically refill the oxygen bottle from environment when inside.🫁
   

[h2]Plants[/h2]

1. From now on you will be able to mix different plant types in single device, like: shelves, fields, incubators and domes! 🌱
   
   
2. We have finally converted the plant breeding facilities - they all now have an equal number of plant slots for easier replanting ⿻
   
   
3. Trees will finally start to act like real trees - after harvesting fruit, the tree does not disappear, but continues to bear fruit (if you get bored with the tree - use the grinder to get rid of it) 🌳
   
   
4. It's also now possible to collect all plants to the plants crate with one click. 🖱️
   

[h2]Gameplay changes[/h2]

1. Hotbars are now visible in all inventories and containers.🔨
   
   
2. Added search and sorting options to tablet: Blueprints menu, Inventory and FAQ! 🔍
   
   
3. We've modified CO2 Scrubber and Battery Rack UI to make them more intuitive and easier to use.🖥️
   
   
4. We've improved the grading of colors on the map to have better control over the condition of your buildings.🗺️
   
   
5. We've improved the target points - now you can have more colors and their names from the map are displayed above the target point on HUD.📍
   
   
6. We've have made changes in the Tech Tree and added additional technologies like: "Cleaning Nanobots" for automatic cleaning of solar panels.💻
   
   
7. We have moved rear camera of rover behind the HDS Arm.📹
   
   
8. Rover and Truck now also require battery and oxygen bottle to build, they also require charging after construction.🚚
   
   
9. We have improved optimization, now there are much smaller FPS drops while driving.⌛
   
   
10. We have added new types of abandoned outposts.🏚️
    
    
11. We have moved Quick Load to F9 - it will be harder to miss-click quick save and quick load. ⌨️
    
    
12. Added new video-tutorial system to the game.🎬
    
    
13. Hundreds of bugs fixed! 🪲
    
    
14. We are adding main purpose quest to the Freeplay Mode 🚀 (more details about it later 😉)
    
    
15. and much more! 🎇
    

🚀 That's not all of the changes, as we still have many tasks to add and implement, but first we want to stabilize the build with the core changes mentioned above. Join our Thursday development stream on Twitch and YouTube where we'll be showing some sneak peaks and talking about those changes in detail.

[hr][/hr] If you missed the 🌟Steam Summer Sale remember that there are still many bundles available which allow you to get our games cheaper while also helping us with the development of updates!

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/31567/Pyramid_Games_Bundle/

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/28017/Occupy_Mars_Universe_Bundle/

Click here for full list of game Bundles available together with Occupy Mars!
[hr][/hr]

Thank you very, very much for your continued support! 🙏

Take care,
Occupy Mars team

It’s been a few weeks since we launched update v0.160.2 to the public_testing branch on Steam. We wanted to collect your feedback and opinions before spreading it to a wider audience, but there it is!👍

[h3]Nuclear Update | Changelog v0.154.4 -> v0.160.2[/h3]
For a full list of v0.160.2 fixes read the previous devlog #87:
https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/758690/view/4188985962637427870?l=english
🛈 As we mentioned in one of the latest devlogs, v0.160.2 is the last patch for the Nuclear Update ☢️ and the next one will be the (quite revolutionary) Anniversary Update 🎉 Our devs are doing their best to deliver it as soon as possible, so leave them a dose of encouragement in the comments below! 🙌

The Anniversary Update will bring a lot of changes in the core gameplay aspects, survival mechanics, building and repairing aspects, player animations and much more. For this reason please remember that there will be no save compatibility after v0.160.2, but we will (as always) first put the Anniversary Update on the public_testing branch to let you test it and have a choice before it goes live for everyone.👌

⚠️ Keep in mind that there are some known bugs in the version v0.160.2 ⚠️
Although they are not very serious, we wanted to let you know about two of the issues that were reported by the players and possible ways to go around them ➡️

Bug #1:
Rover's crane with a grabber sometimes doesn't react to player's commands to be opened or closed.
Temporary workaround: Change crane's tip to drill and change back to grabber.

Bug #2:
Rover inventory container’s UI is not showing the last three rows and it’s impossible to scroll down to see them using a mouse.
Temporary workaround: it’s possible to access those items from the invisible part of the inventory with arrows of your keyboard. Navigate to the bottom with the arrow down, press ENTER on the chosen slot and navigate back up with arrows to move the item from there. Press ENTER once again to place the item in the desired slot.



We're already working on fixes as part of the Upcoming Update so those shouldn't occur in the future!🤞

Branch changes

We have also reorganized Steam Beta Branches. With more updates it was becoming more and more difficult to track which version is on which "previous" branch. So now every important version is labeled as a separate Steam Beta Branch so you can always go back to the one you want 😉



[h2]Aside from Mars...[/h2]

As you know - the game development industry is small and developers tend to know and help each other. This time we wanted to let you know that our friends from Game Island are releasing their new survival game, Serum.


Their Early Access will go live today! In the game your ultimate goal is to find the precious 💉 Serum, essential to keep you sane and alive!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1610520/Serum/

To celebrate their launch, in cooperation with Game Island and Toplitz Productions, we have prepared a special Stay Alive Bundle! You can now get both, Occupy Mars and Serum, at a reduced price! 💵

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/41851/

Give Serum a go and let its devs know your feedback - they'll appreciate it!

And that's all for today! Thank you for your continued support and see you soon in the Major Update! 🖐️

Take care,
Occupy Mars team

[h3]It's been one Earth year since the release of Occupy Mars in early access![/h3]

🍾 On May 10th, 2023 you took the first step on the Red Planet and started your Martian adventure.

🔴 We’re genuinely impressed by seeing what you have achieved, we admire the amazing bases you built and how an important part of our daily lives became important for you as well.

🚀 Many things have changed and improved since the initial release. We were attentively following feedback and reports left on our social media channels and our dev team continued to work hard to meet your expectations. Leave a thumbs up for them in the comments! 👍💬

During this time we have launched nearly 20 patches with bug fixes and two major updates (Exploration and Nuclear Update). The 3rd Major Update is in preparation, as you may already know 😉 we are very excited for the upcoming big changes and we can't wait to show them to you when ready.



We'll shed more light on the upcoming Major Update in the next devlogs. Today we'd like to thank you very much for all hours you spent playing Occupy Mars, for all the comments you keep leaving and what's most important - thank you very, very much for your continued support! 🙏

We hope that you will spend another year with us and will watch the project develop further! 🌟🚀

Take care,
Occupy Mars team

It’s been a while since the latest patch release, but here we are! Introducing the newest update, now available on public_testing branch! 🤩🌟

[h3]Changelog v0.154.4 -> v0.160.2 (public_testing)[/h3]

We’re thrilled to announce that along with this patch we’re officially closing the ☢️ Nuclear Update chapter and from now on, we’re focusing exclusively on the 🎉 Anniversary Update. We have high hopes that it will result in accelerating the progress significantly.

❗️If you’d like to try the newest patch, it is required to change the branch on Steam to public_testing❗️

[h3]How to switch branches? [/h3]

1. Right-click on the game from your Steam library
   
2. Properties…
   
3. Betas
   
4. Beta participation
   
5. Select public_testing from the all available branches from the drop-down list
   

Without further ado, please find the complete changelog below. 👇

[h3]🔸Bugfixes🔸[/h3]

• Fixed issue with game crashing when loading the save
  
• Fixed some cases of missing supply drop
  
• Fixed some cases of terrain holes
  
• Fixed harmless thunder strikes
  
• Fixed probes falling underground
  
• Fixed rover spawning on top of the rock in sandbox (tourist)
  
• Fixed quad lights not turning on
  
• Fixed pump station info not appearing on the map if there's extension added to it
  
• Fixed not working keybind to change rover tipper
  
• Improved endurance meter for objects to be more visible
  
• Fixed small crusher telling to unload rover when driving in from the wrong side
  
• Fixed no info "unload area" at crusher for truck at TPP
  
• Fixed "unload zone" info showing in the truck when being too close to the large miner
  
• Fixed small crusher working with no electricity
  
• Fixed issue with blank signs after waking up from sleep / loading save
  
• Fixed spoiled vegetables not being stacked
  
• Fixed locking the rover with "I am afraid you can't do that" message
  
• Fixed sandstorms occurring too often
  
• Fixed missing prize after hacking antenna
  
• Fixed not being able to load container from big miner
  
• Fixed cabbage magically changing its model
  
• Fixed issue with probe target not disappearing from the map
  
• Fixed not being able to pick up a blueprint with full inventory
  
• Fixed "external pressure" notification being heard too often
  
• Fixed tipper's fulfillment level meter
  
• Fixed disappearing continue button
  
• Fixed flickering interior of buildings during sandstorm
  
• Added various sounds that were missing
  
• Fixed "empty" rocks with no resources inside
  
• Fixed not being able to unlock technology
  
• Fixed no possibility to change trailer after meteor hit the rover
  
• Added rockets to supply drops
  
• Fixed permanent holes after drilling buildings
  
• [PL] Fixed meteorite being described as pendrive
  
• Fixed not being able to pick up iron rocks with the rover after the meteor hit
  
• Fixed various bugs in campaign
  
• Fixed shaking rover when loading the tipper
  
• Improved uranium rock radiation consistency
  
• Fixed not disappearing "loading zone" message after scrapping a miner
  
• Fixed rocket A randomly hanging in the air
  
• Fixed sink height
  
• Fixed incorrect rover trailer icons
  
• Fixed multiple objects' wrong size
  
• Fixed ragged edges of the miner screen
  
• Fixed resources falling through the container when loading them from the miner
  
• Fixed driver's position in the truck to higher
  
• Fixed buildings oxygen level not colored on the radar
  
• Fixed cables and pipes going through the Doctor's room
  
• Fixed omnipresent sounds
  
• Fixed not all rover trailers being shown in the tablet
  
• Fixed transformer input icon changing to battery icon when being connected to the battery output
  
• Fixed materials techtree color to be consistent
  
• Fixed miner building shadow's ramp happening to be too high
  
• Fixed bugged inventory stacking
  
• [IT] Fixed various translation errors
  
• Fixed "loading area" message staying on the screen after destroying big miner
  
• Fixed blurred truck inventory in TPP
  
• Fixed crusher and rover inventory brightness
  
• Fixed duplicated, non-usable ATV after resetting the truck with it to the hangar
  
• Fixed ATV sinking into the ground after resetting it from the tablet
  
• Fixed fake weather effects alert
  
• [CN, simplified] Added missing translations and fixed various errors
  
• Fixed only sandstorm appearing
  
• Improved LOD of 4-way corridor
  
• [RU] Fixed minor translation errors
  
• Added blue markings to water tanks
  
• Fixed logs content to be clearer
  
• Fixed backwards degree numbers on compass
  
• Fixed quad inventory box contrast and saturation
  
• Improved textures quality of fuse boxes
  
• Fixed ability to reset rover while changing trailers
  
• Added missing translation in miner's UI
  

[h3]🔸Optimization🔸[/h3]

• Optimized decorative elements in outposts
  
• Improved greenhouse's lights graphics for optimization
  
• Changed domes and crusher textures for optimization
  
• Fixed texture quality of destroyed outpost for optimization
  
• Optimized shadows
  

[h3]🔸Features🔸[/h3]

• Improved Rover trunk inventory slots on front screen
  
• Added hotbar content in inventories displays
  
• Improvements in inventory UI in small printers
  
• Added preview of resources in miner on radar
  
• Improved color of miner spot radar effect
  
• Improved rover's lights
  
• Added additional info when you need science bench to research technology
  
• Added water auto shut-off
  
• Added possibility to set all required values in the greenhouse by one click
  
• Added separate arrows for each inventory in printer
  
• Added easy-to-access information about the capacity of the large horizontal tank
  
• Improved techtree points balance
  

If the bug or idea you submitted isn't visible on the list, it doesn't mean we ignored it. Each report is carefully reviewed and placed accordingly in our task queue for analysis and further action. 🐞🔍

And that’s it! Thank you to those who were waiting more or less patiently for this update. 😊 We know it took a while, but because we value quality, we could not release a build that did not meet our requirements in testing, also most of the team is now focused on the bigger changes & new content for the upcoming Anniversary Update. 🛠️👷‍♂️

As always, we strongly encourage you to visit our social media and to sign up to our Discord channel. Let us know about your 💡 ideas for content development, share your 🎮 gameplay experiences and notify us about any 🐛 bugs you encounter.

Thank you for your continued support and take care! 👋

Regards,
OM team