Occupy Mars: The Game News

[h2]Dear Martians![/h2]

Thank you for playing Exploration Update and all the feedback so far! We appreciate it a lot!

During Early Access we aim to address your suggestions as fast as possible. If you encounter any bugs or you have more thoughts about update, please email us to [email protected], this will help to track down the issues faster.

We are hard at work on next hotfixes and QoL changes and we have already released a patch v0.134.2 on public_testing beta branch on Steam. Feel free to try it out and we will switch it to default branch if no new problems occur, meanwhile we are working on the next one.

[h3]Build v0.134.2 - Changelog (public_testing)[/h3]

• Fixed bug which sometimes showed incorrect outposts after load
  
• Fixed bug with dirty motocross after building
  
• Fixed bug with turning wheels of multiple vehicles
  
• Fixed bug with Heavy Suit when set to realistic movement type
  
• Fixed bugs related to unpowered workshop fuses and inside temperature
  
• Fixed scrolling of print queue in Big Crusher
  
• Fixed tracking points naming on the radar
  
• Fixed saving state of capsule door open/closed
  
• Fixed sleeping for longer time than allowed
  
• Fixed bug with getting stuck on 3D printer screen
  
• Fixed battery upgrade scrap not scrappable
  
• Fixed moving items between inventories
  
• Fixed bug with misplaced tool after upgrading on workbench
  
• Fixed CO2 bottle capacity and highlighting when Z is pressed
  
• Fixed wrong default settings for interactable distance
  
• Fixed bug with UI cursor staying on tablet
  
• Fixed multiple incorrect texts / translations
  
• Fixed bug with suit battery disappearing from inventory
  
• Fixed bug with new location notification sometimes not showing in TPP
  

In the next build we are focusing on more improvements and QoL changes, including the balance of the tool durability system - based on your feedback.

Yours,
Occupy Mars Team

[h2]Dear Martians![/h2]

Welcome to Sol #111 on Mars!

The Exploration Update is finally going live today, so let's dive in right into the details (this is going to be a long post). First check out the info-graphic with summary and our brand new trailer:



[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

[h3]Build v0.134.0 - Changelog[/h3]

Core:

• Upgraded Unity Engine version to the most stable one
  
• Map generation system upgrade
  

New Features:

• redesign of well panel (added more info and improved readability)
  
• added tanks for rover (for transporting water, oxygen and methane)
  
• added inventory boxes (for extra storage space)
  
• added possibility to hide from weather effects in abandoned bases
  
• added settings window during first game launching
  
• added snow dust when riding on frozen land
  
• added notification when player enters new location
  
• added tool durability system
  
• rebalanced amount of resources after grinding roadster
  
• added Motocross vehicle
  
• added Mars Truck vehicle
  
• added Wind Turbines (Big & Small)
  
• added Sink in the Workshop
  
• added possibility to switch on/off devices (fuses in buildings)
  
• added icons for every type of science bench
  
• added information in blueprints menu about how much energy does every object need
  
• added box for stacking circuit boards
  
• added battery rack for batteries and power expansions charging
  
• added the possibility to fix tools with repair kits and using workbench
  
• added the possibility to change suit in lobby building
  
• added the possibility to change suit colors in lobby building
  
• added Heavy Suit for astronaut
  
• added possibility to pick up ready to load rocks (player can throw them into crusher or truck’s trunk)
  
• added creating backup copy of player’s saves / save versioning
  
• reworked audio course system (affects performance)
  
• added more eye colors
  
• added possibility to change body type
  
• added the protection against the situation when player is stuck in screen because of weather event
  
• added the info about reaching max number of vehicles
  
• increased water flow in water spots
  
• added notifications in TPP view
  
• added possibility to print Solid Rocket A kit in Workshop Printer
  
• added possibility to find new batteries
  
• added several knowledge base records
  
• changed model of small crusher
  
• airlocks in abandoned bases remain open after the player unlocks them
  
• added arrows on crushers that indicate correct driving direction
  
• information about bonus to seeds quality on Seed Magazine
  
• added radiation and loot in destroyed base
  
• added option to change the mouse target color to a more contrasting one
  
• added possibility to destroy jetpack in the crusher
  
• added new look of electricity table
  

Bugfixes:

• fixed the problems with items disappearing from containers
  
• fixed Devil’s Dust weather effect killing player by sucking it out from the abandoned base
  
• problem with blocked door after driving rover
  
• problem with placing ATV ghost
  
• rare problem with inactive ESC button
  
• problem with blocking the game if driving on ATV into pile of cables
  
• problem with player dying in starting capsule because of wrong plant crate collider
  
• problem with player dying after walking into rover’s wheel on small crusher
  
• problem with player losing all of the plants and damaged buildings after saving during fire
  
• problem with player dying from suffocation after loading a save
  
• problem with water spot and well incorrect production values
  
• fixed some causes of transparent building (it won't fix old saves, but it shouldn't happen on the new ones)
  
• fixed taking water bottle with ctrl in tutorial 2
  
• fixed death from lack of oxygen after sitting in rover's chair
  
• raycast improvements (big bases optimization)
  
• fixed problem with incorrect weather effect when player is in abandoned base
  
• fixed invisible HQ collider
  
• fixed problem with inability to build new battery section after battery being damaged
  
• fixed most of the problems with loot falling under the terrain or into the foundations of the buildings
  
• fixed battery extension couldn't be repaired
  
• fixed wrong items for constructing workbench
  
• fixed chemistry tech tree points after use meteor rocket
  
• fixed most of the problems with players inside/outside status (causing transparent walls and “terraforming mars” bug)
  
• fixed LOD problems on higher graphic levels
  
• fixed tessellation active by default on lower graphic settings
  
• fixed problem with storage cabinet working as fridge
  
• fixed problem with tools doubling when upgrading one on workbench
  
• fixed problems with choosing tools on gamepad
  
• fixed missing key in infopanel (tutorial 6)
  
• changed sandstorm sound
  
• fixed resetting rover with trailer
  
• fixed quad floating after accident
  
• fixed ability to genetically engineer seeds without tech unlocked
  
• fixed container exploit
  
• fixed player could replenish water without having water bottle attached to the suit
  
• fixed Ingenuity landing bug (drone falling into buildings collider)
  
• fixed problem with player being thrown into a abandoned base collider after being hit by the rover
  
• fixed problem with incorrect values in the battery after destroying ghost of the battery expansion
  
• fixed problem with losing all of the oxygen from the base after adding or destroying parts of it
  
• fixed problem with meteor hit pushing player through the walls of the buildings
  
• fixed problem with limited number of backers shown in credits
  
• fixed problem with CO2 Scrubber exploding after loading save
  
• fixed adding target to the list blocks player movement
  
• several cases of player dying while running into rock and using jackhammer
  
• several cases of game crashing while launching
  
• fixed problem with Rover not spawning in Freeplay mode on Tourist difficulty level
  
• fixed broken helmet was nor marked red in the inventory
  
• fixed wrong description of controls in crane arm mode in Rover
  
• fixed problem with LOD colors
  
• fixed some outposts have one color textures
  
• several fixes of appearance and colliders in Destroyed Base
  
• fixed domes didn't have dirt effect
  
• fixed wrong labels on spectral detector
  
• fixed incorrect name of fridge and storage cabinets
  
• fixed wrong movement of fuse hatch in corridor
  
• fixed graphical glitch after meteor hit
  
• fixed tablets outlet still visible after crushing
  
• fixed problem with tablets with blueprints hanging in the air after using them from hotbar
  
• fixed wrong description of a lobby in tech tree
  
• fixed problem with container changing its given name after loading save
  
• fixed music stops after condition alert in destroyed base
  
• fixed board icons in build progress preview
  
• improved placing small antenna
  
• LOD improvements
  
• airlock looks improvements
  
• fixed domes can't be printed in big rock crusher
  
• fixed domes - some buttons to set the automatic current value don't respond
  
• fixed possibility to build container underground
  
• improved placing domes on uneven terrain
  
• small fixes to music slider
  
• fixed wrong drill sound
  
• fixed problem with air leak in wrong place in corridor
  
• fixed too short stairs in some abandoned bases
  
• fixed missing parts of the pipe props in abandoned bases
  
• fixed indestructible objects in abandoned bases
  
• fixed several grammar mistakes and spelling issues in EN translation
  
• fixed description of several achievements
  
• fixed problem with mute option
  
• fixed graphic glitch that caused colors look like dirt on buildings
  
• fixed lack of snow texture on the mountains
  
• fixed position of video button
  
• fixed shredded fabric spawned in the air
  
• fixed player could walk under greenhouse in abandoned bases
  
• fixed icon of big antenna
  
• fixed problem with depth change of capsule lever
  
• fixed rover’s windows after sandstorm
  
• fixed player could interact with already grinded-down vent in abandoned base
  
• fixed low quality ATV particles
  
• fixed Alpha base still on the map even if player grinds it completely
  
• fixed boxes and crates hanging in the air after destroying props under them
  
• fixed low quality blowtorch particles on higher levels of tool
  
• fixed incorrect Olympus Mons color
  
• fixed plants glowing from afar
  
• fixed foil curtains visible only on certain background
  
• and much more...
  

[h3]What's next?[/h3]

Our first plan is to introduce hotfixes to the exploration update based on your post-launch feedback. We also have some more tasks implemented which didn't make it to the testing phase but should arrive in the next updates.

Known issues we are currently working on fixing:

• the heavy suit doesn't work properly when you have realistic type movement enabled
  
• tech tree point number notification on HUD sometimes show incorrect number
  
• some save files need to be loaded from the main menu instead of esc menu
  
• after loading an autosave upon completing tutorial 2, you can die
  
• rocks can spawn in bases after converting save from old version (in this situation, destroy the rock and save the game)
  
• save loading times can take long, especially when loading a save from a previous game version for the first time (save conversion)
• sometimes interaction gets blocked after picking up a board
  
• incorrect default settings for interactable distance highlights
  
• after equipping the battery in specific situations, it can disappear from the inventory
  
• if you save the game while sitting in the rover, driving can glitch. In that case, stand up and sit down again
  
• when your inventory is full and you try to pick up a levitating board, it may fall through the ground
  
• MRE nutrition values are sometimes changing after save and load
  
• motocross can sometimes remain stuck on the track after transporting
  
• tablet UI improvements
  
• FPS drops while driving and with big bases - still work in progress
  

Some Technical Features we are also working on to be added in the next updates:

• Translations: Additional 4 languages: Chinese Traditional, Dutch, Ukrainian, Romanian - are almost done: currently in testing phase. Also additional language: Japanese is still in development.
  
• Animations: better hand animations in FPP mode, snapping to levers etc (still in testing)
  
• We are also experimenting with switching the game to Universal Rendering Pipeline (URP) which may allow us to provide better graphics quality and optimized performance with modern realtime lighting and shading. We are not sure how long it will take, but initial builds were promising.
  
• We also have a small team dedicated to implementing the Online Co-Op mode. It's still a long way to go, but daily progress is being made in this regard. Once we have something playable, we will likely launch a beta branch with limited access.
  
• We are also working on more content updates according to our Roadmap
  

See also previous devlogs for more information:

https://steamcommunity.com/games/758690/announcements/detail/3683430269410273310

https://steamcommunity.com/games/758690/announcements/detail/3669922640220774955

https://steamcommunity.com/games/758690/announcements/detail/3669923275222757340


Stay safe and have fun on Mars!

From Occupy Mars Team



---------------------

P.S. Our Friends from Drago Entertainment are releasing new important devlog for their Winter Survival Simulator and they asked us to share the news, so here it is :)

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1394960/Winter_Survival/

[h2]Dear Martians![/h2]

A significant update is rapidly approaching. In the upcoming devlogs, we will be introducing to you what new things you will encounter on the surface of Mars. We will begin with new vehicles: a motocross bike and a pickup truck.


The motocross bike is an electric motorcycle that enables fast movement across the planet. Riding it requires advanced skills, but experienced Martians will undoubtedly appreciate the joy of riding it. To construct it, a blueprint and building materials will be necessary.


The truck is an extremely versatile vehicle. Depending on your needs, you can transport ATVs or motocross bikes, and you can also manually load rocks onto the truck that can be dumped on the crusher.


Additionally, it provides protection from the cold at night, has 5 slots in the cargo inventory, and solar panels on the roof to recharge its battery. The front cargo area accommodates space for an electronic board controller, inventory control screen, and a place for an extension battery.


We will show you more upcoming features in the next devlog. Remember that there are only 2,5 weeks left until Exploration Update goes live!

See you on the developer stream! We meet as always: on Thursday at 17:00 CEST time on Twitch.

Occupy Mars Team

---------------------

P.S. Our Friends from Atomic Jelly Studio are releasing their Space Mechanic Simulator tomorrow:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/429380/Space_Mechanic_Simulator/

on this occasion we have added 2 new bundles with our games:

• Occupy Mars + Space Mechanic Bundle
• Rover Mechanic + Space Mechanic Bundle

(they will become available after Space Mechanic Simulator launch)

[h2]Dear Martians![/h2]

It's been almost 3 months since our first landing on Mars! During this time we survived many Sols, fixed a lot of bugs (thanks to your help!) and released updates, but now it's time for the Big Update!

Since the last update we touched and reworked many aspects of the game, starting from Unity engine upgrade. We will tell you more about each of the new functionalities in the next devlogs! ːsteamhappyː

[h3]The Exploration Update will come to Steam, EPIC and GOG on August 28th! [/h3]

We also prepared a new trailer announcing the update! Without further ado - you can watch it here:

[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]

We wish you a fantastic weekend on the Red Planet!

Best regards,
Occupy Mars Team

------------------------

P.S. While waiting for the update, you can also check our previous game Rover Mechanic Simulator:

It's part of the same Occupy Mars Universe, and we have prepared a special Universe Bundle just for you:

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

[h2]Greetings, Martians![/h2]

Welcome to the Sol #60 since our landing on Mars!

In this devlog #69 we will tell you more about the upcoming Major Content Update and what we've been focused on in the last few weeks, but first...

[h3]Welcome new players![/h3]

For those of you who have just recently joined us on our adventure: please remember that Occupy Mars is a huge and complex open-world sandbox survival game for fans of the genre. The game may be hard to understand at first, but to make your start a little easier please check the following links:

• (Video Guide) How NOT to die on Mars — YouTube Playlist
• (Video) TightBeam From Mars — our "making of" YouTube miniseries
• [FAQ] Colonist FAQ: How to Survive on Mars
• [FAQ] Game Troubleshooting FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
• [FAQ] CO2 scrubber tips by Cerber
• [FAQ] How to Start by Tzemaru
• Occupy Mars: The Game — Roadmap
• Occupy Mars — Wiki
• Official Discord Server

In case of any issues please remember that you can always press F4 while playing the game to automatically send feedback (including screenshots and logs) directly from the game.

[h3]What we've been up to[/h3]

1. Engine upgrade

Since the last update v0.122.2 we have started a huge rework of the game (in preparation for the Major Content Update) including raising the Unity Engine version. We had to do this since the previously used version had a texture limit and we couldn't add any more objects to the game. Together with the engine version bump you should notice performance improvements and some graphics quality improvements.

2. Save system rework

Once the game was successfully adapted to the new engine build our next focus was a rework of the save system, which seemed to cause the most issues reported by players. We found that the problem was related to system language & culture settings, that's why it only occurred for some players and was so hard to track down. But it should be finally solved!

3. Content & Features

Next we focused on adding the content planned in our Kickstarter Roadmap including but not limited to: New Vehicles, Heavy Suit, Wind Turbines and much much more. Below you will find some sneak peaks of those features. We will write more details about them in the next devlog. You can also re-watch our yesterday's stream to get a closer look at some of the things we are preparing for you :)



Our plan was to release this update for the Summer Sale (so between June and July), but making smaller updates without upgrading the engine was no longer possible. Ironing out the issues related to upgrading the engine took way longer than we initially expected, that's why we didn't make it on time with the major update release. We still need more time for testing and improving the new gameplay so our current schedule for the release of the big update is August.

We want to ensure that this time, a much larger number of players will be pleased with the improved quality of the game after the update. Therefore, we believe that dedicating additional time to fine-tuning it will be worth it.

and while we all wait for the update...

[h3]New Bundle with Astro Colony[/h3]

We have just launched a fresh bundle together with Astro Colony. It's a cool space game made by our friends. The bundle together with the fact that Summer Sale is still running makes it a great value for the price!

https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/32436/Occupy_Mars__Astro_Colony_Bundle/

[h3]Summer Sale[/h3]

The Summer Sale will last until Thursday July 13th so there are only a few days left to get Occupy Mars and other games from our studio with the biggest discounts of the year!



Wishing you a fantastic weekend in Space!

Warm regards,
The Occupy Mars Team