Per Aspera News

Two weeks ago, we released the Green Mars free DLC, and with your help we have already been able to pinpoint and squash some bugs, as well as make improvements to various elements of the game, to better reflect the interplay of certain new features in Green Mars with features from the base game.
As usual, we will push the update to the Advanced branch first and will promote it the the default branch after a few days of testing.


The following changes are live for users on the Advanced Branch:

Improvements

• Updated Flora and Delta O2 Widgets
  
• Updated C02 Widget to reflect consequences with the Fauna
  
• Shows Green Mars DLC in the New Game Screen
  
• Shows Terraforming Widgets even after completing Stage 5
  
• Knowledge Base now shows a lot more information for structures, projects, and other entries
  

Bug Fixes

• Fixed issue with Time Slider not capturing clicks correctly
  
• Fixed issue that after swap the knowledge base only showed some of the structures
  
• Fixed issue that wouldn't grant new structures pushed by datamodel changes on a previously started savegame
  
• Fixed call buttons appearing when entering a dialogue or during one
  
• Fixed issue with horses being flipped when viewed from the north
  
• Fixed issue with a Fauna distribution (rendering)
  
• Fixed typos and localization issues
  
• Fixed issue that would have Dumpsters start with logs already inside the Crater
  
• [Balance] Fixed issue where Superior Colonies costed more than it should
  
• Fixed issue that wouldn't update the in-game date on rewritten savegames
  
• Fixed graphics issue with the Delta-02 graphs
  
• Updated Internationalization texts for Green Mars Update
  
• Lenses stay ON during special project's camera lock animation
  
• Minor representation fixes for the Terraforming Screen
  
• Fixed issues where the hot key opens the tech-tree but doesn't close it
  
• Fixed issue where the military drone factory had the wrong output
  

[h2]How do I access the Advanced branch?[/h2]

Our Advanced branch is where we push out patches for further testing before launching it to the entire playerbase. As we approach and solve more complicated issues and tweak integral features for balancing, we need time and testing to ensure our public build remains stable. Using the Advanced branch gives you the flexibility to try out these new changes while also giving us time to assess the impact of our new updates! Once we’re assured that the patch is working as intended, we’ll publish it to the public branch of the game, where it will be accessible for all of our players.

How to access the Advanced branch
If you’re interested in trying out these new changes, then you’ll need to switch over to the proper branch. Changing a branch is simple and easy!

1. Find “Per Aspera” in your Steam Library and access its properties by right clicking and selecting “Properties”.
   
2. Navigate to the “Betas” sub-menu.
   
3. In the drop-down menu, select the “Advanced” branch.
   
4. That’s it! Your game should begin downloading the new patch.
   

If you’d ever like to return to the Public branch, simple select “None” under the submenu and Steam will handle the rest!

Ad Astra,
Tlön Industries

Mars is green! That's right, the first major expansion is now available for Per Aspera, and best of all, it's free! GREEN MARS brings additional content; gameplay improvements; and optimizations to the Red Planet's best narrative simulation game. The even better news? Per Aspera is 33% off until October 28th!

GREEN MARS centers around flora and fauna as illustrated in a brand-new expansion trailer:

[previewyoutube][YOUTUBE LINK][/previewyoutube]

Be sure to queue the latest update on your copy of Per Aspera if you've not already done so.



[h3]******PLEASE NOTE******[/h3]

Current saves won't work with the new Green Mars features and simulation model. To keep playing your current campaign, follow this link to learn how to Switch Branches in Steam to continue playing on the 1.4.5 Branch:

How to Switch Branches [Geen Mars Update]
A Guide for Per Aspera
By: Magius
How To Switch Branches In this guide, we are going to explain how to switch branches on Steam. And you may be wondering “why do I need to know this?”.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2627124418



[h3]NEW FEATURES[/h3]

MARS ELYSIUM
New features will truly empower players to make Mars a garden planet. Using the tools at your disposal, transform the atmosphere to allow Mars' mineral-rich soil to become fertile ground. Design and landscape Mars the way you want it! Trees on Elysium Mons? You got it!

FLOWING WATER
The Water Must Flow! We've updated our water simulation to render how rivers displace into valleys and craters. The most precious element on Mars now will now be able to reach the deeper confines of the desert, transforming it into lush forests. New Water Pipes allow you to direct your H2O — where mother nature can't, science will.

BIOMES
There are now 11 possible biomes for Mars. Each individual biome has specific conditions that dictate the growth of the flora & fauna on Mars. Part of the challenge of terraformation will be to properly place biodomes, farms & craters to direct plant growth.

FARMS
We've added two new food processing buildings that will grow more nutritious food to keep the scientists on Mars happier and working harder. These buildings use running water as a resource.

FAUNA
Capybaras on Mars! Do we have to say more?

WATER LENS
In order to make sense of your water systems, we've added a lens view that will indicate where water is generated, and where it's needed.



[h3]GAME IMPROVEMENTS[/h3]

- Biodomes now generate dynamically humidity and flora based on water supply status.
- Updated SFXs for Special Projects buttons
- Added small placement snap when over uneven terrain, to avoid pixel hunting
- Deimos can be canceled in the last phase of the project.
- Updated Placement Widget UI
- Fauna now can be toggled from the Options Menu
- Updated Structures Categories. Separated Terraforming into Atmosphere and Life.
- Updated Time Slider UI
- Improved Terraforming Screen UI and UX
- [Balance] Updated Steel and Polymeres Level 2 factories production speed.
- [Balance] Different power buildings now have different radius
- [Balance] Increased yield of Ice projects
- [Balance] Reduced yield of Nitrogen projects
- [Balance] Increased jump radius for Biodomes and Farms
- [Balance] Increased production for water plant

[h3]FIXES[/h3]

- Fixed issue with orbital placement & scanner lens color lines
- Fixed asteroids impact always using the same sound instead of varying per radius
- Fixed Upgraded Ways being rendered under lower level ways
- Fixed issue that would placing a building above an upgraded road would make the road go back to lvl 1
- Updated sfx of asteroids and fixed sync making them impact accordingly with timescale.
- Fixed way crosses not initializing correctly on load
- Fixed ways not generating metal when loading a save
- Fixed issue that had the District Manager not being localized
- Fixed issue that would have Planet Stats getting overlapped with Scanner Stats
- Fixed issue that would a click go through the Resource Panel
- Fixed issue with renaming Districts to a previous name
- Fixed issue with some Projects not being clickable at a certain distance
- Fixed several issues with the Asteroids sounds
- Fixed issue with faction trying to place a building before flora updater was initialized
- Fixed issue with Zeppelins floating in some conditions
- Fixed issue with Aluminum Mines entrances not matching roads
- Fixed issue with the District Manager not having SFXs
- Fixed UI issues with Loading Messages
- Increased sensitivity in mods list before game starts
- Fixed issue with other Factions buildings not having the proper icons
- Fixed issue where the Directives where being covered by other stats
- Added Missing strings to the Cognitive Test
- Changed scrollbar to clamp in knowledge base
- Fixed some structures order in the Knowledge Base
- Fixed issue that wouldn't change the language on some options after a general language switch
- Fixed icon legends remaining visible when opening climate lens
- Fixed issue that would still show costs for Special Projects that have expired
- Fixed issue with the Scroll list in the District Manager
- Fixed some buildings/veins not showing in end game cinematics
- Fixed some minor issues when saving that would store references to dead buildings
- Fixed issue that would have the "Hostile forces detected" warning appear, but the zoom in goes to the landing site instead of the enemy's drone
- Fixed district sound playing anytime the BIP refreshes
- Fixed Special Sites structures turning white when changing lenses

BETA TESTING ON OUR NEW DLC, GREEN MARS on the Advanced Branch

Our biggest and richest update has come to the Red Planet! With the Green Mars free DLC, we are introducing a set of new features that will make the Green Mars Stage of terraforming a lot more interactive and fun. Help us test the new features on the ADVANCED BRANCH.

BUT FIRST A DISCLAIMER
This update is so big and different that your current saves won't work with the new features and simulation model. So if you want to try this new features on our ADVANCED BRANCH, just know that you will have to start with a fresh campaign.

MARS ELYSIUM
The sum of all these new features will truly empower you to make Mars a garden planet. Using the tools at your disposal, you will be able to transform the atmosphere of Mars, that will allow you to convert the mineral soil into a fertile ground. Then, you will be able to design and landscape Mars the way you want it! Trees on Elysium Mons? You got it!

FLOWING WATER
The Water Must Flow! We've updated our water simulation so we can render how rivers will flow into valleys and craters. The most precious substance on Mars now can reach the deeper confines of the desert. We've also added Water Pipes, so where mother nature can't do its bidding, science will.

BIOMES
Now there are 11 possible biomes for Mars. Each individual biome has different conditions that play on the growth of the flora & fauna on Mars. Part of the challenge of terraformation will be to properly place biodomes, open farms & crater farms where they are certain to grow.

FARMS
We've added two new food processing buildings that will grow real food so the scientists on Mars can work happier and harder. These structures use running water as a resource.

FAUNA
Capybaras on Mars! By popular demand, both from fans and developers, animals will show up once the corresponding tech is researched and the planetary conditions allows them to thrive.

WATER LENS
In order to make sense of the new running water system, we added a lens that can show where water is generated, and where it's needed.

Our first major DLC for Per Aspera is heading to Steam on October 21st.

The Green Mars DLC introduces some graphical and gameplay updates with a focus on Flora and Fauna. River systems? Check. Flourishing greenery? Of course. Capybaras on Mars? We've got you covered.

View the full feature list for Green Mars on the Steam page, here. Make sure to add Green Mars to your wishlist to be informed when you can begin your download!

We are promoting the v1.4.5 patch from the Advanced Branch to the Default Branch. For Patch Notes and more information, please follow the link to the previous post.

https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/803050/view/2976304340264563554