Archean news & patch notes

• XenonCode IDE: Added autocomplete system
• XenonCode IDE: Fixed math node operands typed inline not being parenthesized
• Router: Fixed misleading "Right click to add nodes" message shown in empty router interface
• Tooltip: Fixed item tooltip clipping at screen edges
• Tooltip: Ores now use the same tooltip as other items (fixes screen edge clipping)
• UI: Fixed center of mass marker remaining visible when toggling UI off (F3)
• GetInfo: Fixed pinned window snapping back to its original position after being moved
• Build: Fixed component bounding box drawn on the wrong side of the mirror plane
• Build: Fixed missing bounding box when placing components on dashboards
• Computer: Fixed input_number/input_text by alias returning cached data after disconnecting data cable
• LinearTrack: Fixed manual override limit clamp (+-250)
• XenonCode IDE: Multi-cursor now uses Alt+Click (Ctrl+Click is reserved for Go to Definition)
• XenonCode IDE: Help section now opens the integrated wiki instead of a web browser
• Steam P2P: Added password support for private servers

• DistanceSensor: Fixed power draw not respecting on/off state
• Megalodon is now an opt-in feature (megalodon = yes under in server.ini)

The Symmetry & Multiplayer Update

This update adds symmetry for components and pipes, peer-to-peer multiplayer without port forwarding, and in-game documentation.

Component & Pipe Symmetry

The symmetry system now works with components and pipes, not just blocks. Place a component on one side and its mirror copy appears on the other, with correct orientation. Pipes are also mirrored automatically between matching ports. Deletion and painting follow the same symmetry. Uses 2x resources when mirroring.

Steam P2P Multiplayer

You can now play with your friends without forwarding any ports or configuring your router. Friends see a "Join Game" button in their Steam friends list when you're hosting. A new Friends tab in the multiplayer menu lists all friends currently hosting with a direct Join button.

In-Game Documentation

Press H (rebindable) to open the built-in documentation browser. Covers all components, tools, game mechanics, XenonCode ...

Context-sensitive: press H while hovering an inventory item or aiming at an entity to open its specific page. Inventory items also have new tooltips showing their wiki description and property badges (Symmetry, Airtight). Available in 7 languages (EN, FR, DE, ES, IT, RU, ZH).

XenonCode: Vectors & Matrices

New types: vec2, vec3, vec4 vectors and mat2, mat3, mat4 matrices (plus non-square variants like mat2x3). Built-in functions: dot, cross, normalize, length, distance, angle, lerp for vectors; inverse, transpose, determinant, identity for matrices. Supports swizzling (e.g. myVec.xz, myVec.zyx).

Steam Workshop for Scripts & HUDs

XenonCode scripts and custom HUDs can now be published to and installed from the Steam Workshop.

Other Changes

• Creative/Admin: Added fly speed control with Page Up / Page Down, from x1 to x4 multiplier

• Build: Mesh tool now displays thickness direction arrow on aimed triangles

• XenonCode IDE: Added missing Zoom shortcuts in Editor Shortcuts menu

• Computer/HUD: Added multi-line support in print() using n

Bug Fixes

• Avatar: Fixed style resetting when toggling flashlight during editing

• Avatar: Fixed color picker preview not matching actual rendered colors (gamma correction)

• Avatar: Fixed Crafting window remaining visible when Backpack is collapsed

• Build: Fixed missing SHIFT keybind documentation in Strut/Triangle tooltips

• Build: Fixed floating flexible cables after deleting builds

• Build: Fixed mesh/strut tool snapping to vertices behind the aimed surface

• Blueprint: Fixed cable ports remaining permanently blocked after deleting cross-build flexible cables from spawned blueprints

• DashboardTool: Fixed edge snap (SHIFT) not working on triangle panels

• NavInstrument: Fixed speed values shown in scientific notation in info panel

• Launcher: Fixed solo game startup being slowed down by checking all subscribed Workshop mods instead of only the ones used by the world

• Fixed desync of component position on subgrids attached to joints

• Fixed Magic Cube "Ignore Environment" not ignoring gravity

• Fixed some UI elements remaining visible when toggling UI off (F3)

Social links:

• Discord

• Wiki

• YouTube

• Trello / Roadmap

• Added networking Subscribe distance factor for improved client-side performance on large worlds
• Added ability for the player to push or pull a build by aiming at a block or beam and holding F (interact) while walking (if less than 3 meters away)
• Build: Fixed inverted normals on triangle edge faces causing z-fighting
• Build: Fixed newly placed blocks/struts/triangles appearing as dark transparent on some vehicles
• Build: Fixed triangle solid voxels extending on both sides instead of following thickness
• Build: Fixed CTD when painting or editing triangles
• DistanceSensor: Fixed CTD when modifying a build while there are active DistanceSensors on other builds

Hey everyone!

This update introduces a new sensor component, new build elements, and several improvements across the game.

Distance Sensor

A laser rangefinder that measures the distance to the nearest surface, whether terrain or another build. Configurable range up to 25 km, with an optional visible green laser beam. Useful for applications such as altimetry, automated guidance or collision avoidance.

Triangular Mesh Panels

New build element type: triangular panels. Thin panels placed on a 25 cm grid, allowing shapes that are not possible with regular blocks. They support normal smoothing for curved surfaces, such as canopies or cockpit glass. They are airtight and work with the pressurized volume system.

Struts

Thin beams connecting two points in space. They are placed point-to-point and can be painted.

Other Changes

• Build: Revamped block selector with real-time animated 3D previews instead of static icons

• NodeEditor: Added Unit Converter node for common physical unit conversions

• NodeEditor: Increased Output/Switch node input limit to 128

• DashboardTool: Added decorative Trim element for dashboards (1 cm increments, up to 4 m)

• XenonCode IDE: Debug console can now be fully collapsed

• XenonCode: Added ability to use expressions in array and kv indexing

• Computer: Added search filter in library

• Launcher: Modded server info icon now shows a preview tooltip and a full mod list on click

• FissionReactor: Added Lifetime output channel (estimated remaining time in seconds)

• DestructorTool: Added destroy warnings for various components

• ThrottleLever: Added ability to control with mouse cursor when mouselook is detached

Bug Fixes

• Blueprint: Fixed gizmo was allowing rotation relative to player camera

• Blueprint: Fixed default paint materials disappearing when spawning a blueprint

• Blueprint: Fixed wrong blocks for merged blueprint onto existing build

• Avatar: Fixed velocity being reset to zero when opening UI (chat, inventory, etc.)

• VehiclePhysicsSensor: Fixed size values not matching sensor orientation

• Pump: Fixed erratic flow at low rates (below 0.5 kg/s)

• Terrain/Ore Scanners: Fixed roll affecting scan direction when pitched

• Fixed MiniNavInstrument creative inventory only giving one item

Social links:

• Discord

• Wiki

• YouTube

• Trello / Roadmap

• PaintTool: Added ability to replace a color across the entire build (by block, pipe type, or component type)

• PaintTool: Added symmetry support for painting (blocks only)

• PaintTool: Fixed painting screens (color was stored in blueprints)

• Launcher: Added option to not reopen launcher when quitting the game

• Added FPS limiter setting for unfocused window

• Reduced framerate when game window is minimized

• Build: Fixed wrong block getting destroyed when rapidly breaking blocks on a build

• NodeEditor: Fixed camera offset limits preventing navigation to distant nodes

• NodeEditor: Fix connections lost on repeated Ctrl+V paste

• NodeEditor: Fixed comment node hiding other nodes when resized large

• DashboardTool: Improved dashboard Shift-snapping to work correctly on all block shape faces

• Fixed missing airtight flag on PowerConverter

• ToggleButton: Added ability to define custom On/Off output values

• XenonCode: Fixed a few bugs with KV objects after recent optimizations

• Modding: Handle CRLF gracefully when parsing macros

• Computer: Code editor window always opens uncollapsed (fixing node dots visible while collapsed)

• Improved blueprint placement system on a build using a Gizmo, and allow for rotation with mouse wheel

• Added ability to aim and click on components with mouse (also when using mouselook if no active item)

• XenonCode: Improved runtime performance of code execution

• XenonCode: Added game_mode

• PushButton: add Single Pulse option to getinfo (V)

• HUD: added mouse_look

• HUD Controller: sync XenonCode declarations with client (fixes "Failed to load program")

• XenonCode: bugfix foreach KV when key contains dot

• Fixed modded lights stuttering on moving builds

• Fixed Avatar physics slowly sliding down when partially standing on the side/edge a build

• Fixed vehicle wouldnt take avatar mass when entering into a seat as a drone

• Added ability to spawn new builds in space (Frames and Blueprints) - Only when near another build

• Chat: Improved chat command history navigation with visual popup

• Allow /give command without specifying username in multiplayer

• Fixed SpoolTool was requiring exact type selection for flexible cable removal

• Scroll on screens/components: added $x,$y uv coordinates before $material (potential breaking change)

• Scroll on screens/components: fixed sticky scroll function

• Adjusted adventure goals and tooltips

• Added OreScannerTool

• Added GoldPlatedCircuit and tweaked some recipes

• Added ability to pin any window (Hide with ESC and bring back with TAB)

• Added ability to capture mouse scroll from screens and components

• Added toggle crouch option in settings

• Slightly tweaked Ore compositions (adjusted: Al, Ag, Sn, W, C)

• SpoolTool: Added more alternative auto-path-finding permutations with scrollwheel

• ConstructorTool: while creating a new build, hold shift to align new frame with ground and set static

• ConstructorTool: add ability to place wall block (floor) directly in front of you like a frame (hold shift to snap to ground and set static)

• ConstructorTool: make the drag plane and mousewheel axis clearer to understand when aiming with holographic grid and normal line

• Crusher: add ability to recycle components back into their raw materials

• Crafter: add ability to launch auto-crafting from a Computer (when 3rd input channel set to Container output)

• Computer: resolve io labels by alias without needing a router

• Refactor /give items and crafter recipes to use fully qualified names to fix conflicts with modded items

• XenonCode IDE: no more default nodes - display a message when empty

• Battery: added Throughput in GetInfo instead of differential of charge and discharge

• Changed CenterOfMass indicator to a proper CoM icon

• Avatar: Fill water tank from feet level instead of body center

• Canister: increased capacity to 2x integrated tank (was 1/4x)

• Fixed HDD tooltip showing duplicated mass value

• Improved consistency for tools to prioritize take/stack items from/to its own inventory first and then the backpack

• Inventories: Fixed dragged item focus (was often displayed behind the inventory window)

• Black screen when camera goes underground

• Added ability to pin multiple GetInfo (V) windows

• Added SpoolTool for placing cables and allow stacking of spools (breaks existing spools in inventories)

• Updated icons for all tools

• Updated DLSS to 4.5 (310.5.0) - Only affects DLSS without RayReconstruction

• Fixed regression where custom bios (main.xc) is not loading automatically in AIO Computers

Note that any old cable spool in existing worlds will have to get thrown away and crafted again. The SpoolTool must be used to actually place cables.

Modding & Adventure Mode Update

This update marks an important milestone for Archean.

It officially introduces modding through the Steam Workshop with XenonCode & Blender and brings significant changes to Adventure mode, with new mechanics related to mass, inventory management, and interactions.

Modding with XenonCode and Blender

Modding is now a core feature of Archean.

Players can create fully custom components modeled using Blender and scripted entirely in XenonCode, with their own behavior and internal logic. These components integrate into the game exactly like native ones, including construction, inventory handling, data systems, and interaction with vehicles and the environment.

Mods are fully supported through the Steam Workshop. Publishing, updating, subscribing, and sharing are handled directly via Steam, with no manual installation or external tools required.

This first iteration establishes the foundations of the modding system and will continue to evolve over time.

Here are a few components created by players in the experimental version:

Adventure Mode: mass and physical interactions

Adventure mode now introduces a real mass system for the avatar.

The contents of the avatar’s inventory have mass, which:

• directly affects the avatar’s movement speed and Jetpack

• is added to the total mass of the vehicle you're sitting on

Inventory: new interaction mechanics

The inventory gains several new mechanics aimed at reducing unnecessary actions and making interactions more natural.

New features:

• Active hand: select an active tool or item from any inventory by double-clicking on the item/tool

• Tools can now directly use resources from an external container, as long as they are placed inside it

• Avatar crafting can use resources from all open inventories, with automatic transfer to the backpack

• The search bar now performs real item filtering

Building, symmetry, and painting

Building tools receive new options focused on precision and efficiency.

Main additions:

• Movable symmetry axis with 0.125 m precision, allowing perfectly centered mirrors on blocks

• The Paint Tool can now paint all faces of a block at once using a modifier key (Shift)

It is also now possible to place components directly on the ground, without requiring to build a platform.

Full changelog:

• Official Modding system (Blender and XenonCode) through the Steam Workshop

• Adventure: Avatar inventory now has mass (affects vehicle mass and avatar speed and jetpack)

• Added ability to place components directly on the ground without the need to build a platform

• Added latest log file contents directly in launcher (Settings tab)

• Inventory: Added "Hand" -> ability to select an active item/tool from another inventory by double clicking it

• Inventory: Added ability for tools to use items from external containers by placing said tool inside that container and double clicking it

• Inventory: Search bar now filters items instead of just highlighting them

• Inventory: Remove escape key handling for active item deselection in Belt (use backtick ` instead)

• Inventory: Allow avatar to craft using resources from any open inventory (it will automatically move what it needs to the backpack)

• Pilot Seat: Exit seat by quick press R instead of hold (added option for Hold)

• Build: Added movable symmetry axis with 0.125m precision, allowing mirror on center of blocks

• Build: Fixed symmetry mode allowing invalid frame placement when opposite side is occupied

• PaintTool: Can now paint all sides of a block at once with Shift

• PaintTool: Fixed pipe metallic paint

• BlueprintTool: Fixed blueprint rotation not updating block colors properly

• BlueprintTool: Improved blueprint hologram performance

• LinearTrack: Added ability to override limits via GetInfo(V)

• data logic: reading non-numerical text values (like kv objects) as numeric (like input value for the lamp) are now considered 1.0 if not empty, 0.0 if empty

• Fixed empty computer bays after a system crash or power outage

• Fixed container falling off of vehicles upon ownerpad reset

• Fixed pulling 0 kelvin temperatures from turbopump

• Potentially fixed race conditions during solo connection to local server causing a CTD

Social links:

• Discord

• Wiki

• YouTube

• Trello / Roadmap

Modding with XenonCode is coming soon to Archean

Since this summer, we've been working on a first iteration of the modding system, built around XenonCode. It already allows you to create your own custom components, with fully scripted behavior, usable like any native component in the game. Here are a couple of things players have been experimenting with recently:

The modding system is available on the experimental branch. If you’d like to try it, ask questions, or contribute to the discussion, you can join us on Discord: Discord

Note that we're still working on the modding system and still planning on having breaking changes, so it will not be available just yet in the default branch, it's still reserved for the experimental branch for the time being.

While working on this system, we've also added several new features, improvements and fixes.

These are included in today’s release update on the default public branch.

Here’s the full changelog: New Features

• Added SlopeLight component

• Added MiniNavInstrument component

• Added PlayerSensor component

• Added ability to add any component on Dashboards at arbitrary positions/orientations

• Added ability to override any component screen via a computer connected to it

• Added click_hold() entry point for continuous interaction with screens

• Computer: Added IDE Library to locally save and reuse XenonCode files across computers

• DockingPort: Can now transfer items between docked entities

• Volume: Added composition output

• PushButton & ToggleButton: Added dual-sided option in GetInfo (V) to make them usable from both sides

• Crafter: Displays alert if crafting fails due to low power

• Subgrids: no more occupancy added from the parent hinge component, for more permissive builds and fixing invisible block issue when using partial blueprints (not retroactive)

• Launcher: Enhanced world selection table with sorting and last played timestamps

Fixes & Changes

• Improved gravity computation to account for celestial body's rotation when vehicle is inside outer radius

• Mouse look does not block when interacting with components anymore

• Fixed solo game not starting when port 8881 is already in use (now uses a random available port, unless "accept_remote_connections = yes" in server.ini)

• Fix modifier key handling to prevent stuck keys

• Fixed velocity sensors stale values when vehicle is resting

• Fixed FluidPort was capturing environment when volume was empty

XenonCode

• XenonCode Nodes: Improved dynamic input handling for math/boolean nodes when using manual values

• XenonCode Nodes: Increased max character limit for manual input values from 7 to 256

• XenonCode: Added ability to chain accessors for KV text object

• XenonCode: Allow more characters as the key for KV text objects when accessed via a variable key or via foreach, the key can contain anything except .{}

• XenonCode: Fixed ^ operator precedence

• XenonCode: Improved numerical precision for const values

Social links:

• Discord

• Wiki

• YouTube

• Trello / Roadmap

• Add auto-align feature for anchored builds via GetInfo (V)
• XenonCode Nodes: Added ability to have more than two inputs for math (ADD, MULTIPLY, DIVIDE, SUBTRACT) and boolean (OR, AND, XOR) nodes
• Fixed partial blueprint colors by ignoring original palette and using default colors instead (temporary until the tool is improved)
• PaintTool: Color picker now updates to the picked color
• Router: fixed Right-Click conflict with mouse look
• Fixed atmospheric shadows causing visual glitches when seen from orbit with low ray-march steps
• Added ability to spawn partial blueprints in space

This update brings Full RGB support with the paint tool, for blocks, cables and components.

It also allows to paint using different material types like Chrome, Glossy, Matte, and we've added (rough) Metal and Transparent (glass).

The new paint tool interface lets you save multiple palettes with an unlimited number of colors.

As a bonus, you can now also paint any part of all components and pick colors from components.

Another addition to this update is the (rough) Metal material option for the avatar colors. The old "metallic" option has been renamed to "Chrome".

• Launcher: Added options to rename or duplicate worlds
• Launcher: Added world state save version info
• Computer: updated built-in documentation (Draw_poly & screen_copy)
• HudController: Fixed server freeze when clicking on ACTIVE with a syntax error in the code
• XenonCode: Fixed missing file:line debug info in xc assembly for global scope initialization
• Bugfix cannot connect new cable after deleting another build that was previously linked via a flexible cable

Fixed buoyancy with volumes (makes submarines usable, finally)

• Increased log verbosity

• Rocks go in backpack when belt is full

• Edit computer code upon key up (releasing) F instead of key down (to fix the F chars appearing in the code)

• Fixed avatar_sensor_environment_composition was empty when in seat and in drone mode

• Take volume into account for avatar_sensor_density and avatar_sensor_temperature

• XenonCode: added a text "replace" function

• XenonCode: potential performance improvements (thanks to Jake Rossum)

• XenonCode: Fixed crash when using bad arguments in draw functions

• XenonCode: Fixed false error when defining a virtualscreen in a program with no entry point

• Keyboard & Numpad: Send a signal on channel 1 when the SEND button is pressed

• Bugfix crash on Windows caused by invalid characters or reserved names

• Picking rocks now go into Belt instead of backpack
• Fixed computer frozen after ownerpad reset (when saved while in bios)
• Removed ability to create a virtualscreen inside tick or update causing server-side memory leak
• XenonCode: fixed discarded return values for trailing functions in HUDs causing CTD
• Bugfixes for the Demo game

• Refactored creative inventory
• Fixed CTD caused by some manipulations in F4 admin menu's sort functions
• Fixed CTD on Windows when adding a HudController that had code in it (a previously removed component)

• Fixed crash to desktop on windows after the anniversary update

• Added a DEMO version of the game (available next week)
• Added translations (Français, Español, Deutsch, Italiano)

• Adjusted creative inventory stacks to item max_stack instead of 50 (fixes stack splits spamming issues)
• Fixed HUD Controller "Failed to load program"
• SmallPivot/SmallHinge/LinearTrack: fixed old blueprints giving wrong initial value

• LinearTrack: Fixed bug in non-servo mode where input speed will be clamped to its bounds instead of max speed
• XenonCode: Fixed variable scope within if/else blocks
• Fixed build first block not causing player collision
• HUD: Added virtualscreen and screen_copy
• HUD: Added set_resolution_scale function
• Volume: Fixed temperature not serialized

The Linear Track Update

You’ve been waiting for it. After hinges and pivots… here comes the Linear Track!

• Added LinearTrack component
• OreScanner: Added checkbox in GetInfo (V) to include altitude in the scan output
• Updated default black color used on components to metallic
• Removed rough metallic texture patterns (brushed metal procedural textures)
• Fixed ItemJunction causing server crash when doing an infinite recursion with ItemConveyor
• Fixed Fluid Tanks emptying themselves when connected to a pump that is not connected to anything else
• Fixed Container not updating build's mass until it is interacted with
• Fixed full Volume causing increasing temperature as we try to send more fluid to it
• Fixed CTD when resizing screen to < 32 pixels
• Fixed Beacon transmitting data when unpowered and not transmitting on initial frequency
• XenonCode Nodes: fixed wrong variable substitution when the variable character is the last char of word inside an expression/statement
• Increased Wheel GearRatio display precision in GetInfo(V) and synchronized MotorSpeed and WheelSpeed to be displayed from values computed in the same tick

• Discord
• Wiki
• YouTube
• Trello / Roadmap

The Hitch Update

Hinges and pivots

Archean’s dedicated server

• Added Hitch component
• Improved linux build: executables now compatible with older linux distributions
• Archean Server now available via SteamCMD
• Flexible cable: Improved physics when two vehicles are attached together
• Battery: Fixed discharging during high oscillation (allowed overcharge)
• FluidValve: Fixed CTD when input value was out of range
• FluidValve: Added flow temperature output data
• FluidPort: Fixed pulling fluid from environment (ocean) resulting in only 1/4 of the expected flow
• Tank/Volume: Allow fluid temperature to be set via GetInfo (V)
• Hinge/Pivot: Allow manual control from GetInfo (V) (no data or power required)
• Tank/Pump: Fixed excess flow beyond pump request
• GeothermalExchanger: Added output data for depth and temperature

• Discord
• Wiki
• YouTube
• Trello / Roadmap

• Bugfix screencopy in Computer causes server crash when the provided screen reference is invalid (bug was added with last update)