Greetings Space Explorers!
It's been a while since our last update, so we would like to tell you about the current and future plans for Solar Expanse development. Let's have a look at what's coming in Major Update #2 in just a few weeks!
Space Stations
Why space stations? They answer some of the game's current issues and make the gameplay smoother by keeping crews alive in orbits, making productions way more efficient (especially electronics!), and reducing the fuel costs of orbital launch! Stations will be modular - each one will consist of a base operational module, which can be extended by 10 more of your choice. Models will be visible in orbits!
This was also the most requested feature from our roadmap, so we made sure that it will add more flow and impact to the gameplay.
Drag and drop missions for free orbital transfers
Tired of clicking through the entire mission planning for some orbital logistics? We're making it much simpler! After the Major Update #2, you'll be able to simply drag and drop resources and modules from orbit to surface, between orbiting bodies, or, in some cases (e.g., if you have a Space Elevator connecting a planet to the orbiting body or an electromagnetic catapult), surface to orbit. As such transfers have redundant costs and time in the scale of the game, you'll be able to execute them instantly.
Mission presets
We're sure you've been waiting for this one! Thanks to our cooperation with an amazing modder, tedd9000, you'll be able to save mission presets for later use! This feature will save you going through the entire mission planning process for repetitive types of missions!
Cyclical Missions
We keep hearing a lot of valid feedback on cyclical missions. This is something we'll be addressing gradually and carefully due to its complex nature. With the big update, we're adding extra options, such as constant acceleration flights and taking/reserving fuel for the return trip, so that your cycles may continue uninterrupted. We are aware of the requests for setting automatic missions at resource thresholds, but it will take us more time to pull this one off.
UI changes
We're getting a lot of opinions about confusing UI, that makes it hard to find all the necessary info, and we're not going to ignore them! We're still in the process of redesigning and improving whatever we can in this respect, and you can expect some changes (not a complete overhaul!) such as adjustments to reduce the clicking and simplify access to all the necessary information.
Other minor features
Queued constructions of facilities, modules, spacecraft and launch vehicles
orbital objects visible in "Major objects" in bottom panel and object info header
drag and drop to object info header objects
Experimental Branch
If you want to give these brand new features a go, you can test them out on the Experimental branch! Please keep in mind that these are early implementations, and you can expect lack of instructions, UI issues and bugs there. We still need a few weeks to polish them and test improved versions on open_beta before we can make them appear on the default build.
How to access experimental branch?
Right click on Solar Expanse in your library.
Choose "Properties".
Go to "Game Versions & Betas".
Choose the "experimental" branch.
Feedback Survey
Your feedback is highly valued and appreciated! Solar Expanse wouldn't become what it is today, and it can't become the best game possible without your input! So if you haven't shared your feedback yet, please take a moment to fill in our survey! It is available either in the game's main menu (FEEDBACK) or >>HERE<<.
Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement in the community!
See you in space!
SpaceOps Team