Empyrion – Galactic Survival - Community Forums
Jul
22
Dear Galactic Survivalists.
We would like to address some of the concerns we have seen in the comments on our initial ‘leaving Early Access/Alpha’ announcement.
The reasons?
Plain and simply: We want to leave Early Access on our 5th anniversary release, because we are confident that the game is now in a shape, where it no longer needs that supporting wheels tag. We are not running out of money (most read concern) and there are no dark entities that are forcing us to do that (lots of funny theories
) .
On the contrary, we are sure the game is playable in quality, although not free of issues, that is simply not reflected anymore by how the meaning of an Early Access tag is understood or talked about even nowadays.
As a consequence, leaving Early Access also means to remove the “Alpha” tags, as they are somehow tied to this stage. But there needs to be some sort of new versioning. While we did not want to proceed with simply counting further up or adding fancy letters, the version counter had no other choice as to being reset to 1.
Why no Beta?
For us, the “Alpha” tag is THE visual statement of the Early Access stage of the game. So it has to go, because we are leaving Early Access. Simple as that.
Of course, in the classic software development, there is a definitive meaning for Alpha, Beta, Full Release, where you put in features in Alpha, fix bugs in Beta and do not change anything relevant (because it might again break your stuff) and then go to a full release. But this is not “classic software development” for cars, medical equipment, elevators or else. And even in the so called A+ Game development, there are literally only very, very few games that let all interested players play a “Game in development”. At least if it’s not 80-90% done already, although those stages are called Alpha or Beta often as well.
We also do not have an investor we need to “develop for” or which pushes us to a certain stage. Eleon Games has successfully bootstrapped the game 100% on its own up to this point, while working with and for the community that helped to actually shape the game a lot. And we possibly could go on like this for years.
That being said, and because we realized that putting in Beta or Dev or Post-Alpha or any other term would in no way have avoided any discussion on that, but also leading to the same expectation discussions, strange...
We would like to address some of the concerns we have seen in the comments on our initial ‘leaving Early Access/Alpha’ announcement.
The reasons?
Plain and simply: We want to leave Early Access on our 5th anniversary release, because we are confident that the game is now in a shape, where it no longer needs that supporting wheels tag. We are not running out of money (most read concern) and there are no dark entities that are forcing us to do that (lots of funny theories
) .On the contrary, we are sure the game is playable in quality, although not free of issues, that is simply not reflected anymore by how the meaning of an Early Access tag is understood or talked about even nowadays.
As a consequence, leaving Early Access also means to remove the “Alpha” tags, as they are somehow tied to this stage. But there needs to be some sort of new versioning. While we did not want to proceed with simply counting further up or adding fancy letters, the version counter had no other choice as to being reset to 1.
Why no Beta?
For us, the “Alpha” tag is THE visual statement of the Early Access stage of the game. So it has to go, because we are leaving Early Access. Simple as that.
Of course, in the classic software development, there is a definitive meaning for Alpha, Beta, Full Release, where you put in features in Alpha, fix bugs in Beta and do not change anything relevant (because it might again break your stuff) and then go to a full release. But this is not “classic software development” for cars, medical equipment, elevators or else. And even in the so called A+ Game development, there are literally only very, very few games that let all interested players play a “Game in development”. At least if it’s not 80-90% done already, although those stages are called Alpha or Beta often as well.
We also do not have an investor we need to “develop for” or which pushes us to a certain stage. Eleon Games has successfully bootstrapped the game 100% on its own up to this point, while working with and for the community that helped to actually shape the game a lot. And we possibly could go on like this for years.
That being said, and because we realized that putting in Beta or Dev or Post-Alpha or any other term would in no way have avoided any discussion on that, but also leading to the same expectation discussions, strange...
Jul
16
Dear Galactic Survivalists!
This is not the usual announcement of a main version update. The upcoming release will be something special.
Not only because we are looking forward to an anniversary release on 5th of August, but also because we will move forward and leave the ‘Alpha’ and 'Early Access' tags behind at this point.
With a small, but dedicated team (currently 5 programmers and 2 modellers), we think we have created something fun to play in the past years. But without you, our community, we would never have come so far. This is something we absolutely value and acknowledge!
But now it is time to move forward and take on the next level.
What does this mean?
First of all, the game development WILL NOT be stopped! We will continue to be working on refining features and fixing bugs. Subsequent releases will happen in the same frequency as before. No change here, except the version counter will not read ‘Alpha 13.x’ but simply ‘1.0’.
The only thing that might slightly change in future releases, is the focus on what will be working on.
The goal of the Alpha phase always was, to add in what we consider to be the base mechanics, the gamechangers and all the stuff that leads to major technical changes and an altered game experience - with the addition of the ‘galaxy’ being one of the final steps to achieve that milestone.
For all subsequent releases, bugfixes and optimization as well as feature refinements and the big topic of effect and sound reworks might be more on the foreground.
There are of course also a few larger features left and there is a long list of quality-of-life changes and additions that have piled up over the last years for Single- and Multiplayer.
We are looking forward to all of you being with us on this new development stage, with the same engagement and dedication you have shown in the recent Alpha phase.
Yours,
Eleon Game Studios
PS: More info on the contents of the Version 1 release will be following soon.
This is not the usual announcement of a main version update. The upcoming release will be something special.
Not only because we are looking forward to an anniversary release on 5th of August, but also because we will move forward and leave the ‘Alpha’ and 'Early Access' tags behind at this point.
With a small, but dedicated team (currently 5 programmers and 2 modellers), we think we have created something fun to play in the past years. But without you, our community, we would never have come so far. This is something we absolutely value and acknowledge!
But now it is time to move forward and take on the next level.
What does this mean?
First of all, the game development WILL NOT be stopped! We will continue to be working on refining features and fixing bugs. Subsequent releases will happen in the same frequency as before. No change here, except the version counter will not read ‘Alpha 13.x’ but simply ‘1.0’.
The only thing that might slightly change in future releases, is the focus on what will be working on.
The goal of the Alpha phase always was, to add in what we consider to be the base mechanics, the gamechangers and all the stuff that leads to major technical changes and an altered game experience - with the addition of the ‘galaxy’ being one of the final steps to achieve that milestone.
For all subsequent releases, bugfixes and optimization as well as feature refinements and the big topic of effect and sound reworks might be more on the foreground.
There are of course also a few larger features left and there is a long list of quality-of-life changes and additions that have piled up over the last years for Single- and Multiplayer.
We are looking forward to all of you being with us on this new development stage, with the same engagement and dedication you have shown in the recent Alpha phase.
Yours,
Eleon Game Studios
PS: More info on the contents of the Version 1 release will be following soon.
Jul
01
Jun
19
Hi everybody!
We just released a patch with quite some changes and fixes:
==========
2020-06-24 Hotfix Alpha 12.1 (Build 2956)
Fixes:
- a drone exception (CoQ)
==========
2020-06-23 Hotfix Alpha 12.1 (Build 2955)
Fixes:
- Discovered deposits are not maintained after relog when they are discovered by vessel detectors
- Server no longer writes gameoptions.yaml file in savegame
==========
2020-06-20 Hotfix Alpha 12.1 (Build 2954)
Fixes:
- Planet ore resources will not appear with the survival tool until it has been unequipped then equipped again
- Fixed Rankings Trading Volume calculation
==========
2020-06-19 Patch Alpha 12.1 (Build 2953)
Changes:
- Player Turret AI: when selecting "NPC Factions" now also the "Legacy" faction is attacked
- Improved Marketplace: Don't show other 'Wanted' offers if transport costs would be higher than allowed by creator
- Removed hardcoded SV limit of 15 AU for warp distance
- Teleport window: double click now allows to teleport, too
- Station Interface:
- showing faction symbol with colored background
- opening/closing station interface window now dynamically if you get attacked or ship moves
- reparing now blocks, too
- Change Trader loca key to properly display faction names in map legend
- Planet ore resources: showing HUD markers in a range of 300 meters if holding a drill
- Ranking boxes: better display of high numbers, cutting name with "..." if too long
- PlayfieldLevel now increases from 1 to 10 towards the center of a NPC territory. Also PlayfieldLevel increases from 1 to 10
- Added Ladders (colorable, texturable)
- Playfield server now allocates always 500 entity ids (old 300). Now you can place up to 500 POIs into a playfield on playfield creation (old 300).
- Enhanced console command 'struct' to allow overwriting the yaml properties of already spawned structures (use parameter 'property-set/get') and to convert a player placed structure into a POI (by using parameter 'poi')
- Added 'Search Star' button to galaxy map
Fixes:
- Fixed problem that hud objects did not show background over all text for discovered resources
- Avatar is looking up when teleporting to a CV teleporter
- Fixed: Offline faction chat messages are only requested from DB when player is actually in a faction
- Editing a map marker results in duplicate markers appearing in the list
- Ranking Box LY:...
We just released a patch with quite some changes and fixes:
==========
2020-06-24 Hotfix Alpha 12.1 (Build 2956)
Fixes:
- a drone exception (CoQ)
==========
2020-06-23 Hotfix Alpha 12.1 (Build 2955)
Fixes:
- Discovered deposits are not maintained after relog when they are discovered by vessel detectors
- Server no longer writes gameoptions.yaml file in savegame
==========
2020-06-20 Hotfix Alpha 12.1 (Build 2954)
Fixes:
- Planet ore resources will not appear with the survival tool until it has been unequipped then equipped again
- Fixed Rankings Trading Volume calculation
==========
2020-06-19 Patch Alpha 12.1 (Build 2953)
Changes:
- Player Turret AI: when selecting "NPC Factions" now also the "Legacy" faction is attacked
- Improved Marketplace: Don't show other 'Wanted' offers if transport costs would be higher than allowed by creator
- Removed hardcoded SV limit of 15 AU for warp distance
- Teleport window: double click now allows to teleport, too
- Station Interface:
- showing faction symbol with colored background
- opening/closing station interface window now dynamically if you get attacked or ship moves
- reparing now blocks, too
- Change Trader loca key to properly display faction names in map legend
- Planet ore resources: showing HUD markers in a range of 300 meters if holding a drill
- Ranking boxes: better display of high numbers, cutting name with "..." if too long
- PlayfieldLevel now increases from 1 to 10 towards the center of a NPC territory. Also PlayfieldLevel increases from 1 to 10
- Added Ladders (colorable, texturable)
- Playfield server now allocates always 500 entity ids (old 300). Now you can place up to 500 POIs into a playfield on playfield creation (old 300).
- Enhanced console command 'struct' to allow overwriting the yaml properties of already spawned structures (use parameter 'property-set/get') and to convert a player placed structure into a POI (by using parameter 'poi')
- Added 'Search Star' button to galaxy map
Fixes:
- Fixed problem that hud objects did not show background over all text for discovered resources
- Avatar is looking up when teleporting to a CV teleporter
- Fixed: Offline faction chat messages are only requested from DB when player is actually in a faction
- Editing a map marker results in duplicate markers appearing in the list
- Ranking Box LY:...
Jun
17
Jun
15
Hi Galactic Survivalists!
Today is the day: we are releasing Alpha 12 to the public!
First of all, a giant thank you to all our testers and bug reporters and to all of you players out there, sharing feedback on the new and updated features, starting new games and retesting new setup over and over again. This cannot be valued enough!
For those, that did not actively follow the Experimental phases, find a brief breakdown of some of the main features below.
While you read, we suggest to open up our Empyrion Soundtrack and check out the three new 'Legacy Faction' tracks, created by Alex Jordon:
Feature Overview:
1. The Galaxy
5. Interactive Dialogue System
Today is the day: we are releasing Alpha 12 to the public!
First of all, a giant thank you to all our testers and bug reporters and to all of you players out there, sharing feedback on the new and updated features, starting new games and retesting new setup over and over again. This cannot be valued enough!
For those, that did not actively follow the Experimental phases, find a brief breakdown of some of the main features below.
While you read, we suggest to open up our Empyrion Soundtrack and check out the three new 'Legacy Faction' tracks, created by Alex Jordon:
Feature Overview:
1. The Galaxy
- A fully randomly generated galaxy with several thousand star systems.
- For the start, the galaxy offers nearly two dozen new celestial objects, like different sun types, gas giants and even black holes!
- The skybox in any orbit is now showing the real galaxy stars and its nebulae. Both elements are correctly displayed, depending on where you are in the galaxy.
- Each of the (new) NPC main faction not only has gotten its own POI and vessel design, but also has its own territory in the galaxy: Zirax, Polaris, Kriel, Traders Guild, Pirates, The Legacy (UCH and Talon are available as well, but are used as implicit faction in the default game)
- When in range of a station which has the station services enabled, open the control panel of your vessel (P) and find the new tab 'Station Services'.
- You can buy and refill fuel, ammo and pentaxid, as well as repair your ship (repair-2-template!) and quick-load your shield - in case you have the required credits.
- Detectors, available as handheld devices with low range, but also for every vessel, will reveal deposits and points of interest while actively managed.
- Detectors work on planets and in space!
- Add a teleporter device to your base or your capital vessel to create shortcuts between your structures or simply to avoid landing or having to go outside in your space suit..
- You can use teleport destinations from discovered stations of friendly NPC factions
5. Interactive Dialogue System
- The player avatar now has choices when...
Jun
10
Hi Galactic Survivalists!
Giving a fixed date for a release is always a bit of a risk, but if everything goes accordingly, you should save the following date for the Empyrion Alpha 12 public release: June, 15th.
Just as a disclaimer, although we know all of our community members are pretty much aware of the following: If today's Experimental phase 6 and the upcoming phase 7 release (scheduled for this friday) show any serious issues, well, then the release day will of course be pushed back a day or two.
That being said, on behalf of the Eleon Game Studios development team and the QA crew: thanks a lot for your tremendous amount of positive comments on the upcoming Alpha 12 features and thanks even more for all the bug reports and helpful feedback!
With today’s phase 6 release, we add another bunch of fixes and adjustments but also a new variant to start your game experience: Snow Starter!
Note: the Snow Starter will NOT offer any tutorial, but will let you play all the missions.
Please find the full changelog added below.
As usual:
For discussing the new and updated features, please head over to the pinned threads in our Experimental Feedback forum: https://empyriononline.com/forums/experimental-features-discussion.35/
Important note, related to our Experimental Server: the server needs to be wiped with today's update, as we integrated some database related changes that will help us to improve not only multiplayer-related features. The wipe is also necessary to introduce all the POI changes as well as having the Station Services added to the game world - which is, for the same reasons, recommended for Single Player...
Giving a fixed date for a release is always a bit of a risk, but if everything goes accordingly, you should save the following date for the Empyrion Alpha 12 public release: June, 15th.
Just as a disclaimer, although we know all of our community members are pretty much aware of the following: If today's Experimental phase 6 and the upcoming phase 7 release (scheduled for this friday) show any serious issues, well, then the release day will of course be pushed back a day or two.
That being said, on behalf of the Eleon Game Studios development team and the QA crew: thanks a lot for your tremendous amount of positive comments on the upcoming Alpha 12 features and thanks even more for all the bug reports and helpful feedback!
With today’s phase 6 release, we add another bunch of fixes and adjustments but also a new variant to start your game experience: Snow Starter!
Note: the Snow Starter will NOT offer any tutorial, but will let you play all the missions.
Please find the full changelog added below.
As usual:
- Report bugs and issues right over here: https://empyriononline.com/forums/bugs.34/
- Any bug fixed for A12 can be found here: https://empyriononline.com/forums/tracking-filed.91/
- Known Issues List: https://empyriononline.com/threads/...own-issues-troubleshooting.47118/#post-290341
- Fixed Experimental version bugs can be found there: https://empyriononline.com/forums/fixed.90/
For discussing the new and updated features, please head over to the pinned threads in our Experimental Feedback forum: https://empyriononline.com/forums/experimental-features-discussion.35/
Important note, related to our Experimental Server: the server needs to be wiped with today's update, as we integrated some database related changes that will help us to improve not only multiplayer-related features. The wipe is also necessary to introduce all the POI changes as well as having the Station Services added to the game world - which is, for the same reasons, recommended for Single Player...
Jun
03
Hi Galactic Survivalists!
The public release of Alpha 12 is coming closer. For those that asked: Expect it to happen around mid of june! No liability assumed, of course.
That being said, Experimental Phase 5 is adding one of the last features, related to the new galaxy: the Station Services.
Station Services will allow you to refill fuel and pentaxid, restock your ammo, repair your vessel or fast-charge your shields in exchange for credits. For testing how this will work, visit the Polaris Trading Station on the Temperate starter planet. When in range, open the Control Panel (P) and find the new tab ‘Station Services’.
Keep in mind this is a new feature addition. The pricing will change. We also plan to add the Station Services to more planetary and orbital structures until the next phase.
For now, let us know what you think: https://empyriononline.com/threads/a12-exp-station-services.93655/
We have of course also worked on the galaxy, the stars, nebula - which are now part of the orbital skybox as well! - and bugfixes.
Please find the full changelog added below.
As usual:
For discussing the new and updated features, please head over to the pinned threads in our Experimental Feedback forum: https://empyriononline.com/forums/experimental-features-discussion.35/
Have fun!
== CHANGELOG ==
NEW FEATURE
- Added 'Station Services'
When in range of a station (300m) which has the station services enabled, open the control panel of your vessel (P) and find the new tab 'Station Services'. You can buy and refill fuel, ammo and pentaxid, as well as repair your ship (repair-2-template!) and quick-load your shield - in case you have the required credits. The availability of...
The public release of Alpha 12 is coming closer. For those that asked: Expect it to happen around mid of june! No liability assumed, of course.
That being said, Experimental Phase 5 is adding one of the last features, related to the new galaxy: the Station Services.
Station Services will allow you to refill fuel and pentaxid, restock your ammo, repair your vessel or fast-charge your shields in exchange for credits. For testing how this will work, visit the Polaris Trading Station on the Temperate starter planet. When in range, open the Control Panel (P) and find the new tab ‘Station Services’.
Keep in mind this is a new feature addition. The pricing will change. We also plan to add the Station Services to more planetary and orbital structures until the next phase.
For now, let us know what you think: https://empyriononline.com/threads/a12-exp-station-services.93655/
We have of course also worked on the galaxy, the stars, nebula - which are now part of the orbital skybox as well! - and bugfixes.
Please find the full changelog added below.
As usual:
- Report bugs and issues right over here: https://empyriononline.com/forums/bugs.34/
- Any bug fixed for A12 can be found here: https://empyriononline.com/forums/tracking-filed.91/
- Known Issues List: https://empyriononline.com/threads/...own-issues-troubleshooting.47118/#post-290341
- Fixed Experimental version bugs can be found there: https://empyriononline.com/forums/fixed.90/
For discussing the new and updated features, please head over to the pinned threads in our Experimental Feedback forum: https://empyriononline.com/forums/experimental-features-discussion.35/
Have fun!
== CHANGELOG ==
NEW FEATURE
- Added 'Station Services'
When in range of a station (300m) which has the station services enabled, open the control panel of your vessel (P) and find the new tab 'Station Services'. You can buy and refill fuel, ammo and pentaxid, as well as repair your ship (repair-2-template!) and quick-load your shield - in case you have the required credits. The availability of...
May
27
Hi Galactic Survivalists!
Although phase 4 was released just a few days ago, we have worked on some important bugfixes which we do not want to delay any longer.
That being said, this is not only a bugfix update or a hotfix to phase 4, but also adds several new elements in terms of gameplay and visuals for you to test as well! Some of these are currently work-in-progress, but - as always - require your dedicated feedback to improve them up to the next phase-release.
Please find the full changelog added below.
As usual:
For discussing the new and updated features, please head over to the pinned threads in our Experimental Feedback forum: https://empyriononline.com/forums/experimental-features-discussion.35/
Have fun!
= CHANGELOG =
Gameworld
Although phase 4 was released just a few days ago, we have worked on some important bugfixes which we do not want to delay any longer.
That being said, this is not only a bugfix update or a hotfix to phase 4, but also adds several new elements in terms of gameplay and visuals for you to test as well! Some of these are currently work-in-progress, but - as always - require your dedicated feedback to improve them up to the next phase-release.
Please find the full changelog added below.
As usual:
- Report bugs and issues right over here: https://empyriononline.com/forums/bugs.34/
- Any bug fixed for A12 can be found here: https://empyriononline.com/forums/tracking-filed.91/
- Known Issues List: https://empyriononline.com/threads/...own-issues-troubleshooting.47118/#post-290341
- Fixed Experimental version bugs can be found there: https://empyriononline.com/forums/fixed.90/
For discussing the new and updated features, please head over to the pinned threads in our Experimental Feedback forum: https://empyriononline.com/forums/experimental-features-discussion.35/
Have fun!
= CHANGELOG =
Gameworld
- Space: now using real stars and nebulas instead of skybox images. (only for games started with 12.4.1; For old scenarios: remove the Nebula/Stars property from playfield.yaml )
- Space: POIs now will be placed within a max radius of 15000m around the center of the playfield (only for games started with 12.4.1)
- Galaxy Map: coordinates are now displayed as LY instead as sector coordinates
- Added story intro mission: Starting The Journey (auto-activates on completion or decline of Tutorial BUT can also be activated manually!)
- Storyline missions now require a RP of 'neutral' (Talon, Polaris); Note: All story missions can be activated manually!
- Uncertain Outcome: Improved waypoints to avoid being guided to the wrong POI
- Uncertain Outcome: Asteroid Mining Station now has an Admin Core to avoid ruining Polaris RP while fighting with the Zirax
- Totally...
May
22
Hi Galactic Survivalists!
First of all, thanks a lot for your patience, while we had to delay Phase 4. We have made good use of these additional days and a lot has happened in the code and in the game.
A few highlights:
There is one caveat, though: the flexibility for the galaxy-setup, database changes and other adjustments, now require a new game start. As already announced, old savegames from the previous Experimental phases are no longer compatible anymore.
The good thing: starting a new savegame will allow you to play the updated story missions and explore the reworked POI, as those cannot be updated in existing savegames as well.
As usual:
For discussing the new and updated features, please head over to the pinned threads in our Experimental Feedback forum: https://empyriononline.com/forums/experimental-features-discussion.35/
Have fun with Phase 4 - and tell us what you think about the changes!
PS: Dedicated Server files are again available with todays release & we have reset our EXP server with an updated scenario as well!
= CHANGELOG =
GALAXY & GALAXY CONFIG
First of all, thanks a lot for your patience, while we had to delay Phase 4. We have made good use of these additional days and a lot has happened in the code and in the game.
A few highlights:
- The galaxy is now a lot more configurable. You can now use ‘Regions’ for local hotspots and for the general shape and design (amount and type of stars etc).
- We have added the ‘Scoreboard’ to the old player overview (Button: B). You can now see a lot of stats and info in a leaderboard style
- The Registry now allows to directly jump to a system with the ‘show on map’ button
There is one caveat, though: the flexibility for the galaxy-setup, database changes and other adjustments, now require a new game start. As already announced, old savegames from the previous Experimental phases are no longer compatible anymore.
The good thing: starting a new savegame will allow you to play the updated story missions and explore the reworked POI, as those cannot be updated in existing savegames as well.
As usual:
- Report bugs and issues right over here: https://empyriononline.com/forums/bugs.34/
- Any bug fixed for A12 can be found here: https://empyriononline.com/forums/tracking-filed.91/
- Known Issues List: https://empyriononline.com/threads/...own-issues-troubleshooting.47118/#post-290341
- Fixed Experimental version bugs can be found there: https://empyriononline.com/forums/fixed.90/
For discussing the new and updated features, please head over to the pinned threads in our Experimental Feedback forum: https://empyriononline.com/forums/experimental-features-discussion.35/
Have fun with Phase 4 - and tell us what you think about the changes!
PS: Dedicated Server files are again available with todays release & we have reset our EXP server with an updated scenario as well!
= CHANGELOG =
GALAXY & GALAXY CONFIG
- Better elliptical galaxy generation, improved naming algorithm for stars.
- Added REGIONS: up to 99 StarRegions & StarClass are possible...
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