Empyrion – Galactic Survival - Community Forums

Hi Galactic Survivalists!

Last week, we set up a thread where everyone had the possibility to write down questions about the upcoming larger planets. We finally found time to compile all the answers to a shiny Q&A document for your reading pleasure - to be found below

What's happening behind the scenes at the moment?

While the first internal version has been released to our QA team yesterday, the dev team continues to work hard on the design and layout of the new biome system.

The new "Terrain and Biome Generator" will not only allow to distribute the biomes according to certain criteria, like temperature and humidity (Read more: https://empyriononline.com/threads/alpha-7-6-balancing-bug-fixes-and-alpha-8-info.36122/) but it will also allow to generate procedural terrains. Yes - procedural terrain generation is back (no fixed heightmap planets anymore) - in the quality of the Alpha 7 planets and maybe even better!!!

Here are some screenshots of the new terrains:








The best thing is that the "Terrain and Biome Generator" is an in-house production and can be used for creation of playfields and planets by any owner of the game. You will see it will be very easy to create new planets!

For those of you who missed the overview of the main features for Alpha 8, here we go:

- Larger Planets: increase size from the current 8x4km (32km²) up to 32*64km (2048km²) playfields!
- Updated planet-tech: biome distribution based on humidity and temperature!
- Solar System random generator: just swipe a few sliders and create a solar system on the go
- Procedural terrain generation
- Improved AI behavior (the new NPCs will behave much more natural and will better react to the players)
- New and improved threats (and possibly a new and more varied threat-progression)
- Repair-2-Blueprint
- Better Creative and Building tools

Stay tuned for another blog post about Alpha 8 soon.

Thanks for reading

Empyrion Dev team

===============

LARGER PLANETS - Questions & Answers

== Global Changes ==

Q: Will the planets that have been made before 8.0 now be unplayable or can we convert them...

Hi Galactic Survivalists,

We just released a small patch for the Alpha 7.6.0 release. Thanks for all the feedback on the various changes that were included in the Alpha 7.6 release. Especially for the extremely helpful discussion regarding food and medical templates.

As a result, we changed some of the recipes to make them easier to craft again. We removed a few exotic components like Alien Spike Lemon from all food templates (these and others might come back in 8.0 when more plants have become self-grown) and in particular changed some of the medical templates to make them accessible on both starter planets for the "early game".

Thanks to all of the feedback which has gone far beyond the isolated discussion of the likes and dislikes in terms of the templates setup, we now have picked up a lot of good ideas on how to progress with food- and medical-gameplay and crafting in the future. A special "Thanks" to all of you that took part and provided suggestions in that context - right now and in the past.

Please continue to report bugs and issues right here: https://empyriononline.com/threads/bug-reports-alpha-7-6.36123

In case you missed it: a sneak preview of the Alpha 8 features can be found here https://empyriononline.com/threads/alpha-7-6-balancing-bug-fixes-and-alpha-8-info.36122

Cheers!

Empyrion Dev team

===============

Changelog: Alpha 7.6.0 (Build 1461)

Updated Food/Medical Templates:
- Bandages and StomachPills: changed template so they are craftable on both starter planets
- Removed Alien Spike Lemons from all food templates (sorry for the hassle)
- Antidote Pills: changed so it can easily be created on Akua
- Antibiotic Ointment: changed so it can easily be created on Omicron.
- Reduced complexity of small and large MediKit
- Removed need for VaronRoot and Alien Parts for Large Medikit (added Opuntia Cactus Spears instead)
- Reduced complexity of Radiation Pills
- Reverted Emergency Ration template to previous version
- Reduced Stamina bonus from Akua Sparkling Wine

Please note: IF you are using a custom config.ecf the changes named above and below will NOT automatically update your config.ecf, but only the example_config.ecf. If you made any changes to your config.ecf these are safe, but PLEASE review your settings after the patch has gone public (or right now!) as they might become obsolete or...

A sneak preview of the new large and diverse planets that are waiting for you in the upcoming Alpha 8 release. For more details, see below.

Hi Galactic Survivalists,

Today’s version 7.6 is not only adding bug fixes and technical changes but also a slew of rebalancings - most of them being first-time-ever changes.

We invested some time to change a few aspects of the gameplay that were only partially or even never touched at all until now: Loot distribution, food- and medical crafting templates. For the templates, the primary goal has been to make the values of the end-product consistent with the values inherited from their ingredients. This is also preparing for more game mechanics coming to the underlying gameplay in future major updates. For the loot-rebalancing the primary goal has been to make the loot better match the traits and tasks of your target.

We also rebalanced all of the HV, SV, CV and BA weapons and turrets in terms of damage and hitpoints to make fights last shorter and the threats, for example coming from POIs, feel a little bit stronger.

Please read below for the full details and all the other changes - and please make use of the FEEDBACK threads for more discussion around these topics.

Please report bugs and issues right here: https://empyriononline.com/threads/bug-reports-alpha-7-6.36123/

Last, but not least: we promised you to release some info about the upcoming Alpha 8.0 last week. Turns out, that some decisions we need to make for the next big milestone are tough ones - and will take some additional time until they are set in stone.

Said that, please bear with us that we cannot give you a full disclosure of all the features yet, but only a few of the highlights - which are (see below for more detail):

- Larger Planets: increase from the current 8x4km (32km²) up to 32*64km (2048km²) playfields!
- Updated planet-tech: biome distribution based on humidity and temperature!
- Solar System random generator: just swipe a few sliders and create a solar system on the go
- Improved AI behavior
- New and improved threats (and possibly a new and more varied threat-progression)
- Repair-2-Blueprint
- Better Creative and Building tools

We plan to release a more detailed blog with more info soon.

=============

Changelog: Alpha 7.6.0 (Build 1460)

Food Rebalancing and Template Changes:
- Adjusted Food/Health/Stamina/Perish data of all food items and...

Update: January 19, 2018:

Changelog: Alpha 7.5.9 (Build 1449)

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Problem that docked vessel disappeared after going through green wall
- Fixed: Other green wall teleporting issue.

===================

Update: January 16, 2018:

Changelog: Alpha 7.5.9 (Build 1448)
- Fixed: Several internal exceptions found in log files - Part II

===================

Update: January 12, 2018:

Changelog: Alpha 7.5.9 (Build 1447)
- Fixed: Several internal exceptions found in log files

===================

Hi Galactic Survivalists,

We continue with our bug fixing / stabilizing updates on the Alpha 7.5 branch. However, in parallel, our team is already working hard on Alpha 8. Soon we will let you know more - stay tuned

Changelog: Alpha 7.5.9 (Build 1446)

Changes:
- Deactivated X-Mas update special items: X-Mas Tree (if you used the tree in your builds, it is still there but it does not appear in deco group anymore) and Akua Wine (can still be crafted but has no Status Effect anymore)
- Improved performance / RAM consumption on dedicated servers
- Added alternative terrain for Aitis (NewLava2_V2): see above screenshot
- Updated Default Scenario Robinson Protocol mission: decreased placement amount of solar panels
- Allow more characters by default and widened input field in several dialog boxes
- Removed character limit for input dialog for Teleporter target
- Added info about ingame time vs realtime to PlanetExample.yaml
- Updated Orbital Thermica Station (color updates, added solar power energy, updated devices): thanks to zztong

Updated Loot:
- Added specific loot for different Zirax classes (more appropriate for their weapon class)
- Adjusted Assault Cyborg loot drops
- Swamp, Ice and Desert Golem: Loot now focuses on basic and rare ores + a special material item + Crushed Stones
- Wood Walker: added Seeds and some biological items
- Armored Golem: Loot now focuses on Weapon Kits, Components and
- NPC: slightly reduced total amount of loot
- NPC: Added a few new drop items (e.g. for DesertGolem)
- Devices: reduced total amount of loot
"Do you have any suggestions on how to change or enrich the dropped items, especially for NPCs? Let us know!"

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Vessel unable to dock to BA in certain situations
-...

Hi Galactic Survivalists,

Happy New Year to all of you - we hope you had a great time with your family and friends over Christmas and New Year! We are back in full throttle and just released the first bug fixing patch of 2018.
We have the feeling that 2018 will be the year of Empyrion! So many goodies are in the pipeline....

Changelog: Alpha 7.5.8 (Build 1438)

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Problem that reloading game while on Zeyhines, another seed is used
- Fixed: Problem that Parasaur Baby turned into adult version when being killed
- Fixed: Problem that alt camera look in a cockpit/passenger seat was reset every time another player attached or detached
- Fixed: Problem that speed was not displayed accurately when being passenger in a ship
- Fixed: Problem that nights were too dark on several playfields
- Fixed: SVs do not dock to CVs anymore in certain situations
- Fixed: Prevent docked HV Turrets to shoot
- Fixed: NPC Trader Buy / Sell buttons not immediately in sync with stock list
- Fixed: Playfield crash after entering Ningues atmosphere
- Fixed: Blueprint spawning exploit
- Fixed: Exception from warping as a passenger
- Fixed: Problem that when warping as a passenger the position was wrong for several seconds
- Fixed: Decoration "MoundzTree" has broken collision system
- Fixed: Problem that underwater it became too dark
- Fixed: Not showing other players sitting in seats when connecting to new game
- Fixed: POI's 'BA_CrashedCV_DSE_Part1' & 'BA_CrashedCV_DSE_Part2' have vertical shutters that are giving back 'Window Blocks S' when disassembling them

Update: January 3, 2018

Changelog: Alpha EXPERIMENTAL 7.5.8 (Build 1438)

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Problem that reloading game while on Zeyhines, another seed is used
- Fixed: Problem that Parasaur Baby turned into adult version when being killed

Temporarily reverted:
- Items dropped in Blueprint factory no longer return unneeded sub-parts (this may give player base items he otherwise wouldn't have)

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

Update: January 2, 2018

Changelog: Alpha EXPERIMENTAL 7.5.8 (Build 1437)

Changes:
- Changed: Items dropped in Blueprint factory no longer return unneeded sub-parts (this may give player base items he otherwise wouldn't have)

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Problem that alt camera look in a cockpit/passenger seat was reset every time another player attached or detached
- Fixed: Problem that speed was not displayed accurately when being passenger in a ship
- Fixed: Problem that nights were too dark on several playfields
- Fixed: MP: SVs do not dock to CVs anymore in certain situations
- Fixed: Prevent docked HV Turrets to shoot
- Fixed: NPC Trader Buy / Sell buttons not immediately in sync with stock list
- Fixed: Playfield crash after entering Ningues atmosphere.

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

Changelog: Alpha EXPERIMENTAL 7.5.8 (Build 1434)

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Blueprint spawning exploit
- Fixed: Exception from warping as a passenger.
- Fixed: Problem that when warping as a passenger the position was wrong for several seconds
- Fixed: Decoration "MoundzTree" has broken collision system
- Fixed: Problem that underwater it became too dark
- Fixed: Not showing other players sitting in seats when connecting to new game
- Fixed: POI's 'BA_CrashedCV_DSE_Part1' & 'BA_CrashedCV_DSE_Part2' have vertical shutters that are giving back 'Window Blocks S' when disassembling them

Hi Galactic Survivalists,

Early December, we started our Feature Survey 2018 and now it is time to reveal the results!

Survey Statistics:
- We have received more than 11.000 completed surveys in about 2.5 weeks (the last survey in 2016 took more than 2 months for the same amount of replies!)
- We have received more than 8500 feedback comments with the survey (which we are still evaluating)

Global Gameplay / Group Preferences:
- The average player has played Empyrion for about 101-250 hours.
- Most of the multiplayer groups consist of 3 members.
- The average size of the default multiplayer "group of friends" is between 3 and 5
- Most players that participated in the survey prefer to play PvE, i.e. fight against the environment (combined single player and PvE players in multiplayer)

Thanks to your overwhelming participation, we now have a very good overview about the features we should prioritize when planning the Alpha 8 and 9 features for early next year.

Please find more stats and graphs below!
















As you all know, we are monitoring our forums for feedback and we have started to add several major discussion topics in the last weeks - which we will continue on a regular basis.

These feedback threads are especially important since the results of the survey are manifold. So it is very important to make use of the forums and suggestion threads in the next weeks to add more context to these results!

The same applies to our Steam forums and of course the reviews on our Steam Store page: http://store.steampowered.com/app/383120/Empyrion__Galactic_Survival
If you enjoy playing Empyrion, please do not forget to add a Review - thumbs up or down. We will read your feedback and take it serious.

Said that, please enjoy the most recent update Alpha 7.5 and Happy Holidays from all of us at Empyrion Galactic Survival!

Update: December 24, 2017:

Changelog: Alpha 7.5.7 (Build 1433)

Please note that if you have resumed a game in the previous build B1432 (which was public only during 1h), the ready-to-spawn blueprints in your factory were lost unfortunately. We are sorry for the inconveniences. If you did not update to B1432, everything should be fine.

Bug fixes:
- Fixed: Problem with picking up and dropping items and playfield loading

========


Update: December 24, 2017:

Changelog: Alpha 7.5.6 (Build 1431)

Bug fixes:
- Fixed: HUD name tag of structure still on screen after being disassembled & is being repositioned constantly.
- Fixed: More use cases with playfield non-stop disconnects

========

Update: December 23, 2017:

Changelog: Alpha 7.5.6 (Build 1430)

Bug fixes:
- Fixed: Playfield non-stop disconnects
- Fixed: Problem that sometimes the game hung up
- Fixed: Location of the Sun changes after changing playfields.

========

Update: December 22, 2017:

Changelog: Alpha 7.5.6 (Build 1428)

Changes:
- Solar panels with stand are not airtight anymore
- Updated wreckage POI "Old Base"

Bug fixes:
- Battery is being drained when returning to save game.
- Most structures on a playfield are deleted on load/unload
- Problem that no resources were spawning on planet Kayam in scenario Shadows of Starlight

========

Changelog: Alpha 7.5.5 (Build 1427)

PDA Update:
- Added dedicated missions for Akua and Omicron.
(You will only see the one which matches the playfield you start your game)
- The Omicron Mission has additional steps (sealing a room, managing oxygen supply, etc) and will gift you a Multitool, O2 Bottles and a Ventilator for demonstration purposes (usually you need to level up and craft them, but these devices are also a reward for playing the Robinson Protocol Mission on Omicron)
- Both missions will reward you with a Motorbike and an additional Fiber Plant
- The Robinson Protocol only works when starting the SINGLEPLAYER DEFAULT survival scenario
- This is only a starter-guide and does NOT replace the recommendation to play the TUTORIAL.
- The mission is not mandatory. You can always skip it.

Added solar power to starter wreckage structures:
- Replaced Generator/Fuel with Solarpanel/Capacitor
- Removed "Convenience" devices (Fridge, Ammobox, Container) to make it a real shelter
> Please tell us what you...

If you like Empyrion, please do not forget to vote for us on IndieDB: http://www.indiedb.com/groups/2017-indie-of-the-year-awards/top100#vote35016


Update December 20, 2017: Alpha 7.5.4 (Build 1423)

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Problem that some save game could not be resumed any more
- Fixed: Problem that blueprint with solar panels lead to an error when spawning it
- Fixed: Problem that sometimes Solar Panels switched off
- Fixed: Several internal exceptions

Changes:
- Large windows can now be crafted in Survival Constructor
- Trader-NPC: Disabled stock-dependent pricing as its application didn't meet the expectations of the players

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

Hi Galactic Survivalists,

We released another patch for Alpha 7.5.

Please report bugs and issues right here: https://empyriononline.com/threads/bug-reports-alpha-7-5.34598/

Our Feature Survey 2018 is still active and can be voted here: http://survey.empyriongame.com
(we will publish the results very soon)

Changelog: Alpha 7.5.3 (Build 1422)

Trader Update:
- increased price calculation precision
- fixed price rounding error
- fixed double re-stocking on first two times opening a trader's window
- fixed that equipped item count could exceed max stock count

PDA Localization:
- Added JAPANESE (Metapo)
- Added GREEK (partially; Gabriel)

Main Localization:
- Added GREEK (partially, Gabriel)

Changes:
- Made kill-timeout for booting playfield servers configurable via dedicated.yaml
- Added underwater darkening

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Switching back and forth between STATISTICS and MAIN Control Panel removes info of Solar Panels from STATISTIC
- Fixed: Some localization is missing in the Difficulty settings
- Fixed: Cutout of terrain under deco
- Fixed: Several internal exceptions reported on support email

Update December 18, 2017: Alpha 7.5.2 (Build 1421) - Hotfix 4

- Changed mode from PvP to PvE on Mato in scenario: Invader-vs-Defender
- Added some checks to detect invalid data in NPC-Trader config file

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

Update December 17, 2017: Alpha 7.5.1 (Build 1420) - Hotfix 3

Changes for NPC Traders:
1. The item price is now re-calculated after each transaction (not only when closing and re-opening the trader window)
2. The "Buy" and "Sell" column prices are valid for the next single item bought or sold
3. If you buy or sell multiple items (Quantity > 1) the total price is calculated as if you would buy / sell the items one by one in a row

Bug Fixes:
- Possible Fix: Problem that some playfield server did not correctly start (temporarily disabled booting playfield server timeout kills)
- Fixed NPC-Trader:
* re-open exploit: re-open trader window until good random prices are offered
* bulk trade exploit: first buy then sell multiple items
* price calculation error when stock of an item is higher than half max stock

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

Update December 17, 2017: Alpha 7.5.1 (Build 1418) - Hotfix 2

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Problem that some players could not connect to a dedicated server anymore
- Fixed: Problem that some save games could not be resumed anymore
- Fixed: Exceptions caused when trying to use the multitool change & rotate option
- Fixed: Several errors related to solar panels

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

Update December 16, 2017: Alpha 7.5.1 (Build 1417) - Hotfix

Bug Fixes:
- Fixed: Problem with connecting to a dedicated server
- Fixed: Templates in Config.ecf could not have an input item count of zero (now you can set item count to zero to remove an item from a template)
- Fixed: Problem that players could open the control panel of enemy & admin structures
- Fixed: Exception when a player exits a vessel's cockpit without holding a weapon or tool in the hand
- Fixed: Exception when opening the faction window.
- Fixed: Exception when player changes playfield

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

Hi Galactic Survivalists!

After a lively Experimental phase (thanks for all your feedback!), we are excited to release a quite substantial update just before Christmas: Alpha 7.5 is out now!

For those who did not follow the Experimental phase, a few quick notes....