DEV BLOG Milestones 2022: A brief preview of the coming months

Discussion in 'News & Announcements' started by Hummel-o-War, Feb 25, 2022.

  1. Hummel-o-War

    Hummel-o-War Administrator Staff Member Community Manager

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    Hi Galactic Survivalists!

    While we are still putting the finishing touches to the current version 1.7.x, it is time to give you a short overview of the topics that are planned or expected to be worked on this year.

    20220225123939_1.jpg

    Version 1.8 & 1.8.5
    For the big summer update 1.8 there are several major topics on the agenda!

    First and foremost, we will be adding completely new models for NPCs and creatures that will soon be roaming the worlds of Empyrion. At the same time, we also plan to revamp some of the NPCs and creatures currently in use, replacing them with new and revised models that fit in with the general visual overhaul of the planets.

    Apart from that, we will technically fully integrate the new decoration system that we have shown as an example in the last versions. In 1.8 we will revise the planets and partly completely redesign them so that they can unfold their potential in the light of the new possibilities. This includes new, but also revised models for decoration, rocks, harvestables and resources (e.g. Rock resources on the surface).

    Another focus will be improvements to the UI, to various help and display systems and a partly completely new game start.

    In conjunction with that, 1.8 will continue to be worked on in numerous other areas. In addition to bug fixes, work on the code base is planned to make the game fit for the next updates and game content. Some Quality of Life and Convenience will also be in focus.

    We will publish more information about this in the next few weeks on the way to the experimental release!
    For version 1.8.5, the focus will then be on new playable content, missions and activities that will build on the innovations of 1.8. Fixing bugs is, of course, always part of the plan.

    Version 1.8: approx. end of June/beginning of July
    Version 1.8.5: approx. middle/end of October


    20220225123631_1.jpg

    Version 1.9
    The year-end update will be all about the player avatar, its appearance, its movement possibilities and related functions and features! The update will not only change some settings, but will be a complete rework!

    This means a considerable intervention in the code base (which is currently already being prepared) and will challenge all departments in the team due to the deep integration of the functions of the player controller in features and gameplay. However, we are sure that the effort is worth it and that we will be able to present you with a completely renewed combat and movement feeling including numerous new gameplay features at the end of the year.

    Version 1.9: End of the year

    20220225124157_1.jpg

    Are you looking forward to the coming months?

    Share your thoughts in the comments below!

    :D
     

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    #1
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  2. HeckenDiver

    HeckenDiver Lieutenant

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    Thats some really Awesome News!
     
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  3. Insopor

    Insopor Commander

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    First of all, looks awesome. I've not actually visited the demo planets for the new deco, so other than screenshots, it'll be a nice treat when it appears fully in game.

    But one thing, a request maybe: can you keep the current NPC and creature models in a legacy support (not the faction)? More options are more options, especially for people working on custom content and scenarios. I've been wanting to see new enemy models for a while as they can be pretty limited (Zirax, Aliens, Polaris, Traders, etc - basically all factions except Legacy and Kreil share models with each other.) Variety is the spice of life and it's great to see new models, but if it just means replacing the old, then that leaves the same situation in lack of variety for such an expansive game.

    On that note, just pallet-swapping the current models would do a lot of good. The same creatures with different coloring would be amazing for variety, and I don't think it'd be too much work to implement as it's using existing assets.

    (If this is too off topic, I can put it as its own thing in the suggestions section.)

    But again, love to see what's coming down the line. Thanks for the work you've all put in.
     
    #3
  4. Ralph_on_me

    Ralph_on_me Lieutenant

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    New block shapes?
     
    #4
  5. rebuilthk47

    rebuilthk47 Commander

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    Am I looking forward to it? *busts through wall* OH YEAH!
    ...
    I'll fix that hole.

    I was just thinking about when the NPC models will have their actual/better model(s) and when the character model stuff will be worked on. And the new start and missions! I am so excited!
     
    #5
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  6. malrose1

    malrose1 Commander

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  7. Peter Conway

    Peter Conway Commander

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    This is the best news I've had in a long time (and I have had plenty of good news recently, believe me!)

    If my smile was bigger my head would split in two, thank you for the heads up. :D
     
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  8. Bronco40

    Bronco40 Lieutenant

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    So really not that much ? Everyone posting how happy they are about the news here just seems to be sucking up to the devs like always ....... There really isnt that much in these notes to be EXTREMLY happy about ..... Still request from long time players that arent added , will not be added or even talked about by the devs . Examples , walking on ships while they are moving or warping , underwater ships ( subs ) , making more player made scenarios part of the actual game like Reforged Eden , in game workshop downloads where we are not forced to use the steam workshop .... relog just to get a blueprint ........ AI that actually does something or increase ships attributes like shields , dps , reload etc ............ There have been many people that have asked for these things and all the community gets is ignored or some lame excuse how why they cannot . When other games have these simple things and this would bring Empyrion to a whole new level .....

    I do however love this game and have thousands of hours playing on many different servers . I do recommend this game 100 % to anyone that loves space , space ships , survival crafting , building , teraforming ...... It really has came a long way . Just would like to see more Dev - Community communication .
     
    #8
  9. Myrmidon

    Myrmidon Rear Admiral

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    Fantastic, news. I can not wait to see and test what is coming next. Keep up the good work, guys. Thank you for the update...:thumpUp:
     
    #9
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  10. rebuilthk47

    rebuilthk47 Commander

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    Expressing excitement that a very small team (less than 10 IIRC) is finally tackling something that practically hasn't been touched since they started is "sucking up"? o_O
    Oh you're one of those people.:CatJoy:
     
    #10
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  11. [TKC]olT3lo

    [TKC]olT3lo Lieutenant

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    I don't really see 'content' as being in focus. Me and my clan liked the game, but think there should be more to do besides building.
     
    #11
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  12. MikeCobalt44

    MikeCobalt44 Ensign

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    Very Good :)
     
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  13. Decado

    Decado Ensign

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    A revamped player model alone will make a huge difference. The current model and its animation are one of the main factors this game feels dated. Really excited to see you're re-doing it.
     
    #13
  14. hutchynet.sv73

    hutchynet.sv73 Lieutenant

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    Wow, this year in development of this awesome game Empyrion Galactic Survival will be the absolutely best year by far. I will be dreaming for the whole year imagining what could be. Wow just Oh my god Wow That is how I feel.:NewScream::NewThumbsUp::CatJoy:
     
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  15. Wanev

    Wanev Lieutenant

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    As I said in the other thread, I am super excited for the new planets. The new ones seem a lot more immersive. More NPC models are also badly needed. The galaxy is filled with a bunch of clones at the moment and it feels weird.
     
    #15
  16. Kassonnade

    Kassonnade Rear Admiral

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    Apart from the underwater thing and "walk on moving ships" the other items you mention can be (and are) done by players and are all subject to personal preferences. I don't think it would be a good idea that Eleon commits itself to include player-made content in the base game, for various reasons : game size will inflate, all patches from all different "content producers" will not be at the same time (constant update hell), Eleon has no "control" on custom scenarios but will have to fix bugs deriving from them or keep redirecting player to the proper authors, etc.

    Some changes make no sense to be "promoted" performance-wise : adding lots of NPCs to a ship just as "deco" to get a few more RPG elements and benefits while at the same time killing FPS is not a wise choice. Adding any part of the Steam API (workshop related) will obviously mean opening another field of constant bug fixes and updates to follow Steam's constant (and annoying) client patching...

    Same. And if not "more" I can at least wish for "more precise". We still get pretty vague PR spins and lots of players have matured past the point of seeing this as "open communication".

    .
     
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  17. Aaron(Wakfu)

    Aaron(Wakfu) Commander

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    I am not sure what you said fits with any features that are most requested...except player movement/combat. maybe missions. No other major features. None hinted at. Redecoration of planets....sigh ok. Just anothe re-do. Seems thats a lot of time (another 9 months) on just one or two major features.

    What QOL you looking at? The ability to plot a course on the galaxy map? instead of having to twist and spin to see whats in range to jump to next? Do you plan to address any of these QOL or requests?

    https://empyriononline.com/threads/future-of-empyrion-community-requests-at-a-glance.99515/

    what about space combat? The UI is welcome. The way we interact with our ships/vehicles needs a total revamp. in order to do anything we need to open the control panel...even while in combat...
     
    #17
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  18. RajkoX

    RajkoX Commander

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    Hey Eleon, anything you do on a game post 1.0 is a big +, thank you you didnt abandon Empyrion, but youre missing here important things such as contact damage on built ships when hitting tree, rock, enemy base or other ship. Second you need to clearly separate acceleration, speed and maneuverability of SVs and CVs. You dont have to think alot just look few sci/fi movies. You could also do a variety, randomness in Zirax attacks with more and less troops, combined troops. What we now get is 3 drones attack or trooptransport attack with 3 soldiers and two dogs. After placing few cannon turrets on a base, 100th attack is a little boring. And at last you dont need to make Skyrim from Empyrion. This is survival/explore/build not an rpg. You should also help a guy on steam forum that makes blueprint to stl converter to be able to print our ships 3d models, so that the program would be functional. You could of course always start to optimize your game so that the gpu (2080ti, 2k res) occupancy is sometimes less than 100%. There is one more but I am not sure if I am allowed to say it :)... Walking on a moving objects?? :)))) Everybody have a nice weekend..
     
    #18
  19. rebuilthk47

    rebuilthk47 Commander

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    These things have been requested quite a bit. Even *if* it isn't "most requested", it's not going to be ignored and must be done at some point. 95% of what is in the game for models are stock Unity store stuff. Stuff that isn't made for being used in the game. Personally I would like to not have my character look so plain, move with basic animations, and not look like he's high 24/7. A lot of the creatures don't really fit with what's happening, and lots of NPCs are almost in the T pose with only the most basic animations.

    Besides, this kind of thing can lead to other bigger stuff.
     
    #19
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  20. ASTIC

    ASTIC Captain

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    Please also build out the modding and API, because then we can add what the game is still missing in gameplay/features.
     
    #20
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