The Tactical Update - Part 1

Hey folks!

I have been hard at work this past month to change the game around a little bit. I felt the pacing just wasn’t right and the overall depth wasn’t where I wanted it to be.

So I devised a plan, as one does in such scenario.

Turns out, it’s so much that I can’t put it all in one update if I don’t want you to keep waiting for yet another month. So I decided to go and do this in parts!

The whole thing is called The Tactical Update and aims to improve the depth of gameplay by adding support for different play styles and re-designing the gameplay loop to make anomaly diving more diversified and fun.

And that brings me to the contents of todays update. It lays the groundwork for all the things to come while also bringing something new to the game. Lets dive in.

Core Loop Changes

A dive into an Anomaly is now centered on getting as much loot out of there as you can possible get. With time, it will get harder and other scavengers might spawn in.

Likewise, you can now leave an anomaly at any time you feel like. The minimap now shows indicators and names for what you find on the map. Exits are marked. After a while, rooms that you have cleared will reset and you can visit them again.

Enemy spawning has been changed. You will now have a lot less time to take a breath. These new anomaly dives can become pretty intense.

Resource Economy

Enemies will now drop certain resources in varying amounts. When you exit an anomaly successfully, you will get these resources to buy equipment for your ship.

Persistent Ships

The player ship is now persistent. That means, if it is destroyed in a run, you will have to repair it, before you can use it again.

In the event that you have no more resources to repair your ship - or other reasons why you don’t want to bring your ship to an anomaly dive - there is a loaner ship. It’s a bit of a junker though.

Loadout & Equipment

The ship now has three loadout slots. A shield and two Mod slots. You can buy new equipment for the resources you have looted in previous anomaly dives.

Shields You now have the option to equip different kinds of shields. The demo comes with 3 different types for you to try. But of course, more are in the making.

Mods These will alter some statistics about your ship. Mainly weapon damage, shield properties and speed. Some mods might add new functionalities. The demo comes with 4 mods for you to try out. Of course, here as well, more are in the making.

Other Stuff

Here are some more points that have changed in no particular order:

• Windowed mode option now works
• Added option to run borderless window
• Adjusted UI design to fit better with the pixel style
• Cockpit redesign
• Weapon selector now immediately switches weapons
• Controller: Shoulder buttons are now for banking
• Controller: A and X buttons are now for ascend and descend
• You may need to reset the controls in the options to get the new mapping. Or remap yourself.
• Damage balanacing
• Ammo display flashes when ammo is low
• Warning sound when ammo is low
• Feedback when shield is depleted and refilled
• Nerfed Quad Damage to Double Damage (this becomes quad damage with a certain ship mod equipped)

And that sums up this update. Now that I look back, this kinda feels like a lot. And you might wonder: What’s next, then?

Honestly. It also depends on you. The way I like my 6 DoF is different from the way you like yours and what the next guy was thinking. Very much let me know what you would like to see added or improved!

Here are a couple of things I will definitely be working on.

I will probably replace pickups that get dropped from enemies with a different mechanic entirely. Won’t spill yet what it is. But it will allow for more mods and loadout options. I think it’s going to be amazing. Of course, enemies will still drop loots. That’s the entire point.

Well. This post is already taking enough of your time. I said the important bits. Time to get the latest update and check it out! Leave me your feedback. Good, bad. I’ll take it.

Cheers!