Beta 2, August 2006

My thanks to all the players who stressed out the rules in beta1. Not only that, but took the time to discuss issues on the forums, and to raise bug reports. All of this has proved invaluable.

Beta 2 sees the addition of major new game components, and a restart of all space fleets, consigning all previous ships to oblivion.

In particular:

• Colonies and colonization drones
• Massive change to open/closed systems, and opening up of the galactic map, and a total change in style of mini-games. i.e. most of the galaxy used to be closed, now most of it is open.
• Change in revenue mechanics
• Addition of repair, colonisation, EMP, and lockdown drones
• Adition of spindizzies
• Reduction of drone range via new burn attribute
• Total redesign of drones so that racks provide points and allow far more specialisation of drone design
• Attacks and mines now have multiple warheads - killing a ship will be easier...I may have to nerf this change.
• EMP drones should make for better fleet tactics.
• Firing from within a scrambler is now restricted to mines and scramblers
• Beholder range now shrinks each turn.

I think thats pretty much it. And should beta 2 prove stable then, maybe before Christmas(!) we can open the game up for real.

Jonathan

Special Thanks To:

(In no particular order): MapMaker, The Shadow, Devaad, Lord Nova, Akchin, Chrome, The Kindred, New Zecha, The Beta Strain, Adam, Valkyrie, Steels, Chromites, Nefarius, Obsidians, The Magefolk, Ynar.

It is only their honest debate, and fantastic gameplay which makes these games better.