Map Generation, Graphics and User Experience improvements

Map Generation, Graphics and User Experience improvements

As release draws closer, this update focuses on map generation, map graphics, visual clarity, and user experience improvements, based on feedback from our playtesters.

Map Generation & Graphics Updates

This update improves exploration, readability, and atmosphere across the galaxy:

  • Added another map generator, introducing more varied and less predictable maps
  • Added a new network indicator, now enabled by default for better strategic awareness
  • Added particle effects for harvesting metal, gas, and energy (thanks Pymous for the idea!)
  • Unexplored tiles are now fully hidden by black fog of war, while explored but unobserved tiles use white fog of war
  • Replaced space telescope image backgrounds with new painted backgrounds by our artists
  • Improved anomaly placement and added more anomaly types
  • Added icons to allied units and planets for quicker identification

User Experience Improvements

Many changes in this update aim to reduce friction and make information easier to read at a glance:

  • Switched to a more readable body text font
  • Added colonizable and terraformable icons directly to planet labels
  • Improved nested tooltips system
  • Added more game settings descriptions
  • Unified resource icon sizes
  • Recolored and reordered ship stat icons for better readability (thanks Pymous for the idea!)
  • Center planet name is now shown in tooltips
  • Improved the loading screen and removed the blur effect
  • Shift-click to build multiple stations or ships at once
  • Added a button to center the camera on your home planet
  • Added a notification when a ship is attacked outside sensor range
  • Added more input and hotkey icons throughout the UI
  • Added clearer, more instant feedback on victory and defeat
  • Improved ship descriptions, tooltips, and tutorial texts

AI Improvements

AI behavior has been refined across multiple systems:

  • Improved AI evaluation of adjacency based production bonuses
  • Improved AI usage of conversion stations
  • Improved major faction AI behavior towards minor factions
  • Various additional improvements to AI economy and decision making

Balance Changes

Several balance updates refine progression and faction behavior:

  • Rebalanced minor factions and their alliances
  • Generator, mining, and agriculture planets now provide only 1 resource per adjacent station, but have a base income of 2
  • Allowed the Myrmidon Horde to gain techs from anomalies instantly
  • Limited anomaly reward displays to a maximum of 3 rewards

Fixes

  • Fixed resource icon colors not updating correctly
  • Fixed stealth ships capturing stations while moving through enemies
  • Fixed duplicate ships appearing in the buy menu
  • Fixed scoreboard scrolling issues

More Playtests

If you'd like to help make the game better or get access to the full version of the game you can apply to the playtest in https://nullvectorstudios.com/playtest

Thanks to all the playtesters for the valuable feedback!

See you among the stars!