Apsis Online V6 introduces the #Marketplace board to @Space. Now players can buy and sell in-game items while the system functions as a sort of public ledger for these transactions. I'm also excited to begin development on what I'm calling the World Seed. Which is the algorithm that intends to "awaken" the game "world" despite there being many. As such it would more aptly be titled the Big Bang or something similar!
Planets will come alive with weather systems that affect player settlements and other AI built habitats and their inhabitants. There will be a greater emphasis on mechanisms that allow for cause and effect. The latter of which may vary as is the nature of what should be dynamic gameplay. A generated summary of some events will be automatically reported via some space news agency I haven't decided on a name for yet. These reports will be published in the #Frontier board under the username of that agency.
Shouts out to Dwarf Fortress Legends mode. I can only aspire to that level of detail.
Looking ForwardI tossed around the idea of spaceports and putting one above Bromius II. But would prefer player feedback regarding the purpose of such a thing before committing. Since I'd rather add most of what would be in a spaceport to the array of tools planned to be available aboard your own spaceship.
The game currency, TETRA has been created and tested against minor transactions like buying and selling pickaxes. In the past I had implemented cloud crypto wallets - a feature that can be entirely ignored - in order to allow players to swap the native game currency for a partnered cryptocurrency. This wallet is still active and has been tested as well. Although swapping and withdrawals are disabled as I continue to iron out any issues behind that tech.
Lore Changes & Other FeaturesNew changes to the game canon include the history behind @Space itself, being a more meta edit. The built-in social network was created as a way for crew aboard sleeper ships to engage with each other across different sleep cycles. Like a sort of Facebook for space-farers to communicate. I find this to be a charming idea and one that I'd like to continue expanding on. The social features present are at the core of the game engine after all.
Another interesting and previously-present feature is in drone operation. In the past I had allowed players to scout planets before landing and subsequently embarking. This and other ship-oriented activities will be the focus of the subsequent V7. As well as performance upgrades when it comes to leaving the spaceship and walking around planets. It remains to be seen whether or not this issue can be instead solved by upgrading a dedicated server (an expensive proposition). But all tests have proved this to be the case so far.
If Apsis Online interests you do feel free to check out associated projects like the short story (WIP) Winternet on
Wattpad based in the AO universe. Or drop a line in-game and say hi. We're always looking for more voyagers!
The game, currently V5.2 and only available to Linux testers, can be found
here if interested.