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[Lily]

Thousands of brands?

Seems like a bit much.
May be better with something like Borderlands with a few distinctive brands, but still many procedural possibilities.

[PetSkull]

Thousands of brands?

Seems like a bit much.
May be better with something like Borderlands with a few distinctive brands, but still many procedural possibilities.

I like the diversity - But in reality all ships are created from different brand type and then modified using proc-gen.

[PetSkull]

Today I added a little animation, so show where the player can see his list of active missions. I hope this will make it more obvious as to where the missions are hiding

[PetSkull]

Stardust Tycoon now has a Discord server up and running, where you can discuss ideas/bugs and feedback. I'll pop in regularly and will answer any questions you may have

Discord : https://discord.gg/s4AwyTq

[PetSkull]

I did find some time to create a new mission type. Parcel deliveries. It actually only took 30 mins. to add it to the engine - So the previous refactoring and rethinking my mission manager has really paid off!





Parcel deliveres are a quick way to get some extra pocket money

[PetSkull]

Police finishing off a criminal with a fast homing missile

These last days has been productive for me and I came a long way on the game. Polished a lot of sections and added new features. The list includes:

• Added the package delivery assignment
• Added passenger delivery assignment
• Added assassination assignment
• Added reward handling for completing assignments
• Added fueling when you subscribe to refueling
• Added NPC escort, which always follows and protects a trader
• Added NPC Escort, which always follows and protects a fellow pirate
• Added discovery of new star systems, expanding the universe. They'll popup occasionally
• Added more data to the save/load function - I think it's complete now
• Changed the way the NPC handles attacks and crimes
• Fixed a bug where you didn't get a bounty on your head, when you're "Wanted, dead or alive"
• Fixed a lot of small bugs and "ToDo's" in my code

The messageboard with 4 different types of assignments listed

[PetSkull]

I found some time to add a special "Donations" assignment. These donations will help you boost your reputation.





Every ship has a reputation in the universe. The higher reputation, the more and better assignments, you can undertake. When you complete assignments you gain reputation, and when you abandon assignments it will drop. It can also drop if you're spotted attacking innocent vessels, and get reported. So its in your best interest to have a high reputation among your equals.

[PetSkull]

I've also added more functions to the ship. When you're low on energy, you can convert some of your cargo into energy.



And the same goes for jettisoning cargo. If you have pirates on your tail, you can lure them off by dropping some of your cargo. It might give you time enough to slip away.

[PetSkull]

Finally got around to the part of the game, where the universe expands. When a new system is discovered, you'll be greeted with the following dialog upon entry on a planet



The reason for the little delay and fade in of the planets, is because I need to generate the graphics for each planet. This is done in a background thread and when the image is ready, I signal that it can be drawn to the screen. I like how my technical challenges (like background generation) can be made into something pretty looking

[PetSkull]

I've uploaded a new demo on itch.io https://petskull.itch.io/stardust-tycoon , which include all the updates I've written about since 2018-07-01, so almost 2 months of work

• Added Save/Load system. Your game will be automatically saved on every jump to a new planet
• Added escorts, both for traders and pirates. They will defend their host and attack the host's targets
• Added the first few sound effects and a main title tune. Turn on sounds/music in options
• Added kill missions
• Added parcel transfer missions
• Added passenger missions
• Added donations (which will increase your reputation)
• Added jettison cargo (to escape from pirates)
• Added convert cargo to energy (to avoid running out)
• Added the expanded universe. New systems will now be discovered over time

I hope you can find the time to download the version and give it a try. I would really appreciate your feedback

[Monolyth Himself]

made the transition from hyperjump into orbit. I think it adds a little something

It does dude, keep it in there! It gives the space travel feel for sure.

[PetSkull]

I created a new gameplay video, showcasing some of the games' features. Hope you enjoy




_{It might look blurred, but I hope it's Youtube preparing the video in the background. It was uploaded at 1920x1080 resolution}

[PetSkull]

I'm so happy  My first Steam wishlist milestone has been reached! More than 100!



Still a long way to go, but this at least means that someone has an interest in my game - Feeling movitated

[PetSkull]

Today I began working on the mining station upgrade. The idea is that you can buy mining stations and deploy them on a planet where there's ore to be mined. when you then visit the station later, you can transfer the ore and sell it on the markets.

In order for you to find the good ore spots, a ore locater will be installed when you buy the mining station and you select it, as you select all other upgrades. When selected the ore locater will popup, like this:



Next up is the actual deployment process. You can deploy the station anywhere on the planet (the area will be leveled, once the station has been built). When the station is active, you can request an inventory or transfer of ore to your ship.

[VitaliusSch]

Your game looks interesting!

[PetSkull]

Thank you for your kind words

[PetSkull]

These last couple of days, I've added the mining station to the game. The mining station is your source of extra income. The idea is that you deploy it near a underground ore deposit, and then let the mining robot mine for ore and returning it to the mining station. When you hover above the station, you will be able to transfer ore directly into your cargo hulls. Neat



The robot is autonomous and will get on the job right away



When all ore in the vicinity of the station has been depleated, the robot will return to the station and notify you through the message center.

[PetSkull]

Found time to add the "Transfer" functionality. This will transfer ore from the mining station and onto your ship.

[PetSkull]

Implemented a "Top 10 wanted" list, so you might be able to track down the criminals with the biggest bounties hanging on their heads



It's not always that a last known location is known. This typically occurs, if it's been a while since the criminals has last been seen.

[PetSkull]

I can see that it has been a very long time since I last wrote something about this game. It has been paused, as the scope and number of breaking bugs kept getting bigger and bigger and I couldn't find the spirit to make the big overhaul, the engine needed. So the game was put on pause, while I took a deep breath and found other meaningful things to do in my life.

After some time, I found energy and inspiration again and started workign on a little sideproject, another game, to prove to myself that I can create a game and finish it. And this time it looks like it will happen. I'm almost done with my (smaller) game and once it is released, I will go back to Stardust Tycoon.

Stardust Tycoon now has more than 500 wishlisters and this is without pushing anything for nearly 5 months. This has given me refreshed energy to continue on the game, so hopefully within the next month or so, I will continue developing it, and resuming devlogs for the progress.