Hello everyone! As we mentioned last week, we have begun working on a larger free update targeted for May, and it would be fun to share some of the new things you will be able to discover. 2.6.3 is still planned to be released as an opt-in beta SoonTM, so stay tuned for more information about that. But for now, lets continue and talk a little bit about what youll expect to see in the free May update.

Background

Weve felt that the galaxy sometimes feels a bit empty now, compared to how it used to back in the day. Since the AI is a bit more proactive in hunting down hostile space fauna you are encountering these alien lifeforms much more seldom. We wanted to reinvigorate the galaxy with more alien life, and allow them to continue existing for a longer period of time.

Tiyanki

The tiyanki now have a home system, Tiyana Vek, which can continue to spawn more space whales throughout the continuation of your game, unless the tiyanki in the system have been hunted to extinction. The spawning of new tiyanki will also depend on galaxy size, which sets an upper limit for how many fleets can spawn (in relation to already roaming around).
Tiyana Vek, in all its gaseous glory. The tiyanki themselves have also been updated, and there are now hatchlings in addition to the previously existing Bulls, Cows and Calves. The roaming tiyanki fleets are now also a bit more randomized in their compositions.
Space whaling. Hunting the tiyanki will yield energy credits and exotic gas, but xenophile empires will not approve.
Successful hunt. No, bounty numbers are not final. If you want to find out what other features will be in the free update, have a read in the forum post These are the first steps were taking towards reinvigorating the galaxy a bit. Well give you more information in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned for future dev diaries!