This past week was focused on finishing a few ofter requested small features, work orders in context menus, and breaking ground on the V3 item and skill system.

New item system

After devoting most of the version cycle to their design, the V3 item implementation has started. We've finally decided to go with on-map items and random loot, which exist as any other entity. Going with abstract skills felt too limiting and less interesting than V2. We will make sure the UX for equipping them is fast and smart, foregoing logistics where appropriate, so it doesn't become tedious to keep your staff gear up to date. Max has prepared a first batch of item art. We will need guns, lots of guns:
The data model for items is the first part code-wise, and it also will influence changes in the existing combat system. There's now a specific info panel for items:
There's a lot of pending work in this area and it won't be finished in v3.3, but starting this work is a very important step and a big part of the gameplay.

Work orders in context menus

Any entity capable of work can now be directly ordered to work, as long as the job giving object is not busy:
For now most work orders have been enabled as a direct context action. We will keep adding new actions if they make sense.

Logistics improvements: exclusive sources and restocking minimum

Shops and pallets can now be linked to other pallets or storage areas as their exclusive source:
For players that desire to micromanage their resource chains this allows for precise flow control to the consumer shops and for making intermediate pallets more useful. The "min stock" feature supported by pallets has been replaced by a "restock at" amount, and also enabled in shops. This means that shops and pallets won't advertise a restock task unless they match or go under the "restock at" amount. This will cut down on useless restocking jobs.

Toggle factory recipes for global production

It's now possible to disable unwanted recipes in a factory to not make them available for global production:
This enables very precise control over production, even when using global stock automation.

Storage area filters

One of the most requested features is now in game:
The filtering is additive/substractive. Instead of selecting resource categories, you are always editing the resource list. But you can use the filters to make bulk editing. For example, to only stock food and drinks, you first Exclude->All, then Include->Drinkable and again Include->Edible.

First mod translation

XANA-Umbrella has provided a French translation and it is available in the Workshop: http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=767491368 This is the first user-provided translation for Galactology and we want to say thanks!

[ 2016-09-22 22:32:40 CET ] [ Original post ]

The Spatials are back on a new adventure!

The Spatials: Galactology is The Spatials reimagined as a deeper, more rewarding simulation game. With mod support and active pause, Galactology adds new items and structures to build, trade routes to exploit, planets with many new variables, sophisticated AI, civilizations that actually attack your station -- and unique gameplay systems behind every object and room.

Key Features

• Design a space station and watch your crew as they build it in real time
  
• More freedom for your designs: use any room with any objects, color the floor tiles as you wish
  
• Reinforce your space station with new buildings, management decisions, and staff
  
• Assemble robots to assist with station chores
  
• Explore a detailed simulation with many systems to play with -- including manufacturing, research, healthcare, disease, emotional breakdowns, combat, hunger, thirst, cleaning, decay, security, FIRE!, and more
  
• Handle complex logistics, requiring restocking and inventory control
  
• Earn in-game cash by growing your space station’s hospitality business
  
• Designate staff for your bar or your research lab
  
• Visitors and officers have a mind of their own. Make sure their needs are met!
  
• Build hospitals to care for the wounded and diseased
  
• Secure your station with cameras, scanners and turrets
  
• A randomly-generated galaxy with 100+ planets
  
• Build spaceships and explore the galaxy
  
• Explore the surface of planets and asteroids
  
• Engage in real-time combat to forge alliances and make new enemies
  
• Find natural resources, civilizations and ancient ruins
  
• Establish trade routes with your allies
  
• Develop and download gameplay mods from the Steam Workshop
  
• And more, much more is coming!

About Weird and Wry

Weird and Wry is a Barcelona game development studio founded in 2014 by two brothers: Carlos and Max Carrasco. Carlos (a programmer) and Max (an artist) share a love for simulation games and classic play -- which heavily influenced The Spatials, their first project. Inspired by the great classic sim games of the '90s, The Spatials combined classic base-building gameplay (based on isometric tile room building) with a real-time combat system and an exploration campaign. The Spatials was released on Steam in March 2015 and took off! Thanks to its success and growing fan base, The Spatials spawned a sequel -- The Spatials: Galactology, which updates the original concept with deeper gameplay and a whole new take on the space station management business.