This build is the follow-on to the Dev Omega build. All of the game's binary packages have been updated along with some bug fixes, more game and quest guidance, and some general playability tweaks. The Cetus combat trials have also been updated for better guidance.

In late 2017, I started work on a small sandbox space game. There wasn't much to it. You could fly a ship, deploy mines, and build a few things. The star systems were auto generated. There were some wild creatures and your one ship, the Astrela, could laser them and fire the occasional torpedo.

One year later and that had morphed into a full blown RPG with the Cetus campaign. Astrela Starlight was still pretty rough but went into Early Access. Several years later, ASL has now reached the completion of all of the original development goals, with a few changes and additions.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the journey of Astrela Starlight. From the Cetus, to the Saurum, the Avar, all the way to the Ecxos planetary station, I am sincerely grateful and hope you enjoy solving the mystery of Lystran.
- Daniel C. Ray, author of Astrela Starlight

Development of the game will slow to bug fixes and features requests for now.
Changes in this release:

• Drag and drop functionality added to systems control.
  
• Various UI sounds added throughout the game.
  
• Volume control for UI effects.
  
• Flight of the Astrela added to game start screen.
  
• Final end game animation added with credits and dedication.
  
• Fixes for derelict ships that kept exploding.
  
• Alert sound added when a ship switches to hostile.
  
• Pause system updated.
  
• Reclaim 'Y' key added.
  
• Minor bug fix in Quest guidance code.
  
• Polish of Ecxos, Hohlrom, and many other UI elements.
  
• All trade stations now have a communication item for "Trade" in additional to the usual trade button.
  
• Fixed issue with ship recall system and ship name.
  
• Fixed issue where the player could jump a station through someone else's Lygate.
  
• Single ship recall added for trade at Elpin station in upper systems.
  
• Mini-star model updated to look like an actual star, changes based on high material.
  
• Animation added to celestials when high material changes.
  
• Render changes and updates to dust field.
  
• Coordinate offset added to game to fix odd oscillation issue when far out in star systems.
  
• Minor changes to weapon beam renderer.
  
• Fixed issue with how aux rector cooling boost was calculated.
  
• Total redo of Stardock model. Model now visually shows when Refinery, Shipyard, and Factory are mounted.
  
• Final version of derelict ship salvage completed, trade to remove contents, then reclaim the vessel.
  
• Minor tweaks to several ship's mass and turn rate for better engine performance.
  
• Updates to VSync code and frame limiting.
  
• Some audio normalization and changes to the main voice of the game.
  
• Button added in graphics settings to switch windowed <-> full screen. Graphics settings can also be controlled by holding CTRL while starting the game.
  

Today's release contains Quest Guidance. Quest Guidance adds indicators to the HUD, jump system, and Galaxy Map showing targets that are part of the quest. When starting a new game, the player will be asked if they wish to enable Quest Guidance. When loading a save game that was saved prior to this release, the player will also be asked if they wish to enable Quest Guidance. Quest guidance can be enabled/disabled and configured in the Quests menu.

Also in this release:

• Major performance update to the jump process and star system loading process. Building star systems is never easy.
  
• Several graphical changes to the UI. Some minor polishing of menu functions.
  
• Fixed issue where some ships showed as having trade items in the Target Info screen when they were empty.
  
• Svem was causing the Cetus anomalies to visually appear unsealed after completing his quest, fixed.
  
• Fixed an issue with the Toreisan blocking the jump system in Tord.
  
• Radiate level in Nidium has been lowered.
  
• Plaesmrc ship is now radiate immune.
  
• Plaesmrc ship now comes equipped with the Hohlrom generator. Generator can still be built separately.
  
• Verbose help menu added to the Lygate system. Describes the process of Lygate connection and usage.
  
• Addition of Player Information menu to the upper right of the radar. Shows total score, quest completion status, and general status.
  
• Target Info rename wasn't accepting 'enter' key in some cases, fixed.
  
• When communication ends, camera will swing around and face original target.
  
• Several updates to the main help screen to show new UI and added features.
  
• Some items in Quest information were updated to better describe what's been completed for certain quests.
  
• Factory Lv2 no longer requires equipped Factory Lv1 to build, same for Lv3, doesn't require Lv2 or Lv1 to build.
  
• Repair crews now operate across the entire ship instead of being divided equally between systems, making repairs more efficient.
  
• Mines now are now materialized at the celestial target instead of having to travel there. Player must be within 2,000k of celestial target in order to deploy mines and other orbital stations.
  

The experimental branch of Astrela Starlight is the last step before release. Everyone is welcome to use the experimental branch. If you wish to join the experimental branch, go to your Steam library. Right-click Astrela Starlight, choose Properties -> Betas -> select the "experimental" branch, and the password is "theaslexperiment" without the quotes.

Builds in the experimental branch are for testing only. Updates are made without warning or announcement. Updates made to the experimental branch may cause bugs and break any functionality of the game.

The latest round of updates in mainly focused on some performance items, the HUD, and working with celestials. Several other items included below:

• Update to HUD for more usability. Overlapping HUD items further away will fade behind closer ones. Active target will always appear in front.
  
• Some celestial updates to Nidium to fill in the empty area of the system.
  
• Added more Elpin to Celor system.
  
• Fixed issue when merging Astrela and Tserilecx where some materials in storage didn't merge.
  
• Several updates to Astralecx model, textures, and engine effect.
  
• Navigation pop-up could appear on occasion when communications was active, fixed.
  
• Minor updates to audio and UI.
  
• Changes to Hohlrom menu for easier understanding of resources required, also better clearance checking.
  
• Updates to Lygate system for better clearance checking and object behavior after jump.
  
• Changes to anomaly missions and effects to better show that specific anomalies have been sealed.
  
• Items in orbit of an Excos target world are now removed.
  
• General performance updates to loading star systems, objects, and some UI items.
  
• NAV radial occasionally showed on non-player owned vessels, fixed.
  

The latest update has moved from the experimental branch into general release. This includes some changes to models, effects, and other general bug fixes.

Changes included in this release

• If a vessel is permanently wrecked, its cargo can be salvaged, and now the vessel can be reclaimed.
  
• A small green dot will now appear on the mining station screen. The dot indicates that another mine is orbiting the target celestial and is already mining the noted resource.
  
• New models of the Astrela and Tserilecx have been released along with new engine effects.
  
• Engine effects have been expanded to all ships in the game.
  
• There were some camera jittering issues related to the Tserilecx' tractor beam, fixed.
  
• Filters have been added to the trade menu. Previously selected items will not be filtered.
  
• Changes to deep scan detonation quest for more helpful descriptions on where to search.
  
• Teselor is now identified as a Citetrek corporation vessel.
  
• Ecxos reactors quest now shows that you have talked to Wile.
  
• Some minor UI updates in the databank and changes to material images contrast.
  
• Extra wrecks added to Tord as a further breadcrumb trail.
  
• Cleanup of duplicate materials in a few UN sectors.
  
• Available materials increased on Hohlrom created celestials, still reflects system radiation level.
  
• Minor text update to Lune's wild cap station mission referring to Rheel.
  
• The five rifts mission now recommends setting pulse to max range.
  
• Screen resolution mode list now shows refresh rate.
  
• Fixed issue when returning to loading screen, then starting a new game, where menu remained.
  

Summer update is here with some community requests and other tweaks and cleanup.

Community requests:

• Databank entries can now be set as a priority so they show at the top of the list, like mines.
  
• Copiae will show incoming streams from the mines in the system.
  
• Saurum Lv2 H2 collector added, collects up to 200, requires Lux.
  
• Updates to the speed and visuals of the jump system.
  

• Minor UI changes in radar, target info, quest interface, and main engineering.
  
• Target info mode-swap has pop-up description and disappears when not required.
  
• Fixed intermittent issue with enter key in save game window.
  
• Mouse pop-up in upper left quadrant of the screen will show lower to the right so it's not under cursor.
  
• Several small tweaks in the UN and UNN star systems to balance resources.
  
• Two extra wrecks added in Tord as a better breadcrumb trail.
  
• Extra comet added to Osti for resource balance.
  
• Avar Fuge trade station Lv3 ship changed to Lv5.
  
• Two new nebulae added in Saurum Lacu for better visual effect.
  
• Audio tweaks to Rheel and Maelir.
  
• Some cleanup to Como's derelict model.
  
• Planetary engine fragments will no longer show in systems control, they will also be removed by Skal at end of mission.
  
• Minor update to ancient stardock quest information.
  
• Steam icon update.
  

An update has been released from the experimental branch with various player related fixes and some community requested features.

• The "next enemy" HUD algorithm has been updated to better find nearby hostile vessels and cycle through them in order.
  
• Minor update to the vessel explosion effect.
  
• The pulse system's "north" pointer has minor changes to the model and texture.
  
• Various small text updates to some quest information items.
  
• The Astrela's specularity has been lessened, helping with bloom.
  
• UV update on the Lv1 and Lv2 mining station.
  
• Issue fixed in the Galaxy Map where the jump button was taking too long to become available.
  
• The navigation UI can now be locked open by clicking on the steering wheel. Forward, reverse, left, and right can all be held down the UI, like holding WASD.
  
• Some 2D image updates to NPCs, quest items, and the radar system.
  
• The solar info and HUD filters pop-up would overlap in some circumstances, fixed.
  
• Minor changes to some object names in Nidium, Thetan, and Osti.
  
• Issue fixed with sound mixer that was causing a scratching noise on load or system jump.
  
• Some encounters data wasn't unloading properly. Now being cleared as expected.
  
• Vessel collision damage system updated for more dramatic effect based on velocity.
  
• Vessels that are permanently derelict will no longer show a faction in the target info.
  
• "Control this object" button in encounters fixed.
  
• Some minor UI updates and more explanatory pop-ups in Main Engineering.
  
• Ship's system information modifier removed from info window, replaced with mass and energy boost.
  
• Jump points are always marked as scanned and show more appropriate target information.
  
• Issue fixed where Copiae would sometimes pull resources during a jump.
  

The latest set of updates has changed the way weapons are released from various ships. Several audio updates and cleanup of how asteroids and comets are named.

• Weapon mounts and locations updated on all ships in the game.
  
• Repair related audio now states "vessel" repair instead of just hull.
  
• Asteroids and comets in all star systems now use standard naming.
  
• Audio for highest power setting changed to "Battlestations."
  
• Button added to trade menu for select and deselect all.
  
• Several changes to help screen showing default keyboard mapping.
  
• 2D images updated throughout the game with better textures.
  
• The reclaim verify screen now shows materials that will be reclaimed.
  
• Bow and stern lights added to the Tserilecx, are we coming or going?
  
• Several updates to NPC descriptions and text in quests.
  

First update since full release. Some general functionality changes and weapon re-balancing. Most notably, the Level 2 mine schematics added in Obice.

• Level 2 mine added to the trade station in Obice. Lv2 will mine all resources on a celestial in sequence until the celestial is depleted.
  
• An issue was fixed with power systems calculation.
  
• Blackout transitions between menus have been updated.
  
• Advanced engineering system added for better information about each vessel.
  
• Scanner and detection range colors on the radar were changed.
  
• Objects will update on the radar when coming into detection range.
  
• The radar list will now show what objects have been scanned.
  
• Mines will now scan a short distance around them.
  
• Scanner Lv1 detection range updated to 6000k, scan range to 2500k.
  
• Slights updates to Kyraine, Dolan, and Deca's dialogs.
  
• Reclaiming a target will automatically switch to the next owned target.
  
• Several updates to the available materials in Kattar asteroids.
  
• Deca's first mission reward updated to Lv2 Cetus flight enhancement.
  
• Total update and re-balance of all weapons in the game.
  
• Wild rifts will no longer show on radar.
  
• Update to Toreisan weapon images.
  
• Increased total Thorite in Medius.
  
• Visual updates to lower HUD.
  
• Location of Exolux asteroid in Ius updated.
  
• Some resource changes in Janua.
  
• Pulse range slider now shows the Pulse detection distance.
  

After two years of development, Astrela Starlight has finally transitioned from Early Access to Full release! Lots of updates over the last two weeks. Work continues based on community feedback.

• Changes to several Cetus trade stations for more space and appropriate goods.
  
• Updates to celestials in the Cetus star systems for better resources.
  
• Mining button graphic flipped for on/off mode.
  
• Mines are auto targeted when deployed for easy configuration.
  
• Celestial sensor Lv1 price reduced to 100 H2.
  
• Lighting directions updated in several systems.
  
• Added left shift key to filter HUD and only show player owned vessels.
  
• Added 'R' key to switch HUD target to next owned player vessel.
  
• Button row added on lower HUD.
  
• Dirn will now remove tungsten from inventory upon quest completion.
  
• Hullust moved to Thetan with new mission for mining resources and learning how to use the Copiae. Ship updated to a Cetus frigate.
  
• Deph's resource requirements reduced.
  
• Svem's dialog updated.
  
• Mining station reclaim is now 80% of original cost.
  
• Copiae storage increased.
  
• Hydrogen giants added in Cetus space.
  
• Backspace and ESC key added for radar controls.
  
• Dolan's audio updated for more information on scanning the wrecks.
  
• Fixed issue buying engine in Volri.
  
• Fixed issue where station with recall equipped could recall itself causing HUD crash.
  
• Skal mentions using pulse to find derelicts.
  
• Nanta's mission now states how close to build the Lygate.
  
• Build menu will now close when building an objects in space.
  
• Unscanned celestials count in telemetry was fixed.
  
• Repulsors changed to Pulsors, will pacify hostile wild creatures.
  
• Celestial fragments updated with the system name where they were found.
  
• Overlay issue with repair H2 count fixed.
  
• Some audio elements have buffer added to stop replay when buttons are multiple pressed.
  
• Ecxos trade range updated to 1000k.
  
• Port and Starboard slots on Astralecx set to XL.
  
• Ecxos cost updated with more neutronium.
  
• Derelict Astrela and Tserilecx have proper images.
  
• Recall to station starts jump system cooldown.
  
• Vessels that are jumped in now have default names.
  
• Pulsor cap station states range in databank.
  
• Pulsor Lv2 iron cost reduced.
  
• Databank filter for NPCs is filtered by default.
  
• Rogue is now spelled correctly. Rouge is a color.
  
• Cernaw's audio configuration updated.
  
• Copiae will now transfer 100 mass per cycle, fixed neutronium issue.
  
• Trade stations now limit trade loss.
  
• Camera tracking height lowered slightly, pulse result raised slightly.
  
• Trade station communications window avatars updated.
  
• Astrela will now repair systems once the hull is fully repaired.
  
• Hohlrom detonation must be initiated from a remote vessel.
  
• Minor polish to the Engineering panel's power controls.
  
• Reisian and Entriden avatars updated.
  
• Refinery UI updated to show resources on target vessel only.
  
• Performance update to the main jump control.
  
• Cernaw's mission updated to say there are two anomalies.
  
• Additional Elpin added near Como's derelict ship.
  
• The right-click pop-up window has been disabled.
  
• Renan's mission mentions Deca's location.
  
• Cernaw shows information when each anomaly is sealed.
  
• Additional quest information items added for the four leaders and Praeter in Northern Eminations.
  
• Minor update to how the game controls screen resolution.
  
• Lygate menus polished.
  
• Any vessel with a shipyard installed can now repair hulls and systems, same as the Astrela, and at greater range.
  
• Coffee added to radar.
  
• Pore's mission control updated to fix repetition issue.
  
• Fixed camera issue when going back to the entry screen.
  
• Cetus combat trials are completed. Forward systems are locked until completing each trial. Trade station audio updated.
  
• Minor text alignment changes in system information screen.
  
• Galaxy Map updated so systems can be clicked on and set as center. Jump button polished.
  
• Lots of audio and volume changes throughout the main story.
  
• Fixed issue with music some sounds not using the correct mixer.
  
• Pulse particles speed increased.
  
• Velocity and axis lock on celestial objects has been updated.
  
• Binaries for MacOS marked as x64.
  
• Early Access information removed, thanks for supporting indie games!
  

Lots more audio and bug fixes this week. The NPC Hullust was moved to Thetan and a mission created for the Copiae resource station.

Cetus Trade Station name updated.
Ruby count on Kattaran updated.
Mine on/off graphic updated.
When switching to a mine, the mine will become the target for easier management.
Celestial Sensor Lv1 price dropped to 100 H2.
Inore and Arae systems light updated.
Holding down shift will now filter the HUD to only Reisian vessels.
Dirn will now take the tungsten at mission completion.
The 'R' key will now change the target to the next owned Reisian vessel.
Dephs audio redone and his required resources reduced by half.
Cetus station voice updated.
Svem's audio redone to match text.

Major audio updates this week as we continue towards full release.

• Fixed issue with purchasing shipyard schematics in Arae.
  
• Added Copiae station to Cetus station and Avar station.
  
• Added the Stardock recall system to two Saurum stations.
  
• Major changes to Dolan's audio.
  
• Cetus, Saurum and Avar trade stations have complete audio.
  
• Praeter's audio volume increased.
  
• Reisian audio for Dolan and Dera fixed from "I" to "we".
  
• Sloar now properly mentions Devoran at the end of the Saurum gravity quests.
  
• Caldus and Vertec voices updated.
  
• Some changes to Reisian audio for Dereto.
  
• Dereto's voice completely redone.
  
• Wile's audio finalized.
  
• Repaired some issues with standard auxiliary system loadouts on defense stations.
  

Major updates this week to the radar systems. Both radar screens have been completely re-written and polished. The avatars for each object in the system have been updated and some issues fixed with scaling. The rotating detection and scan range bars should behave and scale correctly. Most importantly, the performance of the radar within the game and when it is being interacted with, has dramatically improved.

The journey field, which is the dust surrounding the current vessel, has been updated. It should better track the active vessel and be more visible as vessels move. In addition, all vessels other than the Astrela, Tserilecx, and Astralecx, must now be within 200k of a jump exit before jumping out of a system.

Lots of other bug fixes and updates this week:

• The speed bar wasn't always updating correctly when vessels were changed.
  
• H2 collector particle field is now rotated correctly.
  
• The Ecxos cannot be towed by the Tserilecx or Astralecx.
  
• The Ecxos cannot project itself to another star system, it must use the Ecxos jump drive.
  
• The regular jump menu has received several performance updates. It should load must faster.
  
• Lygates cannot move the Ecxos.
  
• Keys to switch between targets and the current ship are now disabled during a jump.
  
• Descriptions of Reisian vessels in the databank has been updated.
  
• All objects that are capable now have a viable reclaim. Usually gets back about 50% of what it took to build.
  
• All defense platforms have a weapons range boost.
  

Major update to the various nebulae this week. Color and textures changes, along with a significant improvement in performance using a new type of particle system.

Also this week:
Significant changes to the build system and game's size on disk.
Disabled control of ships heading using the mouse.
Some further smoothing of camera follow modes.
Several changes to wild creatures and their attack methods.
Fixed issue with sizing of some hover pop-ups.

Major updates to the mouse tracking system as well as the camera systems. All camera modes should be much more smooth. The mouse should be functioning slightly better when zooming in and out as well as rotating below the object that is currently in view.

The tail of comets has been updated to look a little better and use less particles.

All shield bubbles in the game have also been updated to better fit each ship and station.

Some final polishing to the refinery before release.

• Cleaned up the list that shows the material targets.
  
• Moved refinery selector so that it is next to refinery controls.
  
• General refinery graphics update.
  
• Selecting a refinery switches the target material to the current material target.
  

The refinery has gone through a first-stage polish. More polish work is in progress. A tow beam has also been added to the Tserilecx so owned ships and stations can be moved.

Other changes this week:

• All HUD filters updated to be more readable.
  
• Trade/transfer changed to yellow.
  
• Star System Map renamed to Galaxy Map.
  
• Further changes to the game loading time.
  
• Anomalies show correctly in the HUD filter instead of "fountain."
  
• Issue with navigation window closing prematurely fixed.
  
• Reclaim pop-up window polished.
  
• Camera movement in entry sequence updated to be smoother.
  
• Rename screen polished.
  
• Jump system should be somewhat smoother due to delayed cleanup of existing star system objects.
  

This week includes a major update to Astrela's loading time as well as an Unity update. Load time should be less than 5% of what it had grown to. Other parts of the game should load quicker as well.

Also this week:

• Several changes and polish to the pulse wave the UI screen.
  
• The Systems Control screen will now highlight compatible slots when you select a system.
  
• Fixed issue when hovering over pop-up menus that was causing them to close before leaving the hover area.
  
• Fixed issue with jump box not properly coloring locked gates.
  

Getting closer to the full release! The Tserilecx model and textures have been updated to the final version. Lots of other changes this week as polishing continues.

Also in this week's release:

• Total rework of the pulse wave effect.
  
• Major update to mining station textures, minor changes to 3D model.
  
• Several updates to H2 mine textures.
  
• The Galaxy Map now shows a symbol for each system owned by a specific race.
  
• Added "None" to the Databank additional requirements list when nothing is required.
  
• Added pop-up descriptions to items in the Databank additional requirements list.
  
• The mouse-over pop-up system has been polished.
  
• The list that shows possible weapon types in the Systems Control has been reworked and has pop-up descriptions added.
  
• The Trade/Transfer system now shows the vessel picture and name for the source and target.
  
• Fixed issue where some derelict ships showed that salvage was available when there was none.
  
• Some vessel chassis didn't have their 'class' set correctly, fixed.
  
• Several more asteroids have been added to the Sortis system where the planet was destroyed.
  
• Comets in Curre have been updated with new and different materials.
  
• Some hard-to-find neodymium was added to Caulis for Pore's mission.
  
• Level 5 and 6 Elpin ships now have new models, textures, and pictures.
  
• Some trade changes have been made in Avar and Saurum space for shipyards and factories.
  
• The wrecked Astrela and Tserilecx now have correct images.
  
• The wrecked space station in Pluma has been updated with a different model and picture.
  
• When Dolan takes control of the Stardock it is now moved to a specific location in Thetan.
  
• Fixed issue where objects not owned by the player could be jumped to other star systems.
  
• Celestial sensor added near Nidiumbe.
  
• North arrow added to the jump system for better orientation.
  

All of the trade stations throughout Saurum and Avar space have been updated. Each station now has unique communications to purchase schematics for ships and ship's systems. The available items on each station for trade have also been updated.

Also this week:

• Fixed issue in new trade UI where total trade volume wasn't contained.
  
• General cleanup of ship's systems and their descriptions for Avar and Saurum.
  
• Fixed issue where some scanner space stations were not showing as correct object type in Databank.
  
• Side screen added to Databank so that ship's systems will show information. Systems that previously read "BOOST" will now show as Auxiliary.
  
• Material Telemetry station UI has been polished.
  
• Radar items list was updated with different textures and spacing.
  

All of the major UI elements in the game have now been polished. This week's update includes the Weapons Control, Systems Control, Save menu, System Information, Database, Quests, Trade, and the Help system. Major change to the overall look of the game.

The cargo screen has undergone a general polish. The item information screen that pops up next to cargo, trade, and mining, has also been updated. The item information is more readable and has distinct information like system bonuses shown in amounts and percentages.

The encounters screen has also been polished, including the addition of a search filter and the ability to show only player owned objects.

The Settings menu has gotten some additional polish and a new screen to control some mouse settings. The primary (action/selection) and secondary (rotation) buttons on the mouse can be set or swapped. Rotation and zoom sensitivity can also be set.

The communications interface has been polished in this release.

This week's release is focused on polishing of the game settings interface. Ability to remap game keys has also been added. Default keys are shown along with any custom key that is set. Custom keys can be individually cleared at any time. Keys binding are set globally for the game.

Some other interface polishing is included for the main menu, combat trials menu, and general textures updates within the game.

Last week's release will happen today. This includes the 19th Cetus combat trial. Several new ship and station images have also been added for the Toreisan and Onocai.

Two new Cetus combat trials have been added this week. There has also been several UI changes, including the load screen and the lower HUD.

Chapter 5 is here! The entire storyline is now playable!

Polishing work has already started. The Target information screen, the pulse UI, and the main menu have all been updated. Work continues on polishing other UI, models, audio, and game features.

This week's release has several new models for the Onocai and the Avar. Some minor texture cleanup and dialog changes.

Work continues north of Osti on Chapter 5 with five new star systems and several missions that will wrap up the story line.

Chapter 4 is here! If you have previously completed chapter 3, you can return to Taden and continue the storyline. He will send you on a quest to find Maelir and the cause of the spatial anomalies.

Also this week, some fixes the way the jump system rotates, several new Toreisan ship models and textures, and a few dialog updates.

There are now a total of sixteen Cetus combat trials. Players can now obtain the level five and level six Cetus ships. The level six vessel, the Vortan, is the most powerful Cetus ship and will last through the remainder of the Cetus combat trials. Twenty one total trials are planned for the Cetus.

This week also contains several behind-the-scenes updates in preparation for Chapter 4.

Astrela Starlight is one year old! It has been a long year, with many changes and additions every week. The first three chapters of the game are fully playable, with the fourth well on the way. Many unplanned additions based on player feedback, especially the combat trials that are separate from the main game.

This week's release contains some changes in preparation for chapter 4. Other than a few new locked jump gates it is a fairly minor update.

Thank you to all of our early adopters out there, look for more updates!

The Engineering control panel has been completely rebuilt. The power flow system has been merged into the Engineering panel giving the player a complete view of ship's systems and where power is going.

Also this week, two more combat trials, now allowing the player to get the Cetus level five ship, the Tempas. Several other bug fixes.

Chapter 3 is here! The entire Avar campaign is now playable. If you previously completed the Saurum campaign, just go back to Sloar and continue on from there. The Avar campaign adds much more depth to the story, and also give the player the ability to build planets and other celestials.

Also this week, a single system was added for combat trials. Some retrofitting was done on the previously released systems.

The Saurum campaign now has full audio for all NPCs.

Three additional combat trial star systems were added this week. Players can now fight their way up to the level 4 Cetus ship, the Torren.

A bug was fixed with weapon distance boosts. Some minor UI changes to the pulse system results.

There are now seven total combat trial systems for the Cetus. This week's update adds the Amnis level 3 ship. The Amnis is the Cetus' main all-around combat ship.

• Work continues on the Saurum and Avar audio.
  
• Cargo lists and systems control lists are now sorted alphabetically.
  
• Sound added when a ship or station explodes.
  

Three new combat trials have been added in this week's release. A new Cetus ship is available at the end of the 3rd trial.

Some other minor updates and fixes this week to the Cetus and Saurum campaigns. Repair rates increased for all ships. Shield and Hull indicators on the HUD have been updated with icons and faster refresh.

Lots of audio updates in this week's release. Mainly changes and audio for the Cetus. Audio work is proceeding into the Saurum.

This week's release also has the first Combat Trial. Combat Trials are just for fun. Fight and clear out a system, and get rewards at the end. This release has a single system to fight through for the Cetus. More systems, ships, and rewards are planned in the coming weeks.

Audio work is in full swing for the existing campaigns and the new Avar campaign. This week's update contains changes to Dera, Kyraine, Dolan, and the Astrela's voice. Devoran's speech has also been added for transition into the Saurum chapter.

The target info display has also been updated. There is now an icon at the bottom left to either focus on or control the current target. The command icons at the top of the target info will now stack from the right so there are no gaps.

This week's update is focused on preparing for the Avar storyline. Testing this week focused on the player finishing Sloar's mission, then exploring UNN210 and encountering the first of the lost Onocai ships. Then proceeding into Avar space for their missions and story line. This update also includes some minor bug fixes and polishing.

Some minor weapon effect updates this week. Includes cleanup of weapon effects after a jump. Sometimes, the effect would come with the ship through the jump. Few performance tweaks this week for nebulae.

Behind the locked gate in Osti, major work this week on the Avar missions. The final mission is going through testing today. Next week is planned as the full beta of all missions and functions for the Avar, creation of planets and stars using the Hohlrom, and the planetary station, the Ecxos.

Some minor updates this week, including a render issue that would make some planets flicker when receiving shadows.

Behind the locked gate in Osti, most of this week's focus was on the largest Saurum mission that takes the player to Avar, Saurum, Cetus, and back to Avar space. Ends with the celestial recall and projector that can send a ship to any explored star system and recall it to the Ecxos.

The total poly count of the Astrela model has been reduced. Engine slots were updated and the ship's glass has been changed. Most notably, the ship now has engine exhaust that will change depending on what the engine setting is. Glowing exhaust is planned to be added to all ships. A few bug fixes for Celestial Scanners are included this week as well.

Two of the Avar missions have been fully tested, work continues beta testing the updating the other missions. Model for the Ecxos planetary station was updated this week.

The turn radial has undergone a significant overhaul. The radial was originally just a pointer, which later had bars added. The original system has been completely replaced with a gradient colored half-circle that rotates with the ship. The radial will also limit the maximum turn to 180 degrees so the ship won't snap around when the radial goes past the stern. Rate of radial turn has also been increased.

Work continues behind the southern locked gate in Osti. Missions are being imported and beta tested.

The Stardock Refinery has been part ASL for over a year, though it did not have a specific part in the story line. It is very important in the upcoming Chapter 3 - Avar story. The system has always been functional but needed some update. This week adds mouse-over pop-ups that explain the resources required to refine each material. Some other text, graphics, and alignment in the Refinery screen have also been updated to make it more usable. An issue was also fixed in last week's systems control update where the Starboard Aft slot pop-up wasn't working.

Behind the southern locked gate in Osti:
All Avar dialog has been completed and is ready for import. The Ecxos planetary station can now be built and fully equipped. Work is currently focused on the Ecxos projector, which will send a ship to any star system in a single jump, or recall the ship from any system back to the Ecxos.

The systems control panel has been updated. Each available slot size will now pop-up with more information about the slot size. Also, when selecting an equipped slot, information on the equipped system will now display to the right. Previously, only selected storage items showed their information on the right.

Behind the south gate in Osti: All of the Avar missions have been written other than the leader, Taden. Roughly 1/3 of the mission dialog has been built for import into the game. Mission testing will begin once all mission dialog is complete.

Several changes to weapon release points, textures, and added strike effects.

Work continues behind the locked gate Osti. Celestial Citadel has been built and can be constructed around a planet.

Some minor tweaks to the Quests interface in this release. The model and image for the Avar ambassador, Cernaw, have also been updated.

Beyond the south locked in Osti, work continues on the Avar missions. All systems have been built and NPCs placed. Part of the Avar missions is the Hohlrom, which allows the player to create celestials, like mini stars, planets, asteroids, etc... The Hohlrom UI has been built and is currently being tested.

This week's update includes several visual changes to the Saurum's ship and station shields. Some tutorial information was updated. Save game name length increased to 24 characters.

This week's update includes some fixes and cleanup throughout Cetus and Saurum space. Also, the locked gate to Avar space has been added to Osti. The basic Avar systems have been built and work on NPCs is under way.

Saurum space has finally arrived! If you have previously completed the Stardock mission for Dolan, he will now have further dialog about contacting Devoran. Dolan will switch the defense platforms in Thetan to friendly and you can contact Devoran. Further communication with Devoran will get you a gate stabilizer station schematic and the frequency to unlock the west gate in Osti, leading to Saurum space. Build the stabilizer station in Osti to unlock the gate.

Dialog audio for the Saurum is planned to be included in a future release in early May.

Other changes in this week's release:

• Material Telemetry station reduced in cost and added by default.
  
• Clicking on a celestial in the Telemetry station will target it.
  
• Upon starting a new game, dialog with the Kyraine starts automatically.
  
• After completing the initial dialog with the Kyraine, the H2 collector is targeted.
  
• The HUD reticle will now show for the current target regardless of distance.
  
• Databank description text aligned to center for build items.
  
• Wild creatures now have target information images.
  
• Proper reclaims set for Prototype Repulsor and Repulsor Lv2
  
• Target Information now has small 'edit' icon for renaming owned vessels.
  
• An issue with mass related to trade was fixed. This includes objects with no mass, like ship's systems.
  
• Several lighting changes.
  
• Updates to Astrela and Tserilecx models and textures.
  

Ships that move into a derelict state will now show a large explosion effect in space before the ship drops off of the ecliptic.

Issue with some quests showing correct on the screen has been fixed. Solar information text sized updated. Ship's systems that should not be traded or transferable are now stored correctly.

The HUD has been updated to show different reticles for different types of objects. Ships, stations, and celestials all have their own reticle now. Any other object will show a standard reticle.

The Quest system has also been updated to show 'informational' items. Some of the new Saurum quests allow the player to gain information in non-linear form. When information is gathered, it will be shown below the quest description and current stage.

Beta is wrapping in Saurum space. This week has been mostly polishing of those systems, ships, and stations.

The pulse system will now show the range of detected objects using the length of the pulse bars. Objects closer to the current ship or station will have shorter bars, further will have longer. Also this week, a fix was released for two issues in the trade system. The name was not reading correctly for some ship's systems. There was also a rare issue with multi-select of items transferring the incorrect amount.

Work behind the locked gate in Osti is in full beta. After a few changes mid-week, testing of the last few Saurum missions is in progress.

This week's update includes the ability filter the databank screen. Celestials, NPCs, system schematics, ship/station schematics, and general information entries in the databank. Few other bug fixes this week, including a fix to the Cetus Level 3 shield.

Work behind the locked gate in Osti continues. All systems and NPCs are built, all missions are playable and currently being tested.

This week's update contains some general bug fixes and an update to the Quest system interface. With all the new Saurum quests in progress, it was time to make some changes to the interface. Completed quests can now be shown/hidden and are colorized. The selected quest is now highlighted.

Work behind the locked gate in Osti:
Saurum space has been completely built and all resources provisioned. Roughly 20% of the NPCs and their quests are built and playable.

Lygates can now be controlled from the right-click pop-up menu. Lygates that the player owns can show a configure or jump menu. Smaller celestial objects near a player owned gate will show the jump menu if in range.
Also in this week's update:

• Nebulae were rendering through Gas Giants, fixed.
  
• Fixed issue where player could jump through Lygates owned by other races.
  
• Updated all pop-up menu text for better readability.
  

• All sectors and contents have been defined.
  
• Dialog built for all Saurum missions.
  
• Wild types updated in each system
  
• Lygates in each system will now auto-link
  
• All Saurum planetary engine fragments will properly load in saved games.
  

When using the Astrela's repair beam, the UI will show how much Hydrogen is available and also the hull state of the target ship.

Work continues on the Saurum campaign and space behind the locked gate in Osti.
Other Updates this week:

• The camera will now snap directly to a viewable distance when focusing on an object.
  
• When an object is built, it is automatically set as the target.
  
• Errant Lygate context menu was removed.
  
• The pop-up menu system was sometimes triggered without right-clicking on an object, fixed.
  
• Some ambient light changes for non-celestial objects.
  

This week's update adds the Lygate schematics. Lygates allow you to jump between two attached gates within a system, or do a one-way jump between a Lygate and a marker beacon. Lygates can also be used to move certain celestial objects within a system. Celestial objects within 200k of a Lygate connected to a beacon can be moved to the beacon's location. That's right, you can move moons, comets, asteroids and other stuff.

Also in this week's update:

• Selecting a compatible slot in the Systems Control sometimes left artifacts, fixed.
  
• Jumping from the map of systems now bumps the jump timer.
  
• Some minor changes to target information screen.
  
• Added an up/down arrow to the materials telemetry screen when expanded.
  
• Materials telemetry station button will always show regardless of distance.
  
• Some unneeded shaders were disabled in the nebula system.
  
• Owned objects are now scanned by default.
  

Build 200 of early access has been released! This release is a pivotal point for the game as it introduces locked jump gates. This will allow the player to achieve certain story objectives and therefore release new areas of the game. There is now a locked gate in Osti (0,0,0) that leads to the west of the system where the Saurum are located. Future release are planned to allow completion of the Cetus story and unlock of that gate.

Also in this week's update:

• The main jump system has been updated. The HUD shuts off while the jump system is active. Several lighting and background changes along with some general fixes and tweaking of UI elements.
  
• Spatial anomalies are now much more vibrant and visible from a distance.
  

After two weeks of cleanup. maintenance, and performance testing, updates are back! Friday's update contains various nebulae in the Cetus systems. For now each Nebula is there for visuals and help in finding some objects. Nebulae in non-Cetus systems are planned to require certain shield levels to enter.

Anomaly effects were also updated. They were a mix of two particle systems and were rather rudimentary. Each anomaly is now a single particle system with much more robust settings. Visible from a much greater distance.

The Hydrogen collector in Osti will now auto-mine hydrogen. There's really no reason to shut it off. You need only swing by and empty it regularly. Future updates plan to have on/off/automine for all mines.

Tserilecx Systems has been reduced to small size so it can be remounted. Tserilecx default power system has been replaced by a standard solar core. It had an older power core from the beta. Also, ships that are claimable will not dismount their systems when going derelict. That way when you claim them their systems will already be mounted.

This week's update adds a Galaxy Map to the main interface. The Galaxy Map shows an 2D slice of systems around where the player currently is along with information about each explored system. The map can be moved in the third dimension to see more systems.
Other changes this week:

• Devoran had an auxiliary item in a power slot.
  
• Dera and Dirn had engines in power slots.
  
• When ship's go derelict, all of their systems are dismounted.
  

The Target information window has been resized to better fit in more square resolutions. The control icons now appear over the target information. In addition, the ship's systems all now have backgrounds, fit better, and have names or icons noting what they are.
Other Changes this week:

• Bug fixed in cargo transfer causing duplicate systems to be lost in transfer.
  
• Cooler on the Astrela has been updated.
  
• Fixed max charge bug when a shield system was damaged.
  
• Setting all filters in the radar screen caused a flicker in the screen, fixed.
  
• Items could be repeat build without properly using resources, fixed.
  
• Repaired issue when clicking on engine speed setting with mouse.
  
• Jump text for target system and coordinates has been increased.
  
• All Cetus ship's shaders are now lighter making them easier to see.
  

This week's update represents the single largest update to the game since release. A new race, the Elpin, have been added throughout the Cetus sectors and in the unknown sectors above Cetus territory. The Elpin are generally hostile. In addition, the game now contains full combat capabilities, mainly for use against the Elpin. By player request, free building is now possible in the game. The Cetus stations all contain several systems for trade and will sell schematics for level 1-3 ship systems, level 1-3 Cetus ships, and several station schematics. Mine, trade, build, and clear out the Cetus sectors.
Other items in this week's update:

• Fixed crashed when dismounting a shield that was showing an active damage effect.
  
• Star system backdrop changes to UN132 & UN111.
  
• Derelict removed from the planet of Kattar.
  
• Wrecked ship in the jumpoint of UN132 moved.
  
• AI is properly removed when a ship goes derelict.
  
• Keys 1-9 now set engine speed.
  
• Ship system information now shows shield's radiation protection level.
  
• Most of the shield effects in the game were resized to fit each station and ship.
  
• When buying a ship schematic, the trade station states you will need a Stardock and Shipyard.
  
• Fixed some issues where wild creatures were showing as normal ships.
  
• All ships you can build from schematics can be properly recycled.
  
• All UN systems have been redone with better derelicts and salvage.
  
• Hydrogen prices on most systems and schematics updated to better match the materials required to build them.
  
• Elpin in UN systems have higher shields to protect from the radiation levels.
  
• Level 1 turn enhancement is now readily available in the game so the Cetus mission now gets you a level 2.
  
• Major updates to all ship schematics and 2d images.
  
• Sterus' prototype ship, the Tenda, is a new model, images, and flight characteristics.
  
• Fixed issue where certain system mounts weren't allowing Artillery weapons to mount.
  
• Overall system brightness lowered, reducing glare from large planets.
  

This week's update adds some new equipment to the game as well as several AI changes and general cleanup throughout the Cetus star systems. This is all in preparation for the coming Combat update.

Major updates this week to the 3D art for the ship and station systems in the game.
Other updates this week:

• Sprites orient correctly on the radar.
  
• Snap setting added for main camera when targeting an object.
  
• Radar screen was resized again so it fits better under some resolutions.
  

The radar system has been overhauled. It's larger when expanded and the sprites are much more visible and recognizable.

• An auto camera target checkbox has been added. Choosing a ship in the radar list, or the sprite on the radar screen, will cause the object to be targeted and the camera to snap around and follow the target.
  
• Ship sprites on the radar will orient based on the ship's up/down axis.
  
• Radar settings are now saved and won't reset when the radar is switched between large / small.
  

Main update this week is the Cetus defense platforms and the trading station textures/models. There were several other model, shader, and texture updates.

• Target information will now block raycast.
  
• Target information will close during communications. It was covering up part of the communication window.
  
• Communications window scaled better to allow for wrapping of long menu items.
  
• Several quest updates. Quest to contact Kyraine, Kyraine gives you two salvage quests and contact Dolan quest.
  
• Minor changes to trade screen buttons.
  
• All NPC descriptions in the Databank now contain their coordinates.
  
• Engine bonus scales better. Engines of lesser power give a proportional fraction of the standard 5% boost.
  
• Update to tutorial screen to show the base keyboard and mouse controls for the game.
  

Astrela Starlight is officially available for Linux and Mac OS X on Steam!

Other changes this week:

• Major UI changes to scaling and functionality.
  
• Updates to several 2D images, including Sterus' ship and all derelict ships.
  
• Distance added to target information.
  
• Derelict status and salvage indicator added to target information.
  
• Anchor will now drop when switching ships.
  
• Several audio updates to Dera and Dolan.
  
• Changes to the music control using F11.
  
• Astrela's slot sizes updated so systems can be remounted.
  
• Load screen can now handle large volume of save games without lag.
  
• The 'S' key will now take the engine level to complete zero.
  
• Minor changes to Astrela's nose.
  

Lots of cleanup and changes this week. Major updates to speech audio and music along with the following:

• The Pulse Wave effect is totally re-textured and is using a different shader configuration.
  
• The Astrela's center-weapon mounted repair-beam now charges after reload.
  
• After you complete Dolan's station mission you will see a pop-up window describing that mission as the current end of the Early Release game.
  
• Moon and Neutron Star models were updated.
  
• The new Cetus trade station shield was re-scaled.
  
• Artifacts in the Engineering textures were cleaned up.
  
• When a dialog is clicked on, you will now hear that dialog played in audio.
  
• The Astrela model has been updated along with some texture changes.
  
• Speeds are now limited by engine. Additional engines provide a 5% speed bonus.
  
• Target image for the jump points have been updated.
  
• Minor changes to the targeting system and reticle, there was an issue when hitting 'C' with nothing targeted.
  
• The 'S' key can now fully stop the ship.
  
• The gravity anchor's power is increased for greater stopping power.
  
• The "Trade" pop-up is now updated to read "Trade/Transfer".
  
• Dera's dialog was changed to include some new audio files.
  
• A mild delay was added to the end of audio clips for better transitions
  
• Unity version updated.
  

The Cetus trade station model and textures have undergone a significant update along with some other bug fixes this week.

Many changes this week:

• There is a field of dust (the journey field) that surrounds your ship as you move. It generates dynamically and wasn't working properly when jumping and also when saving and loading. Several updates and now the field sticks with you wherever you go.
  
• There was a delay at the end of audio during communications. Updated so the transition to the next comm frame is quicker and more smooth.
  
• Ship's Systems that have a charge state, like weps and shields, now save their charged state.
  
• Ship's System health is now saved correctly.
  
• The mining particle beam once again orients itself correctly to the mining station. It was at a 90 degree angle.
  
• Beam weapons now terminate at the shield perimeter when the shields are charged.
  
• Beam sounds now anchor to the correct location with 3D range fall-off.
  
• If you reload the game while beam weapons are active, they now disappear correctly.
  
• The build version has been changed to update and read better on the screen.
  
• Some base code changes on how components were checked for a null state. (this is very exciting)
  
• Minor changes to the NAV radial object that appears under the ship.
  

Several bug fixes and physics changes. Damage effects now remain on their own trajectory so turning the ship moves away from the floating debris.

There are a lot of changes this week. First is shield effects. If a ship or station is equipped with a shield, the shield will appear when taking damage. The Astrela has a forward weapon. With the numlock on, turn toward a ship and hit '8' on your keypad to fire the beam at your target. The ships in the game currently don't retaliate so you can fly around and fire at them to see their shield effects.

Also, you can save your game and then fly through the Cetus defense perimeter in Cetus Thetan. The defense stations are now hostile and will fire on you. There are also damage effects added. When your shield is down, any projectile weapon will create a damage effect on your ship. You will see debris fly off when hit.

Other changes this week:

• Several major weapon updates. They will be available when the Saurum missions are released.
  
• The rate of fall and rise from the ecliptic for derelict ships has been better smoothed out.
  
• The hull status indicator at the bottom of the screen is now working properly.
  
• Some sounds, like 'system damaged' were repeating and will now only play once every 10 seconds.
  
• Several changes were made to the camera and how it follows objects. Fixes stuttering and some other issues.
  
• Some minor render changes since adding shields and updating weapons.
  

Astrela Starlight now has a more in-depth tutorial. The new tutorial guides the player through each game component and how/when to use them. When starting a new game, it will automatically appear. You can also see it by hitting the help icon and choosing "Restart Tutorial."

This update also contains several rendering and occlusion changes for performance.

Unity version has been upgraded.

Work continues on Saurum missions and the combat system.

Dolan will now sell you plans for a Material Information station. You can deploy this small station in any system you visit. It will give you a consolidated view of all materials you have detected in the system and where they are.

Most development work is currently going into the combat system and the Saurum missions. This week's update includes a fix to the HUD where Reisian ships were being reflected if you were facing away from them.

Engine controls have also been updated to slow to ship to the percentage that the controls are set to. So if you max your ship out at 50kph, then reduce engines to 50%, your ship will rapidly slow to 25kph. Running at 100% engines setting, then reducing reactor power will leave your ship coasting at the same speed until you reduce engine power.

There may not be a weekly updated next week due to all of the focus on the Saurum ships, stations, space, and combat mechanics.

You can now remotely call the Astrela and Tserilecx to the system you are in. There is a new menu at the top of the screen for this task. This is useful if your current ship is damaged and you need the Astrela to repair it. It is also useful to call to Tserilecx for building stations. Each system has a green colored "Jump In" point. When a ship is called it will appear near that point.

The Heads Up Display (HUD) filter has been enabled. You can now filter out objects owned by specific factions and also filter different types of celestial objects.

Other changes:

• Hull indicator at the bottom of the screen has a new texture.
  
• All controls at the bottom center of the screen have been resized. This includes solar info, switching owned ships, hull and shield, engine, and navigation.
  
• The 'W' and 'S' keys will now only move the engine power by 5% when pressed. This gives more granular control. Use 'TAB' for max engine and 'X' to drop anchor.
  
• The second Toreisan wreck has been remodeled.
  

This week's update contains several model and texture changes. The Celestial Sensor and Repulsor have been completely changed. The model of one of the Toreisan wrecks has also been updated.

In addition, you can now rename any ship or station that you own other than the Astrela. Right click to bring up the target menu and choose "Rename."

Other changes:

• Movement in the jump screen has been updated to properly rotate systems based on mouse movement.
  
• The ship or station that is currently being controlled can no longer be reclaimed.
  
• Several menu size and scaling changes.
  
• The input box will now automatically focus when the save window is opened.
  
• The Databank list is now sorted alphabetically.
  

Mines can now be reclaimed! In the target window a new button will appear allowing you to reclaim and recycle the station. Any system or cargo on the mine will be transported to your cargo bay. You will also get part of the resources back that were used to build the station. Future releases will add more objects that can be reclaimed.

A new context menu has also been added. If you right click on an object in space the menu will appear. Depending on what's available on the target, any of the following menu items can appear:

• Communications
  
• Scan
  
• Claim
  
• Reclaim
  
• Enable Mine
  
• Disable Mine
  

An update has just been released that will show more in-depth information on ship's systems and world materials.

You can see this information by clicking on an object in the trade, cargo, and ship's systems windows. You can also see it by mousing over a world material when you have a celestial targeted.

An additional fix was included for the material/systems switching on orbiting mines. The systems overlay was too small and has been scaled properly.

Astrela Starlight has been released into Early Access. The game currently contains chapter 1 for the Cetus. The remainder of this week will focus on some administrative tasks, graphical assets, and minor coding.

Next week's focus will include:

• Information window to show attributes of ship/station systems.
  
• Artwork for ship/station systems.
  
• Filtering in the Databank panel.
  
• General post-release cleanup.
  

The beta has wrapped up, trailer and screenshots are updated, and the tutorials have been posted. Everything is ready for the release to Early Access tomorrow!

Several bugs were resolved this week along with some additions to the game.

• Voice over work for the Cetus was completed. There will be some further changes next week.
  
• The repair beam will now disconnect if you get too far away.
  
• Some quest information was updated to give better guidance.
  
• Several modifications to the engineering controls for ease of use.
  
• Early Access stamp and version added to game screen.
  
• Some keyboard changes were made, Tab sets engines to max, space bar initiates a pulse, and 'G' now cycles between owned ships and stations in the system.
  
• Cleanup and additions to the help screen.
  
• Minimum scan distance was increased to 600k.
  
• Minimum trade distance was increased to 400k.
  
• Additional background music was added.
  

Astrela Starlight is now "Coming Soon" to Steam Early Access. You can join the beta program!

Visit http://astrelastarlight.com for more information.